Much later--and getting ready for the holidays (eek)

Ecuador is lovely.


That's my excuse for not doing much else.  There are the more than 3000 pictures to go through and tidy up, and thinking about great ideas that were spawned on the trip.
 I'm not sure a business blog is what I want--I can do that on the website.  Maybe I want a "this is what I did this week" blog.  I'd call it WIFLI--when I feel like it.

 I will put some of the pix up later.  It's all later!

But business-wise (tho it's too much fun to be a business)--I really hope you check out what Ingrid Dijkers has to offer on the 17th and 18th (Sat and Sun) of Sept.  She teaches classes at the really big conferences, and she is giving us a deal, since we're relatively local for her.  Her works are so----COOL.  I can't wait.
 Check it out here:
http://www.smallbutmightyarts.com/september-classes.html
I'm thinking about fall and winter and holidays and all that.  I think we need a bunch of "Santa's Workshops" (Santa can make dreidels and suns, etc, too) to get together and make holiday presents for those so inclined.  Also a Wrapping Day or two.  We can learn new gifty things to make, (Molly has some great ideas),  and/or work on our own projects away from the prying eyes of the recipients. 

Any suggestions?  Days, times that work for you?  Things you want to learn?  Things you want to teach?  Speak up now please.

You can email me if you'd rather.  kipkoz@sprynet.com

CHOCOLATE

Two offerings with Chocolate!  Go see the website  www.smallbutmightyarts.com!-- Right now~ ! Be sure to check out the "classes" option--good stuff on there and more all the time.  The schedule is on the "calendar".  You can register and pay right on line from the website now--whew!

I'm wonderfully busy in August--A Zentangle class for Genesee Parks District at the park in Flint, the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, a WONDERFUL class ("Repurposed Books" on the 13th)  taught by another of our nationally known teachers, then off to Ecuador with my sister on a tour of healers and music, led by my good friend and midwife, Janice Marsh Prelesnik.  Some of you know her better as Granny Janny--maker of the remarkable "green goop"!

Check out September, too.  Back to school for the kids and teachers, and the schedule at the studio will get to filling up a bit.  Lots of Zentangle, Soul Collage, Altered Book-y stuff, Idea Parties--and lots of play.  Not only does Mom's Night Out repeat on the second Friday of the month, but look at "Through the Rabbit Hole" on the 17th!!!!!(I can't wait!--ANOTHER famous teacher!!!)

If there's something you want to learn or teach, please let me know.  My email is kipkoz@sprynet.com.  The more the merrier!

Busy, busy, busy.

Vacations are fun, but they do keep one busy!

Joanne Huffman's Paper Doll Workshops were wonderful.  We made some beautiful and fanciful dolls--some were nothing like we planned--they had wills of their own! and/but we were extremely pleased with them.  There will be more classes along this line--that's for sure.

Joanne has two more classes with us this coming Saturday --"That's the Spirit" (a different kind of doll-making) and "Eat Your Heart Out, Cinderella"--renewing and fancying up old or boring leather or canvas shoes.  She's an excellent teacher, and we sure had a good time.  See the calendar on the website (www.smallbutmightyarts.com) and earlier blog posts for more info and pictures.
You can sign up for Joann's classes at
                                thiemehuffman@yahoo.com

or by calling Kip at 517-896-7054

Please let us know in advance.

On July

A fellow Zentangler and I were away for a couple of days, and we did a lot of tangling--so relaxing.  She got to play with the black tiles and white pens for the first time, and we played around with color some more.

Reunion and July classes

My "family of origin" had a reunion last week on Kelley's Island in Lake Erie.  It was quite the event, with 33 family members and 9 assorted friends in attendance.  A busy week, but fun.  LOTS of babies and little kids--whew!  And one nice surprise event--

So we had lots of fun.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile--back at the studio--

Joann Huffman's students had a wonderful time on Saturday.  I am so looking forward to July's classes with this teacher--

  

 

And in the afternoon--

Please sign up in advance by emailing Joanne at

thiemehuffman@yahoo.com

or calling Kip at 517-896-7054

Come and have some fun--you deserve it.

 

Michigan Altered Book Artists

The MiABA met at Small but Mighty Arts on June 18th for their quarterly meeting.  Artists from all over the state were there, to work, talk, and share their amazing work.

One of the many (way too many) things I want to learn to do is Altered Books.  The examples these women brought blew me away.  Many of these artists are nationally known teachers--and they live right here in Michigan!!!!

Ingrid Dijkers  "The Octopus Garden"

Most exciting for me--several of them will be teaching some of their skills at SBMA, starting this summer.  (By the way, Joanne Huffman, who is already on the schedule, is one of those renowned teachers!)  Please pay attention to the website and blog, so you don't miss a chance for some wonderful fun.

Ingrid Dijkers  "The Ambrosia Journals"

Ingrid Dijkers  "Through the Rabbit Hole"

 

 

 

  

                         

Vicki Holdvick--Repurposed Journals

Wonderful new teacher coming for the summer!!!!!

I met a wonderful artist and a new friend, Joanne Huffman, from Kalamazoo, and I can't wait for you to meet her, too.  She will be teaching 8 classes (at least--may twist her arm for a few more) at Small but Mighty Arts this summer.  I hope you will make her welcome and give yourself a gift of her talents!

Saturday, June 25: 

9:30 AM- 12:30 PM 

Polymer Buttons, Pendants, 

Stitch Counters and Earrings 

in Production Mode. 

Bring your own packs of polymer clay (I like working with Premo, but any brand will do) and we will make multitudes of buttons, stitch counters, earrings and pendants for you to store up and use now or later. These are great to have on hand for knitting and sewing projects; collages; doll making; embellishments; and gift giving. I will provide a toaster oven, clay tools, cutters and texture sheets for the class to share (it may go quicker and you can make more if you bring your own. 

Class fee: $35    ($24.50 member fee)

Saturday, June 25

2PM-5PM

 Crowning Glory

Make a crown for your inner queen, goddess, or shaman. Crowns have long been 

a symbol of excellence, magical wisdom, achievement, and authority. 

In this class, you will create non traditional crowns in traditional 

or funky shapes. The base of each crown is 18 gauge wire wrapped with 

fabric and embellished with beads, buttons or charms. The complexity 

of the design is up to each student.  

For a class fee of $60 ($42-members fee), I include a kit that has a choice of 

fabric, wire, fabric glue, beads and/buttons and a bead mat. 

Students are welcome to bring their own fabrics or embellishments to personalize 

their crowns.

To sign up for classes-- 

Please sign up in advance by emailing Joanne at

thiemehuffman@yahoo.com

How to sign up!

Come on--you know you want to-- Zentangle(R) is the most fun you can have out of a little blue box!
See yesterday's post for all the info on our great all-day Tangle--you can take the class from 11-1 if you haven't taken a Zentangle(R) Basics class and want to join in the activities in the afternoon--or if you just want a refresher.  If you just want to take the Basics class and not play, it will be the usual $35/17.50.

If you are coming--

For now, please just email me at 

kipkoz@sprynet.com 

or call me at 

517-896-7054.

And--today is Miss D's first birthday.  Happy birthday, Baby D!

All-day Tangle

Next Saturday will be really fun as we have our first Tangle-Day!

From 11 to 1 we will do a basic Zentangle® class for those who have not yet taken a class with a CZT (Certified Zentangle® Teacher). From there, the world is your Tangle-Oyster! (Meaning, then you are on your Tangle-Way)

From 1-6--it's all about experimenting, play and creating. You can choose from as many projects as you have time for--Tangled earrings, and/or pendant or charms, tangled shoes or clothes, tangling with color or white on black, bookmarks, cards, etc, etc. If you have an article of clothing you want to tangle or a vase or something, please bring it. I will have lots of supplies for the other things mentioned available, a few clothing blanks (tote bags, silk folding fans and baseball hats!) and jewelry makings to purchase if you don't have your own, and the tools needed. 

Fees: 
Full day with Zentangle Basics class--$50 plus materials fee if applicable. ($25 for members) 
Play day only (1-6) $15 plus materials fees if you use Studio supplies (they will be reasonable!) ($7.50 for members) 
** (Must have taken a basic class from a CZT!) 

Other news--

I taught a 1-3rd grade class at The Children's House Montessori school in Lansing last week.  I was a bit intimidated as this was the youngest class I've attempted to teach, but as always with Zentangle (R) I was amazed and delighted by what the kids produced.

And they LIKED it!  So much so, that I'm going back this week for the other 1-3 classroom.
Now to get the teachers together for a class----.


I spent the weekend at recitals.  First was my niece in Cleveland.  She has a big and amazing studio-- On Your Toes!--in Solon.  Her recitals are always grand celebrations of her talented dancers --two of whom are my great-nieces.  This year was her tenth anniversary, and the recital was spectacular.  Her dancers can do so many types of dance--from ballet and tap, to hip-hop and I-don't know-what, and do them well.  I was MOST impressed!

Then it was on to granddaughter S's recital in East Lansing.  Much smaller production, but just as happy kids.  S was wonderful, and baby N was SO impressed!

Last week--and--Projects for this week-

Last week--

I'm happy to say I've created a few more "Zentanglers"--just the first of many, I hope.  Looking forward to seeing you all at the advance classes and Zentangle Play Days

Also in Zentangle, we played around with adding color, and working with white gel pens as highlight and on black.

 Several new rock houses have been "built"--here are some of them-

And the Idea Party was wonderful, as they always are.  I've already gotten reports back on people moving along with Ideas gleaned Saturday night.  There will probably be an Idea Party about monthly--so keep that in mind!

There will be new classes that were spawned by the wishes and obstacles presented.  Mary Lawton will be starting a series of EFT classes on Monday, June 6th from 6:30 to 9, with "Tapping for Clutter"

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=119212544785478&set=a.112757238764342.7024.112397672133632&type=1&theater#!/event.php?eid=174105729310922

This week--

Today, Wednesday May 18th

7-9:30 PM
Matchbook Necklaces

I made these for my girls last year for Mother's Day, and I've done a few others for various occasions.  You can collage the little books with images from magazines, write a poem, note or story in them, or, as I did here, fill them with photos.  If you want to use photos, please bring them with you.  We can scan and size them there.  I have lots of magazines for collage images, or bring your own.

$35 ($17.50 for members)  Includes all tools and supplies.
Bring extra bling if you have some you like, and any specific images you want to use.

 Friday, May 20th

7-9:30 PM

Zentangle Advanced  $35  (members $17.50)

Playing with Zentangle, color, Zentangle Inspired Art, Ensembles--and more!  Includes some wonderful goodie--depends on what we decide to do!

Note: You must have taken a 101 class from a CZT to take this class.



See you when I see you!

SPRING!

So beautiful out--doesn't it make you feel creative?

Yesterday was Miss N's first birthday.  What can I say--so quick they grow.

 Since Facebook and this blog are my only marketing tools at the moment--back to business!

--At Small but Mighty Arts--

Tangle, the Studio Puppy, pays close attention to learning how to experiment with color in Zentangle.

   

 Reminder----Classes this week--

I'll be there, so just come on over. 

Today, Weds, May 11

1-3:30 PM
Zentangle 101   $35 (members $17.50 )
 This is the basic class that will get you comfortable--and addicted!  Once you get the fundamental understanding of this meditative, fascinating, simple art form, you can go on to create-- and create, and create.  A basic tools (and treats) kit is provided in the fee.

7-9:30 PM
Zentangle 201  $35  (members $17.50)
More tangles, more techniques, and a play kit included to expand your tangling!
Note: You must have taken a 101 class from a CZT to take this class.

Thursday, May 12

 7-9:30 PM
Rock Houses
$35 ($17.50 for members)
 Easy and fun to do.  Make bookends or villages. We'll go over a few techniques and then just do it!
All materials (including rocks) will be provided--but if you find a perfect rock(s) feel free to bring them along!

Saturday, May 14th

 6:30-9:30 PM

Idea Party!!! 

Free!
A chance to make a change in your life--but don't come unless you really want to do it--because it works!