Save the Date! Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show

My yearly gala, the Garden Delights Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show, will be the first two weekends of December, so please save the date! If you want a postcard reminder sent to your mailbox email me your address.

The Show is at my art studio on December 1-2 and 8-9, from 11 am to 5 pm (or by appointment).

Studio

I’m so proud to show off my new photos, designs, and mixed-media artwork and crafts, and just as excited about my upcycled creations, where I bring fresh life to paper and fabric destined for landfill.

Come see my handmade bracelet cuffs, purses, phone and e-reader holders, all from fabric books and silk neckties; and envelopes and other paper crafts I make from outdated calendars and books. I’ve also been busy assembling kits and supplies for paper and fabric artists and crafters, ideal as a gift for yourself or for anyone who loves to create mixed-media, collage, book, and mail art.

Upcycled garland

Stop in to relax during the holiday rush, enjoy snacks, and chat. Never any pressure to buy, but if you’ve got a list you’ll find a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts (for yourself and for friends and family – including pets), at all different prices.

Jewelry, wearable art, purses, cards and prints, boxes, home decor, books, beeswax candles, and more! Our honeybees blessed us with a great harvest of delicious honey, which many people swear help their pollen allergies.

Local honeyAnd a new batch of soap – plus Honey Kissed lotion and lip balm, handcrafted by George from our honey and wax!Honey kissed

Can’t make the show or want to see my artwork online? Click these links:

Website

Artfire Gallery

My blog

Zazzle shop

Facebook

Upcycling classes!

I’m so proud to announce the rollout of my new upcycling series of classes at CraftArtEdu! To introduce the series, a free class on upcycling ephemera into postcards. And for your first foray into creative reuse I created a class teaching you how to upcycle neckties into stunning bracelets!

In honor of these brand new classes, CraftArtEdu is putting on a fantastic sale for all of my classes! Mixed media, inkjet printing, fabric art, and smartphone photography, check them all out at discounted prices through Friday April 14th — and if you see this post after that I’ll be glad to get you the same sale price, email me at heidirand [at] gmail.com.

And now … taa daaa! I’m blushing at this super promo piece from CraftArtEdu!!

 

Creative Reuse!

Heidi Rand loves to work in mixed media. She also loves upcycled art. In her two new classes (one is free!), she will show you how to take some materials that would normally be discarded, and put them to new use. In other words, they are upcycled into new creations!

Heidi loves photography, too. Be sure to browse through her classes on that, as well, especially if you feel a bit challenged in this area. They are full of easy-to-follow tips, tricks and techniques.

All of Heidi’s classes are at special prices through Friday, so be sure to take a peek at each one! You’ll find lots of idea boosters and creativity.

Cheers!
Donna Kato
Founder, CraftArtEdu.com

“All you need is a necktie, needle and thread, and a button!”


Upcycling Neckties into Bracelets with Heidi Rand

Learn to take a long forgotten necktie – or perhaps one that has very special meaning – and turn it into a simple, yet fashionable bracelet. These bracelets are addictive to make, and make wonderful handmade gifts for friends and family.

As noted, the materials you’ll need to make these bracelets are few: a necktie, some needle and thread and a button. That’s it! Heidi will walk you through the steps including how to:

  • Choose a necktie for your bracelet and figure out which part of the tie will work the best.
  • Measure, cut and sew your bracelet.
  • Select a closure to use – Heidi goes into lots of detail here.
  • Make your own unique buttons from leftover necktie scraps.

Now that you see how easy and fun it is to make these bracelets, put your own twist on them by adding beads, embroidery or handmade buttons!

Preview and Purchase Upcycling Neckties into Bracelets
All Levels | $13 | $10 through Friday!

Sew many ties (and closures)!



Send a little upcycled happiness!


FREE CLASS: Upcycled Postcards with Heidi Rand

Create mailable art and conserve resources by upcycling old paper into miniature mixed-media masterpieces! Heidi’s instructions guide you through the steps to make postcards from books and ephemera that would be tossed or recycled. Upcycling also saves money you’d pay to buy new postcards and art supplies.

Watch Now!

Attention iPhone and Android Users!
Watch the Vimeo Version of Upcycled Postcards


Look for more upcycling classes from Heidi soon!


Taking Great Photos of Your Artwork and Crafts with Heidi Rand

Follow along with Heidi as you master the skills you need to create images that showcase the beauty and originality of your artwork in order to sell it online. Heidi takes the mystery out of so many potentially intimidating yet essential product-photography skills such as styling, lighting, and composition, and breaks them all down into easy-to-follow steps.

Heidi’s wealth of information is divided into four sections to cover everything you need to know, including how to:

  1. Choose the equipment and setup you’ll need to ensure professional images of your work, whether it’s 2- or 3-dimensional.
  2. Prepare for your photo shoot, choose the location and type of lighting you’ll need, and stage, style and use props to enhance your work.
  3. Efficiently edit your photos so they accurately show your work and fit the requirements of the sites you’ll post them to.
  4. Decide where to sell and market your work online and make use of the powerful marketing tools found on many social media sites.

This entire class is also chock-full of time-saving tips and DIY solutions to help you save money. And while Heidi provides a comprehensive list of optional equipment, all you really need to get started is a camera, artificial lighting (if you do not have a good consistent source of natural light), a tripod, and an image processing program. Heidi makes the entire process foolproof and fun!

Preview and Purchase Taking Great Photos of Your Artwork and Crafts
All Levels | $25 | Save over 30%$17 through Friday!


Taking Great Photos with Your Smartphone with Heidi Rand

If you have a smartphone with a camera, then you know how convenient it is to take hundreds (or thousands) of photos! But if you’ve been less than thrilled with the results of your smartphone photos, then this class is for you! You CAN take great photos with your camera phone, and Heidi will show you how.

There are dozens of camera phones on the market. Heidi goes over the common options and settings found in all smartphone cameras and how to set them up to take great quality photos quickly.

If you’re experienced with using a digital point-and-shoot camera, Heidi will show you how to use your skills with the different options, limitations, and advantages of smartphone cameras.

If you’re a newbie to taking photos, this is your chance to learn from the ground up – starting with the basics and moving through more complicated aspects such as:

  • Optimizing your phone settings.
  • Learning the rules of composition.
  • Having fun with special effects.
  • Editing your photos.
  • Recognizing the advantages and disadvantages of a camera phone.
  • Finding apps that help overcome the disadvantages.
  • And more!

The only equipment you need for this class is a smartphone that has a camera. Heidi also covers a range of fun tools and equipment you can use to make taking pictures easier and more fun. By learning more about your camera’s features and with Heidi’s guidance, you’ll find yet another way to express yourself creatively!

Preview and Purchase Taking Great Photos with Your Smartphone 
All Levels | $20 | Save 30%$16 through Friday!

Save 50% or MORE on these mixed-media classes from Heidi!




 


This offer ends midnight CT, Friday, April 7, 2017. | Not valid with other discounts.

Kind Thoughts

More vintage card loveliness! Last week I included a New Year’s postcard in my Christmas card post. Here’s another sweet card for your enjoyment.

new-year-card-vellum-001small

The front is heavily embossed vellum, with gold, blue and green tinting on the flowers, bell, leaves, horseshoe, anchor, book, and hands-entwined in hearts.

new-year-card-vellum-003-small

Enlarged detail to show how it’s stitched together and has a bow tied with embroidery thread – and the “Good Luck” stamp. Inside: “A loving new Year Greeting” from J. Gosling to his Cousin Lizzie.

20161231_105004b-small

And the printed message: “Gladness attend you the Season trough / All that is brightest belong to you! / Thoughts of the sweetest, and memories fair, / These be the gifts that your life may share”

Appetite whetted for more New Year cards?

My 2015 New Year’s vintage postcard post.

Two other wonderful vintage New Year’s postcards in this blog post.

A Merry Happy To All

I scored a great Christmas card at SCRAP-SF earlier this year!christmas-vintage-postcard-used-2016-small

Poor turkey, looking forward to his Christmas banquet, aghast to learn HE’S the main course!

christmas-vintage-postcard-used-2016-menu-small

This is an unfolded card rather than a postcard, the message on back in gorgeous Art Deco / Nouveau font.

christmas-vintage-postcard-back-used-2016-smallNo postmark or other info to date it; I suspect a reprint because it’s in such good shape. The original presumably pre-dates our modern twist on the meaning of “high time”!

… And for next week! A truly vintage New Year’s postcard, mailed on December 31, 1913 from Times Square Station New York.

new-year-vintage-postcard-used-2016-small

The back: “If you were only here I would wish you a very very happy New Year.”

new-year-vintage-postcard-back-used-2016-small

I love the gentle directions, complete with fingers pointing, at left reminding one to write the message: “With pen and ink / the things you think / write here” … and at right: “Your Uncle Sam will do the rest / if this good card is well addressed / right here.”

new-year-vintage-postcard-back-closeup-small

My Christmas vintage postcard blog post from last year

And Christmas the year before! 

And Christmas 2013!

And Christmas 2012!

My 2015 New Year’s vintage postcard post.

Two other wonderful vintage New Year’s postcards in this blog post.

Happy Holidays to you!

Holiday Gift Sale and Art Show 2016

2016 Holiday Show

A chill in the air, rain promised — the holidays are coming! My yearly gala, the Garden Delights Arts & Crafts Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show, is the first two weekends of December again this year.

The Show’s at my art studio, 5810 Barrett Ave, El Cerrito (just past Edwards), December 3-4 and 10-11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or by appointment on another day – email me).

PP creative panorama studio enlarge.jpg

I’m so proud to show my photos, designs, and mixed-media artwork and crafts, and way excited about my upcycled creations, where I bring fresh life to paper and fabric headed for landfill.

Upcycling Neckties Into Bracelets

Come see my handmade bracelets, necklaces, purses, phone and e-reader holders, from fabric books and silk neckties; and envelopes and other crafts I make from outdated calendars and books.

Upcycled garland

I also have DIY kits and supplies, ideal as gifts for you or your artsy-craftsy mixed-media, collage, book, and mail art friends! I’ve added several new ornaments, perfect stocking stuffers or to adorn your own tree.

ornaments upcycled

Stop in to relax during the holiday rush, enjoy snacks, and chat. Never any pressure to buy, but if you’ve got a list you’ll find a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts (for all – including pets), at great prices.

upcycled catnip quilt

Also, our local honey (as long as it lasts), some swear by it to help pollen allergies.

Local honeyAnd handcrafted wonders by George from our honey and wax — heavenly beeswax candles and luscious batches of Honey Kissed skin lotion and lip balm.

pp-model-hdr-george-lotion053016

Want a postcard reminder? Send your address to heidirand [at] gmail.com

Or can’t make the show or want to see my work online? Click these links:

Website

Artfire Gallery

My blog

Zazzle shop

Mail Art Happiness

My mailbox has been very happy lately! Here are a few of the wonders sent by pen pals and Postcrossing friends. First, a marvelous creation by mail artist Sally Wassink. On the outside: “Burn on completion” and “2016” stamped in red, and Sally’s “Wurlitzerworld January 1, 2016” postmark.Sally Wassink

Inside: a handy pocket calendar for 2016 and matches to burn it at year’s end (I won’t!)

Sally Wassink

With the bottom stapled, it folds and tucks just like a matchbook. Ingenious!

Sally Wassink

Judy Staroscik, a mail art pen pal I met through IOUMA (the International Union for Mail-Artists), sends me intricate handmade artist trading cards and other gems. Judy’s latest, a small card and ATC that she made on an art tour to England last year:Judy Staroscik

Carrie, a Postcrosser from Minnesota,made me a gorgeous stamp-art postcard with an inspiring message for the new year. The stalk / flowers on the right are embossed with gold ink.

Postcard

LadyOla, a Postcrosser from Belarus, was sweet to note from my profile that I adore triangle stamps! She used this one on my postcard — it looks like a fragment of a tapestry, doesn’t it?

Triangle stamp from Belarus

Ceejay, another treasured pen pal I met through Postcrossing, sends me her own beautiful photo cards with wonderful gifts tucked inside, often precious triangle stamps she finds for me!

Triangle stamps

And last but not least – a Postcrosser from the Netherlands made me this extra-special card with sequins, real lace, and a pop-up cuppa tea and flowers!

Handmade card

Curious about Postcrossing? Click this link. And this is my Postcrossing profile

Have you sent or received any mail art lately? I hope your mailbox has many happy days in 2016, both outgoing and incoming!

Happy New Year from Father Time

To welcome 2016, a New Year’s vintage embossed postcard with a weighty message:

New Year vintage postcard

“May Time, who sheds his blight o’er all / And daily dooms some joy to death / O’er thee let years so lightly fall / They shall not crush one flower beneath.”

The excerpt from a poem entitled ‘Peace Be Around Thee’ by Irish poet Thomas Moore, 1779-1852, is perfectly captured by the illustration — bearded, sandal-wearing and scythe-bearing Father Time scatters years sketched as golden-tinted balls. There’s no writing or postmark on the back, but another copy of the card online has a 1908 postmark.

My past posts about vintage New Year postcards:

New Year’s Day 2015.

December 1012 post.

A matched pair of Christmas and New Year postcards.

Happy New Year! May you send and receive many postcards this year.

A Merry Vintage Christmas to Ethel

Herewith two early 1910s Merry Christmas postcards. When I chose them I didn’t notice I must have gotten them from the same collection. Neither has a message nor postmark on the back. The first, from Raphael Tuck’s “The Poinsettia” series:Merry Christmas vintage postcard

See the delicately inked “Mamma to Ethel” at bottom corner? And Mamma’s message to Ethel via the inspiring poem by M.B. Whitman: “Keep your face / always / towards the / sunshine, and / the shadows / will fall / behind / you.”

The second, from A.S. Meeker’s Christmas series, copyright 1910 has no poem, but a peaceful winter scene with strongly embossed green holly leaves and red berries, snowfall and icicles, and welcoming stately mansion. And the penciled inscription at bottom: “Papa to Ethel.”

Merry Christmas vintage postcard

Lucky Ethel!

This is my Christmas vintage postcard blog post from last year.

And from the year before.

And my 2012 post.

Happy Holidays to you!!

Thanksgiving Good Cheer

Herewith some 1910s Thanksgiving wishes! Most of my vintage T’giving postcards have turkeys on them, so this one is unusual.

Thanksgiving good cheer vintage postcard

I thought our fair lass was preparing a vegetarian dinner, but closer inspection shows that her cornucopia and basket overflow only with grapes. Perhaps she was tasked with providing the wine; hence the message on the front: “Thanksgiving Day Good Cheer.”

The message on the back: “Grandpa & Grandma.” Postmarked 1915, it’s addressed to Master Wilbur W. Daily, #28 S. 8th St., City.

Next, alas, more doomed turkeys. On this heavily embossed card Tom Turkey displays his fancy tail feathers for his lady. The borders around “Thanksgiving Greetings” and the picture are painted with metallic silver and have an art nouveau feel.Thanksgiving greetings

Minnie sent this card, addressed to Mrs. J. Vanderplou, in 1910. The message: “Dear Aunt Annie, I got the paints and they are nice ones. When I got them I was so glad. I painted with them already. Mamma said ‘that she would like to go to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving. Mamma is going to write soon.’ That piece of goods that you sent is very pretty. xxxxxx.” A model Thank You note indeed!

To all of my friends who celebrate, with or with out turkeys (not in our house anymore), have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Holiday Gift Sale and Art Show

Gift Sale and Art Show

UPDATE! I’ve extended the Show for last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers. If you’d like to come by until December 24th, email me at heidirand@gmail.com

******************************************************************

A chill in the air and rain promised, to me that means the holidays are coming! My yearly gala, the Garden Delights Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show, is the first two weekends of December this year, so consider this my ‘save the date’ post. Want a peacock postcard reminder? Send your address to heidirand [at] gmail.com

The Show is at my art studio, 5810 Barrett Ave, El Cerrito (above Edwards Ave) on December 5-6 and 12-13, from 11 am to 5 pm (or by appointment – email me).

Studio

I’m so proud to show off my new photos, designs, and mixed-media artwork and crafts, and just as excited about my upcycled creations, where I bring fresh life to paper and fabric destined for landfill.

Upcycled necktie bracelet

Come see my handmade bracelet cuffs, purses, phone and e-reader holders, all from fabric books and silk neckties; and envelopes and other paper crafts I make from outdated calendars and books. I’ve also been busy assembling kits and supplies for paper and fabric artists and crafters, ideal as a gift for yourself or for anyone who loves to create mixed-media, collage, book, and mail art.

Upcycled garland

Stop in to relax during the holiday rush, enjoy snacks, and chat. Never any pressure to buy, but if you’ve got a list you’ll find a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts (for yourself and for friends and family – including pets), at all different prices.

Jewelry, wearable art, purses, cards and prints, boxes, home decor, books, beeswax candles, and more! Our honeybees blessed us with a great harvest of delicious honey, which many people swear help their pollen allergies.

Local honeyAnd new this year! Our Honey Kissed skin lotion and lip balm, handcrafted by George from our honey and wax.Honey kissed

Can’t make the show or want to see my artwork online? Click these links:

Website

Artfire Gallery

My blog

Zazzle shop

Facebook