Creating a Magic Box (new local class, too!)

Starting this month, I’ll be running a monthly mixed-media class. I’ll be teaching projects and techniques at a lovely little studio space near downtown Phoenix, and we’ll have a yummy dinner & dessert to enjoy while we’re creating! 

I am so very excited to show you November’s project — a magic box! 

I wanted us to create things that could be given as gifts or help us record the upcoming holiday season for the next two months, and became enchanted by the magic of nature and wishes and boxes combined! 

The process of creating this box was brilliant! I know we talk about the transformative power of creating art, but it is one thing to read the words and another to experience them. 

My new awakening has me out in nature, more, reconnecting to my roots. I want to stand in the grass and soak in the energy of the Mother. I want to jump in pile of leaves (in dreams, as there are not enough leaves here to create a pile). I want to pull nature into my daily life and art, and I learned that through creating this piece. 

I also began working with clay. As a child, my mother was an amazing clay artist, using found objects and her own hands to craft faces and shapes and little creatures. Textures for skirts and faerie wings. I’ve missed that, and became inspired to add clay to my box. 

And then there is a bit of collage. Washi tape. Paint. Crayons and marks and scallops. Stamps. 

But my love is the bundle of twigs, held together with wire and findings, old seam binding from my grandmother’s stash. The wire loops down through the lid of the box to create a handle with which to open your box of magic. Of photos. Of books. Of memories. Of wishes for the future, dreams you hope to come true. 

There are so many possibilities. 

I am so excited, I’m going to create more! More and more! 

You can come with and make one, too! 

I’ll be teaching the first class of my new monthly shindig on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at 6PM. 

It will be held at Spread the Weird Studio down near 7th Street & Roosevelt, right along Roosevelt Row and all those galleries and shops! 

Cost is $30. Part of the cost goes towards yummy food. 
Please bring your own cigar box (or you will be able to grab one at class for a small fee).

This class is organized by me and Denise of the Make Stuff Club meetup. You can either pay via PayPal with the link below, or call me to pay over the phone. Please note that space is limited!

I really hope to see you there! I want this monthly meetup to be full of art, fun, and new discoveries. 

Creating an Fun Atmosphere for Class

I've been teaching classes locally here in Arizona for nearly six months, now, and each class teaches me something new! Whether it's how to better communicate with students, which supplies are a hit and which aren't touched, or the best way to teach what I need to get across, I find myself a continuously learning student teaching other students. 

It's an amazing thing.

Unlike online classes, where everything is passive and reactive, I get to actively engage my students in the classroom. We can chat and play and share, or I can instruct and try to finish on time. Feedback is immediate. 

And that moment when their faces light up and they get it -- I wouldn't trade that for anything. 

One thing I have noticed is that I control the feel of the class. 

If I'm rushed or anxious or doubting myself, that will color the lesson. If I'm bouncy and excited, we'll have a fun play-date. My style has evolved from the beginning -- laying out supplies across two tables makes it fun to sit and play and exciting to see what we may be doing in class. Bringing journals for students to work in makes them feel like they're getting a special gift. 

I certainly learned from my last bookbinding class, and decided to kit the entire project. But not only that -- I decided to make fun envelopes out of paper bags, wrapped the remnant paper strips around them, and tied ribbon around the kits. A hand-written hello! sets the mood: you are cherished, welcome, and going to have fun!

Luckily, there's a Whole Foods across the street; I'll be stopping before-hand to grab yummy treats!

 

There's still time to join me tomorrow or Sunday to lean how to bind your own journal!

You can learn more information here, or send me an email to let me know you're coming!

A Happy Day Teaching!

Sunday was a fun-day, for sure!  

Due to a mess-up at the store, our class was small but it meant we could sit and chat as we worked! One was a returning student, the other a member of Journaling Deep! In-between lessons and me drawing on the white board (I felt like a real teacher with demonstrations, supplies lined up to match the steps in the project, and things to draw on that board!), we talked about art, life, health, and jumping outside our comfort zones. 

It is so rewarding, as a teacher, to be able to have an idea in your head & heart, one that you know will help people dive deeper into their creative life, and see that sparkle in their eyes when they get it. I am thankful for the small and understanding class that allowed me to find my footing, and pray that good ideas really do spread, and I'll be teaching larger classes in the near future (and certainly checking in with the store more often to avoid snaffus like what happened this week for SURE; I'm still miffed about the whole situation!). 

This was the first time I taught Paint, Play, Discover, but I can already tell this is going to grow and blossom in my own journaling practice and hopefully that of my little class!

Thanks to Marlene and Lisa for coming out and being so patient with me and my fibro-fog! 

(Because we were chatting, we ran out of time! Oops!)

(And here's a bit from my page that I've been working on here and there!)

And don't forget -- I'll be teaching Journal-Making Sunday, June 24th @1pm. We'll tour the store and learn about all the different types of papers, and make our own hard-cover journals/sketchbooks. Click here for more information!

Pay What You Can Mini-Class: Art Journal Diary!

 Hi loves!

Happy Memorial Day! 

I'm spending my day relaxing, sketching, and diving into my journal. It's felt a little neglected as of late, so I decided I'd take today off and play! We had our BBQ yesterday, so today's just for fun. 

I have vets in my family, and friends who are vets, and I'm going to dedicate a page to them in rememberance of their service and sacrifice. 

But here's the big news: I'm doing something to help YOU! 

I was looking at the most-recent lesson for Journaling Deep and reading through my groups on Facebook, and decided that there was a need for the lesson outside the scope of our little group of journalers wanting to dive deeper into their journal practices. 

So I decided to make it available to everyone via donation!

For me, living with a chronic illness is a daily game of "What did I do differently today that made me feel _______?" Whether it's feel better, have more pain, or a higher level of fatigue... 

And I'm really bad at keeping track of my daily symptoms depsite doctors and educated friends saying I should!

So I decided to create a journal dedicated to chronicalling my health every day. And I wanted to make it colorful and artful and cheerful to work in. And easy! Because some days, we are tired, or don't have a ton of energy, or have no time! So why not create something where I could fill in the blanks and still do a bit of art?!

But this project isn't just for this -- if you have anything in your life you'd like to chronicle: a home improvement project, a new baby, an exercise & diet plan -- then this little mini-class will give you ideas on how to put together a journal to do just that!

Make tracking your life easy and fun with this project! 

There's 30 minutes of HD video instruction, a companion PDF with more information and ways to use this project, and pages of printables made just for you to cut out and use in your own journals! 


Pay what you can! 

This bunch of materials would usually go for about $10. But I know this is a project that will benefit some of you with less, so give what you can -- whether it's $5 or $2 or even $100. :D

So if you're curious as to what we do every week in Journaling Deep, or are looking for a way to journal your daily life, this is a great deal for you!

All done! Save your pennies; I'm developing a more in-depth version of this class for release in August! 

PLEASE NOTE: because of the way my PayPal account is set up, you'll be redirected to my online shoppe. Do NOT try to log in there for the course. You will recieve an email from me --  This is a manual process, so please give me 12-24 hours to send your invite and approve your membership.  Please let me know if you're already a member @ The Studio & send me the email address you used to join in the Message section. 

ETA: I was just asked a very interesting question -- "Is this all you value yourself?" Which is true -- charging more and getting students means they may be more comitted to the lessons and pricing higher shows how much QUALITY and TALENT I have. But I felt, today, that there are so many people out there that would benefit who are on disability or just don't have the funds, and I really wanted them to be able to participate. And I'm hoping there are a number of people who CAN pay $10 (or $12 or $15 *grin) to cover those who can only afford $5. 

Plus, this is a Journaling Deep lesson, which is a paid class in itself. I DO value myself, and my work, but also want to help people! I'm thinking of expanding this lesson, so if you like it, start saving, because we're going to have a LOT of fun! 

Two new classes here in Phoenix!

Hey loves! 

I'll be teaching 2 new classes here in Phoenix, AZ in May and June! I wanted to tell you a little more about them, since I'm waaaay excited to teach 'em! 

Book-Binding/Journal-Making

Saturday, May 26th: 1-4pm
Sunday June 24th: 1-4pm

$35

This class is intended to take you through the process of binding your own sketchbook or journal. We’ll start by walking through the store to learn about the different papers you can use, then sit down to learn how to make signatures, bind the papers together, and the steps to construct a cover to create a book much like a hardcover book you’d find on your bookcase! The great thing about this class, though, is that you can finally create a sketchbook or journal that is your favorite size, with the best paper for your artwork & sketches, and personalized with a pretty cover! 

Beginners are most welcome. Anyone interested in learning basic bookbinding should check this class out! 

We will be browsing the store during class to help you select the best paper for what you’d like to use your sketchbook/journal for, as well as a paper to use for the cover. If you have either of these at home and want to simply bring them to class, you’re more than welcome to do so. 

 

Paint, Play, Discover!

Sunday, June 10th: 12-3PM

$40

This art journaling class will focus on using acrylic paints & other fun media (such as colored pencils, Neocolor II crayons, & inks) to create fun, dynamic backgrounds and accents to build a full journal page on top of. We’ll figure out what colors speak to you, go over the basics of acrylic painting on paper, and learn a few fun techniques to help the paint sing in your journal! We’ll build upon that with handwriting exercises to create flowing, lovely words and writing to capture your favorite quotes, song lyrics, and thoughts. 

Beginners are more than welcome! 

 

You can contact the store, Jerry's Artarama, directly to sign up: 480-775-6787

I hope to see you there!

Finding Magic, New Supply Love, & More!

I have so much magic I want to write about, but it shall have to wait. 

As many of you know, I suffered a concussion early Friday morning when the light fixture in the ceiling of my Closet Studio decided to attack my head. I’m fine; I went to the ER on Monday, finally (as having no insurance + CT scan = scary!), and was told I’m suffering a post-concussion syndrome, which mimics the symptoms of the original injury, except for a longer, undetermined period of time. So posts are going to be a little far apart, as being on the computer or sitting in the studio is a bit difficult at the moment. 

(I am still launching the Ning on Monday, though!)

 

A mosaic of my students, their work, and my samples...

Class on Saturday was amazing. In every way. My students were magnificent and so patient with me as I was a bit scattered! We had a great, fun time, and they kept saying they were having a wonderful time! Oh, it warmed my heart. Being able to go around and see the magic they were creating and help them fix those bits they didn’t like while pointing out the amazing things they’d created on their own? 

I found my magic. 

I know what I’m supposed to do. I have the confidence to go for it. There are plans in the works, but for now, I shall bask in the glow of Saturday’s class. 

And as I was browsing the shop after class, I spied the Prismacolor colored pencils and was thinking, “So many people like them; I should give them a try, hmmm?” So I walked up to the woman plucking pencils from the shelves and asked, “Do you like these?” 

She turned and said, “Oh, I know you, I read your blog!” 

It turns out, Kim had emailed me before my newfound better reply practices and we got to chatting. Then, another woman came down the aisle, Lynn, who I’d met at my first demo and had traveled far to come see me. Add an amazing class plus two wonderfully creative ladies who recognized me from my writings and videos here and reached out and bam! 

I really found my magic.

That, and I’m in love with my Prismacolor colored pencils! And! A month ago, a friend of mine found a set of Art Stix at a garage sale for $3 and asked me if I’d use them. Not knowing what they were but not being one to turn down a lucky find, I said I would, and she sent ‘em to me. Little did I know, the Art Stix are the same thing as the pretty colored pencils, except without the wood! 

Talk about a lucky find! It’s a 48 color set! 

Add to all of that Jane Davenport’s posts for Life Book this week about some fun techniques with these beauties and I am one happy, happy girl! 

I am so excited for all the amazing things I have in mind for the launch of the Ning, and for the future of the blog, and for my art and journaling. I wish you could all come hang out with me, because I’d be talking a mile a minute about everything I’m discovering!

By the way, I started using a pad of Strathmore Mixed-Media 300 series paper for my journal, and I love it! I already was in love with the 400 series — I have a pad in every size, even the 18”x24” pad, and use it in all my demos — and was hoping the 300 series would make a good journal. It does! I’ll be doing a video review of this paper versus Canson’s Mixed-Media paper very soon! 

Also, tomorrow is the last day you can sign up for Journaling Deep in its current incarnation. It’ll be changing as soon as the Ning launches, as I’m upping my game!

If you have a few minutes, why don't you fill out my questionnaire so I can get to know you better?

{a new journal-makin' mini-workshop!}

 

I've gotten requests to share my newest journal-binding creating, the soft, fabric-covered yet amazingly sturdy button journals I began creating last October.

So, in-between projects & deadlines, I created this little mini-workshop to walk you through the process. Hey -- instead of me typing all this, why don't you take a look?

I really, really am in love with these journals. I've made two already and just can't get over how much I love 'em! It's rare that I use the same kind of journal twice...maybe I've found my Journal Match Made in Heaven?

Head on over to the Shoppe to grab your log-in. You'll get an email 24-48 after signing up (I don't "work" on the weekends, so if you sign up then, you'll get your log-in on Monday).

And this is my first little class of the year -- and I'm rolling out a new feature: DVDs

Yep! You can sign up, get access to the web classroom, AND get a DVD and printed workbook sent to your house. How awesome is THAT?

Anyway, I'm gonna stop blabbing and leave you with pretty pictures!

(ps. workshop ticket holders will get an email today about snail mail addresses!)