The time has finally come for me to get on an airplane early tomorrow morning for our workshop in France. It is going to be soooo amazing. Not much time to write, as I have to finish packing and a zillion other little details, but I thought I would share the promo video I made last year when we had only 2 spots left in our workshop. We filled those fast and had a wait list as well. We’ll be booking for next year, so take a peek and let me know if you want to join us next Fall. For now though, Au revoir mes amies!
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How to Get Your Artwork Published
I just put the finishing touches on my last .pdf document for my upcoming workshop called The Pitch, The Project, The Paycheck that I’m teaching this coming Tuesday evening at Art Unraveled in Phoenix, Arizona. I’ve put a lot of thought and time into this lecture-style workshop because I truly wish to teach people the ins and outs of publishing and how to get their artwork featured in magazines. There is nothing quite as thrilling at that first time you pick up one of your favorite art magazines and see your work and words there in all its glory.
As many of you know, I began my career as a newspaper reporter and, later, an editor. I really enjoyed my decade-long career doing it, but don’t regret for one moment leaving the daily grind to be a mom. When I left The Arizona Republic, I thought I was going to be an at-home mom who only occasionally did freelance. The Universe had other plans for me, as I was fortunate to take the first six months of my son’s life off work and return to a healthy freelance writing career. I was trying to add up how many articles I’ve written in 22 years and, well, I had to stop and leave it at “bunches”. All this really means is that I realize I have some good information to give and I hope to help others with my class on Tuesday, and hopefully more workshops to come.
Here’s a little preview of what I’m talking about: How to approach editors; how to write a good query email; how to find the “hook” of your story that makes editors, and ultimately readers, respond to your work; how to handle photography and how to take the right kind of photo to sell your story; editor pet peeves and how to avoid them; handling deadlines; writing a press release for important events/awards in your life; marketing your articles when their published and a lots, lots more.
There are still spots left in my class. I’m secretly hoping some of my fellow instructors sign up for it Tuesday evening. I know I’ve had more than my fair share of these types of questions and conversations at past retreats. So many of these amazing creative people have shared so much with me over the years, I would love that chance to give back a little to them.
Count Down to Art Unraveled
With the move and the changes, I have a lighter schedule this year at Art Unraveled with 2 evening classes. This is the first time I’m teaching both of these workshops though, so I’m pretty jazzed.
I seem to get lot of questions from folks wondering about the publishing process. They want to know how to submit ideas, who to submit to, how to write the letter, should they send a letter or an email? Also what to say, how to get their idea to stand out from the crowd, etc. And that’s just the very beginning. I’m teaching a workshop called The Pitch, The Project, The Paycheck to teach how to approach the publishing process — mostly magazine articles — from A to Z. I’m cramming more than 20 years of working in the newspaper and magazine industry into an evening workshop. I know it’s going to be valuable for some folks who really want to get their work out into the world, but just don’t know how to begin or what the process is.
I’m also teaching 1 Mold 3 Mediums is an introduction to mold making. I developed this class because I have so many unique found object treasures in my studio that are hard to part with. When I learned how to make molds and recreate these objects in various mediums, I became a much happier artist. Over the years, I’ve made texture molds and molds using just interesting parts of my found objects, etc. In addition to learning to make the mold, how to get a good impression and undercuts and other tips, we’ll also be doing all kinds of lovely surface treatments to our cast pieces. The addition of color and carving, mark making and other embellishing is what helps these casts to come alive!
So if you happen to be in Phoenix on Wednesday, August 1 from 6-9 p.m. and want to learn about mold making and casting with resin, resin clay and paper clay, come on down. There are spots available.
I’m also going to be having a table at the Saturday Artist’s Fair with my art work. I have a lot of really great earrings for sale right now, along with necklaces and other pieces. I’m planning to work on a few more house encaustics to sell, but we’ll see how quickly I can get my new studio up and running.
I always adore Art Unraveled every year. I plan to pop in at least every day to see my friends and breathe all that creative air that comes from such a happy community. If you happen to read my blog and see me there, please be sure to grab me and say hi. I’d love to hear from you.
An incredibly great time CREATE-ing
I know an instructor is not supposed to ever have favorite students, but I can’t help it when it comes to Jessica. She is just such a wonderful, sweet soul. She and her mother took my class last year and came back again this CREATE for my Mermaid Dreams class. I just adore her!
I honestly had the most amazing time at the CREATE retreat put on by Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine in Orange County this past week. My classes were big time fun, my students were incredibly creative women and I sold lots and lot of earrings and books and mixed-media goodie grab bags at the Artist Faire Friday night. I also got to room with one of my bff’s, the talented Kristen Robinson. It was like having a slumber party, and we didn’t get to sleep before 1:30 a.m. any night of the week. Then up at 6 a.m. Whew! Haven’t done much of that since collage and I can tell you I feel like I’m getting old when I work on 4.5 hours of sleep for nights on end.
Mermaid Dreams was all about making your own molds from found objects and then casting them in resin clay. One of the students took this concept and ran with it. She even brought some taxidermy eyes to add to her cast focal beads. Love the little mold of the skeleton key for a mustache!
I also took two classes, which was just heavenly for me. I took Jenn Mason’s Dirty Little Secrets Gelli Printing class as well as Alisa Burke’s Larger Than Life Canvas class. Since both of these were printmaking/painting classes playing with all kinds of surface treatments I was just in Heaven to be playing with my paints again with mixed-media. I also got to spend some time with my sweet friends Pam Carriker and Kari McKnight Holbrook. It was wonderful to see them and chat.
Tami and Elena are both local so they whisked me away from the hotel to get some fresh sunshine. We went to Fullerton to the amazing shop Gilding the Lily and then ate a yummy vegan lunch next door.
Another awesome part was having Friday day off of work, so I got to hang out with my girlfriends Elena Lai Etcheverry from Charity Wings and Tami Bayer, one of the lead Fiskateers. Tami was there giving away Fiskars tooks and spreading the orange scissor love to the students and teachers and Elena was raising money for Soldiers’ Angels. We went to this incredible vintage goodies shop and ate a healthy vegan lunch. We also watched a commercial being filmed on the street right in front of the shop. It just wouldn’t be Southern California without some celebrity or photo shoot or filming going on.
On the quick plane ride home I just kept thinking of the line It’s a Wonderful Life. It is indeed!
My table for the Artist’s Faire. Don’t you love the vintage dress form? I wish I could say she is mine, but she belong to my sweet friend Ruth Rae who let us borrow some of her beautiful props for the faire.
Yesterday, I pulled my dirty clothes from my suitcase and put them in the washer and dryer. I took them out and repacked them for tomorrow’s trip to the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee. Back to back trips can be tiring, but I always look forward to the incredible shopping at the Bead and Button Show because it’s where I get a lot of my supplies for my classes. That and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. I also get to meet up with Susan. I haven’t seen her in person since CHA and 6 months is a long time. While we talk all the time for our business, it’s just not the same as getting to see each other and work in person.
There’s still time to join me to CREATE
My classes are kitted up, my bags are packed and I spent some time making new ICE Resin jewelry to sell at the Artist’s Faire night next Friday at the CREATE mixed-media art retreat in Irvine, California. There are still spots open for some amazing classes. Check out the roster of instructors if you have a minute and then figure out how to join me next week.
My dear friend Carol La Valley helped me make some fun Mixed-Media Mad Bags for the faire. I took a lot of my paper and bits an bobs of things I have left over from my classes and projects that are taking up too much space in my studio and we made some fun creativity bags. There is some resin paper in there, some French paper, metal charms and trinkets, grungeboard and chipboard shapes, and a funny soft plastic baby party favor with movable hands.
Punching some French paper for my mixed-media mad bags
If you are around Wednesday and Thursday, I still have some spots left in my classes. Mermaid Dreams necklace, which is all about mold making, resin clay and making your own beads is all day Wednesday. Wednesday evening is Whimsical Rings, where you will learn how to make an adjustable ring shank from copper or nickel, how to use a circle punch and dap and dome metal and then proper cold-join attachment for colorful lampwork beads. My ICE Resin class Thursday is almost sold out. Only a spot or two left. But students will collage 3 mixed-metal bezels and learn how to work with a jeweler’s grade resin.
Some of the goodies on my table that we put into the mixed-media mad bags
As always, I’ll do my best to blog from the road and update with some fun pics. That being said, I always have the best intentions of this but then get to the retreats with all my friends and such creative students and I just tend to soak up all the great energy and get lost in the camaraderie of creativity.
Finished bags. I think we made 17 or 18 of them.
CREATE blog hop
I was tres busy yesterday pouring a bunch of new resin-filled bezels for the upcoming CREATE mixed-media art retreat in Irvine, California in a few short weeks. These little collages in ultra clear ICE Resin will soon be turned into earrings and necklaces and a few bracelets to show as samples at my Resin, Set, Go workshop and also on sale for vendor night. (Please excuse the bad photos. I took them right after I poured them on the white garbage bags. They look so much more lovely when the resin is cured and glass like).
While my resin class is just about full, there are still some spots left in my other classes. Whimsical Rings, where students will learn how to make their own adjustable ring bands from copper sheet metal and also cold-connection techniques of stacking up these colorful lampwork beads. I’m also really thrilled to be teaching my Mermaid Dreams necklace class for the first time. This workshop is chock full of techniques, from making your own molds from old hardware and replicating them in resin clay then adding all kinds of surface treatments and color. We’ll also be making our own textured clay beads and then wirewrapping it all together.
There are so many amazing instructors at this event that I wish I could attend CREATE with no other purpose than learning so many fabulous techniques. I am thrilled to say I did sneak in one day to myself on Saturday to take Alisa Burke’s Large Than Life Canvas class. I have a huge bare wall in my new studio and I think this workshop is going to fill the bill. I love her style and know her personally. What an incredibly talented lady.
Here’s a little something extra special. If you comment on this post, I’m doing a little giveaway. A signed copy of my book, Explore, Create, Resinate; Mixed Media Techniques Using ICE Resin along with a 1 oz ICE Resin syringe and 2 mixed metal bezels to play with. Since I’m so excited about this event, I will include one of my handmade charms as well.
This weekend is a great time to possibly learn more about some wonderful artists who are part of the CREATE California blog hop. Hopefully, you got here from Jenn Mason’s post about the event, but if you didn’t be sure to check it out first and then work your way down the list.
So go grab a cup of coffee or an iced tea and a snack and settle into your computer for the next hour. It’s going to be fun!
- Dawn Sokol: dblogala.com/
- Dea Fischer: thestarbook.ca
- Helen Shafer Garcia: agavelatte.blogspot.com
- Jacqueline Newbold: djnewbold.blogspot.com
- Jane LaFazio: janeville.blogspot.com
- Jeannie P. Moore: Jeanniemooresblog.blogspot.com
- Jen Cushman: http://jencushman.wordpress.com
- Joanne Sharpe: joannezsharpe.blogspot.com
- Jodi Ohl: sweetrepeats.blogspot.com
- Leighanna Light: Thingmakerstudio.blogspot.com
- Lisa Engelbrecht: lisaletters.blogspot.ca
- Orly Avineri: oneartistjournal.wordpress.com
- Pam Carriker: pamcarriker.com
- Robin Dudley-Howes: robindudleyhowes.blogspot.com
- Sandra Duran Wilson: sandraduranwilson.blogspot.com
- Sherrie Drummond: sherriejd.com
- Sue Pelletier: suepelletierlaughpaint.com
- Tiffany Teske: tiffanyteske.com
And Cloth Paper Scissors Editor Jenn Mason!
Join me at Seaside Soiree
I’m so thrilled Elena from Charity Wings invited me to join her and her amazing group of volunteers for the Seaside Soiree again this year. It was such a lovely, three-day mixed-media art escape weekend. Sheila, Elena’s business partner, is an incredible cook and she fed us the best gourmet breakfasts, lunches and dinners plus a grand luau. In addition to teaching last year, I also got some down time to take workshops from my sweet friends Cheryl Waters and Liz Hicks. These ladies are wonderful artists and instructors.
While I really enjoy teaching at all the various retreats and events, I do have to say this one holds a special place in my heart. Elena and the ladies plan everything down to the very last detail to ensure everyone is pampered and made to feel special. I can hear the call of the Southern California coast now, while thinking about the good times of friendship and art. If you want to take a sneak peek into the event, watch this little video I put together this morning.
A CREATE video
A little video I did about my classes next month at the CREATE mixed-media art retreat in Irvine, California. Yep, these woods are the view from my back deck. Pretty huh?
Visit their website to find out more about the event and all the fabulous instructors.
ICE Resin Paper Tutorial
Here’s a little video tutorial I did last summer at the Stampington & Co. offices for the Shoppe at Somerset. The video is still online in their shop, but I thought it would be nice to include it on my blog as well. There’s also an entire chapter on making resin paper, with gorgeous art samples, in my book Explore, Create, Resinate; Mixed-Media Techniques using ICE Resin.
If you’re interested in all kinds of crafty techniques for free, head on over to Stampington for more great videos by some of the top mixed-media artists working in the field today. Also, be sure to check out this chic and easy Art Mechanique necklace made by Shoppe Manager Vanessa Spencer, inspired by a piece I created and gave her at Winter CHA 2012. Vanessa did a tutorial on how to make it, so be sure to check it out.
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What happens in Vegas…
Stays in Vegas. Ok, not so much. What’s really happening in Las Vegas this summer is the fabulous Art and Soul mixed-media art retreat where I’m teaching three classes. The event is June 14-18 and registration is currently open.
Art and Soul Las Vegas page graphic of some exciting art samples and workshops.
Glenny does an amazing job putting on her inspiring events. The people who attend are all so excited about their art and learning techniques to take it to the next level. It really is a bucket list thing for me to teach at Art and Soul, and I can’t wait to get to the gorgeous Green Valley resort to start making all kinds of mixed-media jewelry.
I’ll be teaching a class from a project in my book Explore, Create, Resinate; Mixed Media Techniques Using ICE Resin. It’s one of my favorite images from the book where I use a real butterfly wing, some French text, a little special technique to get the wings to “pop” and encase them in ICE. The entire necklace is made by hand too, and that means the rolled metal bail, the resin paper beads and proper attachments of metal wire to silk fibers to create a gorgeous and strong necklace. It is so much more than a resin class, it’s also a metalsmithing basics class too. You can read more about my Eternally Beautiful Butterfly Necklace class here.
I’ve also developed a brand new class – Mica and Metal, Oh My! - for Art and Soul Las Vegas for a mixed-media cuff. These mica charms are so much fun to create, and can be used in jewelry or other mixed-media applications like on journals or assemblages. Students will learn to cut the cuff shape from metal sheet (nickel or bronze), stamp it with metal stamps for a sentiment of their choice, anneal it and form it. We’ll also be properly attaching the paper and mica charms to the cuff as well. Students can also save the charms for other projects and create a simple formed cuff if they so choose.
Lastly, lots of folks have asked me to teach a class on the publishing process. This class called Marketing Youself and Your Art to Editors covers the nuts-and-bolts basics about writing queries, emailing editors, showing your work in its best light, coming up with article ideas and following through with deadlines. If you’re an artist who wants to talk professionally with editors and learn how to not only get your foot in the door, but stay there, this will be a valuable class for you.
In addition to my classes, I’m excited to be sharing a room with my very dear friend and fellow artist/instructor Kari McKnight Holbrook. She’s teaching 3 great classes, including my personal favorite called Rockin Resin Reliquaries using what else??? ICE Resin.
Be sure to check out the retreat and also poke around to see how cool the resort is. What a great summer vacation to immerse yourself in art and also be inspired by gorgeous surroundings. It may still be Vegas, but its pretty far from the Strip. I’m planning on signing up for a mini spa session too. Who’s joining me?
