This time of year last year, I was visiting the Meijer Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI.  I always associate the feeling of the air with moments the year before.  It's spring break here, but not for me so I'm taking a little virtual vacay.  Come on, lets stroll…

Oh Claes and Coojse…

MIRO….  Woman and Bird!

Calder.

Genius.

Louise Bourgeois.  And all the while you get to walk and wind and spy these huge masterpieces…

Julia by Keith Haring.

And there is a boat pond for kids (and adults) to sail away on…

an atrium that, at the time, had butterflies flitting around.

And then more sculptures for you to see and wonder about.  This place gets two thumbs up from me.  Actually the entire city of Grand Rapids does.  It's a great place to visit in the Midwest.  I'm off to work.  It's chilly today and I can hear the lingering cracks and snaps from the fire I had going last night.  I think it's time for another cup of coffee.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that…put it all together and you get a sampler bracelet full of sweet little squares.  It reminds me of a cozy quilt.  This is a project I did for one of my new videos with Interweave.  It's called "ReMixed Media: Making Custom Beads and Pendants with Wood and Acrylic."

It's all about using your metalworking techniques when working with plastics and wood.  If you like to experiment and play…you'll love it!  I just did a workshop with the Indiana Bead Society where we worked with acrylic sheet and it was a blast.  The flower pendants like the red one above were in full bloom.

For a super hands-on, inspiring learning experience check out my upcoming workshops with the Honeywell Center.  There are three different classes from felting to metalworking to painting and anyone can sign up.  The last one is based around the ReMixed Media video.  It's a two day class with the first focusing on surface treatments like painting, collages and resin.  The second day will show you how to deconstruct and turn your pieces into jewelry.  Jump in and immerse your mind in some creativity and sooth your day to day stresses.  I cannot wait to show you some new ideas!  

**Please don't hesitate to email me with questions about classes and the video. 

What do you get when you're craving a PBJ and have no bread?  PBJ Quesadillas.  Pretty much our new favorite thing!   It's all hustle and bustle around here—teaching and more teaching with my residency in the Honeywell Center's Educational Outreach program.

Last night I taught the Crafty Book Club to make these…

25 ladies showed up to make them!  They turned out really great.   Memory jewelry never fails. Friend me on Facebook and you can see the album of everyones creations.  The more stuff you can hang off the ring, the better.  I guess sometimes more really is more.

Hello People!  Quick post here.  It's been a crazy week and it's only Tuesday afternoon.  This is a video that the folks at Plaid, Amy Anderson, and I filmed this Fall using Dimensional Magic.  I remember that day so well.  This was day four of straight crafty project filming and Amy and I were going to a different studio to shoot the Mod Podge videos.  We pulled into the parking lot and were immediately side-tracked with picking up these ginormously cool……….acorns.  Never-mind that we needed to get our clothes on and make-up done for the filming, we were busy collecting acorns.  We always have fun.  This is what Amy made with her acorns.  So clever!  Back to the Dimensional Magic though.  It's great stuff when you want that resin look without the 24 hour dry time.  DM only takes 3 hours to cure.  Yay!!  There are so many awesome frames to put your pictures, art and embellishments in.  OR! you can always make your own with recycled metal like bottle caps or cut tin with holes punched.  The Dimensional Magic won't oooze off the side so don't worry if you do not have an edge around your picture.  It's good stuff!

Who wants to make a potholder?!?  Everybody say "Heyyay!"  I couldn't wait to show you these as they were flying off the loom.   I was talking to a friend about making them at a concert Saturday night—actually more like yelling.  Nothing says die hard crafty like recollecting and discussing making potholders over a couple beers at a concert, does it?  We laughed because we both agreed as kids weaving potholders seemed somewhat difficult.  But now, I can crank 5 out in a couple of hours (maybe less time even).

Check out Pepperell Braiding Co.'s "Loom and Loopers" kit.  I saw it at Hobby Lobby this weekend also.  Everyone I've shown or mentioned the ol' woven potholders to grins and usually has a story to follow.  It's a tried and true craft.  My friend, Charley shared a great memory of making them as a kid over on my Facebook page.

At first I fussed and strategized over what loop to put next to the last.   For real?!?  It's a potholder, Candice.  Sometimes I take myself a little too seriously.  By the end I was, grabbing, pulling and stretching them across.

You've GOT to use the hook though.  I remember as a kid not using it (and this might be why it seemed more difficult then).  Over, under, over, under…..

Next thing you know you are finishing the ends!  There are really clear instructions on the back of the box which I needed.  For some reason, I just could not remember which direction to go.  I get lost….a lot.

And it shrinks and shrinks because all the loopers are stretchy.

Done!  Ready for some action!

Fruit loopers. 

And there you have it! I'm so hiding these instead of eggs this year for Easter.