Anna Dabrowska, "Finnabair," Coming to AE

Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19, 2014
We are so excited to be able to host Anna Dabrowska, a fantastic and talented mixed-media artist. Anna teaches all over the world, and designs for numerous companies. She will be doing an all-day workshop on Saturday, and two half-day classes on Sunday. I will post more about her in future newsletters, but wanted to get this info out to you, in case, anyone might give you these classes for a christmas present!!  (Could there be a better present?)

The saturday class is a combination class.

Price: 220$ per student (including kit)

Grungy Spell Book - Mixed media altering class (with creating heavy texture, spraying, using gels, metallic paints...and more!)


Journals are not only about pages – altering the cover of the book is an important part of the creative process, making the frame, closing (or opening?) the composition. Cover should reflect the owners emotions and personality as well as the book's content – which is a great reason to try some inspiring techniques and create something unique, magical and 100% fun.

During this class I'll tell you about my ideas for journaling, and share my ideas how to alter a raw journal to get appealing and durable mixed media cover based on a bunch of my favorite techniques such as creating texture with gels and stencils, grungy embellishments and found objects, painting and spraying. I'll show you different effect you can get using media such as pigments, acrylic paint and common soft pencils together with multipurpose glues or varnish.

After the class you will have your own art journal which will reflect your taste and a big dose of inspiration: I'll do my best to share my experience, give tips and I'll try to convince you to leave traditional, conventional thinking and go more bold and artsy. It is possible you will be surprised what you can do with medias and tools which you already have in your kit or at home!

Class time: about 4 h

continued with:

Spell Book Pages - mixed-media techniques for journalers and scrapbookers!

During this full-lenght class I'll share with you some of my journal projects and a bunch of my favorite techniques based on using masks, stamps, embossing and layering.

Together we will create different texturized background gathering information about using such mediums as heavy gel, gesso, pigments, sprays and embossing powder. We will focus on techniques useful both for journalers and scrapbookers tips and non-conventional ideas such as using thread or tea builiding 3 double, technique-packed pages- all with a touch of grungy, artsy style.

This class is one big creative, messy fun! You may be surprised what you can do with the supplies you probably already know... or you never thought about before... Let yourself play and think outside the box – why not? 
This is an all day class incorporating the two sessions. Please see the list of supplies that each student will need to bring. It will be in the next newsletter.

Then, on Sunday, Anna has two more classes.

The first class, at 9 am, is called "Imagine."
Price: 110$ per student (including kit)
Imagine--
- Mixedmedia Canvas Class (with fabric, gel mediums, gesso, glitter sprays ...and more!)

Do you want to create really artsy, dimensional and grungy collage, but you don’t have “suitable supplies?” That is not a problem! The most important thing in creative proces is using imagination. We are surrounded by inspiring objects, which we can use for creating art of different kinds. Try to look around – and you’ll find real treasures in your own house! Remember there are no boundaries: you may give as much or as little elements as you want, you may use medias, paint and inks…and whatever comes to your mind too! Don’t be afraid to mix and blend and let your imagination free – it is pure fun!

During this workshop I will guide you to create your own mixed-media canvas, including my favorite set of embellishments and textures, colored with my favorite paints and mixed-media products. I’ll demonstrate possibilities of mixing different supplies such as gesso, gel medium, spray paint, scrapbooking embellishments and found objects to get layers, details and unique, grungy look on your project.

This workshop is suitable for beginners and advanced students (really!) – let’s get our fingers dirty together!
This is a four-hour class. There is a list of supplies that students should bring and it will be in the next newsletter.


 Everyday Treasures is the second class on Sunday. It starts at 2pm, and is a 4 hour class.


- Mixed-media shadowbox class with lots of techniques including gel mediums, inks, paint and more! Great fun with found objects and pure creativity.

We are surrounded by inspiring objects: at work or at home, in the city and in the countryside – there are things which are usually not visible for us…they are too common, too plain to be noticed. But try to look around, open your eyes wider – I’m sure you’ll find real treasures all around you, and all of them have their own stories which want to be told! Take a second look in the drawer, check your attic, search through the wardrobe…or visit the flea market – the possibilities are endless and your creativity will amaze you – just give the chance to yourself and the little everyday treasures fthat may look so plain in the first moment!

There are no boundaries in creating mixed media projects: you may give as much or as little elements as you want, you may use medias, paint and inks…and whatever comes to your mind too! Don’t be afraid to mix and blend and let your imagination free – it is pure fun!

During this workshop I’ll try to convince you that beauty can be found everywhere – and it is waiting to be discovered. I’ll guide you to create your own mixed-media shadowbox, based on my favorite layering techniques and choice of embellishments, colored with a wide range of color products. I’ll demonstrate possibilities of mixing different medias like gel mediums, paint, ink, scrapbooking supplies to get interesting layers and details on the unique grungy project.

This workshop is suitable both for beginners and advanced crafters.

Price: 110$ per student (including kit) I will be posting links to Anna's website, and photos for each class in the newsletter. registration opens now, Please call the store to register. We do not take e mail registration.

AE Tag Swap 2013---it was Terrific!!

Here are the pics of most of the tags...it was a crazy day,. and I took the photos as the tags were being given out...it's called planning ahead!!  I apologize for the poor photography, and I know I missed a few, also sorry for that... but I hope this will give you a feel for the great tags we received...thank you to everyone who played along with us...we will definitely do this next year!!

I am delighted to say that we are once again working with the Beads For Life organization.
There are groups of women in Uganda making these paper beads all year, as a way to support themselves, their families, and their villages. This year, the Beads for Life group has created these great ornaments,  filled with handmade paper beads, in a really nice finish. Each ornament is really filled to the brim with the beads, and you can leave the beads in the ornament,  as a holiday decoration, or use them to create more ornaments, or other hanging embellishments.

Each ornament is $10, and all of this money goes to the Beads for Life organization. The store gets none of it, so it is total donation. Also, this makes a unique and great gift for your artsy friends. If you are interested but don't live nearby, we will do mail order. Please call the store for this. 978-887-6397. As we run out, we are re-ordering, so please shop early if it is a holiday gift.

A Halloween "Book" with Richele Christiansen

 I am following Richele Christiansem's blog, www.californiaartgirl.blogspot.com

to re-create her great Halloween configuration box. When you see it on her blog, you will realize how cool it is. She started on Monday of this week, and so far (I am writing on Thursday) there have been two lessons. In the first one, we cut the front of the book in the shape of a rickety house, as designed by Tim Holtz--Richele has a link to the pattern--and painted the box. In the second session, we covered the inner boxes...again, Richele has all the dimensions and directions...

I think when the project is broken up like this it is very doable. I will keep adding to mine and you can see the progress in the store...and who knows, maybe I'll even get more pics up here.

Getting into Gear for Halloween

We have been receiving all sorts of cool Halloween stuff...great for card-making, scrapbooks, and assorted other projects. Here is a card I made with some new arrivals. I used some paper from Carta Bella, "full moon" from the Happy Haunting set.. It has the moon in the upper right corner. The tag is a ranger #8 manila tag, sprayed with Dylusions bright fucshia, and orange. Stamp in Hero black and put white embossing powder on...it is not really embossing ink, so it only partially holds...a good effect. The skeleton is Memory Box's Dancing Skeleton." The black grid is the lattice from Dee's Distinctively.

Marjie Kemper teaching Inks, sprays and Stains

We are pleased to welcome Marjie Kemper to the store on Sunday, September 22. She will be teaching a class called "Demystifying Distress Stains & Dylusions Ink Sprays."
Here is the description.
"Marjie will lead you through multiple techniques using Ranger’s Distress Stains and Dylusions Ink Sprays in this action-packed class. Learn how to layer and blend these products to build up fabulous backgrounds. Using small surfaces (ATCs), you’ll create an accordion book full of stunning mini-works.


Working with these products along with Marjie’s stamps, stencils, UTEE, embossing paste, and Perfect Pearls, you will create a variety of backgrounds in class that you’ll be able to recreate in any size or style. Start with Marjie in class and continue at home, expanding your book with simple folded paper pages to include as many pages as you desire. Perfect for art journaling, mixed media, card making, and scrapbooking.
STUDENTS BRING:Tools: Nonstick Craft Mat, Heat Tool, Paper Trimmer, Bone Folder or Scoring Blade for Trimmer, Scissors, Ink Blending Tool(s) with foam applicators, Brayer, Hole Piercer, Apron, Baby Wipes, Makeup Wedges.

Inks: Distress Inks (at least 3 colors), Jet Black Archival Ink (plus other Archival colors if you have them), and Versamark pad.

Adhesives: Matte Medium, Redline tape and/or very strong tape runner

Embellishments: Whatever you like! Marjie used lots of Idea-ology: Ransom alpha parts, ornate plate, clocks, gears, sprockets, spinners, trinket pin, word band, philosophy tag, ticket, brads and mini-brads.



Misc: Small black letter stickers or Dymo labeler

Other: Stamps, stencils, and photos if you want to customize your project INSTRUCTOR PROVIDES:

Handout: Instructions so you won’t have to take notes

Tools: Die Cutting machine, dies, embossing folders, paper punches, Zutter Distressing machine

Paper: Ranger Manila ATCs, black cardstock, Idea-ology Tissue Wrap

Wet Mediums: Ranger Ink Refresher, Studio 490 Embossing Paste (B & W)

Colorants: Ranger Distress Stains, Perfect Pearls, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE), and Fine Embossing Powder

Stamps and Stencils for shared use pictures will be on the calendar page.

Boston Strong Stamp is Here!!

We are delighted that Hero Arts has joined us in this venture, to create a rubber stamp that we can use to raise money and  spread our feelings of support for everyone affected by the Boston Marathon bombing.  We are selling the stamp for $8.00, and if you want to give one to a non-stamping friend, you can add a one-inch ink cube in black, red, or blue, for an extra $2.00.

I made up the envelope to show you how to explain to people how to use the stamp...basically, add it to all your outgoing mail...or make a pin with it...or make a hanging ornament (no need to wait for the holidays!)...but we are stampers, so this is what we do...we make cards, or add it to scrapbook pages...

I created the two-color image by making my own stamp pad (Using a trick taught to us all by the one and only Tim Holtz.)  Take some Cut 'n'Dry Felt, by Ranger, and trim it to the exact size of the stamp. Decide where you want the ink, and add the colors right out of the re-inker bottle. In this case, I used the poppy red and indigo blue reinkers  from Tsukineko.  Where the ink meets another color it just stops and won't bleed into it to any great extent.

Now you can position the stamp right over the pad and ink it up.  It is a good idea to keep the ink pad moist by sealing it in a plastic bag between use...nothing fancy necessary.  If you would prefer, we have the red and blue ink pads in the small size and it is easy to add the two colors this way, too.

We are inviting everyone to join us in this fundraising effort. Hero arts is donating any profits from the sale of the stamp to the OneFundBoston, as are we. All profits from our sale of the stamp will go directly to the OneFundBoston. So, if we need to mail it, you will understand why we need to charge postage.

We will have a "Boston Strong" wall where we will post any and all cards and envelopes, as well as altered art projects, using the Boston Strong rubber stamp.I will keep you all posted if we receive anything to put up.  Fingers crossed.

We are doing an "Operation Write Home" session on Sunday, May 26, from 1-3pm. This organization, Operation Write Home, creates handmade cards for service men and women to send home to their families and friends.

You are invited to come into the store and use our materials, stamps, inks, papers, etc, to make some cards that we will send along to the powers that be, who will in turn send the cards along to the soldiers. We have the new Hero Arts stamp sets that are specific for the OWH effort, and some of their profit goes to the foundation.

I will have some samples done to get you started. Bring your own tools and basic crafting supplies. Everyone who comes to join this effort will have their names entered into a drawing to win a set of paspers and stickers from Bazzill Basics Paper.

When we hear about, and are affected by, the results of the tragedy that occured at the Boston Marathon, we all ask ourselves "What can I do?" It is a time to look toward our own strengths and offer what we can.




We are stampers, so this is what we do. We have commissioned a stamp that says "Boston Strong,"

It isn't even here yet, so I have no projects done with it yet. It is being made for us by Hero Arts, and they are donating their entire profit from the stamp to the One Fund: Boston. We will donate our entire profit from the stamp also to the One Fund;Boston. The size of the stamp is roughly 2.5 x 3.5 inches. (Remember, I haven't seen it yet.) There is a picture, roughly, in the May 3 newsletter.



What to do with the stamp??? Place it on your envelopes, back and/or front...keep the awareness of the strength we have inside of us as a group constantly present. You can also make patriotic cards, for now or the July holiday. I plan on using mine on every bill and other piece of mail that goes out....emboss it, glitter it...make it come alive!! (Make pins, or holiday ornaments, iron it on to t-shirts!!)



We are now taking prepaid pre-orders. The stamp itself is $8.00, and the stamp along with a one-inch black ink cube is $10. Shipping is $2.50 for one stamp, $3.50 for two stamps, $4.50 for three stamps, and $5.05 for any number after three. Shipping will be added, if we are doing mail order for you. Terri tells me she will get this up onto the online store, in the "what's new?" section as soon as she can. If you don't see it, you can order by calling the store. (978-887-6397)



Anyone who wants to be part of our "Boston Strong" Display that we will put up in the store is invited to send in a card, using the stamp somehow, and with whatever else you want to add to the card...or keep it plain and simple...your choice. I'll post more on this once the stamp is here. We are told to expect it next week.

 We've been in business for 15 years now, and we are celebrating all year!! Our next event is on  Saturday May 4, 2013.
We're doing it again...four more card sessions...you pick your time period. and it is still only $10!! Plus everyone with a "ticket" will receive a 15% discount on their entire purchase of regularly priced stuff. Last time, we completely sold out of tickets. So, be sure to check your calendar and get in on the fun early! You must have a ticket to get the four card teaching sessions and the 15% discount!

Choose one of the following times when you call to register (978-887-6397):
9am-11am
11;30am-1;30PM
2pm-4pm
We'll do what we did before...we loved it so much. Learn a new technique, play with new product, as you make four great cards

Official Weather Update...and Final Word

Here is the official update on store hours for the upcoming storm...we are closed for tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, Feb 8 & 9... I am really hesitant to encourage people to come out in the dangerous driving ...even for a trip to AE!!!...so come in today, Thursday, stock up, and we will re-open on Sunday, Feb 10.

Weekend Weather Watch

We are keeping our eye on the upcoming storm. At this point, we have cancelled the Saturday, Feb 9, 2013, Memory Box Valentine Class and have rescheduled it for Sunday, the following day, to run from 1-4pm. Please let us know if this is a problem. We have called everyone...in case you read this first, just so you know. The Zentangle class will be re-scheduled for another time.
For Friday, Feb. 8,  as of right now,we will open at 10am, and probably stay open for a few hours, maybe 'til noon-ish. I will re-post here when we are closing, if we do.  Who knows, maybe it will turn out to be a big nothing...