Monday, May 2, 2011

Nature's Bounty

While I was in Florida, Jeff kept telling me about a Robin who was banging it's head on the glass window in my studio. I told him, "well, either it's nesting or being aggressive against it's reflection".

After I got home, I was doing some house clean up and was sweeping the front porch. When I turned around to go into the house, I spied with my little eyes, a robin's nest right by the door. She had built it into the ivy that is growing on the side of the house. So that explains the window! I've since seen the robin (who I have named, Thelma) banging into the window and I think I know what she is doing. I've tried to get some video of her doing it, but Thelma is a bit shy and seems to sense my presence immediately. In this window, hangs a fabric garland. It is very raw, with loose ends and fabric bits and scraps torn and shredded. I think she is trying to get at it as she sees it as stuff for her nest!

Anyway, I've been taking photos every day of the nest to document from nest, to eggs, to babies. As of today, we are at 3 eggs. Typically Robin's will lay 4 eggs, so I betting that come tomorrow, I will find a 4th egg in the nest.









This is Thelma, her nest is in the front of the house. She is a bit shy and does not like to have her photo taken. Here she is lingering on the ground in front of the porch area where her nest is. I tied some ribbon and a note that says, "please use other door, birds nesting on porch" so that no one bothers them (well, except me!)

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However, the good news does not end there! Today, I discovered yet another Robin's nest on the back porch in the ivy! So this robin, I have decided to call Louise. Louise is not as shy as Thelma and she will let me take photos as long as I don't get too close. So far, Louise, does not have any eggs. So i can't believe we will be watching two nests at the same time!



here Louise sits in her nest. Have you ever seen a robin's nest? have you noticed how perfect, like a bowl, the inside is? Well, as I watched Louise today, I figured out how they do that. She scooch's about on her hiney in a circular motion all around the nest. As she is doing that, it's like a pottery wheel, and the inside is getting nice and smooth, like a bowl. pretty cool!

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while we are on the subject of robin's, babies and nest - here is an amazing video. enjoy :


Saturday, April 30, 2011

Workshop at Tinsel Trading Company



BOHEMIAN ROMANCE - AN ILLUMINATED JOURNEY

Have you heard? Tinsel Trading is starting up workshops again and I've been asked to teach a class there. I'm very excited to offer my class, "Bohemian Romance- an illuminated journey" as we spend the afternoon doing some mixed media magic and a touch of soldering for good measure, as we transform metal lampshades into our own personal chandeliers.




















I've made many of these little beauties and each one is prettier than the next! I've personalized them for my house and as gifts. (this one is a birthday gift as well. I wonder if she'll be able to figure it out....) For the class sample (pictures above), I used a combination of personal items, items donated by Tinsel Trading for me to incorporate into my sample and also a few goodies I purchased from that store that I fell in love and knew would be perfect for my project.

So come join me on June 25th from 12:30 to 4:30. you can find more details on The Tinsel Trading website. If you know anyone who will be in NYC at that time, let them know about the class!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Kerin Gale's book blog hop tour



Mixed media artist Kerin Gale has published a wonderful book; Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams; Mixed Media Projects in Epoxy Clay by North Light Books. A collaborative artist at heart, Kerin has put together a blog hop book tour with a variety of mixed media artists participating on their blogs. Everyday you can visit a new blog and read their posts relating to the book and how they’ve used epoxy clay in their art. The Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams tour begins May 1st and concludes May 22nd. Every blog will have prizes (see list below) in addition to their own giveaway (if they choose). All you have to do is leave comments in the blogs you hop too to be eligible to win a prize.

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Kerin teaches online workshops on how to work with epoxy clay, so here is some info for you in case you want to give it a try. Book & Online Workshop Bundles - special pricing of $5 off. All you need to do is put in the name of my blog when checking out through Paypal and you will receive the $5 back.

A) Resin Clay Pendants Workshop + Book = $35 + shipping (only $30 for blog hoppers)

B) Vintage Gentleman Workshop + Book = $40 + shipping (only $35 for blog hoppers)

C) Both Workshops + Book = $70 + shipping (only $65 for blog hoppers)


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here's a list of the prizes:

1) One Aves Power Pack (selection of their most popular formulas) from http://AvesStudio.com


2) Fluid Chalks Online Workshop by Lesley Venable on her The Art Of Altering site which features many other awesome online workshops http://theartofaltering.ning.com/group/fluidchalksbackgroundsbeyond


3) Two Digital Collage Sheets by Alicia Caudle of Altered Bits. You can see her very unique and cool collection here.

4) Sample pack of Silputty 40 silicone putty mold mix from Silpak.

5) 1 OZ ICE Resin and a mixed metal bezel from ICE Resin


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6) Grand Prizes For Book Reviews*



Any reader that writes a review ~ however short or long~ of Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams on amazon.com before July 31, 2011 and sends an email with the title “Inspired Remnants Review” to remnants.art@gmail.com will be entered in a drawing to win one of these prizes. Please note that your honest opinion is wanted on this review.



1) The art piece featured on the cover of the book, “Sacred Totem”

2) Power Pack plus extra Fixit Sculpt clay from Aves Studio

3) Frozen Charlotte Doll with digital tutorial “How To Crackle Charlottes” from Alicia Caudle

4) Resin Clay Pendants online workshop by Kerin Gale

5) Vintage Gentleman online workshop by Kerin Gale

6) Choice of any one workshop being taught by Kerin and Charley at Art Is You retreat in Petaluma, CA. The registration fee and workshop cost are both waived.


7) One copy each of Jen Cushman's book, Explore, Create, Resinate and Susan Lenart-Kazmer's book, Making Connections plus ICE Resin and a selection of bezels


* Please note prizes include shipping to U.S. addresses only.

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have fun on the book tour! here's a list of the participating artists:

May 1
Kerin Gale
Remnants of Olde: http://RemnantsOfOlde.com/posts


May 2
Alicia Caudle
Altered Bits: http://alteredbits.wordpress.com/


May 3
Lesley Venable
Flatwoods Folk Art: http://www.flatwoodsfolkart.typepad.com/


May 4
Christine Lehto
Lilly Bug Studio: http://lillybugstudio.com/blog/



May 5
Seth Apter
The Altered Page: http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/



May 6
Nancy Perennec
Little Bit Wired: http://littlebitwired.blogspot.com/


May 7
Jen Cushman
ICE Queen Zine: http://www.iceresin.com/category/inspired-remnants-blog-tour/


May 8
Happy Mother’s Day!

May 9
Beth Robinson
Strange Dolls: http://strangedolls.wordpress.com/


May 10
Brenda Schweder
Brenda Schweder Jewelry: http://www.brendaschweder.com/


May 11
Esther Verschoor
Vanessie Art Dolls: http://vanessies.blogspot.com


May 12
Kecia Deveny
Lemoncholy’s Flight of Fancy: http://www.lemoncholys.blogspot.com/


May 13
Rachel Whetzel
A Year In The Life Of An Art Journal: http://oneyearartjournal.blogspot.com/


May 14
Shannon LeVart
MissFickleMedia.com: http://missficklemediacom.blogspot.com/


May 15
Marlaine Verhelst
Marlaine Verhelst Art Dolls: http://marlaineverhelst.com/blog/


May 16
Lisa Jurist
Mud Hound Studio: http://mudhoundprimitives.blogspot.com/


May 17
Michelle Bernard
Yesterday’s Trash: http://michellereneebernard.blogspot.com/

May 18
Kerin Gale
Remnants of Olde – Alan Rogerson feature: http://RemnantsOfOlde.com/posts


May 19
Facebook Party!
Apoxie Clay & Epoxy Clays Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_158159677562761

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On my featured day, May 12th, I will be posting my giveaway for my blog only. Just a little something i made using AVES expoxy clay.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

blogging series by Seth Apter

My buddy, Seth of The Altered Page, is doing a series on blogging tips over at Create Mix Media. Looks to be a good one, so pop on over there.

here some of the great questions he posed to himself:

"Since discovering art blogs, I have asked myself many different questions at different points along my journey. What makes a blog ‘successful’ and how is success even defined? Why do some blogs seem to get all the attention, visitors, and comments while others don’t? Should an artist’s blog be devoted to art, to personal issues, or perhaps a combination of both? Can a post have too many words or not enough pictures (like this one)? How can I get a bigger audience and should I even care about that? Should I pay attention to the number of hits I get and all those other stats? Will my readers come back if I take a break or change the style of my art? Is anybody even reading what I write?"

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The dynamics of a popular blog are complex because it all depends on what others are looking for. Some people absolutely HATE music on other blogs and I've even have people say they absolutely will not read a blog with music on it. I don't agree with that (that's what my mute button is for!), but that's their opinion and they are part of that invisible viewership out there that make up the world of blog stats. Personally, I like blogs with lots of visual imagery in their posts. I like a combination of personal and art infused into blogs (like mine). I like blogs where the writer has a quirky sense of humor. I don't like blogs that are too political, negative or mean spirited. I know some people worry about comments and why they don't get many. I think people are just too busy to leave comments. They want to read and move on, because their time is limited. If a blog post really hits home with them, they will leave a comment. I don't get caught up in stats as i think that takes the fun out of what my blog is for me, fun and a cyber diary of sorts. I do think the more you blog, the better. (meaning don't wait too long between postings, as you will lose your readers) But again, remember, these are just how i like things. others have their likes and dislikes and there we come to the beginning again of what appeals to others!

I will be participating in Seth's series because I am always willing and eager to learn something new.

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P.S.

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching a class at Tinsel Trading in NYC on June 25th. Details coming soon!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

iphone fun

Have i ever told you that i LoVe my iphone? well i do! Dillon says i have a problem.... (guess he noticed it while we were traveling) i can't help myself. i love gadgets, i love photography and i love my iphone!

I found an app that allows you to doodle on your photographs. It's called DrawCast. I enjoy it because it gives me a chance to practice painting in faces. I can keep doodling til i feel like it is right and don't have to worry about paint, mess or ruining it!






the first photo (above) was of some street graffiti that i took while walking around downtown Seattle. Then i did some sketching/painting in DrawCast for the second picture.

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in the next group i used a photo that i took outside a store in Seattle. It's a pretty, patina'd angel statuary. It was fun to draw on this photo because the face was already set up for me.

slide show!