Santa Fe and Beadfest

Greeting all.  Once again the day finds us with packed bags hitting the road.  

This time we are on to Santa Fe and Beadfest to immerse ourselves in beads and baubles.  

Heading down the road.  Mountains in the horizon.

Class time with Kim St. Jean

As always, Kim St. Jean's classes are top notch.  If you don't own her book yet, you need to get one right now.  It is filled with so much info and such wonderful projects.  

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kim-St-Jean/394164736424

I so enjoyed Brenda Schweder's steel wire capturing class and she is so fun as well.  Thanks Brenda.  I had seen this book cover before, but passed it up.  But seeing a copy and looking at the projects on the pages - it is a must have for anyone who enjoys the junk filled, steel worked jewelry.  The cover showed a sweet style necklace but the inside pages are filled with fun out there projects.  Check out Brenda's web site and definitely check out her 3 books. 

http://www.brendaschweder.com/

Mark and I finished off Saturday with a couple more classes.

Projects I made while in Brenda's class.

Deborah Mauser teaches wire weaving.

Enameling class.

Enrique's weaving was the best of all.

Of course there was lots of bead shopping to be done. I'll have lots of new goodies to put out on the shelves.

Sights of Santa Fe, NM

 And course being the avid basketball fans that we are we are never far from a screen showing all the games.  You'd think we were drug dealers darting to the car or meeting in a dark hallway to find a spot for the best video reception.  We are in the mountains you know.  So here we are in our hotel room watching 3 different games via TV, laptop and iPad.  We were actually watching a 4th game on my iPhone, but I'm taking the picture with it.

Art Unplugged "4"

We have had the schedule for Art Unplugged set for the last month, but it occurred to me that I haven't posted it on the blog so everyone could see the info.

Mrs. O'Leary's

126 N. Mead, Old Town, Wichita, Kansas  ~ 316-262-0600

mrussell48@cox.net  www.mrsolearysart.com

It’s here! Can you believe it? June 7,8,9 & 10

4^th  Annual “Art Unplugged” Weekend (plus) retreat

After giving much thought to how to make an event where everyone would learn new skills and techniques, renew there soul and spirit with art and good friends…  I’ve come up with a collection of classes and gathering times to make this one our best…

June 7th   Thurs 10-12/1-4

“Jane in Chains” A vintage style thimble covered in filigree is at the top of a cascade of charms,  pearls, Austrian crystals, vintage buttons and of course chains.  Clustered together with distressed ribbons and hidden in the center is Jane herself.  Jane is a reproduction metal casting from an antique frozen Charlotte doll.  Learn how to make a beaded cascade, patina your charms and to make the Jane casting.  $60

Sample pictures will be posted early May

Thurs 5:30-9

“Encaustic Wax, part 1 building backgrounds” In part 1 of Encaustics we will layout background textures and allow those to dry overnight.  You will get 4 small encaustic boards to work on.  The rest of the class will be demonstration of many techniques including layering, transfers, embedding, cutting in adding color with pan pastels and pigment sticks and painted with colored wax.  Continued…..

June 8th Friday 9-12/1-4

“Encaustic Wax, part 2 laying it on thick” Be ready to start right in on your boards using the techniques you learned the night before.  This gets addictive as you play in our own little version of the sandbox. You may choose to bring additional encaustic boards, canvases or birch plywood to use as a base or purchase from our selection at the store.  20% discount on encaustic boards for participants.   $75 for both days

Friday 5:30-9:30	“Copper Book Necklace – Looking In” This tiny 1¼ x2½ mini book starts off with a surprise cover that lets you see into the images that lie beneath.  A window of Ice Resin slightly magnifies the image below.  Pages are made from metal mesh, mica, distressed canvas, resin paper, and filmstrips.  The kit comes packed with mini photos, paper trimmings and embellishments for you to fill the pages.  A variety of attachment techniques will be shown including eyelets, staples, sewing and wire.  Learn metal fabrication and texturing.  Torching will be demonstrated.  Your kit will also include several Artful Illusions mini rubber stamps – yours to keep.  Chain will be available for purchase.    $50
June 9th  Sat. 9-11:30		“Copper Book Necklace (continued)”

Saturday 12:30-5:30 alternate Date 5/26

“Enameling, torch fire beads and kiln fired bracelets” Use our buffet of beautiful enamels to turn ordinary filigree beads into gorgeous glass adornments.  Learn to mix colors for a cascading variegation of hues.  The 2nd half of the class will be making a very textural enameled bangle bracelet.   Local participants may choose to attend on Saturday May 26 – 11-4 in order to give everyone ample space and a chance to use the equipment without waiting.  $50 We will divide into 2 groups.  While group A is working with the kilns, group B will be using the torches.  Half way through the class we will switch.

Saturday 6:30-9:30

“Enamel Bead Bracelet” Turn your enameled beads into this floppy fringed bracelet.  If you don’t have your own enameled beads, we will have ours available for purchase.  Bracelet base, ribbon and fiber fringe, wire, head pins, and closure included.  Bring your own filler beads and or charms or purchase from our stash.   Learn wire wrapping and jewelry finishing.  $45

Sat. 10-1	Late Night!  Haven’t had enough yet?  Ever wonder what I’m doing in my studio at night?  Or just want to pick my brain about whatever?  Join us for a midnight snack and some extra studio time (enameling will be available).  This is free, but only available to Art Unplugged “4” participants.
Sunday 10	Breakfast Join us for a relaxing gathering time and show off what you made during your art days.  Free to anyone that took part in the Unplugged classes.

June 10th Sunday 11-6

“Crystal & Canvas – Beautiful Woman” A 6 inch square glass bevel is the cover for this truly different book celebrating women.  The base material is painted canvas but materials ranging from chiffon, tulle, silk and natural wool contrast against hammered steel and rust.  Cardstock pages form pockets for tucking in our faux vintage cabinet cards, letters and photos that you will create.  Working with transparencies and TAP transfer paper adds dimension to the pages.  Easy to follow templates make this intricate binding system fail proof.  A center fabric insert will be collaged with a monotone of textiles that highlight the beauty of light and texture.  Swarovski crystal and pearls scatter through adding to the texture.  A flag of fabric strips with transferred messages flow from the center page giving interest to what lies inside.  Plenty of room for adding your own personal touches and trims.  The front crystal is provided, but bring along a rusty key or found object if you want to give it the added grunge. This “Beautiful Woman Book” is a tactile experience that will delight the senses as you peel through its layers.  Beautiful images set in a warm white background, the coolness of the glass and the loft of the fabrics to the touch and the aroma of the lavender seeds fill the air as the pages are turned.  $70

Due to the amount of space and torches needed for the torch fire beads, we will offer this class (especially for our in-town guests) on May 26^th 10:30-4:30.  Class sizes will be limited so call or email to save your space.  A CC# will hold your space but you won’t be charged until June 1. Anyone taking 5 or more classes (Art Unplugged) will receive a free event T-shirt, note booklet and charm.   Those taking 3 classes will receive the charm and note booklet free.  You will need to bring your basic metal and paper working tools to classes.  A detailed list (nominal) will be emailed to you for what will be used in each class.

Classes are already filling up and we only have about 10 spaces available for most of the classes.  

Call 316-262-0600 or email mrussell48@cox.net 

Crystal and Canvas, Beautiful Woman Book

I have captured the images of all the creative ways so many of you have been designing your books with that I wanted to share.

We will be returning to Stamp Asylum March 26th to teach this again.

Onto Plano and Stamp Asylum

Downtown Dallas in our sights.

We were approaching the last leg of our journey traveling onto Plano, Texas and Stamp Asylum where we taught 5 classes.

 

Fortunately we had timed our visit so we could attend the Dallas Postcard Show.

I haven't had time to process most of the stash I picked up last fall at the Wichita Show so be looking for some great new stamp and print images that will be added to the Artful Illusion line.

After finishing up 4 days of teaching, we made one more stop before heading home.

We went on a shopping trip for the store and stopped at the Dallas Market Center.  

Mrs. O'Leary's will be having a new look this spring.  

After almost 5 weeks, 20 classes (some 7 hours long) and

 5 demos in 25 days it's time to come home.

There's no place like home...

One week to regroup and repack before heading out again to attend Beadfest.  We will be purchasing beads for the store and attending classes to learn new skills.  

Next stop Santa Fe, NM.