Nearly a year ago some friends and I jokingly started emailing each other haikus. Some are serious, most just for fun. But, it was something creative we could share and look forward to amidst a work week that seemed never ending. Here’s one of mine:

Woke to little smiles
Makes even sleepy days bright
Lucky mom am I

On my run this morning I randomly picked a Craft Sanity podcast and was lucky enough to hear this hope-filled story about a family’s triumph for others through their own tragic loss. The story is all about quilts and was so fitting with this weekend’s opening of the Gee’s Bend quilt exhibit at the Nevada Museum of Art (check out their new website - just launched yesterday). There are events all weekend long starting with a dialogue with some of the quilters this evening at 5:30pm in the museum theater (buy tix here). I was lucky enough to get into the small quilt piecing class on Sunday with two of the quilters. I am so excited for the opportunity to learn from these amazing ladies. And, making the class even better is that I get to take it with my mom who is an amazing quilter!

Also tonight, Sierra Arts Gallery has a closing reception for “Significant Other” in their gallery.

There is also an exhibit opening next Thursday, February 11th at the Stremmel Gallery in conjunction with the museum’s Gee’s Bend show. And, then on Friday the 12th the Biennial Valentine Auction at UNR, which is not to be missed, kicks off at 5:30pm. Lots to see and do this weekend and next. Hope to see you out taking in some art. Have a lovely weekend and stay warm.

Quilt for Finn by my loving girlfriends, mom, and mother-in-law.

Come visit me at the Nevada Museum of Art’s first ever Museum School Open House, tonight from 6-8pm. I’ll have some of my most recent pieces of jewelry on display and will be doing a demo on how to make a wire and bead cuff bracelet. The bracelet is just a glimpse into the many things that you can make in my upcoming class on October 17th: Wire Sculpted Jewelry & Accessories (sign up here). There will be many skilled museum school instructors showing their talents and available to answer any questions. Sign up for classes during the Open House and receive a discount - non-members receive the member discount and an additional 10% off for members.

I have been teaching beading classes at the museum since 2005 but haven’t been able to teach for the last year since I’ve been so busy with my little guys. I am finally back at it and will be teaching four classes this fall and winter.

This Saturday is my Beginner Beading class where you can learn the basics of making your own beaded jewelry. In October you can join me for a Wire Sculpted Jewelry and Accessories class or a new class I’m teaching with artist Amanda Rookey: Reclaimed Goods, Creative Greeting Cards. If you or anyone you know has budding little artists, join me and child educator Emily Schaffer for our first ever Baby Painting class in December. This is sure to be a great time for the babies and their big people, too.

I hope you can join me for one of these classes! Leave me a note in the comments if you have any questions. Information and links to register are below.

Note: Beading is on the summer schedule and the other classes are on the fall schedule.

Beading: Discover the satisfaction of making your own jewelry and create a variety of finished pieces. Travel with the instructor to Reno Bead Shop to explore and purchase materials. Returning students can refine their skills and get new inspiration and help with projects.
Saturday, September 19, 10 AM to 4 PM

Wire Sculpted Jewelry & Accessories: Learn how to create stylish pendants, brooches and other beautiful accessories using floral wire. Students will begin by beading the wire, then wrapping it to build sculptural pieces. After meeting for a class introduction, beginning students will travel with the instructor to Reno Bead Shop to explore and purchase materials. Plan to leave class with at least two finished pieces.
Saturday, October 17, 10 AM to 5 PM

Reclaimed Goods: Creative Greeeting Cards : Craft creative cards for any occasion using new and recycled materials. Make a set for yourself or as a holiday gift. Bring any papers, scraps of material, embellishments, ribbons, thread, glues, markers, etc. that you’d like to use to create cards. After exploring ways to reuse everyday items to create fun and funky greeting cards, the packaging in your pantry will never look the same.
Saturday, October 24, 10 AM to 3 PM

Baby Painting: Bring your baby and go beyond finger painting by blobbing, smushing, and smearing colors with hands and feet! Witness their first painting with no mess at home. Your baby will make a creative keepsake for the family to cherish.
Saturday, December 5, 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM
Ages: 4 months – 1 year old with parent

One of my favorite creative spaces to follow is The Workroom in Toronto. I have even considered a weekend getaway to Toronto just to take a class in their shop. If I lived in Toronto they’d get tired of me real fast. Rather than sew at home I’d rent time just to hang out to see what’s being created in their space and to get inspired. I follow what they’re up to by way of Flickr and once in Flickr by links to their blog, Make Something. Recently, I was led to owner Karyn’s to-do list of crafts which made me think… What’s looming on my list?

-Make green practice dress, All-Weekend Sundress, from Heather Ross’s Weekend Sewing (pattern has been traced and cut)

-Make black & white layered version of the All-Weekend Sundress for my brother’s wedding in August

-Make outfits for the boys’ for my brother’s wedding

-Make the Summer Blouse from Weekend Sewing in the the white with red rose percale I’ve been hoarding in my stash

-Finish crocheted fish softie for baby Natalie (only needs fins)

-Applique onesies to have in my gift stash

-Cover metal boards with fabric for the boys’ magnetic nursery boards

-Learn to crochet (I’m just winging it right now)

-Print and send baby announcements

-Get back to making jewelry (been on maternity leave from everything!)

-Take a class on how to work with metal, metal wire, etc. Particularly silver.

-Get shelving up in studio so it can be properly organized (this counts, right? getting clutter cleared for creativity)

-Make David’s tote bag for his watercolors

-Finish my mom’s naughahyde yarn bag (this was supposed to be her Mother’s Day gift two years ago)

Now, to find some little blocks of time in between feeding baby boys.

What’s on your list?

I barely get this blog running and then take on five market nights. I really wouldn’t have it any other way but would like the habit of writing here to be more regular before things get any more hectic. So, what is this market? Reno is following suit of a number of other lovely cities with vibrant downtown urban centers. Opening this week is our very own downtown urban market, the West Street Market. I’ve been busy working on inventory and final details for my five market booths. I’ll be at the market July 11, 18, 23 and August 8 and 15 with new jewelry and some new accessories made out of Naugahyde and vinyl. Look for this new sign I made that will be hanging in my booth:                                                                                                          

There will also be over ten other artisans selling their wares. This Friday the Holland Project (our host on Fridays) will be showing you how to modify your T-shirts so bring one that needs refashioning. There will also be food and drinks by local vendors. Tonight’s “soft opening” of the market featured a Caribbean BBQ (where I got what seemed like half-a-chicken kabob) and a gyro stand where I refreshed with a lemonade made right in front of me, one lemon at a time. Some of the vendors will eventually have permanent homes in the surrounding buildings. The former parking lot for the Green Room (where we loved seeing rock stars like the Mermen and Eric McFadden) will be a courtyard for dining and enjoying local live bands.

Check out the City of Reno link for more details - there are just to many exciting things happening at the market to mention in one post. I will try to bring a new tid-bit to you after each Friday I’m there.

Hope to see you there!