Spool Valentines Art Party

take a vintage wooden thread spool...

        



















add a strip of patterned paper...a button or two...or maybe a bit of ribbon or twine...
              write your own secret message, rolled around the spool...

                     and you have a spool valentine.

Join me at this February Art Party where I'll show you how to make these tiny treasures...I'll supply everything from the old spools to a plethora of paper, buttons and ribbons...along with a dose of creative camaraderie and light refreshments...You don't have to bring anything but enthusiasm...

Registration is limited; the workshop will take place at my home in Everett.  Once you have paid your registration, I'll send out a confirmation email with all the details.

Spool Valentines
Saturday, February 6, 2016
1 - 4 pm
Everett, WA

$45 registration fee

Any questions? - feel free to email me at amy_duncan@yahoo.com
Don't delay...registration is limited...hope to see you in February!

Tin Can Treasures

I know...its been a while...needless to say, a lot has been happening here...but I'm trying to get back on track...with creating, with inspiring, with blogging...

And so...I've scheduled a fun Art Party...at my studio here in Everett...perfect for upcoming holiday celebrations...I know...the holidays are coming on way too quickly...but denying it won't make it go away...so whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Winter Solstice or just a day where the sun shines brightly, I'll show you some creative ways to package up whatever treats, surprises, souvenirs or trinkets you may be giving.

You'll use vintage wallpaper, washi tape, old postage stamps, ephemera bits and well-loved hardware to turn ordinary tin cans into decorative containers...plus we'll be making pretty packing shred from discarded books and fabric ribbon from textile remnants...we might even create a tag or two...

The workshop will be held on Saturday, November 7 from 1-4 pm - exact details and directions will be sent to you with your registration confirmation.

SOLD OUT!
if you want to be put on a waiting list, email me at amy_duncan@yahoo.com

Portland...here we come!

In less than one month, I'll be in Portland...hosting ArtPartyPortland and having an inspiring wild time with 14 other creatives...

And though this event is sold out, there's still an opportunity to get in on a part of the fun...












As part of ArtPartyPortland, we are spending Friday at Junk Bonanza...one of the country's premier vintage/antique/artisan shows is coming to Portland for its inaugural launch in the Pacific Northwest.

I can't wait...as you likely know, I love Junk...in all its forms...and it doesn't even have to be something I buy (though I'm sure there will be some money exchanged!) but the eye-candy...the inspiring vignettes...the overflow of creative ideas...the plethora of photo opps...I'm sure I will be on junk overload!

But wait...you could join us at the show...Junk Bonanza is sponsoring two free General Admission tickets that I'm giving away here on the blog...good for any day of the show (October 9-11)   And if you decide to visit the show on Friday morning, October 9 (when I will be there with my Art Party group), I'll be happy to meet up with you...and give you a big junker's hug...and an autographed copy of the Oct/Nov issue of Cottages & Bungalows magazine that features my junk-inspired home.

OK - ready...here's the deal...

1. Visit Junk Bonanza's Facebook page and like it.

2. Leave me a comment letting me know that you want in on the drawing - remember to either have your email active on your blogger profile or leave your email in your comment so I have a way to contact you if you are the winner. 

3. Want to enter more than once?  Follow both Junk Bonanza and me, four corners design on Instagram...let me know on an IG post that you're a new follower...

4. The winner will be announced here on the blog on September 16...so you have until midnight on September 15 to get in on this junking fun.

Its going to be a grand adventure...I hope to see you at the show!

September 16 follow-up...
Congrats Mindy!  You are the winner of the two Junk Bonanza tickets - Enjoy!

Just one thing

A recent lesson in bestill52, my online creative class with kim klassen, was to take one thing and see how many different ways you could photograph it.  At first, nothing came to mind to really motivate me to do a series...

but this past weekend...as I was cleaning up the garden bouquet that was now withered and dying, this one tulip caught my eye...and persuaded me to play...

Different settings, changing light, varied filters and editing...it was a good exercise in seeing how a mood or a feeling could change with the slightest adjustments...

and while we're talking about one more thing...
Early Bird registration for Art Party Portland ends May 1
for details, information and registration, click here

joining the group over at kim klassen's for texture tuesday...
used kk textures enlightened and monday in my editing work of the tulips...

Art Party Portland - Registration now open!

A weekend to hang out with other creatives...in a cool, hip town...with plenty of opportunities to make wild art, scrumptious meals and new friends...what more could you ask for?

The idea of this weekend germinated back in January...and since then has blossomed into a full-fledged event...Beth Huffaker, aka shutterhuf, has agreed to co-host with me and we have been cooking up plans...
Early bird registration is now open...so read on to get all the details...

Art Party Portland - Thursday, October 8 to Sunday, October 11, 2015

First the location - Portland, Oregon - a fun, funky city with plenty of creative vibe. We'll be staying in a grand Craftsman bungalow in North Portland.  It will be a communal atmosphere - as in, we'll be sharing bedrooms and bathrooms but there's plenty of space inside and out for togetherness as well as moments of quiet.  There's plenty of coffeeshops, restaurants and boutiques within walking distance and with Portland's great mass transit system, its easy to get downtown or other areas of town if you want to go exploring. 

Here's a breakdown of the weekend...though it remains flexible to incorporate what ever creative adventures you want to include...

Thursday, October 8

           Arrive anytime to the grand old house we are renting for the weekend in North Portland...the airport is also on the north side of town so it should be easy to shuttle over to the house.  Our first gathering will be dinner Thursday night at the house where everyone will meet.

Friday, October 9

            There are no shortage of activities for a creative spirit in Portland – you are free and welcome to explore whatever you desire.

            But – we will also be hosting a number of workshops (morning and afternoon sessions) that you can choose from...

            Beth will be teaching an art image transfer workshop and an iphone photography session...

            I’ll be teaching a session on altered metal tins and a session on constructing corrugated cardboard journals.

            Other ideas floating about...creative writing, junk mail collage, cooking/baking (how about some handmade chocolate truffles?), a visit to a local artisan who actually is making a living being an artist...

Is there a talent you want to share with the group? Or is there a skill/idea/process you’d like to know more about? We'd love to hear your thoughts to make it your weekend - let us know!

There will be light eating options for breakfast and lunch on this day; we’ll have a large group dinner again this night...maybe some specialty cooking?  wine tasting?

And after dinner...Idea Exchange: social media is all the rage...how can you utilize it to your best advantage...

Saturday, October 10

            Junk Bonanza is in town this weekend...one of the largest vintage markets in the country is being held in Portland for the first time...Beth and I are pumped to go and happy to take along whoever else is game...The admission to this event is on your own...tickets are $10; additional details on the show at junkbonanza.com

            If junk is not your thing...there’s Powell’s Bookstore (an entire city block of literary coolness) the Saturday Farmer’s Market (produce, food, art and tons of fun), Washington Park (great hiking trails and nature photo opps)

             Janet Brown of Janet Brown Studios will be teaching a session on Indigo Dyeing.

             Wendy Lee Lynds will teach a session on creative art journaling. 

Group dinner again this night...maybe another Idea Exchange on how to keep the art mojo going when life interferes...

Sunday, October 11

            Winding down...we’ll have breakfast together and then pack up and head for home...with a suitcase filled with memories and creative spark...

As I mentioned earlier, it’s a big rambling house that's the hub for the weekend...its not fancy or elaborate...very down home...clean and tidy...but funky décor.  Its going to be a group experience...there are no private bedrooms and 4 shared bathrooms.  There’s a combination of twin, double and queen beds – even a couple of bunk beds...one bedroom has 6 beds in it, some have only two...think of it as urban camping...and probably best to maybe bring earplugs along...you know we all snore now...but keep in mind that this communal setting is what is keeping this adventure affordable...

If you think that you would like more privacy or a different setting, there are plenty of hotel options in town...and there is a registration fee for those who are staying somewhere else and are participating during the day.

Are you ready to join us...and be a part of this collective of creative spirits?

Early Bird Registraion is now open until May 1 or sooner if event fills. After May 1, the registration fee will be $400.

         $375 includes

* shared lodging at the house for three nights

* group dinners on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights, light breakfast and lunch for Fri and Sat, 

group breakfast on Sun

* all workshop supplies for whatever sessions you take

* plenty of other surprises and sparks

Here is the PayPal link for Early Bird Registration

Activity only Registration – opens now until September 30

$275 includes

 * staying each night elsewhere but participating in all activities and meals 

 at the house Thurs - Sunday as described above

 * all workshop supplies for whatever sessions you take

 * plenty of other surprises and sparks

  Here is the PayPal link for Event Activity Registration

      

Cancellation Policy - 50% refund up until September 1, 2015, after that time, no refunds given.

Additional details about the exact location of the North Portland house as well as more information on schedule, activities, and creative sparks will be provided to registrants upon payment.  You will be asked for a mail address when you complete your PayPal transaction so we can send a confirmation packet to you.

Have any questions, comments or concerns - feel free to email or call/text me 

amy_duncan@yahoo.com

425-239-6132

or my partner in creativity, Beth Huffaker at bhuffak@gmail.com

It's going to be quite a creative party...Beth and I hope you will be joining us!

Taking the Art Party on the road

I've been giving some thought about the connections I have made with others through art...whether it’s from the online classes I have taken, the comments left on blogs or postings, or the shared love of a style or look...

Ideas have been swirling in my head...possibilities ignite...

the chance to connect with names and avatars you've only seen online

an opportunity to share artistic talents

the experience of exploring the sights and sounds of a hip urban environment

a time to reflect on personal hopes and dreams

a cultivation of the creative spirit

I have been hosting local art parties for two years now...and they have become an elixir for not only the participants, but for me as well...

So...what if there was a place to get together...in the flesh...meet one another, create some art, explore a city, cook fabulous food, drink a little wine, feed our souls...would you want to be a part of this?

I’m willing to head up such an experience...in Portland, OR...the city renowned for funky art, fantastic book stores, superb coffee and free spirit individuality.  I've scoped out a location, a time frame and a loose plan...

but I’m interested in knowing if anyone else is so inclined...

Here’s what I’m thinking...it’s a flexible idea at this time...input is welcome!

Time frame:  Thursday thru Sunday...looking at October 8-11...Junk Bonanza (one of the biggest vintage/flea markets) is coming to Portland that weekend...I love to junk...thought it would be fun to do with other junk-minded creatives...

Location:  I found a house for rent in North Portland – 15 beds available...understand, this is not the Ritz...its big, its funky, its shared rooms and shared bathrooms...located in a neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops, coffee houses.  There will be space to enjoy time together as well as time alone.  If you want to be part of the activities during the day but desire more private accommodations at night, there are plenty of hotels in town.  My thought would be to have a two tier cost – one for people staying at the house and one for people staying in other locations.

Schedule:  It will be up to individuals what they want to do...but I see there being some activities set up and you can join as you like...some ideas - multi-media collage, photography, art journaling, cooking, bread baking, wine tasting...

Cost:  I've worked up a very rough budget...but thinking it should definitely be under $400 per person for those who stay at the rental house...this would include 3 nights lodging, light breakfast and lunch, 3 group dinners and basic supplies...hoping to whittle this down more as details progress.  Haven’t yet figured out cost for people staying other places...

This cost does not include how you get to Portland, if you decide to rent a car, or other personal incidentals. 

Have I piqued your interest?  Let me know...I’m starting a list...send a quick email to me at amy_duncan@yahoo.com... that way I will have your contact info...tell me what you think...
and I’ll keep you in the loop as plans progress, details firm up and registration opens...

Art Parties for Fall 2014

I invite you to join me at an Art Party this fall...the new schedule is posted and there's plenty of creative inspiration...here's the details...

What is an Art Party?  

Its a creative opportunity to join with like-minded souls...to be inspired to cut, twist, paste, design, laugh, kvetch, paint, eat & drink, relax...while constructing a one of a kind project...with no worry of what supplies to bring nor any concern about clean-up...

Each art party will feature a different creative project as described below and will be held at my workshop art studio in Everett, WA. Seats are limited so early registration is encouraged.

Registered attendees will receive additional workshop information and directions to my studio with the email supplied by attendee via PayPal purchase. 

Credit card payments accepted and all payments are made through PayPal. Registration sales are final and non-refundable; however a registration may be transferable.




Have a question or special request?  Want your own private art party?  With a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8, you and your friends can celebrate a birthday, enjoy a girl's day out or just have a ton of creative fun!  Feel free to email me at amy_duncan@yahoo.com



FALL 2014 WORKSHOPS

Rendezvous with Resin
Been curious about working with epoxy resin but a little hesitant to give it a try? Come and join the group while constructing mini 3-D collages, captured forever in a layer of resin.  We'll use bottle caps, jar lids, tart tins and tin can tops to make ornaments, magnets and decorative pins...adding in buttons, postage stamps, clock gears, ribbons...
the options are limitless...  

Date: Saturday September 20
Time: 1-4 pm
Workshop Fee: $45

Corrugated Cardboard Journals
Using the common material of corrugated cardboard, you'll create a one of a kind journal.  Peeling apart the layers of the cardboard or carving out an inset design will lend a textured effect to the personal story you tell within its pages. Collage designs crafted from magazine ads and junk mail will inspire you to see the potential in any sort of leftover paper scrap and set you loose on a whirlwind recycled tizzy!

Date: Saturday September 27
Time: 1-4 pm
Workshop Fee: $40

Altered Tins
Metal madness reigns in this workshop!  Starting with a simple tin box, you'll fashion your own miniature shrine or create a special memento for a friend. We'll cover transfer tape techniques that can be used to layer images for a collage effect.  There will be plenty of vintage photos so you can embellish your own "instant relatives" as part of your design...add a wire hanger and it can even be a holiday ornament...

Date: Sunday October 19
Time: 1-4 pm
Workshop Fee: $45

lessons learned

This past weekend was the Fresh Paint Art Festival...

edited with kk texture awaken - soft light 60%

there was the threat of rain...its been dry all summer and of course had to rain the week of the show...but the clouds broke after the morning fog and the weather was great...being held at the Everett Marina, a beautiful day on the water...enjoying art...what could be better!

I want to thank everyone who stopped by my booth...
old friends, 
new acquaintances, 
a couple of cute dogs, 
several curious children...
it was all great...


























What sets Fresh Paint apart from other art shows is that the artist demonstrates their craft in their booth...I spent the weekend showing how the simplest of materials combined with an easy technique can create art...I wanted to impart the lesson that expensive supplies or an involved process is not necessary for inspiring images...all I used was a glue stick, a pair of scissors, a straight edge and a 8"x10" piece of mat board...my examples...

I call this my David Hockney inspired collage...magazine ads and a photo from the local electric company bill

the Friday NYTimes Art & Entertainment section, the outside envelope of an Audubon Society solicitation, 
magazine travel photo, magazine ad

the inside of four different envelopes from bills received in the mail, picture from a food magazine, 
wrapping from a Trader Joe's salami roll, image from an old postcard, more NYTimes copy

and finally the crowd favorite...more NYTimes (glad we renewed our subscription!), wine bottle labels 
and the cat from the cover of the Sunday paper insert, Parade Magazine, from a couple of weeks ago

The response from most people was laughter...and agreement that art is approachable...but more than one person responded that this would be a great activity for kids (which it would be - but why limit yourself) and that they wouldn't attempt it because  they aren't creative (everyone is...you just need a nudge)  At which time I would tell them about the art parties I hold...which are about fun, play, chocolate and art...all for adults...

But I had neglected to prepare the fall calendar to hand out at the show...and to let everyone know what's happening at the workshop studio this fall...

My lesson learned - be prepared!  
Working on the schedule this week...I promise to post the art party info before the end of the month...

And I'm hooking up with the group over at  kim  klassen's Texture Tuesday...
now there's some great art worth looking at...

humble beginnings

these vintage sign letters spell out the agenda for the party...

Last Sunday I felt like playing...so I put the call out to my friends for an impromptu Art Party...three of us got together...and though the group was small, the creative vibes were large...

I had been itching to try a technique that I saw on the Stampington.com blog...making recycled journals from corrugated cardboard and package mailing tape...I had plenty of cardboard and just so happened to have a roll of the suggested tape...so I was set...click HERE for the link to the complete instructions...



Once my journal was assembled, the embellishment could begin...lately I've become enamored of using magazines and junk mail for my collages...influenced by the fabulous junk mail collages posted daily by Jacki Long...incredible creations...



I decided to make my journal an ode to art girlz...
those of us who create whenever/whatever/wherever the mood strikes...

With peeling back the layers of the corrugated cardboard, a depth of texture is revealed...

I'll be working on finishing up this journal...as well as adding to my trip journal...at my booth at the Fresh Paint Art Festival.  Part of this cool show is that each artist demonstrates some aspect of their art in their booth...I'll be showing how you can create with the most meager of materials...stop by, say hi, get inspired...I'll be in booth 21...get all the details on the show HERE...

And these paper images...perfect fodder for jumping off point of a digital collage...check out what I create with this...I'll be posting on my Instagram feed...having too much fun on IG...so visual, so instantaneous, so creative...my user name is four corners design...follow me and I'll follow you back...