What a Week!

I can't believe it's already friday! It's been crazy busy in and out of the studio.
All of my art classes on saturdays have been cancelled for next month due to shows, but I still have some private/semi-private classes going on during the week. Here's a shot of Davey working on his latest painting of a giant blue heron. What an amazing little guy! I swear it only took him about 15 minutes to draw up this whole scene from his imagination. Right now he's finishing up the background and will work on the rest next week. I don't have a picture of my other class's project, but it is a large sized mural of a bamboo forest that will hang at the Pannikin in December. Francesca was thinking of sticking a buddha down in the corner, but we want to wait and see how it all evolves before we decide. I promise to take a picture to show you our progress next week.
So.... aside from all that.... I have been working hard getting my space ready over at Barrels and Branches for their anniversary event. I painted the candle cupboard white...... on the hottest day of the week, but it really brightens up the corner. If you're local, the festival is on the 7th-10th of August. I'll be there for the first three days and would love to see you there. I took a couple shots of their summer display. Everything they create there is so beautiful. I'm thinking of doing a line of gift cards with all their fabulous display work.
Well, that's all for now. Hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy some of this beautiful summer weather! Karin

New Jewelry

These are a few of my latest pieces I made using vintage 1950's cabochons in sterling silver settings. I hope to have them listed in my shop sometime next week. Sorry for the quick post, but I want to go swimming tonight. The weather here has been hot and a little muggy so it's the perfect way to end the day. Karin

Whoo do you love?

A few owl friends to keep Mr. Bird company.

P.S. I almost forgot...... my urchin prints are now available in my shop.

Tutorial---Custom Decal Transfer Project

If you want to create your own personal work of art on glass..... just follow these simple instructions.
You will need decal transfer paper (Lasertran.....I bought mine online from DickBlick.com), a sponge, scissors, tray of water, and the object you wish to decorate. (vase, candle holder, ceramic etc..)

1. Print your images on the decal paper. I bought the paper for laser jet printers because most copy shops use them. You need to find a print shop in your area that prints with fusion oil. Kinko's doesn't, but specialty print shops usually do. I lucked out and found one right around the corner from my house.

2. Cut the image out fairly close to your picture, leaving a thin border around it.

3. Dip the decal under water. This releases it from the adhesive backing. It will want to curl up right away so you need to hold it down at all four corners till you feel the paper relax. Don't leave it too long or it will start to wash off the adhesive layer.

4. Slide the decal to the side, gently applying it to your glass piece. You have a little time for placement, sponging of the water and squeegee the air bubbles from underneath before it sets. This is where you need to work fairly quickly, but gingerly. If your fingers get too dry while adjusting it, you could tear the decal. Why do I know this?......trial and error.

5. When it's dry, it's time to bake it. Put them on a cookie sheet in the oven for about 10 minutes. Baking instructions are on the package. Or, you may choose to coat them with varnish. Both methods help protect your image from scratches. I didn't have to do either of these steps because I poured soy candles inside mine which was around 150 degrees. Instant baking.

So there you have it. Let me know how it goes and send me a picture. I'd love to see what you come up with. Have fun! Karin

tweet

Just wanted to share this little felted bird I just finished. He's a custom order for a really lovely customer and stands a whopping 8 inches tall.
Have a great weekend everyone! Karin

New Line of Soy Candles!

I've been working on this line for awhile and just finished my first batch today. I made glass decals from images of my paintings , glued them on and filled them with my signature scents of Hawaiian Gardenia, Grapefruit Tangerine and Lotus. I plan on making a tutorial about this by next week for anyone interested in creating their own. It's time consuming, but a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. Cheers! Karin

I've got chickens on my mind.

Remember those cute baby chicks I borrowed for art class awhile back? Well, my neighbor offered to give me three of them. They are all grown up and just starting to lay eggs. Here's a picture of the coop I want to have built, but maybe a little bigger. So as soon my husband and his friend build it, we will be welcoming Ruby, Pearl and Lemon Drop to our ever growing farm.

Sewing Envy

I love to see what my customers have created with my fabric. Here's a make-up bag made by Emily from San Francisco. She paired my pink chickadee fabric with a pink and chocolate polka dot fabric by MODA. The book in the background was also made by her. Such a talented girl! Emily.......I think it's time you open an Etsy shop of your own.

The yellow chickadee clutch is a smaller version of the last one I posted made by Briana Edelman Designs. It was featured recently on Annabelle Magazine's Blog. How cool is that?
Sadly, I have yet to make anything with my own fabric. Whenever I think of something, I start to second guess it .......and then get sidetracked. I hope to pull out my sewing machine soon because I have a serious case of sewing envy. Karin

My new fabric is here!

I just listed a fresh batch of fabric in my shop. I'm offering certain designs in various sizes and colors. Also, I have a new chickadee print in orange.
This week is going to be full of new prints and jewelry as well.......... so stay tuned. Karin

J is for Jellyfish

Here's a painting I finished recently and thought I posted it here, but I guess I forgot. The colors are super dreamy and the whole painting has a very relaxing tranquil feel to it. I tried to capture the cool turquoise blues and greens with my camera, but it's just not the same as in person. This piece is hanging a the Pannikin right now if you want a closer look.

Repurpose

look at these great food tents I found at Anthropology. I hung them upside down with twine and plan on lighting them up with light cords. An inexpensive new light fixture that looks so pretty whether it's lit or not.
Hope you all have a great weekend. I have so many new things to show you next week, so stay tuned. Karin

Show Pictures

Here are some better pictures of my art show at the Pannikin. I will have my paintings up until the first week of August if you'd like to stop by and check it out. Take care, Karin

Apartment Therapy

Yeah! The Pannikin is being featured over at Apartment Therapy (LA). Thought you'd like to see the place I talk about so much. It's the old Encinitas Train Station that has been converted years ago into a coffee house.
I'll be there later today to hang more paintings and take some fresh pictures of my show.

Fresh Batch of Paintings on Birch Wood Panels

I just finished painting a fresh batch of urchins, coral and chickadees. These will hang at my Pannikin show since they sold out of all the paintings on birch wood last week. (fresh show pictures coming tomorrow)
Oh.............and why not throw in a picture of Max as well. He's been perched on his favorite green bench for the last several days watching me work.

Sunday Show and Tell

This weekend, my students wanted to paint more bubbles and water drops with water color pencils. I think are really starting to master this technique.

Their next project will be to illustrate a children's story written by the fabulously talented Michelle. More exciting news about that later. Have a great rest of the weekend. Karin