Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Share with your friends - You could win!



THE GIVE-AWAY:
I'm giving away one of my Needle Felted Miniature Sculptures!  
It will be CUSTOM MADE to look like your pet.




How to get a chance on the prize: 
 Sign up for my Lovely Sea Maiden Workshop 




AG REGISTRATION is open now! 




Where is the workshop held?
The workshop is given online through videos that will show you step-by-step how to needle felt! 
You will have access to other students 
AND if you have questions, 
I will be there to help you via email.

Imagine learning in an art retreat setting 
in the comfort of your own home!
My class begins on July 16 and runs through August 26.   
Available - 24/7



So not only will you be able to learn my techniques of needle felting but you will get a chance to win!


Tell your friends!  The more the merrier!
xoxo
~Judy =^..^=
___________________________________________

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

It's open! Artful Gathering 2013!

_______________________

Come join in the fun and festivities!  
Registration is now open 
for Artful Gathering 2013!

There is a cover charge of $5.00 but once you are in . . .
you have access to door prizes and raffle chances!  
And the results can be spectacular!

Be sure to look around at all of the 
wonderful workshops being offered!  
Each video workshop is provided in HD and SQ to accomodate the many viewing devices now available.  
In your classroom you have the opportunity to share your work and ask questions to your instructor all 
while watching from the comfort of your home.  24/7!

In addition to my needle felting workshop there are painting, drawing, mixed media and clay workshops available.  Something for everyone! And from my past experiences it is a learning atmosphere that is unbeatable.  

Come join my Lovely Sea Maiden workshop
 and get a chance to win one 
of my custom needle felted sculptures of your pet.

Zinnia has put together an amazing site with awesome instructors.  
If you love to socialize and make art this is the place to be.  
I have made lasting friendships from Artful Gathering in the previous two years and you can too!

Hope to see you there!   
xoxo ~Judy =^..^=
______________________

Monday, April 29, 2013

Weaving Art Together!

In March, I went to the Spring Craft Market here in VirginiaBeach.  I love this show.  Not only does it have some wonderful exhibitors and nice folks, but, many of the local guilds and craft clubs are set up promoting their groups.  Each year I drool over the needle point, beading and basket making guilds. 
 
This year I decided it was time to participate.  Knowing that my teaching videos for the Artful Gathering 2013 mermaid workshop would be completed by this time.  I scheduled my calendar to include attending the Tidewater BasketryGuild-open to the public class.  

Needless to say I was very excited and on pins and needles waiting for the meeting date to arrive.  It was kind of like waiting for Santa! 



This past, Saturday, April 27th was the day!  
I had all my tools gathered, my sack lunch packed, and my kit would be waiting for me at the meeting.  
Then with some hugs and kisses to my family, I was out the door. 


As I entered the church the chatter of 15 or so ladies filled the room.  So much energy and enthusiasm!  The class began with introductions and basic instruction and then we all dug in.  What a wonderful day.  

We worked on our baskets from 9:00 until 2:00 pm.  Fortunately we had until 5:00 so there was no pressure to hurry.  The teachers we had; Trudie, Cindy, Laura, and Marsha, were very good. 
With patience and kindness they were able to help us to maneuver through the process. 
Everyone went home with a finished basket!

I learned that, like many of my “hobbies” this could turn out to be a very addicting endeavor.  
I have already been searching the internet and pricing reeds, 
waxed linen threads, sea grass, 
knives, clips, handles, etc.  J

Here is my finished basket put to use in my studio!

xoxoxo ~Judy =^..^=
______________________________________________________




Wednesday, April 17, 2013

It's almost that time! Summertime!


 I'm teaching a workshop at Artful Gathering 2013 this June.  It requires a lot of prep work.  It is said that when you are having fun time is flying by.  Well, it's happening here!  I am having a blast!

It's a 6 week online workshop that you can do in the comfort of your own home!  I have created a wonderful needle-felting project with summer in mind.  She is a beautiful mermaid doll approx. 12” tall.  In the workshop, I will show you from start to finish how to create her.  I will be available to answer questions you may have along the way.  The classroom is filled with students just like you.  
Everyone wanting to learn!


So let me tell you a little about how
the workshops are created.

The filming was fun. 
I found it interesting that it felt as though there was a whole class of students in my studio with me.  I was giving instruction and contemplating what kind of questions might be asked about how I was doing what I was making.  
(Trying to answer questions before they are asked.)  
Doing demos, providing alternative methods 

. . . heavy duty thought processing.  .  . 

Too fun!



After filming comes the hard part.  The all-consuming part, editing.  Going over and over the video clips to make sure that all the needle-felting techniques are shown and that the explanations are clear and concise.  Once the editing is complete it is time to let the computer do its thing.  It then has to translate the video files into formats that are transferable. 

You may ask, “then what happens?”  The transferable video files are sent off to the website controller,
in this case it is Zinnia at Artful Gathering2013 
She spends countless hours to make everything possible for you!


You really need to come by the site and check it out.  You will be amazed at the fabulous line up of instructors and the projects that we have created for you.  Official registration for classes is on May 1.  You don’t want to miss out.  Some of these classes are a chance of a lifetime.
Just click on the Artful Gathering photo above.

If you want to join but have questions you can contact me through my Etsy shop or send a note to Zinnia through ArtfulGathering2013.  Both of us will be happy to help you.

Hope to see you there!  xoxoxo ~Judy =^..^=

______________________________________________________

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

PFATT Marketplace Welcome

Now showing at PFATT Marketplace!
Come visit to see this months specials.




If you are coming from PFATT.
Welcome to my blog!  
Here, I usually tell you about what is happening in my studio.  
Some of it is personal, most of it is about the art projects 
that I'm working on.

Please feel free to browse and share with your friends.  
Everyone is welcome!


Make sure that you subscribe to my blog via email 
at the bottom of the page
I don't want you won't miss out on 
anything new that happens or special discounts.


If you ever have any questions
or need a special piece of art please contact me.  
I would love to hear from you!  
The best way to reach me is through my Etsy Shop.

Enjoy your visit!  xoxo ~Judy =^..^=

______________________



Saturday, March 30, 2013

Where I wander there is wonder! . . .


Lately I have been wandering down memory lane.  
Do you remember this book?  


As you can tell by the wear, I read it many times when I was little.
It also reminds me of all the sewing that my mom did.
And trying on each item as she pinned to make sure it fit just right!

Well, this is the book that has inspired my newest art dolls.  
Here are my “LITTLE REDs.” 


They are one-of-a-kind original soft sculpture dolls painted with acrylic paints. I couldn’t decide if they should be blondes or brunettes so
I decided on one of each!


____________________________________________________


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Life as an Artist and Mom . . .


When I was young I always dreamed of being a parent.  I never thought it would be this good.  I have a wonderful son who sees the sky as the limit.  Anything and everything is possible in his world.  But, being a parent to a child like this requires a lot of stamina and creativity to help him accomplish his goals.   As you all know he does Irish Dance and I do art.  Well the two have finally met.  His request was an Irish Dance vest for competition. 

So his mom (that would be me!) got out her sewing machine, drawing tools paper and pencil, brushed up on Illustrator computer skills and got to work.  I drew a surface design on the computer and sent it to his dad’s embroidery shop for stitching.  Then I got busy making a pattern.  This was new for me.  I had never drawn a clothing pattern before.

I did get to go and buy supplies.  My favorite part of any project!

Did a little snipping, sewing and holding my breath, along with lots and lots of praying that it would turn out right.

Here are the results!


He had it in time for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade that his dance school participated in.  Unfortunately, it rained and the dancers did not
 get to wear their costumes. But he still had fun.




What came next you ask?


I was asked to make a vest for another student in the class!  

And so it goes . . . Life as a mom and artist!

xoxoxo  ~Judy =^..^=
______________________________


"Love is an attempt to change a piece
 of a dreamworld into reality."
                                     ~Theodor Reik

_______________________________