Counting my blessings this Christmas

Greetings Everyone, I hope that you have all had a wonderful Christmas day. Yesterday I spent 12 hours at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco with my parents. There was some concern that my mother had some heart troubles and her doctors wanted to admit her right away for testing. Luckily we learned that there was very little to be worried about and that medication would improve her condition. But this has caused me to reflect upon my blessings. I have been blessed this year by having wonderful people take my classes and enjoy them. I have been blessed to be a part of a community of incredible artists and to feel like I belong there. I have been blessed this year by having met incredibly kind business owners and staff at LaDiDa Cafe in half Moon Bay, M Coffee in Half Moon Bay, Pilates studio 4 in half Moon Bay, Lunas Memories in El Granada, Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos, Scrapbook U in Fremont, Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley, Scrap-it in Santa Cruz and Art Max in Seaside. I thank them all for their kindness in allowing me space and time to teach and exhibit. I have been blessed in my family and knowing that they are all healthy and continuing to achieve their dreams. I have been blessed in my husband, family and friends for standing by me and believing in me even when I did not. They have indulged me with gifts, companionship and understanding. I have been blessed with two lovely dogs and their unfailing companionship. I have been blessed with a beautiful place to live and work. The coast is a constant source of inspiration. I have been blessed to live in freedom which allows me the right to indulge in art. I can only hope that Americans start to wake up and realize that the history of the world is tyranny. That the United States is a small miracle admist a sea of tyranny. That is miracle comes at a price that needs to be defended and protected. I have been blessed with the story of a baby in a manger which teaches us all the value of love and the spirit of giving. This is the short list of things that I have to be thankful for. But there are many others. I hope in the coming year at those times when my life doesn't quite turn out the way I want; that I can try to remember these little miracles and be thankful for them. Please have a wonderful New Years day. I hope to see you all in the coming year. Collage on!

Last class of the year!

Greetings Everyone,

Christmas is almost here and I am wrapping up a wonderful year with one last class. I am already working on my class schedule for next year. I am hoping to really mix things up next year working with shrink Plastic, Altered Books, collage, assemblage, dominos and a few assorted project based classes. I am hoping that my students will be as excited about these classes as I am. Here are the particulars for this weekend:

Saturday December 19th Class: Chandelier Crystal Ornaments Where: Art Max in Seaside Time: 11:00 to 2:00 Class Description: What can be more beautiful on a Christmas tree than Sparkling Chandelier crystals! Add collage images, transparencies, glitter, wire and beads and you have created a unique one of a kind ornament or gift to enjoy for years to come. Each student will create two crystals. Items to bring: Please bring paintbrushes and scissors. All other materials will be supplied. Fee: $40.00 See examples attached above If you would like to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com

As with last weekend I will again be setting up a small boutique of handmade items including Chandelier Crystal ornaments, Dominos, Glass Glitter skulls, a few tin ornaments, and small collages including my guardian Angel collages.

If you are in the area come by and say hello. Even if you cannot take the class-come by anyway and take a short break. If you are feeling sad, mad or bad -again just come by and exchange some Holiday cheer amongst friends and art. A little of either can go a long way to making your Holidays a little bit brighter.

I hope to see you soon!

Mummy Dearest class

Greetings everyone!

To remind you about my Mummy Dearest class this Saturday in Seaside California I am posting this classic Gem. Enjoy

Dominos, Mummies and Crystals oh my!

Greetings everyone!, I thought it high time to post my December class schedule.

Saturday December 5th Class: Rubberstamped Dominos/Finish your Dominos Where: Scrap-it in Santa Cruz Class descriptions Rubberstamped Dominos Did you know that you can rubberstamp on a Domino? Well you can and in this class you will learn two different methods of rubber stamping and coloring dominos. These dominos can then be made into fantastic Jewelry, art pieces or gift items. All materials are provided for this class so come and play! Price: $30.00 Time: 10:30am-1:30pm Finish your Dominos Do you have a ton of Dominos that are just lying around? Would you like to learn some ways to make great gifts out of your wonderful creations? In this class we will learn to Drill holes with a dremel and add free form wire work and beads. Please bring your unfinished Dominos. These Dominos should be unvarnished so that you can learn to use the dremel and drill holes. If you have dominos with holes already in them they should be varnished and ready for wire and beads. I will bring some stamps so that you can stamp more dominos and finish them at home as well. Fee: $40.00 Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm ******Note******* For any student that takes both classes this day there will be a special discounted rate of $55.00 for both classes If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrap it at 831 475-2380 or email me at connie@isbjorn.com. Saturday December 12th Class: Mummy Dearest Where: Art Max in Seaside Time: 11:00am to 2:30pm Class Description: In honor of King Tut’s return to our shores we will be decking the halls this Christmas with Mummies! In this class we will be altering small coffin tins to recreate an Egyptian Sarcophagus. We will be using two part metallic Patina, acrylic paints, rubber stamps and even real Papyrus. Each student will receive a coffin tin, preformed mummy, sarcophagus Tut molding and instructions. So join the class and walk like an Egyptian! Items to bring: Paintbrushes and scissors and any small ornament you would like to deck your mummy with. Fee: $40.00 See example attached If you wish to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com Saturday December 19th Class: Chandelier Crystal Ornaments Where: Art Max in Seaside Time: 11:00 to 2:00 Class Description: What can be more beautiful on a Christmas tree than Sparkling Chandelier crystals! Add collage images, transparencies, glitter, wire and beads and you have created a unique one of a kind ornament or gift to enjoy for years to come. Each student will create two crystals. Items to bring: Please bring paintbrushes and scissors. All other materials will be supplied. Fee: $40.00 See example attached above If you would like to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com

NOTE

This will probably be my last Dominos class for a few months while I move on to other projects. I have a varied schedule in mind for next year that will include collage/texture classes, altered books and some assemblage as well as smaller project classes ( dominos, shrink plastic etc...) so stay tuned for my Jan 2010 schedule to be posted soon !