Shrink Plastic & Polymer Clay Workshops

Today my daughter Rachel and I each taught a workshop in our home. I taught a Shrink Plastic workshop, while Rachel taught a Polymer Clay workshop. Here's the finished projects from the Shrink Plastic students...

We made mini books, Santos articulated dolls, and shadow box dolls. And here are the the projects from Tori, Rachel's student...they're all so adorable!

Not Pictured: Hamburger charm (Lisa coveted it)

 What a great group of girls we had over, all so talented and so much fun!

Here are Rachel and Tori at their workstation...

And I also want to thank Laura for bringing over these adorable goodie bags for the teachers. They're so cute and I love the way they're packaged!

Ribbon Flower Class

A few days ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to take a Ribbon Flower class from the eminent Candace Kling. She does amazing work with ribbon. Check out her site: http://www.candacekling.com/. These are the flowers we made.

Tricia hosted the workshop in her beautiful home.

We also celebrated Ruby's birthday

Not pictured (Colleen M. & Lana K.)

Look at this gorgeous flower bouquet that Candace created....just one of her many pieces of art that is so amazing.

Then a little project I wanted to share on video - enjoy.

Wouldn't these mini stamp books make great gifts?

Tim Holtz Mini Note Book From District Market Collection

My Birthday Class

We celebrated my birthday this weekend by taking a wonderful soldering class from Irene Loeffler.

It was a project class where we made a box with a frozen charlotte inside - they all turned out adorable. This was something most of my sisters have never done before, so it was a great experience.

We all had a great time in class, thanks Irene! And thanks to Diana G. for recommending Irene to us.

Then I also want to share these AMAZING gifts my sisters made. When they asked me what I wanted this year, I told them I would like them to make me a mini book no bigger than 1 1/2" My plan was to put them all on one necklace. Well, after a few days and several whining emails from my sisters about how to do it, and then them stressing out about it; I decided to change my wish list to make it easier on them. I suggested they each buy me one vintage bling piece that I could make into one necklace...no need to make me anything. I love how they packaged each one individually!

Then, be still my heart - I opened a collection of the CUTEST mini books ever! Thanks to my sister Frances for encouraging my other sisters to challenge themselves and go for it!!!

If you could see these in person, they're each so adorable...I LOVE them! They're each so different: one is water-colored, one has all our family photos in them, one is full of dolls, one has vintage bling.
Then, as if that wasn't enough, they also each gave me a piece of vintage rhinestone.

Then on top of all that, I still got other goodies that I ADORE!

(Not pictured: Frances is taking the picture)

Thanks to my sister's for a wonderful birthday celebration...you guys all out did yourselves!

Today, I took the day off and attended a wonderful ribbon art class from Candice Kling at Tricia's beautiful home - I'll show pictures from that class in the next couple days. It was another great workshop.

I'm A Cover Girl!

It's my birthday this month and I couldn't have asked for a better present. My project made the cover of  Somerset Studio Nov/Dec issue, one of my favorite magazines!

I was so thrilled when I found out - it's a dream come true for me. I've been a crafter ever since I can remember, but it's just been this past year that I started submitting my work for publication and teaching workshops in my home. It's been very fulfilling for me, and I appreciate everyone's support.
Here's my article; it's about making art from recycled materials. The project on the cover was an old Papaya calendar page that I altered into a wall hanging. The other projects were a mini picture frame that I transformed and also some inexpensive gift cards that I embellished.

Thanks to the staff at Stampington for making me one happy birthday girl!

Today, I also went to my favorite scrapbooking store, Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley, CA. Here's my purchases for today. Tim Holtz had a bunch of new product out that I couldn't resist. I love the subway sign tote (especially the over size grommets), new tissue paper, tape, & notebooks.

Here are my other goodies, some stamps, paper, & embellishments.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. I've got a couple of classes lined up, stay tuned for updates.

Mini Santos Cage Doll

I love the look of Santos cage dolls, so tonight I made this mini one.

It all started when I went to Cost Plus Imports today and bought these...

Which got me thinking, hey, these look familiar. And then it struck me. I could use those sticks for the cage part of the Santos doll! The wire tinsel is also known as bullion - it stretches out forever, like a slinky that doesn't retract. Ever since I took the Santos class from Dee Foust at Petaluma, I couldn't wait to make one on my own - but smaller, since I love mini things.

Here's how it came together. I sculpted the body with Sculpey clay.

Then I painted the body with acrylic paint. Next I glazed, antiqued, and wrapped the tinsel around the neck. This doll measures just under 5".

Anybody up for a class on this? :-)

Vintage Necklaces & Weekend Fun

I finally decided to use my vintage pieces and put together some necklaces. I made these four this weekend. I mixed some old with some new.

 

Two of the rhinestone pieces I picked up Friday at Craft Depot, along with a couple other pieces: the faux pearls and long boxes - all for less than $20!

This was my craft table this weekend..oh dear.

Today, I went out with my long time friend, Denise. We had a wonderful lunch at Tender Greens in Walnut Creek. I can't wait to go back again! Although, get the pepper chicken instead of the sirloin.

 

Denise and I have known each other since Jr. High School and we also went to college together.

I also wanted to share a picture of me and my daughter. It's her first time wearing make up in public.  The only other time she's worn makeup is during a ballet recital. Rachel's girl friend put it on her - just some eye shadow and eye liner. My little girl is growing up so fast! That faux fur vest I'm wearing is my new favorite fashion item, thanks Frances for picking it up for me - love it! I wore two of my new necklaces this weekend too. I can't wait to find more vintage pieces to make more necklaces. I'm on a necklace kick!