Merry Christmas !

Altered Books Club swap #5

Greetings Everyone!

I finally finished my 5th offering for the Altered Book Club swap. Just in time as the December meeting is tonight. Yikes!

This time I have Maria's book: Rennaisance Faire. Its wierd because Maria teaches great journalling classes and I found myself unconsciously tapping into some of the journalling techniques she has taught me. It also helped that this book is almost like a scrapbook for me.

When I look at all the other offerings so far I see Romance, great artists, jewel tones and gold everywhere. All the things that would pop in a person's mind when they think about the Renaissance right? Unless of course you are or have been a participant in one of the many local Renaissance Faires as I have. I see it a little more earthy that most. I started out in high school and college ( a very long time ago now) and continued on for a few years when I lived in the Cental Valley. I have been a musician, street performer, guild member and craftsperson. Since these faires take place around the time of Henry the eighth and Elizabeth I most of my knowledge is centered around this time period in England. The Elizabethan age was full of life, color and excitement not to mention evil smells and bawdy language. It seems alive as no other age has been since. I thought all of this was always captured best by the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Novato. The Novato Faire is now extinct but it opened in the mornings in glorious pagentry and closed at night with the color and excitement intact. I wanted my spread to reflect this yet still keep it real and immediate. In the morning the workers would wet down the powdery dirt throughout the oak forest. This fragrent earthy smell mingled with the smell of cooking food and made your mouth water for steamed artichokes, mushroom pies and churros. On the first page of my spread above I show the opening parade amidst the colors, symbols and traditions of the old English Faires. A lovely peasant lady rounds out the collage with a cup of Ale to toast your partaking of the riches of the shire. And of course no Renaissance Faire experience could be complete without a visit from Queen Elizabeth. You can see her in the second page and it was not for nothing that she was named Gloriana. "See how the Queen doth carouse!"

If you've never experienced a Renaissance Faire, make an effort next year and attend one. Step back into history for just a day and you will come out with a whole new perspective.

Huzzah! God Save the Queen!

A lovely surprise

Yesterday afternoon I received a wonderful surprise in the mail: a copy of Somerset Gallery with my spotlighted Christmas Dominos. This is the best Christmas present I could have received. I want to acknowledge Stampington and Somerset studio for bothering to publish art in their magazine. Most magazines don't do this. But Stampington has made artist submissions the heart of their publications. As a realtivly unknown artist it not only makes me feel glorious but is a great spur to continue to move forward as an artist. So thanks again Stampington!

December class schedule

Greetings everyone!

Its the beginning of week and I am way past due in getting this schedule on the blog. C.Andrews studio is offering some incredible classes this month. Here's a look at them:

Saturday December 11th Class: Soldered Vintage Clock Glass Ornaments (Madonna/Angel Ornaments) Instructor: Ingrid Pomeroy Description: I will be teaching a soldered clock glass Christmas ornament class. We will create as many ornaments as we can during class time. Each ornament will measure approximately three inches in size and will have clock glass on both sides. Items to bring: Students must have soldering experience and bring their own soldering iron. Time: 1:00 to 4:30pm Fee: $65.00 (sweet treats included) Class size limit: 5 If you wish to sign up for this class please email Ingrid at ipomeroy@peoplepc.com

Sunday December 12th **** Maria’s Double Class****** Class: Photo Walk in the Princeton Warehouse District Instructor: Maria Ontiveros Description: Meet at C.Andrews Studio for a one hour guided photo walk in the neighborhood. We'll focus on interesting still life possibilities, as well as potential portrait locations. Maria will be available to answer your questions about appropriate camera settings and how they will impact your finished photograph. Afterward, we'll go back to the studio for a cup of coffee and a review of the morning's photographs. Items to bring: your digital camera (point and shoot or DSLR). Time: 9:30 am- 11am Fee: $15.00 Class: Winter Solstice Nichos featuring DeMeng Color Washes Description: Working in a plaster nicho or altar, we'll be creating a three dimensional assemblage to celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Yule or other Winter Solstice event. We'll create a small tag book of Michael DeMeng's amazing color wash backgrounds to help you paint your nicho. Then we'll fill our shabby chic shadow boxes with items representing either a vintage Christmas, a traditional Hanukah, a religious Christmas or a Celtic or Aztec Solstice Celebration. Items to bring: brushes, acrylic paints (if you own them) and any small assemblage items representing the Winter Celebration of your choice. I will have plenty of assemblage items and adhesives to share as well. Time: 12 noon - 4:00 pm Fee: $50.00 (10% discount for newcomers or for people who sign up in groups of two or more) Class Limit: 6 To sign up for one or both of Maria classes please email Maria at rinda1961@yahoo.com

Sunday December 19th Instructor: Connie Andrews Class: Dream Guardians Description: Sometimes we need a guardian so that our dreams do not get forgotten amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In this class we will be creating our own guardian using Antique doll heads and wire. We will learn to make the wire dress form doll and then adorn it with antique lace, fabric, and trims. We will then add charms and found objects that symbolize our deepest dreams and wishes. Items to bring: any personal charms, found objects, lace and fabric that you would like on your doll. I will have some with me but you will need to augment and personalize this. Time: 10:00 to 3:30pm Fee: $65.00 Class Limit 6 To sign up for this class please email Connie at connie@isbjorn.com

Tuesday December 21, 2010 Instructor: Cindy McCool Class: Thank You Cards Description: Just in time to acknowledge all those nifty gifts and kind gestures of the holidays we will be doing "Thank You cards". Actually, these cards lend themselves to any message you want to include, but were designed around being thankful. The holidays remind me of how thankful I am for my health and my wonderful friends and family. What better way to show your appreciation than with a handmade card. Come relax and make cards with me at C.Andrews Studio. Items to bring: Your basic tool kit, or just detail scissors and glue, all else will be provided. Time: 6:00 to 9:00 pm Fee: $25.00 To sign up for this class please email Cindy at cindy@mccoolmgt.com. Other Events in December Wednesday December 15th Altered Books Club Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm Fee: $10.00 per person Also offered at the studio Private studio time – This is for artists and art groups looking to rent studio space to work or to get together during the week-the times and fees are to be arranged on an individual basis. If you are interested in private studio time please email me at connie@isbjorn.com. Open Studio- This is studio time open to everyone for only $10.00 per day. Open studios is available every Friday evening and on the weekends when no classes are being offered. Please note that to use the studio you must arrange this with me 24 hours in advance. Just email me at connie@isbjorn.com and let me know you would like to use it. Open studio for the month of December will be on the following dates: December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 17th, and 18th. Also if you would like to take my Dream Guardians class but cannot make it to the studio I will be teaching this class in two other locations. Here are the details: Saturday December 11th Where: Scrap-it in Santa Cruz Class: Dream Guardians Description: Sometimes we need a guardian so that our dreams do not get forgotten amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In this class we will be creating our own guardian using Antique doll heads and wire. We will learn to make a wire dress form doll and then adorn it with antique lace, fabric, and trims. We will then add charms and found objects that symbolize our deepest dreams and wishes. Items to bring: any personal charms, found objects, lace and fabric that you would like on your doll. I will have some with me but you will need to augment and personalize this. Time: 11:00 to 4:00pm Fee: $65.00 Class size limit: 4 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrap-it at 831 475-2380 Saturday December 18th Where: Art Max in Seaside Class: Dream Guardians Description: Sometimes we need a guardian so that our dreams do not get forgotten amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In this class we will be creating our own guardian using Antique doll heads and wire. We will learn to make the wire dress form doll and then adorn it with antique lace, fabric, and trims. We will then add charms and found objects that symbolize our deepest dreams and wishes. Items to bring: any personal charms, found objects, lace and fabric that you would like on your doll. I will have some with me but you will need to augment and personalize this. Time: 11:00 to 4:00pm Fee: $65.00 Class size limit: 8 Note: this class will start promptly at 11:00 so that we can finish on time and not keep the staff overtime. To sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com.

I hope to see you soon!

Working....working.....working...working....working...

Greetings everyone! As you can see I've been busy working and creating for the Artisan Faire on Sunday. I thought that a little preview of some of the work that I will be offering for sale was in order.

Cards and tags

Shrink Art collage collage and more collage

dominos(of course)

Bottled Spirits

Altoid tin Pocket Shrines

If you are looking for unique gift items the Artisan Faire is the place to find it. Even if you are not buying this Christmas (I totally understand) come by anyway and say hello. Get out of the house for a couple of hours, browse and have a plate of yummies from the treat table and get to know some of the wonderful local artists. Its going to be a blast!

See you Sunday!