Craft Test Dummies

Ok, so here’s a quick and cute “pink ribbon” craft, using safety pins and seed beads. I know I have a million of these little buggers around, so I’m going to get busy. Surf on over to About.com’s family crafts, and you can get the full instructions.

This is the basic grid…  and I’m sorry I can’t share a finished product with you– couldn’t find an image of one completed on the internet, and I’m just getting started on mine.

Anyone have one they’d like to share?

(PS– mad props to Shari Osborn for sharing the pattern. You rock!)

….is the name of a new exhibit in the Scottsdale, AZ Museum of Contemporary Art. I may be getting the chance to travel there next month, and I wanted to see what was shaking in S-town. I have no idea what else the exhibit holds, but this piece by Yoshiki Hishinuma (2005) is both beautiful and compelling. (I see orchids in this piece….)

Just wanted to share! (And what radical or subversive crafting have YOU done lately??)

Just a heads-up that I’ll be teaching a 6-hour workshop on Saturday, September 13th at 10:00, sharing some of what I learned at Julie Picarello’s workshop. I’ll take participants through the process step-by-step, and you’ll leave with a batch of beads and the know-how to finish them into beautiful jewelry pieces!

Here’s my favorite one:

Well, I’m a little behind in my sharing, but I wanted to let everyone know how excited I am to be offering a series of classes at Stitch Cleveland (actually in Lakewood) on surface design and fabric.

I’ll be offering a class on stamping on fabric, first. We’ll cover ink pads, acrylic paints, and even color lifting using stamps. (I may even through in a crash course on Angelina fibers, too, just because they are so much fun to stamp on….) The next class will be foiling and paintstiks, and we’ll cover stencilling, painting, and rubbings, and stamping with those two mediums. (Participants will get to take home a set of 3 mini paintstiks to keep on playing with. How cool is that?) The third class will feature projects using our altered fabric - coffee cuffs, magic card cases, and ATC’s or postcards.

I love fabric and sewing, and I’m really thrilled to be sharing some of my altered art/mixed media sensibilities at Stitch.

Check out their site for more details and how to register!

I spent Saturday morning at Grand River Beads participating in the “Try-it-you’ll-like-it” weekend. I taught 3 classes in three hours…. and none of the materials overlapped! (Note to self: organize better!!!)

I demo’d swirly beads, faux dichro glass, and paper beads. Lots of fun, and our participants were REALLY enthusiastic! Of course, I was a little swamped and trying desperately to stick to my 55-minute time schedule, so I didn’t get any photos. But I do have to say that my “students” were fabulously creative, and they all walked away with beautiful pieces.

It was crazy busy, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. And a big thanks and kudos to Eva, who put it all together and kept things running smoothly!

(Note to participants: send me a photo and I’ll post it!)

I’ve finally finished my samples for my June class…. right under the wire! I made a bunch of samples, actually, because for the first time class participants will get to decide what they are going to make. I’m offerening charms for jewelry or scrapbooking, candle embellishments, magnets, or pins.

(This may not go over well. I’ve been told that people are more project-based, rather than process-based. This can be tough for me, because I want to teach folks the technique, then get creative with it.)

So, I got creative with my sheet of red-white-and blue star mokume gane clay, and I made these things:

I’m particularly happy with the necklace, of all things. I made the star charms with eyelet centers, expecting to use them on a scrapbook page…. but then I got all inspired with beading wire, crystals, and crimp beads.

If you are interested in the classes I teach, check out my “craft classes with Jenny” link!

I’ve posted recently about yahoo groups that are good for Craftistas, and I belong to two active polymer clay groups. However, I’ve been dismayed that there are no local guilds or groups for polymer clayers.  And since I teach mostly polymer clay in the Northeast Ohio area, well it was time to start my own group!

I started Ohio Clayers (yes, that is a play on the rock band!) and it’s open to all. I hope that it will be a place for polymer clay enthusiasts of all ages to learn, share, and grow. If we’re REALLY lucky, maybe we can even get enough folks together for a clay/play date and some righteous show and tell!

Really, any clayer is invited to join.  But wouldn’t it be great to have a polymer clay guild here in Northern Ohio? And that we could be the ones to start it?

Those of you have read this blog or my other, CraftTherapy, know that I belong to a number of Yahoo Groups. If you haven’t ever checked them out, you may want to consider seeking out some crafty sites that meet your interests.

So here’s Yahoo Groups 101: visit their home page, and then type in your favorite craft into the search bar. Up will pop a list of existing groups that serve you interest. For example, I’m a polymer clay fan. I found City-O-Clay and Clay-Polymer. But if you have a SPECIFIC polymer interest, like foods or minis or jewelry, well, you can find that, too.

If you’ve never joined a YG, there are some great reasons to. First off, you are instantly connected with a social network of folks who are passionate about the same craft/art/stuff as you. Secondly, may groups offer challenges or swaps to get your juices flowing. And all of them (I dare say) have a photo option so that you can share your creations with others. There are also “files” sections, usually jam-packed with great info, and links to members sites/blogs or other places that can help you learn and grow in your craft.

There’s also a new breed of YGs that cater to selling craft supplies. I’ve found Abandoned Crafts and CraftersFleaMkt. Both allow you to sell your new-ish or gently used craft supplies without paying a fee. Cool, huh? I personally thing every crafter in America should join this site! I’m always trying out new crafts, giving up others, and just plain over-buying supplies! (And why should E-Bay get to take a cut, anyway?!!)

Just a few words about YG etiquette:

• Keep your signature line to 3 lines.
• ALWAYS snip your replies. Please. Really.
• Change the subject line if you change the subject.
• If your group is not sales-oriented, only post items for sale on Sunday with (COMM) in the title. That way folks who just want to chat can delete your message. (Make sure you read your groups’ rules. Some have no sale announcements, ever.)
• Be aware of group rules (see above.) Each moderator has their own, and usually they send you a file with other do’s and don’ts.

That being said, go out there, get yourself a virtual social network, and have fun!

PS… joining my CraftTestDummies Ning site is alot like a YG, too… but you get you own homepage, photo page, etc. Why not check it out, too?

Well, this is a story of a Mother’s Day gift thwarted- and it was for me! My dear hubby knew that I secretly longed to go on a polymer clay cruise featuring Donna Kato and Carol Blackburn in the fall. And the sweet man decided to book it for me for my Mother’s Day gift.

BUT IT WAS CANCELLED!

“Due to lack of interest.” Really? Come on! The cruise wasn’t even set to sail until October… but it’s canceled already.

I’m so bummed.

I do have one silver lining, though. I’m going out west in June to take a weekend workshop with Julie Picarello. She’s fabulous…

Well, I’m thrilled to say that we are going to be making these fab-oo bracelets at Grand River Beads in the merry merry month of May. The first class will be offered on May 1 (Thursday, 6 PM) and the on the last day, May 31 (Saturday, 1:00PM.)

I’m stoked to do this one because A) I love to make beads to match my outfits, and B) this is a simple way to learn how to use Artistic Wire. It come in a rainbow of colors, and it very high quality. Eva is going to teach the part using the coiling gizmo while our beads bake. I think folks will be amazed at how quickly this bracelet comes together. Fun, fun, fun!

If you are interested, just check out the GRB site… they now have it set up that you can register and pay online. How easy is that?