Sheet Metal Posies

On Saturday I was able to take a class at the Studio at Rush Creek, a coffee shop/art studio near my home. The class was called Metal Ribbon art and was taught by Debbie Isaacson who makes these incredible metal sculptures from metal pipes and sheet metal. At right is an example of her work and the top pic is the piece I made in the class. It was really fun to learn some different techniques and try out some different tools and materials. I learned how to drill holes through metal conduit, how to cut aluminum flashing into shapes, how to use a pneumatic riveter, and how to assemble it all. The instructor is coming back in July to teach a class on Garden Art and I'm going to try to take that as well.

by Debbie Isaacson

What I really enjoyed was using her techniques to make something that incorporates my sense of style. Like any new experience I got all kinds of fab new ideas for my own work. Like sheet metal quilts with stenciled patterns and wire stitching. The beginning part of the sculpture felt a lot like putting a mini art quilt together. Fun new visions of art have been dancing through my head ever since. I spent last night researching how to paint on metal. Spray paint seemed obvious but for a more painterly approach I was thinking I need paint I can mix. Some were using acrylic, some were using oil, but what was really fun looking was the cans of metal Rustoleum I saw someone painting their car with. So we'll see how much it all costs, how much I can figure out, how it will all work, and what I can do with it. But FUN!

I'll keep you updated- but in the meantime I'd like to know if any of you have painted on metal before and if you primed your metal first, if you sanded, what kind of paint you used and on what kind of metal. SO please, if you've any experience with this, please, please, please, leave a comment and THANKS for your help!!!

Author Night This Friday!!!

This Friday, the 20th, I'll be featured at an Author Night at the Studio at Rush Creek in Maple Grove. It's a free event that I'm a little nervous about but a whole lot excited about too. The Studio is a fabulous venue and they were sweet enough to let me sculpt the night a bit to my idea of a good time. Which means a make and take, so that those who come can actually try their hand at stitching fabric to wire, an informal chat that's more about you and your questions then me or the book.

I LOVE to inspire and encourage others so this kind of night really appeals to me. I'm hoping to share some info about how to get published both in magazines and books, and how to find the road that's right for you.  I'm bringing some of the projects from the book, so if you'd like to take a closer look, or having any questions about the projects you can ask. I'll also be selling/signing my book, so if you'd like a copy then you can get one then. But I didn't want this to be about that, so although the book will be available, the evening is about so much more. I would like people to walk away  feeling excited and encouraged to try something new and maybe stretch their own creative wings. There will be coffee too, as the Studio is a full service coffee bar as well as a artisan boutique and studio space that makes you feel inspired just being there.

So if you're local, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see you there! It's from 7- 8:30, come for as long as you can, and enjoy this fun, crafty, and hopefully marvelously inspiring event. You can find out all the particulars here. THANKS!!!!!

Randomness

Custom made book photo holder for an Etsy customer

I chose the title today thinking I'd show you some of the random projects I've been working on lately. But as soon as I typed it I realized that the word "random" pretty much characterizes all aspects of my life right now. Not to say I don't have a plan, it's just that the order, the project, the ideas are all shifting and shuffling so quickly right now. I'll have some thoughts about my book and come up with all sorts of ideas for promoting it. Fun, fun stuff. So that goes on my mental list, then I think about my son going to kindergarten in a few weeks and I feel this urge to take him to the parks, or geocaching, or to the History Center. All things we'd talked about doing at the beginning of the summer. There's a contest I want to enter, some submissions I'd like to make, a class I'm prepping for, and some overdue library books. So those start shifting into my to-do list, then I throw in all the day to day's and a few odd commitments, and before you know it I'm walking out the door unsure if I'm going to the co-op, the fabric store, the park, or school shopping. 

Shirt customized with some stitching/applique

I'd feel bad about how random it all is right now but I know that this extreme is the exception, not the rule for me. For some reason, right now is doing this to me, but it's ok. I'm still dealing with it all, I'm still getting my commitments fulfilled, I'm even able to do some things I want to do but don't have to. Like the shirt at right for my son. His new school's dress code states no lettering, pictures, or numbers on their clothing. I don't know if you've browsed boy fashions lately but unless it's a solid color there's usually some markings on it. So to spruce up one of the solid color polo's I found, I stitched on a stripe of red cut from one of my husband's cast off shirts, and then added a bit more decorative stitching. I like it, and I enjoyed it. How do you plan your day? I usually fall back to lists. I'm curious, how do you balance the day to day's but still add in the "want to do's"? Do you? Or do you let them slide?

Last night I made a plan for today. It's simple. Go to the post office and ship Etsy custom order and care packages. Finish a mini art quilt I have going. Renew my library books. Contact Bible Study Fellowship about their fall program. It's all good things. It's all do-able. I might even be able to throw in a bit of geocaching with Jasper. :)

Coming in April- Making Wire and Fabric Flowers Studio Class!!

Create your own indoor garden

I would LOVE it if you would join me at The Studio at Rush Creek on April 22nd, 6:30-8:30 pm for a class exploring the how-to's of my wire and fabric flowers.

Here's what you'll learn:

• How to form steel wire to create wire flowers of varied shapes and sizes.
• How to make the most of your stash of fabric scraps.
• How to stitch fabric to the wire forms to create 3D fabric art.
• How to stabilize the fabric.
• How to create bases for your sculptures with recycled corks and hardware store elements.
• All the different applications for these flowers- including standing sculptures, keychains, even jewelry!

Use your favorite fabrics

This is a hands-on class so you will be leaving with your own little versions of these playful and whimsical blooms- ready to give or display in your home or office!

The class costs $24 plus another $10 for supplies. You will receive your own coil of wire, needles, floss, and fabric to work with and then take home. If you have a favorite fabric you would like to use- bring it with! To register either call The Studio at 763.315.3001 or reserve the class online at The Studio at Rush Creek.

The Importance of Being a Beginner

I went to a metal working class last night at The Studio at Rush Creek. It felt absolutely wonderful to be in a studio atmosphere again, and I loved the class I took. I learned to use a jeweler's saw, a metal punch, a foredom flexible shaft drill, and a whole slew of other things. The class was actually titled Riveted Jewelry, and everyone in the class had a chance to make a pendant. It was so exhilarating to be learning something new and so I was surprised at how inept I felt at the same time. It's hard being a beginner at something. Especially if you've gotten pretty good at your "thing". I felt extremely unskilled, made a ton of mistakes, and generally had a wonderful time.

But here's how my evening went:

• I cut out the heart shape with a jeweler's saw and snapped the blade.

• I punched out the silver disk and because I couldn't remember which way was right, I unscrewed the handle, popping out a spring, that thankfully went back together pretty easily (before too many people noticed).

• I decided to give the edge of my disk a "hammered" look and because I missed the edge ended up "texturizing" the entire disk to cover it up.

• I used the saw to cut a 1/4" slice off of a copper tube for the center rivet, and lost it on the last cut-twice. So I spent quite a bit of the time crawling around the floor and asking people if they could please move a little so I could get my bit of tube. I realized the second time around I had low ride jeans on so that made the crawling around a little interesting. Crawl, yank up the jeans, crawl, pull down my shirt... you get the idea.

• I dulled the drill bit (I think) because I forgot to hit a divet to mark the drill spot first.

• And I filed off a couple of nails, as I was trying to even out my cut on the tube rivet. I'd claim I ruined my manicure but I rarely have one so the uneven appearance of my nails isn't that big of a deal.

It was hard to feel so clumsy again, it was hard to keep asking for help. I remember though, it's how I felt it when I first picked up the wire. Now, the wire just flows for me. I love it. Will I get to that point with the metal working? I don't know. But I do know that before I can be good at it I'll have to let myself be a beginner and let myself make mistakes, and generally screw up a lot. That's how we learn.

Audrey Flack, in her book Art and Soul, relates a conversation with another artist where she admits she did bad art for a whole year when she picked up her watercolors again. She was an extremely skilled sculptor at this time and to be willing not only to put herself back to the beginning, but to go through the experience of "making bad art" for that long is such an inspiration to me.

So be a beginner again, let yourself make bad art, be gentle with your artist self as you learn and make mistakes; it could be the start of something wonderful.

Local Craftiness: The Studio at Rush Creek

Last Monday I walked into the place of my dreams. Seriously. I've dreamed of a place like this. Fortunately for me it actually exists and get this, is only about 10 minutes from where I live in Plymouth, MN. It's called The Studio at Rush Creek and is an art studio, boutique, AND makes a mean mocha. I was contacted by the Studio via Etsy last week and on Monday brought in some work to place on consignment there.

It's a fabulous place. I had a great time looking around and with that lovely coffee smell permeating the air I think I could sit and sip for hours- especially if I can create at the same time. I took a look at their class schedule and they offer all sorts of classes. Painting, jewelry making, an intro to encaustic, and lots of lovely sounding stained glass and glass fusing classes. Slumping glass is one of those projects I've been interested in trying for some time but haven't taken the time to search out an opportunity to learn. The price is right too with the average class taking two hours and costing only $24 plus supplies.

When we met we worked out a class which would introduce my wire and fabric techniques. Pretty exciting! I'll be teaching the techniques for sculpting wire birds and stitching fabric to wire to create a hanging wall display on Thursday, Feb .25th from 7-9 p.m. These are simple techniques and once you've you tried them I know you'll be hooked. The wire work satisfies that need we creative types have to "make stuff" with our hands. Stitching the fabric to the wire is repetitive and promotes a feeling of meditation. Similar to the feeling you get when knitting or embroidering. It's a wonderful craft to try with no experience necessary!

I've done some teaching in the past but this will be my first class teaching these techniques and I am so excited! I would love to have any of you that are local to join me! If you have any questions about the class, please contact me. To register, just click on the class schedule above. Happy Crafting!