Annus Horribilis!

My first attempt at a Rock Cuff Bracelet

After the fire at Buckingham Palace, The Queen stated the above! Ditto! 6 weeks of Whooping Cough, a  failed colonoscopy (the doctor finally told me he was going to stop the procedure and end the torture), and now major dental work on all 4 quadrants - I'm swimming through a red fog of pain and wondering if this is what the writer meant who said, "old age is not for the faint of heart!" My poor little right brain is cowering in a far corner, whimpering and making weird gestures with her hands. Will she ever risk the cold hard light of reality again? What to do? What to do?

I know! Take a class!

Not only does a class relieve you of having to make any decisions, it's delightful and approved playground time and it keeps you current with progress being made by leaders in the field. Regardless of how many years you have been working with polymer clay, there are still new techniques being developed and you may find it sets you off on entirely new path in your efforts. If you find that the work of a particular artist is intriguing, beguiling and leaves you wondering how certain aspects were done, take the class. If you can attend one in person, that's even better. The camaraderie will lighten your spirits considerably, and, as my Arctic Fox says, "Creative people need to be with creative people." However, if that is not possible, this is the age of technology and classes are given on dvd, online, and through podcasts, and they are frequently of high caliber. Thank you Melanie Muir and Alison Lee of Craftcast. Melanie has a Craftcast class (moderated by Alison) that is fabulous. She has amalgamated many existing techniques and added her own twist and come up with a wonderful, entertaining, instructive class on her Rock Cuff Bracelets. For over an hour I lost myself in her wonderful Scottish burr and her lucid and logical instruction. She holds nothing back, and, what makes me happy, does not require you to purchase scarce items to accomplish a beautiful end result. Thanks again, ladies. You managed to get me hoping this new year will be an Annus Mirabilis!

PS. No, this is not a paid advertisement. These ladies do not know I'm posting this (I hope they don't mind!)