More photos from the sale...

Headbands and pouches...

Littlest Miracles Collection, for the younger set.

Fun, summer drawstring backpacks...

Easy going tote bags.

Beautiful shoulder bags, too.

.........and much, much more!

Lafayette Art Night Out

We are attending Lafayette's Art Night Out. If you are looking for something local to do, you might also be interested. What's not to love about art, wine, live music, and walking around town? You can get more information on the city's website. Lots of the restaurants and stores are having sales and promotions, too.

and another...

This is an 8 x 8 collage. Again with a word. I used a vintage postcard from Bryn Mawr a vintage letter, paint, a flashcard, paper, and a metal hinge.

Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace. - Buddah

another collage...

This one is on on a 4 x 7 canvas. I used paint, rub-decals from 7 gypsies, a vintage train ticket, reprodution images, and metal hardware.

Make some mistakes...

Kerry and I are always looking for new art adventures. In addition to launching our new webstore (see below) are are venturing deeper into the world of collage. Who knows, we may even put some of our new collage items up on our store. For now, I'd just like to give you a quick sneak-peek. This is one of my mixed media collages.

It is on a 8 x 8 canvas. I used a vintage letter, reproduction images, antique buttons, paint, mod podge, handmade and other papers as well. As always, I like to incorporate words into my work. I used the quotation "Those who don't do anything, never make mistakes." I like the sentiment. It challenges me to take some chances, maybe I will make some mistakes. Hopefully, the chances I take will lead me to more creativity and fulfillment.

Although I sometime find it hard to know when to stop, I am calling this piece complete. I think I like the final result.

Winter Working

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
-- Josh Billings

Winter is here, and I said that we are usually closed when the weather is too cold. So, I was wrong. We do sometimes have to be open on some of the colder days. Tomorrow may be chilly, but Kerry and I will be there. Our strategy is that we will crank up our little space heaters, and wear our warmest sweaters. Thankfully, the orders are still coming in, and we do need to put in a few hours.



So, we will do our best to warm up the little place. You should stop by, too. We are running a special on non-jewelry items, 15% off. What a deal! We also have our drop in to make art time tomorrow. Come in and make a gift of your own. Drop-in workshops. Make your own gift each Tuesday and Friday from 9:00 - 11:30, December projects include Gypsy bracelets, large journals, Gypsy journals or glass ornaments.

Brave the cold, we promise it won't be too bad! Also, we are the perfect place to look for that special gift you still need.

See you tomorrow!

Why Buy Handmade?

You may ask, why buy handmade for the holidays? Why buy handmade for gifts? Why buy handmade for yourself?

The website buyhandmade.org addresses those questions. This is what they say:

"Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.
The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production."

Conveniently, Kerry and I make homemade. We have lots of artisan friends who make homemade, too. We also have links to lots of other blog and Internet friends that make and sell homemade. If you want to buy homemade, too, come to the studio on one of our open studio days. Or check out our website or our Amazon store. Or look further and find your own local artisans to support. Even if you can't buy entirely homemade this season, try to find just one special gift that's handcrafted. Maybe you will be lucky and receive handmade.

Enjoy your holidays!

Art & Fine Craft Sale - Today

What are you doing for National Arts and Humanities Month? Have you visited a gallery recently? Do you have tickets to see a play or a concert? Have you supported your local artisan?

Now is the time! Come and support your local artisans - Today and tomorrow at the Helen Parker Art Studio, you have the opportunity to view and purchase a wide range of quality art and fine craft items, ranging from textiles to jewelry, lamps to pottery, children's clothing to photography. Don't miss out!

Friday, October 17 9:00am – 1:00 pm and

Saturday, October 18 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

We are proud to announce the following artist will be participating:

Christiane Robinson of Aspengold Artisan Jewelry
Elizabeth Hagen of Elizabeth Hagen Photography
Tiffany Shively of Bebe Sniklefritz
Hope Swenson of Mod Dot Textiles
Linda Brookover of The Light Idea & Boutique Unique Handbags
Sandy Robinson of Sandyland Pottery

Kerry Feiman & Rachel Hanson of Milagro Jewelry

more artist news...

Look for our friend Christiane Robinson in the Friday's Boulder Daily Camera. Her beautiful pendants, Aspengold Artisan Jewelry, will be featured in the fashion column.
Congratulations Christiane!

Artist Profile - Linda Brookover

Today, I would like you to introduce you to Linda Brookover. Linda is a repeat artist at our annual fall art sale. She does double duty as the artisan of The Light Idea, offering delightful lamps, and Boutique Unique, with her high quality fabric handbags.
With The Light Idea, Linda makes beautiful lampshades! She finds adorable lamps and matches them with the perfect shade which she embellishes with fringe, ribbons, tassles and beads. These creations are quite the focal point in a bedroom or on an end table. Her eye for combining texture and color is fantastic. These lamps evoke a sense of softness, femininity, and style. This year she will also offer us a line of fabulous nightlights. These are mineature, wall versions of her elaborate lamps. Each embellished with rich looking fringes and beads, the perfect accessory for your bedroom or bathroom.

Linda is also the maker of high quality fabric handbags and purses which she offers under the name Boutique Unique. She uses interesting yet durable materials. She has an eye for combining fabrics, buttons, and ribbons to make these fantastic creations. Her bags also have lots of detail, with lots of pocket, magnetic snap closures, and even a hook inside to snap onto your keys.

Linda says this about coming into creativity:
"My love for arts and crafts started at a very young age, while taking art classes at the McNay Art Institute and all the way to college. I love many forms of art from painting, stain glass, pottery, but there is not enough time to do them all. Along the way I became a flight attendant and was able to experience the world and many different cultures. With that came new forms of art and color combinations I had never seen before. Unfortunately I was in an accident and I am not able to fly again, but now focus on my art and bring to you some of the experiences of the world through the art that I create. I live a few miles from the Flatirons range near Boulder Colorado with my husband and two kids."
We love Linda's attention to detail and her lovely color combinations. Her work is high quality and first rate! We know you would agree.

Join us at the studio on Friday from 9 - 1 and Saturday from 10 - 2 to meet some fabulous local artist, find some unique handmade creations and to get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Artist Profile - Sandy Robinson

Sandy Robinson of Sandyland Pottery is today's featured artist. Sandy is also a repeat artist at our annual event. We were charmed by Sandy's whimsical work from the moment we saw it. When asked about her craft, she says, "I call it functional eco-art! It's hand-painted pottery with a unique twist." She finds the pieces of white and light colored pottery at antique shops and thrift stores, she then gives them new life by painting her magic on them with special paint, then re-firing them so the colors are permanent and dishwasher safe.

As to the inspiration for her work, Sandy says, "Inspiration is everywhere! I often feel like I live in a cartoon world and see the funny in most things. Many snippets of what I hear and see spark images that turn up in my work. Life is so rich... and inspiring!"

Being a painter is just one facet of Sandy's artistic life. Her early artistic experiences includes ceramics (hand-building and greenware molds), finger paints, decoupage, wood carving, leather designs, candle making, dried pasta art, scratchboards, macrame, watercolors, acrylics as well as photography, film and animation. She is also caterer and chef, and a practitioner of the healing arts, including reiki and aromatherapy.

One of her current goals is to open a community cafe, with a zero-waste kitchen and a pay it forward style of payment. Find out more on her website, Sandyland.

Sandy says, "My deep love for our precious Earth continues to encourage me to look for ways to reduce waste on our planet. Painting on existing pottery that might otherwise end up in a landfill is a way to blend my need for creative expression and love for the environment. The Sandyland "catch-phrase" is: RECYCLED, REUSED, RENEWED, REBORN. What does that mean to you?"

Come to see more of Sandy's art at our fall art sale this Friday and Saturday.

Artist Profile - Hope Swenson

Hope Swenson, owner of Mod Dot Textiles, is another local artist we found on Etsy. She creates fashion accessories, children's clothes, and home goods using designer fabric and trims. She uses bold colors and patterns in stunning combinations. From her full sized women's purses (left) and wallets, to her little cell phone bags (see green bag below right) to her adorable girls dresses, we love her work!

Also a Colorado native, Hope was inspired to sew by her "two very patient grandmothers and mother." She and her sister, Tiffany (see yesterday's post), started their textile careers in Barbie fashion, but have grown since those days!

Hope has a wide range of talents including sketching, painting, embroidery, knitting and crochet. She also has experience in metal smithing and jewelry making as well as home renovation. She and her father worked together to restore an old ranch house and a 1900's Bank building.

Even with that wide range of talent and skill, Hope is focusing on design and creation of children's clothes and other textile creations. She describes her artistic process as an explosion! She says, "I throw fabrics together on the floor or tack them to the wall, stand back and contemplate, decide what looks good together, cut and sew. I usually develop a pattern from something that I have already sewn and want to recreate. My best time to design is right before I go to sleep and when I am driving."

Her business, Mod Dot Textiles, grew out of necessity. After their father suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, Hope and Tiffany made the decision to care for him themselves. Hope says, "I was required to find a way to create income while being able to have a flexible schedule so that I could participate in my Father’s care and rehabilitation to the fullest extent possible." While difficult, this transformative experience has helped Hope follow her "Bliss" by choosing to, "concentrate on my priorities of family and simplicity, and continue along my creative path." Both Hope and Tiffany contribute a portion of their proceeds to the Colorado Brain Injury Foundation and Boulder County Hospice.

Their story is inspiring and their work is inspired. We hope that you will enjoy Hope's bright, fun, and well crafted textile creations as much as we do!

Artist Profile - Tiffany Shively

We found the textile art of Tiffany Shively and her sister (tomorrow's post) while looking for local artists on Etsy. Looking to add a variety of mediums to our fall art sale, we were drawn to Tiffany's use of bright colors and patterns as well as her eye for combination. Plus, she has something for everyone, as she says she offers, "accessories for everyone from birth to 102!" For the little ones she offers baby boutique items like blankets, bibs, burp cloths and onesies and for the rest of us she has beautifully crafted and stylish headbands.
Her love for sewing and the name of her business came from her German grandmother, a quilter, who called Tiffany "sniklefritz," and thus bebe Sniklefritz was born. A true Colorado native, Tiffany has been sewing and designing since she was a little girl, making stylish clothes for her barbies. Her craft has come a long way! Now her craft is all about expressing yourself with modern and chic textiles using original and unique designs. She makes hip accessories for the little ones and their moms.
Tiffany tells us she is inspired by bold and modern prints, and looks for unique ways to mix and match prints and bright colors. She strives to create a unique product that is different from the run of the mill baby gift. With her attention to detail and quality crafted items, we think that she has done just that!In addition to being an talented textile artist, Tiffany is also a full time mom and part time attorney. And, after their father suffered a brain injury in 2006, Tiffany and her sister are committed to spreading awareness and supporting Brain Injury survivors by donating a portion of their net proceeds to Hospice of Boulder County and the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund.
We hope you enjoy Tiffany's beautiful craft. You can view her work on her etsy site and see it in person at our sale this weekend.

Artist Profile - Christiane Robinson

Kerry discovered Christiane Robinson's beautiful pendants and we couldn't resist inviting her to participate in our fall art sale. Her work is amazing!

Christiane describes her work as whimsical and colorful, we would also add beautiful and unique to describe her pendants. Under the name Aspengold Artisan Jewelry, Christiane makes pendants and earrings by applying high quality papers, including Japanese chiyogami and Florentine papers, to glass, dominoes and wooden Scrabble tiles. The papers are often accented with swarovski crystals or micro beads and sealed with a special process. Strung from a leather cord, organza ribbon, or silver necklace, the effect is stunning!

She says her inspiration often comes from the beautiful chiyogami Japanese paper she works with, or from nature, her children and travels she's made. She also has an eye for color, trends, the seasons, and art. Christiane will look for paper in the style of artists like Mondrian and Monet.

Currently a Colorado resident, Christiane's childhood was spent in Pennsylvania and Germany. She can trace her artistic tendencies to her youth; she said, "My love of arts and crafts goes all the way back to my childhood. I was born in central Pennsylvania. My father was a college professor of history and art and my mother was an artist trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. As my father is European, I spent periods of my childhood growing up in Munich and Heidelberg, where I was frequently exposed to the arts and music of Southern Germany. I graduated from Salem College in 1992 with dual degrees in history and German. While attending college, I began my first foray into the arts by taking an art class on stained glass windows. For the next decade, I periodically assisted my mother in building leaded glass windows as part of her studio, Arran Art Glass. I am still a member of the International Guild of Glass Artists."

We love the whimsy of the pendant on the back of a scrabble tile or domino. Her glass pieces are equally beautiful with their clean, crisp look. We are impressed with the quality of her craft as well as her eye for color and style. Surely you will agree.

Her work has been sold across the world, from California to Australia and we are pleased she will be joining us next weekend. Come and see it for yourself; it's simply beautiful!

Artist Profile - Elizabeth Hagen

Elizabeth Hagen will be offering her hand tinted, color and black and white photograps at this year's art sale. This is Elizabeth's third year with us. We introduced you to her last year in this blog. Since that time, she has expanded her horizons a bit. Kerry and I were drawn to Elizabeth's black and white photos which she brings to life with her hand painting skills. She revitalizes a skill from the days when photos were only black and white, and the only color had to be added by hand. Using photos from her worldwide travels and her local finds, she captures the essence of the landscapes and history in film. Since last year's art sale, she has expanded her repertoire to include numerous color and black and white photos of botanics, local sights and hot air balloons.

Her black and white photos are printed on canvas or matte and hand painted with oil paints, adding color and texture. She uses other photos on note cards, thus offering her work in a wide variety of formats and prices.

Elizabeth's background as an economics major with experience in the mortgage banking industry is a far cry from her artistic calling now. As she says, "Good thing I got out when I did!" She says she was always interested in black and white photography but when she took a hand tinting class 15 years ago it, "renewed my passion and inspired me to try something different with my photos."


Elizabeth says this about her artistic process, " I may decide to paint a particular photo to bring out particular characteristics of the image. For example, one of my favorite photos is of the buildings in Venice with water and gondolas in the forefront. As Venice was built on water, the buildings have been through incredible wear and yet they are beautifully built and have wonderful detail. I use the black and white photo to give the old feel of Venice and add layers of color to the buildings to bring out the detail of the worn walls. "

You can find more of Elizabeth's work at our art studio next Friday and Saturday at our annual art sale or on her website.

We hope you enjoy her work as much as we do!

Art & Fine Craft Sale

October Art Sale--

We are hosting our annual Fine Craft and Art Sale
Friday, October 17 9:00am – 1:00 pm and Saturday, October 18 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
We are proud to announce the following artist will be participating:
Christiane Robinson of Aspengold Artisan Jewelry

Elizabeth Hagen of Elizabeth Hagen Photography

Tiffany Shively of Bebe Sniklefritz

Hope Swenson of Mod Dot Textiles

Linda Brookover of The Light Idea and Boutique Unique Handbags and

Sandy Robinson or Sandyland Pottery.

This is a talented group of women. They have amazing skills in their craft. Each one will bring something unique and beautiful to share with you.

There will be a variety of items, from handbags and totes to lamps and photographs. Don’t forget the stunning jewelry! It is a perfect time to start your holiday shopping or find something unique for yourself.

Candle Project

Here's a fun project idea:

Collaged Art Candles

1. Choose Candles - We use a pre-poured candle in clear glass. Be sure to choose a glass surface that is clean, smooth and large enough to hold the collage elements that you wish to include. You may want to find a container that has a lip or rim around it that would be used to tie ribbon, yarn or twine around.

2. Decide on background paper (you may use a background paper as a base for your collage, or let the glass show through the pieces of your collage), choose additional materials (photos, stamps, labels, torn paper, tissue paper, etc), make sure they fit
When choosing elements for your collage, keep in mind color (do you match the wax to the outside or contrast? Will the wax show?), theme (is it holiday, personal, nostalgic, cultural?), texture (will you use handmade or refined papers, will you add a yarn or ribbon at the top?), components & details (wax color, base paper, detail papers, photos, ties, tags, charms, words)

3. Apply ModPodge one section at a time, in one thin layer, apply paper or item, smooth to remove bubbles. Note about ModPodge: It is a non-toxic, non-flammable, glue and decoupage medium to be used as glue and as a top layer

4. Allow the first layer to be moderately dry before applying collage items. When you're pleased with your collage, add one or two layers of Mod Podge for durability.

5. Be sure to look at the candle for completeness
Does it need a ribbon or twine tie, should it have a charm, Milagro, tassel, or tag?

These candles are great gifts or accents for your home decor. We make them several times a year to coordinate with a holiday theme.

Enjoy your project and let us know how it goes.

Art Around Town

To continue the tour of Lafayette Public Art...

Public art doesn't always follow a specific theme. But two of Lafayette's most recent public art installations are directly related to the history and culture of our town.

The first is a sculpture called towns-woman by artist Tim Upham. It was installed alongside Baseline Road, in front of our Rec Center, in the fall of 2006. While I must admit, at first glance, I didn't really "get" the sculpture, it has come to grow on me. When I first drove past the piece, I wasn't drawn to its angular, industrial look. I quickly noticed, however, the words etched into the crosspieces were more feminine in nature, "favorite niece" "girlhood home," "birthplace," "maiden name." And, when I heard the story behind the piece, I grew to like it more. Mr. Upham's inspiration for the piece is Mrs. Mary Miller, the founder of the town of Lafayette. The form of the piece is a representation of the original street plat of the town of Lafayette. The words on the piece reflect the many aspects of Mrs. Miller's life. It is a thoughtful piece of art.

The second sculpture called Toros Curiousos was installed in September of 2007. This large scale sculpture is by Christopher Weed. I think this sculpture is great! It consists of two huge, vibrant, angular bulls with lengths of industrial chain as their tails. They sit amid the prairie, over looking Highway 287. The two bright orangey-red bulls sit adjacent to the Super Wal-Mart parking lot. While it's location is not totally conducive for viewing, there are plans for a walking trail to run from nearby Anna's Farm neighborhood towards the east and past the bulls. And, it certainly is a head turner for the commuters travelling south on the road. I love that the Toros are so whimsical, and that they are a nod to Lafayette's agricultural and ranching roots. As for the Bulls being near the Wal-Mart, that is no coincidence. All commercial properties built in Lafayette contribute 1% for art as part of their building permit fees. This is one of several ways that the Public Art Committee is funded in the city.

So, on with the tour. Next time I think I will take you on a drive down Public Road, our main street and show you how we add art to our lives on the road.

Art Around Town

Since I am a new member to the Lafayette Public Art Committee, I thought I should familiarize myself (and you by default) with the art around my town.

We have two public art installations at our library. The first is a tile mosaic mural that I showed you before. I love this one. It is my first personal experience with public art. To fund the project (many years ago) they (the powers that be) "sold" tiles to members of the community. My mom bought tiles for me and Jeremy as a gift. Somewhere on that mural, on the backs of the tiles are my and Jeremy's names. My mom never knew what she started with me, with that gift of tile. I appreciate this piece for its historical depiction as well as its complex medium. Imagine putting together a mural that big, using only 1 inch black and white and gray tiles.

The second library piece is a metal sculpture that sits at the driveway to the building. It is called Within your Reach. I enjoy this piece for its whimsical nature. It is a depiction of joy and childhood, as well as reading and learning.Stay tuned for more Art Around Town. There is lots to share in our little town. We love art, we embrace art, we make art public. Enjoy!

Americans for the Arts

We just found out that October is National Arts & Humanities Month. It is sponsored by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. Their website says:

National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM) is a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America. Held every October and coordinated by Americans for the Arts, it has become the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation. From arts center open houses to mayoral proclamations to banners and media coverage, communities across the United States join together to recognize the importance of arts and culture to citizen's daily lives.

I know October seems far off, but it's not. Now is the time to plan. Buy your theater tickets, plan or attend a performance, go to a museum, go to a gallery, visit an art studio (wink, wink), buy some local art, go to a local concert or play, attend an art festival or street fair, read poetry, write poetry, the possibilities are open to your imagination. What will you do for National Arts and Humanities Month? Why wait? Why not start now?