End of an Era 
Thanksgiving marked the end of an era for me -- my last shift at North Memorial Ambulance Service. Started 18 years ago as an EMT, soon becoming a paramedic and finally emergency medical dispatcher.
 
New Horizons
What's next? Jane begins her new role Jan. 3 as full-time manager and instructor at Veberod Gem Gallery in Minnetonka, MN!!! I'm doin' the Yippee Dance!!!

Veberod Gem is on Ridgedale Drive, 1 block west of Ridgedale and 1 block south of Byerly's.

Check the website for a current list of classes and a detailed map to my favorite jewelers' resource.

http://www.vgems.net/


Finally in Her Element:
Stones & Precious Metals

When Jane Dreis was a child, her grandfather gave her three special stones: a chunk of rose quartz and polished nuggets of malachite and tiger’s eye. To this day, she stuffs pockets and vehicle cubbies with pretty stones. Her husband worries that someday she'll sink their boat!

Recognizing the strong attraction it would hold, Jane steadfastly avoided jewelry-making courses.  After turning 50, she finally decided it was time to indulge in her first class. Such joy! Therapeutic, even!
 

Making jewelry changed her focus much more than anticipated. Today, Jane spends most of her spare time in a small studio surrounded by the stones she has always admired and just completed her fourth season exhibiting her own pieces at art fairs. She is finally in her element.

MATERIALS

Semi-precious stone beads and cabochons, pearls, coral, shells; sterling and argentium silver; precious metal clays; gold; lampwork glass beads; stained glass and lead-free solder; fused glass materials, ie., glass powder, frit, stringers and noodles; fiber, threads, cords, feathers, leaves, leather, wood and found objects.

TECHNIQUES 

Stringing; knotting; weaving; stitching; crocheting; kumihimo braiding; metalsmithing; clay molding; glass cutting; soldering; glass fusing.

TOOLS 

Pliers, hammers, saws, Flexshaft with polishing and drilling attachments, sanding papers, dehydrator, hairdryer, kiln, disc cutter, dapping blocks, threading die, draw plate, soldering iron, butane torch, safety goggles, respirator, diamond glass cutter, grinder, hand tools for glass cutting, needles, crochet hooks, Marudai/Kumihimo weaving loom, and most important, magnifying eyewear.

COURSES 

Veberod Gem Gallery -- metalsmithing, metal inlay and stone setting; Rainbow Bead -- intro to metal clay, bead work; Art Clay World -- Level One Certification in Art Clay Silver; Upper Midwest Bead Society -- individual assistance and demonstrations; J. Ring Glass -- glass fusing: Stormcloud Trading and the Upper Midwest Bead Society (www.umbs.org) -- individual assistance in beadwork; Minnetonka Art Center -- stone sculpture.