January Newsletter An Oddly Satisfying Afternoon |
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In this issue... - An Oddly Satisfying Afternoon
- Instructor Spotlight
- Upcoming Events
- Upcoming Workshops
- Creativity Circles
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Happy New Year! I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season and have enjoyed your break from "business as usual." Last week, I had a blast hanging out with my grand-niece, Adi. Her folks had to work on Friday, so my husband, John, and I offered to watch her for the day. While John headed off to his Pilates lesson, I got her settled in. As she dragged herself into the house (it was still o-dark-thirty), I asked her what she wanted to do. She immediately brightened, reached for her backpack, and pulled out the Zombie Brain Slime kit her uncle had given her for Christmas. She had mentioned her fascination with slime in the past, but I’d never actually seen it. We opened the kit and poured out the contents: a bottle of “ooze base,” a bottle of “ooze reactor,” a bag of foam balls, dye, and various mixing tools. We followed the instructions and, in just a few minutes, produced a blob of bright pink goo. After we played with the slime for a bit (which, I admit, was kind-of fun), I asked Adi why she liked it so much. She paused for a moment and then told me it was “satisfying”—which, coming from an eight-year-old, I found amusing. When I pressed for details, she said that she couldn’t really explain; it just was. After she went home, I did some research on why kids find slime so intriguing, and I discovered that slime, squishies—to which Adi also introduced me—and other autonomous sensory meridian response (aka ASMR) experiences are a “thing” for lots of young people today. They are “oddly satisfying” (a term borne of Reddit), some psychologists believe, because they require one’s hands to do skilled activities. According to Professor Craig Richard, founder of ASMR University, “They appeal to our younger brain because we’re hardwired to be entranced by hand movement.” Perhaps this is one reason art, in general, has always been so appealing. Whether you’re painting a picture, knitting a scarf, or throwing a pot, you’re always working with your hands. As our society grows more screen-obsessed, so, too, will our need to make art, I suspect. If you’re feeling called to use your hands to make something besides another batch of holiday cookies, I encourage you to consider taking one of Purple Crayon’s VERY satisfying workshops this winter: I look forward to playing with you! —Pam Robbins, Owner |
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| | Karen Hardy Karen is teaching our Handmade Book Sampler workshop on January 18th. She's taught book arts and papermaking workshops at John C. Campbell Folk School, Asheville BookWorks, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center (Hyattsville, MD), and The Southwest School of Art (San Antonio, TX). She has an MFA in Book Arts and Printmaking and has taught classes at Western Carolina University and Warren Wilson College, as well. Karen loves seeing see raw materials—paper, thread, ink, cloth—transformed into functional books. For more information about Karen, see www.khardy.com. | | |
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| | Christy Ammerman Christy is teaching our Mixed Media Pocket Shrine workshop on January 25th. For most of her life, she thought that she couldn’t be an artist because she didn’t have drawing or painting skills. When she started taking workshops in collage, it opened a door for her. Over the last 20 years, she has taken many workshops in collage, assemblage, encaustic and altered books, from local artists Ginger Heubner, Fleta Monaghan, Celia Gray, Danial Essig and Ursula Gullow., and has become a teacher herself. She has discovered that there are many ways to be a creator! | | |
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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, 1/5, 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! |
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| | Beginning Knitting Thu, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 10 AM-12 PM Who doesn’t fantasize about sitting in front of a fireplace, in the dead of winter, knitting? Whether you’re completely new to the craft, have tried to learn to knit and failed, or simply want a refresher, you'll love Camille Duanno's fun, four-week course! For about the price of a night out, you’ll gain a skill that will last a lifetime and is filled with endless possibilities! | | |
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| | Handmade Book Sampler Friday, 1/18, 10:00 AM-4:30 PM Book art has existed for thousands of years and can be seen in one form or another throughout all human history. In this fascinating, day-long workshop, book artist, Karen Hardy, will teach you how to make your own simple, yet elegant, book structures that are perfect for collecting memorabilia and journaling. The focus will be on making blank book models that you can use as a reference for future projects. | | |
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| | Mixed Media Pocket Shrine Friday, 1/25, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Admit it. You hate throwing out those used mint tins. They’re so darn cute! Now you don’t have to! Join mixed media artist, Christy Ammerman, as she shows you how to turn them into pocket “shrines!” After decorating your tin, you’ll add various mixed media until your piece commemorates a person, place, or feeling—or just looks neat! The only “rule" for this workshop is that you have fun! | | |
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| | 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 surprisingly fun four-week class, Camille Daunno will show you how! 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 create a unique stencil for your project first. Then, you’ll use fabric paint to transfer your pattern onto your shirt. Finally, you’ll reverse applique your design, by hand, and watch as your t-shirt transforms into a stylish “new,” Alabama Chanin-style garment! No access to, or knowledge of, machine sewing necessary! | | |
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Creativity Circles (Members-Only) |
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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 | | |
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