New journal class signup

I will be teaching a journal class on January 10th from 9-4 at the new Tabor Art Space and we will be making these beautiful books and learning some journal jumpstart techniques. This is a good class for beginners or more advanced journalers. You can visit my blog to see more examples of journal pages.

An Invitation

In my artistic life I make jewelry and books. But my day job is consulting to individuals and organizations on the creative process.

(image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindmaps)

For the past couple of weeks I've been writing about personal strategic planning for creative people.

In 2010 I'll be sending out 52 Weeks of Creativity.

If you are feeling in the doldrums creatively speaking, I invite you to join the fun. Best of all it's free!

Recommend "Remains of the Day" online class

Darlene Veltman told me how much she liked this new online class with Mary Ann Moss called "Remains of the Day" a shabby scrap journal. I decided that I wanted to make one, too. This week, I made the journal cover using a template, fabric scraps and stitching.

What I like about Mary Ann's online classes- she shows lots of how-to videos, provides PDF file instructions, shares what other classmates have made- all with a great sense of humor and a lot of fun.

I used fabrics from France and Japan to make this journal cover. What is great about the process Mary Ann uses is her sense of play and pure experimentation. I highly recommend her online classes.

Garland Tutorial

As I promised early, here is how I make the garlands I use for display in our show.

Step 1: Gather white and cream fabrics. Use light weight pieces. I especially like those that ravel. A little netting is nice for body. Avoid satin or double knit polyesters--the heavier fabrics will droop.

Step 2: Cut fabrics across the width in 6" strips. Cut one strip each of 6 different fabrics:

Step 3: Crease one piece in half lengthwise to use as a guide. (Don't iron on your Olfa mat):

Step 4: Stack all 6 fabrics on top of each other with the creased piece on top:

The lengths will all be a little different, don't worry about it. You can trim the ends later if they bother you:

Step 5: Pin along center crease to hold all 6 layers together:

Step 7: Stitch 1/4" from either side of the center crease:

Step 8: Cut strips 1/2"-3/4" perpendicular to the stitching. Cut close to the stitching on either side, but do not cut through it:

Step 9: Run the garland through the washer and dryer, and this ruffled loveliness will come out:

I'd love to see variations of this if you try them. I keep meaning to try some colored ones, but haven't gotten around to it.

My family is arriving in two days to spend Christmas with us, so I will probably be silent until after the holidays. Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Thank you for coming to our show!

It was wonderful to see all of those friendly faces! And to make those new connections and friends too! Here are some pics of my booth display at the show.

The new danglies I added this year!

Recycled art clocks

Keep checking out our blog to see what fabulous new creations we are cooking up for next year!

Jennifer Campbell

A Fabulous Open Doors Show!

Our Portland Art Collective "Open Doors" show was a grand success! Word of mouth is spreading quickly, so the show was lively and full of customers for both days. I want to thank everyone who came and added to the gaiety, and a special thank you to those who stopped and said hello and told us how much you've been enjoying the blog.

It's always a big surprise to all of us to see how the show comes together each year. We get glimpses of each other's work throughout the year, but don't see the full scope of it until we are all set up, minutes before the doors open. I quickly got a few photos, but didn't begin to do justice to all the wonderful items in the show. Even after being there for two days, I discovered new bits of artwork that I never noticed at first. And the displays with the old doors as backdrops and all the imaginative use of cream, white and silver are always a highlight of the show.

Here is my display:

My big hearts:

And my little ones:

My garlands always get a lot of attention with several people wanting to buy them at every show. They are easy to make, and I've promised I will put a tutorial up here once I catch my breath and have time to get some process shots. You can see them at the top of my doors here and used throughout my display:

Other bits of fabulousness--

Cynthia Mooney's chubby, felted birds and colorful tassels:

Jan Harris's lovely photography and painting:

Lorraine Jones' meticulous collages. This one includes butterfly wings, leaves and pods, and I'm happy to say it made its way home with me:

Darlene Veltman's funky sewing machine covers:

Gaelyn Lakin's whimsical danglies:

Jennifer Campbell's clever use of old tins:

Tory Brokenshire's breathtaking use of black-and-white. Those are the most amazing lanterns on the table and paper cuts on the doors.

Paula McNamee's wonderful soft sculpture:

And Suzanne Reynold's fun pillows, which disappeared in minutes:

There was so much more that I didn't get photographed. You'll be able to see many more photos here over the next few days to get a more complete view of the show.

Check back soon for my garland tutorial. After the first of the year, we plan to add more tutorials, recommendations and links, and even giveaways!

Today's the Last Day to See Open Doors Show

Today is the last day to see Portland Art Collective members' artwork. Come by, say hello and meet the artists. We hope you can visit our 'Open Doors' Art Show & Sale at the Multnomah Arts Center. See side bar for more information.

Jennifer is counting down the minutes to the Open Doors Art Show and Sale

I created this locket from vintage jewelry pieces purchased at an estate sale. The chain is from a rosary, along with a watch fob as the fastener for the piece. Inside the locket are miniature photos.

I love seeing how I can transform vintage tins! This clock I made from a crayon tin is a favorite.

Jennifer Campbell

Jewelry Play

Ah, the hands are busy wrapping wire and composing pieces. I love the intensity of the last few days before a show!

Yesterday I combined African recycled glass with a perfect rock crystal. The contrast of 'clears' is cool and it just glows against the skin:

This year I've been incorporating more vintage pieces. This is yummy red faceted glass with a vintage bead:

My favorites this year, though, are the pieces I'm making with vintage lens samples. This is a sweet red bird with vintage chain and tiny red coral beads:

And this is an old lens with a Victorian prism:
Hope to see YOU at the show!

Heartwings Tin Pendants by Jennifer Campbell

I am counting down the days until our Open Doors Art Show and Sale! The top photo is of one of my "Heartwings" pendants that I created from a vintage clock face. The bottom two photos are two different views of one locket that I created out of vintage parts (watch fob, rosary connector, tintype photos,vintage locket and beads). See these and more at the show this Friday and Saturday.

Jennifer Campbell

Pendants for Bird lovers

Imagine tiny collages from your favorite birds. A little bit of this, a little bit of that and a micro collage is born. There are pendants made from those collages. And below that are canvases with a layer of gold leaf, then the collage on top. In real life they have a glow from below.

Stop and say hello if you visit our show!

Pod Painting

I finished this painting, titled "Stepping Up," for the show this week:

This is the latest in my series of pod paintings. You can see others here, here, and here. These are all inspired by the atmosphere around Portland and the way things fade in and out of the mist. In this one, I was experimenting with creating a very low focal point and using monochromatic colors. I'm really happy with the cool, watery look and the amount of depth it has.

The Adventures of Pacia The Girl That Wanted To Be An Artist

PACia arrived in plenty of time to attend the Portland Art Collectives "Open Doors Show and Sale" she called her father to wire her some cash then ask her mother for permission to use the credit card. Her parents knowing the value of art said yes to everything.

After thanking the firemen for the lift north she was heard saying "Just think 20 artists, with original gifts and many under $20. I want in first! The line starts here." Pacia was so excited to meet every artist she had only met one in her travels, she was trying to think of something new to say besides "Good bye good bye I'm off to find a paint brush and become an artist." See you at the show!!!