Dollhouse Miniatures by Pei Li is a beautiful web site specializing in highly realistic and unique one inch scale dollhouse miniatures. Pei Li’s work has been featured in several publications and online venues. She has written a detailed, downloadable tutorial on The Art of Making Dollhouse Miniature French Bakery Bread, available for purchase on her web site.

About The Artist

I’m Pei Li, the creator behind Pei Li’s Miniatures. As a young child, I have always been interested in crafts. It was not until in my adulthood that I found what I really love – making 1:12 scale miniatures. When I started attending some clay classes locally and overseas several years ago, it ignited my passion to seek and learn more, especially in making 1:12 scale dollhouse miniatures. I have since been making and experimenting ways to create realistic miniature art pieces. My design style is a mixture of shabby chic, worn out elegance and whimsical!

Creating miniatures is a unique and interesting passion to me as it combine several interests that I all love: home/interior decorating, furniture making and creating mouth watering desserts and patisserie out of air dry clay. It is a rewarding passion that I can go on for hours, and in return, a miniature artwork to be treasured forever.

It is my sincere desire that through my miniature creations, you would be transported into a world of fantasy and delight. One of my goals is to use my unique talent to help transform the lives of people in need, and hence I decided to start my own web site to make this a really special place – where I can all make it happen here.

Craft Classes – Air Dry Clay Workshop for Adults

Air dry clay workshops in 1:12 dollhouse miniature scale for adults are now available in Singapore! I am excited to share the joy of creating realistic high quality 1:12 scale dollhouse miniature art with you.

In these classes, you will learn how to use several techniques and different medium to create long lasting miniature artwork yourself. Air dry clay, oil colors, wood and acrylic paints are some of the materials that you will be using in all of these classes.

If you have always been wondering how high quality realistic dollhouse miniatures are being created by hand, you will be opened to a new world once you attend these craft classes. Creating highly realistic dollhouse miniatures is possible with the right tools, techniques, knowledge and guidance from the right instructor.

Special craft classes arrangements can be made for overseas travellers who happen to visit Singapore. Classes are conducted in English. Please enquire for more details. Feel free to visit Students Testimonials to read what my students say.

Private lessons can be conducted at your home. Please contact me if you are interested to find out more. If you are a tourist who happen to be in Singapore and would be interested to take up some classes during your stay here, do contact me as well, special arrangements can be made.

Contact Information & More

Pei Li’s miniature creations and supplies to make your own miniatures are available for purchase on her web site and Etsy, and you may contact her through her web site.

Be among the first to know all about Pei Li’s newest dollhouse miniature creations, specials and workshops by signing up for her Newsletter. You can also follow on Facebook and her blog!

Written by Pei Li Chin and Edited by Kathryn Depew

Copyright 2012 Pei Li Chin

Would you like your artwork or handcraft featured on this site? Please contact me!

Back to the Miniatures Gallery

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Art & Craft Show season is upon us, and I thought it to be a good time to hear from an expert on marketing and art shows.  Following is an excellent, informative article by Kelli Swan from EzineArticles.com.

Marketing Your Art Though Art Shows and Festivals

By Kelli Swan

If you are an emerging artist, one of the easiest ways to market your work is to sell it yourself. And one of the best ways to do this is to exhibit in Art Shows and Festivals. Following are some hints and ideas for getting started:

Finding the Shows

Many states and localities have Art Leagues and Associations which list local Art Shows. Make sure to start with these organizations. For nationwide listings, there are several great websites with show listings. A few to try are: Sunshine Artist, artfairsource.com or festivalnet.com. Once you identify the shows that interest you, you can write or email the contact person of each show for an application. In most cases you will be looking for shows that take place 6-12 months out, as the deadline for entries is often quite early.

Filling out Applications

The first thing to note on an application is the deadline. Many shows will not accept entries received after that date. The application will outline the show regulations and fees required. Art Shows vary extensively in rules and regs. Most of the better (i.e. potential for sales) shows limit artwork exhibited to that which is hand-made. Any reproductions, even 2-dimension prints, may be limited or not permitted at all. Make sure to read the application completely before applying to the show!

A Note about Fees

In most cases you will need to send two separate fees with the Art Show application. The first is known as a “Jury Fee” or “Screening Fee.” This fee is non-refundable, and must accompany the application. Jury Fees generally range from $5 to $30.

The second fee is the “Booth Fee.” This is the fee you pay for space at the show. A standard booth space is 10 foot by 10 foot. Depending upon the size and quality of the event, the Booth Fee may range from $25 to $400 or more. Some shows require this check upfront with the application. Other shows request the Booth Fee upon your acceptance into the show.

After the jury has reviewed your application, you will receive one of three replies: A Letter of Acceptance, A Letter of Rejection, or a Stand-by (Wait List) Notice. The first two replies are self-explanatory. The “Wait List” letter simply means that your work did not quite make the first cut, however you stand a chance of being called in to do the show should someone else cancel. It is your choice to remain on the Wait List or to withdraw from the show altogether.

Samples of Your Work

In most cases, some form of samples of your work will be required with the application. At one time 35mm slides were the sample for most shows requested. More and more shows are now starting to request electronic scans. Either way, quality is requirement number one. Whenever possible, you should spend the money to have your art professionally photographed. Remember that this is the only view the art show jury will see of your work. Two dimensional artwork should fill the slide area – no matting or framing should be visible. Three dimensional artwork should have a very simple background which compliments the art.

Many shows, particularly outdoor shows, will require a “Booth Slide” or photo as well. In this case the art show is looking for a picture of your entire display. It goes without saying that this picture should look as professional as possible. To get a good shot of an outdoor display with canopy, try taking the photo on a slightly overcast day (to eliminate hard shadows) and leave the top of the canopy for nice lighting. Your display should be clean, simple and free of clutter.

Booth/Display

Canopy – If you are planning to do outdoor shows, you will need a canopy to protect you and your work from the elements. This is not the place to save money. Buy the best canopy you can afford. Talk to any artist who has ever lost $1,000′s of dollars of work to wind, rain, etc. and he/she will confirm this. Two of the better canopies are the TrimLine Canopy by the Flourish Company and the Light Dome Canopy. Canopies are offered with many options, including see-through material for skylights and doors, awnings, carrying cases, and more.

Display Panels – For two dimensional art, you will want standing panels so that you can hang your framed pieces. You may also want a “flip bin” or two for matted, unframed prints. The panels should be fabric-covered, as plain grids tend to have an unprofessional look. Some of the best panels come from ProPanels.com. This company also makes pedestals for displaying three dimensional work. The Flourish Company makes panels which attach to their canopy.

Weights – Weights are a necessity for canopies. You never know when the wind will kick up, and canopies can turn into flying parachutes. All four legs of the canopy should be weighted. Sand bags and cement blocks work, but a nicer look can be achieved using 3?-4? pvc pipe. Just cut 2-3? sections of pipe. Cap one end and fill with either cement or sand. Then cap the other end with a screw eye hook in the cap. This way you can secure the weight to both the top of the canopy rails (using a rope) and the bottom of the canopy legs (using utility ties.)

Weather – Make sure to plan for the elements! This may mean rain gear, sunscreen, extra clothes and the like. Also, your art work should be transported/stored plastic bins as opposed to cardboard. Consider purchasing a heavy duty dolly. Not only will this make getting your display from the vehicle to the display area easier, the dolly can also serve as an above ground table for storing artwork behind your booth.

Hotel arrangements

If you are planning to exhibit out of town, make those hotel arrangements as soon as you are accepted into the show. While an art show alone usually does not fill all the local inns, you may find that other events are in town for the weekend to coincide with the art show. This may make finding last minute lodging difficult.

Payments

Consider in advance what forms of payment you will accept. While “cash only” is a nice arrangement for the artist, it generally results in lost sales. If you plan to accept checks, make sure to check identification when accepting the check. If possible, try to get a merchant account before the show so that you can accept major credit cards. This will definitely improve your chances of sales. Most banks offer merchant accounts, though these days you will probably find better terms and pricing online.

Marketing Materials

Even if people are interested in purchasing your work not all customers will make purchases at the show itself. It is important to let them know how to reach you later. At very least, have professional business cards ready. (Try vistaprint.com, overnightprints.com or gotprint.net.) If possible, also take flyers, brochures, price lists and other materials which you can hand out. And don’t forget sales slips/receipts.

An “Artist Statement” (telling about you and your work) should be posted in your booth. People want to learn about you!

Attitude and Presentation

One the day of the show, make sure to SMILE! Purchasing artwork is a joyful occasion for most people. Few will transact with a grouch! It is also important to make a good impression on the show committee. One sure way to *not* get into future shows is to growl at a committee member. One last note, dress comfortably, but neatly. The paint-stained clothes should be left at home. You are in “selling” mode now and should dress accordingly.

Artist and Graphic Designer Kelli Swan specializes in black and white pencil drawing and search marketing: Pencil Drawings by Kelli Swan, Graphic Design, SEO and SMM.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelli_Swan
http://EzineArticles.com/?Marketing-Your-Art-Though-Art-Shows-and-Festivals&id=109619

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Sidewalk Art Stroll at the Huntsville Botanical Garden

April 14, 2012 – It was a beautiful day to stroll the garden and wander through art tents! We saw some old friends and enjoyed seeing some new (to us) art and handcrafts.

Children’s Garden

Statues in the Children's Garden

The Children’s Garden is a large, two-acre open area with several neat activities – I saw lots of kids of different ages, all having fun!  There are water play areas throughout, a Storybook Garden and more.  It is a wonderful place to teach little ones to appreciate God’s creation.

Art in the Children's Garden

What’s Next – Green Things & Butterfly Wings!

Green Things and Butterfly Wings Preview

Green Things & Butterfly Wings
Saturday May 5, 2012 – Friday August 31, 2012

The following is quoted from the Botanical Garden web site:

The Summer 2012 exhibit at the Garden is Green Things & Butterfly Wings! Thirty-five hand-painted five-and-a-half foot butterflies will be scattered throughout the Garden, each one hand-painted by a local or regional artist. Additionally, 25 painted and “baked” bisque ceramic frogs will “float” in the pond, Aquatic Garden or Encore Garden. Other “green” features include the summer’s sustainable programming leading up to our 4th annual Green U: A Festival for the Environment on Saturday, August 25th.

The summer exhibit kicks off on Saturday, May 5, with the opening of the butterfly house and a party in the Children’s Garden. We’ll get the party started with music and games from Steve Metz of Metropolitan DJ, as well as some incredibly talented face painters and classically trained butterfly dancers. The butterfly artists will also be on hand to answer questions about their butterflies and to display their other works of art.

Huntsville Sidewalk Arts Stroll

The following is quoted from the Sidewalk Arts Stroll web site:

Huntsville’s sidewalks become stages for the arts at the Sidewalk Arts Stroll. Held in May, June, July, and August around downtown Huntsville’s historic courthouse square, the Sidewalk Arts Stroll is a premier marketplace with a diverse collection of artists, vendors, and performers who offer something for everyone!

Enjoy free entertainment as you peruse vendor booths with original artwork, pottery, organic produce, fresh cut flowers, handcrafted paper-and much, much more!

Dates for the 2012 Summer Sidewalk Arts Stroll Series
May 17
June 21
July 19
August 16
(Always the Third Thursday!)
Time: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Artist & Performer Information

Performer fee is waived if you are performing for event.

Artist/Merchant Fees to Participate
$200 for all 4 events or $165 for 3 events: applications MUST be received before April 15th.

Single event application: $60 per event. Applications must be received one week prior to event

Booth spaces measure 10′ x 10′.  Please specify on the application if you will use a canopy.

** PLEASE NOTE–SPACE IS LIMITED and PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO EARLY APPLICANTS**

Sidewalk Art Stroll Artist Application

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Garden Railway in G-Scale

Ever since my friend Lynn McEntire told me about her new venture into living miniature gardening, I’ve been fascinated by the idea.  I was delighted to find a living miniature garden in my own city at the Huntsville Botanical Garden!  The Garden Railway is located on the right as you enter, and although I’ve stopped before to watch the train, I’ve never really noticed the scale plants and trees planted around the rails and village scene.  It was fun to see it with a new appreciation!

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More Information About the Miniature Garden & Railway

One of the most popular display gardens is the G-scale garden railway. The development process of this display is a microcosm of the garden – the track, buildings and trains were a donation by one of our members. Two Boy Scouts made the creation of the village and the laying of the track part of their Eagle Scout project. Finally, the Living Arts Bonsai Society did all the landscaping to add the finishing touches to this great exhibit.

This small European village features a church, fire station, restaurant, and homes amid a waterfall, two ponds (with fish) and a stream. Forests, a bog area, and a farm complete the scene. Over 1,000 plants were used to populate the forests, bog, village landscapes, and farm. Plants include evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, as well as perennial ground covers and annuals, all kept in scale with the miniature trains and buildings. The sound of a steam locomotive helps you locate it as it travels the rails, over a bridge, under the waterfall, and through the village and farm. A delight to adults and children alike, the Garden Railway operates from mid-March through December.

- from the Huntsville Botanical Garden web site

Copyright 2012 Kathryn Depew

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Being new to blogging, I occasionally run into programming issues with WordPress and the theme (template) that I am using for this Create! site – Portfolio Press.  Some of these issues were questions that I had, and I’ve seen others post to the WordPress and Portfolio Press forums. 

Following are some of the issues and solutions that I have encountered – bugs, stuff I needed to learn, weird things that happened because the computer was having a bad hair day, etc.  I will be updating this page as I run into more issues….hopefully not too often!

Portfolio Press

1.  Change Header Color

Go to Appearance: Theme Options: Style & Layout Tab

Click on the box under “Header Color” and choose your color.

2.  Change Background Color

Go to Appearance: Editor

Click on Stylesheet (style.css) at bottom right if not already there.

Find in code: #main

background: #fff (3-digit code for white; use the 3-digit code for the color you need)

remove the “url(images/bg-texture.png)”

WordPress

1.  404 Issues

Issue: When I click the “Older Posts” link it took me to a 404 Not Found Yahoo search page or the “This is embarrassing…” page.

Solution: Reset permalinks.  Go to Settings: Permalinks.  Click on Default button, then Save Changes.  Then, click on the setting that you prefer, then Save Changes.  This should fix the problem.

2.  404 Issues, part 2, plus Optimizing WordPress and SEO Advice

The following is the correspondence between me and a HostGator customer service representative.  I was very impressed with their promptness and expertise – he had the solution and fixed it for me within 24 hours!

Issue:

Hello,
Thank you for your email. I wasn’t clear about where the links were broken I suppose. If you go to my site http://cottonridgellc.com (not the admin section). Go to the sidebar and find the “Articles By Category” and you will see a list of links underneath. If you click one of those, it will take you to a page that says:
“This is somewhat embarrassing, isn’t it?It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for.  Perhaps searching, or one of the links below, can help.”

For example if you click on “Classes & Workshops”, the link will take you to http://cottonridgellc.com/category/classes-workshops/, but the above message shows instead of the posts in that category.

The same thing happens when I click on tag links at the bottom of individual posts. The errors just started happening yesterday.

Can you help me with this? I would appreciate any help you could give me.

Thank you!

Kathie Depew

Solution from HostGator customer service representative:

Hello there,
I am sorry to hear you are having issues with your blog http://cottonridgellc.com/ . I have resolved this for you and it seemed to be a combination of your plugins and permalink structure. I have attached a screenshot of the page you provided.

I disabled all of your plugins first due to not being able to load any page in your WordPress dashboard and re initialized your permalink structure for your WordPress site and now your site is loading without any issues. I then went one by one and started to enable the plugins that were active prior to determine if there was any issues. No issue arrived and your domain is now properly loading your article category pages.

Please review your WordPress site and plugins to ensure all your plugins are active and your site is loading as you intended. If I missed any plugins I apologize and I suggest enabling them one by one and check your site accordingly to determine if they cause any issue.

I would also like to provide you with our guide to optimizing WordPress below, specifically I suggest using Greg’s High Performance SEO Pack over other SEO plugins as they are known to cause issues. Outside that specific plugin the entire guide is a good resource when optimizing a WordPress site.

http://support.hostgator.com/articles/specialized-help/technical/wordpress/optimizing-wordpress

If you are still unable to load your article category pages please clear your browser cache with the steps specific to your browser in the following guide.

http://support.hostgator.com/articles/specialized-help/how-do-i-clear-my-web-browsers-cache

If you have any other questions or concerns please let us know.

Sincerely,
Joseph B.
Linux Administrator
HostGator.com LLC

I will be updating this page as I run into more issues….hopefully not too often!

Copyright 2012 Kathryn Depew

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Nature & Landscape Photographer

Joe Fikes resides in Huntsville, Alabama with his wife Judi, having retired from a career as a physicist specializing in lasers and electro-optics.  He has enjoyed photography in a serious way ever since he was a teenager.  But he only began exhibiting his work in 2007.  His photographic interests vary widely, but he primarily works with landscapes – everything from grand vista to intimate close-ups of wildflowers, streams and gardens.  He’s particularly fond of the Appalachian mountains and the American West.

Joe has spent over 40 years honing his technical and artistic skills, first with 35 mm film, then large-format cameras, and now with digital SLR Canon cameras.  His work is characterized by classical composition, critical sharpness, rich tonality and vibrant color.

Top Quality, Archival Prints

You may purchase top-quality prints from any of the images you see on this site.  Joe pays meticulous attention to all of the details in producing your print and he believes you’ll agree that the sharpness and depth of tonality and color will be as good or better than any you’ve seen. Available sizes vary, depending on the particular image. Factors that determine the availability of a specific size include the format and resolution of the original image, cropping, and other esthetic considerations. If an image won’t meet his standards of sharpness and color accuracy at a particular size, he’ll let you know.  Joe uses archival methods and materials throughout the process, insuring that your print will give a lifetime of fade-free, color-shift-free enjoyment. Your print will arrive ready to mat and frame and will be hand-signed by Joe on the white border. All images that are matted and/or framed by Joe will be signed on the mat itself.

Canon Digital SLR Cameras & Bundles

Photography Magazine Subscriptions

The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression

Photography Lessons in Huntsville, Alabama

In addition to making beautiful images himself, Joe has taught hundreds of others to make photos that they will enjoy for a lifetime.  He teaches photography classes to groups or private lessons for individual students.  His photography lessons feature flexible scheduling, custom tailored learning, and a practical balance between the art and technique.  A digital SLR camera is required. Pricing: $50 per hour for private or small group instruction.

Introduction to Digital Photography
Typically three – four two hour sessions.  You can decide what you think is right for you after you’ve had a chance to talk to Joe.  $300 – $400, depending on what you decide.

Intermediate Digital Photography
Typically four two-hour sessions, but these lessons are tailored to your individual needs.  You’ll work together with Joe to design a plan that is right for you.  Typically $400, based on what you decide.

Advanced Digital Photography
Once you’ve reached this point, you’ll have developed a good feel for where you want to go, photographically.  Joe will work with you to help you master the advanced skills needed to achieve your desired results.

Note from Kathie: Joe’s photography classes come highly recommended by a personal friend.

Exhibitions, Purchase & Contact Information

Joe’s photographs have been exhibited at art shows around north Alabama, the Huntsville Museum of Art, and may be seen in private and corporate collections in the Huntsville area.  He won first prize in the photography division at the Art on the Lake show in 2009 and in 2010.  To view more of his images, please visit his online gallery at his web site, Joe Fikes Photography. You may also contact him via phone: 256.883.5281 and email: joe@joefikes.com.

Written by Joe Fikes and Edited by Kathryn Depew. Copyright 2012 Joe Fikes.

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The following information was quoted from The Arts Council web site:

Panoply Arts Festival

Each spring in the heart of the Rocket City the arts are in full bloom at the Panoply Arts Festival. The Festival celebrates music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts, making Panoply (as defined by Mr. Webster) a “magnificent, impressive array”!

Tickets are only $5 per day or $10 per weekend and children 12 and under receive free admission.

There are also many opportunities behind the scenes. If you would like to become involved with Panoply by volunteering your time as a Committee Chairman, or if members of your organization want to join the over 1,500 volunteers who bring the festival to life, please contact Joanna White at (256) 519-ARTS (2787) or write us at info@artshuntsville.org. You can also complete our Volunteer Application by clicking here.

Panoply Public Hours:
Friday, April 27 – 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
First Responder Night

Saturday, April 28 – 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Gold Star Family & Active Duty Military Day

Sunday, April 29 – 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Celebrating 30 Years of Panoply

Art Marketplace

The Panoply Art Marketplace, sponsored in 2012 by Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama, has been offering an eclectic blend of artisans working in clay, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, print­making, sculpture, wood, bonsai and more for over 25 years. Artisans across the United States compete for acceptance in the Art Marketplace which is juried by a panel of distinguished professionals.

Accepted artists not only have the opportunity to display and sell their one-of-a-kind artwork, but also to compete for top monetary awards including the “Pat Flynn Kyser Best of Show Award,” the “Award of Distinction,” five Merit Awards, the“Emerging Artist Award,” and the “Jr. Emerging Artist Award.” As part of the Art Marketplace, TAC also promotes Emerging & Jr. Emerging Artists who display and sell their work. All Emerging Artists work is individually juried into the Art Marketplace by a panel of distinguished professionals, with a maximum of three pieces selected from each artist.

Art Marketplace Public hours:
Friday, April 27th 8:00 pm -9:00 pm
Saturday, April 28th 10:00 am- 9:00pm
Sunday, April 29th 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Global Village

Panoply’s unique Global Village is a rare opportunity to see the diversity of Huntsville all in one place. Seven pavilions display the arts and culture of international groups represented in North Alabama. In each pavilion, children are invited to learn a game, create a craft item, or otherwise delve into the artwork representative of each native land. At the same time, adults can enjoy presentations on the history of the culture’s arts and fashion.

The heart of the area is the Global Village Stage, a showcase for music, martial arts and dance from all over the globe.

Kids At Panoply

Creative make and take activities that encourage children to use their imagination, interactive theatre demonstrations that introduce chilren to the stage, and musical preformances that will have children dancing to the beat are just a few examples of what children will find inside the Panoply Arts Festival. Panoply is a wonderful place for children to explore the arts first hand and have the opportunity to be actively engaged in a variety of arts activities. The Get Rhythm Tent and Student Art Tent are must-see destinations for children of all ages! Children will also enjoy magicians, balloon artists, storytellers and street performers who perform all around the park and in the Panokids Gazebo throughout the weekend.

Student Art Tent

One of the most popular destinations inside Panoply Arts Festival is the Student Art Tent. Managed by dedicated volunteers from the Huntsville-Madison County Art Educators Association, the Student Art Tent features approximately 900 pieces of artwork by K-12 students representing four districts: Huntsville City, Madison City, Madison County and area private schools. Each year local art teachers select exceptional pieces to represent their school. This showcase of work is truly a masterpiece and showcases the wealth of artistic talent area children have to offer.

Do you have an Arts or Crafts-related event that you would like to see featured on this site? Please contact me!

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Ceramic Artist & Teacher

Paul Wieland of Nascent Pottery in Huntsville, Alabama creates unique pieces and is generous in sharing his techniques and experience. Since the closing of the Madison studio, he has remodeled his garage into a pottery studio and is teaching classes and workshops on weekends.

Paul instructs a variety of wheel-throwing, tile-making and hand-building classes. Students are offered choices such as Basic Hand-Building Techniques (including coil, pinch, and slab), Put a Lid on It!, which covers basic styles of lids, Tile-Making, Dinnerware Sets and Double-Walled Vessels. I highly recommend Paul’s classes – I have taken several, and about half of what I know of ceramics I learned from him!

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Class Schedule: April – May 2012

Paul is having an open house Sunday, April 22.  Upcoming events and classes are listed below. (If the times don’t work for you, with 2 or more people, classes can be set up at other times.) Call 256-426-4325 or email Paul for location and directions (in Huntsville).

Studio open house – Sunday, April 22, 3:00 to 5:00 pm – That’s Earth Day and what better time to play in the Earth! See the studio, help recycle clay, or make your own clay creation.

Clay Recycling – Friday, April 20, 5:00 to 9:00 pm and Sunday, April 22, 12:00 pm to ?? – We’ll also be recycling scrap clay (starting on Friday, after 5pm and continuing on Sunday shortly after noon), so if you have some to recycle (cone 5 or higher), bring it and help recycle and take as much as you bring (if you have bags to put it in, please bring them, too). Mushy is fine, but no hard scraps, please.

Sunday Handbuilding Class, most Sundays from 4/15 through 6/17, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Using the basic techniques of working in clay (pinch, coil, and slab) we’ll test the creative limits of hand-building to make functional, sculptural, or decorative pieces of your choice. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced potters. Attend any or all lessons. $20/person per 2-hr lesson or $15/person/lesson when paid in advance. Includes clay, firing, and glazes for up to 5 pieces (or more if small pieces).

Put a Lid on It! Tuesday, April 24 and May 1, 6:00 to 8:00 pm – $75/person, $20/person to observe. This workshop covers basic styles of lids, techniques for making them, how to make them fit well, and different types of handles for lids. Firing and glazes for up to 5 pieces is included. $75/person, $20/person to observe

Twice the Possibilities with Double-Walled Vessels, Tuesday, May 8, and 15, 6:00 to 8:00 pm – Double-walled vessels have been described as exhibiting a “tension between the sculptural and functional nature” of ceramics. In this workshop students will learn the basic technique and variations that will enable creating a variety of double-walled pieces. Twice the possibilities with double-walled vessels! Firing and glazes for up to 5 pieces is included. $75/person, $20/person to observe

Beginning Wheel Class, Day/time to be arranged – Learn the basics of wheel-throwing, including the secrets of centering clay.

Contact Information

For more information on Paul’s work and his current class schedule please visit his web site Nascent Pottery or email him at paul.wieland@yahoo.com.

Copyright 2012 Kathryn Depew

Would you like your artwork or handcraft featured on this site? Please contact me!

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Back to the Galleries

Logos & Brand Development

Last December I worked with José Longoria of LogoLuxe on Etsy to develop new logos and branding for my business.  He had excellent ideas and was very easy to work with, and had me think about the style and feelings I wanted to convey.  Together we developed the logos for Cotton Ridge Create!, Cotton Ridge Miniatures and Cotton Ridge Pottery.

Since this Create! site was just started the month before, there wasn’t much for José to work with.  But his logo conveyed energy and some excitement, and I liked that very much.  A few months have passed and I have a better idea of my vision for this site.  This week I had an idea for a new logo based upon José’s excellent ideas.  I was delighted to find a font that appears to have been created with an artist’s paintbrush – it is called Jellyka Western Princess.

I browsed through hundreds of images and decided upon a colorful, artistic background from Deposit Photos (by vic02dd13).  My old, trusty Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 helped me create banners for my web site header, Facebook, Google+ and company web site.  I’m very pleased with the results (and a little surprised – I did that?).  I plan to change the background on the header banner once in awhile to fit with current season.

Copyright 2012 Kathryn Depew

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Interview With Ascribing Artists

I’m pleased to write that my interview with the Huntville Art Blog was posted on the Ascribing Artists Blog! (Along with my responses to a few additional questions.)  In joining Ascribing Artists I have had the opportunity to meet and gain inspiration from art consultants and fellow artists.  If you are an “ascribing” artist in the Huntsville, Alabama area, I would recommend that you consider joining this group of wonderful people.

If you are an artist who is interested in being Featured on the Ascribing Artists web site, please see the Submission Guidelines.  Even artists and collectors who do not live in the Huntsville area will benefit from a visit to the Ascribing Artists site – they have many articles posted featuring artists, opportunities, art galleries and more.

The following is quoted from the Ascribing Artists web site.

About Ascribing Artists

Ascribing Artists is a creative ministry bringing together visual artists who desire to ascribe or attribute their work and life to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The ministry is inspired by Psalm 29:2, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name” and shows that we are to be “A Reflection of His Glory” in all that we do.

Not all Ascribing Artists paint religious themes or Biblical depictions. The subject matter of the artist is not necessarily what makes us Ascribing Artists, it is the heart behind the artist with the desire to share the gospel. We recognize that anything we do pales in comparison to the Glory of the Lord, so our desire is not to offer something that deserves praise, but to point you to the only ONE worthy of praise.

Mission & Goals

MISSION
Ascribing Artists has primarily a two-fold mission, that is to offer Christian artists avenues to “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name” and by doing so others might come to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These avenues include the blog, the Artists page at EmptyTombGraphics.com, annual exhibits and promotional materials.

GOALS
Ascribing Artists secondary goals include being a source of encouragement, building a sense of community, offering resources and promoting opportunities to exhibit, gather and learn.

Foundational Beliefs

The Bible opens with “In the beginning, God created . . .” and we read where mankind was created in the likeness of God. So, we all have a desire to create. The problem is not in creating, but our heart in creating.

Mankind either forgets or denies just how sinful we are compared to how Holy God is. The book of Isaiah mentions that even our good deeds are like filthy rags before God. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, who is Jesus Christ. He took our punishment for our sins upon the cross, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

The repentant sinner who believes becomes a transformed believer and the desires of their heart begins to change from denial to wanting to proclaim this gospel or good news that the battle has already been won!

History

The concept of Ascribing Artists began in April of 2002, when the Lord placed the idea upon the heart of Paul LaBathe. It was during a time when he was reading through the Psalms seeking whether or not he should pursue his advertising business, Empty Tomb Graphics, full-time.

The name and logo came together rather quickly, but the Lord’s process of defining Ascribing Artists continued over several more years. In 2008, the Lord’s vision came to fruition. In the Lord’s timing, He has brought together the people and opened the doors for Ascribing Artists to Glorify Him and none other.

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