Helen
Last Chance Snow Day on Saturday!
February 22, 2010 04:41 PM
We are a bunch or a flock or, I know, a SWARM of busy bees at ART on a Lark! (mixing my metaphors again) We are planning a GREAT time this weekend for our “Last Chance Snow Day” on Saturday.
When Lorraine and I were growing up in Maryland, February brought lots of snow. There were sledding parties (we had the best hill) and skating parties (our Dad was the expert on if the pond was frozen enough, don’t go near the cattails!) outside fires, hot chocolate, our Mom’s infamous Clam Chowder, Chili and homemade Bread.
We can’t provide the snow or ice, and the bread won’t be handmade, but we’ll make Mom’s recipes for clam chowder and chili, have old movies and games to play, lots of laughs and comfort. (robes & slippers encouraged)
Add that to ALL DAY FREE DEMOS and ALL DAY STUDIO for just $7.00 and you can’t help but have fun.
In the store we’ve received new Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists, Masks and Stamps. I see a Demo shaping up for Saturday. We have more kinds of spray inks too, metallics from Tusukineko and smooch sprays too. New sizes of Glass Tiles for Pendants and more of those hard-to-find Bails. New stamps from Paper Bag Studios have been shipped and will be here for the weekend.
I am waiting with baited (or is it bated?) breath to see what else shows up from the CHA show. There are SO many possibilities. How about new papers from Graphic 45, new German Dresden charms, stamps from Hero Arts, Stamper’s Anonymous and Impression Obsession, not to mention Character Constructions. Then there’s all that GREAT new stuff from 7 Gypsies and Tim Holtz! Can’t wait!
When Lorraine and I were growing up in Maryland, February brought lots of snow. There were sledding parties (we had the best hill) and skating parties (our Dad was the expert on if the pond was frozen enough, don’t go near the cattails!) outside fires, hot chocolate, our Mom’s infamous Clam Chowder, Chili and homemade Bread.
We can’t provide the snow or ice, and the bread won’t be handmade, but we’ll make Mom’s recipes for clam chowder and chili, have old movies and games to play, lots of laughs and comfort. (robes & slippers encouraged)
Add that to ALL DAY FREE DEMOS and ALL DAY STUDIO for just $7.00 and you can’t help but have fun.
In the store we’ve received new Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists, Masks and Stamps. I see a Demo shaping up for Saturday. We have more kinds of spray inks too, metallics from Tusukineko and smooch sprays too. New sizes of Glass Tiles for Pendants and more of those hard-to-find Bails. New stamps from Paper Bag Studios have been shipped and will be here for the weekend.
I am waiting with baited (or is it bated?) breath to see what else shows up from the CHA show. There are SO many possibilities. How about new papers from Graphic 45, new German Dresden charms, stamps from Hero Arts, Stamper’s Anonymous and Impression Obsession, not to mention Character Constructions. Then there’s all that GREAT new stuff from 7 Gypsies and Tim Holtz! Can’t wait!
Studio Happenings
December 27, 2009 02:00 PM
I've had such a nice Holiday! My daughter has been able to spend a few days. We've seen a movie or two, went out to eat and just spent time together. Very fun.
Things at the Studio have been fun too, or at least full of challenges. We marked a bunch of merchandise 1/2 off! (Come buy it all so we don't have to Inventory it) We get to change the store all around (you all enjoy it when I do that) and order new STUFF too! I'm even going to CHA , a trade show for the Craft and Hobby industry, in January. Can't wait!
We have some cool new projects for Walk-in-Art coming out soon. I've been playing with grungeboard and having fun with the Wizard.
And then there's Classes. Check out the Altered Book Beginnings and the Altered Book Workshops. Beginnings is just what it sounds like, how to get started on your books. We'll play with taking pages out, adding them in, adding color and cutting niches. The Workshops will be every month (maybe more often) and we'll play with different ideas and challanges. I will give a mini-lesson and then we can work together, feed off the creative energy of the group. We recommend that you've done some Altered books previously. (if not, you can do the Altered book Beginnings class first)
Hope it all sounds like FUN, I know I will enjoy myself (except for the Inventory)
Happy New Year!
Helen
Things at the Studio have been fun too, or at least full of challenges. We marked a bunch of merchandise 1/2 off! (Come buy it all so we don't have to Inventory it) We get to change the store all around (you all enjoy it when I do that) and order new STUFF too! I'm even going to CHA , a trade show for the Craft and Hobby industry, in January. Can't wait!
We have some cool new projects for Walk-in-Art coming out soon. I've been playing with grungeboard and having fun with the Wizard.
And then there's Classes. Check out the Altered Book Beginnings and the Altered Book Workshops. Beginnings is just what it sounds like, how to get started on your books. We'll play with taking pages out, adding them in, adding color and cutting niches. The Workshops will be every month (maybe more often) and we'll play with different ideas and challanges. I will give a mini-lesson and then we can work together, feed off the creative energy of the group. We recommend that you've done some Altered books previously. (if not, you can do the Altered book Beginnings class first)
Hope it all sounds like FUN, I know I will enjoy myself (except for the Inventory)
Happy New Year!
Helen
New things for the New Year!
December 20, 2009 04:00 PM
What's up at ART on a Lark? Let's see..."Build Your Skills" CLINICS for one thing.
The rubber stamping/cardmaking/collage/scrapbooking/paper arts worlds are so vast and contain SO many ideas and terms and techniques that it can be confusing and how do you know if you're a "beginner" or an "expert"? Did you start with heat embossing or collage? Glue stick or Yes glue? No right or wrong, it's just complicated.
I picture it like a big wheel, one with all the different techniques on it. It doesn't matter where you start and you don't go in any particular order, just enjoy learning as much as you can.
And that's what the clinics are all about. Each of these one-hour classes will cover a particular technique that is new to you or one maybe you "missed" or just need a refresher. You'll create 4" x 4"pages to act as a reminder of what you've learned that you can put in a "Playbook" for refrence.
They are divided into Paper Crafting Clinics which cover - you guessed it, everything Paper! Mixed Media Clinics, which will cover everything beyond paper - including but not limited to: clay, canvas, bookmaking, shrink plastic and jewelry. The first one is making covers for the 4"x4" pages you will create in each class. Our Inspiration Clinics will be more Project oriented. Our first is a shrink plastic bracelet.
What techniques are we covering? Well, in January we are doing Heat Embossing (a classic), Cut, Fold and Tear (so many ways to tear paper), Distressing (I use this all the time), Paper Layering (makes everything look more finished), and Six Secrets of Composition (tried and true).
In the months to come we'll also have Clinics on Transparencies, Adhesives, Alcohol Inks, Tools & Terms, Spray Inks & Masks, Rainbows & Brayers, Shadows & Highlights, Mini-Canvases, Grunge Board Ideas, Rubber Stamping Tips, Transfers, Brass Stencils and Stamping on Clay.
Check out dates and times on the Clinics page and consider signing up for a bunch to "Build your Skills!"
Happy Holidays to You and Yours!!!!!
Helen
The rubber stamping/cardmaking/collage/scrapbooking/paper arts worlds are so vast and contain SO many ideas and terms and techniques that it can be confusing and how do you know if you're a "beginner" or an "expert"? Did you start with heat embossing or collage? Glue stick or Yes glue? No right or wrong, it's just complicated.
I picture it like a big wheel, one with all the different techniques on it. It doesn't matter where you start and you don't go in any particular order, just enjoy learning as much as you can.
And that's what the clinics are all about. Each of these one-hour classes will cover a particular technique that is new to you or one maybe you "missed" or just need a refresher. You'll create 4" x 4"pages to act as a reminder of what you've learned that you can put in a "Playbook" for refrence.
They are divided into Paper Crafting Clinics which cover - you guessed it, everything Paper! Mixed Media Clinics, which will cover everything beyond paper - including but not limited to: clay, canvas, bookmaking, shrink plastic and jewelry. The first one is making covers for the 4"x4" pages you will create in each class. Our Inspiration Clinics will be more Project oriented. Our first is a shrink plastic bracelet.
What techniques are we covering? Well, in January we are doing Heat Embossing (a classic), Cut, Fold and Tear (so many ways to tear paper), Distressing (I use this all the time), Paper Layering (makes everything look more finished), and Six Secrets of Composition (tried and true).
In the months to come we'll also have Clinics on Transparencies, Adhesives, Alcohol Inks, Tools & Terms, Spray Inks & Masks, Rainbows & Brayers, Shadows & Highlights, Mini-Canvases, Grunge Board Ideas, Rubber Stamping Tips, Transfers, Brass Stencils and Stamping on Clay.
Check out dates and times on the Clinics page and consider signing up for a bunch to "Build your Skills!"
Happy Holidays to You and Yours!!!!!
Helen
Playing Catch Up!
August 21, 2009 04:05 PM
I loved hearing Christmas Carols for a few hours, but I'm glad we still have months to go. Okay, so only 4 months. Eeek!
We will be making ten of a card at our Christmas Club meetings, Starting August 28th with the Clear Retro Card. Stop in to have a peek and see the dates or check here on the website.
Tuesday was our last Tuesday Market for the Summer. I am so happy! Itt's been fun -once we get there and all set up. But I won't miss setting up and breaking down, even though Patti, Lori and Mitch don't let me do any lifting or n toting. One good thing about being the "old" one.
I've been on a buying spree and can't wait to show off all the new papers, stamps and embellishments when they come in. Some of my purchases are prompted by Kelly Kimer's visit in September. She is so nice to provide me with lists of all the goodies she likes to use in the classes (most of which she includes for the students in the class)
I hope to be able to take a class or two from Kelly myself, the question is, which one? They all look so very, very cool! I've taken classes from her before and loved making the books, using her supplies and tons of inspiration and good ideas. Thank you, Marci for arranging Kelly's visit!
What is our Open Studio?
March 13, 2009 01:00 PM
So, I think the biggest question people ask me is: "What is an Open Studio?"
Our vision was for a place that people can come and play. A place you WANT
to be in. Good lighting, good people, lots of room, comfortable chairs, lots
of supplies and creative inspiration. Kind of like your home away from home.
When I had Trifles, a rubber stamp store in Maryland, my wonderful customers would liken
the store to "Cheers" a place to hang out and feel relaxed with friends and
acquaintances who liked the same things you did, creative people who "get"
you. Where everyone knows your name! Not always easy to find.
So that is what we are trying to recreate here at ART on a Lark Studio. Only
with more room and more stuff to play with.
Our vision was for a place that people can come and play. A place you WANT
to be in. Good lighting, good people, lots of room, comfortable chairs, lots
of supplies and creative inspiration. Kind of like your home away from home.
When I had Trifles, a rubber stamp store in Maryland, my wonderful customers would liken
the store to "Cheers" a place to hang out and feel relaxed with friends and
acquaintances who liked the same things you did, creative people who "get"
you. Where everyone knows your name! Not always easy to find.
So that is what we are trying to recreate here at ART on a Lark Studio. Only
with more room and more stuff to play with.
A Note from Helen
March 01, 2009 02:00 PM
A Note from Helen:
What’s new at ART on a Lark Studio:
Already hanging on our shelves are six different NEW styles of Rubber Stamp Unmounted Sets in the Tim Holtz Collection!!! Like “Urban Tapestry” and “Psychedelic Grunge.” These are red rubber unmounteds that work with your acrylic blocks.
I’m so excited to get a chance to work with the new Teresa Collins “Family Matters” group of papers AND the book covers in the SO COOL 6”x12” format!!!
Still in the boxes are a bunch of new papers and embellishments from 7 Gypsies NEW collections from CHA. Lots of things from their “Vintage,” “Gypsy,” and “Savannah” collections. Including papers and book and journal kits and new things for ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards). And more FLOCKED paper! Yum!
Also still in the box (but not for long!) are Hambly Studios papers and TRANSPARENCIES!!! Also a few stickers and rub-ons I couldn’t resist.
More surprises soon, Helen.
What’s new at ART on a Lark Studio:
Already hanging on our shelves are six different NEW styles of Rubber Stamp Unmounted Sets in the Tim Holtz Collection!!! Like “Urban Tapestry” and “Psychedelic Grunge.” These are red rubber unmounteds that work with your acrylic blocks.
I’m so excited to get a chance to work with the new Teresa Collins “Family Matters” group of papers AND the book covers in the SO COOL 6”x12” format!!!
Still in the boxes are a bunch of new papers and embellishments from 7 Gypsies NEW collections from CHA. Lots of things from their “Vintage,” “Gypsy,” and “Savannah” collections. Including papers and book and journal kits and new things for ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards). And more FLOCKED paper! Yum!
Also still in the box (but not for long!) are Hambly Studios papers and TRANSPARENCIES!!! Also a few stickers and rub-ons I couldn’t resist.
More surprises soon, Helen.
Studio Rehearsals
February 27, 2009 12:00 PM
Okay, so you remember those old Andy Hardy/Judy Garland “Let’s put on a SHOW” movies? And they made all the arrangements, cast, sets, music, lights, not to mention a venue in what – 15 minutes? Supposed to be a week or two? Well, that’s what we did!
The idea started when I closed Trifles in Maryland back in 2003. Then when I became determined to move to Oregon Lorraine and I started doing research and looking around for a place that we could have the sort of business that could be successful and at the same time bring something positive to peoples lives.
We found this great Purple building! Lots of room, lots of light, Lots of everything we were looking for…but it was last March and I couldn’t move yet. Then we heard that the building was already leased, but we put it out into the universe that the building (or one even better) would be there when we were ready. And as such things worked for Andy Hardy – it worked out for us too! But we had to move quickly and I had 5 weeks to get my junk packed and send it 3,000 miles.
Here’s a picture of all my stuff piled in the Studio, it was just November. Where is it all now? Who knows! I’m still looking for my “serious” glasses.
The idea started when I closed Trifles in Maryland back in 2003. Then when I became determined to move to Oregon Lorraine and I started doing research and looking around for a place that we could have the sort of business that could be successful and at the same time bring something positive to peoples lives.
We found this great Purple building! Lots of room, lots of light, Lots of everything we were looking for…but it was last March and I couldn’t move yet. Then we heard that the building was already leased, but we put it out into the universe that the building (or one even better) would be there when we were ready. And as such things worked for Andy Hardy – it worked out for us too! But we had to move quickly and I had 5 weeks to get my junk packed and send it 3,000 miles.
Here’s a picture of all my stuff piled in the Studio, it was just November. Where is it all now? Who knows! I’m still looking for my “serious” glasses.
We had the preview party in December and then the snow hit and everything closed down. We decided to stick to our January Opening, but we weren’t ready.
Things are more together now, the website is up (but we haven’t even started on how it’s to look) the studio equipment is all in place (but I still need to make labels) Projects are ready (but I need to do more) Merchandise is on the shelves. (but I’m ordering more stuff)
Basically, I guess you could say we are still in “rehearsals”.
More soon!
Helen