Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

We always have several projects going on at our house.  Peter is building a series of custom oak cages for our lizards.   He's been designing, measuring and building them carefully.  They will have lights and heaters and meet the requirements for each kind of lizard.    The backs of the cages have screen on the upper half for ventilation and the lower half is a smooth board.   He wants these habitats to be realistic like those found in nature.   Since lizards love to climb around on rocks,Peter used ‘FixAll’ to create the rock texture.     I used acrylic paints to finish the rock representation.   Painting the board to look like natures rocks Ready to assemble Assembled A series of 3 cages This morning we let Willie try it out.   A test run! We think he likes his new condo!  Willie, the bearded dragon, on his rocks 

 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