Artist Class

What is Artist Class?

Artist Class is an online collection of over 12 project tutorials and over 12 artists and contributors. This site will introduce you to the Artist Class artists and their projects.

Artist Class is held on a private blog, and registration allows you access. The blog is open through February to allow plenty of time to begin and finish projects.

The project tutorials are presented as blog posts, one every other day, over 4 weeks.  You'll also receive bonus images, templates and tips and tricks - something every day!

THE NEXT SESSION OF ARTIST CLASS BEGINS JANUARY 24, 2010

Our Next Artist Class...

Artist Class will be back on January 24th for another full 4 weeks of project tutorials, techniques, ideas and information. 

Our first tutorial announcement: Dawn Edmonson's Canvas Collage:

Join us in making this gorgeous collage; Dawn will supply every image so you can personalize it a lot or a little. 

Discounted Early Bird registrations will be ready soon, so stay tuned! 

If you'd like to submit a tutorial idea, start HERE.

Baker's Dozen: Lesley Venable's Altered Book Cover

Artist Class is proud to add yet another fabulous artist to the roster - Lesley Venable!

Lesley is a self taught mixed media artist who lives in Virginia with her husband, Tom, and a furry family of six.  She’s been published in several of the Somerset Magazines and the Artitude Zine and has taught at Art & Soul in Hampton and Oregon as well at Art-Is-You in Connecticut.

Lesley is currently scheduled to teach at Art & Soul, The Fernery, KC Willis’ Studio Retreats, Artiscape, Lisa LaRosa’s Retreat and Art-Is-You in 2010.

Lesley says, “I love working with all things vintage…the textures, the smell, the colors…they all invoke within me a desire to include them in my art.  I am an avid collector of all things old and love finding those beautiful gems to pass on to others through our online shoppe.”

Lesley will show us how she takes a simple book cover and creates a beautiful wall hanging by adding vintage papers, gesso stamping, fluid chalk inking and a tape transfer of a vintage image.  The finishing touches include a spattering of crystal glitter and a ribbon or lace for hanging.

Please join me in welcoming Lesley to Artist Class!

 Lesley’s blog address is: http://www.flatwoodsfolkart.typepad.com

And her shop is:   www.flatwoodsfolkart.com

Karen Watson's Marie Antoinette Collage Sheet

Hello, my name is Karen Watson, but I'm also known as "The Graphics Fairy" online. I've been married to my husband for 11 years, although we've know each other since high school! We're a blended family with 3 kids in college and 1 in high school.

I love antiques and all things vintage, particularly paper items! My blog is my passion, I have had so much fun over the last 2 years, sharing images from my collection and making so many new friends along the way.

 

Project Name: Marie Antoinette Collage Sheet

I'm offering a Marie Antoinette digital collage sheet done in reds and greens, perfect for Christmas or everyday!

You can use the sheet to make ATC's, cards, collages or whatever you like!

Visit Karen's blog: www.thegraphicsfairy.com

Martha Kohley's Celebration Cake

For as long as I can remember, I have created things:  messes in the kitchen, doll clothes, handbags from old jeans, etc., which led me to a degree in design.  Thinking up things is as natural to me as eating and sleeping.   I am grateful I have a family that tolerates this passion.  Especially my husband, who understands my need to create which many times makes dinner late and the laundry pile up.   Oregon has been home since the mid-70’s when I relocated from Kansas.  We have a 25 year-old son and a 12-year-old yellow Lab mix who has kept me company since we became “empty-nesters”.  When I’m not in my studio, I work at a beautiful 1894 Queen Anne home that is a museum and event venue.  

 

I am inspired by the patina and delicate quality of old photographs, penny post cards, fabrics, laces, sewing and millinery notions from the early 1900’s.  I enjoy preserving aged, delicate bits by incorporating them with newer materials to create one-of-a-kind pieces.  I hope my creations evoke a feeling of a time when life was simple and sweet.

   

Project:  Celebration Cake

 

This project includes materials and photographed instructions to make a special “cake” for a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or holiday. 

 

This one-of-a-kind creation is a unique way of letting someone know they are special. 

 

You can contact me at:  mmkohley@comcast.net, through my blog at www.vintagetrifles.blogspot.com, or my Etsy store, Vintage Trifles.

 

Lori Karla's Fabric Lined Box

My name is Lori Karla. I have been married to my wonderful husband Ed for 21 years. Together we have two wonderful sons ages 16 and 12. We all live together in our 1840's farm house along with our three cats: Mr Madison, Gracie and Tanner.

I create using a wide variety of mediums including: paper clay, paper mache, and wool roving. I love to combine the old with the new, and try to do that in my work whenever possible.

If you ever meet me in person, you will recognize me by the glue blobs smeared on my jeans and the glitter in my hair.

My project will show you how to create a lovely paper~covered, fabric~lined box. Your box will be the perfect place to store your favorite treasures.

Visit Lori's Blog http://myfaeriewindow.blogspot.com/

Visit Lori's shops:

http://www.lollishops.com/faeriewindow

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5120263

 

Lisa Madden-Bass' Sampler Book

I am the mother of two beautiful daughters, ages 16 and 5 years.  My wonderful husband Jim and myself, own a water treatment business which keeps us busy.  Jim and I are active participants in our home church in Leesburg, Florida, and we enjoy spending time together as a family.  I am originally from Kansas City, Missouri and go home, when the opportunity presents itself; however, I have been a Florida resident for the past 25 years.

I enjoy experimenting and learning new and varied ways to express myself and my creativity.  Any moment I can steal away, I spend it on an art project and often times, I have more than one project at a time in “the works.”  I collect antiques in general, but what I enjoy most are my antique laces, ribbons and various textiles, and paper that more often than not, show their age; and I incorporate them in my art whenever possible. 

When I am not working at my art, I enjoy reading (history and mystery novels), researching my genealogy, and writing.

Project - Sampler Book:

The Sampler Book I will be sharing is a quick and easy book to create.  The purpose of the book is to have at hand, a sample of what you need when you go shopping for your art supplies, by carrying with you a swatch, or paint sample for comparison inside the book.  You may also find the book useful for sketches of your ideas, and keeping simple lists of supplies you need—you will have it all at your finger tips when you go on your search for the “perfect” color, texture or supply!   

Lisa's Blog: www.lisa-bass.blogspot.com

Nerissa Alford's Bling Rings and Stamped Keys

I have been creating all my life.  I took up jewelry making 11 years ago as I was told by my law school student husband that I “needed a hobby”.    That was when I found my passion.  I am mainly self-taught, getting my hands on any magazine & book that I could. I love to experiment & mix & match different techniques & materials.  This once hobby is now my passion.  I’ve been published in Stampington & Co’s Marie, Artful Blogging Spring 2008 & Summer 2009. 

I’m a military wife & stay at home momma to 2 energetic & creative boys!  We are currently living abroad in Kuwait City.

 

Vintage Bling Rings

 

Recycle & repurpose vintage earrings, shoe clips, brooches, & buttons to make a stunning One Of A Kind ring.

Why Vintage Components?

· Recycle!

· Remember your childhood or your mother’s or your grandmother’s.  There’s a wonderful life story behind that piece.

· You will truly have a unique piece that no one else will have.

   

Vintage Stamped Keys

 

Take a vintage key, stamp a sentiment, & embellish to your heart’s content.  You can turn these into a pendant or as an embellishment for mixed media projects.  They would look great on a card, the front of a journal or framed in a shadow box.

 

Nerissa's blog: http://creativerantsfromnerissa.blogspot.com/

 

Nerissa's shop: http://www.lollishops.com/kateveeme

 

Robin Kesner's Pockets Full of Treasures

I love to take little bits of this and that and make beautiful creations.  I’m a junk store addict and find all of my artistic treasures second hand.  I actually go to thrift stores to spark my creativity.  .  The possibilities are endless, and there’s always a project waiting for me!

Project Name: “Pockets full of Treasures”

In this workshop you will learn to make a keepsake book, full of pockets to hold your little treasures!  You will receive instructions on building your book by using a vintage record album book, or plain cardstock.  We will be using lots of scrap fabric, hankies, trims, laces and jewels to add interest to you pockets.  You do not need to know how to sew to do this project!  You can use glue or stitch tape, or machine stitching.  The fun part is adding all the decorative embellishments to the completed pocket page!  Once completed, your book will hold all your special treasures for years to come.  Special occasions……...love notes from your spouse or children…….Christmas or Wedding Memories…..all held together in little pockets.  The beauty of this project is you are not altering your special keepsakes, but merely tucking them into the pockets to hold forever!

Visit Robin’s Blog:  http://thriftymissprissy.typepad.com

And her Etsy shop:  http://thriftymisspriss.etsy.com

Tia Storm's Shadowbox Heart

Tia Storm, aka MizSmoochie, has been blogging "off and on" for about 3 years.  Her interest in art and creativity started as a toddler with music.  Today music still has a major role in her creativity, as it's the beauty of old tattered sheet music, or a haunting melody which acts as her muse. 

In her earlier days of creating, art was her form of saving money by making things instead of buying pre-made.  Today, art is her form of relaxation and soul food from the busy world of mother-hood and life-in-general-hood!

Project description: 

Join me in making a Voodoo Heart Shadow Box to display for Halloween, Valentines, or perhaps year round.  We will be hand sewing a simple heart, papering a shadow box, and finishing it off with sewing pins, a Voodoo definition (or whichever word you would like to use) from a Dictionary, and assembling this to create an amusing, if not disturbing, conversation piece!

Visit Tia's blog: http://domesticunderground.blogspot.com/

Joy Ott's Digital Elements ATCs

My name is Joy Ott (aka “dustypenny” on online).

I have been married to my college sweetheart and best friend Stephen for nearly 15 years.  We are alumni of Indiana University. Dusty and Penny are our two cats.

I work full-time and spend most of my free time crafting. I especially like making greeting cards and recently began sending lots of them to OperationWriteHome.org, whose mission is to support our nation’s armed forces by sending blank greeting cards to write home on.

Lifetime learning is very important to me, and I am always ready to tackle a new project! Most recently I started learning Photoshop Elements and designing my own digital elements.

The project:

In this project I will share several quick digital art tips and tricks, including how to make your own digital papers, extract images, and more!  I will show you how to create several Artist Trading Cards with programs like Photoshop Elements, and using the fabulous 1905 French Dictionary/Encyclopedia images from Green Paper Packages. Here are several samples (class ATCs may vary):

 

Bonus: French Dictionary Mini Kit

I am offering class participants a French Dictionary Mini Kit with digital papers and elements I created from the GreenPaperPackages images. This digital kit is perfect for making vintage style ATCs, cards, collages, scrapbooks, and more! Don’t have Photoshop Element? No problem – you can still still print the papers and elements, cut them out, and add them to your projects!

Visit Joy’s blog:  www.dustypenny.blogspot.com

 

Dawn Edmonson's Paper Clay Snowman and Sweet Nest Baby

My name is Dawn Edmonson. I'm a wife for 28 years to the same wonderful man, mother to five great boys ranging in age from 26 to 11 years old and grandmother to one precious little girl. We have two Devon Rex cats and a crazy little Jack Russell/ Chihuahua mix puppy who will steal your heart.

I love to create one-of-a-kind artwork to sell in my little blog shoppe. I enjoy keeping up with my blog and am amazed at the inspiration I get from other's blogs and sweet comments that are left for me.

I am drawn to all things old, with plenty of character and enjoy using small, antique trinkets in my artwork. Being able to create is truly my bliss.

Project: Sweet Paper Clay Snowman

Who doesn't love a sweet-faced snowman? This tutorial offers complete step-by-step photographed instructions showing you how to make an adorable snowman ornament.

 A list of supplies, hat and pleated collar patterns plus directions how to make him, are all included. Use him as an ornament on your Christmas tree, create a Winter tree with mittens, snowmen etc., or keep him out all year long to enjoy.

Special Additional Project: Fairy Baby Nest

This project includes complete step-by-step photographed instructions showing you how to make your own Nest Baby in a Jar.

The tutorial includes the image, information on where to find supplies plus start-to-finish instructions. These make sweet one-of-a-kind gifts for friends, family or even for yourself ~

Visit Dawn's blog: http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/

Beth Leintz and A Little Box with Gift Tags

Three days a week, I use the left side of my brain as a CPA at a construction firm. 

Weekends are reserved for scouring estate sales and auctions, buying junk and reselling it as antiques at my antique booth, antique shows & on-line. 

In between, I like to use the right side of my brain for collage, crafts & knitting.

Visit Beth's blog:  http://bethleintz.typepad.com/

Project: Little Box with Gift Tags

Are you like me and can’t stand to throw away a mint box because it just seems like it could be so useful?

 

Here’s a quick and easy gift idea for reusing your mint tins. We’ll decorate the box and add some pretty tags to the inside.

 

Karla Nathan's Paper Doll Dresses

The Artist:

I am a multi-media artist/junker/and fairy babysitter.  Before I had a fairy grand baby to stay home and snuggle with, I did watercolors, travelled the country and painted murals in hotels, day care centers and casinos, or filled my van with furniture cast offs to repaint, repair, and market. My interior design work and art creations have been featured in dozens of magazine articles in publications such as Romantic Homes, Better Homes and Garden Paint Decor, Somerset Life, Victorian Decorating, and Romantic Country.

Now, my time is spent working in my home studio with little Sugarwings nearby and my dog, Twinkle at my feet. Anything vintage, soft colored, and pretty grabs my eye and sparks my creativity.  Vintage wallpaper and anything I can make out of it is my latest obsession. These little paper doll dresses are something I just love to make, and hope you will too.
 

  The Project:

We will be making 3 paper doll dresses (one with a seperate apron), from patterns that I draw for you to print.  You will also recieve one doll, also hand drawn. You can stand her up and dress her in the frocks you create, or use the dresses as tags, Christmas ornaments, or to embellish scrap book pages.  The dressed up dolls look pretty cute framed too!

You will also recieve scanned vintage wallpaper, vintage French text, and other ephemera from my collection to print and use for your gowns. 

I will provide step by step instructions with photos of the dress making details, and look forward to playing along with you through this project.

Visit Karla's Website: http://www.karlascottage.com/

Visit Karla's blog: http://karlascottage.typepad.com

To contact Karla: karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Sandy Babb's Autumn Banner

My name is Sandy Babb.  I am a simple southern belle who has a heart for art, the written word, clicking a pic, flea market finds, and cottage style design.  I am a wife, mother, grandmother, artist, and free lance writer. 

I enjoy a variety of art forms from painting and paper arts, to sewing and assemblage.  I am constantly learning, growing, and changing from art form to art form but one thing stays the same, my primary inspiration always remains nature.  I revel in spending time outdoors observing the natural world and my observations are often reflected in my art.  I love rescuing old discards or the odd bit or bob to incorporate into my art pieces.  Often the old and scruffy will mingle with natural materials in a perfect marriage.

I enjoy interacting with others through my blog, Quill Cottage, and will soon be opening a shoppe to sell one-of-a-kind creations as well as art kits, and supplies.  Creating is my greatest joy and sharing that creativity with others is double joy indeed! 

Project Info:

Having just spend eight glorious days in the Great Smoky Mountains reveling in the first tints of Autumn was inspiration aplenty for my original design Autumnal Banner. 

This tutorial will walk you through step-by-step photographed instructions for creating this unique banner to enhance your holiday decor. 

Free images for use in this project are also provided.

email:  srpbabb@hotmail.com

visit Sandy's blog: http://quillcottage.blogspot.com

Tammy Sprinkle's Homage to a Loved One

Hello, my name is Tammy Sprinkle. I have been married for 19 years. We have two nearly grown children. One in college and the other in her senior year of high school. I love to create using various mediums. Art is my passion. Mixed-media is one of my favorites because I love layering, embellishing and using vintage ephemera. One of my favorite things to do is to hunt for treasures, whether it be in an antique shop, a thrift store or at yard and estate sales. Vintage papers, linens and photos make my heart do a little dance.

Project:

We will be creating an "Homage to a Loved One".

I will have free digital downloads of vintage ephemera and photos for you to use in your project.I will have detailed instructions and lots of photos to refer to.

This classes project can be made masculine just by using different color schemes, etc. I will have a masculine version for you to see, as well. In my etsy shop I will be offering kits of ribbons and embellishments, etc. that can be used in your mixed-media piece.

 

My email address is tlsprinkle@yahoo.com

I am an active blogger at http://tammysprinkle.blogspot.com Come visit with me.

I have an etsy shop at www.Design4u.etsy.com