Where the sidewalk ends...

 and becomes a msterpiece! I love sidewalks. When I was a kid the sidewalk was like far away from our front door and close enough to the street to feel like you were someplace else. We always had a lot of yard around our house and the front yard in the Des Moines house was three steps above the sidewalk so there were steps at the end of our front walk. Best place ever to hang out and play. We didn't have a fence but a 30" cement retaining wall all around the front yard. The sidewalk is where we played hopscotch, and jacks and jump-rope. We dragged our dolls out and pretended they lived in apartments -each step a different apartment. There were flower dolls to be made out of hollyhocks and tooth picks and crowns out of white and purple clover. And when the people next door remodeled their house we discovered that there was 'chalk' in the walls just waiting for us to peel the paper away and draw with it.

When my kids were young the sidewalk and driveway represented a huge canvas just waiting for us to make our marks. On really hot days all it took was a bucket of water and a paint brush. Pictures would magically disappear so we could start all over again. We used sidewalk chalk by the pound. The cement around our house was always filled with colors and images.

 Last week I ordered a case of sidewalk chalk. For the next two weeks my students and I are going outside the studio to draw on the sidewalk. Of course I won't let them draw just anything. My students will be re-creating some of Van Gogh's masterpieces on the sidewalk. Here is the first third of Van Gogh's "Iris" from 1889.

Norah's Jewells

This summer I have made a commitment to be at the Carroll Farmer's Market on Wednesday evenings selling bracelets for my grand daughter Norah Jewell. Norah has Type 1 diabetes- she was diagnosed in October. She is only 3 years old. So far it has been a roller coaster of events for Norah, her parents and her little sister. Hospital visits, doctor's appointments and getting her finger poked several times in a 24 hour time period. So far I have made 150 bracelets. I am selling them for $6 each or 2 for $10.

My goal is to raise at least $1000. I better get back to making more bracelets! Stop by and say hello if you happen to be at the Farmer's market!



Fabulous Bags and Earth Day

The first time I became aware of Earth Day was 22 years ago.  I was visiting my sister in Philly and everywhere we went there were signs for the 20th anniversary of Earth Day. So Earth Day was a topic of conversation for us as we explored the city together.

I've been trying to do my part to be environmentally friendly for over 35 years. In my class room I try to stay away from art supplies that are toxic. I don't wash leftover paint off the pallets. I let it dry and then peel it off and throw it away. Sometimes those pieces of dried acrylic paint end up in another art project thus staying out of the landfill. I don't use paper towels but washable rags for clean ups in the studio. There aer live plants in the studio to help keep the air a little cleaner too. I also frequent thrift stores for things we can use in class instead of always buying new. So many people discard so much stuff- unused paints, slightly used pastels, artists brushes, paper- the list goes on. Anyone who is an artist can tell you that supplies are expensive and when you are working with children they get consumed quickly. This thrift store mentality on my part has helped me stretch my art supply budget by quite a lot.

This of course has spilled into my art making as well. I am drawn to vintage jewelry and old glass and crystal beads. I will often pick up a vintage strand of beads, break it apart and incorporate them into a new necklaces using a mix of trend colors and sterling silver. Or I would buy an old wool sweater felt it and make mittens or slippers out of it. Storage was a problem in my first house so I used old suitcases to store seasonal items like Christmas decorations and then by stacking them would also have an end table by the sofa.  Little did I know that what I was doing was going to become a part of an art/lifestyle movement. I don't like calling what I do recycling- to me that means that you are taking something cutting it up, breaking it down and totally making something different out of the raw material- like soda bottles into jackets. What I do is re-purpose or alter an item. Give it a new purpose and extend it's life. So what does this have to do with Fabulous Bags? Well....

The Octagon contacted me last month about having a trunk show. They love my Fabulous Bags and thought a workshop plus trunk show would be great fun. I agree! So on June 25th I will be in Ames (one of my favorite destinations in Iowa) all day doing what I do best. Sharing my creative talent with people. When it says all materials provided they mean it. I have a confession to make here- I have about 75 vintage handbags stashed away at my house in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. These are all thrift store finds and aer in two very large tubs in the studio. What each bag has in common- besides being vintage and a thrift store find - they all stand up on their own. So the bag can be used as an actual handbag OR it can sit somewhere and make a statement. 

What's so great about a Fabulous bag? It still fits even if you gain 5lbs!

A Contest! Spread the word......

This summer I am going to have a booth at my local Farmer's Market.

My 3 year old granddaughter was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and her parents are participating in a bike ride to raise money for research. They have been on quite a roller coaster ride since October 2010 when Norah was diagnosed. Sleepless nights, hospital stays, doctor appointments and finger pokes have become the norm for them.

So what does this have to do with Type 1 Diabetes?

Norah loves jewelry. Nana (me) makes jewelry. I am going to do my part to help Team Norah raise the money they need to participate in the 100 mile bike ride WITHOUT getting on a bicycle.

I have not been on a bike in years and I plan on keeping it that way. 

So I am making bracelets. Bright colorful glass bead and crystal bracelets. $6 each or 2 for $10. I will be selling ONLY bracelets at farmer's market.

Here's the contest: I need a name for my booth- besides just Artworks Studio- something catchy and memorable and fun and just makes you WANT to buy a bracelet.  Post your ideas in the comments. I will have Norah's parents choose the one they like best and the winner will get a $25 gift certificate from Artworks Studio to spend either here in the studio or in my Etsy store. Enter as often as you like. I need a name by May 1st.

Thanks for helping!

The Summer Class Schedule is READY!!!!

Imagine my happy dance as I announce this! Summer Art and Class Schedule is now ready!

AGES 3-4

3-4 Year Old Kinder Artists
Young artists get to explore paint, glue, paper, markers and COLOR! It’s messy and it’s fun. Join Miss Laura and Miss Carly and explore the wonderful world of art. These classes fill up fast. Only sign up for the classes you can attend. Due to the popularity of the Kinder Artists Classes these are offered on a first come/first serve pre-paid basis. No phone reservations. A waiting list will be started and a new section will be opened at the discretion of the teachers. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE AGE BREAKDOWNS! CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO 10 AND WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!

Class Size: 10

Class Fee: $6.00 per date

Session 1: Mondays 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

June 6 –Absorbing Artwork

June 13 – Marble Paper

June 20 – Color Wheel garland
June 27 – Mono-printing
July 4- NO CLASS
July 11- Potions
July 18- Painted Suns

Session 2: Wednesdays 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
June 8-Absorbing Artwork
June 15 – Marble paper
June 21 – Color wheel garland
June 29- Mono-printing
July 4 – NO CLASS
July 6- Potions
July 13- Painted Suns
July 20- Water Color Wash

AGES 4-5
4-5 Year old Kinder Artists
Young artists get to explore paint, glue, paper, markers and COLOR! It’s messy and it’s fun. Join Miss Laura and Miss Carly and explore the wonderful world of art. These classes fill up fast. Only sign up for the classes you can attend. Due to the popularity of the Kinder Artists Classes these are offered on a first come/first serve pre-paid basis. No phone reservations. A waiting list will be started and a new section will be opened at the discretion of the teachers. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE AGE BREAKDOWNS! CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO 10 AND WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!
Class size: 10
Class Fee: $6.00 per date
Session 1: Mondays 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
June 6 –Absorbing Artwork
June 13 – Marble Paper
June 20 – Color Wheel garland
June 27 – Mono-printing
July 4 – NO CLASS
July 11- Potions
July 18- Painted Suns
Session 2: Wednesdays 10:30 AM- 11:15 AM
June 8-Absorbing Artwork
June 15 – Marble paper
June 21 – Color wheel garland
June 29- Mono-printing
July 4 – NO CLASS
July 6- Potions
July 13- Painted Suns
July 20- Water Color Wash
GRADES K-2
Adventures in Art (mixed media/cultures)
One of my favorite activities is learning about other people and cultures. What better way than through art and craft projects. Come travel around the world with me as we visit Peru, Russia, Jamaica, Egypt and the USA
Session 1: Grades K-2 Mondays June 6 - 27 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Session 2: Grades K-2 Thursdays June 30-July 21 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Class size: 10/ Fee: $54.00 per person

Just For Fun!
These classes and projects are designed for the busy schedule where you just can’t commit to more than one class time and date.

Dragon Puppets

Students will create their own Chinese Dragon Puppet

Session 1: Grades K-2 Thursday June 9 9:30 AM – 10:45AM

Session 2 Grades K-2 Monday August 8 10:00AM – 11:15AM

Class Size: 8

Class Fee: $16.00 per session

Can-Do Robots (recycled crafts)

These friendly robots are more than just good-looking; magnets hold their features in place, making the 'bots the metallic equivalent of a Mr. Potato Head.

Session 1: Grades K-2 Thursday June 23 9:30 AM- 10:45 AM
Session 2: Grades K-2 Tuesday August 2 10:00 AM –11:15PM
Class Size: 8
Class Fee: $16.00 per session

Sand Castle Sculptures
Using a special mixture, students will be provided with self hardening “clay sand” so they can create a permanent sand castle complete with moat, flags, sea shells and other decorative items you would find at the beach.
Grades K-2 Thursday June 30th 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Class Size: 8
Class Fee: $16.00 per session

GRADES 3-4

Adventures in Art (mixed media/cultures)
One of my favorite activities is learning about other people and cultures. What better way than through art and craft projects. Come travel around the world with me as we visit Peru, Russia, Jamaica, Egypt and the USA
Session 1: Grades 3-4 Mondays June 6 – 27 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Session 2: Grades 3-4 Thursdays June 30 – July 21 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Class size: 10/ Fee: $54.00 per person

Just For Fun!
These classes and projects are designed for the busy schedule where you just can’t commit to more than one class time and date.
Dragon Puppets
Students will create their own Chinese Dragon Puppet
Session 1: Grades 3-4 Thursday June 9 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Session 2: Grades 3-4 Monday August 8 1:00 PM- 2:15 PM
Class Size: 8
Class Fee: $16.00 per session

Solar Flare T-Shirts
Using a paste mixture and user friendly fabric dyes students will get amazing results on this one of a kind colorful t-shirt. PLEASE SPEFICY YOUR CHILD’S T-SHIRT SIZE!!!
Grades 3-4

Session 1: June 16 10:00 AM – NOON
Session 2: June 29 1:00 PM – 3:00PM
Class Size: 8
Class Fee: $16.00 per session

Can-Do Robots (recycled crafts)
These friendly robots are more than just good-looking; magnets hold their features in place, making the 'bots the metallic equivalent of a Mr. Potato Head.
Session 1: Grades 3-4 Thursday June 23 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Session 2: Grades 3-4 Tuesday August 2 1:00 PM – 2:15PM
Sand Castle Sculptures
Using a special mixture, students will be provided with self hardening “clay sand” so they can create a permanent sand castle complete with moat, flags, sea shells and other decorative items you would find at the beach.
Session 2: Grades 3-4 Thursday June 30th 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Class Size: 8
Class Fee: $16.00 per session

GRADES 4-5
FAC (Friday Afternoon Club) (Crafts) Grades 4-5
Friday afternoon and it’s time to get crafty this summer. You can sign up for just one two or all the FAC Dates Come join the fun as we make flower vases from recycled glass bottles, some funky yard art, a fireworks t-shirt just in time for the 4th of July, friendship bracelets, sea shell picture frames and a hand painted ceramic tile. Sign up for only those classes you wish to take.
Class size: 10/ Fee: $18.00 per person per day
Fridays June 10 – July 22 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

June 10- Painted Glass Vase
June 17 –Yard Art Birdies
June 24-Fireworks Shirt
July 8- Friendship Bracelets
July 15- Sea Shell Picture Frames
July 22- Hand Painted Ceramic Tiles

Mosaic Art
Mosaic art goes as far back as 400 B.C. to ancient Greece where geometric patterns and scenes of people and animals were depicted by placing small pieces of different colour materials to create a picture. . You will learn how to create a wall mosaic using Italian glass tiles.
Grades 4-5 Wednesdays June 8-22 1:00PM- 3:00PM
Class size: 8/ Fee: $75 per person

Hula Hoop T-Shirt Rug (recycling and weaving)
You want me to make a rug using t-shirts and a hula hoop? Sure do! Come to this class and learn how you can recycle old t-shirts into a 36” decorative rug for your bedroom floor. Basic weaving with no fail results every time!

Session 1: Grades 4-5 Thursdays June 9 – 23 1:00 PM – 2:30PM
Session 2: Grades 4-5 Fridays July 8 – 22 10:00 AM - NOON
Class size: 10 / Fee: $54 per person

GRADES 5-6
Ultimate Tree House (Architecture)
This class proved to be so popular last year I brought it back for an encore! You have been dreaming of building your own tree house for a long time but don’t have the time, space or resources to build one. This class is where you think small –really small- as in dollhouse sized staircases and rope swings fit for a fairy. The only requirement for this class is a creative imagination, balsa wood, craft sticks and of course trees. Students will be using a hot glue gun and small hand saws.

Session 1: Grades 5-6 Tuesdays June 7– 28 1:00 PM – 2:30PM
Session 2: Grades 5-6 Tuesdays June 7 – 28 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Session 3: Grades 5-6 Thursdays July 6 – 27 1:00 PM – 2:30PM
Class Size: 6/ Fee: $85 per person

Altered Books (collage and mixed media)
An Altered Book combines several types of artistic techniques into one unique art form. Starting with a book base, the artist tears away pages and then adds their own creative expressions through rubber stamping, scrapping, image transfer, collage, photomontage, and writing. Students are asked to bring to class song lyrics or a favorite poem to use as the theme for their book.
Session1: Grades 5-8 Tuesdays June 7-28 10:00 AM – NOON
Session 2: Grades 5-8 Thursdays July 7- 28 10:00PM – NOON
Class size: 5/ Fee: $55 per person

Mosaic Art
Mosaic art goes as far back as 400 B.C. to ancient Greece where geometric patterns and scenes of people and animals were depicted by placing small pieces of different colour materials to create a picture. . You will learn how to create a wall mosaic using Italian glass tiles.

Grades 6-9 Tuesdays July 5-19 1:00 PM – 3:00PM
Class size: 8/ Fee: $75 per person

Photo Words! (Photography and computers)
Back by popular demand! Students will learn top look at everyday objects with new eyes as we walk around downtown and look for letters of the alphabet to spell out their name. Using digital photos and Photoshop –images will be transformed and put together into a unique wall piece. Students must provide their own digital camera of at least 6 megapixels and higher!
Grades 5-6 Tuesdays July 5-19 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Class size: 6/ Fee: $90 per person

GRADES 5-8
JUST FOR FUN! (NEW)
These classes and projects are designed for the busy schedule where you just can’t commit to more than one class time or date.
Leather Cuff Bracelets:
Recycle thrift store leather belts into fun and funky bracelets. Make enough to wear and give as gifts!
Session 1: Monday July 11 1:00PM – 3:00 PM
Session 2: Tuesday August 9 10:00 AM – NOON
Class Size 10 / Fee: $28

Headbands and Hair Clips:
Headbands and hairclips with flowers, feathers, sequins, beads and ribbon are THE hot fashion accessory of 2011! Make some of your own to wear AND share with your BFF!
Session 1: Monday July 18 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Session 2: Tuesday August 9 1:00 PM – 3:00PM
Class Size 10 / Fee: $28

Vinyl Record Clocks & Cupcake Lanterns:
Does your room need a new look? How about a funky clock for your wall made out of a retro vinyl record album- you know those big plastic circles people used to play on a record player- and a lantern made out of cupcake liners. So easy and so cool too!
Session 1: Wednesday July 27 10:00AM – NOON
Session 2: Monday August 1 10:00 AM – NOON
Session 3: Thursday August 4 10:00AM - NOON
Class Size: 8 / Fee: $28

Walking Works of Art
Grab a pair of white canvas sneakers or high tops and turn them into walking works of art using colored tissue papers, rhinestones and all weather clear sealing glue. YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN SHOES!
Session 1: Wednesday August 3 10:00AM – NOON
Session 2: Thursday August 11 10:00AM - NOON
Class Size: 8 / Fee: $18

GRADES 7-12

Altered Doll House (Architecture) (NEW!)
Participants will transform four cardboard cigar boxes into a delightful free standing 3-D doll house with details like rugs, curtains and furniture and covered by a roof. If you are into tiny details this is the perfect class for you. Hot glue and x-acto knives will be used.
Session 1: Grades 7-12 Fridays June 10 – 24 10 AM – NOON
Class Size: 6/ Class Fee: $85 per person

Ultimate Tree House (Architecture)
This class is where you think small –really small- as in dollhouse sized staircases and rope swings fit for a fairy. The only requirement for this class is a creative imagination, balsa wood, craft sticks and of course trees. Students will be using a hot glue gun and small hand saws.
Session 1: Grades 7-12 Tuesdays June 7– 28 3:00 PM – 4:30PM
Session 2: Grades 7-12 Wednesdays July 6 – 27 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Class Size: 6/ Fee: $85 per person

Photo Words! (Photography and computers)
Back by popular demand! Students will learn top look at everyday objects with new eyes as we walk around downtown and look for letters of the alphabet to spell out their name. Images will be transformed and put together into a unique wall piece. Students must provide their own digital camera of at least 6 megapixels and higher!

Grades 7-12 Thursdays July 28-August 11 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Class size: 6/ Fee: $90 per person

JUST FOR FUN! (NEW)
These classes and projects are designed for the busy schedule where you just can’t commit to more than one class time or date.
Walking Works of Art
Grab a pair of white canvas sneakers or high tops and turn them into walking works of art using colored tissue papers, rhinestones and all weather clear sealing glue. YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN SHOES!
Session 1: Monday August 1 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Session 2: Wednesday August 10 1:00Pm – 3:00PM
Class Size: 8 / Fee: $18

Leather Cuff Bracelets:
Recycle thrift store leather belts into fun and funky bracelets. Make enough to wear and give as gifts!
Grades 7-12 Wednesday August 3 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Class Size: 10 / Fee: $28

Headbands and Hair Clips:
Headbands and hairclips with flowers, feathers, sequins, beads and ribbon are THE hot fashion accessory of 2011! Make some of your own to wear AND share with your BFF!

Grades 7-12Wednesday August 10 10:00AM - NOON
Class Size 10 / Fee: $28