Painted Art Papers

Here's a couple of art papers that I painted, stamped, masked, added to, took away from and just generally enjoyed adding color and texture to.
I'm going to be teaching a class at Random Arts Studio on April 23.
It's going to be a lot of fun! We'll be learning about different types of paper and how the weight of the paper effects what you can do to it and on it.
We will learn about what types of paint work best on painting art papers.
We'll use stencils and masks.
Baby wipes, alcohol (maybe drink some wine too!) and all sorts of different "found items"
to add texture, shape and movement to our papers.
Run on over to Jane's web site and sign up or call this number (828/699-2210) to reserve your spot.
There's only room for about 12 bodies and all our stuff so sign up before it fills!
I'd like to teach a class later this year to make a journal with the papers that we paint.
Wouldn't that be fun?
Maybe we can invite Betsy to give us a journaling prompt at the class.
hint...hint...

Meg Fowler

Have I ever talked about my buddy Meg Fowler?
NO?!?
Well, let's remedy that right now...
I met Meg at my favorite place - yep, Random Arts in Saluda NC.
I'll tell you right now that she wouldn't let me take her picture cause her hair is kinda short right now...
all you ladies certainly understand that, right?
Maybe next time Meg.
Anyway- she is a mixed media artist -an awesome artist at that!
She has done a lot of fiber art pages (like in a fabric book) but not art quilting.
She made - or tried to make- a log cabin quilt many many moons ago
but since then - no quilt.
Until this summer.
Meg decided to make an art quilt.
Just.
Like.
That.
My pictures are not good and I do apologize for that
because her quilt is just wonderful.
Just Wonderful.
Pictures (even great ones) would NEVER do this wall hanging justice.
Enjoy Meg's river art quilt.
All of the center section (the blue water) is hand stitched and beaded...
heavy beading.
The brown sections are the river bed. She even used beads to depict the pebbles along the river shore...
The outside sections are so heavily textured that it is unbelievable!
Gotta love that Sulky!



You can go to Meg's Facebook page and see a couple of other pictures.
And a picture of her feeding her "pets" - her raccoons!

Blog Friends

Sally and Gen


Yesterday several "blog land" friends got together at Random Arts in Saluda NC.
This is how it all came to be -
one day Martha went to Jane's shop - who loved her mixed media work and
posted a link on her blog to Martha's blog.
I saw the link, clicked on it and loved her work too! I put a link on my blog to Martha's.
My friend Julie saw Martha's link and visited her blog.
In the mean time, Jane told Sally Casper about Martha.
Martha emailed me to say that she was coming to Greenville (I live close) and would I like to get together at Jane's one day for a play day.
And that, my friends is just how wonderful, new friendships are formed online!
We spent all day at Jane's, chatting away, show and tell, making Martha write on everything that we had, convincing Julie that she isn't "just" a quilter but a mixed media fiber artist, writing down cool ideas and awesome links, eating Crazy Squirrel salads and just a little retail therapy.
Whew!
I was SO energised, so excited, so wowed by the day that I talked non-stop when I got home!
Imagine that...?! This is my painting/creating art apron. It was my husband's high school shop apron!

Like I said, we made Martha write on everything that we had...

Weekend Workshop

Well, I should have done an exit poll after Saturday's workshop to see if the description was true...
I said "Fast, fun and easy..." and I do believe that everyone thought it was!
Everyone had their project almost completed by the end of the day. A few hand stitches here, a dozen (or two) beads there and a couple of finishing quilting seams and these babies are ready to hang on the wall.
These ladies amaze me at how well they worked today. I'll admit that I had done a (ton) a lot of prep work before ever stepping foot into the shop but they worked (while chatting, laughing, shouting and eating) non stop all day.
Oh, except for the shopping breaks...
Anyway - here are some pictures -
run over to Jane's blog to see more.

My friend Tonya - just working away (hmmm...or just talkin' away...?) on her beautiful wall hanging.

Here is a closer view of her piece.

And Jane, working away. I wish I had a close up picture of the quilting that she did on her piece...I was quite impressed with that.
Karen and Tonya obviously in awe of something that someone was saying...
Here is my friend Betsy's wall hanging. I love the way that she colored her face. I had provided a variety of transfers for everybody to choose from. We used Glossy Transfer paper and Sheer Heaven - one of my favorite transfer mediums and one of hte few that actually work for me.

I showed them how to take a transfer face up a notch or two with a drawing pencil and paper stump...I love what they all did!

This is a great example of making good use of cosy class space!

Karen Hope's wall hanging here. I love that they all used similar design placements but tweaked it a little bit to suit their own tastes.

These ladies worked very hard today but had a great time.

Thanks everyone for coming to class!

I'm thinking that I might use this class next year when I do a retreat in Colorado Springs...

Oh, I didn't mention that, did I?

I'll have to share some great news with you later on that...

It's All Good.

Doodle Drawing class pictures and Chickadees

So now everyone is wondering what does doodle class pictures and a Chickadee have in common?
Well, nothing really except that I am talking about both today.
One of the women (thanks Sally!) from my class at Random Arts sent me some pictures that she took in class. So I am passing them on to you. There is one of a tree that I was drawing (upside down actually). I was demonstrating how I draw them all funky looking. And the other ones are of student work.
Didn't they do a great job!?
I am going to schedule another class in August - watch for sign ups!
Scroll down for the Black-capped Chickadee...

Ahhh...you found it! This is a painting that I did yesterday. I was working on the mixed media book from DJ's class and wanted a bird picture to go in it.

I have some from post card images (that DJ painted) that I could use but I wanted to put some of my own art work in the book...

so I found a decorated file folder that my friend Andi (thanks Andi!) gave me that had a cool looking picture of a bird on it.

I sketched it, painted it, scanned it and

wa-la!

Now I have a bird painting to use in my book!

I'll probably do some more painting today as I'd like to make this bird look a little better - more realistic that is.

I hope that everyone has a great day.

Remember to feed your creative spirit - draw, doodle, do whatever it is that makes you tick- just spend five little bitty minutes every day doing something creative and watch the difference it will make in your life!

Dream big folks then stand back and watch the Universe deliver!

Class Time!

Yesterday was the first "Doodle Drawing" class at Random Arts.

What a blast!

The class was full with little room to spare...and everyone had a great time. I think they were all surprised at their art work - told ya that it wasn't difficult to do!

I took my camera but was so busy walking around soaking up the creative energy that I didn't take any pictures. A couple of the women said they would email me the pictures that they took so I hope to post some later. I was very impressed as I walked around - these ladies never looked back after they made that first mark on the paper...

The class was such a success that we're going to plan on offering another one soon. Keep an eye on my blog and Jane's for dates.

I love to help people create things - to learn new techniques and different ways of looking at the world around them.

I hope that I can share the journal pages that they created - with just a little prompting , just a little guidance - they were both shocked and surprised at how their pages turned out.

Now they can actually draw their own journal pages (or other art work) based on doodle designs!

It's interesting how meditative this type of drawing can be.

What I usually do is draw a bunch of pages (cause once you get going, it's hard to stop!). Then I paint a pile of them - that is just as fun too!

Then when the spirit moves me, I can grab a page and journal to my heart's desire.

I hope that you'll join me next time for this fun and super easy (no stress!) class!

Book Making

I have always practiced a variety of art techniques...love fiber, love paper, love paint, love fabric, love pens, watercolors...
you get the picture.
I wanted to be able to have ONE THING, one item, one object of art to use all the different techniques on.
I could make a wall hanging and use a lot of techniques...
but I couldn't really carry it around with me, adding to it - could I?
I could write on it but not really use it to journal on, could I?
I tried a lot of different things in my art life.
I think I have finally found the ONE THING
that I can carry around with me (to work on, or look at),
that I can easily teach others (because I adore sharing the joy that creating art brings),
that I can use just about every and any art technique that I know in it -

I have always loved books - especially hand made books.
Love the texture, the layers - the pure joy of the maker that is obvious in the feel of the book itself.
I love DJ Pettitt's books.
Oh my.
Love.Love. Love.
I have stalked her, um I mean followed her blog, her changing web site for awhile now...
That is one talented lady.
In two days (yikes!) just TWO MORE DAYS I am going to be sitting
in a classroom with a few other lucky women.
I'm going to be watching DJ create some magic with fabric, paper, paint and thread.
Oh look! I just mentioned all my favorite things, didn't I?
My new most favorite thing!
Book Making.
Mixed Media Books.
I started taking classes from Sue Bleiweiss and love it!
I'll share a couple of pictures of what I've been up to (besides a studio re-do!) (more on this later) with paper, fabric, paint and thread.
The book signature with the painted faces on it?
Those images were painted by DJ.
She sent them to me as extra little treats when I ordered some stuff from her.
And this weekend?
I'm in Birmingham Alabama with one of the most talented women that I know of.

Go ahead, admit it...
you're just a teeny bit jealous, aren't you?

If you are - contact this lady -
join me in begging to get DJ a little closer to the east coast -
like in Saluda North Carolina.
I know there must be at least 200 of you out there
that would love to take some classes with DJ Pettitt.

New Classes Scheduled

Well, Jane Powell (Random Arts) and I sat down yesterday and finally scheduled a couple more classes. Check the side bar for dates and links to her workshop site.
I did want to post some additional info about the classes.
The "Doodle Drawing" class is going to be so much fun! You can scroll back through my blog for pictures of various doodle journal pages that I'll be sharing. And I'll be teaching some of my "secrets" to drawing...it's fast, it's easy and it's fun.
We will be covering some ideas about finding inspiration - I promise, you will never look at things the same way again after this class!
We will cover the one thing that strikes fear in the heart of every artist - the dreaded "Blank Page Syndrome". I'll show you how to successfully get right over that...
We'll cover some techniques on coloring your drawings as well as putting all of it together in journal form (we won't be making a journal in this class- just ideas & examples of journals).

Now, to the fiber fix class..."Her Awakening" is a rust media wall hanging.
A true mixed media fiber piece, so if you've been wanting to dip your toe in the mixed media fiber art pond - this is your class.
Super easy - do not allow the use of a sewing machine to scare you away from this class!
It's best if you CAN"T sew a straight line in this class.
The price includes a kit.
In the kit you will find almost everything you need to make the wall hanging! All you need to bring is a sewing machine (I'll have mine to share), needles, thread,and a piece of black felt.
How's that for easy? Between myself and Jane, we'll have everything else you need! Even the transfer for the face! Of course, you can always draw your own...
So - there you have it.
Check out my class schedule - I've got a couple of "demo dates" posted as well.
Good price (free) and great value!

I went to the June meeting yesterday of the Fiber Art Alliance that I belong to. I'm going to try to do another blog post later about that. It is an awesome meeting at a very inspirational venue.
I took some pictures (we'll see if they turned out very good...) but will attempt to post them as well.
If you are a fiber artist (knitting, crochet, weaving, quilting, mixed media...) and you're close to Asheville you should really check us out. We meet the first Tuesday of the month at the Girl Scout Building. This month was a field trip for us. There are so many talented women in the group - and would welcome more!

Jane's Project

Those of you that keep up with my blog (and thank you!) know that I mentioned I was working on a project for my friend Jane Powell. You know Jane, right?

NO?!

She owns Random Arts in Saluda NC. If you are a mixed media artist, fiber artist, any kind of artist...you HAVE to go there. She has THE most wonderful and charming shop around.

Seriously, Jane carries products there that you can't get anywhere else around here. And if you want something that she doesn't have, most times all you have to do is ask and she will try to get them for you.

How cool is that?

Anyway, Jane has these neat little packs "Sweat Treats". They are ATC packs that have everything that you need to make several ATC's from one pack. She ask me to take a couple of packs and see what I could do with them. Oh, also a handful of trinkets, ribbons and a paper mache house.
Wow! What an great deal for me!

I painted, stained, drew, ironed, outlined, cut, shaped, glued, sanded...well you get the picture.
I ended up with a handful of ATC's, a rusty house and a quiltlet. The picture above is the quiltlet "Play".
See the bee on the flower? That's a real bee! My husband found it in the house and thought it would be a good addition. It looks so cool!
I'll try to add another post later with the house and other ATC's.
Right now, I'm finishing up packing and heading out the door to Concord NC. Going to the Inspired Artist Retreat. Four days of learning, teaching and having fun with like minded people.
I hope that you all have an inspired weekend!

Baking by The Book

While going through my mom's cookbooks, look what I found!
It's a "How to bake by the Ration Book" . It is date 1943.
There are readers of my blog that will remember this. I can't but am frightened that one day it may come to this...history does repeat itself, doesn't it?
Let's get past that scary thought...
Let's all do everything that we can to live a lean, scaled down life. Let's agree to try our level best to preserve - no Improve - our way of living for our children, our grandchildren.
Now, let's move on to the inside cover...which reads


Who said "No cake"?


And it goes on to give pages of recipes without sugar, without shortening and without eggs! Some use what they call "blessedly low amounts of all three".
I love looking through all of the old recipes that my mom has held onto all these years. A lot of church cookbook just chock full of good ol' down home cooking and baking.
My mom was one of those cooks (and moms) that thought you needed something of every color on your plate...
meat, yellow, orange, green and white...Dinner's ready! Oh, and three meals a day.
I never got to eat pre sweetened cereal until my younger sister was old enough to eat it (she is 13 years younger than I am). Wonder why mom allowed her to eat it and not the older sisters?
Oh well, a short trip down memory lane tonight.
I've got more art journal pages drawn, not colored yet as I wanted to scan them without color first. I've been working on a project for my buddy Jane Powell (Random Arts). I'll share later. I can tell you it involves a paper mache house, Sweet Tweet ATC's and rust strips...oh, and maybe bee's wax.

Random Arts Journal Page

Random Arts is hosting another "Journal Page" challenge

in order to make a book that will raise money

for a local charity, "Arts For Life".
The last one that Jane did raised $500.00 for the local Senior Center!
Wow, what an awesome effort from everyone!
I took my page up to the shop yesterday and forgot to take pictures
(even though I have a NEW CAMERA!!!)
(I am SO excited about that!)
so I snagged pictures from Jane's blog.

I had begun a collage that was inspired by DJ Pettitt's work.

I was trying to learn the technique that she uses for her fused collages

but didn't have exactly what I needed...

and didn't have the time to wait until I had the correct supplies...

so, being the kind of artist that i am,

I just proceeded with what was on hand.

I had small pieces of canvas (cotton duck canvas or fabric)

that I had painted with gesso a while back

(actually in prep for a Katie Kendrick class!).

I had tried a couple of techniques

from Kelly Rae Roberts book on it

before going to a larger, more stable canvas

after I felt comfortable with the techniques.

I keep these little pieces of canvas

to use for collage or other mixed media work.

I was at Jane's on a Friday "Unfinished For Free" day

and wanted to show "the girls" what you could do with a piece of "scrap canvas".

I added a few torn pieces of tissue paper,

cut out the flower shapes & stems.

I used gel medium to collage each piece on (under and over the tissue).

Then I added the "sketchy sewing".

This was the part that I had got so much inspiration from DJ on...

her work is filled with this awesome sketchy sewing,

it looks so random yet it

"fits" each piece so perfectly!

I began sewing when I was a young girl

then taught myself to quilt...

needless to say my sewing was usually fairly even, followed the lines and all that.

But THIS sewing...I'm lovin' it!

It made such a difference in the small piece after adding the black thread outlines.

Jane suggested adding the black paper,

a couple of inspirational words...

and wa-la

my journal page was born!

I used a scrap of college canvas from another experiment

to make the other side.

I added Random Arts address label (that was in the journal page packet)

and printed out my address label,

then added the line

"Sending some LOVE your way" in a nice script font

to complete the "postcard journal page".

When I lined up the pieces of canvas,

I made sure that the stitching lines would sew both pieces of college down.

I really enjoyed making it

and am so glad to be able to participate in raising money

for such a worthy cause.

And I'm really loving the sketchy sewing...

it keeps coming up in my work now.

Love, love DJ Pettitt's art work...

you should go and see it!

Patti Digh

(silver writing mine...)

I posted a blog entry a while back

about an awesome book that I had been reading...

you remember, "life is a verb" by Patti Digh.

The one that Jane sat me in a chair and placed in my hands...?

OK, you're remembering now.

Good.

Anyway, today (what a beautiful, sunny, crisp day

to meet a few wonderful people)

I went back to Jane's shop

for a book reading

a book signing,

which I had rather call

"Let's make a new friend day".

Patti Digh was there, reading from that insightful book,

and just generally inspiring all of us to take the time

to Live An Intentional Life.

In reading the book,

I saw that Patti had encouraged the readers

to write in the book (yikes!)

to make it "our book"...

to interact with the words that she had written,

to take the ideas or the lessons that she was offering us

to a higher level.

I secured a silver Sharpie (which writes wonderfully on the slick surface of the page)

and began readin' and writin'...

I underlined words that resonated with me...

I circled passages that spoke to my heart...

I wrote her notes when I was fearful

of my reaction to different "actions" that she suggested...

I wrote out excuses NOT to do them...

I wrote out my responses to the exercises...

and I also drew lines and arrows pointing to quotes that I loved

or stories that brought me to tears...

I wrote out my heart

and I placed that heart right on the pages of that precious book.

You MUST get this book, my friends.

It will touch you in places

that you feared were closed off...

places that you didn't care to awaken again.

But it will touch you in places that you NEED to be touched...

wake up the generosity that

resides within you.

Give Patti Digh an opportunity

to touch your shoulder,

turn you around

and make you look in the mirror at

your own reflection.

And Patti, you ROCK.

And Mr. Brilliant,

I enjoyed sitting with you and Tess outside

on that quaint little bench, looking at my book...

our actions screaming how much we adore your wife

and her way with words.

I'm looking forward to reading more of those precious words.

I've Been Painting Again...

But it's a secret...
well, not really.
Only because my camera is not behaving...
For some reason, each time I try to take pictures,
you have to set it on a different flash setting to get a decent photo...
and then it's not that decent.
Go figure.
But, the Good News is this -
I've completed one of the fiber pieces
that I've been so busy with!
Great!

It's for a class at Random Arts.
A Rust Media Wall Hanging.
And I would love to share it with you
but
well, you know...
the camera issue...

But I can tell you this much.

It involves a stack of rusty strips of fabric, Kim Wipes, lace,

old tee shirts, pantyhose (new not used), tyvek,

drawer liner, mixed media fabric paper,

crocheted lace (by me!), gilded images,

drawn faces, beads, hand quilting

machine quilting and driftwood...

wow...

Doesn't that sound great?

All the rust dyed pieces have been

done by my husband and me.

Check out my teaching schedule

and

Random Arts for more details on this awesome workshop.

It truly is a

"One of a Kind" wall hanging!

Freaking Fun Friday

Well, last Friday I had a blast!

I was one of the lucky 6 women to have the Immense Pleasure

to partake in

Random Arts Fridays "Unfinished" For Free days!

We all gathered at Jane's wonderful shop in Saluda NC,

surrounded by unfinished projects, little busy work things,

works in progress...

we laughed

we sewed

we painted

we cut metal

we embroidered

we had an awesome lunch

and just generally had a blast!

I, for one, will definitely be back.

And thanks Jane, for having us all!

Live Intentionally

Today I went to one of my favorite places on the earth...

Random Arts in Saluda NC.

Jane Powell, the beautiful lady that is The Shop Owner,

is one Talented Gal...

One Smart Lady.

She sat me down in the shop

and brought a book to me...

told me to look through it.

Really look through it...

I made it to the middle of the prologue before my eyes began to burn...

the moisture started building

behind my eyelids...

threathening to spill over.

The book is

"Life Is A Verb" by Patti Digh.

Go here and read her story, where this awesome book really began...

where It came from.

And then

go Live Intentionally.

Hi everyone!

I haven't had a blog entry lately but I've been very busy...

sewing origami bags, rust backgrounds and painting awesome backgrounds on canvas and Aqua board.

I am really getting into the background techniques that I am learning from Wyanne.

It's so much fun to expand your creative horizons and give yourself a stretch.

I've also started a new journal,
with the prompting of my buddies Kristi Steiner and Susan Edmonson.

It's a Gratitude sort of journal...

I am taking an accounting of my Creativity each day...listing the creative things that I did, thinking about what activities really sparked my creative spirit...

then at the end of each entry I'll be writing a quick sentence of gratitude for the creativity in my life that day.

Kristi and Susan assure me that this activity will be a POTENT way to, a tangible way to give thanks and empower my creative spirit...

the spirit that each of us have within us.

It's so true that if you simply BELIEVE you can...

then you can.

I have experienced this so many times in my life.

Oh, you have to do The Work, to be sure,

but even The Work becomes so much more enjoyable,

so much easier when you BELIEVE that you can.

Speaking of Inspiration,

of Believing in yourself...

have you all taken a peek at Donna Downey's web site?
WOW!

I saw a link on Jane Powell's web site

or maybe her blog

to Donna's site and went there to look around.

What an awesome artist she is!

And the workshops, the videos, the books...

then there is the Retreat in May.

I sent in my registration this morning and I am SO EXCITED to be going!

Paulette Insall will be teaching...

Kelli Rae Roberts will be speaking...Kelli Rae!

And Paolo Liloc will be there speaking, capturing images from the event.

Susan Edmonson, who happens to be my soul sister...

Everyone told us that before we ever met each other.

When we did meet each other,

it was kinda spooky how much we REALLY had in common!

Jennifer Stewart

Carol Wingert

Cheryl Darrow

Tejae Floyde...

and a BUNCH of other artists that will be offering mini workshops everyday!

This is a "Must Go" event!

But you need to sign up NOW because there are only a few seats left...

Random Arts Blog

Hi everyone!

You need to run over to Jane Powell's blog

and read her interview with Cate Prato about her new book.

It looks like an awesome book. If I can't win a signed copy then I will surely purchase one.

They are giving one away to a lucky commenter at Jane's blog.

So, GO...

what are you waiting for?!

My friend, Cheryl Prater, has a self portrait in there among other great artists.

Speaking of Cheryl...I did notice that she was back in Blog land after taking a hiatus...

I'm sure that some of you missed her...I hardly knew she was gone...

-inset hearty belly laugh here-

I'm glad she's back and among the undead.

I'm off to finish up my Art Journal page for Random Arts Challenge.

Visit the web site to check it out.

There may still be time for you to join in!

Have a peaceful and creative day!

Katie Girl

Well, read down a couple of entries and you'll see that I went to an awesome workshop in Saluda NC on Friday. It was sponsored by Random Arts (http://www.randomartsnow.com/) , one of my Two Favorite Shops. The Most Wonderful & Talented Artist Extraordinaire that was teaching was Katie Kendrick. Go see her fabulous Art Work at http://www.katiekendrick.com/ or keep up with her daily ramblings and adventures at http://www.joyouslybecoming.typepad.com/.

I am mainly a fabric, fiber, mixed media type person...I paint fabric...not faces...so this was new to me...and a bit scary I might add. But Katie made it all fun and quite the adventure! I forgot to take pictures of my own girl and now Jane has reminded me (not to gently either). So, I took some pictures and will go through them with you.

This is the inspiration for my Katie Girl. It was a sketch of a woman with this wild & crazy hair, quite pointed face but very lovable and fun.

You will see that she is far from completed. I haven't even worked on her since I got home...so very busy! But I WILL finish her!

The blob on her head will eventually be her wild hair. I plan on making it appear as if it is "swept up" on her head and the curls will be off the top of the canvas...And of course I'll add some white streaks. Gee, where did that come from. Now I guess I'll have to change the color of her eyes...bluish/greenish/grayish...Oh, I am playing with the idea of making the blob on her head a birdnest, adding a bird up there and calling her Bird Brain. Whatdaya think?

The curly thing at the top (coming out from her head) is one of those wild & crazy curls, not a snake as was pointed out to me...Hey, I could put a jewel on her forehead and then add a..well, nevermind that...
I'm still auditioning the fabric for her dress too. I had sewn on rust fabric for the sleeve cuffs, but that could possibly change also...I see a trend developing here.

Hopefully you will all recognize her when I'm through.

But if not, I'll be happy to reintroduce you all.

Doesn't she have really nice eye brows? I started the painting out with no eyebrows...her face COMPLETLY changed when I added them.

OK then...there you go My Katie Girl.

Happy now Ms. Jane?

Katie Kendrick- Artist Extraordinaire

Do you know Katie? Have you seen her art (http://www.katiekendrick.com/) or read her blog (http://www.joyouslybecoming.typepad.com/)? Have you taken her classes? One very smart lady (http://www.praterposte.blogspot.com/) told me to SELL MY SOUL ( I decided selling my body was just easier) to go to Katie's class... Sooo my husband insisted (Who I am to argue with that man?) that I go, and like a good little wife, I did. And I am so very glad that I did! What an awesome time I had! She is so talented, so generous with herself and the knowledge that she has. I met so many talented women, painted a cool picture of a "delightfully frustrated" lady (we will call her Katie Girl from here on out) and just generally Had A Blast!
I met Kristi Steiner. Ohhh and I believe that I am going to go to her Retreat this September (http://www.kristinsteiner.com/). It's called "Believe in Yourself Retreat" and I hope that my good friend Paula will go with me. I'm in the process of begging her right now.
And even though I had "talked to" (via email) Jane Powell, owner/operator of The Best Shop Around (http://www.randomartsnow.com/) I got to meet her face to face. She is just as cool as I felt that she would be. We actually had quite a few things in common and had a really great talk over lunch. And yes, Cheryl, I gave her a hug from you!
There were 12 people there (including me but not Katie) and they were all awesome. And very talented. Oh, wow and you should have seen what Meg Fowler created...I wanted to take it , and her for that matter, home with me. I will post some pictures. I failed to get everyone's name but there were 2 people there from Alabama, some from Georgia, NC, SC...all to see our beautiful Katie. Does everyone that meets her love her or what? A lot of them were staying for the 2nd class but I had to go back down the mountain. I was just pleased to have one day with all of them.
I love, love, love Random Arts. It is the coolest store around. If they had a quilting corner, it would be The Perfect Shop. Oh, and chocolate...but you can get that fairly quickly outside the shop...so we'll let that pass for now!
Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful men that are Dad's.

Random Arts Store

My friend, Paula and I went to Saluda NC this past Thursday on a Retail Therapy Expedition. My primary focus was this tiny little art / mixed media shop in town called Random Arts. I had read about it in Cloth Paper & Scissors and visited their web site...but NOTHING prepared me for the veritable feast that had been laid out when I arrived!

Here you have a small, picturesque mountain town with beautiful views, shops that carry local artisans work, scrumptious restaurants (The Purple Onion...a MUST try), and rather quiet old-timey grocery stores...The streets are bumpy, the shade from the trees a welcoming site as you stroll along the main sidewalk, shopkeepers wave as you pass. Things feel slower, um, more laid back, you know ...relaxed.

Then.....

you turn to the doorway of Random Arts. Open the door slowly please because the sound will blow you away...

Sound?

What sound, you may ask?

Why, it's The Sound of Music ...as in Music To My Ears...My Eyes...My Senses...This place is AWESOME! I can honestly say that I have never been in a shop like this before...never had so much fun just visiting in a shop as this.

Jen was there (Jane, the owner, had a yucky dental appointment) and man, was her excitement contagious! She ia so cool, from her sparkly green eyes (right Jen?) to her handmade batik bracelet , right down to her tiny little toe...this girl is The Bomb. Lol! She has more talent in her Little Toe than most people have in their whole head! And judging from what I saw of Jane's artwork, she is afflicted with the same malady.

The walls, the ceiling, most of the floor is covered with a plethora of mixed media goodies that by the time I left, I feared I would swoon. I couldn't focus on one thing before darting to another and another...and so on.

It is, without doubt, The Store Of My Dreams. If you could add Random Arts to Fiber On A Whim you WOULD have The Perfect Store.

I could have stayed there all day, laughing, talking and learning from Jen but we had two other places that we had to go while in NC. I WILL go back! I will make sure that I have lots of time next time though.

They had all kinds of ephemera, found objects, art supplies (Golden products! Yeah!), rubber stamping supplies and notions, papers...oh, the handmade papers are to DIE for! Ribbons, tags, charms, buttons, patches, books, paints, lions, tigers and bears, oh my!

You MUST go!

I had had several Golden Products on my "list" that I carry about with me. You just can't find them anywhere around here so when I can upon them , I started lining them up on the counter. Jen demoed most of them for us, the rest she talked us through. The paint is awesome! I wondered why everyone always said that their paint was the best...now I know. The pigment is so bold, so concentrated that if you mix water with red paint...it doesn't turn pink like most paint does, it just gets a bit thinner...the color stays the same. How cool is that?

Anyway, I had to share this with you all. Oh, I didn't even mention that they have awesome workshops with really well known and talented artists! This is one time that "Too good to be true" is just not true. It's real. It does exist.

Random Arts at http://www.randomartsnow.com/ or visit their blog at http://www.randomartnotes.blogspot.com/.