Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

 Bead-It in Prescott AZ Viking Knit is one of the oldest wire chaining techniques and we first see it being used in the 9 th century.   That must be about the time wire was being made in long enough pieces with a small enough diameter to be flexible for chaining.   It is again popular with jewelry makers and once a person learns the technique it can lead to a Zen like experience.   Basically it is using 26-30 gauge wire and making loops in a circular pattern around a dowel (or similar object) using continuous wire.   When it is finished, the tube is drawn through a series of holes, each smaller than the next, until the chain is the size you want.   The Project I’ve wanted to teach this technique and our local bead store, Bead-It, agreed.  We set a date and had lots of interest.   My first Viking Knit Class was a learning experience for my 7 students and for me.   Aren’t we always learning?   The goal was to make a bracelet with Viking Knit chain and an S hook clasp fro

Some of my canes Books are my passion – well at least one of my passions.   When I saw Donna Kato’s book The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques I just had to have it.   In fact, I took it to the hospital when Peter was getting his biopsy and read it cover to cover.   It is beautifully illustrated with great explanations and it made me want to try millefiori!   Millefiori is one of those words that just feel good in my mouth when I say it.   I tend to jump into new learning experiences with both feet and do a big project rather than starting small and working big.   It has always been a problem for me.   I did one needlepoint tapestry, drew my own pattern, and 10 years later finished it.   Never did another one.   My philosophy is: If I still like it after a big project, I’ll keep doing it.     The upcoming Easter holiday gave me the idea to use one of my empty ostrich eggs and cover it with polymer clay canes.   I have several of these eggshells as they are one of

 Mom and 2 eggs  Fat-tailed Geckos have large tails (hence the name) and skinny legs.   They are kind of funny looking and there are very friendly.   They have thin brown velvet like skin with a design and you need to be gentle with them.   Their tails can come off as a defense mechanism and it is where they store their fat.   The tail will be regrown but never as nice as the original.   They eat mealworms and crickets in captivity and insects in nature.   These geckos have eyelids which makes them unique in the gecko world. They grow to be 4-8 inches long and live 15 to 18 years.     We just added a Fat-tailed Gecko nursery to our house!   It really is a 2’x2’ incubator that keeps the humidity and temperature just right for the 4 existing eggs and 2 on the way! Peter had 4 fat-tailed geckos and he kept them separated for several years.   They were easy to care for and feed.   Now that Peter is building new cages for his animals, he decided to see if he could put them to