Beading by the Bay Report

It's been almost 2 weeks since I was in San Francisco teaching at Beading by the Bay, but I still want to tell you all about it. First off, and I think you know this already, San Francisco is my favorite city in the whole wide world, period. And being in California after freezing my buns off in Minnesota for so many months was heaven. Marcia DeCoster and Susan Kazarian sure had a good idea to get this started. Check out this view from my room:

Thursday night was a Meet the Teachers/Dessert Reception at the hotel...uh, yeah, that's what I'm talking about...

Ron Rock--who I'd never met before and who is extremely nice and very talented in addition to having the best name ever--gave a presentation that night on the new Swarovski Elements. I'm a Swarovski ambassador, and I learned more about the company from Ron that night than I ever had! (I know this photo is blurry, but I kind of like it, don't you? Ron is a gesticulator...)

There were major giveaways...big boxes of crystals and books and kits. Plus, the tables were decorated with splashes of crystals and everyone at the table could take what they wanted.

Friday started early with class.

I taught Lilium for three days straight. The exciting thing was that many of the fantastic beaders that attended this retreat actually FINISHED their projects. I get such a thrill seeing students complete my designs (is that goofy?).

The students were wonderful. Really talented, fun, energetic, and patient with the fact that I hadn't taught this project before. Since it was created specifically for this retreat, and they were the virgins for the design, they were all very good about dealing with little typos in the instructions, helping me clarify things, etc.

And tell me, how sweet is this photo?

Another joy about this retreat was, of course, my fellow teachers.

I have adored Marcia ever since working on her right-angle weave book. But I'd never spent any time with Maggie Meister. We became instant pals--she is an absolute delight. I also got to know Susan Kazarian, owner of the Beading Frenzy in San Mateo and co-producer of this event, who is just a doll...really savvy. Here's a photo of Susan with Marcia during one of the prize giveaways during class break:

One night the teachers, Lisa Garoon, and Rachel Nelson-Smith (who I'd never met in person before, even though we gave birth to her book together--what a thrill!) headed over to Huib Peterson's house. I've never seen so much beadwork all in one place in all my life. This man is truly amazing, and if you're a beadworker, you can add him to your worship shrine right this very minute. We had so much fun rummaging around in his trays.

Huib and Jeffrey prepared the most amazing dinner. I think they must have spent 3 days preparing it? It was a Japanese theme with the most unusual and delicious items: salmon with jalapenos, savory meatballs, at least three different kinds of pickle which I know Huib made from scratch, and several different absolutely delicious items that I couldn't get enough of.

Oh, and there was a little bit of saki involved, too...actually, lots and lots of saki....

What an amazing adventure! And the bonus? We've all been invited back for next year at the same time. If you can swing it, definitely make the trip. It was truly one of the nicest retreats I've participated in. Just sign up on the website to receive updates for 2011.