GLITTERFEST!

I'LL BE IN BOOTH 12 LIKE USUAL!!!   IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO GLITTERFEST YOU HAVE BEEN MISSING OUT!  CHERYL AND DIANE DO A TREMENDOUS JOB PUTTING THIS QUALITY ART SHOW TOGETHER AND IT'S IN THE COOLEST LOCATION WITH FANTASTIC DECOR.  THE RAFFLE ALONE IS WORTH IT AND SURE TO LAND  YOU A SWEET PRIZE!  COME AND SAY HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LAS VEGAS workshop!

My friend Jan has invited me back for a 3rd year to her home in  Las Vegas for another fun 2 day workshop!  You don't want to miss this as it's an exclusive workshop where you can learn how to make my newest project,  Santo de Estrella!    We will make this beautiful Santos together and you will go home with a one of kind art piece!  We only have 2 SEATS LEFT!  Register by emailing me or leaving a comment with your contact information:

robin@powerline6.com.  Read on for details:
 

SANTO DE ESTRELLA (Holy Star)~ A 2 day creative exploration with Robin Dudley-Howes!

March 17 & 18, 2012

Las Vegas, NV

Hosted by Jan Ballagh

Cost: $160 plus $55 kit for both days ($215 total)

Description:

My love for this art form started several years ago from an article in Los Angeles magazine.  I still have the pictures and have been intrigued ever since.  Basically, Santos (Spanish name for “Saints”) cage dolls as I understand them, were hand carved in the 17^{th and 18th} century by priests in Spain and Portugal for religious ceremonies, processions and home alters.  They took the place of a church or priest in times of war when travel was restricted or if the local church was too far and the cage was utilized as a space for sacred objects and offerings.  As I created my own version of this Santos I wanted to convey a sense of beauty, peace and whimsical sweetness but still keep the general integrity and shape of the original antique cage dolls that I had studied.    The process of sculpting and refining the details started in June 2011 using polymer clay.  My first prototype burned but luckily I was able to make a mold from it!  From the ashes (so to speak) there was further refinement and finally the finished product which I am sharing with you.  This is a time intensive project and will take a full 2 days.  In this class you will learn:  Armature construction, faux wood surface techniques using molding paste, paints and dyes,  how to paint eyes using a template, assembling the cage to the torso with solder and decorative elements.  Of course we need to make fun items to accessorize her like a banner, crepe paper collar, earrings, crown and a necklace that can be converted into your own personal bracelet.  The “bracelet” techniques will include simple jewelry construction and my own “faux” swivel clasp technique to add several charms.  A weekend full of techniques and fun for sure!  You should be able to finish and leave with your very own Santo de Estrella art piece! 

The kit Includes most everything to make your beautiful Santo:  My original sculpted head, arms and hands, heavy armature wire, torso, pre-cut wood, filigrees, crown material, glass glitter, vintage crepe paper, use of dyes, molding paste, 2 part epoxy puddy & paints, copper foil and sheet.  You will also receive supplies for the Peace banner and crown, rhinestones for her earrings, chain, beads/pearls and wire for her necklace which can be used as a bracelet for you.

Please bring: 

Needle and thread (white)

Scissors

Jewelry pliers (chain nose, small round nose and wire cutters)

1 Empty (or full) baby bell, Laughing Cow cheese container (this will be used for the cage bottom).  I know this is a weird request, so email me if you have questions.

Soldering iron with stand and sponge

lead free solder

gel flux

charms for your bracelet

Please email me with questions robin@powerline6.com.  Address will be sent upon registration.   Payment can be paid by check or paypal.   Please contact me privately for address to send check to or pay via paypal to above email.

  All final payments in full for the total amount of $215 must be made by February 29, 2012.  No refunds.  All deposits are final.

New class Saturday Feb.18

Learn how to make this pretty necklace Saturday Feb.18, 2012 in Costa Mesa at Piecemakers.  $60 includes lunch, 10-3p.  Techniques include filagree wrapped pendant, wire wrapping and beading.  Call 714-641-3112

CHA

This year I was invited to come along to CHA (craft and hobby association) with the Whimzy girls, Diane and Sheryl who also happen to be the hosts of the famous Glitterfest in Santa Ana California.    First let me say that driving in Los Angeles is like playing the lottery in that you never know what to expect so it's best to always leave a little early......you might hit a "sig" alert (very bad situation), you might have a detour (better have gps), you could hit regular traffic or maybe get lucky.  In this situation my drive was smooth sailing........until I excited to HARBOR BLVD!  The same exit for Disneyland.  If Disneyland wasn't there it would have taken me 3 minutes to get to the convention center.    For those who have never been to Disneyland (which is a few blocks from the convention center and where CHA is) it's expected to have some congestion but on this day, on top of regular Disneyland traffic.......a Tinkerbell 1/2 marathon!  REALLY?  ONLY in LA, As if regular congestion isn't enough.  I'm looking around and thinking, something's up......lots of women on the cross walks with sparkly tootoos, groups with funky hats,  glitter everywhere....and knowing I had to get to a certain street in order to make my right hand turn I stayed in the right hand lane where everyone else seemed to need to make a right hand turn and every red light took 10 times longer than it should and Los Angeles drivers are not nice...it's dog eat dog.....You want to change lanes? not a good idea because if you don't you can't get back if you change your mind....unless your "persuasive" like me.......and have a fast little car......it helps to have moxy.   ANYWAY.....I met up with the fun Whimzy sisters and we were off.  I wanted to meet some of my fav artists and product booths:
And I did!  Ran into my gypsy sisters, Janet Schultz and Theresa who are collaborating with me for our next CELEBRATE THE GYPSY IN YOU art retreat (see side bar for info), as well as Nancy Jamar of Gilding the Lily and Dede Warren,  Tim Holtz was demonstrating at the Ranger booth along with another really cool journal artist whose name I did not know (from Britain?),  Susan Lenart Kazmar! loved her booth cause I got to meet Joanna Periotti of Mosshill studio,  Kristen Robinson whose book I was fortunate enough to aquire (LOVE IT!) and the talented Ruth Rae who bought a necklace I had made and was wearing right off of me!  Ee gads!

I'll be back to post more......my power is almost out and I have to sleep!