Hastypearl Mixed Media Angel

Hastypearl

Mixed Media Angel

Well, this posting is Both a Happy :) and Sad :( tale.

Ill get the Sad part over first.

I lost the photos that I took to make a step out tutorial, for this piece.

OK. So, not sooo sad, but I was certainly disappointed. 

Not only those images were lost, but also, 

the ones that I took of a family luncheon that I hosted.

You know how it goes.

I am constantly trying to learn more about photography.

Wow, what a steep learning curve it is.

So, I followed some steps for changing 

my camera from the settings that it came with.

I turned left when I should have turned right 

on one of the steps, and I don't know how to 

retrieve the missing photos.

At least I figured out WHY it happened 

and corrected it so that it doesn't continue.

I've learned along Life's way, to try to not have regrets.

There will always be another time, for more photos.

So, the Happy part of the tale, is that I had 

a Wonderful time creating this piece.

It just came together with ease!

I love it when that happens.

Basically, it is comprised of layers and layers.

Starting with a Very Old Lace tablecloth, 

I built up, I think it was 10 layers.

The wood piece in the middle is a paper thin 

piece of wood, that came out of a beautiful wood cigar box.

I thought it gave the piece a little more structure...stability.

I ultimately used grommets in the front and back, 

so that the rusty wire that I strung through them, 

would feel a little more finished.

There is a layer behind the angel wings of some of my 

hand painted watercolor paper, some tulle, 

some stenciling...I used Roxanne Evans Stouts Stencil Girl stencils...

they are beautiful, 

and of course, I used a Ton of ephemera.  

I ran a border of checked ribbon that I saved 

from a purchase, from Trudi Sissons.

If you've never bought anything from her...you should!

The explosion of wrapping fun starts on the OUTside 

of the envelope and the surprises go on and on!

Both artists are as Great as it Gets for Mixed Media Art 

and they constantly provide me with Inspiration! 

So, the recipient of this gift, 

is our newest baby family member.

Girls have been little hard to come by in our family, 

however, it seems to be finally turning 

a bit with this new generation!

There's NO real protection from this angel...

That will come from God, 

but it will be colorful and fun for her little 

busy eyes to enjoy as shes growing.

Her name is Blakely, so that's why you see 

the Vintage Letterpress Letter B.

I hope you enjoyed the "Very Short" Step Out instructions :)

I guess in the end, a tutorial just wasn't meant to be.

Maybe this Mixed Media Piece, 

was just meant to be Viewed and Enjoyed! 

Lesson Learned?

Yep! 

We just need to roll with the punches and enjoy the ride!

Thanks for stopping by!

If you would like to get email alerts when I post, 

just sign up in the space provided in the right side column.

I promise I wont overdo it:)

And as always, I hope that you will pop over to 

my hastypearl Etsy shop periodically, 

to see what's going on. 

I hope that you will keep me in mind for your 

2015 gifting purchases.

Etsy has made it Very simple to shop.

All you need is a credit card and the rest is Easy.

Handmade is Best and even Better, it gets Delivered right to your mailbox!!!

xo...as always ...Laura    

Happy 2015 ! Hastypearl

Happy 2015 !

Hastypearl

Yes, another year has rolled by.

My father told me when I was a child, that the years would go by quickly, 

but I was young and "smarter" than he was and 

told him that that wouldn't be true for me.

Well, Five Decades later, and I wonder how it could have happened.

I mean, that the time has gone by so fast, not that my father was smarter than me ;)

So, now its my turn to be the parent.

And its my turn to wish that I could tell my boys everything that they 

need to know to grow and mature, but that job is over for me.

The amazing thing is, they seem to be doing just fine without my input:)

They impress me, constantly.

They are both Kind.

They are both making their way in the world and Contributing, to it.

The three of us, have recently started doing something fun together.

It happened rather impromptu, actually.

Because we are all so busy, along with a little texting, 

we are also sharing with each other, 

favorite song tracks...tunes...that we enjoy.

Its a way to give and take and learn more about each other.

I love participating in that process.

We are also known to send each other 

images of things that Visually Amaze us.

This activity makes me very happy.

It seems that they both have a great eye for Natural Beauty.

They both know how to slow down and catch the Gifts.

The Visual Gifts that God gives us...daily...by the gillions, 

if we Choose to see them.

One son lives near the Texas Gulf Coast and I love 

seeing the long views of the water that he captures.

I never dreamed that he would live near such Beauty.

During Christmas, while visiting with us,

one of my sons was playing with my camera. 

I was aware of it, because I handed it to him, 

but I had a houseful of guests, and was busy with that.

After he left, and while downloading my pictures, 

I found the surprise images that you will see, below.

It makes me emotional just thinking about it.

One, because I continually miss them, 

and two, because he took the time to slow down and 

See the Magnificent Wonder 

of a humble, common houseplant 

and drop of water, back lit... just so...

For So Many reasons, 

I think that they are two of the greatest people

 in the world and I couldn't be prouder of them...

   

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I Hope for You, an Amazing 2015.

There is So Much Good, in front of us.

I hope that you will See it All...

And Share it with those that You love :)

xo Laura

Red Oak Book Workshop My Books Hastypearl

Red Oak Book Workshop

My Books

Hastypearl

Hopefully, you have already read my previous posting 

about a fantastic workshop 

that I recently hosted, with Roxanne Evans Stout 

and Leslie Marsh...in the teaching seats.

While we are still floating along in Post Workshop Bliss, 

that's not what this posting is about:)

I thought that I would simply show you... what I created!

No two students book covers were alike 

 and no two pages were alike, either.

We were given technique and tools 

and left to our own imaginations!

Ahhh...so refreshing.

I will apologize, but Once.

When I say that, you will understand.

If you want to know what these books 

look like from the hands of the talented teachers, 

you would be wise to go to their websites.

That is not to say that I'm not amazed and proud 

of our work.

Its just important that I direct you to look 

at what Years of practice in these techniques, can look like!

Our books had Soldered and bound covers.

Some people sent Leslie pictures that they wanted to use on their covers, 

but she somehow and amazingly found for me,

Vintage pictures 

of the town that I live near.

I had never seen any of the pictures that she found.

This one is undoubtedly of the river 

that runs through the city and its original bridge.

I will Treasure this Sentimental Find.

My book will Never lay flat, Nor close!

That's OK.

I love FILLING the pages.

That's my style!

We were all amazed at the simplicity of the graphics 

that the string made on our paper and fabrics, 

from winding it around and around a copper pipe.

After dropping our "wands" into the boiling water, 

the leaves made their own beautiful tracings. 

Those of us addicted to Mixed Media Art, 

are always scavenging materials.

I retrieved the strings that came off of our pipes 

from the trash cans and along with some ribbons, 

made a little weaving.

Again, I could hardly pay attention to Roxanne's 

copper box making tutorial, 

because all I could think about was 

grabbing her little copper squares, leftovers :)

She also told us a story about where 

she illegally   ;)

found this metal grate, 

but again, I cant remember it, 

because all I wanted to do was grab it :)

I tied it to one of my pages and cut out the openings.

I love how light pours through the holes 

and even better, how it looks from the back on the pecan leaves.

It was fun asking the owners 

of the Turn of the Last Century Old Time General store

 that I shop at, if I could have leaves 

from their Century Pecan Tree! 

They were actually curious 

and asked if I would bring the art that I made with them!

I'm a talker, and find that most people 

love hearing about other peoples interests AND, 

that same store owner, gave me a really great suggestion 

about who I might invite to future art workshops!

One thing leads to another, right ? :)

As you have seen, I've made Many more pages.

I will post them 

along the way on my Facebook timeline.

I hope that you will stop by there 

sometime and see what I'm up to.

There is a button on the right side 

of this page that will instantly link you to it, 

and to my Etsy shop and more! 

Next, are a few images of a mini book that we made.

Leslie sells AMAZING books with beautiful embossed lead covers, 

in her Etsy shop and at Shows.

I was fortunate enough to buy one 

from her last year, and I wear it all of the time.

I look forward, to making another embossed cover.

It is definitely something that repetition will help with.

It was another opportunity to practice 

the bookbinding stitching that she taught us.

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So, there You are! 

A little continuation of my previous blog posting.

Its an Understatement that 

Both ladies opened many new doors, 

for ALL of us.

There are workshops of Every Kind, 

available around the country, All of the time.

Do be Bold and Try New Things!

Its a great way for us to build our brains, feed our imaginations and souls,  

and Discover things that we Might just fall in love with!

So, Thanks for stopping by my hastypearl blog.

I hope that You find Wonder, wherever you are!

Fondly...Laura

Mixed Media Assemblage Angel Hastypearl

Mixed Media Assemblage Angel

Hastypearl

As many of you know, I love Two things that both show up over and over in my art.

One...Angels...the second ....Building Angels :)

My stash of found objects continues to grow.

I cant "help" it :)

Just let me in the doors of a closing estate 

where there was a Curios Minded Gentleman with a workshop, 

and I AM going to find what he tinkered with!

As happens, I recently met at the Church of Redstone, Colorado, 

a woman with a never ending smile named, Betty.

It didn't take long for us to discover 

that we had a number of friends in common.

That same morning, I "randomly" sat next to a woman 

that I had met all the way back in the 70's named Melissa.

Both women were dear to my SIL's family, Bess and Jim.

Bess and Jim, are the common denominator to us all.

Well, eventually in the story, 

Betty wrote me to tell me about an important 

fund raiser that was to be held in the Crystal River Valley.

It was for a ministry that Melissa and Louis McBurney 

established 40 years ago for Pastors and their families.

I don't think that we think about Pastors 

as people that might need ministering to, as 

THEY are usually the ones doing the Serving.

Well, Melissa and Louis knew better, 

and their Marble Retreat ministry continues, today.

After reading a letter of mine and seeing my blog and hastypearl etsy addresses,

Betty sweetly contacted me and asked me to be a part of the 

Marble Retreat fundraiser.

I was honored and thrilled.

This Angel was what I made for the event 

and I thought that you would enjoy seeing her.

Her body, was built on the most amazing wood finial. 

I realized, that I never took a photo 

of her from behind. Oops. Sorry!

I layered and layered.

Many of the brass gears and pieces, 

came from my stash from the estate of a clock repairman.

I traveled  to that estate for three days straight 

and people continued to pour out of it with bags in their arms.

It will be a while, before I go to an estate sale to match that one!

You know that I also love casters.

This porcelain caster 

was a perfect match for her mother of pearl button heart.

We just got back from 11 days in the Crystal River Valley, 

where the Marble Retreat is located.

This would be a very similar view 

to what those seeking healing there, would 

see from the home in Marble.

Its a very Restorative view for All!  

one of the verses that they have on their website:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. -Psalm 46:1

It was my Joy to participate by 

submitting this Angel piece for the event, 

and I was very delighted to learn that it sold!

I always think about the person/s that will end up with my pieces.

I know that for every item that I create, 

that there is a Special Person just waiting to be matched with it.

I hope that you are enjoying these beautiful days.

Cooler for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere 

and Freshening and Spring like for you in the Southern part of the World.

Thank you so much for stopping by...

I hope you will often.. :) xo Laura

Line Drawings and Gouache Putz House Fun! Hastypearl

Line Drawings and Gouache

Putz House Fun!

Hastypearl

I recently bought a great collection of Putz Houses.

The word Putz comes from the early Moravian tradition

 of decorating for Christmas, 

with street scenes or nativities or even Noah's Ark.

This practice was even more popular than decorating the tree.

After World War II, 

the Japanese started making paper houses with holes in the back,

 to be illuminated with strung lights.

My houses were Made in Japan.

The shapes and colors that you can find, seem to be endless.

So, I have recently been inspired by many, but specifically by the drawings of 

Trudi Sissons of Two Dresses Studio, 

Claudia of blog AdiandBert, Michele Maule, 

and as I have mentioned before, Jane LaFazio.  

I follow all four, either on their blogs, websites, FB or Instagram.

Separately, they each are committed to practice...drawing.

Simple, right?

My husband and I talked about it.

I said...you know, if I did a few sit ups every night, I'd be stronger.

If I practiced a language a little bit every day, I could speak it.

If I drew every day, Id get better.

Most of us aren't naturals at everything, but if we work at it, just a little every day...

we would see a change!

So, this past week, I took up my pencil, and started drawing a little bit...every day.

To make it a bit more challenging, 

I tried to position my Putz houses, at different angles each time, 

so it wouldn't always just be one dimensional.

Am I a Rembrandt? No.

Not even close.

But by the time I put a little watercolor on my sketches, I liked what I saw.

Most of the time, we are so self critical, that we quit.

That wasn't my goal.

My goal was to draw, and draw often.

I decided to make my little scenes, Nighttime Scenes.

I used a product called, Fineline Masking Fluid Pen, for the little stars.

I bought mine at Asel Art Supply in San Antonio, 

but I'm sure that you could find it online.

It has a small pin, that inserts into the tiny delivery system, 

that constantly self cleans and I never had a problem with flow.

When the mask drys, you simply paint over it.

When your paint is dry...you simply rub the mask, off.

It was fun seeing my Twinkly Stars appear in my night sky!

The houses seemed like they needed some wildlife, 

so I drew some Reindeer.

I would like to say that I was "off" on those drawings, 

but truthfully, those Reindeer, have always been a little spooky faced to me!

Maybe you can see that in the Reindeer piece, 

I masked some Holly Leaves and I added some Gold Paint

for the berries and the Reindeer antlers!

After a week or so, I had done 6 drawings.

That's exactly 6 more, than if I hadn't drawn :)

They didn't take long and I really enjoyed it.

In Silence, or with Music going or talking on the phone, it was time well spent.

I plan to continue for as long as I'm enjoying it.

The point isnt to become a slave to drawing...or doing sit ups or learning a language.

The point is to take care, that we aren't just letting time go by, 

without doing things that we've wished to do.

We all know how fast the days go by...

So, I Hope this posting Encourages you, just as Trudi, Claudia, Michele and Jane,

Unknowingly, have Encouraged me!

I'm so glad that you stopped by!

If you would like, there is a place on the right side of my blog, 

to sign up to receive email notices of my hastypearl postings.

I wont overwhelm you. I promise!

I usually check in every couple of weeks!

For those of you living in the Northern Hemisphere, 

I Hope you are enjoying these last days of warmth, 

as we head towards cooler days, 

and for you Southern Hemisphere dwellers

...I'm a little envious of you as you head into Spring!

Happy Learning....xo Laura    

Kindred Stitches Magazine Plus Hastypearl = :)

Kindred Stitches Magazine Plus Hastypearl  =  :)

There is a Continuum in our Lives.

Sometimes, I think we wish we could see it from start to finish, but really, 

where would the fun be in that, right?

It hasn't been long since I launched the concept of Hastypearl, but almost EVERY DAY, 

there has been something Wonderful and New to experience.

In July, I received a Lovely email, through my Hastypearl Etsy store, from two creative Australian ladies, named Lenna and Janice.

It seems, that they were both so passionate about all things needle, thread and stitching, 

that they 

CREATED an Online Magazine.

Who does that?

And Who does That, Beautifully???

Well, THEY Did :)

They called the magazine, Kindred Stitches.

What a Beautiful Name!

So, they fill their magazine with Incredible images...I mean Beautiful images.

There are features and interviews with artists.

There are stepped out "How To's" for beautiful AND achievable arts of all kinds.

There is a Selfless Promotion of artists and their craft.

The ONLY thing that is missing in this magazine is....ADVERTISING.

Awww ;)

So, why did they contact Hastypearl?

I was honored to be asked to be included in their Twelfth Issue, called, 

A Place To Call Home.

They thoughtfully, include artists and their creations...and this time, my little Fairy House, 

fit right in with their Homey theme!

I'm pretty sure, that the Noisy Fairy Residents in my little cottages, 

must have had Something to do with Wooing Lenna and Janice to contact me! 

You can imagine how Thrilled I was to see my little Home

 on this magazines' illuminated pages!

Besides the fact that these little cottages were such a joy to make, 

its great to see that They loved them, also.

I hope that you will take a look at them, and see if you love them, too!

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The magazine creators didn't know, that Hastypearl's recent life Continuum included a declining of an offer for another wonderful opportunity, because it just didn't quite fit my goals, 

to only embrace opportunities of Excellence.

Kindred Stitches Magazine definitely met that goal !

Kindred Stitches, is available through the Apple Newstand and is so easy to buy.

I hope you will check it out and forward this posting to all of your "Stitchy" Friends :)

Thanks again, Lenna and Janice.

Enjoy the Continuum called Life, Everyone!

You never know what will Next, come knocking on your Life's Door!

xox Laura

Interview with Artist Laurie Mika Hastypearl

Interview with Mixed Media Artist Laurie Mika

Hastypearl

I'd  say God knew what He was doing when He sent Laurie Mika into my life :)

I first met her in a transitional time in my life, at a workshop, in San Antonio.

I Hadn't Ever Been to an art workshop, so, I was a bit anxious when I walk in alone.

I'm a firm believer in recognizing and announcing  my "Noviceness", so I did.

Laurie doesn't care. 

In fact, I think she sees it as an asset, and she treats 

EVERYONE in her class as equals.

While you are learning at Light Speed, you don't know it. 

She makes it that easy and relaxed.

Laurie's style was exactly what I needed to see.

MORE and LAYERING are my favorite Colors! :)

She believes in MORE and LAYERING...but, Laurie's art is deceptively tricky. 

It may look easy to do, but there is so much experienced wisdom involved, 

and she knows just when to Stop!

I recently sent out a FB tease of one of her images, encouraging my friends to be watching for an upcoming mystery artist blog  interview...so for those of you that saw it...now you know.

Lets get started. I cant wait for you to see her answers!

 Laura: 1. At what age, did you recognize/feel, that you had an ability to express yourself artistically and what medium was it?

Laurie: I grew up drawing and doodling, so my first medium was a good old pencil and paper! I clearly remember drawing horses like crazy in the 7th grade!

2.Were you encouraged?

I would not say that I was overtly encouraged but my parents used to give me creative/crafty presents during the holidays and for my birthday, so in a sense, they understood my love of creating from an early age and that fostered a growing desire to "make things".

3.What/Who inspires you?

Medieval, Renaissance and Mexican Folk Art are my biggest influences. I have decided that these influences come together in Spanish Colonial art which I am passionate about. Travel inspires me especially when we are in locations to visit shrines and churches and to see examples of local arts and crafts and to go to local flea markets. Pinterest inspires me, such eye candy! Going to a museum and walking through their Medieval collection is sure to get the creative juices flowing. Jewelry design often gets me thinking of new ways to approach my clay work, There are countless artists, both from the past and the present that influence my work.

4.What percentage of the time, do you like your finished product?

I would say about 85 percent of the time I am happy with the finished product because with clay, you can wad it back up into a ball and start over...there are always chances to redeem something that is headed south!

5. Do you start and finish a piece, or do you work on multiple pieces at a time?

I used to only work on one piece at a time, but have noticed over the years that while I am working on one thing, it tends to spark another idea and then I begin something else. Ever so often, I have a piece where I start off totally inspired but midway through the process, lose the inspiration. I hate when that happens! Those tend to be the 15 percent of the pieces that I am not happy with.

6. What gives you the most satisfaction in your work?

 i.e. The idea? The process? The materials? Or none of these?

I would say all of these! I love coming up with the new idea or inspiration and can't wait to see how I can push the medium (materials) to make the idea come to fruition ( the process). It is the experimentation with the medium that brings me the most joy. I always love combining clay with just about anything else and seeing what happens.

7. I hear people talk about running out of ideas. Does that ever concern you?

I have the opposite problem, I have too many ideas and not enough time to execute them? I am often up in the middle of the night thinking about ideas and ways to do something new but get frustrated when I don't have the time in the studio. Teaching also keeps me on my toes coming up with new ideas.

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8. I first met you at a workshop. You ARE a teacher, but it doesn't feel like it from a students perspective. You have a way of sharing, that feels like we are friends in your living room. You build confidence in every student, so that any "fear or anxiety" slips away. Can you talk about "teaching", from your perspective?

I never thought that I would be teaching, but once I did, I loved it and was hooked! I love sharing the knowledge I've gained over the years from all of my experimentation with polymer clay. I especially love having newbies to clay in my class because the medium is magic, and there are just limitless possibilities with it and to be able to share that with people and encourage them to express themselves through clay is incredibly rewarding. The fact that polymer is so forgiving, makes teaching with this medium a true joy. I don't think I ever taught a class where I didn't learn something from someone...it truly is a two-way street, the giving, the taking and the sharing of ideas and seeing how someone else interprets the process.

9. You are the author of, Mixed Media Mosaics: Techniques and Projects Using Polymer Clay Tiles, Beads & Other Embellishments, have a website, an Etsy shop, a blog and you teach workshops nationally and internationally...whats the next exciting frontier/idea, brewing in you head?

Retirement! Lol!

Actually, I will be teaching my first E course next year at an online polymer clay retreat!

This will be my first time teaching online though I have been thinking about it for a long time. Of course, a second book has been brewing in my head for quite some time, it is a matter of which way to proceed. There are so many options out there now for publishing. So, in a nutshell, I think the next exciting frontier will be exploring possibilities in the digital age!

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So, there you have it! 

Start to Finish, Laurie, is as one of my friends says, Top Shelf!

Her work, her career, her heart and love of her family...who I meant to mention are involved in her business, make her someone to latch on to and follow.

Just I as did from that first workshop!

I hope that you enjoyed meeting her either for the first time, or learning something new about her since your first time meeting her.

I'm very thankful that she generously shared images of her art.

Be sure to check out her website and enjoy her extensive gallery, and  do some shopping! 

Also, check out her yearly schedule and see if there is a class that you can make, soon!

Thanks Laurie... You're the Best!

xoxo to all...Laura