Lea Nickless, watercolor artist who resides here in Saluda
part time, provided an interesting demo using large sheets of
decorative hand made papers.
After creating several large 5x7 foldable books
Lea added to the excitement by telling us that
any size paper will work because it's all about the folding
that makes it happen!

Jen added to the excitement of the evening by
demonstrating a very awesome bead making technique
using strips of batik fabric along with vintage paper bits.
After rolling the pieces together Jen coated each piece with
UTEE and glazed them with Rox to create glass like beads.







Rounding off the evening was Louise Mc Clure, Jewelry
Artist from Saluda who makes amazing things happen
with shrink plastic. Yes, you heard that right, but it
is NOT your mother's "shrinky dinks" any more!
Louise's talent far surpasses anything that you can even
imagine using this fabulous product for jewelry.
Oak leafs, fleur de lis, floral elements and more
add to the range of pieces that Louise can turn
into a breath taking work of art.

We weren't going to the end the weekend on
Friday night so we continued the excitement
into Saturday with mixed media artist Susan Edmonson.
Susan was here to teach her ever popular
canvas pendant workshop
"sticks and stitches".
Yes, a sewing machine was a must but
oh my! What beautiful results
one can achieve while sewing up a hem
or mending a knee patch.
Again, it's "not your grandmothers sewing machine anymore"!
What a marvelous piece of machinery
and what marvelous things we can make!

Below, happy students and a happy teacher
show their appreciation for a
great day of creativity in Saluda.

Susi Cook works on her beading
on the canvas pendant.

Below is Sharon Kolbye's
"almost" complete pendant.
Just a few more beads at the bottom
along with that very special "bird in flight"
and her project will be complete.
I love it! Just look at that
little feather that Sharon added.

From challenging charms to beautiful books

These translucent charms were a hit
in Louise McClures workshop here last week.
I think that it might have had something to
do with pounding the copper wire into
interesting shapes. Next step was to
attach the wire to a very old page of
an old dictionary, trim and fill the center
with amazing glaze or UTEE.
Do a little heat with the toaster oven and
presto, magico, a fascinating hand crafted charm!

Using mica, Utee, photo holders and images,
each person was able to create a menagerie
of beautiful charms.


Next came Jen Salak's
uniquely designed book that utilized
strip paper covers and pages,
sewn signatures, painted edges and spines
and lots of batiks fabrics.

We're in Batik heaven

All those long,luscious strips of beautiful batiks
and nothing to do with them?
Right......
Share them with the world around us and create
our own little batik heaven right here at Random Arts.
That all time favorite woven ribbon served as a great
carrier to attach all these strips of batik, and one
thing led to another and it got longer and longer.
All of sudden we had a banner and then we had
side banners and now we have leaves on the
banner and words on the leaves.

Any other suggestions?
We have more batik!

Back to play...

It's time to get back to "work" for me after my little Costa Rican adventure and that starts with scheduling upcoming classes and events. Let's start with Jen's Eyelet Bound Book on Sat. October 10th. This is full day filled with paper creations, book binding, a little sewing and a lot of FUN! It's only $50. for the entire day of instruction and all the materials are included. Don't miss out as the space is limited. Call or email us to register. 828-749-1165

Time: 10 am till 4pm

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Wed. October 14 - 10 till 4
Louise McClure's Charms Galore
Join Louise for a fun filled day creating
a multitude of unique charms with modern day shrink plastic,
mica, images, UTEE, and more.
You will have the opportunity to view, up close and personal,
some of her finished creations which incorporate her charms.
Each one is sure to inspire you to use your
charms in very special ways.
$50.

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Susan Edmonson's "sticks and stitches"
pendant workshop.
Sat. Oct 24th
Join quilt/mixed media artist, Susan Edmonson
for this unique workshop using canvas, paints,
stitching, beads and... her inspiration.
Your imagination will take you where you want
to go, but Susan will be your guide gently
encouraging you to "fly" with your creativity.
This can be hand stitched or free motioned
with your sewing machine. Either way
it will become one of a kind "wearable art".
10 am till 4pm
$65