To zen doodle or not? That is the question.

From fiber artists & tapestry artists
to scrapbookers & mixed media artists
and book artists....
They all come together to enjoy the lively art
of "zen doodling here at Random Arts
every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
from 10 am till 12 noon.

Savannah tried out her
doodling talent using a 6 x 6
decorative paper as a background,
and caught on really fast.

While Marianne figured out to do
our challenge by going outside the lines.

And, Martine, used a ornamental design
in a rubber stamp to get started on her doodle.

Everyone is welcome to join us and all you have to do
is bring your journal and a black pen. We provide
the lovely, well lit, cozy workspace here
at Random Arts. Oh yes, the creative inspiration
comes from all of us. . . we like to share.

A new approach to dyeing silk

The Eco Printing may not be new to
some of you but when I saw it
just a few weeks ago, I was really
taken back.
It is so organic, but of course it is...
the entire dyeing process is
done with organic
materials from the earth.

Lea Nickless, from Coconut Grove, Fl
and... Saluda
has transformed other beautiful silk
scarves into these stunningly
dyed works of art.
It may be difficult to visualize the
finished piece as a scarf but just imagine
the process the process of adding olive seed pods,
yellow root, walnut hulls, and every other
imaginable living organic flora to the pot
of dyes.

Several of her hand crafted scarves are available here
at Random Arts and they would make
the "perfect" holiday gift.

Not only is Lea accomplished at this type of art,
she is also an acclaimed mixed media artist showing her
work at a number of galleries and shows in the Miami area.

Holiday Cards in a hurry? This is the place!

6 fun loving and creative women joined me 

in our Fast and Easy Holiday Card workshop

yesterday at Random Arts.

For those of you that have been with us

in the past, creating holiday cards

always involved rubber stamps.

This time around we brought out handmade

papers from around the world, some current

adhesives, colorful ribbons and of course

the much needed scissors. 

There didn't seem to be much need

for "supervision or instruction" as 

everyone seemed to be bouncing their

creative energy off of each other to complete

their projects. 

 Margaret, from Saluda, SC, took advantage

of the beautiful blue and gold handmade papers

to complete this simple but elegant card.

A little red accent completes the look.

One of our regulars here at Random Arts, Marilyn,

loves using the earthy tones on her project and this

card is the perfect example of her style.

I took some time in the workshop to explain several techniques including the correct way to tear mulberry paper to get the frayed edges to look natural. 

In addition, the method of using strips of scrap paper from your stash showed everyone how to make use of those and turn them into, what I call, strip cards. It's a fast, easy and fun way to create a card in just minutes. We have assorted papers and cards coordinated in a pack to make it even easier for you at our new shop in Saluda.