As I had hoped, I have made many new friends in the community of Springville and its environs who are themselves artists.
Some are already accomplished artists. Some are folks who have always wanted to express themselves in art but who have had many obligations that go along with work and raising a family. Some are looking for a hobby that will be a stress reliever. Whatever motivated them to begin with, I have had a great deal of pleasure charting a path for them to explore line, tone, color, perspective and shading with the fun materials that go into making art.
I, myself, have enjoyed getting to know all these wonderful people as we chat and draw, muse and tat, giggle and paint! It has been really great for me to plan ahead for each learner to distill the basic fundamentals of art that will add to what they already know, and to make a plan for their next project.
Along with the lessons in art we discover our similarities in life and share thoughts about life, and living. That is friendship. And I am blessed to have so very many friends!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Another year wiser!
Much has transpired in this past year. Our host gift shop, Liz Beth's had to cease to be. Our creative venture has evolved. We were privileged to be sponsored for about six months by our church group as "Creative Community" and my own "Lost Arts Studio". Creative Community is not as visible right now, but still simmering. Lost Arts Studio has doubled its space and classes are thankfully going strong.
Our relationship with the Ole Springville Antique Mall is stronger than ever. They are now our host. A lot of my business comes from the needs of the vendors for advertising aprons, handmade gifts. I am thriving on friendships made among them. And still, I am fortunate to find antique pencil sharpeners, vintage sewing machines, antique laces and sewing tools to carry on the passing on of antique art methods.
So, thank you, Ole Springville Antique Mall. May we both prosper!
Our relationship with the Ole Springville Antique Mall is stronger than ever. They are now our host. A lot of my business comes from the needs of the vendors for advertising aprons, handmade gifts. I am thriving on friendships made among them. And still, I am fortunate to find antique pencil sharpeners, vintage sewing machines, antique laces and sewing tools to carry on the passing on of antique art methods.
So, thank you, Ole Springville Antique Mall. May we both prosper!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Reviewing Summer
Lots of moms are breathing sighs of relief as the yellow schoolbus chugs down the street to take their young ones back to the ABC's. We wander through the house with baskets picking up summer toys, stripping bedsheets, stowing sleeping bags and start marking the calendar with sports practice and art and music lesson dates.
Life at Liz Beth's Gifts was VERY interesting! We got more artists/crafters signed on, have decided to carry more craft supplies and have ordered and are waiting for threads, shuttles, needles, instructional books and DVD's.
New instructors who are on board now are Norma Prinsloo, a talented ceramic artist who builds innovative and practical ceramic pieces. I love her glazes! She recently acquired sets of porcelain molds and is looking forward to expanding her wares. I can't wait to see what she does with that!
Also new is Melissa Jones, who teaches art from a classical viewpoint, and uses art of masters to illustrate and inspire new artists. Melissa will be teaching young students Wednesday after school at Creative Community Classroom in Liz Beth's.
Closer ties were made with the great vendors in the Springville Antique Mall. They have been on the lookout for old tools and machines that will help us teach and create and we have acquired some wonderful, reliable, well-made sewing machines, irons, doll houses and craft samples like old laces, tatting, and instruction books. It's a winner for them and us!
New class options have been added: sewing by machine, art for children, ceramic pottery. Classes by appointment for some things has been added. Scrapbooking Workshop Night is under development.
There are rental spaces available at Liz Beth's starting at $45 per month if you would like to display and sell crafts for the fall and Christmas season. Please come and talk with Glenda about that, and soon! There is a limited number of spaces.
Life at Liz Beth's Gifts was VERY interesting! We got more artists/crafters signed on, have decided to carry more craft supplies and have ordered and are waiting for threads, shuttles, needles, instructional books and DVD's.
New instructors who are on board now are Norma Prinsloo, a talented ceramic artist who builds innovative and practical ceramic pieces. I love her glazes! She recently acquired sets of porcelain molds and is looking forward to expanding her wares. I can't wait to see what she does with that!
Also new is Melissa Jones, who teaches art from a classical viewpoint, and uses art of masters to illustrate and inspire new artists. Melissa will be teaching young students Wednesday after school at Creative Community Classroom in Liz Beth's.
Closer ties were made with the great vendors in the Springville Antique Mall. They have been on the lookout for old tools and machines that will help us teach and create and we have acquired some wonderful, reliable, well-made sewing machines, irons, doll houses and craft samples like old laces, tatting, and instruction books. It's a winner for them and us!
New class options have been added: sewing by machine, art for children, ceramic pottery. Classes by appointment for some things has been added. Scrapbooking Workshop Night is under development.
There are rental spaces available at Liz Beth's starting at $45 per month if you would like to display and sell crafts for the fall and Christmas season. Please come and talk with Glenda about that, and soon! There is a limited number of spaces.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Duct Tape Wallets and Tote Bags
The past few weeks at Lost Arts Studio in Liz Beth's Gifts has been a wonderful learning experience. It has been fun demonstrating some of the Lost Arts such as tatting while shoppers come through expecting run-of-the-mill Chinese fare instead find local fine crafts.
Tatted bonnets, yards of edgings, handmade ceramic serve ware, ready-to-smock children's outfits, tatting supplies, DMC floss, original paintings are surfacing again at Liz Beth's. Every day there are new items brought in by crafters. Sara Trotter brought in several boxfuls along with lots of original ceramics by a crafter from South Africa.
It is invigorating to be surrounded by such creativity bursting forth. I love overhearing comments, like "There's so many interesting handmade things here, I like this shop". We have even made friends with a fine gentleman, Harold, who is sharing with us his Duct Tape creations such as a camo duct tape wallet and duct tape roses. He promises to schedule a demonstration day soon and will show how he makes these items as well as tote bags and purses out of ....duct tape! Come by and see some of them at Liz Beth's. We'll let you know when he plans to come demonstrate.
Tatted bonnets, yards of edgings, handmade ceramic serve ware, ready-to-smock children's outfits, tatting supplies, DMC floss, original paintings are surfacing again at Liz Beth's. Every day there are new items brought in by crafters. Sara Trotter brought in several boxfuls along with lots of original ceramics by a crafter from South Africa.
It is invigorating to be surrounded by such creativity bursting forth. I love overhearing comments, like "There's so many interesting handmade things here, I like this shop". We have even made friends with a fine gentleman, Harold, who is sharing with us his Duct Tape creations such as a camo duct tape wallet and duct tape roses. He promises to schedule a demonstration day soon and will show how he makes these items as well as tote bags and purses out of ....duct tape! Come by and see some of them at Liz Beth's. We'll let you know when he plans to come demonstrate.
Monday, June 1, 2009
June Class Schedule for Lost Arts Studio
Lost Arts Studio
That is a name suggested by Kathy, who usually has great ideas for my energy....Lost Arts....that is usually the things that attract my attention. Something unusual that requires more work than common, that is more intricate, that is not trite and has too many adherants. That describes intaglio printmaking, and tatting, and smocking and drawing by hand, and calligraphy and illumination: all in danger of becoming lost arts!
Lost Arts Studio is located within Liz Beth's Gifts and is an concept that is forming into a pursuit. The seed of this idea has been captured by others and is growing within Liz Beth's to include the ministry of Community Presbyterian Church and their gifted teachers of arts, crafts and studies. They will be demonstrating beginning Satuday, June 6, so come by to see what they have to offer, too.
Well, here are some of the offerings of Lost Arts Studio for June. Be sure to check with the shop to see additions and re-scheduling. We are seeking to add new instructors and new "lost arts."
June 3 Wednesday "Draw like Calvin & Hobbes" 2:00-3:00
June 4 Thursday "Tatting" 1:00-2:30
June 5 Friday "Polymer Clay: Dog Treats" 1:00-2:00
June 6 Saturday "Tatting" 10:30-12:00
June 6 Saturday "Colored Pencil: Grapes" 2:00-3:00
contact me by email if you need more details on any of the classes, or if you are interested in teaching a "Lost Art" in Liz Beth's, too.
See you soon!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Handmade Greeting Card Workshop
A workshop in handmade Greeting Cards featuring some new products from Stampin' Up is to be held at Liz Beth's Gifts in Springville, Alabama this Saturday starting at 1pm. The instructor is to be Carolyn Ates, a representative of Stampin' Up. She has a long history of crafting and especially making creative and clever greeting cards. She has recently attended a Stampin' Up convention in Atlanta and will share some of the clever innovations she learned there. She said that she also will have some Stampin' Up products available for purchase.
Be sure to call the shop to reserve a space for you and a friend and come support Carolyn! See you there!
Liz Beth's Gifts 205-467-7697
Be sure to call the shop to reserve a space for you and a friend and come support Carolyn! See you there!
Liz Beth's Gifts 205-467-7697
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Crafts Class Listing
I hope that you enjoy the Brugge Lacemaking video from YouTube on lacemaking. That illustrates one of the lacemaking methods, bobbin lace. Lacemaking was once done totally by hand by several methods. When it was made by hand, only the very wealthy royalty could afford or indeed, legally wear lace. Those were the days when in fact, there was a "fashion police!"
I have started teaching lessons in another lacemaking method, "Tatting", and will be holding classes at Liz Beth's Gifts in Springville. The first is this Saturday, May 16th, beginning at 1:00 pm. It is a 90 minute class. One shuttle, thread and instruction booklet are provided for a fee of $13. This is only an introductory lesson. It will take you more sessions and lots of practice to become proficient. You will, however, be amazed at how much yardage you can make over the years.
Part of my collection of tatted lace is also on display at Liz Beth's. It has been a side hobby, not my sole focus since learning how to tat in the early 1980's. Included in the collection are tatted baby bonnets, baby booties, edgings, collars and doilies. Whether you want to come learn how to tat, or simply see some tatting on display, please come visit Liz Beth's Gifts in Springville.
I have started teaching lessons in another lacemaking method, "Tatting", and will be holding classes at Liz Beth's Gifts in Springville. The first is this Saturday, May 16th, beginning at 1:00 pm. It is a 90 minute class. One shuttle, thread and instruction booklet are provided for a fee of $13. This is only an introductory lesson. It will take you more sessions and lots of practice to become proficient. You will, however, be amazed at how much yardage you can make over the years.
Part of my collection of tatted lace is also on display at Liz Beth's. It has been a side hobby, not my sole focus since learning how to tat in the early 1980's. Included in the collection are tatted baby bonnets, baby booties, edgings, collars and doilies. Whether you want to come learn how to tat, or simply see some tatting on display, please come visit Liz Beth's Gifts in Springville.
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