we're OPEN

You're invited to our new studio

 this coming Thursday and Friday.

The gate will be "unlocked" and the

door will be open from 11-4.

One of the many new things you will find

here is the newest  book by Lynne Perrella

"Art Making - Obsessions & Collections"

Each page pops with colorful inspiration

showcasing the collections of 35 artists.

A lot of ooooohs and ahhhhhs will

be heard as this book gets into your hands.

Need directions?

Call or email

828-699-2210

Dusty Diablos is here!

Stop by next Thursday, March 25th or Friday, March 25th and pick up your books at the new studio.

From 11 am till 4pm,Jen & I will be here to greet you, show you around and maybe even"play" a little.

We've have been working away to get our space ready to invite you in for

a little sneak peek & we are so excited about sharing this with all of you.
FYI - our phone number is no longer in use, so email is the only way right
now to get in touch with us.


Don't know where we are? Email me for directions.

Michael DeMeng's newest book is now here and we will discount his new book 10%

to all of you who come visit on Thursday or Friday next week.

The back cover of his book says it all...

Bring your artistic yearnings and sense of adventure along a journey to the land of Dusty Diablos.

Inspiration seeps from every page, and inside here you'll find:

a tasty mix of ancient folklore(from the ancient metropolis of Teotihuacan to the miracle witnessed by Juan Diego);

• mixing up Michael's favorite paint washes to achieve "rusty" results

• Crafting your own slithering serpent

• Creating miniature story boxes

• Aging bottle caps with beer and so much more!

While you're here, there is still time to register for Michael DeMeng workshop on May 29th & 30th. As a participant in the workshop, you will be invited to join us for a book signing event in our brand new, outdoor courtyard complete with twinkling lights and festive libations.

2 - 2 TWO GREAT BOOKS with FREE Shipping

Check this out! 

Traci Bunker's  new  book covers every single stamping possibility under the sun!

Who says you have to 

use a "pre made" rubber stamp

to get great results?

How about using foam packing material?

Cardboard?  Pedicure toe spacers?

It is so amazing!

I'm totally excited about her new book

and all the techniques! 

I need to go and try them right now! 

••••• 

 This is new book by Jason Thompson really rocks!!!

Each page, each technique take  recycling

to another level.

Try making an art book

from  tearing the pages out of 

an unused book.

Pages  that can be folded,

torn, rolled and re-used

into simple art structures.

FREE SHIPPING ON EITHER BOOK.

Email me for order & free shipping

W

Variations

Recently, I came across these pics of a beautiful cuff created by Heather. We met Heather at the Inspired Artist retreat in Concord, NC last year and she immediately bought the cuff ribbon and began her journey into these amazing works of art.


When she cut the cuff ribbon to short she went into action and decided that she could do a "loop de loop" and make it even more interesting. Good for you Heather!!!

I love the way her bracelet matches the beads that she is wearing. It really makes a statement.

Hopefully she will be back again this year and we can see what other new projects she has been
working on.

This event is so much fun and it is such high energy.
It's hard to believe that all that positive, creative energy fills that entire Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center and we all soak it all up. It's a crazy fun thing and a
fabulous weekend for all of us.

Even if you are not registered as an attendee you can come to Concord and share some of the fun by shopping with all the vendors and maybe even peeking into a classroom or two.
It's worth the trip!!!

Golden Glass Bead Gel & more

Not sure how this all got started but
several pieces of this project ended up in the same place on one of my workbenches at the studio. Add a little of this, a little of that and you have a little work of art.

Initially, the center piece was something that I did last month as a sample of the Golden Glass Bead Gel for one of the shows that we did. I used one of the newest adhesives from Cavallini. The Glass Bead Gel created a lustrous finish on that focal flower and then I added an inkjet transfer "c r e a t e" and sewed all of it together on another piece of fabric. Glue it all to a piece of cardboard, add a body, leg and ..... more to come. This is the beginning of something, but not sure what, at this point.

Shhh - this is only a clue

What could this be?
Where did it come from?
How did I get this?
Who created this?
Could it be a sample of what's to come?
Could it be a sneak peek of something to come?
This is just a clue.
What do you think this is?

Patti Brady comes to Saluda again!

Mark your calendar for this 2 day workshop in our new studio March 20th & 21st for Patti Brady's 3rd annual teaching extravaganza in Saluda.

What to do with all your Golden Paint & Mediums????
This is your opportunity right here
in Saluda at Random Arts.

In this two day workshop we will work on a small 10" x 10"plexiglass box.
The boxes can hang on the wall or sit upright on a table,
We will play with layering images and acrylic glazes by
working on both sides of the box. The box is just a
departure point for us to explore a range of acrylic gels
and grounds. Included in the options of mark-making:
making acrylic skins, printed skins, dremel tools lines,
stencils, drips, drops, Iridescent and Interference paints and more.

I did a large commission for Whole Foods in Greenville , SC,
consisting of eight large 36' x 36" plexi panels that are
mounted a few inches from the wall. The light bounces
off the walls, and illuminates any translucent areas.
The light also creates shadows,,all of these elements
can be used in your boxes.

All the paint and gels will be provided by
Patti and Golden Artist Colors.

Remember... each one of you will come
away with a great working knowledge of the
Golden Artist Colors, Mediums and techniques
as well as your very own personalized work of art.

This is great opportunity to learn from the "master",
as Patti is the creative director at Golden Paints
and has a wealth of information and experience
that she is more than willing to share.
And it is "NOT INTIMIDATING"
It's pure fun!

This talented teacher comes to us from Greenville, SC
but her former years are far from the west coast girl's beginnings.

Patti is demonstrating several techniques at one of her
workshops here in Saluda. Not a peep out of anyone
until it's all over. What good students we have in Saluda!

Patti's latest book "re-thinking" acrylic has been a huge success
for her and for all of us who delve into the Golden Paint products
to satisfy our need for creativity. This book walks you through
each product with easy to follow, step by step, full color
instructions and plenty of inspiration for branching
out and trying new techniques.
Below is Patti signing books in NYC last year.

Patti Brady is the Working Artist Program Director
for Golden Artist Colors. She has developed
curriculum for acrylic classes for artists
and art educators. Patti currently has trained
and manages 42 national and international artists
for the Golden Working Artist Program in the US.
Canada, Korea, France, Austria, Spain, Mexico
and the Netherlands. 2004 and 2006 she traveled
to Japan for Golden Artist Colors to lecture
at Universities in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

This 2 day workshop is $195 and is payable through Paypal,
checks or cash.

Mail checks to Random Arts Po Box 3 Saluda, NC 28773
randomarts@charter.net

Spring into Saluda with new workshops

Sat. March 27th
Kristi Steiner
Tool Kit for Creativity Workshop
10 am till 4pm

Imagine having a delectable kit

filled with helpful tools just waiting

to aide you in any creative emergency.

That's exactly the mission of this class!

Bumps, hurtles, and artist's blocks are part

of the creative process for us all.

Our goal is to create tools to gently nudge us through these challenging stages.

Our tool kit is an embellished cigar box, complete with paint brush handle. The first tool is an Owner's Manual – a small booklet fashioned from a metal label file folder. Here we note: everything necessary for authentic creativity is “All Inside!” A variety of dyes, daubers, gesso and paint techniques for textural backgrounds is demonstrated. A clear gesso transfer method is explained.

Next is a series of Permission Slip Bundles reminding us to play, to mess-up, and to experiment. Discover the possibilities of combining fabric with paper as you learn to use fusible web.

An altered match box houses Inspiration Seeds for times when ideas falter. And lastly we remind ourselves to Handle Gently the flowering of any new venture. Not only is our Tool Kit a visual treat, it is filled with helpful “power tools” for YOUR creativity!

Wondering what's next.....

Some shows are good,

Some shows are great,

Some shows are so-so,

Some shows are fabulous,

Some shows are really bad,

Some shows require more work than others,

Some shows are filled with great energy,

Some shows instill emotion,

Some shows take my breath away,

And some shows make you think twice.

Like, wouldn't a Mixed Media Art Show

go really well in Saluda? Hendersonville?

Charlotte?

Can you picture "us" coordinating

a show that 

all us would love?

Tease, tease, tease.....

With that said,

we are now preparing for a show that we 

love dearly - Artiscape in  Columbus, Ohio.

 Great workshops!

Great Vendors!

Great Events!

Great, Great Coordinator - Lisa Ohmer

of 

European Papers.

Both Louise Mc Clure and I  are looking forward to our

next road trip to Ohio.

Hopefully we will see many of you again

that we met last year and some of you we

know from your trips to Saluda.

Look what's new!

Here is just a sampling of some
of the books that we feel
are a necessary part of your creative library

Even though our friends, Linda & Opie
won't be joining us this spring to teach,
we had to include their newest book
"who's your dada"

Snow and Ice in Saluda

Landlords can help downtown

I read this letter to the editor this morning in the Times News in Hendersonville
and felt that it encourages all of us to  support small businesses.


Published: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 4:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, February 1, 2010 at 6:16 p.m.
To The Editor: I agree wholeheartedly with the writer (Jan. 18) who suggested landlords consider lowering rents on Main Street.

Recently I learned that many Main Street landlords do not maintain their buildings, holding tenants responsible for repair and replacement of frozen pipes, leaking roofs and other structural problems. Besides lowering rents, perhaps landlords could maintain their real estate.
Main Street merchants must be admired for braving the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. These valiant survivors deserve an award. Better than that, they deserve our support.

The merchants make our downtown what it is. For the most part their merchandise is not the homogenized goods found in malls and big-box stores. Plus they offer an enticing plus: good old-fashioned, friendly service rarely found elsewhere.
People squawk about parking. When downtown Hendersonville hosts an event or a parade, head to town early. Other days, parking's a cinch.
And we've heard the fallacy about higher prices for merchandise in Main Street shops. Can we make this comparison when much of what's offered on Main Street cannot be found elsewhere (locally)? Treasures abound on Main!
Let's keep our local economy alive. If you aren't doing so already, you don't know what you're missing.
Terry Ruscin
Hendersonville

Winter continues

We are making ourselves at home here in the
lobby at the Hampton Inn.
Left to right
Susanne (my daughter), Tammy (owner of Obsession Beads)
Louise McClure owner of Sabi Jewelry, Paula Woods (Button Expert), Barbara (Tammy's Mom)

Hampton Inn in Statesville, NC

Our home away from home for 4 days during

after and in between the show days.

My car sat like this for 3 days without moving.

Doesnt look like much snow but I-77 was

stopped in both directions.

My booth looked so good and best of all, it looked

"great" to 1000+ visitors. They loved every bit of it too.

Ribbons? Best seller, esp the fleur de Lis

and the button ribbon.

Louise McClure sure knows how to create a eye popping display in her booth.
She layered sheers and twinkling lights to attract happy shoppers. Each display
was thoughtfully created imaging her attention to detail. B e a u t i f u l !!!!

All that anticipation....

 Here's Louise jammin' in the last

and final bit of goodies into my matrix,

So, here I am, all set up in Statesville

Beautiful historic downtown Statesville,

across from the ABC store 

and the "Roman Ruins". Don't Ask!

Louise's Booth Rocked. You will have to check

out her brand new Blog....

 When all is said and done, here we are stranded in

the Hampton Inn in Statesville. 

And we have all the staples that we need

here, including the manager Chuck Vowels,

the

greatest manager in the world

There's my car, snow covered, slick and hazardous.

Here's a sneak peek with a Bonus!

New ribbons are arriving daily as we stock
up for our shows in
Statesville January 29th & 30th

&

Columbia February 13th & 14th

Bubble Dots in Soft Sky Blue & Parrot Green...
Stripes in Tangerine Orange & Key Lime Pie
Leaf Ribbons in Soft Olive Torte & Bright Spring Green
Rich Sienna Brown Button Ribbon
and much, much more.

Check this out!
A FREE inspiration Postcard!

Ask for your 20% off postcard/coupon at the door in Statesville
and SAVE BIG TIME!!!
•••••
Limited supply each day, so hurry in for your savings!

Batik strips in action

The Random Arts Batik Strips
come in all shapes, sizes and extra delicious colors
and are right for every single creative project you
want to do.
Just look at what Nancy did with hers!

Here's my batik strip book
woven in both directions
sewn and then embellished with
a quick and easy photo transfer.

Here's a great little cuff
made with the batiks and recycled silk ribbons.
Sally Casper created her woven book
using a multitude of fabric strips
and embellishments.