February Newsletter

It's All About the Process

In this issue...

  • It's All About the Process
  • Instructor Spotlight
  • Upcoming Events
  • Upcoming Workshops
  • Creativity Circles

A few weeks ago, I was at Purple Crayon chatting with a couple of members. We had planned to work on our own projects that day. One had her basket weaving supplies out; the other had paints and a canvas teed up; and I was getting ready to make something with my stained glass.

 

I told the ladies that I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to focus on in my upcoming mosaics class. While I stood there, I fiddled with some “found objects” I had rescued from Goodwill and was saving for a mixed media piece. We chuckled at the assorted collection: some plastic dominoes, a miniature cow, various limbs from dismembered dolls, etc. Then it hit me.

 

What if I experimented with incorporating found objects into a mosaic? It certainly wasn’t a novel idea—lots of mosaic artists create “assemblages” with their pieces—but I hadn’t thought of doing it. And it sparked a creative energy that hadn’t been there earlier.

 

Before I knew it, the other women wanted in on the game. Of course, I was thrilled! It’s always more fun (and inspiring!) to create with others—and it didn’t hurt that these particular women were also perfect collaborators: the basket maker also had a talent for mosaics, and the painter was versed in color theory and had a “thing” for texture.

 

In just a few minutes, we had each selected a substrate (one chose a rock, another picked a ceramic tile, and I found a discarded picture frame) and covered the table with anything that we thought might withstand the grouting process: glass gems, beads, game pieces, shells, chain, etc. We even threw in some miniature pencils. We were ready to experiment!

 

We had no expectations going in and felt completely free to just play. We didn’t know if we’d be pleased with what we created, but we didn’t care. It was totally about the process, and we had a blast!

 

Since that day, the three of us have gotten together most Saturdays to experiment with different mosaic techniques—some of which have worked and others, well, let's just say, will make great teaching tools!

 

In the end, I decided to go with a glass-on-glass mosaic workshop instead, but the decision was born out of pure, uninhibited play. We didn’t even experiment with glass-on-glass mosaic during our play dates. It was the process of playing that freed my mind to consider alternatives, and that’s exactly what I needed.

 

If you’re wrestling with a problem, creative or not, I would encourage you to drag out your paints, yarn, fabric, or whatever your current medium of choice is and just play for a bit, without concern for what you’re making. You may be surprised at the result—and I’m not talking about your artwork!

 

At Purple Crayon, we’ve got lots of great, ready-made play dates coming up:

 

  • Deana Murchison's Folded Book Art: Heart on 2/3
  • Camilee Duanno's Two-Needle Knit Socks starting on 2/7
  • Pam Robbins' T-Shirt Quilt starting on 2/9
  • Julie Bagamary's Upcycled T-Shirt on 2/15
  • Barbara Mueller's Curve-Stitched Mandala on 3/3
  • Ann Lansing's Tatted Butterfly Earrings on 3/8
  • Deana Murchison's Introduction to Fluid Art on 3/15
  • Sarah Jane Oiler's Tree of Life Dreamcatcher on 3/24
  • Patricia Spangler's Introduction to Eco Printing on 3/29

  

Oh, and that mosaics workshop I mentioned? That’s coming up this spring, as part of Purple Crayon’s partnership with UNCA's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). If you want more information, please see our Workshops page, under the list of upcoming offerings.

 

I look forward to playing with you! 

 

​—​​​​​​Pam Robbins, Owner

Instructor Spotlight

 

Deana Murchison

Deana is truly an "artist extraordinaire!" She enjoys dyeing fabric, painting on fabric, watercolor, pyrography, beading, jewelry making, book art, and just about anything that lets her express her creative self. And she's a great teacher to boot! She's taught many Purple Crayon workshops, and her students always give her rave reviews. This month, Deana is teaching our Folded Book Art: Heart workshop on February 3rd and our Introduction to Fluid Art workshop on March 15th. 

 
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Julie Bagamary

Julie is teaching our Upcycled T-Shirt workshop on February 15th. Although she's new to teaching at Purple Crayon, she's been an art quilter, teacher, and speaker for over 25 years. She's also written several short magazine articles. Julie loves creating bright and cheerful art by upcycling batik and hand dyed remnants. When asked to describe a favorite creative memory, she recalls the “aha moment” when an idea comes to fruition, or when she witnesses it in one of her students. 

 
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Upcoming Events

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! Lock in your date today!

 
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Open House

Saturday, 2/2, 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!

Upcoming Workshops

 

Folded Book Art: Heart

Sunday, 2/3, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? This folded book art is sure to be a hit! In this fun and easy workshop, book folding artist, 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 heart. 

You'll also receive a “Love” pattern that you can fold at home. Give one book to your sweetie and keep one for yourself!

 
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Two-Needle Socks

Thu, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 10 AM-12 PM

Socks. For most knitters, juggling four or five needles is challenging at best and frustrating at worst. What if you could knit a pair using just TWO standard straight needles? In this fun four-week workshop, Camille Daunno will show you how! Camille will also teach cabling and a few other intermediate techniques. Basic knitting skills are required, but “confident beginners” are encouraged to register!

 
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T-Shirt Quilt

Saturday, 2/9 & 2/23, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

If you’re into repurposing (and who isn’t in Asheville?!), you’ll love learning how to turn old t-shirts into beautiful, snuggly blankets! First, avid quilter, Pam Robbins, will teach you how to prepare your t-shirts, cut them out, and piece them into blocks. Then, you’ll assemble the top of your quilt, add a backing, and finish your new home accessory!

 
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Upcycled T-Shirt

Friday, 2/15, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

In this fun and budget-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to turn old, worn-out or damaged t-shirts into something you’ll love to wear again! Fiber artist, Julie Bagamary, will show you how to reverse applique a design onto a t-shirt, by hand, and turn it into a stylish, “new” Alabama Chanin-style garment! No machine sewing necessary!

 
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Curve-Stitched Mandala

Sunday, 3/3, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Even if you hate math, you’ll love creating these beautiful geometric mandalas using curve-stitching, a form of string art. In this fascinating workshop, paper crafter, Barbara Mueller, will show you how to turn a seemingly complicated process into a fun, easy, and highly-satisfying activity. 

 
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Tatted Butterfly Earrings

Friday, 3/8, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

In this introductory workshop, Ann Lansing will show you how to make a simple pair of tatted butterfly earrings. You will begin by learning how to wind a shuttle, create a double stitch knot, and form a circle. Then, Ann will show you how to make and join picots, and, finally, attach ear wires to complete your project. 

 
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Introduction to Fluid Art

Friday, 3/15, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

Have you ever wanted to create an abstract painting but weren’t sure how to start? If so, fluid art—also called [acrylic] pour painting, flow art, liquid art., etc.—might be just what you’re looking for! In this interesting workshop, Deana Murchison will show you several different ways to do acrylic pours. Then, you'll create your own unique works of art! 

 
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Tree of Life Dreamcatcher

Sunday, 3/24, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

The term “dreamcatcher” means “spider” in Ojibwe—and that’s typically what we think of when we see one: a web of string wrapped inside a hoop. Unlike most dreamcatchers, however, the “string” used in these beauties is wire that’s been shaped into a tree of life! Join wirework artist, Sarah Jane Oiler, for this intriguing workshop!

 
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Introduction to Eco Printing

Friday, 3/29, 12:00 PM-5:00 PM

Did you know that leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, and bark leave behind a unique “signature” when exposed to water and heat? If you’ve ever wanted to explore the wonders of “eco printing”—the all-natural process of transferring plant and leaf images onto fabric—this entry-level workshop is for you! (Note: This workshop typically fills quickly!)

 
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Creativity Circles & Other Members-Only Events

Collaging: Every Other Mon, 1-3 PM

Writing: Every Other Mon, 5:30-7 PM

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

19 in 2019: 2nd Tue, 9-11 AM

Stitching: Tue, 1-3 PM

Quilting: Thu, 1-3 PM

Drawing: 1st & 3rd Sat, 10 AM-12 PM

Game Night: 1st Thu, 7-9 PM

 

 
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