Creativ Festival Fall 2011

I've just arrived back in town from a successful trip to Guelph where I had a booth at the Grand River Bead Society Fair. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to meet new people who share my passion for all things sparkly. Crystal Clay, crystals from the Swarovski Elements collection and bezel settings were flying out of my booth at record speed! A special thank you to Maryanne Walczak for all her extraordinary help this help: chauffeur, sales woman extraordinaire and butt kicker when needed. You should see her work a price gun!

Now my focus turns to the Creativ Festival which starts on Wednesday, October 19. I am teaching four classes and three make and takes! It still amazes me that I am teaching at this awesome Canadian event, as I have been an attendee for many years, even before I started making jewellery. My first crafty love is crochet and I also did cross stitch for years.I have also been known to sew my own clothes and made some pretty cute outfits for my son when he was a baby.  I'm pretty much an all-around crafty chica and this is my absolute favourite show.

Two of my classes are sold out:

313c6	Wed 12:30	Fundamentals in Wirework - Stephanie Dixon
315c3	Fri 1:00	Crystal Clay Quartet - Stephanie Dixon

But there is limited space available in another two:

314c3

Thu 1:00

Crystal Crochet Cuff - Stephanie Dixon

Create this hot off the runway look cuff that you can wear 365 days a year!

Learn the technique of crocheting with wire incorporating of 250 SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

You won't believe you made it.

Pre-requisite: able to crochet a swatch of the single crochet stitch.

305c3        Thu 5:00         Starry Starry Night - Stephanie Dixon and Laura Timmons

This is the necklace that Laura and I taught on the CREATE YOUR STYLE  cruise in April 2011! Learn the crochet wire technique from two industry experts as you create this stunning necklace while playing with some very unique SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, traditionally not found in jewellery designs. Work with Swarovski Cupchains, Chaton bandings and over 35 of the latest innovations and colours. This technique will not only sparkle your imagination but also embellish your creativity!

I really hope you will come to the Creativ Festival to check out all the fabulous vendors, take advantage of free seminars and make and takes, and be inspired by the latest trends in the craft world.

Sparklingly yours,

Stephanie

Skip The Turkey, Let's Get Out The Beads!!!

This Saturday, October 8, I am thrilled to be teaching two classes at beadFX that are among my most popular. So, if you are a fan, you may have already taken them, but if not, why not bring a friend or relative and join me for a day of laughs, learning and sparkle!

First up from 11-1 is CRYSTALLIZED BLING RINGS. In this class geared to any level of expertise (or not!), you will have a fun time creating three rings with The Dixon Chick.  

Incorporating shapes of Crystallized Swarovski Elements you may not have seen or used before, you will learn how to use a mandrel, wrap wire, learn how to properly size rings to create sparkley rings.   

Materials used are: 22 gauge non tarnish silver wire and a whole lot of fabulous SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS!!

You can end your day then, or you can stay for WIRE BEAD CROCHET BASICS. In this course you will learn the basics of wire bead crochet and create a truly unique necklace that will make you the envy of all your friends!

Using 26 gauge wire, a variety of different sized beads ranging from size 6/0 seed beads to 6mm firepolish and a crochet hook, you will transform the wire using the chain stitch into a unique piece of wearable art. The course will focus on creating a necklace.

Here are some samples of my wire bead crochet necklaces. It's so much fun to use coloured wire and to also further embellish the necklaces with pendants.

So call 416-701-1373 to book your spot today!! See you Saturday!!!

Two New Classes This Weekend

Did you know I'm teaching 2 classes at That Bead Lady in Newmarket this weekend? Two brand new classes.

On Saturday at 12:30 is The Whirlwind of Hope ring bursting with crystal and happiness! And guess what? There's no kit fee!!!



On Sunday is a beautiful crochet and wire work class that uses oodles of crystals and lovely pieces from Tierra Cast.


Seating is limited, so go to www.thatbeadlady.com to sign up today or call 905-954-1327.

Don't forget to bring or buy your own copy of BeadStyle's Crystals issue. You'll get to see my published project in real life!!




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Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Crochet Version...

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished crocheting not under the tree,
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care'
Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my hook to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.

"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were hand crochet from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran crochet sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:

"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff. So I asked,
"Hey, Nick, did YOU crochet all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to crochet when I was just a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my crochet hook and yarn for a cap.
He began then to crochet, first one cap then 2--
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his hooks they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your crocheting sometime around JUNE!"

~ Author Unknown

Wishing everyone Merry Christmasand Happy New Year
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