Today is my last day teaching at Beads Gone Wild in West Plam Beach (don't worry, I consoled myself with lots of shopping) and the class is All Angles.

The class features a lot of ideas from my book Geometric Beadwork BUT, and it's a big BUT, I wouldn't dream of just teaching things you can already get, so always have on hand extra projects, samples, ideas, doodles etc related to the class and the projects covered. These ideas won't have been seen by anyone else and I'm still keeping them hidden so they can be a treat for my next students.

But even if I hadn't planned extra bits for the class I have to say it is such a different experience doing a class than just reading a project from a book or a magazine. So if you ever get an opportunity to take class - with anyone- leap at it. I love taking classes as you get to learn so much from the teacher and your fellow students. Even just watching the way someone beads, chooses their colours or adds a new thread can be an education and worth the price of admission. I always try and ensure my classes include added extras to what is advertised as I usually have another 20 projects inspired by what I'm teaching that I have on the go or in my mind and love sharing these to see how someone else runs with the idea.

After class I had to wish a sad goodbye to everyone which was only made ok by the fact I was going to stay for a few days with a good friend, Dana Steen Witker, who I met here at a class last year. Dana has promised lots of exciting things over the next few days and it's with a mix of anticipation and terror that I continue my trip.

We have a 2 hour plus car journey to Dana's but we easily manage to chat that time away and before I know it we're at our first stop, Dana and her husband's wonderful restaurant: Hurricane Grill & Wings in Naples where I also got to meet the lovely Cynthia. Normally I avoid food like this as I am not a fan of the sugary sweet sauces we tend to get in the UK but my mind was blown and my opinion soon changed. They have over 30 different sauces to have on your wings and Dana has set up a 'tasting tray' so you can taste all the ones you fancy- which made choosing even harder. In the end I went with Honey Mustard (I know I just said I'm not a fan of sweet but this was so delicious) and Garlic, Parmesan and Herbs. Did I mention the wings also came crispy...

Have you ever had the experience of eating something so delicious that your mind and taste buds are screaming "yes" but your very full stomach is screaming "no"? That's what I had, so annoyingly I had to stop before I had eaten them all.

I'm going to dream of these wings for years to come I think.