March of the Fairies

On Thursday, I've been asked to deliver a workshop for a birthday party...eight six-year old girls. The project -- fairy clothespeg dolls. It's a lovely little project, and a real throw back to the crafty tradition.

Photos to be posted on Thursday after the party is over.

September...a time for new beginnings

There is just something about September that means new beginnings. For us grown-ups, it's the nostalgia for back-to-school -- buying new pens, pencils, & folders, picking classes, meeting new friends and catching up with old friends after the summers.

Here at studio C, I am embracing the desire for new beginnings. I'm preparing to move into my new studio . It will come to me, newly painted with a newly installed wash-up sink. I'll fill it with tables, desks, chairs, and presses full of favourite supplies. There will be new signs, artwork on the walls, displays in the windows.

Up until that point, I'm looking forward to meeting new students in the classes next week, introducing them to new projects, and helping them find their inspiration and creative talents.

Ah, September. Thanks for the opportunities!

like Christmas morning -- jewellery day!

At just after 10am, Postman Pat (yes, that's really his name) rang the doorbell and gave me a package from Madcow Beads -- my jewellery making supplies. Before I even had coffee, I had the beads out and was dreaming up my new creations.

It's been years since I made jewellery, but within minutes it all came back. Picking the right colours and combinations, measuring the tiger tail (black and silver as always), choosing the right findings, crimping, stringing, knotting, and then finally hanging the new pieces on a display board.

You can see on overview of today's work here (from left to right -- a selection of bracelets, a close-up of a bracelet made with handmade newspaper beads, and a garnet, clear glass, and celtic charm choker.)

old logo new logo

When I started studio C, it was the intention of only working with kids, but more and more often I'm being asked if I might consider working with adult groups. So I've decided to broaden my scope based on demand.

This left me with a bit of a problem though; a logo and identity for "studio C, where kids create art!" along with a website full of primary colours, paint splatters and thumbtack icons. It has served me well for the past year, but now it seems, frankly, juvenile.

So today was the first day of rebranding exercises for studio C. And the birth of a new logo -- "studio C, arts & crafts for everybody!" The website is soon to come, but I've modelled it very closely on this blog in colour scheme and feel.

I am attaching my new and old logos here...and comments welcome!

About the Bracelets

I'm not sure where the idea to make paper mache bracelets came from -- it seems like I just woke up one morning and the idea was there. To make the bracelets, I used (or will be using) the following materials:

1. reclaimed thin cardboard strips

2. recycled Western People and Irish Business Post newspapers

3. masking tape

4. PVA glue and water mixture

5. acrylic paints

6. high gloss and satin finish acrylic varnish

Each bracelet takes about one week to make, including drying time.

The finished product will be posted later this week.

started making, but what a mess!

Took my own advice and holed up in the studio to varnish the newspaper beads and to work on shaping the paper mache bracelets. By the time I finished, there was paper mache residue from one end of the studio to the other, but I am pleased with how the bracelets are coming on.

The afternoon flew by, and it's now nearly 9pm with not an ounce of dinner in sight. Good thing bedtime around here doesn't come until well after midnight!

"Stop messing and get making!"

The next series of studio C kids classes starts four weeks from today. So it's all about website updates, brochure design and printing, mailing lists and labels, newspaper adverts, postering campaigns....all go for a couple of weeks.

In between the business comes the fun. I am working on handmade beads from newspaper, and paper mache bracelets. They are coming along, but not as fast as they should. Seems like there is always something pulling me away from the studio right now. I need someone to stand over me and say "Stop messing and get making!"

Any volunteers?