Tuesday, May 29, 2012

C.Andrews studio schedule for June and partial July!

Greetings everyone!
I hope you had a fabulous long weekend.  Sunday at Alena Jeans was so much fun.  I met many new people that were interested in classes so I hope to see them soon.  Since it is almost June here is the new schedule for C.Andrews studio.  My new class is called Ladies on a Pedestal.  This is the perfect project in which to use all those little bits and pieces vintage or otherwise that you just couldn't throw away because they were just too unique or beautiful.  The project starts with a vintage book cover on top of which we will build a dimensional collage.  Your lady can hang just as she is or can be added to an altered book cover, a box or another canvas and framed for a larger more substantial work of Art. 


Back  by popular demand is my altoid tin shrine class.  This is a great class for beginners through advanced artists. Please note that there is a substantial price break in this class since I have been teaching this class for so long. 



I will also be teaching my altered book class series again starting July 14th .  So if you missed this class the first time around here's another chance to take it.  I still have a new class to add for July so keep you eye on this schedule for changes.  Here are all the class descriptions.  If you have any questions please email me at connie@isbjorn.com.

Schedule for June /July 2012
Sunday June 3rd
Class: Ladies on a Pedestal
Description: Ever wonder what you are going to do with all those precious bits and pieces of stuff that you’ve been collecting for years?
Starting with an old book cover for a base we will create a dimensional collage using your choice of one of my beautiful vintage Ladies. We will then surround our lady with left over bits of  lace, ephemera, beads, decorative papers and jewelry to create a  detailed and one of a kind  work of art.
When completed, your lady will truly deserve to be on her Pedestal.
Items to bring: you’re favorite pair of scissors and all those little items that you have been hoarding and collecting.
Time: 10:30 to 4:30 we will take a lunch break at 12:30
Price: $55.00
Class size limit: 4 students
Saturday June 9th
Class: Ladies on a Pedestal
Description: See above.
Time: 10:30 to 4:00.  Lunch break at 12:30
Price $55.00
Class Size limit: 4 people
Sunday June 10th
Class: Altoid Tin Shrines
Description: Ever want to keep someone or something special close to your heart?  How about that small very precious gift?  Does it need a special place all its own? How about creating shrines to hold these special memories or gifts?  In this class using collage and assemblage we will create these special places inside altoid tins.  Your shrine can then be slipped into a pocket or purse to keep close to you at all times. Or it can be placed on a shelf as a special keepsake.  Pocket Shrines also make great gifts to give to a loved one.
Items to bring: Scissors, Paintbrushes any special items small enough to fit into an altoid tin.
Time: 10:30 to 2:30 Lunch break at 12:30
Price: 35.00
Class size limit: 4 students
Saturday June 16th
Class: Altoid Tin Shrines
Description: Ever want to keep someone or something special close to your heart?  How about that small very precious gift?  Does it need a special place all its own? How about creating shrines to hold these special memories or gifts?  In this class using collage and assemblage we will create these special places inside altoid tins.  Your shrine can then be slipped into a pocket or purse to keep close to you at all times. Or it can be placed on a shelf as a special keepsake.  Pocket Shrines also make great gifts to give to a loved one.
Items to bring: Scissors, Paintbrushes, any special items small enough to fit into an altoid tin.
Time: 10:30 to 2:30 Lunch break at 12:30
Price: 35.00
Class size limit: 4 students
Wednesday June 20th
Altered Books Club
6:00 to 9:00pm
$10.00
Saturday June 23rd
Class: Ladies on a Pedestal
Description: Ever wonder what you are going to do with all those precious bits and pieces of stuff that you’ve been collecting for years?
Starting with an old book cover for a base we will create a dimensional collage using your choice of one of my beautiful vintage Ladies. We will then surround our lady with left over bits of  lace, ephemera, beads, decorative papers and jewelry to create a  detailed and one of a kind  work of art.
When completed, your lady will truly deserve to be on her Pedestal.
Items to bring: you’re favorite pair of scissors and all those little vintage or scrapbooking items that you have been hoarding and collecting.
Time: 10:30 to 4:30 we will take a lunch break at 12:30
Price: $55.00
Class size limit: 4 students
Sunday June 24
Finish you UFO’s Sunday
If you are like me-you have plenty of unfinished projects hanging around your house just screaming for completion.  Here’s your chance to do it!  Bring your UFOs with you and work on them in the studio with other pathetic souls driven to do this as well. All the studio materials
Are available for your use on this day
Time: 11:00 to 4:00
$10.00: donation to the studio requested but not mandatory. 
   
Saturday July 14th
Class: Altered Books # 1-How to start
Description: Have you ever heard the quotation “so many books so little time”? It’s never truer than when talking altered books! So what is an altered book?  An altered book is creative reuse at its best.  Think of all those unwanted books ready to be thrown away. Why waste them when you can turn them into works of art! In this first class in the altered book series we will focus on what book to choose and where to find it, content, how to prepare and strengthen pages, what materials can be used and finally a full collage spread. In this series of classes students will gradually build up an altered books “kit” of favorite supplies that will be handy for use at any time. This “kit” should be brought to every class.
First kit items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors  
Time:  10:30 to 3:30
Price: $140.00 for 5 class series
Wednesday July 18th
Altered Books Club
6:00 to 9:00 pm
$10:00

Saturday July 28th
Class: Altered Books #2-Windows and doors
Description: In this second altered book class we will experiment with creating windows and doors.  Windows and doors are a dramatic way to present you theme.  They are interactive and draw the viewer’s eye deeper into the art. So come and add a little mystery and magic to you altered book by adding windows and doors.
Kit items to bring: Paintbrushes, Scissors, Gel Medium, Gesso, cutting mat and Xacto knife and any images or personal elements that you would like to use in your book.
Time: 10:30 to 3:30
Saturday July 29tth
Finish your UFO’s Sunday
If you are like me-you have plenty of unfinished objects hanging around your house just screaming for completion.  Here’s your chance to do it!  Bring your UFOs with you and work on them in the studio with other pathetic souls driven to complete old projects as well. All the studio materials are available for your use on this day.
Time: 11:00 to 4:00
$10.00: donation to the studio requested but not mandatory.    

C.Andrews studio is located at 103-1 Harvard st. Princeton-by-the-Sea.  If you wish to sign up for a class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com to save your spot in the class. 
You can see more of my work at conniesdream.blogspot.com or my store at candrewsstudio.etsy.com.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

At Alena Jean's

Hey everyone!  I know this is short notice but I will be selling my art tomorrow at Alena Jean's in downtown Half Moon Bay on Sunday.  This was an Art Fair I just found out about on Wednesday.  Alena Jean has kindly allowed me to participate at the very last minute.  So I'm sure you're asking What is Alena Jean's? Alena Jeans is a wonderful flower shop filled with the most beautiful items for your home and garden-named of course for Alena Jean. Behind the shop is a fabulous secret garden. It's just one of those hidden gems that Half Moon Bay and the coast in general is famous for.  The fair proceeds will go to a local shelter called Companions in Waiting  Companions in waiting has had great success in caring for and finding loving homes for abandoned dogs and cats.
This promises to be a very laid back fun event for everyone. So if you are in the area come down and say hello.

Friday, May 18, 2012

The Art is not returnable!

Greetings Everyone!
Yes I know its  been awhile since I've posted but with two new classes, altered Books, The CoCa( short for the Colony of Coastside Artists) Library Exhibit to put up and then pull down, CoCa Open Studios my studio and other various and sundry things -my life  became insane. Yesterday I believed that I was on my way back to full health and consciousness when life threw me yet another unexpected curve ball.  And this is one that I would love to hear your opinion about. OK ready for this one?  Here goes;

I had graciously been allowed to place a couple of art works in a local spot.  I was surprised and pleased when I had heard that both items had been sold.  I happily collected my money which helped to banish a couple of bills that I previously had absolutely no idea how I was going to pay. Whew! disaster averted.
The owners also said that they would accept a couple more works if I would bring them in.  Yesterday I did this and three items were chosen to my delight.  I was then told that one of my previous items had been returned!-----  OK it took me a moment to process this info. Returned?!!!!   I can honestly say in all my years of making and selling art that I have never experienced this before. Naturally at first I was concerned thinking that it had fallen apart or something had fallen off this particular piece.  I scanned the entire piece and found it totally intact.  I was told that the person asked to return the piece because it didn't happen to fit where she thought it would!!!!!! What!!!  Now if that piece had some sort of problem, had fallen apart or if I had sent it through the mail and it had been damaged during shipping  I would have no problem with a return of the item. But the piece is in perfect condition.--  The person that bought this piece was actually making the fact that she purchased a piece that didn't fit where she wanted it my problem.  And the sad thing is that the owners of this local spot let her get away with this!!  Yikes!!! I'm sure that they were as incredulous as I am and just took it back in an effort to be nice.  But the real unfortunate thing is that the money that I received on this piece was part of my working capital and is gone. There is no way I can pay them back right now.
I see this as a really sad situation for all parties concerned.  For the buyers ignorance.
For the owners of the local shop-Its great to be nice but saying no can avert many disasters.
For me-I would like to reimburse the owners but now they will have to wait or resell it.
Artists out there please chime in!  have you ever experienced this?  What did you do? What do you think I should do?

***Connie's new rule for Life: My art is one-of-a-kind and not something mass marketed you can buy at Sears, J.C Penny's or Nordstroms.    My artwork is not returnable unless damaged in shipping , falls off, apart or peels . ****

Comments please!!!!