Getting ready for Blowing Rock

Imagine 60 creative women all gathered together in
a very special place in the mountains of
western north carolina.
Each one of us, bringing our own creative soul
to Kristi Steiner and Susan Edmonson's
Believe in Yourself Retreat

This is our 3rd year to do this retreat as a vendor
selling our "assorted goods for creative mindfulness".
Each of these women bring something new and exciting
to the retreat whether it be an interesting new
technique for dying fabric, or inspiring each of
us to tap into and own our creative spirit
and to take that journey with everyone there.

My journey starts with preparing months in
advance for setting up our booth.
These pics tell a behind the scenes story
as to what goes on way before the show starts.

It's Here!!!

Kelly Rae Roberts' new book "Taking Flight" is here!
We are so excited and before you know it - they will all
be sold and gone!
This book is everything that I expected it to be
including all the full color photos of all
her work and pages & pages
of step by step techniques.

I think, that I have had more inspiration from the feature
articles that she done for Cloth Paper Scissors
than any other artist ever.

I just love her innocent faces & the fanciful wings.
Contributing artists include
Judy Wise, Stephanie Lee and others.

She includes thought-provoking prompts and quotes-
along with encouraging stories, insights, & gentle
guidance for finding your bliss, whatever
your art or craft.
Available now at Random Arts

Golden Paints in Saluda

Wow, what a weekend with Patti Brady! She is so amazing, so talented, so calm, so creative and ya da ya da ya da..... I could go on and on. So, now that she has taught us how to do "exactly" what she does with Golden Paints and Digital Grounds, we will be equally as talented.... or not.
2 full complete fun filled intensive days with Patti was only the start, as all of us now want to continue on this journey of making skins and slipping them through our printers.
Here we go.

First try and we have a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone listened really well,most of the time,
and watched intently as Patti demonstrated
several techniques using almost every possible
Golden medium out there.

One of our "lessons" was to do a color wheel
with 3 of the primary colors of Golden Paints
that Patti placed on our table. Vivian had fun
with a series of modern translucents on
a paper plate. She loved those colors with
micaceous iron oxide... (me too)

Patti looks somewhat happy to know
that the book that she has written is
complete and sent to publishing. It's due
out in December... and we are planning
a book signing of sorts for her at that time
so we will keep you posted of date and time.

Again, a multitude of techniques were demonstrated
by Patti and then of course, we got to play!

It's here!

I have wanted to own Anna Maria Horner fabrics for some time now but with all that goes on in my daily life, it became "back burner" to other things.
Alas, it took the serendipitous arrival into my shop of a lovely mother and daughter team who own a fabric store in Columbus, Ohio. As they browsed the selection of ribbons and other assorted goods here, we finally arrived at a harmonious conclusion: they sell the fabric at their store and I wanted it. They eagerly agreed to package up a beautiful collection of Anna Maria Horner's beautiful fabric and send it on to me once they got back to Ohio. So today is the day that my sweet little package was delivered...

If you have an
extreme desire for these juicy fabrics, like I do,
go to their blog to see other yummy items
such as fabrics designed by Heather Bailey,
Micheal Miller (both of those... ones that I really love)
Heather was demonstrating her famous hair ties
and yo yo's at the Donna Downey Inspired Artist
Retreat last year in Concord, NC. and that's
when I fell in love with those bright, clean colors
that she designs in her fabrics.
Not only does Sew to Speak have a talent for choosing these
awesome fabrics but sharing them on their blog
with their amazing photos is even better if you can't
get there in person. I know for sure that I could
spend a lot of extra cash just by going to their blog.
Check out their patterns and classes as well and
when you are in Columbus, Ohio be sure to stop
in and see this lovely treasure. It's right in the middle
of trendy High Street (Short North)where my daughter and I had a great lunch
back in July,at The Northstar Cafe.
Unfortunately for me, I wasn't aware of Sew to Speak
at the time or I would have stopped for sure.
Sew, what am I going to do with this fab fabric?
Right now I am going to look at it, touch it
and appreciate the beauty of it. Someday it
will inspire me on a new project. . . until then...

Taking Flight

COMING SOON

In Taking Flight, you’ll find overflowing inspiration—complete with a kindred spirit in author and mixed-media artist Kelly Rae Roberts. Join her on a fearless journey into the heart of creativity as you test your wings and learn to find the sacred in the ordinary, honor your memories, speak your truth and wrap yourself in the arms of community.

Along the way you’ll be inspired by:

• Step-by-step techniques—learn the most-loved mixed-media methods of the author and seven talented contributing artists, and combine them in fresh and unexpected ways.
• Thought-provoking prompts and quotes—along with encouraging stories, insights and gentle guidance for finding your bliss, whatever your art or craft.
• Plenty of eye candy—pages and pages of the author’s endearing artwork, along with the varied works of the contributors.

Polymer Clay Artists Wanted?

Anyone need a pasta machine
with a motor for polymer clay?
It's only $30. but you have to
come pick it up or pay the postage.
I would be happy to box it up
and mail it.
it works, and the motor is the bonus.
plug it in, turn it on and presto
your clay is in perfect form.
First come first serve.

Believe in Yourself Retreat

Believe in yourself Retreat. . . coming up in less than 3 weeks. . .

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at the Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock, NC

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We're on the road again!

Come see us at the Green Park Inn
in Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Sept 4th & 5th
Kristi Steiner & Susan Edmonson
present their 3rd annual
"Believe in Yourself Retreat"
nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

We are making it easier for you to
shop with us as we hit the road again.
We will be here daily from 9am till 7pm.
You are welcome to come visit
while the show is going on.
Meet Kristi & Susan, see their
amazing project for this year's retreat
and get a big dose of creative inspiration.

Just a few pics of the "assorted goods for creative mindfulness"
that we will bringing to Blowing Rock
Sept 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.

Reminder...

Don't miss out!
Last chance to register!
The Digital Image and Everything Acrylic
Sat. Aug 23rd and Sun. Aug 24th

with Patti Brady
Golden Paints Art Director
Sponsored by Random Arts
Saluda, NC
Space is still available for this 2 day workshop

In this two day workshop we will explore a multitude of surfaces created
with gels and grounds. Patti will cover new digital grounds that allow you to
print images on a multitude of flat surfaces: non-porous papers, acetate,
acrylic skins, even aluminum foil. We will cover some of the technical
challenges of working with inkjet printers and explore ideas for
incorporating these images with gels, in a textured collage. Explore
inventive combinations of images and acrylic gels in unique and surprising
applications. This workshop will be all about "ideas" not necessarily
creating an end project.
Cost includes 2 days of instruction, catered lunch and morning coffee & pastries
$195.
Supply list provided at time of registration.
Registration can be completed by phone 828-749-1165
email: randomarts@charter.net
paypal: randomarts@charter.net

Look what's NEW!

Making Connections, by Susan Lenart Kazmer
includes nine different chapters using appropriate cold joins used for connecting metal and mixed media. Beyond the traditional rivet, this book includes chapters featuring fiber related attachments such as stitching, weaving and crochet, as well as chapters on trapeze attachments for objects that require swing and movement. Prominent artist contributors include Robert Ebendorf, Eric Silva, Boris Bally and Arlene Fisch, to name a few.
Limited supply - Call or email and save 10% and get FREE shipping!

Copic "Spica" Glitter Pen Set

Water Based Pigment Ink

Acid-Free

Non-Toxic

Archival

Micro Glass Flakes for Maximum Sparkle

Twice the writing length of other pens, 360 yds.

Perfect for Card Making, Scrapbooks and Doodling

Transparent Ink, Great for Color and Bling Overlays

13 Colors - Black, Clear, Silver, Gold, Lemon, Orange, Pink, Red, Lavender, Sky Blue, Turquoise, Olive, Melon

Quilting Arts Magazine^® hosted its eighth annual calendar contest in the spring of 2008, with the theme of “Celebrating Home.”

Readers were challenged to show us in stitch, fabric, and embellishment how they celebrate “home,” whatever home might mean to them. A stunning array of entries from more than 200 artists, each with a unique perspective on the theme were received by Quilting Arts Magazine. There are 13 winning quilts that you will enjoy viewing in your own home, month after month.
Available now here at Random Arts

Pastel set includes 15 colors, two shades per color for a total
of 30 fabulous choices. Also included are a medium and
large cotton ball for each color as well as one alligator clip.
Packed in a tin storage container.
Great for shrink plastic jewelry.
Recommended and used by jewelry artist & author
Louise McClure
Available now at Random Arts

Folded Books

Marsha Dupris stopped by recently to
share some of the book projects that
she completed at Arrowmont.
Marsha is an avid bookbinder and
a lover of origami, so blending the
2 in this week long class from
Joan Micheals Paque was a
dream come true.