Totally inspired

I am loving the process of our Project 52.  Julie and I each make at least one background per week and post them on her blog for sale.  Check out this week’s pages

Last week’s pages are here…

I intend to do more with the pages we’ve created…and I expect you to hold me accountable to that!

Generally speaking (for the past 3 months) I’ve created a calendar page for the first offering of the month.  Check out what Julie did with my January calendar pages…

I’m also totally inspired by what Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is doing with her “Project Life“

Maybe I will be up for a project like that next year…

Epic Project: 1000 Houses

I spent an inspiring (albeit often interrupted) day with my art sister Julie Valentine on Tuesday.  I am always so inspired by being with her and watching her process.   I shared that I still struggle with feeling like I don’t know who I am as an artist.  I dibble and dabble in lots of different mediums…I LOVE my art journal and though we are both working through filling a 600+ page MONGO book

I feel the need to really try to focus on finding my “voice”.  I desire a collection of pieces that feel genuinely mine.

SO…the 1000 Houses project was born.   Through the process of creating 1000 individual pieces of art I believe I will find my “voice” and really refine my skills.

Here is 1 of 1000

2 of 1000

and here is 3 of 1000 in progress

This promises to be a most delightful journey.  Watch for more updates…and help keep me accountable!

Need to Re-Juice?

Juicy Soul Retreat – Last chance to sign up!!!
Sunday, March 13 (11am-5pm)

If you take one workshop this year…make it the Juicy Soul Retreat!   It only happens twice a year and your next chance won’t be until September.  Can your spirit really wait another 6 months to be awakened and enlivened?

Don’t miss this full day of exploring and rejuvenating yourself from the inside out.  Discover how images bypass the mind and go straight to the depths of your soul.   This is the one time you can arrive not feeling creative or inspired  and come out feeling accomplished  and empowered.

Visual journaling is not typical journaling.  It’s not about the words you write or about keeping a diary.  It doesn’t have to be a daily practice…you can do it anytime, anywhere. It’s about the images, colors, and textures that lead you on a journey of self discovery.

If your hobby is scrapbooking or collage work, you will be a natural.  Anyone can do this and doesn’t require buying a bunch of new tools to have this experience.  Everything you need you already have at home, such as crayons, colored pencils, etc.

There is always something new and special to discover at the Juicy Soul Retreat.  If you have taken this workshop in the past, then you already know Julie and Andrea always have something original and refreshing to offer at this experience.

This is your time for inspiration, creativity and self discovery.

Here are some sneak peeks of what is waiting for you….

Click here to register for YOUR spot.

Relaxing and Planning..Art is Everywhere

I spent a lovely and inspiring 24 hours with the lovely Julie Valentine this weekend.  We are planning our 2011 calendar.

It felt so amazing to get away and get creative with Julie.  We create amazing energy when we are together and this time was no different.

We have 2 retreats scheduled together in the new year and Julie has 2 vision board workshops as well.

Stay tuned as we explore the theme for 2011….

Art is Everywhere

New Class – Juicy Journals!

I’m excited to add a new class to my lineup in August.

Juicy Journals
Sunday, August 2
12noon-3pm
$40

Join us to learn new techniques to turn flat blank journals in to juicy journals for your words, poetry, collage, photos, lists,mantras, ideas, songs, prayers, intentions, stories, notes, and dreams. In this class you will be able to spread out on big tables with tons of supplies as I share each technique. When I have covered all the techniques I will turn on some music and let you run wild with the techniques. I will be there to guide if you need it or you can rip the training wheels off and go for it.

You will learn…
- 5 + great techniques to cover pages for journaling.
- Quick easy ways to cover your journal pages with pattern and color using traditional art supplies and simple items you may find around your home.
- The top 5 tools every creative journaler should have in their magic tool box to journal at a moments notice.
- How to use tools to make creative journal patterns on pages and layer them in creative ways.
- The best techniques for making your journal an inspiration to write and create.

You get from this class …
- Several pages in your existing journal covered with CREATIVE JUICE!
- A jump start in your journaling process
- Inspiration…you will never look at a paper towel the same way again.
- You will feel like a creative genius after the class.

This class is for you if….
- You always wanted to make a funky journal like the ones you have seen from artists who create art journals, altered books, and mixed media books.
- You have been wanting to do something creative and you need a jump start and a little inspiration.
- You feel the creative muse calling you to write, journal, list, or create.
- If you need full permission to make a big “mess” with art supplies.
- You want to be around some cool artsy people doing fun artsty stuff.

What to Bring:
- A journal of your choosing (If you need a journal let us know and we will provide one for you for a fee $12)
- Comfortable clothes you can get messy in.
- Your open heart and mind.

click here to register

Week of February 9

This week in the studio we have several workshops happening:

Feb 10th (Tuesday at 6:30) is Metal Effects:  Do you love the look of the embossed metal projects we’ve been working on?  Come in and Make a Heart Sampler using 10 Seconds Studio Metal, tools and plates.  The fee is $15 for this 90 minute workshop.

Feb 10th (Tuesday at 8pm) Metal Clay:  Find out how ultra easy it is to make your own 99% Silver charms and pendants using Metal Clay (aka. PMC or Precious Metal Clay)  You will work from a 20g bag of clay that will yeild from 10-12 pieces of Silver (depending on size of course)  We will fire the pieces and have them ready for you by Thursday (just in time for Valentines Day!)  Your finished pieces can be turned into earrings, added to chain for a necklace or attached to charm bracelets.  Make something truly unique and personal.  The fee is $75 for a 90 minute session (this includes your Metal Clay and the Firing fee as well as instruction)

Feb 11th (Wednesday at 7pm) Alphabet Behind Glass: This collage is a substantial piece you can use as a wall hanging or as a tray.  Each tile is embellished with 3 letters of the alphabet.  Your complete project will include many techniques using the finest of art mediums and craft supplies.  The fee is $55 for the  3 hour workshop and includes all materials.

Feb 12th (Thursday at 6:30pm) Collage Unleashed:  Using painted papers as our collage fodder, you will create Traci Bautista style collage following techniques found in her book Collage Unleashed.  The fee is $25 for this 90 minute workshop and includes all materials and instruction.

Feb 15th (Sunday at 12:30pm)  Create Your Best Year:  Julie Valentine, Life Coach, will explore the power and magic of vision boards and idea journaling to support you in creating your best year! A vision board is a tool that captures your vision for your life through color, images and words.  The fee for this 2 hour workshop is $24 and includes all materials and instruction.

February and LOVE is in the air

It has been entirely too long since I’ve posted.  Things have been busy around here..The craft fair was exciting.  I loved seeing so many unique handcrafted items!  I’m thrilled to be able to offer an even wider variety of classes in the coming months.  We’ll have jewelry classes as well as assemblage art.  Stay tuned!

This week though here is the scoop:

Kit of the week (available until February 12) is a L-O-V-E Word book/card

For $5 you will get two (2) cards with envelopes in alternating patterns.  There are several patterns available to choose from.  Reserve yours today by calling 408.266.1006 or emailing andrea@aworkofheart.com

Next, Classes this week are hoppin’

6:30pm Tuesday Night – Metal Effects Bookclub continues.  Did you know that you don’t have to attend any prior bookclub sessions to join us?  That is right, you can come to one or multiple sessions.  If you are interested, sign up.  Learn to work with art metal and make fabulous things like this:

8pm Tuesday night continues with Beeswax Collage on Acrylic:  You can use beeswax as your adhesive for a beautiful effect on the backside of Acrylic.  The finished product is amazing.  Sign up and make a piece to use as a book cover or wall hanging or make 2 drink coasters.  Here is a sample that one of our talented guests made:

7pm Wednesday you can find out just how simple it is to make a 10 page scrapbook ready for photos with only 4 sheets of cardstock!  Sign up for the 6×6 Scrapbook and you will not want to stop with making just one…(extra kits are available!)  Here is a photo of one I whipped up in a heartbeat:

6:30pm Thursday continues our Collage Unleashed bookclub.  Again, you do not have to attend previous classes to get a lot out of these sessions, BUT if you want to start at the beginning, we are going to offer this book again in March on Tuesday nights.  This week though we will be working on Total Fusion Collage, taking mix and match papers and materials to create beautiful collage pages.  Sign up soon, this evening has been filling up fast!  Here is Tracy Bautista’s book that we’re basing our exercises on each week:

3:30pm on Friday is a Mom & Me Valentine making session:  Come in and you will each make at least 4 different valentines.  Sign up soon because space is limited.

Our week finishes up with two talented guest artists!

10am Saturday – Lisa Super in creating a vintage Valentines Day wall hanging. We’ll be altering a copy of the cover of an old childrens book with distress and paint techniques. The project will hang from vintage satin plum colored ribbon. We’ll adorn the piece with buttons, pins, glitter and blooms.  Click here to sign up Here is a photo of her project:

And finally 12:30pm on Sunday the inspiring Julie Valentine will enable you to Create Your Best Year.  This is part one of a 3 part series you won’t want to miss.  Sign up for these sessions and enjoy the results of making your dreams come true.  Here is a sample vision board Julie shows on her website:

There are plenty of activities going on…hope to see YOU soon!!