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Friday, June 29, 2012

ART And SOul In Virginia Beach in 2013

Join Me For Workshops At Art And Soul

As promised, I have the latest information on the three workshops that I will be teaching in April 2013 at Art and Soul.  www.artandsoulretreats.com

Shotgun Shell Secret Bezel Ring
Chatelaine Aide Memoire
Enamel Book Pendant

Take a look at what I will be teaching in class!
I know its early, but sign up now before these workshops sell out!







 


Featured Artist Barbe St John

Artist 
Barbe Saint John
Resin Design

I fell in love with these necklaces, designed by Barbe.  My very own came in the mail today.  It is just as pretty as its picture, and will make the perfect gift for a very special gal.

Barbe lives in Ohio and teaches locally and has been an instructor for major art retreats.  Join Barbe for her workshops this September at Artology in Port Townsend, WA.

 

Classs At Adams County Arts Council Education Center

Join Me In Gettysburg, PA

On Wednesday, July 18th, 6 PM to 9 PM at the Adams County Arts Council's Education Center for a workshop in charm design!  The center is located at 125 South Washington Street in Gettysburg, PA. Sign up today for a fun filled designing evening.  Special rates for Arts Council Members.  Call (717) 334-5006


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Butterfly In A Bullet

Precious Pendant


This lovely piece went to a very special gal.  The tiny little butterfly sits in a brass shotgun shell bezel and sits gently behind a teal bead closure.  An awesome piece!
 

 

On A WHim........carries Annie SLoan PAINTS!

Annie Sloan Paints...

Color, color, color.  I am all about it since Spring.  I get in these color/no color moods.  Whatever your mood, check out this wonderful paint by Britain's Annie Sloan.  A friend Jane Counseller tipped me off to this gorgeous stuff and where to find.  Just lucky enough to be at the right place in the universe today to go find some!!!  Leesburg, VA, here I come  : )

Simply Pretty Stuff Simply Pretty Flowers!

Better Late Than Never ...

Spring flowers came and went this year and I was able to get a few pretty pictures.  This has been the best spring for awhile that has shown such bloom.  
I wanted to share because I am into colors this week!!  There is a new paint brand that I will be checking out tomorrow.  Colors by Annie Sloan!!  Cannot wait to see the palette and wonder if I can find a few that remind me of my spectacular flowers of spring.







 

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Retro Cafe Art...Again, My Frozen Charlottes Hero!

Stash In The Post From Kristen Hubrick

As I go on about flea markets and roadside finds, least not I forget the wonderful pile of stuff that came in the post from artist and Retro Cafe Art owner, Kristen Hubrick.
I absolutely loved my stuff!  Aren't these frozen Charlottes the cutest and tiniest things?  Check out her shoppe.  www.retrocafeart.com You will be amazed at the selection and coolness of her things to use in art and assemblage!



 

Studio Addition

Fresh Air and No Wasps!

I am a bit on the allergic side when it comes to waspy things so although fresh air in the workspace is nice, hornets and yellow jackets flying about the studio were not so nice when the doors were wide opened.

I had forgot about this drive by find!  A steal for eight bucks and a bit of paint!  Of course, a certain kind man to fix the screening and assemble was also key to getting my dream come true phase one.  Phase two will undoubtedly involve this same man and hopefully another luck hardware find : )

The red rules, eh?  Of course, I pulled in my favorite color to match those wild and crazy roses further down the hill... of which you can't really see because they are totally lost in the background....
ha-ehmmmm.  love a safe breeze and flower smells.







 
 


Thomasville PA ~ Weekend Flea Market

Treasure Hunt

There was a lot of talk recently from many of my friends and acquaintances getting out and about to find the most coveted treasures for their designing and assemblage.  It had been awhile since friends and cousins Laurie, Chuck, Ryan and Brooke and I went out and about to rummage in a great place near Pittsburgh.  That was a glorious day and I hope to do that again soon.

Sigh.  I read on though and thought, "I am once again missing the thrill of the hunt... I have been so preoccupied with other things (no less important of course!) and haven't found any STUFF."

 As luck would have it, stuck in a bit of a traffic jam on Rte 30, the opportunity presented itself.  Every weekend during the summer the Thomasville Flea Market sets up,come rain or shine.  Some might say this is small compared to some but there were great tidbits to be found for sure.

Look at my treasures!!


Don't ya dig it?

Saturday, June 23, 2012

LIttle Books~ Little Books~ Little Books

A Bunch More of My Little, Little, Most Wonderful Books!

Looky here!  Aren't these the Bee's Knees!!

filled with papers and covered in jewels!

Leather bound, hinged and teeny tiny!

I just love my little, little, little, little book pendants!  There are two editions in this group that will find their way to a couple of unsuspecting, but deserving peeps.  You won't know who you are until you get them...............but I am hoping they will brighten your day.  Others have done the same for me, and so now its become the way I roll. 
I now teach these as all day workshops. Slip them on a chain and you're wearing a CLASSIC.  : ) 
 Let me know if you want one in your neck of the woods!   xoxo

Thursday, June 21, 2012

All About Barbie

Summertime For Barbie...

My friends know that my Barbies and I go way back...way back.  I sewed Barbie clothes (still do), created Barbie vignettes, faux painted Barbie's house, made Barbie jewelry, and spent hours with my sis and a few friends, planning out the life events of our Barbies when we were teeny tots!

A few months ago, a friend of mine, gave me the book, Barbie's New York Summer.  What a welcome addition to my workspace!  Since I do go to New York every now and again and I love little books, this was a good classic for the Barbie girl in me.



As well, along the way,  another summer "must have" for Barbie (not Ken) was found at a local tag sale.  Wow, was I pleased with my shrewd negotiating skills for this nifty golf cart.  ; )  mine for a dollar's change.  Sweet!




 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Simply Pretty Stuff Workshops Offfered At Next Year's ArT & SOul Retreat!

ArT & SOul 2013
Virginia Beach, VA

I am thrilled again to be teaching at this beautiful and inspiring art retreat next year.  There are awesome instructors, Liz Kettle, Jean VanBrederode, and Erin Keck, to name just a few.  Along side these fabulously fine artists I will be teaching three workshops in April.  Stay tuned for more information.  Meanwhile, check out the link for an early heads up! 

Monday, June 11, 2012

Simply Pretty Stuff Finds In NYC

Inspiration Week In New York City

There are lots of things around us which inspire and awaken the inner child in all of us.  However, a trip to New York City always makes my inner child giddy!

This trip was for both business and pleasure.  However, as my business was also fun, I guess you could say the whole excursion was pretty exciting.
It began with a trip to the the site of where the twin towers once stood.  I had been in NYC about 3 months after the tragedy of 9/11, then  dozens times since.  It is so amazing to see the transformation and the new buildings which once again reach for the sky.





One of my work days included a visit to the Noble Desktop Publishing Group, down on Broadway, and near Max Brenner the Chocolate aka Chocolate by the Bald Guy in East Village.  I spent several hours trying to learn how to do flash banners and ads. 

 Since the left brain gets limited use in my right brain world, sitting still and paying attention to the sequencing throughout the session was a challenge.  Thanks to the ever patient instructor, George, a small miracle occurred in the room and exercises in simple Flash programming were mastered.  Love the NOBLE DESKTOP folks and all their hard work and dedication to learning and product promotion.

Now did I just mention Chocolate???  Mmmmm. I definitely suggest stopping at Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar for getting that rest of the day zen that only good chocolate can give.  Oh yeah, there is other good food too!





Oh yeah, and here are a few sidewalk inlays of friends and relatives ;)




 

During this trip I was also glad to meet up with friend, fellow collage and jewelry artist, and teacher, Isolina Perez at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  We had a hyperactive catch up at lunch and then she was kind enough to show me around the school.  Students learn a lot of skills, many in the jewelry lab.  I was pleased to see all the tools, chemicals, metals, etc. and marveled at all the available product and terrific work space.  Would love to teach a few of my workshops at the school or close by.  Will keep everyone posted as to where I might be teaching in NYC since some of you expressed interest already.

Now the business of supply purchases is always, in part, a scavenger hunt.  There are always things never seen before or new stores to explore for products.  This trip included visiting some tried and true places along with a couple of newly discovered gems.

The flea market at Hell's Kitchen is a great place for serious bartering and great finds.  I went there and then refreshed with food and beverage at the market there.  The underground architect of this tunneled warehouse was fascinating.  I am ashamed to say that in all the times that I had been in the city, I never really spent time at the market in Chelsea.  Fantastic and on my visit again list for sure!



 
Onward to find metal, of course, at Metalliferous, buttons at Lou Lou's Buttons, leather and feathers at M&J Trimmings and then found MOOD!  On 37th Street and 7th Ave, on the third floor fabric heaven exists!
The elevator ride up to MOOD was in a brass gated cage with a sweet older gentleman operating the levers.  I was in love with the elevator before even hitting the third floor......well, I found plenty of leather scraps for my little books.  Cannot wait to use them!!!!  Just look at the wall to wall and floor to ceiling!





love these too cute vintage chairs!  One could sit to rethink their fabric needs here!


Another new shop at 142 W.38th Street was East Coast Trimmings.  Owner Donna was very helpful and the store full of inventory.  Donna gives a 10% discount to student shoppers and lots of advice and helpful information.

Here are only a smidge of what was bought last week.......well, less than a smidge.  In total, I filled a LARGE purple duffel bag of goodies to bring back   :D






Can't wait until the next time I take that empty purple bag back to the city again!




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