Paste Paper Tag with ICE Resin® casting made in Art-filled Snippet Moments in the Studio

Snippets of Time is what I call my time in the Studio- I take a little moment here and there, I steal away while the biscuits are in the oven, as I take out the trash there is always a little detour to the studio...I create in spurts, moments, snippets...it's fun and frustrating at the same time.  Oh, of course there are days when I can disappear into paper, paints, design and delight.  But on the more common  Snippet days, my projects evolve over several days and what I had envisioned at the beginning takes on new directions each time I go into the studio.  I learned when  my children were small that snippets of time might be all I would be given and to make the most of that moment - to crochet a row or two, to add a little paint to paper, to continue on an earlier project.

Today, I want to share with you a paste paper tag that is a snippet project.  I love these tags  because I can work on them a little at a time and then all at once it comes together.  In this watercolor paper tag, I used twinkling H2O's (a hardpan watercolor cake with beautiful bits of mica powders and shimmers), Acrylic paints, distress inks, rub-ons, stamps and even gauze fabric.  Embellished with Ribbons, pearls and wire, the piece de resistance is my ICE Resin® cast - a Relic inspired milagro that has been painted with Mica Powder and inks.  Using ICE Resin® in casting found objects is one of my most favorite possibilities.  I can make one or a hundred of my castings, add patina, paints and foils.  This tag is a wonderful blend of all things lovely.

the beginnings 

close up of the twinkling H2O's

Playing with placement

One of my favorite sayings...It is so true.

For me, as a collage artist, I love snippet moments - To me they are little collages being created as I work on the various elements of the project.  I have learned to EMBRACE all artful moments and to create for those few moments as if I had all day- And then when my piece whether it be jewelry, paper arts or fabric, I know that it was worth every minute of each day as I put my heart in to each part of the process.

The ICE Resin® casting of the milagro

Until next time, I hope you will find a few art-filled snippet  moments


Where I will be teaching this Spring

February 27th  - Sparks Studio featuring ICE Resin®
March 15th  Sparks Studio working with ICED Enamel™
March 19th - Resurrected Designs - an All day workshop featuring ICE Resin® and creating jewelry pieces

April 9th - Resurrected Designs - BOHO inspired hand knotted pearl and button wrap bracelet
April 16th - Saturday in the Studio - a creative afternoon at My Art Studio - details soon 

Looking Ahead for the fall - still putting all the dates on the schedule 


September 16th- 18th Bella Crafts Connections in Minnesota

CHA - The Craft and Hobby Association's MEGA Conference and Trade Show....a little piece of Heaven here on earth

Here's an excerpt from my post on the ICE Resin® Blog....

OH MY STARS!!! is the perfect expression (that we use quite often here in Texas- along with y’all and fixin to…) to describe CHA, the Craft and Hobby Association’s Trade only show. – For me it was the Creative Heaven for Artists!! I first heard about CHA in the early 90’s when Carol Duval, a wonderful crafter and TV personality would go and show us through video all the great new inspirations and products that would be coming to our local craft stores in the coming months.  As I sat there glued to the TV, I watched Carol walk the showroom floor and talk with all of the people, the celebrities (for me) and show all the new products.  The creativity was so evident and everyone was sharing ideas, demoing new techniques and products!  It seemed to be heaven on earth…and I wanted to go.

I made it!!!

Fast-forward to January 8^th, I walked into the Anaheim Convention Center and picked up my nametag and my info packet to attend the CHA MEGA Conference and Trade Show.   It was the beginning of a dream come true…You can read more here

The Anaheim Convention Center

For me it was truly a dream come true.  Getting to see first hand the new products that will be available to stores for us, the loyal artisans and crafters I could see the time, the talent and the research that goes into new lines, new products, new tools.  It was truly inspiring and it also helped me appreciate all of the details that create a product that we will use time and time again. 

Some of my favorite new products are the new ICE Resin® foils and tints that will be added to work with our art and jewelry projects.  There is a new weaving tool designed for bangles,.The creator is from Australia or England (Her accent was amazing) and she was the most energetic and happy person. The tool uses everything from wire to fabric to even pantyhose!!!  Now I know what to do with all of those pairs that I no longer wear!!!  It won't be out until March/April but I will be the first one to get it and then share the process with y'all.  There was a beautiful company out of London that carried the most beautiful sewing pattern and fabric and lace as well.  All from Europe and from small farming communities who create the fabric/lace.  LOVE THAT!!  

There was a beautiful French stamp company called Carabelle.  C'est Magnifique!!!  I will try to order some of there large home decor stamps through a few of my connections across the pond!

I think for me the most incredible element to CHA was that all were there to inspire, teach and encourage the creativity in all of us!  From the big names I met to those that walked the aisles with me, it seemed as if we were one big happy family.... as they say those that create together, stay together.  Below are a few pictures of the workshops I helped with and learned from these amazing teachers.  Also a few pictures of a few of my friends while at CHA - I did forget to take pictures as I was trying to live in the moment - I would think later "Oh I should have taken more pictures" but there is always next year!!!1

Taking Classes from John Peterson - Amazingly
talented and he's my friend!!!

John and us girls....

Assisting Jen Cushman in her workshop
She is so gifted!!!

The students are learning!!

Playing with ICE Resin®

Eating Cake at PLAID®

My two favorite Susans - Susan Lenart Kazmer
and Susan Walls

Dinner with SLK, Sandra Evertson and Debby Anderson

I believe that whether you hold a paint brush or a child's hand, whether you mend a garment or a broken heart, whether you glue to hold paper or perhaps you are the glue that holds your family together - you and I are creating everyday.  CHA provides products and inspiration for us to use.  You provide the purpose in which to create a life that is filled with love and he{art}

Until next time,  I hope you find time to create everyday!!!

Tucson in my rearview mirror - a quick look at the terrain of the Southwest

I wanted to share a few photos from our recent trip to Tucson where I participated in the To Bead To Be True Bead show... and of course shopped at some of the many tents of beads, gems and minerals. It was the "Round Top" for bead lovers, jewelry designers, jewelry enthusiasts, students and teachers--it was a great time and I'm ready for next year!!  In my next post, I'll write about CHA and the wonderful classes I took in Tucson but for now - here's a peek at the terrain of Tucson.

the long and winding road...

the mountains just passed the desert

the one photo I took at the Gem and Mineral
Show (at the Kino Sports Complex)

A beautiful blue sky - the perfect day for a drive

Cactus 

A flowering cactus

More Cactus

We called this the "Peace" Cactus

Cactus 

We had a great time!  I convinced him that we needed at least one
"selfie"- so here it is!!

Until next time, no matter what the terrain is around you...tend your little plot of earth with joy and creativity....