Hello Everyone!

First, I would like to thank everyone for all of the wonderful emails. You can only imagine how your kind words helped us deal with the situation. Things are beginning to look up for us. The financial sting that we have been feeling has begun to disappear, thanks to many of you who have purchased a copy of my book (thank you so much).

However, it’s a new week and that means a fresh start. Kim and I have decided that we aren’t going to allow the UK bureaucrats to affect our lives anymore. Don’t misunderstand me, we have nothing against the wonderful people of the UK.  We have received some really kind words from many of those that were scheduled to be in class.  We have just decided to take the high road and push ahead. To borrow words from the popular ‘80’s group Timbuk3 “My futures so bright, I gotta wear shades”. With that in mind here are a few announcements that we would like to make.

Cabochons Available

A while ago we announced that we would be featuring cabochons produced by our son Robert. After a few technical difficulties we are pleased to announce that the first batch of those hand cut cabochons are now available on our website. Stop by and have a look –

http://www.macjewels.com/cabhome.html

Future Classes

One of the positive things that’s come from our UK Immigration nightmare has been a renewed interest in our jewelry art classes. At the moment we are trying to put classes together in the Bay area of Northern California, the San Antonio Texas area, and the Richmond Virginia area.

The California and Texas classes are in the initial planning phase. The classes in Virginia have been in the works for some time now, however we are having a difficult time getting enough students to join.

Also, if anyone in Southern California is interested in a class please let us know. We would love to do a Northern California and then a Southern California class around the same time.

We also have an upcoming class in Kansas City Missouri that has a few spots left in it. So if your near Kansas City we’d love to have you in class next month.

So if you are interested in joining in one of these classes please let us know by emailing me at jim.mcintosh@macjewels.com. Please contact us also if you are interested in a class near you.

Online Video Classes and Q and A Sessions

Speaking of classes, yesterday I sent out an email to my list asking everyone what they thought about an idea that I recently had.

Here’s the idea – Each month we would like to host an online Q&A session where wire artists from around the world can ask me questions. The session would be an online video chat. In the video I would help artists overcome problems, show technique, and various other tips.  If you don’t have a video camera for the conference you can join the session and watch. You would also have the opportunity to ask questions via chat. This Q&A session would be free to everyone.

Keep in mind that this idea is in its infancy. We will be developing it much further in the coming weeks. And that’s where you come in. Please send me an email and let me know if this sounds like something you would like to do. You can also throw out any ideas that you may have that will help make this idea come alive.

The plan is to have the first Q and A Session in early October and the first class toward the end of October. I’ll keep everyone posted as we develop the idea.

NEW Book

I am also pleased to announce that I am currently writing a NEW Book. For this book I am teaming up with my daughter in law, Bianca, to create another unique way of designing jewelry. Bianca is a wonderful jewelry artist who has a fresh look on the art. We hope to have it available sometime in November 2009.

Well, that’s all that’s happening at the moment. Next week we’ll take a look at a jewelry technique that will prove to be most helpful.

‘til next week,

Jim McIntosh

Mackintosh Jewelry Studio

http://www.macjewels.com

http://www.wiresmithing.com