Craftside

Multifidus deep back work and flight exercises from: The Ultimate Body Shaping Bible by Karon Karter

OK designers and crafters-how many of you sit too long and get a lower back ache?

If this is you-read on!

The Ultimate Body Shaping Bible
Get in the Best Shape of Your Life with Targeted Workouts That Tone and Tighten Everything
By
Karon Karter

Your get-gorgeous encyclopedia packed with 300 step-by-step photos! Drawing from several fitness approaches, including cardio, Pilates, yoga, free weights, and interval and strength training, veteran fitness trainer Karon Karter will get your body in the best shape it can be. Karter gives readers the fastest solutions for every body issue they face, from saggy butts to slack arms, by offering an incredible range of exercises that fit every need. The Ultimate Body Shaping Bible provides several workouts for each body area that can be chosen by fitness level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and done in minutes. Each workout includes several exercises designed to hit a specific area to get maximum results fast. Also includes efficient, heart-pumping cardio sessions to get your excess fat burned off quickly.

Karon Karter (Dallas, TX) is an exercise guru featured on The Natural Wellness Channel’s Pilates for Real Bodies. She is the author of The Six-Week Bikini Countdown, The Core Strength Workout, and Pilates Lite.

 

Click on the two images to read how to do the multifidus deep back work and flight exercises that are great for building an beatable lower back and strengthen your posture muscles.

On to the day's question:

What is your favorite exercise? Or how do you take a break from your art and move around?

In addition to the above exercises I have just started hula hooping and let me just say it rocks! It makes my middle feel great.

How to make a Stencil Portrait from the Book- True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling by L. K. Ludwig

Check out this way-cool technique on how to make a stencil portrait from the fabulous book:

True Vision
Authentic Art Journaling

By

L.K. Ludwig

**Featuring the artwork of over 25 leading artists**

As art journaling grows in popularity (even attracting a new breed of scrapbookers who call themselves "life artists"), there is a movement afoot toward creating more authentic, personal, what some people call "raw" journals. These journals are filled with not just attractive, well-composed pages, but pages that are filled with personal, meaningful content.

True Vision is focused on ways to bring authenticity and meaning into one’s art journaling. The book examines themes and topics common to all while offering activities and exercises to create rich meaningful content. Each chapter highlights familiar subject areas such as life events, spirituality, childhood, and even an artist’s favorite writings. Within each topic, readers are given guided activities and exercises for developing content, provided one or two artistic techniques, and are shown inspiring examples of work by a variety of talented art journal artists.

L.K. Ludwig works predominantly with mixed media artist books and photography with a strong inclination toward creating personal intimate works. Her artwork has been featured widely in books, magazines, and galleries and is held in private collections. She is also the author of Mixed-Media Nature Journals

Click on the images for the full instructions on how to make a stencil from a photo and then make art with the stencil.

Pretty cool, hu?

I will definitely be trying this technique. But in the meantime I have this one to share with you.

If you read May 20th's post you saw the cut paper stencil slider card I made with the outside part of this deer.

 

And as promised, here is the second in the series I am doing with all the positive and negative pieces of my cut paper deer.

All I did was go through my stash of photos to see which one I thought the deer would look cool on and glue it down.

The white deer looked best on a dark background, but I liked how there was a very light space in the photo that it related to.

Today's question:

Do you work with stencils in your art/design?

I have a bit but really getting into now.

If you missed this post from True Vision about how to make a

Silhouette Figure Study Technique

pop back to check it out.

Book-Art: Innovation in Book Design- Creativity with books at the Craftside Booth and Swap-o-rama-rama this weekend at Maker Faire

I have creativity with books on my brain right now as I get ready to go to Maker Faire this weekend.

There will be all sorts of fun making bookmarks, decorating the Makeready Journals we will be giving out there for free and much more!

So I thought I'd give you a sneak peek into this book:

Book-Art

Innovation in Book Design

by Charlotte Rivers

Stunning showcase of the world's most innovative book designs
Following the success of CD-Art, DVD-Art, Mag-Art, and Poster-Art, Book-Art showcases an international collection of exemplary and innovative book design.

From mass-market publications to glossy coffee table and exclusive artist’s books, Book-Art explores both the creative inspiration and the logistics behind the work.

Showcasing the most captivating examples of book design, alongside insightful interviews with designers, Book-Art explores solutions for creating impact, directing readers through layers on information, and providing a usable publication and desirable object. It examines the use of color, artwork, and typography to achieve successful covers and interior design; utilizing principles of information design; creating a three-dimensional element through the use of pop-ups, foldouts, and inserts; and adding value through the opportune use of printing and finishing methods.

Charlotte Rivers is a freelance writer and contributor to several international design magazines. She has written Identify, Type Specific, Maximalism, CD-Art, DVD-Art, Mag-Art, and Poster-Art for RotoVision. She lives in London, UK.

Click on the image to get a closer look at how cool the hole punched cover is.

And in more Maker Faire News:

Swap-O-Rama-Rama 2009 @ MAKER FAIRE - Artist Open Call

http://swaporamarama.org http://makerfaire.com

EVENT DATES: May 30 + 31, 2009 Saturday + Sunday
LOCATION: The San Mateo County Expo Center, San Mateo, CA

"There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness." -Gandhi

Join in the communal process of reuse and celebrate our collective creativity! You are invited to participate in Swap-O-Rama-Rama as staff. Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a giant clothing swap and series of do-it-yourself workshops in which a community explores reuse and creativity through the recycling of used clothing.  At Swap-O-Rama-Rama consumers are taught to be creators and this transformation takes place through the local talent, crafters, designers and artists in the community.

HOW CAN YOU BE PART OF SWAP-O-RAMA-RAMA 2009?

There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities for all skill levels, talents and styles this year! Here's a short list of what you can get involved in!
1. Project Based Stations
2. DIY Sewing Station Star / Mechanical Genius
3. DIY Workshops  Previous workshops - http://gaiatreehouse.com/makerfaire07.htm
4. Re-Make Fashion Show  Previous Fashion Show Images: http://gaiatreehouse.com/makerfaire/luizaleitefs/luizaleitefs.html
5. Production Staff


Make It Happen!

As designers, crafters and artists, and business people, oftentimes we're not able to connect in our communities outside of our business and working relationships. Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a chance for each and every one of us to give back and share our skills, talent, experience and enthusiasm with people who have come to learn, explore and imagine. At the same time, the swap is a vehicle for all skill and experience levels to participate and co-create a maker-experience. All are welcome! This is your chance to engage and inspire open hearts and open hands.

Treehugger Pod Cast: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/03/treehugger_tv_t_1.php
About Swap-O-Rama-Rama: http://swaporamarama.org
Previous Swap Images: http://gaiatreehouse.com/makerfaire/luizaleite/luizaleite.html
Swap-O-Rama-Rama is proud to be sponsored by Singer Sewing Company.

CONTACT

Scatha G Allison (author of)

Jean Therapy
Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter

missvelvetcream@gmail.com
http://www.missvelvetcream.com  http://www.jean-therapy.net

Amy Hanna's episode of Look, Learn & Create

Check out this week's episode of Look, Learn & Create to see how to make a wire wrapped pair of earrings.

It features
Amy Hanna
author of

Rejuvenated Jewels:
New Designs for Vintage Looks

In Rejuvenated Jewels, you'll learn where to find fabulous vintage jewelry, beads, and artifacts, and how to create stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using these amazing finds. Rhinestone beads and clasps, mercury glass beads, oxidized metal chains, rosary beads, tiny book charms, and more are retooled into fabulous statement pieces that can be worn every day.

Amy Hanna (Laguna Niguel, CA) has been creating and selling jewelry for nearly a decade. A collector at heart, Amy began haunting flea markets and yard sales more than 20 years ago, and it was always the vintage jewelry, metals, and rosary beads that caught her eye. Her collections lay in drawers and vintage jewelry boxes for years until a friend encouraged her to create. Unable to find jewelry that represented her personal style, Amy began making one-of-a-kind pieces from her beloved collections.

Be sure to pop on over to Amy's blog for some more beautiful photography and inspiration!

Today's question?

Which I bet you can all answer!

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
And why?

Leave your answer and you're entered to win a free book.

My current favorite changes with my mood or what I have just made but I always go back to my pearls. I have both a strand of all one size and a descending size one, I alternate between the two.

Memorial Day Crafty Blogger Links and News about Art Opera 2010 Red Bank, NJ from Lisa Kettell

Vickie Howell
Create earth-friendly vases out of re-used mason jars & twine. This one's for both knitters and crafters alike!

Aileen's Musings
Get your groove on with Aileen's tie-dyed deli paper background technique. While your at it download her freebie fractal backgrounds!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
How do you brand yourself and your business? Alexa shares how she brands herself and offers some helpful marketing and graphic design ideas to help you build yours!

Blisstree Arts
Many of Cyndi's favorite Photoshop tricks!

Cathie Filian
Forget about "gone fishing" signs and "golf anyone" trinket boxes. Grab some fabric paints, freezer paper, iron-ons and get creative making one-of-a-kind fashions for your pop, pal or hubby.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy shows off an oldie but goodie, her old Kenmore sewing machine.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane shares some tips for using Twitter and Facebook to market a creative business.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Connie's Grandmother was a quilter and she's created a special chart to memorialize her. Stitch it up for the quilter in your life.

Naughty Secretary Club
Inspired by Marty Stevens-Heebner’s new book Altered Shoes, Jen gives a pair of white cotton Mary Janes a full makeover.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Stefanie's cross stitched up the 7 deadly sins in Latin with a scissor accent and gives you the pattern so you can make it too!

The Crochet Dude
Drew talks about what could be better than a crochet cruise to the Caribbean!

The Impatient Crafter
Madge is giving away a melange of beads from her Bead Board of Wonders and shares a fun mixed media project!

And some BIG news from Lisa Kettell author of:

Altered Art Circus!
Techniques for Journals, Paper Dolls, Art Cards, and Assemblages

Altered Art Circus! takes the reader on a magical journey into an artistic world where you can discover your creative muse, waiting to come out and play. It is, at heart, a technique book for altered artists, but the ideas are housed within a wonderful, spectacular fantasy land. Altered Art Circus! you the daydreamer, the explorer, the artist, to a place you have never been, where you can unleash your artistic dreams and explore hidden worlds through cutting-edge techniques, creative projects, and beautiful images.

Altered Art Circus! includes easy tutorials on basic digital altering effects for new and vintage images, step-by-step instruction for projects, a gallery of inspirational work from other artists, and clip art and images for you to use in your own projects. The book covers digital and paper alteration, creating from found and household objects (jars and boxes), features playful illustration, vintage imagery, and uses myriad other mixed-media materials, ranging from glitter and wire to crinoline and coloring agents.

Lisa Kettell is a mixed-media artist and writer with years of education and experience in altered art, graphic and print design, business, and marketing. She designs and publishes a successful art and fantasy zine called The Faerie Zine, which is dedicated to fairyology, the arts, creative inspiration, and travel.

Lisa sent this in:

Its my proud pleasure to finally announce the new event: Art Opera 2010, which will be held at the exclusive Oyster Point Hotel on April 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Red Bank, NJ right on the Navesink River, a few miles of the beach and New Jersey shore line, with fabulous views and nestled within loads of antique stores, centers, and art trendy shops, Red Bank is known for their trendy and artsy stores, restaurants and fun.
 
Wed. Night: Orientation dinner and guest speakers!
-4 course gourmet dinner w/venetian cake desserts, etc.
-High end goodie bag of supplies and surprises over a $350 value from top suppliers(if interested in donating please contact me, you'll receive free advertising too)
-Silent Auction
-Giveaways
-Meet the Instructors
-High profile guest speakers from our industry (wait til you find out who they are)
-Small table project
-Swap your swaps
-Center piece raffle, party favors
all in a magical underwater setting reminiscent of 1920s coney island meets mermaid flapper pageant!
 
Thursday Day 9-5pm/Night
-Morning and afternoon workshops with breakfast served inside your class rooms which are comfortable and nice, overlooking the harbor, floor to ceiling windows!
-Lunch served in your workshops
-Antique Centers open til 9:30pm for you to enjoy all to from the event with champaigne toast!
 
Friday Day 9-5pm/Night
-Morning and afternoon workshops with breakfast served inside your class rooms which are comfortable and nice, overlooking the harbor, floor to ceiling windows!
-Lunch served in your workshops
-Antique Centers open til 9:30pm for you to enjoy all to from the event
 
Saturday 10-5pm
-The Vendor Faire
-Make and Takes
-Author Panel (if you have published a book and want to sign, please let me know)
-Publishers and Industry vendors
-Surprises to follow!
-Break the mermaid pinata: for art goodies
-Candy and cupcake, salt water taffy bar.
-More guest speakers.
 
The total amount of registered students will be 150,  classes will be first come first serve basis, choose 5 classes, from 15 top instructors.
 
50 to 60 Vendors on saturday's vendor faire.
 
Red Bank is located about 45minutes to 1hour from New York City, with direct train access from Newark Airport and JFK for $20 to Red Bank and deals from neighboring airports on travel to the event, the hotel offers free shuttle service around the area! There are fabulous places to visit and things to do such as:
-Ocean Grove Gingerbreads, and quaint shops,
-Boat Dining
-The various antique marts around Red Bank
-5 Star dining, cheap dining, within walking distance or shuttle: visit the food warehouse w/the melting pot, thai garden and more.
-Jazz and art galleries
-The beach for shells
 
April is 50-70 degrees in NJ during that time.
-Visit NYC: Tinsel Trading, Phoenix Beads and more w/a 45 minute to 1hour train ride.
-THEME: Mermaid Diva/1920s Coney Island Chic!
-IF YOU are interested in vending or donating to goodie bags please inform me, or to send business cards for your stuff, please send, email me at lisakettell@yahoo.com
 
This event is going to be covered from 3 popular publications and other outlets!
This event will have layaway, a 3 column blog/website for easy navigating of the event reg. classes, instructors, vendors, donators, guest speakers, red bank, hotel info, transportation, specials, restaurants, shopping, and more.
 
This is a much needed East Coast/NJ/NY event and I hope you will all be apart of it!
Magic and Joy!
Lisa!