Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cheap tricks – tags and labels

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I’m getting some new work ready for my Art Show on July 20th with Lesta, Jan and Alison (hint hint, see invitation at the end) and I made some really cool earthenware beads, if i do say so myself. They are finished with walnut ink and gilder’s paste. They looked pretty good on the string, but when I added a descriptive tag, they looked great! I’d buy ’em for me if I didn’t get ’em free :).

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Here’s how:

  • Think of a catchy name – I used Rune & Relic because I already had that name on some things in my Etsy shop)
  • Write a very short description or use a quotation or poem line that is applicable – search for stuff like “Everything you can imagine is real.” ― Pablo Picasso
  • Add a photo, or if you don’t know how to do that, find a great stamp and use it on all of your tags – I use a moon face stamp and add a raven stamp on top as my signature on my handmade books.
  • stampwithmoonandraven
  • Design your tags to the dimensions of a business-card (2″x3.5″) Open up a business card printing program – MS Word has one – follow the set-up directions,and just put in plain cardstock instead of business card paper – it’s cheaper by far.  Print and cut apart, punch holes and add string or raffia. Voila!! (which means, “damn, that looks good” in French)

So now you are asking yourself, “Where can I find some of those fantastic Rune and Relic Beads?? Well, here’s your personal invitation for the Christmas in July Art Show and Sale at Lyn Belisle Studio featuring Four Amazing Artists! You’ll shout “Voila!!”

invitation

 

A brief Boston blessing?

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I’m back in Boston for a short visit to celebrate Independence Day, and security is very high in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. Streets are closed, police are very evident, and no one is allowed onto the Esplanade without a search. There is still an air of celebration everywhere, but it is tinged with the recent memory of the Marathon bombings. I was a little nervous walking across the park this afternoon, wishing we could all feel a bit safer, when I looked down on the path at a smallish metal strip that caught my eye. I picked it up and turned it over. It was a winged St. Christopher medal that said, “Behold St. Christopher, medaland go your way in safety.” Even someone like me who lists her religious preference as “eclectic” can smile at such a find – here’s a photo of the medal – so I’m wishing all of you a happy and SAFE 4th of July!!:

 

And the fortunate Friday Freebie winner is . . .

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Time for the drawing. . . . (drum roll)  OK, first I gotta download my subscriber list – – now I go to the Random Number Generator – – now I match the number – – – Hey, it’s me!

That reallythreads2 did happen this time, so I randomized another number (fair is fair, after all) and the winner is my Etsy friend Denise Milledge! Congrats, Denise, and I have your address from Etsy, so this wonderful little tapestry from Uganda will be on its way to you today. Thanks for subscribing to SHARDS.

And thanks to everybody else, too – more Friday freebies coming up. Sound of applause! PS – Free Tip: Did you know that you can find and play sounds of applause and just about everything else on the site below for free? Think of the possibilities! My theory is that some people will search for the “pig, fart” sounds, and others will go the “robin, harp” route. Or maybe “robin fart” – geez, it’s been a long day 🙂 Have fun searching and listening: http://www.findsounds.com/ISAPI/search.dll

 

 

 

Smell Good, Paint Good

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bath_saltYes, you too can do this in July! Even the smelling part – the July workshops at the Studio are posted and ready for action. And the first one is something different. It’s an Aromatherapy Spa workshop on Wednesday evening, July 10. Here’s the description:

“I’ve taught classes in Aromatherapy since 1990 and would love to show you how to make your own beautiful, natural spa products using essential oils. You’ll take home bath salts, lotions, and linen spray as well as formulas and methods for extending your knowledge of aromatherapy.”

This should be really fun – and there’s a bit of art in learning how to do some creative packaging, especially with the bath salt envelopes.

sumiBUT, WAIT! There’s more. Another new workshop (Wednesday, July 17, 6-8) involves the ancient Asian arts of Sumi-e and Gyotaku. I taught these two techniques for years at workshops for art teachers. Come discover the serenity of Becoming One With the Bamboo and Playing With Dead Fish! This is one of those “you’ll amaze yourself” workshops. You’ll even get to take home your own Sumi-e brushes.

The last two workshops are popular favorites with a twist – I’ve learned a new Spirit Doll wrapping technique and look forward to sharing it with you on Sunday, July 21. And if you’re hankering to play in the mud again, I’m offering a clay workshop on shard faces and small adornments (I’ll fire them for you) on Sunday, July 28th.

All of the links are on my website, and there’s the Paypal page which is ready to take your loot. As usual, the tuition is a mere $55, all materials included – just show up and create, limit eight lucky souls.  I’ll be sending this out to my mailing list but wanted SHARDS subscribers to get the word first.

Hope to see you this weekend at the Pablo Solomon event! That’s all, Folks . . . .♥Lyn

 

Birthdays and Journies

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Today my odometer rolled over to 69000 miles . . .wow, that’s getting up there. Birthdays are weird. They are not different kinds of days, really, but when you are getting older than you ever thought you’d be, it does give pause. Here’s a photo I took a couple of years ago of my old track shoes – nice visual metaphor. I walk to the track early every morning and have for years – it’s my meditation time. And here’s one of my favorite Mary Oliver poems. Seems appropriate. . . thanks for being part of the journey, dear friends!

The Journey

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One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~Mary Oliver ~

 

 

 

 

Magnetic attraction, creative workshop ideas

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My first evening workshop at the Studio began somewhatdramatically when a driving rainstorm started just before we gathered, but it turned out to be a happy omen because the creative workshoppers outdid themselves. There was something comfortable and cozy about being together in the Studio with rain on the windows and Mozart playing on the laptop speakers. See for yourself – the participants made the loveliest magnetic pins. I provided the materials, including the earthenware  faces, but they provided the magic.

New camera!

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I’d been thinking about researching and buying a new camera for the last year or so – and today – wham! I walked into a Boston Radio Shack on Boylston Street with my friend Danny and saw this Nikon CoolPix L820 on sale for less than $250 – OK, so not totally cheap, but not $1000 either (and I did make a little money at the Beacon Hill Art Walk):

nikon copy

So far, this is an amazing camera. I set it up, zipped across the street to the Boston Public Garden, and gave the 30X Zoom a try. Check out these pics from waaaayyy far away:

And last but not least, a sleeping kitty’s ear two rooms away when I got back to the apartment (yeah, yeah, the rest of him was asleep too):

As usual, I don’t have any stock in Nikon (it would be nice), but I’m impressed with this camera. Danny bought one too, so we will be comparing notes. Sometimes people in my Digital Photo classes ask what kind of camera they should buy,  and I would not hesitate to recommend this little Nikon. So far, it’s a winner.

 

 

 

Beacon Hill Art Walk – ups and downs

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aw3Hooray! There were many more Ups that Downs yesterday. The only little downs were the really strong winds that spontaneously rearranged the artwork every fifteen minutes, and the high temperatures. But hundreds of people turned out for the eighty or ninety artists who showed on the streets and in the courtyards of Beacon Hill.

 

Among the highlights – I saw an old friend from Chicago, Sharon Bostick. She lived on Beacon Hill for many years and happened to be in town for the show, looked me up, and voila! Sharon and her husband purchased several pieces. Thanks, Sharon! An unexpected highlight came from the Art Walk committee who visited my spot and awarded me with yellow ribbon for third place in show – wow! Not bad for this first-time non-Boston newbie. Thanks, Committee!

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I could not have done the show without friends Pat Semmes and Danny Sanchez who helped haul the stuff (including tables) up and down the brick sidewalks. I think after all was said and done I sold ten pieces, got a very nice award,  met some super artists (who said that it was more of a looking day than buying day, but still . . .) and will definitely apply for next year. I’ll be back, jurors willing and the creek don’t rise.  Here are some more photos:

Beacon Street

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art copy

Hooray for my daughter-in-law – she thoughtfully stocked my temporary Boston digs with art supplies.    I have a new set of Caran D’Ache water soluble wax crayons and also a set of Derwent watercolor pencils. I had never used any of these before so I was curious to try them – wonderful stuff! It’s very interesting being in an unfamiliar space with unfamiliar materials, but it’s a good exercise. How a wax crayon can be water soluble beats me, but the colors blend beautifully and are vibrant and intense. I experimented on a couple of small pieces on watercolor paper, kimono shaped with some metallic stamping. The crayons can be used to make lines or textures, and then all or parts can be blended together. Here’s the first sample:

kimono copy Of course, I had help from my grand-cat who is obviously an art connoisseur – he sits on the table and watches me. He tends to fall asleep a lot,though – hope it’s not a commentary on the artwork.

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Tomorrow the cold, rainy weather is supposed to be clearing up here so it may be time for a walk in the park! The cats stay inside, though – Boston is definitely a dog town!

Art Show on Sunday – you’re invited

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I’m hanging on Sacred Ground – well, actually, I’m hanging my *work* this afternoon for Sunday’s Sacred Ground art opening at the Cathedral House Gallery along with a really special group of artist friends. Please come! One of my pieces in particular has surprised me. It’s the encaustic painting I did at Michelle’s workshop. I’ve been experimenting, and think it’s finished, but I’m very new at encaustic (painting with wax), so who knows. Anyway, it’s going in the show, it’s the first and one-and-only encaustic I’ve shown, and its title is Wax and Wings:

Hope to see you Sunday – it’s a beautiful place and there will be a wonderful meditation walk followed by a wine and cheese reception – truly Sacred Ground.

ALSO- the info and registration for the Transfer Workshop is up. I had a lot of interest in this. It’s a ways away (June 30) but sign up now if you want to come. Here’s a preview of what we’ll be doing – it’s super fun and fail-proof:

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FINALLY – (honest) – The Summer Newsletter is posted on the website. I think most of you are on that list, but if you want more info on Pablo Solomon, Eileen’s workshop, upcoming openings and such, click here.

Happy Friday dance – bye for now!!