I really, really want to question the term VERY EASY! I think they mean that the instructions are VERY EASY to read, not VERY EASY to make! LOL

Anyway, here is a picture of the progress so far. I have learned it is not EASY to fit a backless bodice garment. I re-did the seams a half dozen times to get rid of that nasty underarm material gap.

Next is to add snaps and hooks for a concealed closing. (I have veered from the pattern which has buttons down the entire front of the dress. That is so NOT very easy!) Also, the hemming, another challenge for the sewing impaired.

As Tim Gunn would say: “Make it work!” And so I will. LOL

above: “Very Easy Vogue” dress in progress

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Going to R & F Paints in Kingston, NY and taking the one day encaustic painting workshop has been on my ‘to do’ list for awhile. I finally made it and will definitely be going back for more. Encaustic paints are pigments that are contained in a mixture of beeswax and resin. The colors of the pigments are pungent and powerful.

above: inside the factory is the pigment room

First we had a tour of the factory. All the products are made and shipped right there. It’s a beautifully restored factory building with lots of care and concern put into their products.
After the tour, there was an hour demo, showing us the basics to get started.

above: workshop where classes are held

Each person had his or her own workstation, complete with an individual ventilation system. The next 2 hours was dedicated to playing with all the materials. A little overwhelming to choose from the color palette, but once you get started, its all so seductive. You have to work on a firm surface; I used their 8″ x 10″ pieces of thick plywood.

If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend the experience!

above: playing with encaustic paint, oil sticks, and gold leaf

above: playing with colors, wax medium,and foil

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Today I am talking with Thomas Mann. Mr. Mann has been an active participant in the contemporary American craft movement for the past thirty years as an artist, gallery owner and lecturer. His gallery is well known in New Orleans, and his jewelry is well known worldwide. Thomas and I spend time talking about where the business of craft is headed, and what new ideas are on the horizon. Thanks Thomas, for sharing your insight.

“I have a mission as a human being, to manifest the un-manifested, for those who can not manifest for themselves.” ~Thomas Mann

Today’s musical guest is Laura Marie singing In Code, and the featured book is Bead One, Pray Too, by Kimberly Winston.

above: Thomas Mann Gallery in New Orleans

above: inside Thomas Mann Gallery

above: Thomas Mann Website

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Right now it’s all about interesting flower containers. This one is very sweet. A little basket with hearts and a handle. It’s silver plate, but that works just fine, and keeps the price down to $3.

Inside some daffodils I planted last fall, that have put on a spectacular spring show.

above: silver plated basket-like container

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Remember Home Ec.? I had to sew my own choir robe in class under the supervision of Miss Drouet. It did not go well. I managed to sew one of the sleeves into the neck opening, which meant I would have to perform while holding the body position of the letter ‘L’ like a confused ‘Village People.’ Oh well.

I’m giving it another try. My girlfriend, who can sew like a fiend, is helping me. So far we have cut out the pieces, and I have ’serged’ all the edges. (i did have a little accident and had to re-cut one piece, geez…)

Next, I start putting the pieces together. Lucky for me I picked a pattern without sleeves!

I’ll let you know how it comes out! Miss Drouet, this one’s for you!

above: on your mark, get set, SEW!

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I LOVE a good workshop. I love to give them, I love taking them. This is the time of year for new growth. Here are 2 ways to stretch your creative beings.

Victoria Hughes teaching Hinged Mixed Media Pendants
On Monday May 19 and Tuesday May 20, 2008

Robert Dancik teaching Fold Forming
On Thursday May 22 & Friday May 23, 2008

I truly adore both of the instructors and love being around their ‘genius’ selves.

I’m lucky to have had Robert and Victoria as guests on CRAFTCAST.

Northern NJ Polymer Clay Guild member, Lisa Fried-Kornbluth, is hosting both workshops in her carriage house studio in Englewood NJ. For more information Email Lisa

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Lot’s of talk about ‘finding our purpose’. Oprah and Eckart are boldly carving a new path, an alternative way of understanding, if you’re ready. After listening to them the other night, I was thinking back to my childhood and remembering what was important to my self-expression. No big surprise, I was a girl scout, and passionate about all there was to learn. I remember having a sash full of badges. I knew I had that sash saved somewhere and I let out a big yipee when I found it. I figured the badges would reflect the activities that were most paramount in my life.

Sewn on the sash, in the number one spot, was the ‘Communication Badge’. The purpose behind the badge was to make “pen pal” friends. There was a service that coordinated the exchange of addresses with girl scouts and girl guides around the world. I remember how excited I was to receive airmail letters from my new friends in England and Australia. We wrote lengthy letters on tissue paper thin airmail stationary, sharing with each other creative ideas and dreams. I loved receiving the envelopes covered in stamps that reflected the contents origination, and sharing pictures of birds and flowers that were native to our individual homes.

I admit to getting choked up when I looked at the badge and saw it was designed using a letter with wings, much like todays email logos, I guess a projection of things to come.
So there it was, my purpose, clearly defined in a one inch multi-colored embroidered circle I wore proudly on my chest many moons ago.

above: The Communication Badge

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Today I talk with polymer clay ‘explorer’ Dan Cormier. So much fun talking with Dan about how he approaches his creative journey. I laughed a lot, learned a lot and enjoyed every word!

“ I want to give my students the tools to go forward in their work…I’m providing them with an alphabet to write their own poetry with…” Dan Cormier

Music today by Waz, with a selection from their new album
“The Sweet Bye and Bye”
Today’s featured book “Beyond Beading” by Ericka Knight.

above: “White Beads” by Dan Cormier

above: “White Multi-Dimensional Pin” by Dan Cormier

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Well, I had tons of fun and learned lots at the Nyack Garden Club Show this weekend. Getting some ribbons for my arrangement, topped off the whole experience. I was assigned the job of judges clerk. That entailed following the 3 judges around the show as they examined all the entries, and recording their remarks on the individual entry cards for each arrangement. Since I was up-close and personal I heard ALL the remarks, only some are written, with the judges being careful to make sure that at least one of the remarks was a positive comment. After 2 hours of ‘clerking’ we came to the last arrangement, which was mine. My acting skills came in handy, as I was able to act nonchalantly and record comments on my own card. (The entry names are hidden so all is anonymous) When I was told to circle 1st place on my own card, I couldn’t hold it in any longer and thanked the judges for the learning experience as well as the first place honor.
The public was invited in after judging to view all the beautiful entries. My arrangement was voted the favorite by the viewers and also received “The Peoples Choice” award.

Ah shucks. I’d say its beginners luck and gorgeous flowers!

above: the winning arrangement and ribbons

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“When one heart strikes a chord in the heart of another, the resulting melody will last a lifetime.”

A sweet reminder, well worth the $2 spent.

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