Monday, January 27, 2014

Hurry! It's Your Last Chance to Sign Up For Kansas City Classes!



Whew! Time sure does fly when you're thinking about attending an Art & Soul retreat... and then the holidays sneak up on you... and then... KAPOW! Registration For our Kansas City Retreat is almost over!


But fear not my little mixed-media mavens! There are still plenty of spots left in some amazing classes, with some terrific teachers! But don't delay... you only have until this Thursday, January 30th to register!


March 19-23, 2014
The Elms Hotel & Spa
Excelsior Springs, MO


So grab your favorite beverage, a yummy snack, peruse our selection of Kansas City workshops, and sign up today! It's just the creative playcation you need to give your creativity a kick-start for Spring! Here's a look back at last year's event. What a wonderful time we all had. Come join us for this inspirational event!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A Valentine Zentangle From Suzanne McNeill...

Today we are so very lucky to have a guest post from one of our sweetest Art & Soul Instructors... the extremely imaginative Suzanne Mc Neill. She is often known as “the Trendsetter” of the arts industry. Dedicated to hands-on creativity, Suzanne loves to experiments and invent something new and fun. She especially enjoys working in different media and finds that moving from one to another keeps her art creative, fresh and alive. Suzanne has authored over 30 books and has been the creative woman behind Design Originals — a publishing company dedicated to all things fun and creative. It is her pleasure to share, inspire and encourage you down the creative path. And today, Suzanne is sharing with us this adorable Valentine Zentangle project. Take it away Suzanne...



Wow! That was great. Easy peasy! What a great idea Suzanne, and thanks so much for sharing it with us. I see a few Zentangle gifts in somebody's future!

Suzanne, will be teaching Zentangle at Art & Soul — along with many other creative workshops — in 2014. Suzanne's award-winning art is known for happy colors, imaginative details, and creative inspiration. Working with her hands and developing innovative concepts is her passion. Through her popular workshops she enjoys sharing with students and artists. Check out her unique class offerings at our Kansas City retreat, our Portland retreat and also at our Virginia Beach retreat. Suzanne has graciously provided us exciting video previews for all her classes to peak your interest. You can view them on each of her individual class pages.

The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.  and is used with permission. Learn more at zentangle.com

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Queen Victoria Cuff Tutorial with Eva Sherman...

Today we're sharing a fun and easy tutorial  — for this absolutely gorgeous cuff — by our very talented Art & Soul instructor, Eva Sherman. She originally began beading to spend time with her daughters, but soon became hopelessly addicted. In 2005 she traded in her architectural career for the opportunity to open Grand River Beads in Cleveland, OH. This cuff is just one of the many pieces of jewelry Eva loves designing with wire and metals with an organic, unstructured style.

Take it away Eva...


 Queen Victoria Cuff
By Eva Marie Sherman

 
Knit metal wire mesh from WireKnitZ® makes a beautiful canvas for vintage-themed creations — and you'll feel as elegant as the Queen in this dramatic cuff! Create the cuff, finish it with hand-stitched grosgrain ribbon, and add a vintage pin for a dramatic personal touch!

MATERIALS AND TOOLS
1 – 9” 3000 Series WireKnitZ® – metal mesh
Fireline® 4 lb. braided beading thread
2 – 6” x .5” Grosgrain Ribbon
1 – 30” x 1.5” Grosgrain Ribbon
3 – Sew-On Snaps
1 – Vintage Pin
Scissors
Tape Measure
Fabri-Tac™
Sewing Needle

STEP 1
Fold ribbon in half and make a seam 2” away from the fold
 
STEP 2
Open ribbon and make three folds on each side. Pin and then stitch in place.

 
STEP 3
Open WireKnitZ® metal mesh tube and gently massage folded edges until smooth. At one end, gently pull outward with fingers until the end begins to roll outward and then roll three times to measure about ¼” wide. Press the roll down with fingers all the way around, burying the cut end. Repeat at opposite end.
 
STEP 4
Stretch each end to get a slight bell shape. Stitch rolled ends in place, if desired, though it is not necessary.

 
STEP 5
Make a cut down the length of the tube. Fold the 1/2” grosgrain ribbon in half lengthwise and pin in place along the cut edge of the tube. Tip: Before pinning to WireKnitZ®; create a soft crease in the grosgrain ribbon by gently ironing with a light weight towel to protect the ribbon.


STEP 6
Measure your wrist and size WireKnitZ® 1” larger than your wrist size. Depending upon wrist size, it may be made larger by stretching width at ribbon edges, or made smaller by stretching length at rolled edges. To stretch, grasp opposing edges and gently pull, moving fingers along edges. Keep moving fingers around and pulling as it begins to adjust in size. When the sheet is the correct size, stop stretching. A bit of trial and error may be required.

 
STEP 7
Line up the center of the tri-folded 1.5” grosgrain with the center of the WireKnitZ®, approx. ¾” from the top roll and pin centers together. Pin rest of ribbon in place, folding edges of ribbon under twice. Tip: Use Fabri-Tac to secure ends of ribbon.


STEP 8
Stitch grosgrain ribbon in place. Secure vintage pin at center of tri-folded ribbon.


STEP 9
Stitch sew-on snaps in place as shown.

Enjoy the complements!
..............................................

Thanks so much Eva, for sharing this easy tutorial and providing us with such great inspiration! We're so happy to have you teaching 8 jewelry classes (yes 8!) at our Portland event and another 6 workshops at our Virginia event in 2014!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

So... What'd You Get?

So... what did you get for Christmas? If you read this blog, have been to Art & Soul, or are entertaining going to Art & Soul... I bet you had some creative items on your holiday lists this year! Maybe you got some new fabric?

Or perhaps someone blessed you with a bevy of beads? Yum!

Maybe you were in need of a fresh start and you got some blank canvasses? A little intimidating for me, but maybe not for you!

Did someone gift you some cool craft supplies? Rubber stamps, masks or some fun embellishments?

Or maybe you got some cool art supplies, tools or equipment? Squee!

Perhaps you got a copy of one of your favorite mixed media magazines and you enjoyed reading about new ideas and techniques over the holiday break? I hope so!

Maybe you got a juicy new journal... or a sweet set of paintbrushes. Perhaps you received some new wire working tools or a few colorful tubes of paint. Whatever you got,  I'd love to hear all about your favorite new art and craft supplies! So... what'd you get this year?

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Craftmas & Happy Glue Year!

When the hustle and bustle of retail extravaganzas and big box store bonanzas has become the new norm, handmade gifts and cards sometimes get lost in the shuffle. But not here in the creative realm of Art & Souler's, I bet! I'm sure you crafted a darling little card, or hand made some gifts this year. Maybe you prepared an amazing table setting for guests, or decorated the house with extra flair. No matter how you expressed your creativity this season — be proud of yourself for keeping the true spirit of art and individuality in the Holidays! 

And thank you all so much for your support of Art & Soul Retreats. Each and every one of you! Students and teachers alike. Taking time out to replenish your soul in a creative way is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity!  And I appreciate you choosing to play and have fun with us year after year. You are part of our success and I wish you the Happiest of Holidays and the Most Creative New Year Ever!

~ Glenny xo

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

A Creative Christmas Season...


So... the Christmas tree is up and the holiday spirit is taking me over. My festive faux fir is adorned with monchromatic touches of red and white... speckled with icicles, flora & fauna, and a few of my favorite stuffed animals tucked between the branches. Decorating the tree may seem like a simple tradition, but perfectly placing each ornament — as I thoughtfully ponder where each and every one came from (don't we all!) — reminds me how precious family and loved ones are. How precious life is. And how lucky we are to have extended families... like our Art & Soul family!

Like a winter fire, my extended retreat family truly warms my soul. I think back to my first event — over a decade ago — and some of you are still with me, still by my side. And many of you have become the closest of friends. Some of the Art & Soul attendees I've just met, but it's like we've known each other for years. That's what happens when like-minded people, linked by the most precious of gifts — the ability to let go and be free — meet for the first time. And all of my dear, dear retreat goers and teachers from all the years in between... I just cannot believe how lucky I am to have you all in my life. It reminds me how precious life really is.

The day-to-day grind is what it is. Work. Eat. Sleep. Clean the house. But the holidays remind us that those in-between moments are the ones that count. And to be able to fill them with creativity is such a blessing. We are fortunate to have our art that connects us and make us stronger. A bond that is created in one moment, yet lasts a lifetime. We are a tribe of artists... leaning on each other for support, encouragement and inspiration! It reminds me the importance of friendships, not just around the holidays, but every day.

So this holiday season I'd like to thank you all for daring to experience something greater for yourself. The bravery it took to come along on this creative adventure with me. And the heartfelt connections we have made over art. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life and I hope that your holiday season is filled with the love of family, friends, and perhaps a few random moments of creativity.

Blessings,
Glenny
xoxo