February Meeting

Last night was our February EVA meeting at Inside the Bungalow. We further discussed many of the January topics including roles of EVA members, rules for membership, social networking and blogging. Our March meeting will be a very important meeting for EVA as we finalize a lot of the details regarding how the group operates. Jill, Jeannie, Jen and myself attended this meeting. A big thanks goes out to them for contributing so many wonderful ideas on books, marketing, craft shows, motivational speakers, etc. I love the knowledge that is obtained from sharing ideas at our meetings. It is very valuable. In addition to our talented EVA members, Peggy of Wire Wears came to the meeting as a visitor. She makes some marvelous wire jewelry and incorporates found and recycled objects into her pieces. Peggy just set up a shop on etsy. We hope to see her at additional meetings.

Here are the exchange items from February. The theme was Love.

The theme for March is Easter.

January Meeting Recap

It is amazing how much time a newborn takes up. All they do is sleep right? Then why is it that a new mom can't get breakfast, showered, dressed, baby dressed and out of the house until noon? Who knows. All I know is that I have paperwork and laundry stacking up all around me. It also is taking me a lot longer to get phone calls, emails and texts returned. Not to mention completing blog posts and updating websites. That being said ... It is almost time for the February meeting, however I thought I would go ahead and post the meeting recap from January since I am getting around to it. Of course, I was not there having had a baby a week before the meeting. But Jeannie sent me detailed information on what transpired. Four members were present for the January meeting - Kristen, Jill, Jeannie and Nancy. The focus of the meeting was Marketing and Promotion which will be an ongoing topic for EVA. Jeannie passed out information that she will also bring to the February meeting for those that missed last month, and also will have additional information. Blogging is a subject that keeps coming up with the idea of connecting in the blog world with other artists to help promote each others work. We will continue at future meetings to discuss the best way to do this. Also discussed at the January meeting were group policies, membership and meeting space. These are things that we will keep revisiting as our group grows. The theme for January was NEW BEGINNINGS. Jill, Jeannie and Nancy brought items for the exchange. The items are pictured below. Silver leaf by Nancy Reasoner, recycled can earrings by Jill Helms, and a glass bead by Jeannie Cox. Visit their etsy shops to see similar items.
The February meeting is Wednesday February 17th, 2010 at 7pm. The theme for this month's meeting is LOVE.

Happy New Year!!

Time has gotten away from us here on the EVA blog. In December we had a wonderful meeting around the fireplace at Inside the Bungalow. Our exchange was a cookie exchange this time. We thought we would do something different for the holidays and exchange cookies rather than arts and crafts. I have to say that our artisans do a great job at baking. There were so many wonderful kinds of cookies. I am glad I got to enjoy them all.

For January the exchange theme is "new beginnings." We hope that 2010 is a wonderful year for everyone!

Oh, take a look at our new Facebook page. It is for our members, fans, friends and customers to see new creations by EVA members and keep updated on our events.

Sept. Meeting recap

We had another great meeting at Inside the Bungalow on Wednesday! Our exchange theme was stormy or inclement weather. It was a difficult theme, but everyone came up with some really great ideas. I need to start taking photos of what everyone brings. It is usually the highlight of our meetings.

In attendance for our Sept meeting were:
Nancy
Jeannie
Renee
Melissa
Me
and we had two visitors:
Kristen
Amanda

Kristen sent me an email and decided to join as a member today! We welcome her to the group! She makes antique brass necklaces that are embellished with designs that are copies of her original paintings. She brought several to share with the group. She does very nice work!

Our show and tell went on for a while this meeting. Many of us brought things we are working on and things we have completed to show the group. It was great to see such creativity and inspiration coming out of our group.

We discussed several shows that are coming up between now and Christmas. Many EVA members will be vending at these events. We will post all of them here and let you know who will be showing at the events. The first one will be in Downtown Mesa for 2nd Fridays near 41 W. Main Street. The theme for this 2nd Friday is Oktoberfest. It is October 9 from 6pm - 10pm. The next event is our very own Craft-oberfest on October 24th. The details for Craft-oberfest are all in the previous post.

We didn't have the opportunity to do a tutorial this meeting. Melanie, who was going to share some blogging tips, took a job volunteering on Wednesday nights. We will miss her, but her services are understandably needed elsewhere.

Upcoming:
Oktoberfest, Craft-toberfest, and our theme for October is simply Autumn.

Craft-oberfest October 24th!

Etsy team, The East Valley Artisans, is excited to present Craft-oberfest! Our Halloween event will feature hand-made jewelry, glass beads, bath and body items, accessories, paper crafts, food, fun ... and more. Everyday and Halloween items will be available for purchase. Put Saturday October 24 on your calendar and come see what we are all about!

Artist of the Month: Len Springer

1. Who in your life has influenced you most creatively, and why?
My cousin Myisha of Springcartdesigns.etsy.com Since childhood we've been drawn to all things creative and chic and we are always inspired by one another. We still have all night craft sessions whenever we get together.

2. Do you have fond memories of something you made in art class in school? Describe what you did.
It actually wasn't art class. A childhood friend Carolyn and I decided one Summer to sit on her grandma's porch and make a two story house out of left over popsicle sticks. We collected, cleaned and dried them from all the kids in the neighborhood. I guess you could say we were up-cycling before it became mod. We spent all Summer on that house and it was great. Until her grandparents sheep dog sat on it and broke it.
We still agonize and laugh about that Summer.

3. Describe your ideal creative day ...
Very simple. Of late, to have a whole day, any day to just be creative and have my home studio in utmost order. A nice glass of wine or herbal ice tea and a nice big bowl of strawberries and some sort of cheese would be divine.

4. Name your three favorite:
I must add this is a difficult part of the interview because I try to remain open to most things in life so it's hard to narrow it all down. Here it goes...

Books -
Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D., The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Women Hollering Creek by Sandra Cisneros
Movies -
Gladiator, The Godfather, Elizabeth, The Golden Age (oh, please let me mention The Sound of Music & Breakfast at Tiffany's)
Bands -
Aerosmith (Rock Star Legends), The Roots (only rap group that sings and plays real instruments), Miles Davis (was one of the most influential Jazz musician creating and scoring music across the board) Yes all amazing live

Websites -
http://www.kennethbrowndesign.com/
http://www.craftmaniaonline.co.uk/
http://www.vintage-books.com/

5. What is your favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving! We (my sis & I) cooked for 40-60 family members, friends and all those in between. We start the day by serving others at a local Womens Organization, have games and movies for everyone. I'd make invitations (of course) have a full menu including appetizers, two signature drinks and our traditional Gumbo. Anyone that did not have a place to be would always be welcome. A wonderful time to reflect and be grateful for the little things.

6. What is your day job?
During the day I change lives. My specific title is Admissions Coordinator for The Skin & Makeup Institute of Arizona. I have the wonderful opportunity to guide students into a career path within the skincare & beauty industry. It's wonderful to be at the starting phase of someone choosing a path that isn't the standard one like being an accountant. Careers in Aesthetics (skincare), Professional Makeup Artistry, Permanent Makeup and Medical/Laser certification with the training we take pride in offering our students gives them wings . I also play an integral part in all of our marketing/advertising/event planning. For example, we just had a charitable event for the Women's Fresh Start foundation where we hosted 120+ clients providing a full spa & boutique day. Last year we hosted the Arizona try-outs for America's Next Top Model casting. Two Arizonans (Talia & FO) both made it onto the show.

7. Tell us about new creative projects or classes that you would like to pursue ...
Working with handmade Japanese paper. Hair Accessories. Rings. I'm using simple bases some with a patina and vintage filigree look with stones I get from a turquoise expert here in the valley. I'm slowly venturing into making jewelry. I love Czech beads. I want two types of lines. One that is simple and to the point somewhat of a vintage-inspired line; the other involving glass & paper. I'd like to take a class on working with glass as well as learning different mediums to use my love of all things paper.

Also working on a new & improved website
8. If you were a movie actor or actress, who would it be and why?
Ahh.... Today I would be Cate Blanchett because she always has such a presence that commands attention in a non-pretentious way and there is a classic vibe she brings that is so needed again; like that of Audrey Hepburn.

List your websites or anywhere else on-line that your art is featured:
www.uninhibitedspirit.com
www.uninhibitedspirit.etsy.com
www.uninhibitedspirit.blogspot.com

August Meeting recap

I better get the recap of the August meeting up before August is over! Our EVA group is growing and it is very exciting. We had 10 people at this last meeting! There are 7 of us that have been getting together for the past year and I think our August meeting was the first time we have actually all be in the same room at the same time. Aside from Renee, who was new at the July meeting, we had two even newer visitors to our little meeting. There was Melissa of The Silver Nest. Among other great things, she makes the cutest little wire wrapped nests that are made into pendants and earrings. Melissa decided to join EVA, and we are very happy to have her! Anita Farrah also came to the meeting. Anita makes some really cool glass beads. I recently went by her etsy shop and was quite impressed with her witches hat bead. I love that everyone is gearing up for Halloween!!! Please see East Valley Artisans to view the shops of all of our members.

August was full of new concepts for EVA. We had our first tutorial ... THANK YOU Trish for presenting an excellent tutorial on wire wrapping!! She is quite the skilled teacher.

Tools for wire wrapping

Len watching Trish as she goes through the steps

Trish mid-wrap

Topics discussed at this meeting were:
MACfest
The MAC Holiday Art & Music Festival
Len came with info to share about a couple other upcoming event ... more to follow on those.
Nancy has been exhibiting with East Valley Arts Guild at the 3rd Friday Artwalk at Mesa Riverview.
Trish (who has recently been busily updating her shop) brought up the possibility of having a craft show at her work.

Upcoming:
The theme for our September meeting is inclement weather. Something we are not having enough of ... or maybe too much of if you consider never ending blazing heat as inclement weather, as I do. Looking forward to Fall! And also in September Melanie will present us with a tutorial on blogging.