Ginny's Small Studio

Time Flies

Peonies are blooming everywhere including pink and white ones in my yard. One of my customers was telling me that she gets marigolds and she gets petunias and she gets impatiens to plant in her garden. She asked me what I get for my yard. I replied that I get Greg. Greg is our honorary son and landscape guy. He showed up this morning with a truck full of flats and when I arrived home this evening, the yard was ablaze with drifts of pink annuals both front and back. Greg "gets" me, too. I love pink flower beds.

Tomorrow is our free tag play day. I am looking forward to it.

We have an awesome roster of local and visiting instructors here at the store ready to inspire and instruct you. It feels so good to make art. It feels so good to be in a group of like minded people all creating stuff. Next weekend we host Michael deMeng and Andrea Matus deMeng right here in Westlake OH at Small Studio. Also in June we have Barbe Saint John and Candace Rich. Come join us, won't you?

DeMeng Times Two

Only two weeks until Michael DeMeng and Andrea Matus DeMeng arrive here in Westlake OH to teach in our Small Studio Workshop Series. We are so lucky to have them here. Michael's workshops at our last event were so much fun and he is an exceptionally good instructor.

His projects are delightfully quirky, but his teaching methods are professional and spot on.

You will be sorry to miss these workshops if you fail to sign up.

We are also very lucky to have Michael's new wife Andrea join us. Her artwork is incredible and needs to be seen in person to really appreciate.One does not need to draw to accomplish these pieces of art.

Andrea has sent over wonderful samples of the workshops and they are on display as are Michael's class samples. Stop by if you are local and see them for yourself. If you live too far, take my word for it. They are wonderful.

There are a few spaces left in all the classes June 1, 2 and 3. We would love to have you join us for the weekend or for one class.

Leighanna Light Day Three

Sadly, today was the last day of workshops taught by Leighanna Light.

We had a wonderful group of students all weekend and they produced excellent projects using all the interesting techniques Leighanna shared.

Below are both student work and Leighanna's samples.

Leighanna is an excellent instructor and great houseguest. We look forward to her retuning to Small Studio to teach again. The students all walked away very happy with what they learned.

Next up: Michael deMeng and Andrea Matus. Stop by the store and see the fabulous samples for their workshops at Small Studio. You won't want to miss their classes.

Awesome Thursday

What a day it was today. You should have been here...well, some of you were. First my friend Pam Rowe came by with an armful of her handmade dolls. They are made from scratch, no pre-made anything.

They are beautiful and the workmanship is wonderful.

It was fun to catch up with Pam and see what she has been creating.

Then a big shipment came in from Michael and Andrea. Samples! Samples for the workshops next month and I am telling you that you must come in and see them in person. They are extraordinary. You will not want to miss these workshops on June 1-2-3.

Last and certainly not least, Leighanna Light arrived for her workshops which begin tomorrow. Her samples are wonderful, too. John has decided to take all three workshops this weekend and is down in his art room gathering supplies. Leighanna is not only a great artist and teacher, she is fun, too.

Life is good! Come hang out over here. We have fun.

SteamPunk Class(es)

Tonight was another great class with Barbe Saint John. She knows her products, is fun and full of tips to go along with her techniques. She definitely is an asset to the Ice Resin product line.

Students made little steampunk charms and bobby pins. Here are a few to show you.

I am so happy that Barbe has chosen to teach here. Coming up another Ice Resin 101 and a fabulous Steampunk Necklace June 16th, during the daytime while that night is our Steampunk Social.

There are still spaces for a few lucky students for the Leighanna Light workshops May4-5-6th. And the month after that we have the incredible Michael deMeng and the wonderful Andrea Matus. You need to go check out our workshops on our website.

New product is always arriving at the Small Studio. Today we received some great new papers and tapes.

I will see some of you on Saturday when we have our ATC morning meet-up.

Let's Talk Workshops

Registrations are coming into the shop on a regular basis for the Small Studio Workshop Series. They are arriving from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Arizona, New York, Texas and other far away places. They are not coming in the same numbers from Cleveland, lakewood, Rocky River or Westlake.  This was a common occurance when I hosted Art Continuum too.  I don't understand why. I am happy that people want to travel here to take classes from all these wonderful instructors, but local people who do not have to go to the expense of travel and lodging seem to take the opportunity lightly.  Any comments?

Here is the line-up. Registration is open and simple. Links to their blogs/websites are on the left of this post.

May 4-6th, Leighanna Light

June 1-3rd, Michael DeMeng and Andrea Matus

July 28-29th, Carol Owen

Aug 24-26th, Teesha and Tracy Moore

Sept 21-23rd, Pam Sussman

Oct 5-7th, Keith Lobue

All workshops have openings although some are getting close to being full.

I have been working on store classes too and I am excited to offer you in the coming months classes beginning in April by Barbe Saint John who will be a regular Small Studio instructor.

And Ingrid Dijkers is coming in April, who I also hope to entice to be a regular visiting instructor at Small Studio.  Info for both instructors will be online in the next day or two.

My local customers are so lucky to have all this talent available so close by.

Small Studio

You guys are pretty funny.  Tracey:  John is not laying new flooring although looking back at the photo from yesterday, one could think that.  No, John is measuring and measuring and measuring.  

Because....

We signed a lease today on a new store!  Small Studio will be a brick and mortar store. I am over the top excited and so is John. We have not stopped talking about what we will do with the new space.

We will have a classroom in about half of the space.  We already have Keith Lobue, Michael DeMeng, Andrea Matus, Pam Sussman, Teesha and Tracy Moore lined up for the summer. John has strong opinions on how the classroom should be designed since he taught high school art for many, many years.

We will sell paper goods and artsy goods and vintage goods and gifty goods. You know, all the stuff we like and want.  

Stay tuned for updates.  It will take us awhile to change what appears to be some sort of carpeted race track into a viable fun and creative store space.

We can't wait for you to come visit.

Odds and Ends

Last week we filled our room at the antique mall with 1920s linen bus numbers.  They sold the next day. Back we went and put up the remainder and that same day all the single numbers sold...all 17 of them! So again we spent our week cutting and framing bits of those rolling signs that tell one where the transport is going. Our wall at Brothers Antique Mall (Medina OH) is now loaded with 1940s London bus signs.  I forgot to take my camera so you will just have to be satisfied with seeing the one that came home because it wouldn't fit on the wall.

I am so enamoured with these signs and we have quite a few to sell at our antique mall shop. Too big to ship. Sorry.

John and I really enjoyed the Small Studio Workshop Series that we did in 2010.  We had to cancel it for this year due to some pesky medical stuff, but we are planning our Series again for 2012 and we have lined up Keith Lobue and Michael deMeng already! All info will be available on this blog when dates have been confirmed.  I am awaiting word from other instructors.

Last, but certainly not least, I am abandoning John for a whole week while I go make books at Pam Sussman's.  She hosts and teaches 6 students in her home studio for a one week intensive workshop.

Here is what I made last time:

I can't wait.  Working with Pam is always fun, well organised and so instructive.  I haven't made anything artsy in quite awhile so I am excited to begin.

While I am gone my etsy shops will be closed and will reopen Aug 27th or 28th. 

Odd Bits

Since I last posted life has been full of stuff.

My cousin Kathy from CA briefly visited us and we had a wonderful time.  We had not seen each other in a very long time, but it didn't matter.  The chatter began at the ring of the doorbell and didn't stop until she drove away. Years ago I had begun to research our family on my mom's side.  It was slow going since letters had to be written and then responses waited for. Enter the computer age. Kathy took up where I left off and within a month or two had just about every living relative connected by FaceBook and she had completed the tree for 4 generations. She and I and John spent part of the evening going through a box of my mom's old photos. There were quite a few of her mom that she didn't have. Fun for both of us.

The only downside and actually, John and I got quite a thrill out of it, was that Kathy just doesn't get our art.  She tried to be polite and say all the right things, but I am sure many of you have had the same experience with family and friends that just don't get you.

She didn't understand my Bratz-Doll-meets-camel-body-while-serving-up-a-platter-of-dragon-head. She was impressed that I had painted it all to look like wood.  Thank you again Michael DeMeng for the great De-Mented Toys class in June here at Small Studio. And Kathy, I loved our visit. I loved your reactions.

We have had several days of high winds which have blown most of the Fall leaves onto the grass.  Fall was so short this year that I got almost no photos for you West-Coasters of the Fall color.  You will have to be satisfied with these:

Small Studio Emporium is temporarily closed for restocking and inventory.  I am not sure when it will open.  I am sorry for any inconvenience.

Small Studio Workshop featuring Lynne Perrella is now sold out.  

Reports are in on Mike Meador's service on Monday.  I think Chris and Andy made Mike smile down on everyone who attended.  Old friends told of his childhood and adult pranks and jokes.  Mention was made of his annual quirky Christmas card/gifts.  We will miss those.  Mike's musical oddities were remembered and Chris put out a table-full of little items to take that Mike used to give out at conventions and classes. Laughter and tears.  Oh Mike, we will miss you so.  In life, you made us laugh so hard we cried.  Now we shed tears through the funny memories of you. 

We voted today!

Playing Around with Creepy Baby

So, there we were on Monday.  Michael deMeng and I just sitting and eating breakfast.  John was playing in his usual Monday Morning Golf group.  Michael and I were just chatting when he jumped up, grabbed a doll head that he had been using for a demo during the workshops.  Then he proceeded to walk around the house adding the doll head to anything he could find. It made us laugh so hard that the game continues as John and I keep surprising each other with this spooky, creepy baby doll head in odd places.

1. Olive Oyl alias Creepy Baby guarding the pretzel jar.

 

2. Creepy Baby walking stick.

3. Creepy Baby as a Staircase finial

4. Creepy baby as an exotic art deco diva.

 
  

5.  Creepy baby hiding in the cubbies

6.  And the one that started it all:  Creepy Baby as the Guiness Guy. At the bottom, it says "Good for him and good for you".  One look at Creepy Baby and I beg to differ. 

All I can say is we had a good time.  Thanks again, Michael.

Small Studio Workshop Series

DeMented Toys and DeMeng

Michael DeMeng doing his creepy baby paint tricks for the workshop students.

 Creepy enough for you?

The workshop is over.  All the wonderful students have departed taking their demented treasure toys.  I really enjoyed taking both of Michael's workshops.  He is a fantastic instructor combining all the proper elements.  He is extremely knowledgeable about paint techniques, construction and composition.  He is so much fun, so encouraging and helpful. Run right out and find one of his workshops and jump in now.

Random photos of projects follow.  My batteries were weak so not all my photos turned out and the ones below do not do justice to the wonderful student work.  What a great time we all had.

There were many more great pieces.  I apologize for not getting good photos of them all.

It was wonderful to see old friends and meet all the new friends.  Thank you to all the students for  joining us and a big thanks to Michael for traveling here to Northern Ohio.  What a great houseguest you have been and we still have one more day together!   

We are offering workshops all summer and into the Fall.  Sign up now!

 

Workshop: Cave of Pages

Michael deMeng's sample for the workshop above. 

The Critique:

Student's work (all still a work in progress):

(I apologize for the poor photos)   

        

This evening we had an intimate chat with Michael, book signing and dessert.  Thank you for a great day Michael and thank you to all the students for such enthusiasm!

Small Studio Workshops

The Morgan Conservatory

We took Michael DeMeng to the Morgan yesterday.  John and I love the Morgan Conservatory in Cleveland.  They are dedicated to the preservation of papermaking, letterpress and bookbinding.  It is a working organization with interns who trade volunteer hours for hours of doing the above.  They are deeply into conservation in all aspects of their organization including water capture and reuse.  We hadn't been there in a few months and we were thrilled to see how they are progressing and thriving.  We were given a wonderful tour by Bruce.  The Morgan always has an art exhibit.

This is the first thing we saw:

It is a handmade book made from handmade paper by Chicago artist Melissa Craig.   We were enthralled with this book and then we went around the corner:

Ms Craig made these art pieces also:

Everywhere you look at the Morgan there is something of interest.  

We were fortunate to get a special tour of Director Tom Balbo's other building which houses more treasures, fine antiques, contemporary sculptures and workshops than we have room for here.  We could have spent a week exploring and playing in his various workshops for woodworking, clay, paper, etc.

One last thing (if there could be a one last thing about the Morgan) is Tom's collection of tables.  I am a table person.  Tables are full of possibilities whether it be the possibility of being surrounded by friends and family or waiting for a huge project to take place.  So I was quite interested in all of Tom's tables.  he had tables on wheels, metal tables, wood tables, antique tables, heavy, heavy tables and all of them huge.  I was quite taken with his collection of tables made from the wood  from an old bowling alley.

Today is the first day of deMeng de man's workshop.  We are off in a few minutes.      

Mr DeMeng

 

We picked up Michael at the airport last night.  Let the fun begin!

We laughed.

We chatted.

We shared stories.

Today we are off for a special tour of The Morgan.

Stay tuned.

Warning: Bad Photography Ahead

I went to Indianapolis to the Coffee Break Design warehouse sale this weekend.  It is about 5 to 6 hours by car from here. John was not with me.  He was in a Golf Channel tournament which he won!  So, I was alone.  It was an easy drive, but lonesome without him to chat.  

The sale was wonderful with lots of goodies and very cheap prices.  When Mike has a sale it is a S A L E.  There were shoppers shoulder to shoulder.  I loved seeing some old friends such as Gaye Medbury, Connie Newbanks, Marilyn Werst and Pat Pleacher (see her blog link on left).  We laughed, we talked, we shopped.

One of my favorite purchases was this pointing hand.

Mike made it with his dandy laser machine.  I got a left pointing hand and a right pointing hand.  Cool.

While I was driving back home I passed miles of parked railroad cars on a sidetrack.  Climbing up through the cars were vines and weeds.

Obviously they had not been used in a very long time. There were several types of railroad cars, empty and waiting for their next call to duty. I was thinking that with all the natural disasters of late, such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes, that these cars could be used for temporary housing somehow.  I have seen articles about turning them into offices and art studios.  Why not housing?  They are sturdy and easy to transport.  They would need some modification, but....

Michael deMeng arrives in a few days for his workshops.  John and I have been pulling together our supplies and looking forward to sitting and playing with the other students.

  

The Circus

Clown theater available in our Small Studio Emporium

Life is sometimes just a circus. 

This is one of those times.

We laugh.

We are amazed.

We go in circles.

Yes, life is just sometimes a circus.

And we are the clowns.

I pride myself on being pretty organized and in charge of making sure the chaos is held to a minimum. Somehow it has all piled up on me.  It has piled up all at once.  

Memorial weekend was filled with family BBQs, kids baseball and a run to the airport to pick up John's daughter, Kate, who has just left after visiting for a few days.  It was a great weekend and has been a really nice visit with Kate.  Kate just completed her second masters program.  We are all very proud of her.

Tomorrow I leave for a few days in Indiana while John holds down the fort here.  Coffee break Design is having their annual warehouse sale Saturday morning (1227 Indy Way, Indianapolis).  It is always a great bargain hunt.  Come and join in.

Michael deMeng arrives mid-week for his workshops here.  We can add a few more if you want to come be inspired and play with us.

Right after Michael leaves John and I begin our new endeavor. We have rented a small room in an antique mall.  We will be moving in the third week of June.  More details and photos then.  I am really excited about this.  

July Teesha and Tracy Moore will be here for their workshops and then in August we welcome Ingrid Dijkers and we will also have a booth at Stampaway in Cincinnati.  And on it goes.

This is all going to be great fun and a lot of work and a lot of excitement.  We hope all of our friends will join us at these different events and venues.  That means you, of course.

I Said We are Busy...

I mentioned last entry that we are starting a new project.  We have been researching this idea for months and months now and finally we are making it a real thing.  I always think that a good idea takes on a life of its own.  And so it has.  Can you guess what we are doing?

No.  We are not cleaning out the garage.  In fact we are making a mess of our usually neat garage. 

Remodeling again?  No.

Setting up a fruit stand?  Of course not.

Stay tuned.

John's daughter is arriving here on Memorial day for a short visit.  We are really looking forward to seeing her.  It has been months.  She lives in Berkeley CA.

Just a few more openings in Michael DeMeng's workshops.  Don't miss it!

  

Springfield Antique Show

We have been gone for a few days.  Spontaneously we decided to go to this huge antique show that is held at a Fairground about 3-4 hours away from us.  We had been reading about it for a few years, but never did anything about it.  

The drive was lovely.  We passed through quaint little 200 year old towns that are typical of Ohio.  I have shared many photos of these lovely little towns in the past with you. We even passed a few llama farms.

I don't know why they are in OH but it probably mimics the climate in their native country. They appeared to have just been sheared.  They look funny to me like an elongated goat. Look how long their necks are.  We lived near a llama farm in the Netherlands years ago and made the mistake of going near the fence to have a closer look.  They spit at us.  This time we parked across the street and used the camera to get closer.

We decided to have the whole antique/flea market experience.  We drove down the day before it began. We got up very early the first day of the show, breakfasted and were in line to get in before 7AM when it opened.  We had very high expectations and we were definitely not disappointed.  We had so much fun. Two days of shopping and browsing and making a few scores made us very happy explorers.  

John was after old rusty, dusty stuff.

After all, he is getting geared up for Michael DeMeng's workshop next month and we all know how the author of Dusty Diablos likes his rusty stuff. 

There was a wonderful selection of old vintage and antique furniture at this show.  We were wishing we had brought a big U-Haul truck with us, but we still managed to come home witha full trunk and back seat.  Recycling at it's best!

I mentioned that it was held at a fairground.  Here is proof:

That is John to the right of the photo with our big red cart. We filled it twice!  Every building and every grassy space was filled with vendors.  It was just great.

Here is some of our haul:

Besides the above we also found some old street signs, gas station signs, big old railroad numbered nails, vintage game cards to replenish Small Studio stock,  ephemera and lots more.  We will have a booth at StampawayUSA August 13-14th in Sharonville (Cincinnati).  We are trying to shore up our stock for that show.  Put it on your calendar and come see us there. 

Announcement!

Just for those who are or will be students at the Michael deMeng Small Studio Workshops, we have Michael doing a book signing for his wonderful "Dusty Diablos" book. It will take place at the Landings (where all the workshops take place) on Friday evening.

Plus he will be giving an art talk.  The book is his homage to Mexico and his love affair with a place he holds very dear in his heart. Specifically he will talk about how his work relates to Mexican culture and how it evolved from his many trips there.  Michael believes Americans can learn a lot about the value of art in society from our neighbors south of the border.

Plus Michael will entertain a question and answer period.

Plus Michael will be selling his books that night if you have not already purchased one.

Plus we will have dessert!

Michael's weekend is June 11-13 and sign-ups have already begun.  Please join us!

Can vs Can't

I can't seem to get a good photo of this necklace I made last month.  I tried new batteries, new settings and different lighting, all to no avail.  The good news is that it is sold! Thank you!

I can enjoy what a lovely day it is today.  There are thick white clouds and deep blue skies.  Lovely.

I can't read, listen to music or talk to John effectively because we have work going on, on the exterior of our house and it is noisy, very noisy.  The new, improved guaranteed 20 year siding has failed after 6 years.  The good news is that they are honoring the warranty.  The old siding has been removed and they are replacing it, but the bad news is today they found a section with some moldy wood  which has to be addressed before they can proceed.  The good news is that it is outside the house not inside.  The bad news is that it will delay the completion and the noise.

I can appreciate that the workers are very efficient, work from 8 to 5 every day and spend all their time working.  They clean-up perfectly at the end of every day.  We are definitely lucky to have them.

I can't believe how much the hammering affects those things we have on the inside that are on or near an outside wall. Things on shelves have danced closer to the edge.  We removed anything hanging and are so glad we did.

I can be happy that taking things off shelves has encouraged me to wash and dust the high places that I never think about.  Hmmm....maybe that should be a "can't".

I can't stop thinking about how great Michael deMeng is.  I was talking to him a day or two ago and he has offered to do a book signing and art talk on Friday night during the weekend that he will be teaching here (June 11-13th).  This will be exclusive to the students who have signed up for his Friday "Cave of Pages" and the Sat-Sun "Isle of Demented Toys" (either or both class qualifies). Details will be on our website and here as we cement them.  I can't wait for that weekend.  Michael is a wonderfully talented instructor who encourages each student to stretch their abilities and more importantly he makes the students want to stretch!

Check This Out

I was just doing a little blog hopping among those on my own blogroll and was really loving Michael deMeng's recent post called "Artistic Timeline".  Michael gives his views on how ideas grow and evolve in the artistic community.  It is refreshing and thought provoking.

As you know Michael is soon coming to Avon Lake OH to teach. He will  be here June 11-13th.  There are still openings in his workshops.  Come join us.

The other blog entries that I have been following are Tracy Moore's.  He has an ongoing "Self-Portrait" series he has been doing with a number of his artist friends. There are a ton of photos of artful self-portraits done by artists who have been at the forefront in Mixed Media.  

Tracy will be here in Avon Lake OH July 16-18 teaching Handforged Books and Jewelry.

Sign up for Tracy's workshops now, too.  Don't be intimidated by these instructors, or any instructor for that matter.  They are both easy-going, fun, patient and excellent instructors. There will be others in the workshop who may also be new to doing these techniques and projects.  I know this because I am one of those students!  It will be fun, inspiring and productive. These instructors have not taught in Ohio for years and may not again soon.  Please join us.  By the way, Avon Lake is about 15 miles West of Downtown Cleveland.

Click here for Michael's blog.

Click here for Tracy's blog.   

Today's Book Reviews

I am in that happy place today.  Amazon delivered not one, not two, but three good books for me to add to my ever growing inspiration and instruction library.  I have asked this before, but really, how many books can the second floor hold before all comes tumbling down?  When I lived in CA I was an assistant librarian, librarian-in-charge of a LA County book mobile and a circulation librarian.  In CT, I was a serials librarian for the city and historical librarian for the Historical Society.  Also I worked a stint in the Netherlands as a librarian for the very small American Library.  I tell you this because I had a deep respect for free lending libraries and saw no need to own a lot of books.  After all, they were all there to borrow whenever I needed them.  I still respect free public libraries and use them, BUT my own library overflows and grows each year.  I have to own these books.  They need to be within reach when I need inspiration or instruction.  Every time I look at one of them I see something new.  

The first in the box was the sequel to Where Women Create (the original book) by Jo Packham and Jenny Doh.  Oh, what a lavish collection of glimpses into the studios of female artists. Although the book discusses with each artist organization and creativity, it is the photos of their stash of supplies that had me at page one.  I loved seeing their stuff and their artwork.  I will look at this book again and again.

The second book was Linda and Opie O'Brien's latest book: Who's Your DaDa?" The book is divided into several sections. The first is about supplies and techniques to instruct which is well done.  The second section is full of projects and variations on those projects.  There is an impressive gallery of wonderful artist's interpretations of "DaDa".  I really liked their first book and I like this one every bit as much. Linda and Opie will be teaching here in Avon Lake OH at the Small Studio Workshop Series.  Their weekend is September 10-12.  There are openings in both workshops that weekend.

The third book I received today is Michael deMeng's "Dusty Diablos".  Love this book.  It is chock full of Michael's very recognizable assemblage art.  His art is so full of odd details, that to look at a single piece for a very long time still would not reveal all.  His step-by-step instructional processes are great in this book.  Add to all the above his humorous insights and comments and you can't help but love this book and want to take one of his workshops.  Sign up for his classes at Small Studio.  He will be here June 11-13 and there are still openings.

It was a good mail today too.  I received a bunch more registrations for the workshops.  One even arrived in this great envelope made from a file folder and highly collaged.  It went right up on my bulletin board.  Thank you, Jolene Ziegler!

  

New items were added to my Etsy shop this morning.

June

I know.  We are only in the middle of March and yet I titled my post "June".

In June Michael deMeng will be arriving to teach here in Avon Lake OH.  Do you like the bizarre, the odd, the humorous, the wonderful?  Then come join us for one, two or all three days and bask in the imagination of Michael. You will learn wonderful techniques on aging and patinas in both workshops, but more importantly, Michael will attempt to show you how to see and think outside of the norm.

His one-day Friday class is titled: Cave of Pages.

 

 His two-day Saturday-Sunday workshop is "The Island of Demented Toys". Are you intrigued?

John and I have signed up and will be taking the workshops with you.  I can't wait.

It is Spring here although the Lake still has quite a bit of ice still.  That surprises me since it has been warm here and very sunny.  I know it is spring because the golfers are out on the course behind us.  We once again hear the steady bonk of the hit golf balls and the sounds of the electric carts whizzing by.  We also saw our first crocuses and a low yellow flower blooming their hearts out.  

We had all our windows and doors open today for the first time.  Just lovely. 

Another Day With Team Smallenburg

Since John and I married later rather than sooner, we have a different marriage than either of us had first time around.  We decided early on in our relationship that we would work hard at being a team, being partners and sharing equally the responsibilities.  We have never paid much attention whether everything is really equal or not, but it seems  as if it is so. Which ever of us gets out of bed last, makes the bed or we make it together.  John sets and clears the table while I make the meal.  We usually empty the dishwasher together.  We each do our own laundry (love that about him).  I do the majority of daily (yeh, right) house cleaning while John empties trash, and does the majority of outside work.  There are some things we definitely share equally.  For instance we team drive.  He is behind the wheel while I tell him how exactly he is supposed to drive.  We team shop.  He puts six boxes of popsicles in the cart and I take five of them out and put them back.  If one of us makes an art piece the other is very supportive.  If either of us feels we need more supplies, the other wholeheartedly agrees.  Ah yes.  This is a great team.

Right now we are working on the Small Studio Workshop Series together.  We have been searching for cool stuff  for our sales table that we think you will enjoy.  It is fun for us.  We shop well together.  I am a scanner and John is the detail man.  We are trying to anticipate what we will need as we take the classes with you and we try to find enough to share. We each find what the other has missed.  It is pretty funny since each of us thinks that we have seen everything until the other says "did you see this?" 

Today we got caught in a snow storm as we drove home and the team driving kicked in once again. 

Check out Michael deMeng's blog.  He is sharing a truly awesome piece of art he recently did. Link is top right.
 

Small Studio Workshop Series

SMALL STUDIO WORKSHOP SERIES: I have a friend who celebrates her birthday all month.  I love that idea and being one who likes to go one step further I decided to celebrate my birthday all year this year. It happens to be not only one of those landmark birthdays for me but also marks our 5 year wedding anniversary. What do I want for my birthday, you ask? What do we want to do to celebrate our anniversary?  We talked it over and decided that we want to learn stuff.  We started with learning how to solder (Kathy Herda, thank you again) this month. Then we decided we want to take classes from as many of my favorite instructors as possible: Pam Sussman, Michael deMeng, Teesha and Tracy Moore, Ingrid Dijkers, Linda and Opie O'Brien, Keith Lobue and Lynne Perrella.  So I invited them over to play. Good News!  They all said yes! Better News! You get to come too!  Each month from May to November we will be hosting one of the instructors, or two as in the case of Teesha and Tracy.  For three days each month we can learn and play from one of these greats.  Come join us.  Read through the workshop descriptions. Pick the ones you want. Fill out the registration form and mail it.  Then sit back and gather your supplies and anticipate the fun. We are really looking forward to not only taking the workshops but also sitting next to you in class.

Here is the link to get to the workshops.

Links to instructors websites are on the left column of this blog.

Logo designed by David Simon. David is a Cleveland Graphic artist who has illustrated a number of books, book jackets and numerous ad campaigns for large companies.  He taught at Creative Block and Art Continuum. David designed over 150 Stampers Anonymous stamps when I owned that company. He is an all around talented and great guy and I am proud to call him a friend.