Suzanne McNeill
BLOG.SUZANNEMCNEILL.COM
Zentangle Master Class
Zentangle® Master Class
Wow! I just finished a wonderful week in Newport, Rhode Island with the innovators of Zentangle, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. I didn't want to let another day go by without letting other tanglers know that the ' Zentangle Master Class' was full of excitement. Rick and Maria created fantastic projects, shared some wonderful techniques, chose a totally awesome setting, planned fascinating tours to mansions and museums, and most of all provided the opportunity to get together with fellow tanglers and be truly inspired.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend a Zentangle class , or better yet to attend a CZT class (certified Zentangle teacher) with Rick and Maria, do go. Your life and relationships will be influenced in a positive manner for the rest of your life.
Newprt, R.I was a wonderful setting. The whole town was inspiring...fabulous mansions, historical homes and beautiful ships in the cove. I am now inspired to create a Zentangle painting of a large clipper ship.
Our classroom was open-air. Totally awesome with sea breezes and the ocean right outside. Everyone stayed busy tangling. It was so much fun to share this experience with amazingly creative people.
We visited mansions and museums to search for new tangle patterns. Everywhere we looked there was inspiration... stained glass windows, molding, doors, walls and sidewalks.
Newport is a historical location, dating from 1600-1700. Angie Vangallis and I made tombstone rubbings. I love the winged angels on the stones. I'd like to add a few tangles to my rubbing.
A big thank you to all the fellow CZT's who allowed me to film them and put the video on YouTube , you will really enjoy this video. Tanglers from all over the country (and China too) share tips and demonstrations with you.
Next week I will be sharing a few more photos and another YouTube video from the Zentangle Master Class, I would love to hear from you and see your wonderful tangle designs!
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #34
Hopscotch
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Wow! I just finished a wonderful week in Newport, Rhode Island with the innovators of Zentangle, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. I didn't want to let another day go by without letting other tanglers know that the ' Zentangle Master Class' was full of excitement. Rick and Maria created fantastic projects, shared some wonderful techniques, chose a totally awesome setting, planned fascinating tours to mansions and museums, and most of all provided the opportunity to get together with fellow tanglers and be truly inspired.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend a Zentangle class , or better yet to attend a CZT class (certified Zentangle teacher) with Rick and Maria, do go. Your life and relationships will be influenced in a positive manner for the rest of your life.
Newprt, R.I was a wonderful setting. The whole town was inspiring...fabulous mansions, historical homes and beautiful ships in the cove. I am now inspired to create a Zentangle painting of a large clipper ship.
Our classroom was open-air. Totally awesome with sea breezes and the ocean right outside. Everyone stayed busy tangling. It was so much fun to share this experience with amazingly creative people.
We visited mansions and museums to search for new tangle patterns. Everywhere we looked there was inspiration... stained glass windows, molding, doors, walls and sidewalks.
Newport is a historical location, dating from 1600-1700. Angie Vangallis and I made tombstone rubbings. I love the winged angels on the stones. I'd like to add a few tangles to my rubbing.
A big thank you to all the fellow CZT's who allowed me to film them and put the video on YouTube , you will really enjoy this video. Tanglers from all over the country (and China too) share tips and demonstrations with you.
Next week I will be sharing a few more photos and another YouTube video from the Zentangle Master Class, I would love to hear from you and see your wonderful tangle designs!
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #34
Hopscotch
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Call for Zentangle® Projects
I have been posting on my blog for almost a year and offer a new tangle every week. I am putting a call out to artists and crafters who are interested in sharing their Zentangle® projects...by that I mean scrapbook pages, jewelry, even a funky table....anything which includes tangles but is in the construction of an art or craft project rather than the traditional drawing done on paper or a tile.
Each week I'll choose a project to feature on my blog. Please email a picture of your project, how it was made, the products you used and a 1 or 2 sentence artist bio. If you have a website or blog include that information too so I can link back to you.
Zentangle® has grown so much in the last couple of years I know there must be a lot of wonderful work being created and I would love the chance to offer another way to share your work with others. Thought I would call contributing artists the "Zenderellas". The email I have set up for responses is zenderellas@hotmail.com.
Thanks, I look forward to seeing your wonderful art.
P.S. I will be out of the country for most of the month of September, with limited access to the internet. I will be reviewing the projects the first week in October to begin sharing them with the world.
Each week I'll choose a project to feature on my blog. Please email a picture of your project, how it was made, the products you used and a 1 or 2 sentence artist bio. If you have a website or blog include that information too so I can link back to you.
Zentangle® has grown so much in the last couple of years I know there must be a lot of wonderful work being created and I would love the chance to offer another way to share your work with others. Thought I would call contributing artists the "Zenderellas". The email I have set up for responses is zenderellas@hotmail.com.
Thanks, I look forward to seeing your wonderful art.
P.S. I will be out of the country for most of the month of September, with limited access to the internet. I will be reviewing the projects the first week in October to begin sharing them with the world.
Odyssey 2010 Calligraphy Retreat
Creativity with Calligraphy
Calligraphy is one of the oldest forms of artistic expression. Lettering is becoming more and more creative. Combining words and lettering into art pieces is really appealing to me. Some of my favorite artists are Randall Hasson and Laurie Doctor .
I have always been enamored by the beauty of fine lettering, perhaps that is why I am such a devotee of Zentangle®. The Odyssey 2010 Calligraphy Conference was recently held by the Association for the Calligraphic Arts in Massachusetts near Boston. I was on my way to visit my daughter in Camden, Maine and took the opportunity to stop by the conference to get a first hand look at the art created by the fantastic calligraphers attending.
They have a lovely tradition regarding registration. Each registrant embellishes the envelope to return their reservation. The envelopes are then displayed during the conference. The one I have pictured is one of my favorites
... appealing lettering, creative 'strings' and zentangleish patterns. All of the envelopes were absolutely beautiful.
This ABC accordian book was created by C.C. Sadler, the art work on the book is both intricate and amazing.
There are so many wonderful classes offered at the conference. This gorgeous lettering really caught my eye.
I hope you are inspired to add words and calligraphy to your own art work. The tangle patterns you practice are a perfect beginning to creating your own unique alphabet. Next time you correspond with someone forget email and text messaging, sit down and write a letter or a postcard which includes some personalized art.
To get you started on creating your own lettering be sure and view the YouTube tutorial 'Zentangle Alphabet.'
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #33
Spinners
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Calligraphy is one of the oldest forms of artistic expression. Lettering is becoming more and more creative. Combining words and lettering into art pieces is really appealing to me. Some of my favorite artists are Randall Hasson and Laurie Doctor .
I have always been enamored by the beauty of fine lettering, perhaps that is why I am such a devotee of Zentangle®. The Odyssey 2010 Calligraphy Conference was recently held by the Association for the Calligraphic Arts in Massachusetts near Boston. I was on my way to visit my daughter in Camden, Maine and took the opportunity to stop by the conference to get a first hand look at the art created by the fantastic calligraphers attending.
They have a lovely tradition regarding registration. Each registrant embellishes the envelope to return their reservation. The envelopes are then displayed during the conference. The one I have pictured is one of my favorites
... appealing lettering, creative 'strings' and zentangleish patterns. All of the envelopes were absolutely beautiful.
This ABC accordian book was created by C.C. Sadler, the art work on the book is both intricate and amazing.
There are so many wonderful classes offered at the conference. This gorgeous lettering really caught my eye.
I hope you are inspired to add words and calligraphy to your own art work. The tangle patterns you practice are a perfect beginning to creating your own unique alphabet. Next time you correspond with someone forget email and text messaging, sit down and write a letter or a postcard which includes some personalized art.
To get you started on creating your own lettering be sure and view the YouTube tutorial 'Zentangle Alphabet.'
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #33
Spinners
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Zentangle at CHA
Zentangle® Mania at CHA
Just had to share a few pictures still in my camera from CHA Chicago, and also a little product news.
The variety of journals and sketchpads available to artists are so numerous..it's amazing. You can get one in almost any size and with a wide range of paper types. I happen to love the mini journal from Strathmore. Perfect size to slip in my purse or pocket and the paper is a perfect weight for Zentangle.
So many companies are introducing new fabric markers and pens. A lot of artists use the pens to draw and color onto fabrics for quilts, T-shirts, aprons and more, another great way to add your personal touch. Do any of you have a favorite permanent pen you use on fabric? For those that work with fabric Slice has a ceramic precision cutter that is a fabulous cutting tool. great for detail work.
K.C. Eddy participated in the Design Originals make&take offered at CHA. She returned the next day with a bag she had completed using tangle patterns...love it!!
Make&take at the Design Originals booth using the combination of rubber stamps and zentangle from the new 'Zentangle 3' book.
I really enjoyed seeing the Zentangle journal Susan Theus is working on. She stopped by the booth with fellow tanglers to show me her work.
Watch this YouTube tutorial, Zentangle a mask and canvas for your wall.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #32
Bundles
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Just had to share a few pictures still in my camera from CHA Chicago, and also a little product news.
The variety of journals and sketchpads available to artists are so numerous..it's amazing. You can get one in almost any size and with a wide range of paper types. I happen to love the mini journal from Strathmore. Perfect size to slip in my purse or pocket and the paper is a perfect weight for Zentangle.
So many companies are introducing new fabric markers and pens. A lot of artists use the pens to draw and color onto fabrics for quilts, T-shirts, aprons and more, another great way to add your personal touch. Do any of you have a favorite permanent pen you use on fabric? For those that work with fabric Slice has a ceramic precision cutter that is a fabulous cutting tool. great for detail work.
K.C. Eddy participated in the Design Originals make&take offered at CHA. She returned the next day with a bag she had completed using tangle patterns...love it!!
Make&take at the Design Originals booth using the combination of rubber stamps and zentangle from the new 'Zentangle 3' book.
I really enjoyed seeing the Zentangle journal Susan Theus is working on. She stopped by the booth with fellow tanglers to show me her work.
Watch this YouTube tutorial, Zentangle a mask and canvas for your wall.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #32
Bundles
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
A really Big Show!!
CHA Chicago
CHA Chicago was another great show for Design Originals. There was a lot of buzz and curiosity about Zentangle®. Our demonstrations and make and takes were very popular, it was nice to give people a chance to calm their minds a little. Spending all day cruising the show can be a little stressful and tiring, slowing down long enough to tangle was a perfect stress reliever for many of the show attendees. I wanted to post a few of the marvelous Zentangles completed by some of those who stopped by the Design Originals booth.
Tina Christensen
I would like to thank Andi Rothenburg who worked with Dean and I at CHA, she has participated in tradeshows for our industry for over 20 years. Andi has so much knowledge about crafts and was a wonderful Zentangle demonstrator, it was a real pleasure to work with her. As always, it was great fun to see familiar faces, Suze Weinberg, Tiffany Windsor, Maria Nerius, Tiim Holtz and Mark Montano all stopped by the booth. Names I am sure you recognize, they are all tremendous assets to the craft industry.
Chica @ Chica and Jo
Marie Browning stopped by the booth as well. Her book, 'Time to Tangle with Color' is due out in November. A fabulous book, she did a great job.
Theresa Eggleston
Being able to catch a first glimpse of the new products on the market as well as see product demonstrations is one of my favorite parts of CHA, I must confess I ended up with bags of goodies to bring home. Unfortunately for Dean my next stop was the Masters Zentangle Class being taught by Rick and Maria so the goodies had to be packed up and sent home with him. Thanks Dean. I can't wait to unpack everything and share my Masters Class experience with you all.
For a little summer fun with the kids check out this tutorial on YouTube from our book 'Poms, Stems and Wiggles'.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #31
Netting
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
CHA Chicago was another great show for Design Originals. There was a lot of buzz and curiosity about Zentangle®. Our demonstrations and make and takes were very popular, it was nice to give people a chance to calm their minds a little. Spending all day cruising the show can be a little stressful and tiring, slowing down long enough to tangle was a perfect stress reliever for many of the show attendees. I wanted to post a few of the marvelous Zentangles completed by some of those who stopped by the Design Originals booth.
Tina Christensen
I would like to thank Andi Rothenburg who worked with Dean and I at CHA, she has participated in tradeshows for our industry for over 20 years. Andi has so much knowledge about crafts and was a wonderful Zentangle demonstrator, it was a real pleasure to work with her. As always, it was great fun to see familiar faces, Suze Weinberg, Tiffany Windsor, Maria Nerius, Tiim Holtz and Mark Montano all stopped by the booth. Names I am sure you recognize, they are all tremendous assets to the craft industry.
Chica @ Chica and Jo
Marie Browning stopped by the booth as well. Her book, 'Time to Tangle with Color' is due out in November. A fabulous book, she did a great job.
Theresa Eggleston
Being able to catch a first glimpse of the new products on the market as well as see product demonstrations is one of my favorite parts of CHA, I must confess I ended up with bags of goodies to bring home. Unfortunately for Dean my next stop was the Masters Zentangle Class being taught by Rick and Maria so the goodies had to be packed up and sent home with him. Thanks Dean. I can't wait to unpack everything and share my Masters Class experience with you all.
For a little summer fun with the kids check out this tutorial on YouTube from our book 'Poms, Stems and Wiggles'.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #31
Netting
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Seaside Treasures
Craft a memory with your Seashells!!
Do you have a vast amount of seashells stashed somewhere in your studio or closet? I do, and after my recent beach side vacation with the family my shell collection has grown again. Even though the kids and I love searching for them on the beach I have to admit I purchased a few as well. I can't seem to resist buying one more beautiful shell to add to my collection. There are tons of craft projects using seashells!.
Irish Flat Seashell
Design Originals has been fortunate to work with seashell crafters who come up with both fun and creative ways to use your own collection. Since seashells come in all shapes and sizes, you can use them alone to make a pretty pin to wear or mix up shapes and sizes to create your own unique piece. They can be applied to cards, frames, boxes and candles.
One of my favorite ways to use them is in a shadowbox. I often include a picture or two and maybe a written word or phrase about my memories of spending time on the beach with the family or the way the ocean breeze makes me feel. I hope you dig out your own shoebox of collected shells and find a way to use these seaside treasures. A fun project book is available from our website , 'Best of Seashells'. From now thru August 19th when you place any order with Design Originals you also receive a FREE copy of 'Seaside Treasures', another wonderful seashell book from the Design Originals library.
A fun idea to add to your shadowbox or scrapbook, zentangle a sun tile. View our tutorial
We also feature some wonderful Zentangle pieces on the Design Originals blog this week. They were created by some of the attendees at the CHA show in Chicago.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #30
Intersection
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Do you have a vast amount of seashells stashed somewhere in your studio or closet? I do, and after my recent beach side vacation with the family my shell collection has grown again. Even though the kids and I love searching for them on the beach I have to admit I purchased a few as well. I can't seem to resist buying one more beautiful shell to add to my collection. There are tons of craft projects using seashells!.
Irish Flat Seashell
Design Originals has been fortunate to work with seashell crafters who come up with both fun and creative ways to use your own collection. Since seashells come in all shapes and sizes, you can use them alone to make a pretty pin to wear or mix up shapes and sizes to create your own unique piece. They can be applied to cards, frames, boxes and candles.
One of my favorite ways to use them is in a shadowbox. I often include a picture or two and maybe a written word or phrase about my memories of spending time on the beach with the family or the way the ocean breeze makes me feel. I hope you dig out your own shoebox of collected shells and find a way to use these seaside treasures. A fun project book is available from our website , 'Best of Seashells'. From now thru August 19th when you place any order with Design Originals you also receive a FREE copy of 'Seaside Treasures', another wonderful seashell book from the Design Originals library.
A fun idea to add to your shadowbox or scrapbook, zentangle a sun tile. View our tutorial
We also feature some wonderful Zentangle pieces on the Design Originals blog this week. They were created by some of the attendees at the CHA show in Chicago.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #30
Intersection
used with permission zentangle.com Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Beach time with the family.
Every year my family reunites to spend a few days together on the beach. This year we met at Port Aransas, Texas. This yearly reunion is a very special time for us. It's nice to take a break and visit with my children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins in such a relaxed surrounding.
The kids love collecting seashells and such on the beach. Sand dollars turned out to be a perfect base to tangle on.
The girls love to scour the seaside boutiques. One of my favorite shops to visit is A MANO. A MANO translated means handmade, everything in the shop is beautifully handcrafted by artisans in Mexico.
I adored it all, but really fell in love with the hand-carved figures. The colors on the figures are bright and cheerful, the patterns painted on them remind me of Zentangle patterns.
Visit the Design Originals YouTube channel for tutorials, one of our newest videos instructs you on how to turn a plain white purse into a tangled accessory item.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #29
Pinwheels
used with permission zentangle.com - Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Painting Retreat Weekend
Creativity Retreat
Zentangle® and Painting - I feel so lucky to have friends who enjoy doing the same things I do. I have formed strong bonds over many a canvas and brush. While I cherish all my friends, I especially look forward to a group of "girls" I get together with every month for a creative retreat.
Painting with the girls... me, Gayle Bunch and Marie Turner.
The artists who attend sometime vary, depending on what they have going on in their lives. We gather our paints, pens and brushes and meet at someone's home for a weekend filled with painting, drawing and socializing. Since we often paint til the wee hours of the evening we usually spend the night and bring potluck supper as well.
It is such a wonderful way to share your works in progress and see what others are doing in their medium of choice. I hope you have access to a group you are able to share with, learn from, and bounce ideas off of. If not it is certainly worth the effort to find like-minded artists and begin your own creativity retreat.
Gayle Bunch is an inspiring teacher and artist, she has put together some wonderful tutorials for Design Originals .
YouTube tutorial video, Tie Dye the Easy Way - click here.
YouTube tutorial video, Zentangle a Purse - click here.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #28
Grass Border
used with permission zentangle.com - Zentangle is a register trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Zentangle® and Painting - I feel so lucky to have friends who enjoy doing the same things I do. I have formed strong bonds over many a canvas and brush. While I cherish all my friends, I especially look forward to a group of "girls" I get together with every month for a creative retreat.
Painting with the girls... me, Gayle Bunch and Marie Turner.
The artists who attend sometime vary, depending on what they have going on in their lives. We gather our paints, pens and brushes and meet at someone's home for a weekend filled with painting, drawing and socializing. Since we often paint til the wee hours of the evening we usually spend the night and bring potluck supper as well.
It is such a wonderful way to share your works in progress and see what others are doing in their medium of choice. I hope you have access to a group you are able to share with, learn from, and bounce ideas off of. If not it is certainly worth the effort to find like-minded artists and begin your own creativity retreat.
Gayle Bunch is an inspiring teacher and artist, she has put together some wonderful tutorials for Design Originals .
YouTube tutorial video, Tie Dye the Easy Way - click here.
YouTube tutorial video, Zentangle a Purse - click here.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #28
Grass Border
used with permission zentangle.com - Zentangle is a register trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Keeping up with Trends
In the post I published on March 4th of this year I shared a Trends 2010 article I wrote for the CHA Portfolio Magazine. So many of you commented on the post I wanted to again share some of my vision about current trends for this fall. As always I love sharing these ideas and love to hear your ideas. I look forward to your comments.
Keeping Up with Trends
Reuse, Rethink, and Revitalize are the by-words of 2010. Everywhere you look, people exhibit a hopeful attitude as they shape new opportunities in a recovering marketplace. The pendulum has swung from the ‘excesses of having’ to the ‘joys of being and doing’. This turnaround is creating new opportunities in the craft industry.
With an eye to fostering creative spirit, improving personal well being, fulfilling a need for community, and encouraging the pursuit of an interactive life, new techniques are helping people discover their talents and expand their interests.
TRENDS - What’s Now and What’s Coming
• The Zen of Art
Worldwide, Zentangle® is the fastest growing interest in hands-on enthusiasm. Focusing on a calm and meditative approach to life, Zentangle helps all ages increase comprehension and relaxation. This simple “one stroke at a time”® method of drawing shapes and filling spaces was developed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Zentangle introduces people to a calm space where their creativity and unique spirit thrive.
• Art that Saves the Planet
Recycling isn’t just a great idea, it’s a way of art. From earth homes to road asphalt made from old car tires, the search for creative ways to turn discards into something useful is growing as fast as our landfills. Recycle Artist Cindy Shepard shows you how to turn old glass into sparkling treasures in the ‘Bottle Art’ book. Glass hasn’t been this exciting since Cinderella lost her slipper!
• Industrial Metal
With it’s emphasis on ‘the industrial look’, metal has invaded the world of fashion, jewelry, and art. Metals appeal to a wide spectrum of the population. Steampunk fans will find great ideas for incorporating metal elements into wearables and art. Right on target are idea books that use idea-ology gears, pins, keys, clips, grunge and findings by Tim Holtz.
• Big & Bold Beading
Big and bold are hot in the jewelry making world. Large pendants and chunky beads are weighing in as the new favorites, with glitzy sparkle coming in a close second.
• Self Expression
Art Journals are one of the market’s best sellers and promise to be a continuing trend as more people discover the rewards of expressing their thoughts, hopes, aspirations and plans in a concrete way. Journals are becoming the popular vehicle of self discovery... a place to experiment with sketching, to record one’s dreams, and to document one’s experiences. If you need a little inspiration to get you going, check out ‘The Art of Travel with A Sketchbook’, a valuable book by Mari Le Glatin Keis. Her philosophy of journaling revolves around the journey of life rather than the destination. Wherever your journaling is going, Mari will help you get there and you will enjoy the experience.
• Sharing and Caring
The key to a happy life is a generous spirit. Quilters are some of the most giving people in the world. They donate their time and fabrics to innumerable causes. Find fabulous gifts for children in ‘Head to Toe Wearables’. ‘10-Minute Blocks’ enable these generous hearts to complete more quilts faster than ever before.
• Mixed Media
Mixed Media continues to attract both experienced artists and those whose talents are just beginning to bloom. If you love working with markers (on paper or fabric), you will appreciate the exciting technique of coloring with Sharpie® markers and making the colors run with rubbing alcohol from the drug store. There are plenty of projects to attract the attention of children, teens and adults!
Got paint? Chris Cozen skillfully guides artists of all experience levels through the maze of mediums, pastes, paints, and their applications in her successful series of books on Mixed Media.
• Get the Kids Involved!
Have you noticed the increased emphasis on quality family time? TV ads encourage families to sit down together for evening meals. Family fun night is becoming so common that the kids are no longer embarrassed to mention it to their friends. Everybody’s doing it! The search for family fun is leading people back to crafting and creativity. Books abound with inexpensive projects that appeal to all ages. Check out Design Originals for books your family will enjoy.
Expressive arts allow both the artist and the viewer to share thoughts and emotions on a very personal level. For this reason, these trends will be popular today and tomorrow.
Suzanne McNeill is known as a “Trendsetter’ in arts and crafts. Dedicated to hands-on creativity, she constantly tests, experiments and invents something new and fun.
Suzanne is the woman behind Design Originals, a publishing company dedicated to all things fun and creative. She is a designer, artist, columnist, TV personality, publisher, art instructor, author and lover of everything hands-on.
Don't forget to check out the Design Originals tutorials now available on YouTube . One of our newest videos is a Craft Comedy .
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #27
Wavy Border
used with permission - zentangle.com - Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Keeping Up with Trends
Reuse, Rethink, and Revitalize are the by-words of 2010. Everywhere you look, people exhibit a hopeful attitude as they shape new opportunities in a recovering marketplace. The pendulum has swung from the ‘excesses of having’ to the ‘joys of being and doing’. This turnaround is creating new opportunities in the craft industry.
With an eye to fostering creative spirit, improving personal well being, fulfilling a need for community, and encouraging the pursuit of an interactive life, new techniques are helping people discover their talents and expand their interests.
TRENDS - What’s Now and What’s Coming
• The Zen of Art
Worldwide, Zentangle® is the fastest growing interest in hands-on enthusiasm. Focusing on a calm and meditative approach to life, Zentangle helps all ages increase comprehension and relaxation. This simple “one stroke at a time”® method of drawing shapes and filling spaces was developed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Zentangle introduces people to a calm space where their creativity and unique spirit thrive.
• Art that Saves the Planet
Recycling isn’t just a great idea, it’s a way of art. From earth homes to road asphalt made from old car tires, the search for creative ways to turn discards into something useful is growing as fast as our landfills. Recycle Artist Cindy Shepard shows you how to turn old glass into sparkling treasures in the ‘Bottle Art’ book. Glass hasn’t been this exciting since Cinderella lost her slipper!
• Industrial Metal
With it’s emphasis on ‘the industrial look’, metal has invaded the world of fashion, jewelry, and art. Metals appeal to a wide spectrum of the population. Steampunk fans will find great ideas for incorporating metal elements into wearables and art. Right on target are idea books that use idea-ology gears, pins, keys, clips, grunge and findings by Tim Holtz.
• Big & Bold Beading
Big and bold are hot in the jewelry making world. Large pendants and chunky beads are weighing in as the new favorites, with glitzy sparkle coming in a close second.
• Self Expression
Art Journals are one of the market’s best sellers and promise to be a continuing trend as more people discover the rewards of expressing their thoughts, hopes, aspirations and plans in a concrete way. Journals are becoming the popular vehicle of self discovery... a place to experiment with sketching, to record one’s dreams, and to document one’s experiences. If you need a little inspiration to get you going, check out ‘The Art of Travel with A Sketchbook’, a valuable book by Mari Le Glatin Keis. Her philosophy of journaling revolves around the journey of life rather than the destination. Wherever your journaling is going, Mari will help you get there and you will enjoy the experience.
• Sharing and Caring
The key to a happy life is a generous spirit. Quilters are some of the most giving people in the world. They donate their time and fabrics to innumerable causes. Find fabulous gifts for children in ‘Head to Toe Wearables’. ‘10-Minute Blocks’ enable these generous hearts to complete more quilts faster than ever before.
• Mixed Media
Mixed Media continues to attract both experienced artists and those whose talents are just beginning to bloom. If you love working with markers (on paper or fabric), you will appreciate the exciting technique of coloring with Sharpie® markers and making the colors run with rubbing alcohol from the drug store. There are plenty of projects to attract the attention of children, teens and adults!
Got paint? Chris Cozen skillfully guides artists of all experience levels through the maze of mediums, pastes, paints, and their applications in her successful series of books on Mixed Media.
• Get the Kids Involved!
Have you noticed the increased emphasis on quality family time? TV ads encourage families to sit down together for evening meals. Family fun night is becoming so common that the kids are no longer embarrassed to mention it to their friends. Everybody’s doing it! The search for family fun is leading people back to crafting and creativity. Books abound with inexpensive projects that appeal to all ages. Check out Design Originals for books your family will enjoy.
Expressive arts allow both the artist and the viewer to share thoughts and emotions on a very personal level. For this reason, these trends will be popular today and tomorrow.
Suzanne McNeill is known as a “Trendsetter’ in arts and crafts. Dedicated to hands-on creativity, she constantly tests, experiments and invents something new and fun.
Suzanne is the woman behind Design Originals, a publishing company dedicated to all things fun and creative. She is a designer, artist, columnist, TV personality, publisher, art instructor, author and lover of everything hands-on.
Don't forget to check out the Design Originals tutorials now available on YouTube . One of our newest videos is a Craft Comedy .
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #27
Wavy Border
used with permission - zentangle.com - Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
Bottle Art
Reduce. Reuse, Recycle!
These are the buzzwords we hear all the time. Everyone is becoming more aware of how they consume and how it effects the environment. Many artists use salvaged materials and found objects in their art. Cindy Shepard (check out Cindy's YouTube video on cutting bottles) is a recycle artist who has been collecting a diversity of these salvaged materials for most of her life. She loves the excitement of taking these unlikely elements and constructing something unique and beautiful from them.
As Cindy's collection of old jars and bottles grew she began adding them to mixed media art. In the book 'Bottle Art' she explores other ways of recycling glass. In this treasure of a book Cindy introduces you to the few simple tools required to make your own recycled drinking glasses, goblets and much more. How fun would it be to drink from a glass you made from a recycled bottle instead of purchasing them from the store. Make chip bowls and menu bottles to use while entertaining friends. You will also learn how to transform glass into fabulous, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Create home decor items such as vases and candle votives and add dazzle to your garden with sun-catchers and wind chimes.
Crafting in a Green World , a wonderful blog for D.I.Y. environmentalists, recently gave rave reviews to Cindy's new book.
Delphi Glass carries the glass tools needed to get you started in the art of bottle cutting and the 'Bottle Art' book.
You can also order the 'Bottle Art' book from the Design Originals website. Turn your own trash into treasure!
FREE OFFER: From now thru July 15th, with each order for a book from Design Originals, you will receive a free copy of 'Seashell Treasures'. The seashells book includes 24 projects... recycle your collected shells.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #26
Squares
used with permission - zentangle.com
Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
These are the buzzwords we hear all the time. Everyone is becoming more aware of how they consume and how it effects the environment. Many artists use salvaged materials and found objects in their art. Cindy Shepard (check out Cindy's YouTube video on cutting bottles) is a recycle artist who has been collecting a diversity of these salvaged materials for most of her life. She loves the excitement of taking these unlikely elements and constructing something unique and beautiful from them.
As Cindy's collection of old jars and bottles grew she began adding them to mixed media art. In the book 'Bottle Art' she explores other ways of recycling glass. In this treasure of a book Cindy introduces you to the few simple tools required to make your own recycled drinking glasses, goblets and much more. How fun would it be to drink from a glass you made from a recycled bottle instead of purchasing them from the store. Make chip bowls and menu bottles to use while entertaining friends. You will also learn how to transform glass into fabulous, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Create home decor items such as vases and candle votives and add dazzle to your garden with sun-catchers and wind chimes.
Crafting in a Green World , a wonderful blog for D.I.Y. environmentalists, recently gave rave reviews to Cindy's new book.
Delphi Glass carries the glass tools needed to get you started in the art of bottle cutting and the 'Bottle Art' book.
You can also order the 'Bottle Art' book from the Design Originals website. Turn your own trash into treasure!
FREE OFFER: From now thru July 15th, with each order for a book from Design Originals, you will receive a free copy of 'Seashell Treasures'. The seashells book includes 24 projects... recycle your collected shells.
Zentangle of the week, enjoy and create!!
Zentangle #26
Squares
used with permission - zentangle.com
Zentangle is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.
