Jeff's Angel Artists Come Together To Help Karen Milstein

AUCTION FOR JEFF MILSTEIN

A couple months ago a fellow artist fell off a ladder with devastating consequences.  He is lucky to have survived the brain injury caused by a stick on which he fell.

We are all in the position to see life change in a blink.  For Karen and Jeff Milstein, the blink happened and now their lives are changed, facing an uphill emotional, physical and financial battle.

We all also understand how it is with health care and health insurance nowadays.  It has become a national travesty of which we are all affected.  The Milstein's were self insured since they are both artists, supporting themselves and their family.  There was a $10,000.00 deductible and a couple thousand dollars a month for the policy.  The Emergency Care and follow up weeks and weeks of care for Jeff, well surpassed that deductible and bills continue to mount. 

Jeff has been making progress slowly and there are set backs.  Karen keeps us up to date so we all can pray, support and care.  Who are we as artists and friends if we cannot support each other when one has devastation such as this?  It is this thinking and the kindness and determination of art sister, Jen Crossley that has brought many of us together in a joined effort to raise money for Karen and Jeff, and to show that we care.  

The auction is about to end.....tonight at midnight.  So many lovely things to bid on, so many well know artists.  Mindy Lacefield, Jen Crossley, Terri Brush, Isolina Perez, and so many more! Please take a look and reach into your pockets to help if you can.  It is a powerful thing when we all work together.

Follow the Link.

https://www.facebook.com/events/538659016484590/

How To Solder A Jump Ring To Any Charm: Art Project Tutorial 11, by Lynne Suprock

How To Solder A Jump Ring To Any Charm: Art Project Tutorial 11

by Lynne Suprock

I've been soldering for more than a dozen years, beginning with making stained glass pieces.  At first I took a class just to have fun and releive some of the stress from a clinical day spent with my students on a critical care unit. After the first class, however, I was hooked.  Combining the beautiful glass colors with the magic of molten metal was fascinating and satisfying.  It became a regular part of my mixed media creating.  Charms are lots of fun to create!

Today, I want to share how to get that pesky jump ring onto that gorgeous charm you've created.  It goes without saying that practice practice, practice makes almost perfect.....so don't give up after a few tries.  Keep practicing.  Hopefully a few tips and this close up video will help a bit.

What you will need is spelled out in the video.  Just know that you do not have to use the same products shown.  For instance, there are many flux brands and cleaner brands out there.  You will find whatever things work for you in your practice. I do use my own jig A LOT so I put up the link in case you would want one too.  They are adjustable and eliminate the need for a third hand device, which never worked very well for me, anyway.  The jigs also are great for securing rings with empty bezels to pour level resin!  

Click on the link below for the 4 minute tutorial video.  Feel free to like and subscribe for more free tutorials on my YouTube Channel, as well. xo

How To Solder A Jump Ring Onto A Charm

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Stay tuned for the next Segment, with more stories, images, and tips throughout the weeks and months ahead

How To Transform Sea Urchins Into Art: Art Project Tutorial 10

How To Transform Sea Urchins Into Art:
Art Project Tutorial 10

By Lynne Suprock

OK, Who has a box of sea shells from a beachy trip or two?  Now, who has a box of shells and knows not what to do with them?  We all have those boxes because we are passionate collectors of these beautiful, wonders of nature, and we cherish that we can hold our vacation memories in our hands.  Well, I have begun a few projects incorporating such treasures from the sea because they deserve to be seen, worn, or displayed.....

Out from a box came a few fantastic sea urchins, actually bought at a little beach gift store, a few summers back.  What attracted me to them was their color.  By no means the splendid hues were totally natural, but pretty, nonetheless.  

Most sea urchins are a little fragile, as are some shells.  I wanted to use them in a project adding jump rings for ribbons and chain, but had to carefully select the medium and the method to make it so, without damaging the pieces.  The transformation was amazing!

                                                             

For this project I decided to use Aves Apoxie Sculpt.  It hardens like a porcelain and it is beautifully paintable!  So.... with a bit of scuplting and painting, I came up with a couple of fabulous specimens.
To see how I did it step by step, go to my free video tutorial here.

Sea Urchin Art

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Gold Leaf And Polymer Clay With Christi Friezen

Gold Leaf And Polymer Clay With Christi Friezen

By Lynne Suprock

I finally got to meet super duper art girl Christi Friezen this weekend.  She ran three polymer clay workshop intensives in Ligonier, PA at The Main Exhibit, sponsored by Allegory Gallery.  

Also in Ligonier that weekend, was something called Antiques On The Square.  OH YUM RIGHT THERE.  A few other creative things happened as well, but that is the next blog. hehehe.

So......... surrounded by market, antiques, and Christi, Sunday was an art day, for sure.  One of the things I enjoyed about the workshop, other than making beautiful stuff.....was how fun, lively and easily approachable Christi was as an artist and teacher.  She has published books, made DVDs, taught online, does a million workshops, and maintains her wonderfulness as a person.  Lovely.

I have worked with clays and resins in the past and do a lot with Aves Apoxie Sculpt currently, so to see how to marry polymer with a few other products like that, and metal, and Pan Pastels, and Gold Leaf, etc etc, was important stuff for my mixed media mind.

One tip I will give away from the class I chose to attend that day was to use actual honest to gosh "gold" leaf in the process.  The other metal foils do not really work as easily or as nicely with polymer.  So, let that be the (lol) gold standard.  

Here are some of the pictures from that morning....

Here are a few of my own pieces that I took home from class.  OK, I did my own thing in the middle.  😀

That evening Christi and her sis Stacey Cole Peterson (who does metal work) had an opening show, a little walk up the street, at Allegory Gallery, 215 East Main St, Ligonier, PA.  Christi now has her polymer vessels and goulies, and other juicey pieces on display and for sale there, for the next several weeks.  Check out some of her pieces at 

http://store.allegorygallery.com/

Finally, some pictures as the reception was winding down and silliness prevailed. Thank you Andrew Thornton and William Jones for a terrific evening, food and fun.

Painting With Fire On Brass: Workshop at The Muse

Painting With Fire On Brass:  

Workshop At The Muse
The Color Of Our Hearts

By Lynne Suprock

Well, another workshop has come and gone and I was just as excited to teach these gals as I was the very first time teaching the class.  It never gets old, there is always something to learn and everyone goes home with something special that they made in class. 

Sunday was a perfect day, in a beautiful studio, hosted by an awesome retail presence in the community.  Whitney Dalberg, owner of the Muse in Frederick, MD, hosts a variety of craft and art workshop each quarter, never to disappoint.  What a wonderful events for the art community there!

Here are some of the pictures of the pieces made by students as well as a group shot. 

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Stay tuned for the next Segment, with more stories, images, and tips throughout the weeks and months ahead

Daylily Farms: A Day With The Arts Council and The Gomer's

Daylily Farms:  A Day With The Arts Council and The Gomer's

by Lynne Suprock

Earlier this summer, hubby and I went out to an event, sponsored by the local arts council, where I teach a few workshops.  It was an afternoon of eating, drinking, prizes and buying flowers to benefit the Adam's County Arts Council.

I had never been to a Daylily farm, so did not know what to expect. This farm is owned and operated by two lovely people, Charlie and Anne Gomer.  The flowers were breathtaking!  As well, Charlie raises prize peacocks, adults and babies.  I was smitten!

only a part of the field

adult peacock

my hubby...

the babies

I enjoyed the day thoroughly and am looking forward to the event again next year.  Definitely I will bring more splurge money next time.........lol..........I did not exactly buy the farm, but many of the daylily specimens that were for sale that day.  It was sooo hard to choose.  We raised a goodly amount for the Council.  Success!

Thank you Charlie and Anne!!

Make It Artsy, Project Segments For Season 3: Shotgun Shell Bezels, Making Paper, And Using Apoxie Sculpt To Make Book Plates

Make It Artsy, Project Segments For Season 3: Shotgun Shell Bezels, Making Paper, And Using Apoxie Sculpt To Make Book Plates

By Lynne Suprock

OK, well, um... I cannot believe my week in the Cleveland area is now past. I spent the past week filming three segments for the newest art and crafting show on PBS, Make It Artsy, with host, Julie Fei Fan Balzer at KSproductions Studio in Solon, Ohio. Pinch me, would ya?  Yay, Hollywood, here I come!  😎 Well, ahem, not really.  I would have to bump my hours worked per day up a notch, to.... say......16!  It was truely an eye opener to see how much happens and how one has to be ON and multitasking beyond just a few things every day.  Julie is most amazing at what she does and has been working at honing everything for quite a long time. I so admire her and am fortunate to actually get to work with her -however brief.

So, there were months of planning and shhhh, secret projects to prepare, but now its done.  At least done for Season 3.  By the way, if you do not get the show on your local PBS station, or if it airs at say, 2 AM, you can go to the website and see "some" filmed segments online.  Written instructions for all the projects are available on the website, as well.  Just go to www.makeitartsy.com  Or... in case you like organizing episodes of crafting shows on the shelf, all the segments are available for sale on DVD.  Give your local cable or dish provider a call if you want the show to air in your area.  They love when you call.  Seriously though, it does matter when you ask them to add shows on local progamming.

Finally, after fits and giggles in the green room, all creatives became dead serious and sweaty when it was their turn under the lights of the production cameras.  We had a quick rehearse and went through all the steps in our processes on camera.  No one passed out or died or anything, but we all had a bit of nerves.  In fact, for me, anticipation for this meet up was felt for weeks.  Once there, everyone.....and I mean everyone, made it a great experience. I was thrilled to meet and work with Julie Fei Fan Balzer, Sandra Evertson, Rebekeh Meier, Debbi Simon, Cheryl Boglioli, Erin Gerlach (AVES Product Marketing Director), and Joe Rotella.  I feel like we have all known each other for a very long time and glad that we are now finally truely connected!

My first project involved those beloved shotgun shells that I like to use in my work.  I laid out a cool project which allowed for creating and filling a slimmer than usual bezel with resins that quickly set and were the colors of the rainbow.  I made wine charms, key rings and pendants all with the same process.

My second project opens up the zen center of my heart by creating paper out of trash, laced with a bit of scentiment.  By giving a paper making formula, I demonstrated how to incorporate junk mailing envelopes, paper and love notes or cards to recycle into usable and meaningful paper.  There was a factor of instant gratification method of drying some of these pretty pieces for immediate use.  Samples showed some pieces that were used to mount items in shadow boxes, make pages for book signatures, and provide canvas for letter writing.  For those who view the show and want to learn how to make your own paper making Mould and Deckle, click on the following link to view a quick and easy way to do so.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGIciCRbZOQ&t=4s

A third project was making little book plates to use for attaching signatures to make little books.....to wear as pendants, or to hold in the palm of your hand.  I showed how to create the plates with AvesApoxie Sculpt, using old gift card/credit card templates. Once dried, the templates are removed and the pieces painted and rubbed with a metallic wax for dimension.  Thank you Erin Gerlach for your enthusiasm and support and for such a wonderful product line. To see how to finish the book, using my version of the Coptic Stitch, click on the following link to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-LZSW5J7mc&t=9s

How glad was I to wash off my make up and get into my jeans?  Oh my gosh, take a look at Julies VLOG from behind the scenes for the week and you will see how it feels when they say, "That's a wrap." 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFuGHJ2amW4&feature=push-u&attr_tag=h7eeD6M2ol5jc4qn-6

And....If you like the outfit..... I am wearing a special art apron embroidered by my friend and Art Sister, Cheri Cline, of Cheri Designs.  Check Cheri out on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/Cheri-Designs-Gourmet-Glam-141445932612076/?pnref=lhc

I will be posting the entire segments here on the blog when I get the edited and finished versions from KSproductions.  Subscribe to my YOU TUBE CHANNEL as well for many other videos that may be inspirational to whatever you create next!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosDDW-0RqgFJsfRhE3HYgg

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I also have an Instagram page at lynne_suprock

Stay tuned for the next Segment, with more stories, images, and tips throughout the weeks and months ahead

Adding Color To Brass: Art Project Tutorial 9

Adding Color To Brass:

A Workshop On Using a Torch With Alcohol Inks To Create Heart Pendants:
Art Project Tutorial 9

By Lynne Suprock

Oh my..... oh my.... oh my!  I am still smitten with the latest Jewelry Affaire Magazine.  Why?  Ah hum..... Well, I am right there on the cover with my simple, yet larger than life heart necklaces. I have pinched my arms about a dozen times here.  I am still super excited.  Yes, still.

I will be teaching this workshop in the flesh on Sunday, August 20th, from 3-5 at an event hosted by The Muse Shop of Frederick, MD.  If you would like to attend, deets are on the store's website.  I would love to see you there for a hands down, fun afternoon. Everyone gets to make two necklaces to take home!

www.shopthemuse.com

and register for class

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Stay tuned for the next Segment, with more stories, images, and tips throughout the weeks and months ahead

Creating Artful Expressions With Buckles And Amazing Casting Resins: Art Project Share 8:

 Creating Artful Expressions With Buckles And 
Amazing Casting Resins:

Art Project Share 8

By Lynne Suprock

Being able to read facial expressions, ones showing pain, joy, confusion and the like, was a keen assessment skill learned as a nurse and used each and every day while caring for people.  The ability to tell if someone was sad, hurt, happy, unsure also served me well in my personal life.  Today, as a teaching artist, I find the face a fascinating subject, which serves to inspire some of my creative mixed media work.  How about you?  Do faces hold a mystique, tell a story, inspire you?  I would love to know your thoughts.

In the Winter 2017 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine, page 86, I begin my feature by writing about faces.  I would like to share a bit more about how to develop some of the pieces in that article. It was a great bit of fun.

When working with the mold putty to replicate faces, be patient. The first two times I tried, I blurred the details.  When you depress your face or doll and add the buckle into the putty from behind, make sure you stay steady for about 7 minutes.  Tough I know. Remove everything once mold putty is set. 

I used the fast setting casting resin from Alumilite to pour into the doll/head part of the mold putty, but only part way.  Let set.  Replace the buckle back into the mold putty.  This is really the important part next to staying steady.  Then mix and add more resin until the whole doll/head mold is filled AND let a little bit flow onto and over the buckle itself.  Everything is held together that way.....yay!  

When everything sets, remove the resin and buckle and paint as I explain in the article and embellish.

For some of my submissions, I go an extra step and create pouches or containers for them.  For these necklaces, I did just that out of some burlap.  Nothing fancy, but created more of a theme related to these relic like pieces.  How cool..... let's go a step further and add scrap leather, then stamp.  Ou la-la!!

Thanks for taking a peak and happy creating.

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Stay tuned for the next Segment, with more stories, images, and tips throughout the weeks and months ahead

  

Mini Book Necklace Using Apoxie Sculpt: Art Project Share 7

Mini Book Necklace Using Apoxie Sculpt:  

Art Project Share 7

By Lynne Suprock

I have loved playing with Aves Products for several years.  My most favorite project has been making tiny little wearable books using their Apoxie Sculpt.  In the past, I have used the white version of the Sculpt, then acrylic painted a base and rubbed with a second coat color. 

However, I received the sample pack of neutral colors and decided to start with the black.  I loved how easy it was to add a bit of Rub & Buff to the dried final piece.   When dried, Apoxie Sculpt is rock hard.

Watch this quick 4 minute tutorial on the basic steps of making this book!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2aalqzTFKc&t=5s

TIPS: It is a good idea to use gloves when mixing and handling Apoxie Sculpt as it is sticky.  Wear gloves as well if applying Rub and Buff with fingers after the clay dries.

I chose to use a Coptic book binding stitch for the signature pages this project and used black waxed linen for doing so.

Apply the jump ring to the back inside part of the book plate when the clay is dried.  Use a small ball of mixed A and B wet Apoxie Sculpt to cover the bottom portion of the jump ring.  The ring will stay placed when the clay dries.

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Stay tuned for the next Segment, with more stories, images, and tips throughout the weeks and months ahead