Greetings everyone!
I have a couple of fun events planned for this weekend.  On Saturday at C.Andrews studio its Altoid tin shrine time! People ask me to teach this class over and over again because lets face it : Altoid tins are just cool.   I still have a couple of spots left in class why not come down and let me show you one way to turn these everyday tins into a piece of art that is uniquely your own!

On Sunday Patt Sheldon and I will be at the Princeton farmer's market. For any of you that don't know Patt she makes prize winning jewelry and she also weaves and knits incredible fiber creations.  I will be there with cards,shrink art,assemblage and my mini canvas collages. We will be inside the mall so come on down and say hello. There will be many other local artists as well offering unique creations.  Outside local farmers will be selling produce and other yummies. 

Saturday June 16^th

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

Went to the San Mateo County Fair!

I haven't been to a county fair since I left Fresno.  That's at least 15 years ago!  An art buddy and good friend of mine graciously invited me to go with her.  Patt has won a first prize for her bracelet entry this year.  It was a well deserved win because this bracelet is exquisite.  Congratulations Patt!

I think we did everything! ate barbecue pork ribs,fudge,Tai Ice Tea, (yes next time I will try the deep fried Oreo!) Looked through all the exhibits. Had a massage and tried out a temperpedic bed. We checked out the Midway:

And of course I had to see the animals!

I really love going to the county fair.  I love everything about it from the tacky stuffed animals to the colorful midway to the exhibits from local entries to the animals. There is something timeless about a fair. Nostalgic.  They seem to hearken back to an earlier era. Or perhaps that's just my farming roots talking.  Whatever it is I suddenly realized that it's important to participate and share you skills and talents with your community. It's a way of giving back to those around you.  So to this end I have made a promise to myself : next year I will enter a piece of artwork.  How about you?

Art is not returnable-resolution

Greetings Everyone!
I'm sure you remember a post a couple of weeks back about piece of my art that was returned after being purchased from a local venue.  I did come to a resolution about the incident.  One comment from Maria said that a local art gallery allowed her to take home a piece to see if it would work with her decor. I spent about a week thinking about this trying to decide how I felt about it. In the end I was OK with it.  So I sat down with the owners and explained my position.  If they allow the art purchased at the venue to be returned it was a hardship for everyone involved. As we discussed what to do it was finally resolved that If someone was interested in a piece, they could leave a credit card and take it home. When they came back to pick up their credit card they could either bring the piece back if it didn't work or they would be charged at that time for the amount of the artwork.  This seemed to make everyone happy and also was a step to accommodating the buyer as well. If this works then I will certainly adopt this policy in the future at any other venue I might place art.

 Thank you Maria for you timely comment.  It was a great help!

So are you wondering if the picture above was the piece that was returned? No it isn't.  It is however a finished UFO(Unfinished Object).  I started this piece about two years ago as a working sample in my molding paste class. It combines a collage image from Klimt, decorative papers and texture in molding paste.  My idea was to try to keep the Klimt Look by seamlessly  blending the image,decorative papers in the same colors and then texture in molding paste.  I then added some moddish paper flowers and some bling.  I am happy with the look and have 2 more collages planned in this style.  I am currently looking for a frame for this piece since its on canvas board instead of a stretched canvas.  You can see a close up below.

I call her Madonna of the Flowers.

A double header this weekend!

Greetings Everyone!
I am teaching a double header this weekend:  On Saturday its Ladies On a Pedestal this is a fun relaxing class of vintage goodness but don't think you won't learn anything. Come help me reuse and recycle old book covers, vintage lace, ephemera, wall paper, sequins and beads.On Sunday I will be teaching one of my most requested classes: Altoid Tin Shrines.  You can see more sample of classes and details below:

Saturday June 9th

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

Sunday June 10^th
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 Price reduced to thank the many students that have taken this class.
Class size limit: 4 students

Lets face it-for most of us times have been tough.  We are all working hard and in many cases doing double  duty.  But its time to treat yourself with the gift of art.  Art will refresh your mind and restore your spirit.  So come down to the studio and play!

To sign up for a class: email me at connie@isbjorn.com

C.Andrews studio is located at 103-1 Harvard st. Princeton-by-the-Sea.

Connie Andrews