Why go to an art retreat?

In a little over 4 weeks I will be away from home, teaching 3 workshops in N.California at Art is YOU in Santa Rosa, Ca right in the middle of wine country, from April 13-17.  I'm excited, nervous, anxious and all ready a little home sick.   Here is a new sample of one of my class Bohemian Illumination Soldering for newbies:

In today's post I want to talk about art retreats and why it's important for you to go to at least one in your life time.  If you are reading my blog and follow me on any of my social networks I'm guessing there is a strong chance you are creative in some form or another.  Even if you are not, read on...

 If you have never been to an art retreat, GO!  Just do it!   YOU DESERVE IT!  Why?  Well there are tons of reasons why.  I've been thinking about this for awhile and here are my reasons why I've gone to art retreats and how I felt while I was there and and how I felt when I got home:

1.  The biggest reason is for the all encompassing EXPERIENCE!  It's art all day all night, 24/7.  It's art time on STEROIDS!  You get to play, let go of adult responsibilities, get your hands dirty and get to know your inner child!

NO meals to make,
NO laundry to clean,
NO work to go to,
NO one to take care of
NO Domestic duties at all to take care of
NO distractions
Just ART ART ART

2.  You will be with like minded creative individuals who get why you do what you do and think like you think...whether you are a part time crafter wanting to learn more techniques or a seasoned artist.

3. You will finally get to meet all your social media art buddies!

4. You will meet your favorite art teachers.  I remember seeing Nina Bagley from a far for the first time at an art retreat.  She was my instructor for the whole retreat and there was a meet and greet the night before classes started, and that's when I saw her.  I had never met her before but had seen pictures and this may sound silly, but I was star struck!  I took a 3 day workshop from her and I loved every minute of it!

5.  Remember how you felt at Christmas when you were a little kid?  You counted down the days and then when Christmas finally arrived you would bolt out of bed at 3 in the morning and run to wake up your parents because you were so excited? Well that's what you feel like when you wake up at an art retreat!  You will wake up every morning excited to get to your class!  I'm not kidding!

6.  You will LEARN things that will expand your mind and make you grow as an artist on a spiritual, emotional and physical level.   yep, lots of things.....

7. You will come home with strong memories, new friendships, explosive inspiration and energy.  You will come home renewed and ready for more.  More of life and more art.

So what are you waiting for?  Won't you join me and the Art is You family this April?  I would love to meet you.  Scroll down to see what I will be teaching and check out eatcakecreate.com for more information on the offerings.

Have you been to an art retreat?  Leave a comment if you have, I'd love to hear about your experience.

If you want to read more about art retreats here is a wonderful article on the Art is You experience:
http://www.eatcakecreate.com/go-forward-and-retreat-how-meeting-face-to-face-can-cause-a-shift-in-your-life/

Bohemian Illumination: soldering for newbies

 Eclectic Beaded Wraps

Knotty Soldered Bracelets

SALE on my favorite wire!

Hello lovlies!

Some of you know that I buy my bulk red brass wire from Thunderbirdsupply.com.  I wanted to share the link because from today until next week only they are having their quarterly sale on base metal bulk pricing.     This type of wire is very difficult to find because it is SOLID brass, copper etc. and comes in several gauges.  It's not the crap you get from hobby stores or even bead stores like craft wire or others that I won't name, which is very weak and brittle.  This wire is the BEST!  When you click the link below, click "metals" in the side bar.  You will then see all the types they offer.  The base metals like red brass, copper, nickel silver are on sale but you won't see it until you click on them.

 You're welcome!

thunderbirdsupply.com

Happy Students

Hello creative ones, just wanted to pop in and show you some pictures of some of my lovely students from a class I taught yesterday...you may already know that I teach LOTS of classes but rarely take pictures, so enjoy!  And if you ever want to have me over to your home and teach something I'd be happy to oblige, just email me and we can talk:  robin@powerline6.com

Also don't forget Glitterfest is coming!  Hope to see you all there!

WITCHES OR ANGELS?

Hi Everyone, I hope you're holidays were festive and fun.  Did you see the recipe below in my last post?  If not check it out, it's super yummy!  If you had a chance to make it let me know what you thought!

2016 is suppose to be a great year according to numerology.com and adds up to the number 9 which is the end of a of a 9 year cycle and beginning of  a new and better cycle.  I can't explain it very well but check out the link for yourself.  Even if you don't believe in that kind of stuff, it never hurts to listen to good news about your future.

So!  This past fall (2015) I had many wonderful requests from some of my favorite venues as well as unexpected sources to teach at new venues with potentially large classes.  I'm very humbled and excited to be teaching at 3 prestigious art retreats for 2016 and was asked to come back to A Work of Heart in San Jose,CA to teach 3 classes in October as well (more on that later).

This Saturday, Jan.9, I'll be at Piecemakers annual teachers open house event.  Please come and see samples of my new classes along with all the other talented artists this Saturday January 9 from 1-4pm.

JAN. 16 & 17-The first class of the year is at one of my favorite venues, Whimzy in Old Town Tustin, CA., Jan.16 & 17.  For the first time ever I will be teaching a 2 day collage painting workshop entitled WITCHES OR ANGELS, and I would love to have you as my guest!  Here are pictures of the samples and before I go any further, this class is open to all levels, so check out their web site to sign up and get all the info. vintagewhimzy.com

January 30, 2016- The next class I'll be teaching is at another favorite venue of mine in Costa Mesa,Ca at Piecemakers.   A brand new take on one of my most requested classes, we'll make a quadruple strand crochet necklace.  This class is almost full so hurry!  inquire here: piecemakers.com

FEBRUARY 27- GLITTERFEST  1960 South Anaheim Way, Business Expo in Anaheim CA.  Mixed media art and home decor show. I'll be there!

The 3 art retreats I'll be teaching at are:

Art is YOU!  check out the schedule here:  eatcakecreate.com

I'll be teaching at 2 of their 2016 retreats, Santa Rosa,CA (April)  and Connecticut (Oct.)

3 classes:  Knotty Soldered Bracelet  - sign up here for the April 2016 Santa Rosa retreat:  eatcakecreate.com

BOHEMIAN ILLUMINATION, soldering for newbies.  sign up here for the April 2016 Santa Rosa retreat: eatcakecreate.com

Eclectic Beaded wraps, sign up here and get more info for the April 2016 Santa Rosa retreat:
eatcakecreate.com

Another art retreat that I'm excited to teach at is Vivi Magoo'sArt Retreat at the Beach, Irvine CA. this June.  Brand new classes and registration is open.  Some of the classes are almost full and the line up is incredible.  Go here to take a gander:  vivimagoo.com

Okay I've taken up a lot of your time so thanks for coming by.  Leave me a comment if you like what you see!

3 ingrediant salty sweet treat for you!

Merry Christmas!  I wanted to share a treat I make every Christmas with you.  I love it and I think you will too.  It's only 3 ingredients and its quick!  It's my butterscotch chocolate peanut clusters.  Here you go:

12 oz. semi sweet chocolateToll House morsels ( or similar)
12 oz. butterscotch Toll House morsels
12 oz. salted Spanish Peanuts

Add both bags (chocolate and butterscotch morsels) in the top of a double boiler.  Make sure you do not BOIL the water, just simmer.  Stir the morsels constantly until they are melted and blended.  Remove from heat.    Add  12 oz. of Spanish Peanuts and coat thoroughly with the chocolate/butterscotch mixture.

Plop several spoonfuls of the clusters onto wax paper until done and cool over night. This makes about 48-60 clusters.  YUM!

what motivates you to create?

Hello everyone!  It's Dec.1, 2015 can't believe it can you...I swear this year went by the fastest ever!  I'm so excited for 2016, how about you?   Do you have plans to make time for creativity?  If so how do you fit it in and what inspires you?  I plan on having more posts here that involve my readers and any suggestions you may have on what you would like to see.  Here is a snippet of what I mean:

What gets you motivated to create?  Because the holiday season is a busy time of year I want to keep this post short and sweet, but I would like to keep the conversation ongoing in future posts, so I'm starting with just one example.   One thing I do is create a color pallette if I want to make a piece of jewelry.  Having a physical visual helps get my creativity going:

What motivates you to create?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  This week I'll be making new Christmas inspired gifts and will post them to inspire you.  My motivation is a 2 day holiday show that I'll be participating in Dec.4 and 5 in Costa Mesa,CA.  If you live in the area I'd like to invite you to not only see what I have on my table but to see several other artists in this intimate event.  Here is the flyer.  Hope to see you there!

Address for Bungalow Buccis Holiday Affaire:

345 E. 19th St.

Costa Mesa,CA

50% OFF!

Heads up creative ones!  THIS Saturday, small business Saturday, Nov.28- Cyber Monday for 50% off of my CROWNS AND TIARA CLASS!!  REGULARLY $65 NOW $32.50.

THIS CLASS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

10am Saturday Nov.28 through Monday Nov.30, midnight only!!

For more information on the class see the May 22 post!

Eye candy inspiration

All creatives need visuals to stimulate creativity.  In this post I hope to inspire you to go make something!  Oh....and if you happen to live in the So. Cal area I'll be selling these pieces this Saturday in Old Town Tustin,CA  at Whimzy, 474 El Camino Real.  The trunk show will be from 6-9pm with food and 2 other artists selling our wares!

Soldering 101 with Robin

After repeated requests, I've decided to have another soldering 101 class at my home Sunday, OCTOBER 25!   If you're interested let me me know.  I live in Torrance,CA and will give out the address when you've registered.
                         CLASS CLOSED.

We'll go over all the basics to get you started: copper foil tape, sandwiched glass frames, bubble glass and liquid silver embedding.   I have a couple of soldering irons and equipment if you need to borrow or you can bring your own.  If you want to purchase your own soldering iron and/or equipment before class I'll give you the best resources locally in the South Bay or online: email me robin@powerline6.com

DATE:  SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
TIME: 11-4P
PLACE: MY HOME IN TORRANCE,CA
COST: $100 includes instruction, food and materials.  
**Please bring your soldering equipment if you have it and jewelry pliers & wire cutters
                                     Sorry, no refunds!

Cost for the all day class is $100 which includes a light lunch and materials to make 3 charms.  If you need to use my soldering equipment there is a $5 fee and you need to contact me to reserve one ahead of time. robin@powerline6.com.

 Seating is limited to 8 students.  This is a process oriented course where you'll make at least 3 charms.    Here are some pictures for inspiration:

                                                 Thanks!

updates for end of year!

Hi Everyone!  Fall is here, winter on the way although in S.Cal you would never know!  Anyways.....

Here is the scoop on where I'll be and what classes I'll be teaching.  Don't forget to scroll down to the last post on Sept. 22 for a FREE tutorial on a SPOOKY BANNER!


OCTOBER 10~ GLITTERFEST!!  Business Expo in Anaheim,CA.  Best altered art, mixed media show there is.  I'll be there selling in the same spot.  go here for directions,info and address.

OCTOBER 25~SOLDERING 101 AT MY HOUSE AGAIN!  See my post from Aug.17 to sign up and info!

NOVEMBER 21~PAINTED CANVAS CLUTCH class at THE FOLK ARTIST in Huntington Beach.  Go here to sign up!

NOVEMBER 14~ HOLIDAY TRUNK SHOW at Whimzy in Tustin!  More info soon!

NOVEMBER 15~ New online workshop with me ALTERED ART BOTTLES!  more info soon!

I have lots of wonderful classes lined up for next year, 2016,and I'm especially excited because I have been asked to be a participating instructor at ART IS YOU in Santa Rosa,Ca for April and then again for Stamford,Connecticut in October 2016!  When registration opens, you'll be the first to know!  

One other thing,  I will be teaching a new class at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa on Jan. 30,2106 and registration is open so you can sign up HERE now.  We'll be making a 3 to 4 strand necklace using my popular crochet technique!