The wonderful world of Etsy as seen through Treasuries....
{please click the image to visit}
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There are always wonderful things to find on Etsy. I will be highlighting Etsy Treasuries here on Wednesdays so if you are an avid Treasury Maker and you would like your treasury featured just email me at lesleyev@aol.com with a link to your creation.
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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Last year I put together an online class called Mixed Media Claymania and loved, loved, loved the processes that came out of it. The class was open to new registrations for only a short time but I have decided to open it back up for just two days beginning last night.
The videos are available 24/7, there is no end date so no need to hurry and you will create some amazing pieces such as....
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New sign ups for this class will end at midnight, Tuesday, May 14th so if you are interested now is the time.
The cost is $37.00 and the class can be accessed at this link:
http://theartofaltering.ning.com/groups/group/show?groupUrl=mixed-media-clay-melange
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We hope to see you there!!!
xo,
Lesley V.
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Creating through the lessons that life is teaching us is sometimes not a comfortable thing to do. It is easy to get mired down in the circumstances of what may be happening to you or to those around you and, in turn, to find yourself creatively stuck.
Depression was, and can be, my "soul" sucker and when it landed on me a couple of years ago it took, literally, everything I had to shake it and hold it at bay. I know from experience that there were days (weeks) where I had to literally force myself to make something, anything, to keep the creative energy present within me.
Tom and I cared for his elderly mother for the last 8 years of her life and she lived with us the last year or so of it. While she didn't live with us for 7 of those years the caregiving need was still ever present as we were still responsible for her meds, meals, laundry, groceries, shopping, chauffering, etc. Was it difficult? Yes. Was it a burden at times? Yes. Would we do it all over again? Most definitely, Yes, yes, yes!!!
This time spent as a caregiver showed me that I am stronger than I thought, more compassionate than I give myself credit for and more caring/loving that I could imagine. It allowed me to see my friends who care for their friends and family in need in such a different light and to respect them for having the capacity to open their hearts in such a way. It also helped me to see that you never know what responsibility/fear/concern/sickness someone may have in their life that they are dealing with that you can't see and that you should never assume anything.
The void left when she passed away was felt in so many ways within us both. I can look back now and see that this deep, black hole, once opened, revealed issues that had been pushed down and smothered inside of me for years and years. I gave in to them and thus Mr. Depression came along and sat down beside her. So to speak. <smile> Then I took the hand held out to help me and I haven't looked back once....well, maybe I've glanced back but not for long as I kept my eye on the prize that was my happiness.
I've journaled, written, colored, etched, dyed, glued, painted, resin'd, taught, learned and arted my way through two years of therapy and friendship and familial decisions and I'm here, standing strong, smiling, dreaming, creating and being.
My journey took me down a road I didn't expect to go on at my age, into a valley, sludging through a swamp and started up a wonderful mountain. Sometimes I get out of breath, sometimes I get whiney (just ask Tom or my family of friends) but I always strive to get better.
I've found and surrounded myself with people who are supportive and loving towards me. And honest. They tell me the truth....not hurtful, hateful things but things I need to know like...hey, you are being whiney, be quiet. :) They know my past and believe in my future. They don't say something behind my back that they wouldn't say to my face....well you get the picture. :) I do the same for them because I love them right back.
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I hope you are blessed with friends and family in your life that support you, love you and reach that hand out to you and I hope that you do the same for them.
xo,
Lesley V.
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The past few weeks have seen me in my studio filming videos for my new online class offering - Altered Vessels. This online class has well over 30 videos with information on creating everything from little pendants to large bottles with unique, one of a kind, focal points. My online classes are open 24/7 with no end date so no stressing out on finishing up your creations. While there is no end date there is a cut off time to sign up and that will be the end of May, 2013. You can check it out by visiting: www.theartofaltering.ning.com
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The internet and art world is abuzz with the news that Art Is....You is going Down Under!!! That's right, Australia here we come!!! The line up includes: Michael and Andrea DeMeng, Sue Pelletier, Kecia Frazee Deveney, Seth Apter and myself. I am sooooo very excited and cannot wait to bring this magic to everyone from Sal's neck of the woods.
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There has been some amazing creations being posted on the Ice Resin Blog by the Design Team Members....check these out....
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Have you tried ICED Enamels yet? If you haven't you really need to check them out by clicking the image below:
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I hope your Monday is blessed with creativity, love and happiness.
xo,
Lesley V.
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Hi Everyone and Happy May Day!!! It's hard to believe that May is here and that Summer will soon be in full swing! I am loving all of the lush green that is covering every tree in our yard as it is a constant reminder of this time of renewal.
Yesterday I posted about creating lovely vignettes using vintage images and I wanted to chat today, just a tad, about vintage ephemera...another of my loves.
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I love the colors of vintage postcards, calling cards and prints. Add yellowing edges, beautiful typography and I am in full swoon mode! I love finding vintage postcards and using them to adorn gifts. Of course, most of my friends have the same vintage ephemera addiction I do so they don't find it odd at all. <smile>
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Old seedpackets look lovely framed and hanging in your home and can be readily found on Etsy and Ebay (originals and not scans). Be sure to scan them before framing and you can use the scans in your own creations. Bonus!!
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Also, check out Linda's Collage Closet (www.collagecloset.com) to find wonderful vintage journal and book pages. A wonderful source for other paper ephemera too.
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Think of collecting holiday themed pieces and frame and hang them for a wonderful vignette in your home or studio. Sheet Music is wonderful for this (and for collage backgrounds too)!
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My newest Ice Resin and Rue Romantique Creation can be found over at the Ice Resin Blog - Just Click - --> HERE <-----
Kristen's Rue Romantique line of bezels and chain are wonderful to work with!! You can find them and other Susan Lenart Kazmer bezels, connections, cold enamels and more by visiting the Ice Resin website. Just click the below button/image to be whisked over to their New Products page.
What do you hope to be doing this summer, what creations do you want to play around with.....are you ready to fly?
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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I am a lover of vintage images....people, landscapes, pets, typography....all of it. There are times when I just go and look through the images I have collected and wonder on those that are featured in them and what travels their life journeys took them on.
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There is something so romantic held in the earthen tones of cream, charcoal,muted greens, sepia soaked images just waiting to become part of your next creation or to be added to your collection of faux relatives.
While in Ohio for Artiscape we stayed with our friend Kim Griggs and in her studio she has begun showcasing her vintage images on one of her walls...a sort of yummy, vintage wallpaper that is certainly swoon worthy. There is something so wonderfully tactile about this way of showcasing her collection that spoke to my heart and I have, since returning home, been on the lookout for more inspiration in showcasing these collections (Kim I did not take a photo of your wall so please send me a pic and I will post to the blog- xoxo).
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I love this last image - "My Jane" - a vintage image of a woman reading in front of a wall of vintage images. Too cool.
How do you showcase your images? I'm inspired to pull mine from their boxes and display them so that I can enjoy their beauty.
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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Hi Everyone!
Wow, we have had a whirlwind few weeks...first in Nashville, Tennessee for their first ever Art Is....You, then a business trip and then off to Dublin, Ohio for Artiscape. We had amazing adventures along our way and met some wonderful new friends and reconnected with friends we have known and loved for years. Beautiful art was created by all, lovely vendor items beckoned us and our wallets and the comaraderie was effervescent! We cannot wait until next year to see all of you in Tennessee and Ohio again!
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The first quarter of this year has seen lots of changes, choices and decisions being made. In this process I am having to learn to be grateful for what is and to let go of what will never be. It has been a journey of a couple of years, an ongoing journey, but it seems like the time has just flown by as I have progressed through the various steps that needed to be taken.
I think the most important thing about my journey is that my art and creativity is a continuous saving grace in my every day life. It is there when I pound pencil to paper breaking lead and more than scratching the surface and it is there when simple glue and paper is enough to quiet the inner fears, concerns and worries.
I have started an unusual journal in which I have written several "gestalt letters". I have collected words of wisdom from Pinterest....what a wonderful place to find just the right phrase for the moment (you see a spattering of them in this post).
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I have, in some ways, matured and grown up and into my art. With the shedding of old ideas, concerns, fears and worries I have opened myself up to new experiences, deepening of friendships and I can feel the creative side of me following closely.
I have learned that there will be those that will always seek to bring you down, to create in you someone that you are not and who will always treat you as a scapegoat. More importantly than that is that I have learned that I can forgive them and myself for placing me in those situations. Creativity and Tom's great cookies help with the realization that I am worthy regardless of what anyone else thinks, feels or says. Quite simply....I am worthy.
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Tom has been my biggest supporter and fan. We have driven thousands and thousands of miles together. I know he has my back and that he only ever wants what is best for me. I feel the same about him. My friends, my inner circle, my tribe....when I look at all of us I see those same qualities. Generosity, beautiful spirits, giving natures, open hearts and pure acceptance. It is a wondrous thing to behold and be a part of.
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We have already had two swaps completed over on the NING group, The Art of Altering...a tag swap and a tussie mussie swap. Gorgeous creations.
May 5th kicks off the first new class of the year - The Altered Vessel. Beautiful altered bottles done in my artistic style with organic soldering and some other unusual touches.
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The daffodils have bloomed, the Dogwoods are almost finished and the trees are covered in the green that only newness brings in the Springtime. It is one of my most favorite times of the year and is clearly a reflection of my soul this season. We will be listing items in the Etsy shop over the next weekend as we sort and go through boxes from Ohio. Looking forward to cleaning house in the studio as well. Eeek!!
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I hope your Spring has been wonderful and filled with new beginnings, new hope and new blessings.
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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I wanted to just put a list of my teaching venues for 2013 up....
ART IS YOU....NASHVILLE
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ARTISCAPE - DUBLIN, OHIO
CREATE - CHICAGO
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ART IS YOU...PETALUMA
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ART IS....YOU - STAMFORD, CT
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HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!
XOXO,
LESLEY V.
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As I continue the saga of culling through things in the studio I have found more items to list in our Etsy shoppe. This past weekend and continuing through this week the Etsy Listing Blitz will once again be in process.
Here are a few of the items I have just listed and a couple that were already in the shop....
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I hope you will pop over to the shop and take a look around as more items have been listed and many more will be listed this week/weekend.
Lesley V.
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Hi Everyone!!!
Wow, Art Is....You is coming to Nashville and it is just around the corner!! We are so very excited to be a part of this inaugural event and can't wait to meet all of you who will be attending AIY for the first time!!
Kecia and I are very excited to be teaching the 2 day class, Illuminated Reliquary and we hope that you will decide to come and join us on this assemblage journey.
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We were at one of our favorite haunts in Roanoke when we stumbled upon these wonderful old, and large, glass negatives slides. After some research, we found out that these images were created through a process known as collodion. The collodion process was introduced in the 1850’s and eventually replaced the daguerreotype. Pretty cool, huh??
So thus the idea was hatched in our heads to create an art project paying homage to our unique find. At the same time, we also knew we wanted to add light to create a shrine - so thus our “illuminated reliquary” was born.Both of us bring much to the table. In this 2 day class we will do a lot of planning, playing and building. We will be discussing assemblage and connection techniques to unite odd items together. We will be doing some basic soldering. We will learn how to duplicate interesting found objects through molding and casting (and Lesley will be happy to answer questions on things suitable for molding, . We will also learn ways to make items look older than they actually are. As our pieces come to life, we will be weaving a story of history and modern day as we take our images and lay out their next phase of life.
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So now that you've read about the journey from find, to idea, to class fruition why not come and play? There are so many techniques that you will be learning in this two day class that your mixed media toolbox will be overflowing. A finished project and a virtual toolbox full of awesome techniques....two of my very favorite things!
Here are just a few of the wonderful processes that we will be sharing....
Whew!!! Pretty good wouldn't you say??
To sign up for the class simply click the below image to be whisked away to the site....
We hope to see you there!!!
xo,
Lesley V.
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