Mixed Media Collage Artists is 5 Years Old

I joined Mixed Media Collage Artists several months ago and have enjoyed meeting new people and looking at great art that is posted on the site. The artists share their interests and knowledge with each other as well as mentoring when needed to help fellow members grow in their talent. You never know when you will find a new technique you have never heard of and a member brings it to your attention. Sharing ideas and techniques is a big help to all of us. To learn more about MMCA check out this link http://www.mixedmediacollageartists.com

Wonderful Art Weekend

This past weekend I got to spend with friends and Artist/Teacher Stephanie Rubiano. I met Stephanie through a mutual friend and we have known each other a long time. She is a talented artist and was gracious enough to come up and stay the weekend to teach us how to construct her beautiful Butterfly Boxes and Pixie Pins. It was so much fun!

Above is a photo of all of our pins and then in our kits were these canvases to make a box for displaying one of them. I decorated my box with leafing, vintage ledger paper, ink and paint. I decided to put my best pin inside. The technique takes a little getting use to and by the third transfer I did better. Not perfect, but much better than my first one. I melted the little girls face on the first one, and I thought she looked like a skeleton so I decided to make her a Halloween pin. Could not find a mask small enough for her face so I left her face exposed.

These are the pins I made. Their wings are made from tins we cut up or bottle caps. The crowns are also made from the tins. We used tiny little screws and bolts to attach the crowns and wings. We added acrylic paint on their dresses - polka dots or painted the entire dress.

This is my Butterfly Box. Using real butterfly wings makes the piece elegant and colorful. Speaking of colorful...the wings were so hard to choose from because they are all so pretty and rich in color. If you get a chance to take a class from Stephanie you will be in for a treat! Visit her blog at http://www.soigathered.typepad.com/ She has posted all of the Butterfly Boxes we made this weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great rest of the week!

Bird Cage Girl Class

My friend Donna Joy is teaching this wonderful paint technique class at The Stamp Asylum this Saturday Sept. 19th from 11:00am - 3:00pm. The technique is a background one and then you add collage on top. It really is a fun one! I have done it on two pieces myself. Call the store to sign up 972 596-1224 Class description is below.

In this workshop you will create a piece of wall art using a variety of paints and papers while learning a technique to add texture to your backgrounds – not only in this piece but in other you create later. Once the texture is complete, you will add imagery, draw your cage, accent it with charcoal and seal for a finished 12" x 7" piece ready to hand. To create a similar palette as the sample, you will need dabbers in the following colors: Aqua, Citrus, Cool Peri and Juniper. Optional: Pool, Lake and Pink Sherbet dabbers. If you have a different palette preference, bring the dabbers for your palette. Also bring your tool kit that includes paint brushes to paint and to glue. Donna Joy [$45]

Where Water Comes Down Etsy Shop

I went to my first North Dallas Etsy Team meeting this past Saturday evening. It was great to meet everyone. We had been conversing (since I joined the group several weeks ago) on our yahoo group email list so now I can put a face with a name.

I first learned of the group one Saturday when I was at work and several of the members came into the store. We preceded to talk and I was informed about the team and so I decided to sign up. If your an Etsy Seller in the North Dallas area and would like to find out more about the team go to the web site http://www.northdallasetsy.com/ .

At the meeting we each brought something from our shop to swap. I was fortunate to receive some hand made soap from Nicki Shores who runs Where Water Comes Down http://wherewatercomesdown.etsy.com/ . You have to go check out the soaps in her shop! They smell wonderful, not overpowering and they lather up really good.

I received Coconut Lime, Lakeside and Mulberry scents. I have opened and used the Coconut Lime. I love it! I also love the embossed water faucet embedded in the bar. You can see it in my photo. REALLY CUTE and A SURPRISE! Nicki lists what ingredients are in each bar on a card and slips it under the colorful string surrounding the paper wrapped around the bar. Nice packaging and it would make a wonderful gift for someone special.

My Class Schedule at Stamp Asylum

Here is my teaching schedule at the store till the end of the year.

Saturday August 22nd from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

& also

Saturday September 26th from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Solder 101
In this class we will explore the basics of solder for those who have never attempted it. You will assemble collages for pins, pendants and a necklace. Once you learn this technique, you can make ornaments, wall art, and boxes. Your imagination will run wild with other gift ideas. Bring to class scissors, glue stick, small vice, bone folder, solder iron with 1/8” screwdriver type tip, safety glasses and jewelry pliers. ($65)

Glass House without lights onGlass House with lights on

Saturday September 5th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Little Glass House

This the sweetest solder project we have done yet! In this class you will create artwork using paint and inks, copied images, computer generated words, rubber stamps and charcoal pencil. Sandwich the artwork between glass then solder the house together. Polished to perfection and illuminate using battery operated tea lights. You will have a whimsical showpiece! THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER SOLDERING CLASS. YOU NEED TO ALREADY KNOW HOW TO SOLDER. Bring to class a good solder iron with a small tip ( ¼” – ½” screwdriver type tip), safety glasses, glue stick, detail scissors, Walnut Stain Distress pad, old thick towel, small vise, phid or bone folder, tweezers, pencil and three metal bench blocks or something heavy enough (very important) to hold the glass in position for soldering the house together. ($95)

Saturday October 17th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Creative Twist on Cards

If you love to make cards then this class is for you! You will make six different cards that can be used for any occasion. You may learn a new technique or find a long lost one you forgot about. All supplies provided. ($55)

Saturday November 14th from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Whimsical Christmas Cards

Need a head start on your Christmas cards this season? Or you can’t think of an idea to even get you started? Then this class is for you! You will make six different cards incorporating various techniques and some of the new stamp designs and papers. Come and enjoy some holiday music and treats with your friends in this festive class. All supplies provided. ($55)

Halloween Wall Hangings

I made these two wall hangings this week to add to my Etsy shop. They came out pretty good I think. I used Tim Holtz grungeboard shapes on both, copies of old photos I had, stamped the words, and various Halloween papers. Visit my shop to purchase them and check out my other Halloween pendants. http://donnagoss.etsy.com

New Items In My Etsy Shop

Added new items to sell in my Etsy shop today. This photo/card holder comes in green or purple. Only had two of these left. Can't find the wooden blocks anymore.

I have several styles of this vintage art pendant.

If your an Alfred Hitchcock fan here is a soldered pendant for you. I love The Birds movie. It's my favorite of his.

Can't be Halloween without Frankie and Drac. The Witch from the Wizard of Oz is on the other side of this pendant.

Isn't she the cutest little thing you've ever seen? Her quote is "really do i have to?" I got this cutey from Lisa's Altered Art on Etsy www.lisasalteredart.etsy.com .