Saturday, November 14, 2009

Reflections on an art retreat



Reflections on an art retreat....

What a wondrous event this past art retreat turned out to be. Five of the most generous and giving artists attended (Adrienne Goodenough from Wales, Jessie Scherf from New Zealand, Debbie Warren from MI, Carol Sweeney from WA and our own Zeb from OR, as well as two extremely talented instructors, Jeni Calkins and Cory Celaya. The work created during the week was extraordinary and culminated in shrines that were just exquisite.

With the exception of Zeb and Debbie Warren (who I had met briefly at a rubber stamp convention about 3 years ago), I had never met the retreat attendees. I had been an efriend of Adrienne's for quite a few years and Jessie and I exchanged some emails a few months before she arrived. We agreed everyone would make charms to bring and exchange so we could create a one of a kind charm bracelet to remember the retreat and all the talented artists that attended - and new friendships. It was such a good idea and I'm still in the process of putting mine together. I want to solder all the jump rings so that I don't lose any of them - they are such precious reminders.



Jessie from New Zealand was the first to arrive. She came a few days early to compensate for jet lag. It was the right thing to do. She definitely missed her true calling in life. I feel she could have been a world class, famous comedian. She had me in stitches the whole time she was here. She came bearing all sorts of wonderful gifts from New Zealand. They have the most exquisite shells and products from the sea I've ever seen. She brought me a present someone had made to give to me. Her charms were a delight and so appropriate for New Zealand.




Debbie Warren from Michigan was the next to arrive just hours before Adrienne and Carol. She sent boxes of goodies before her arrival to be shared with the group. She also brought wonderful charms she made for each of us as well as a charm bracelet for us to attach the charms to, and fibers, and ultra suede, and copper and...and....and. Debbie has a truly giving soul. She was my alarm clock during that week. I awoke every morning to the wonderful sound of laughter coming from the kitchen. It was Debbie making her Cherios, doing her exercises...and laughing.



Adrienne from Wales and Carol from Washington State were the next to arrive.

Let it be known Adrienne's pictures on the web do not do her justice. She is so much prettier than her pictures, with naturally curly, thick gorgeous hair, and she has the most beautiful speaking voice. Definitely could be an announcer for the BBC. She came with gorgeous charms, wonderful teas, divine chocolates and Crisps (potato chips to those of us in the U.S.) of many different, unusual flavors. All of which are long gone, eaten with much relish by the Hansons. She also brought me a pendant that is to die for.

Carol was beautiful, tall, blonde and so very, very, very nice. She was an absolute delight. The charms she created were wonderful. I had a lot of fun with Carol doing the copper enameling class. I loved what she did. I didn't get to spend too much time seeing what everyone else was doing in that class. I gave Tom, our cook, the afternoon off to play bridge, so I was the chef/instructor, running back and forth between copper enameling and Cornish hens. I needed to keep an eye on Zeb. Zeb with a big torch in her hands could have been very dangerous, lol.



Jeni Calkins' Squishy Book class will always remain one of my favorites. Not having gone to kindergarten, it allows me to have that little girl finger painting (or playing in a mud puddle) feel. However, the finished product - the book and the internal art pages - is a true work of art and makes one feel better about helping the environment and creating something beautiful at the same time. It was so good seeing and talking with Jeni. I miss her.



Cory Celaya's class opened a whole new world to me - the world of canvas. I had never worked on a piece of canvas till Cory's class. My life will never be the same. Canvas always had this mystique about it. It's what real artists work on. It was always very inhibiting to me. Now I LOVE IT!!!! Can't wait to get the opportunity to try more with it. Thank you, Cory, for opening this new door for me.



Also while she was there, Cory cut and styled my hair with her creative talent and eye for design. Her art extends to many realms including permanent make up. You are THE BEST, Cory. I hate that we live so far apart now. I miss you, Cory.

Every night during the retreat, we had Margaritas (or two or three or....) around five o'clock. It was a great time to relax and discuss the day's classes and artwork. Tom's dinners were definitely looked forward to and he didn't disappoint us. I think we all gained a little weight during the week. At least Carol and Jessie hiked some mornings to work off the excess calories.

We took a day to tour Tubac, AZ which is a very artsie community with lots of galleries, stores, and restaurants. But we had to stop on the way to Tubac at the Buffalo Gals Gift Shop and Hardware Store. Yes, you heard right. Only in Sonoita would they combine a beautiful gift shop with local artists' jewelry, leather goods, furniture and more with a hardware store that has a little of everything and will order you anything you can't find. It's a great place to visit. And we had to stop in Patagonia to browse the stores and galleries and have a picnic lunch. Then on to Tubac for Margaritas....er, I mean shopping and having an artistic experience in the many gorgeous galleries, then a rest break... and Margaritas!!!!!





I had a really, really wonderful time during the retreat and I know everyone enjoyed meeting those they've talked to on line and off and enjoying Jeni and Cory and Zeb. The artwork created, the ideas shared, the comraderie - these memories will last a lifetime. I hope we will get the opportunity again in life to get together. I'm missing everyone already.

After the Retreat was officially over, Adrienne and Jessie stayed a few extra days. We took a day and did a tour of Tombstone, AZ. Yes, we got to see Boot Hill and the gunfight at the OK Corral! The actor playing Doc Holiday stole our hearts (or maybe it was a case of lust, lol). He wasn't all that good looking but he had such expressive eyes (had a lot of devil in them) and such a manner about him....He definitely was Doc Holiday, the very educated Southern gentleman who quoted Shakespeare to us. I spent way too much money on Western shirts. Jessie and Adrienne got to see what a Javelina looks like - had a stuffed one in a store window. There is also a Goodenough Mine there which we didn't get to explore. Next time, maybe. I want to go back. Saw lots of trinkets and embellishments I could use on my shrine. Just ran out of time.










Friday, October 30, 2009

2009 Found Object Challenge




See the entries!




All the entries are in for the latest Found Object Challenge.
We'll let you know the judges decision soon. :)

Monday, September 28, 2009

Assemblage- I love it



I need to get out some random stuff and play with assemblage again.
This has always been one of my favorite pieces.

I should do more of this type of work.

Zeb

Thursday, September 24, 2009

News an updates!

New catalog items and convention updates!

We have added the thin Easy Mount that many of you have requested. We have also added the Glue Glider and refills. The Heat It Tool is back after a very long absence. I'm sooooo glad to have it again. It's my very favorite heat tool to use with the OPALS embossing enamels. We also have some new (and awesome) shapes of foil melts. In addition to the Frozen OPALS, we have Pearl, Gold, Silver and Rainbow. All the new Spellbinder dies are available at great prices. We've added some new books: one on Polymer Clay using lots of Krafty Lady Art Moulds© and 2 books on Friendly Plastic (which looks sooo very wonderful on our OPALS embossing enamels. I did some nice things using Friendly Plastic in the Krafty Lady Art Moulds, also. At forthcoming conventions, we'll have Friendly Plastic available and tools that go with it. As usual, shipping is just $5.00 regardless of your order size.

Check out our products page for anything you might have missed.

We'll be at the Las Vegas Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Show this coming weekend. It's the 10th anniversary show and there will be lots of vendors, door prizes, classes and more. Stop in and see us. I think it's going to be our last convention in Las Vegas for a long time to come.

Judith from our list brought me, along with her Found Object Challenge Artwork, a copy of Metal Clay Artist Magazine. On pages 8 and 9, there is a very nice article about our own very creative Jen Lowe.

Hope to see many of you this weekend. Phyllis from Las Vegas will be demoing on Sunday. If you haven't met Phyl, now's your chance. Crystal will be demoing on Saturday. She and her mom demo'd for us 2 years ago and did a marvelous job. I'll be demoing the Spellbinder Dies and will have a really nice make and take for you using the Ultimate Crafters Companion and those wonderful dies. I'll also be teaching a starbook class. We're going to have a great time.

Linda

Friday, September 18, 2009

Fantasy Film and Fashion Flakes



I've been working on this chest for a while now. I think it is starting to work. :)
You can see more details and a previous version on my blog.

I'm really loving the Crackle Glossy Accents over the Fantasy Film. It is the only crackle medium I've found that really works well over non porous surfaces.

I'm also remembering just how much I LOVE Fashion Flakes!
Love,
Zeb



Monday, July 6, 2009

Drum Roll Please.....

Announcing the winners in our Clock Challenge.

We had a tie for first place. :)



From Debbie Warren




From Robin Sanchi



From Adrienne Goodenough



Visit our WEBPAGE to see all of the entries and read comments from the judges.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

New background/texture stamps on line now

Hi, Everyone,

Tom just got the new background stamps in the shopping cart. Take a look!

New background stamps

Linda

Monday, June 29, 2009

New background stamps!

I just had to try out the new background stamps on some Midnight Art glass!







I used Opals embossing enamels and added some Crackle Glossy Accents to one.

I discovered that if you put down a layer of clear (Franklin) Opals first and then add colored Opals you get a more transparent look to your finished glass pendant. :)

I need to add some bales or beading or wire wrapping to these and get them finished to wear.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Clock Challenge




Clock Challenge entries

Wow! Linda received some amazing artwork for this challenge.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Midnight Art Ranch Retreat Gourd Classes



If you blow away all the gourd dust and strip away the dust mask, it's me, Linda Hanson, framed by my Dremel Flex Shaft, having the time of my life carving a gourd. Many thanks to Bonnie Gibson for her wonderful instruction and creative talent.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Serious Business

We had some serious gourders attending this retreat.



um...Maybe not as serious as I thought...


Oh no- it was contagious!!



Gourd Class Photos

Hard working group.
Bonnie Gibson's classes were wonderful.



Safety Masks





There are many styles to chooose from.


Tools




















Saturday, June 13, 2009

Gourd Classes with Bonnie Gibson







The gourd retreat is wonderful!!!
I'm having a great time.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Cigar Box



Froggy Cigar Box



Cigar box- altered with Fantasy Film and acrylic paints.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Contest time!!!

Hi, Everyone,

We have gone waaaaay too long without one of our contests. So, here is a new challenge and its different than our usual challenges. This time, I will not be sending you found objects.

I want pieces of art that just happen to tell time - basically, we're talking about clocks - but not clocks - PIECES OF ART THAT JUST HAPPEN TO TELL TIME!!!!!

So, here are the contest rules:

1. You must use some embellishment or something in the creation of this artwork using OPALS embossing enamels and a Krafty Lady Art Mould©.

2. It must actually work and tell time.

3. It must be sent to the Midnight Art Ranch postmarked NLT May 22nd. Zeb will be at the Midnight Art Ranch for the Gourd Retreat in early June, so she can photo the entries while she's here.

That's it!

We'll have a panel of judges to pick the winners. They will not know who's submission they are judging. No names will be submitted to them with the artwork so that judging will be completely objective and all artwork will be judged on its own merit.

All artwork submitted will become the property of After Midnight Art Stamps.

This is a great opportunity to browse thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales. You can start with a basic clock or you can create the entire thing and add clock works.

The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate from After Midnight Art Stamps. Runners up (2nd and 3rd place) will each receive $50 gift certificates. All submitters will receive a package of goodies from After Midnight. All submissions will be displayed at the Midnight Art Ranch with the artist's name prominently displayed once the contest is over and winners have been selected.

All entries will be listed on the web site after the judging with the artists' names for all to see.

If your entry costs more than $10.00 to ship to the Ranch, LMK. I am willing to refund some of the shipping cost, within reason. This means, please don't ship grandfather clocks that weigh a thousand pounds without prior approval, lol.


Linda

Denver Rubber Stamp Convention

Hi, Everyone,

We are attending the Denver Rubber Stamp Convention which is being held April 17th and 18th at the Red Lion Hotel, 4040 Quebec St, Denver. We'll be there with all 400+ Krafty Lady Art Moulds©, all 35 colors of OPALS embossing enamels, all the new Spellbinders dies, including the impressabilities and nestabilities, plus some new items.

Jen Lowe of Jen Lowe Designs will be doing make and takes both days using the wonderful Ultimate Crafter's Companion (UCC), the Wizard and Spellbinders dies, plus the Lucy McGoo stamp line. Jen is sooooo very creative and it always amazes me the make and takes she comes up with. Don't miss this opportunity to "play" the Jen Lowe way.

I'll also be doing a 2 hour class using the UCC, Wizard, Spellbinder dies and much more.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Dragon Eggs for Easter!




The "dragon eggs" are goose eggs covered in Fantasy Film!

The other eggs are done with Radiant Rain and Memory Mist sprays. :)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Open for Business!




We are now carrying the Ultimate Crafter's Companion. I love, love, love it. Boxes, pretty matching envelopes and out of the norm cards have always been something I loved but stopped doing because I hated all the measuring. And even after I did all the measuring, they didn't always come out right. With the Crafter's Companion, you can do boxes, cards, envelopes and more extremely quickly, with no measuring and they always come out exactly right. And after you create these wonderful boxes, cards and envelopes, you can embellish them with Spellbinder's die cuts. The two go together beautifully.

At the Albuquerque show this coming weekend, we will be introducing new stamps featuring Haiku created by award winning novelist Sabra Steinsiek. Sabra will be demoing at our booth and will be using the new stamps. They are beautiful and will add a delightful touch to your artwork. So, if you're in the Albuquerque area this weekend, stop by the rubber stamp show at the Fairgrounds and meet Sabra and take the opportunity to preview and purchase the new stamps. They will be available for purchase from our website on Tuesday after the grand opening in Albuquerque this weekend.

I will be teaching an OPALS pendant class here at the Midnight Art Ranch on Sunday, March 29th from 1-3pm. Those of you in the local area can sign up for the class on our website or call on our toll free number: 1-866-634-9408. It's a really fun class and you'll go home with lots of beautiful pendants/pins/beads/embellishments. You'll also have the opportunity to shop at the store while you're here.

We are once again carrying Scotch Weld from 3M. We stopped having it when the price went up. The price has now gone back down to it's original cost and it's available once again on the website.

Have a great week and I hope to see many of you at the Albuquerque show this weekend.

Linda
After Midnight Art Stamps
at the Midnight Art Ranch
www.amstamps.com