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"Thanks so much for the private lesson.... I enjoyed it a lot! It's just amazing how a bezel can give a stone a whole different look. I took the piece that I did to work and everyone was so impressed. Thanks again for taking the time and sharing your endless knowledge and know how with us. We are so looking forward to our "play day" next time around!"
—Shaldyn (Franceen in photo on left)
Oahu, Hawaii
October 2009
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"Thank you for coming to Anchorage, Iris. You are an amazing teacher! I've learned so much from the 6 days with you. Can't wait to take more of your classes. I've been creating bubble necklaces and now I'm waiting for an oval mandrel, so I can make a copper bracelet.
Thanks again!
(The girl from Hawaii living in Alaska)"
—Dale Sonoda-Kodama
Anchorage, AK
October 2009
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"That's awesome about your new book! Please keep us informed, and of course I want mine autographed! Thank you sooo much for coming to Alaska!!! I was only able to take your "Beautiful Bangles" workshop, but the information you shared was like 10 or more classes. I learned so much that I can never thank you enough. Also, I would like to thank you for doing 2 sessions instead of 1, otherwise I would have missed seeing you again along with the fun that I always have. The metal knowledge that you imparted is exactly what I have been researching. I think you are a mind reader! It was great to see you as always. Looking forward to the next time you return to the Great White North!"
—Joann Hafer
Anchorage, AK
October 2009
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"Iris,
I will be taking your "Matchsticks III: Bezel Baskets" class, here at Alaska Bead Company, when you are here in September. I really wanted to take another class, but everything was full already. I went in on Sunday, just 24 hours after they started sign ups, and 5 of the 7 classes were filled! Yikes! I am on the waiting list, and I am an employee. You are very popular, and from my experience, we don't get a lot of metal artists up here. I love working with wire and metal, and it seems like most of the classes are offered using seed beads and weaving. ABC does a great job of offering workshops.
I look forward to meeting you in September! Have a fantastic day!
Best Regards,"
—Charity Gumbetter
Anchorage, AK
July 2009
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"Iris,
A GREAT BIG thank you my dear! You have caused huge waves in my life (good ones)! Since taking riveting private lessons from you I have found a passion in the world of small metal working. I love the miracle of the meld - watching the silver turn radiantly orange and pool. What joy!
SO, what does a woman do when she has no dedicated or even remotely convenient location for her new found passion? She rearranges 3 rooms in her house, cleans out the closets and the 140 degree attic. Gathers all of the art/craft/knitting supplies into one location and sorts 30 years of tools and gadgets, yarn, buttons, wire, needles, frames, paint and canvas into one room, orders a massive work surface, sorted 9 jars of beads, and puts shelves in the closet, she shreds 3 trash cans full of old documents-that needed to go, finds a pair of gold earrings that have been lost since her father-in-law was married to wife #3 and she loves the new location of her studio and office, as both have big and happy windows! OH, and she has a massive garage sale. So maybe you caused a Tsunami?
Some time next week, my studio will be completed, sorted, shelved and ready to roll! I have a new revolving vice, anvil with pin, 2 hammers, a tripod, 2 firing bricks, a Teflon pan and a great torch. I may never leave that room! I'll send you photos when I've actually put my ideas into action!
What distance learning lesson would you think might be a good next step for me. THANK YOU!!!! yet again."
—Candy Spurzem
Jackson, MS
July 2009
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"Iris,
I just spent two hours using your instructions to refine my jump ring making. I used 16 gauge copper wire and ordered 16 gauge fine silver wire today. Soooo I'm pretty happy with my jump rings and I know your distance learning lesson really helped. I've never really examined a jump ring so closely before and it makes a big difference. I think I'm ready to go on to the Fused Loop Pendants and Stackable Rings lesson next."
—Peggy Glassman
Leverett, MA
June 2009
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Now it's time to brag on one of my students! Max and Amelia came to me as private lesson students in drawing, painting and glass when they were 11 years old. Check out what Max is up to now:
http://www.silentanna.com/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrGLhn3W1DU
See if you can spot me (and my borzoi) for a second in one of his youtube trailers.
—Iris Sandkühler
Tiburon, CA
March 2009
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"Iris,
There is so much joy inside I can't barely sit still. I've just finished the bracelet Matchsticks & Torches from today's class and I must say it is one of the most beautiful pieces of work I have ever made.
This is what I have been waiting for for so long. For a few years now, I looked for teachers everywhere in the Bay Area and none felt right to me. And today, in my heart it was the perfect match. This is exactly what I needed. You have given me joy and hope. So I thank you for that.
I look forward to taking more classes from you.
Thank you so much for everything."
—Yleanna Garcia
Tiburon, CA
January 2009
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"Hi Iris,
I'm very proud to tell you that I took your Distance Learning, Viking Knit lesson and I learned it so well that I made my own variation on the concepts from you. This fabulous necklace was submitted to the contest "The Celebrating of Beads of The Bead Museum in Washington DC". To my surprise, I WON FIRST PLACE! It’s in the metal category and my piece will be exhibited in the Bead Museum in Washington DC from September 28 through December 31, 2008. Do you believe it??? This is my first attempt and I won!
You contributed to that achievement with your expertise and great teaching. I also want you know that I mentioned you in my bio (credit for where I learned the Viking Knit technique) and I want to personally thank you for your excellent way to learn (through distance). I attached the photos of my necklace called "March of the Turtles". I'm looking forward to taking more classes with you so you will hear from me very soon. Thanks again and take care.
This is the link to the museum, for your reference:
www.bsgw.org
Thank you very much Iris!"
—Karen M. Garcia-Deliz,
Puerto Rico
September 2008
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"Hi Iris!
Thank you so much for coming to Honolulu and providing all those fun classes at The Bead Gallery! I wish I could have taken more. Your Matchsticks & Torches class was so much fun, but I wish it could have gone on for another hour...the time went by much too quickly. The first thing I plan to do is make a necklace for my Mother-in-Law for Christmas. I know she will just love it!
Thanks again for sharing your gift and knowledge of working with wire! Looking forward to your next visit to The Bead Gallery.
Mahalo!"
—Shaldyn (LiLMarvette)
Oahu, Hawaii
September 2008
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"I very much appreciated your class today. I raved about you to the Bead Inspirations crew. Thanks for sharing so much valuable information—especially the "whys" / theory of it all. It will really make a difference in my future efforts, and save me so much "pain"."
—Karina Foote,
August 2008
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"Dear Iris — I'm so glad I found you, you have been a great influence on me and my jewelry. I'm not sure if you knew this, but I'm really picky when it comes to teachers, and I think you're one of the best. You make learning fun — I think part of it is because you seem to enjoy when others are learning - how great is that?! Thanks for teaching me about metals, art, music and following your own path!"
—Christine
San Francisco, CA
July 2008
Aiko Designs
Jewelry design by
Christine Aiko Beck
www.aikojewelry.com |
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"I'm interested in booking some time for a phone consultation. I have been busy learning new things and practicing, and have you to thank for getting me started with a torch. I now have an acetylene/air torch, flexshaft and lots of other toys to play with, but I still use my little butane one for fusing.
Here's a link to my Trunkt portfolio - see what you started? I am developing a wholesale line, and have even had an inquiry! www.trunkt.org/lavendercottage
Your distance learning courses are exceptional in quality! I'm getting ready to purchase Introduction to Patination.
Thanks so much!"
—Cheryl Van Dyck,
Tennessee
June 22, 2008
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"I am still very jazzed about the private soldering lesson we had on Saturday! Drove home with design possibilities floating in my head. Thank you again for the opportunity to get comfortable with soldering and learning a whole lot more in the process."
—Rosemarie W.
Yosemite, CA
June 2, 2008 |
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"I consider you our primo teacher. I wish I could have majored in silversmithing, or jewelry making, or something appropriately related (at least closer than Social Sciences!). I love all of the knowledge you impart to us, and I appreciate it, and I respect you for it. Just thought you should know."
—Rebecca L.F. Magee
San Jose, CA
May 28, 2008 |
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"Hi Iris,
Your distance learning lesson Beach Glass and Pebbles (Making a Traditional Bezel) arrived alive and well! The lesson is VERY thorough...(as usual) and that is why I went through you. I already know how to do a basic bezel, but your instructions are always so clear and concise, it is always worth the money to "relearn" these basic techniques with you. Never stop growing and learning right?
Check out some of my stuff: www.gelsominadesigns.com"
—Maui Jasmine
March 2008 |
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Shireen, age 11, has successfully learned to safely play with fire and fuse fine silver in a private lesson at Sandkühler Studio
"I like taking classes from Iris because it's fun to learn new things and socialize at the same time. Using a torch is my favorite. I also like hammering a lot."
—Shireen
August 2007 |  |
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"Just wanted to drop you a note and say how much I enjoyed the two classes I’ve taken from you at the Bead Shop recently. I was actually quite terrified of using a torch when I arrived at the "fusing" class, but by the time I completed the silver rings for the project, I felt comfortable enough that I was able to get them all done in the class. Your teaching skills made me feel that I could get past my initial fear and I really liked the fact that you went over how the torch worked and what could happen if things didn’t go right. It took away some of the fear by understanding the process and how to use it safely.
I also loved the Etruscan Tree of Life bracelet class. What a beautiful design that is! Of course, it will take some practice on my part before I come close to getting a final product that looks like your sample. But I am happy enough with my finished product that I am wearing it. Again, good teaching skills and I definitely would take more classes from you when the opportunity arises.
Thanks and good luck in your many projects. You are one busy woman!
Feel free to use my comments, they are from the heart."
—LeAnn Ritter
July 2007 |
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"I recently took your Loop-in-Loop Peacock bracelet class while you were in Honolulu and I am having a ball making them! I really enjoyed your class and the way you broke down each step so a novice like me can understand what I’m doing! Mahalo!"
—Franceen Sato
August 2006 |
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thebeadgallery.com |
"As a teacher, Iris is so patient and understanding with the students.
It's so easy to learn and enjoy in the presence of kindness and genuine dedication to the craft. As a person, she is always sincere and honest in her communications. We always appreciate her making the time to share her knowledge and love of beading with our customers! Mahalo
Iris!"
—Jamie & Jason
Owners: The Bead Gallery
Honolulu, Hawaii
July 5, 2006 |
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"So it's class sign up day here at The Bead Shop [Palo Alto] and your stackable rings class was the first to sell out! The class only took about 5 minutes from the time sign ups started to fill!"
—Kara Burke
Class Director, The Bead Shop
May 2006 |
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"I think you are an excellent teacher and your [distance] tutorials are the clearest I have ever seen. I am sure they represent hours of work."
—Sandy Tandler
Menlo Park, CA
February 2006
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"Iris has an energy that encourages her student's individual creative style. Her calm manner and clear directions underlie how she structures and tailors information for her students. This combination makes a TERRIFIC long distance teacher!
Thank you, Iris!"
—Jean Yates
New York
January 2006
prettykittydogmoonjewelry.com/ |
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"Aloha Iris,
I wanted to tell you how much I have learned from your internet classes and your personal lessons. Please, please whatever you do, expand on the internet as you had mentioned in your email [newsletter]. It will benefit you as well as others like me who cannot attend classes where one has to be present. Having the flexibility to do the piece at your convenience [and your teaching] is great."
—"Dolphin" Patty
on Oahu
January 4, 2006 |
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"Thanks for allowing David (age 9) and Elle (age 7) take your Sheet Shapes class at your studio. They let me know that they really had fun learning to work with metal and tools, and enjoyed taking your class (they sure lasted a long time!). |
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—Naomi,
San Francisco Bay Area
August 2005 |
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"[We've] taken a couple of classes since we saw you [at the studio] last summer. We both agree that we have been very spoiled with your excellent teaching skills and truly appreciate your teaching practices. Your 'hands-on' approach is second to none and the couple of classes we have taken elsewhere have been disappointing."
—Donnalene
(of The Donna's)
April 21, 2005 |
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"I found Iris’ class both challenging and rewarding. The coiled gemstone project is worth the time and effort! The outcome surprised me and the process was one of discovery. I’ve had offers for this necklace, but it’s staying with me! Thank you Iris, for your encouragement and direction."
—Lorabella Designs
September 2004
Coiled Gemstone Necklace
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—Edward Tung
September 2004 |
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"I continue to learn so much from Iris, she is a major source of inspiration and very patient!"
—Nanette Kroupa & daughter Alex, private lessons at Sandkühler Studio
May 2004 |
nankdesigns.com |
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Maryl and Dominic were excited to make their own wedding rings, and the results were — well, gorgeous!
—Maryl and Dominic
March 2004
See how they did it at www.puttypeg.com/rings/ |
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"Dear Professor Sandkühler:
I have a bit of good news that I would like to share since I know my new found creativity has contributed to this success. I was informed by Academy of Art College that I received a scholarship, 75% of 9 units tuition for summer grant program this year. Thats $3,000.00+ more in value!
The value, perspective, and sculpture projects from your Basic Design class were included in the portfolio. Again, thank you, and you are welcome to share this if it will assist in motivating students to work hard."
Sincerely yours,
Taiko
June 16, 1999
http://www.taikofujimura.com/ |
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