Art Opera 2010

this post will be done in pictures, as i think they are pretty self explanatory!

doing some painting

i was in the mood to do some more painting ala traci baustista and you know how i like to use non traditional things for my "canvas". so i pulled this old doll storage box out of my closet and set out to giving it a brand new look. the box is a good size; measuring 18x13. but i like working large. when i finished i covered it in several layers on polyurethane, which really made some of the underlayers and dimensional doodling really pop out. if you are at Art Opera next week, you can see it in person. i collaged the sides, back and bottom with tissue paper.



(sorry about the big fat black cat who wouldn't move out of the way when i was taking this picture!)
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Art Opera 2010

here is a little taste of some of the workshops being offered at Art Opera 2010 to be held in Red Bank, NJ this April 7-10. Right now there is a special january rate going on, so take a peek and see what it is all about. there is also a blog where you can find out more info and keep up on what is going on. find it at: www.artoperanj.blogspot.com.

Hope to see you there!

Holiday soldering class today

Today i held a holiday soldering class here at the house. it was a small class due to my Christmas tree taking up several spaces in the room! it was intimate and really fun. their kits were so cute, i put them in these awesome vintage stockings i found at the flea market. the kind we got as kids with that material that oranges use to be bagged in. A fellow etsian, Kelly, came. We've been online for several years now, so it is always fun to finally meet face to face. and she was so sweet to give me the most incredible polymer clay Santa as a gift.
Also Jenny Heid and her sister, Melissa, came! that was very exciting, as Jenny lives very close to me and we've never quite been able to meet up. Jenny and Melissa had the sweetest camaraderie. i took the cutest picture of them working together and helping each other. Jenny brought me a candle with one of her images on it. so sweet - thank you girls! Jenny and i are both teaching at Art Opera in April. Check out the classes if you have a second to see what we will be up to!

in the bottom picture, i took a picture of myself to show where i put a fun streak of blue in my hair. I'd wanted to do it for awhile and bought a bottle of the color at Hot Topic a few months ago, but promptly misplaced it. i found it last night in with my glues! (well, it looks like a glue bottle....) again jenny, again, sorry for the name lapse; typical kecia move!

any chance you watch Dexter? the season finale was on tonight and i have to say that i am in SHOCK over the ending.

Art Opera 2010

I am excited to announce that the Jersey shore will be having it's own art retreat! that's right, you heard me correct. Lisa Kettell has been busy organizing this event to be held April 2010.

Art Opera 2010, which will be held at the exclusive Oyster Point Hotel on April 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Red Bank, NJ right on the Navesink River, a few miles of the beach and New Jersey shore line, with fabulous views and nestled within loads of antique stores, centers, and art trendy shops, Red Bank is known for their trendy and artsy stores, restaurants. Expect 10-15 teachers who teach everything from bookbinding, visual journaling, book arts, paper sculpting, assemblage art, metal making, jewelry, mixed media painting/illustration, vintage arts, dolls arts, sewing arts and creative inspiration. so far i know of two teachers: me and Jenny Heid!

there will be guest speakers, swaps and a vendor faire.

your airport destination would be Newark, NJ, which is about 25 minutes from Red Bank or you can fly into NYC (Kennedy or LaGuardia). There are trains (from NYC) into Red Bank and Olympic Shuttle also has a drop off location in Lincroft, NJ, which borders Red Bank. Personally, i would go with Newark. Keep an eye on Lisa's blog for more information, or email me with any questions to:

keeshagirl4@aol.com