September Newsletter

Starting Over

In this issue...

  • Starting Over
  • Instructor Spotlight
  • Upcoming Workshops
  • Creativity Circles
  • Other Happenings

The hardest part of making anything is knowing when to start over.

—Alanna Okun, The Curse of the Boyfriend Sweater

 

I spent most of last week ripping out misaligned quilt squares. I thought that I might be able to save them, but, the more I tried, the worse things got.

 

Life is like that, too, sometimes. Things start shifting and coming apart; we desperately try to realign and patch them back together; and, instead of recreating what was, we just end up with a wonky, unsatisfying mess. Sometimes, we just need to let things go and start again.

 

Here are some recent examples of folks I know who did just that.

 

  • After losing their long-time spouses and suffering debilitating health issues, my 75-year-old mom and her 78-year-old boyfriend decided to get married and buy a new house together.

 

  • Many Purple Crayon members found the studio after losing their partners, retiring from jobs, and moving to Asheville—in some cases, all within the same year!  

 

  • While nothing devastating preceded my move to Asheville, or my opening of Purple Crayon, or my newfound identification as an artist, I've certainly rebooted my life over the past two years. 

 

I’m sure you’ve had your own do-overs as well.

 

Of course, it takes courage to start again, but, as my friend, Maria, reminded me the other day: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." (Ambrose Redmoon)

 

If you’ve been struggling to fix something in your life, perhaps it’s time to let it go and start again. Art probably won’t solve your issue, but, because “making stuff” helps you access and process thoughts and emotions, it can help point you in the right direction.

 

Purple Crayon has some great workshops coming up to spur your creativity. This month, I'm teaching a Pay-What-You-Want Vision Board workshop on the 16th and an Introduction to Mosaics workshop on the 29th, and Margaret Dahm is teaching an Introduction to Block Printing workshop on the 23rd. Then, in October, along with Camille Daunno's new weekly art series, Adventures in Art (think high school art class without the grades!) starting on the 4th, and Purple Crayon's Inaugural Birthday Bash and Art and Supplies Sale on the 13th, we’ve scheduled several “spirit-filled” (human, natural, and otherworldly) workshops in honor of Halloween.

 

We're also rolling out a new offer that I'm REALLY excited about: Girls’ Night (or Day) Out! Now you can choose WHEN you want to take our workshops and WHO you want to take them with! How cool is that?!

 

So, as the kids start cracking the books this fall, consider revisiting—and, perhaps, rewriting—your own life story. I look forward to playing with you!

 

​—​​​​​​Pam Robbins, Owner

Instructor Spotlight

 

Margaret Dahm 

Margaret is teaching our Introduction to Block Printing workshop on September 23rd. She's been a printmaker for decades, working at the public library in the daytime and printing at night and on weekends. She sells her prints on Etsy, which keeps her in ink and paper, but she mostly prints because she loves it. "Puzzling out the design and trying to master the elements of the craft are excellent antidotes to a loud, fast world," she says. To see more of Margaret's work, check out her blog and Etsy site.

 
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Camille Daunno

Camille is teaching our Adventures in Art workshop series starting on October 4th. Her experience as an artist and teacher spans over 40 years and includes: Fashion Illustrator, Textile Designer, Fiber Artist, College Adjunct Professor in Textile Design, Studio Artist, and High School Studio Art and Art History Teacher. She has a B.F.A. from Caldwell University in NJ and an M.A. from FIT and Parsons in NY. Camille believes strongly that we learn from each other, and that sharing our talents is part of experiencing art!

 
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Upcoming Workshops

Girls' Night (or Day) Out

Ongoing

Looking for something a little different for your next Girls Night (or Day) Out? Consider scheduling a private arts and crafts party at Purple Crayon! We've got lots of great workshops to choose from, and, if you don't see what you're looking for, we'll be happy to try to find an instructor!

 
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Vision Board

Sunday, 9/16, 2:00 PM-4:30 PM

Does your life feel a little off-course? Perhaps you're transitioning into a new phase of life, and you're uncertain where you're heading? If so, join life coach and Purple Crayon owner, Pam Robbins, for this encore, Pay-What-You-Want workshop! When created from the heart, a vision board will help you set a direction for your life and attract more of what you want, whether it's just a feeling or something more specific.

 
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Intro to Block Printing 

Sunday, 9/23, 1:00 PM-4:30 PM

Join printmaker, Margaret Dahm, as she shows you how to get started on this fun and foolproof craft. First, you’ll use found objects, fruit, and other household items to practice rolling ink, mixing colors, and regulating printing pressure. Next, you’ll design and carve small pattern blocks and play with printing on paper, cardstock, and, eventually, kraft postcards. Then, you’ll puzzle out a design and, finally, carve and make a basic reduction print.

 
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Intro to Mosaics

Saturday, 9/29, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

If you like doing puzzles, you'll love doing mosaics! Just bring your imagination, and we'll supply everything else! In this fun, encore workshop, Purple Crayon owner, Pam Robbins, will teach you what a mosaic is, the materials and tools you need to create one, what to consider when designing a piece, and, finally, how to do it. By the end of the class, you’ll have created a pretty—and practical—coaster to showcase your new craft!

 
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Folded Book Art: Teapot

Saturday, 10/13, 12:00 PM-2:00 PM

In this fun and easy, two-hour workshop, Deana Murchison will show you how to take a hardcover book and, with just a few simple folds, turn it into a work of art—in this case, a teapot. The class will cover how to: select an appropriate book for your project; prepare your book; mark and fold your book; and ready your book for display. Deana will also tell you where to find additional book folding patterns for future projects.

 
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Adventures in Art

Thursdays starting 10/4, 10 AM-12 PM

In this exciting new art series, every month, veteran art teacher, Camille Daunno, will select a new theme for your art adventure, and, every week, she'll select a new project on that theme. You’ll have a ball developing new, or practicing existing, art techniques, such as water color painting, needle felting, etc. 

 
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Intro to SoulCollage®

Sunday, 10/14, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Join SoulCollage® Facilitator, Marcia Gleason, LCSW, as she teaches you the fundamental principles of SoulCollage® and how to create your own deck of cards. First, you’ll learn about the various suits of the SoulCollage® deck and how to explore your inner world through the cards. Then, you’ll practice the simple process of making and reading cards, including the “I am the One” process, which is how cards “speak” to the creator, imparting guidance and connection.

 
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Needle Felted Pumpkin

Saturday, 10/20, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to make these adorable needle felted pumpkins! Whether you use them to decorate your home, or turn them into something more functional, like pincushions, you’ll have a blast making these GOURDgious little guys! (Note: Participants will definitely have time to make at least one pumpkin, but they may have time to make multiples.)

 

 

 
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Creating Personal Mandalas

Sunday, 10/21, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Mandalas, a Sanskrit word meaning center, circumference, and magic circle, are found everywhere. But did you know that they can also reveal how you view yourself? Join mandala specialist, Lynn Karegeannes, as she takes you on a fascinating journey to, first, create a personal mandala, and, then, explore possible interpretations of what you’ve expressed.

 
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Introduction to Eco Printing

Monday, 10/29, 12:00 PM-5:00 PM

Did you know that leaves, flowers, seeds, and other plant materials behind a unique “signature” when exposed to water and heat? In this encore workshop, join fiber artist, Patricia Spangler, as she explains the basics of eco printing and shows you how to lay out and design an eco print, bundle and process materials, and pre- and post-mordant fabric. As a final project, you will print your own silk scarf!

 
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Creativity Circles (Members-Only)

Writing Circle: 1st & 3rd Mon, 6-8:30 PM

Reading Circle: 2nd Mon, 6:30-8:30 PM

Stitching Circle: Tue, 1-3 PM

Quilting Circle: Thu, 1-3 PM (NEW!)

Drawing Circle: 1st & 3rd Sat, 10 AM-12PM

 
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Other Happenings

Open House

Saturday, 9/1, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Every month, Purple Crayon opens its doors to the public. You can check out what our members are up to and see if the studio is a good fit for you. Come see what all the excitement is about!

Inaugural Birthday Bash and Art and Supplies Sale!

Saturday, 10/13, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Happy Birthday, Purple Crayon! To celebrate our First Anniversary, we're having an Art and Supplies Sale! Our talented members and instructors will be selling their art and new or gently used supplies. The public is welcome to attend. Come join us for what we hope will become an annual event! FREE!

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