Sunday, July 31, 2011

Free Classes ???? huh???

I am sure many are wondering why I teach "FREE" classes.
First, because I love to teach. Second, It makes me happy to share with someone the opportunity to express his or her once hidden artistic side. Third, it is so much better to share the talents I am blessed with than to make copious amounts of money. I want people to create, to learn so that they can express their creative side.
For over 40 years, I have been wrapping rocks, stones, shells and whatever else I could get my hands on. Over that time, I developed a simple, clean pretty wrap that becomes part of the overall quality of the finished piece of jewelry. I use techniques I developed such as caging and simple two-piece drops to create unique seaglass jewelry like brooches, rings, bracelets and necklaces.
I teach the basics, explaining the supplies and tools required. All you need to add is some time and your own special style. The seaglass class takes from one half hour to 3 hours. Everyone learns at different speeds and I will take the time to make sure you understand the techniques. The class costs $ 8.00 and includes "Real" seaglass from the Outer Banks. Your finished pendant could be worth from $10.00 to $45.00 -maybe more!
The jewelry basics class is just that; the professional basics of how to design, string and craft a quality piece of jewelry. Choose from a selection of over 800 types of beads, which we have on hand.
I love vintage beads. My personal bead collection was started when I was 10 years old, and 43 years later I am still collecting! In 2004 I purchased an amazing selection of the coolest, funest colors ever, all made in Germany in the 1930's or earlier and brought to the U.S. by a family who went to all the old closed(because of the war) bead and button factories and saved them.
Try a watercolor basics class, $15.00 for supplies or an acrylic class for $20.00. Found Colony also offers basic drawing, pastels, charcoal, pen & ink to name a few! Love to sew? Wish you knew how to sew? Take the basic sewing class or the advanced quilting class or come in and make your own mini quilt art! With a wide selection of things to learn, we can keep you creative and challenged for your entire vacation- and beyond!
There are so many other classes you can try your hands at and many times it is one on one unless you bring a group with you...These all have affordble fees that make them easy on the pocketbook and glorious on the heart when you see what you can create.

Fabric Postcards-Fabric Art you create and send through the mail

Art Quilts-wallhangings , made by creating images with pieces of fabric sewn to a background and then quilted.

Art Doll-wrapped armature bodies and sewn heads, come together with your imagination and soul to create a 3-D image of your dreams and thoughts.

Victorian Embroidery- learn the ways of victorian ribbon roses and embroidery stitches from the golden days of ladies arts.

Artist Trading Cards - 2 1/2 inch by 3 inch pieces of art that are traded for free by artists all over the world...they are imaginative, sometimes funky little pocket gallery size art.

These are just some of the things we teach....ever wanted to know how to make a collectable fully jointed Teddy Bear  I can teach you my simplfied time tested methods that make the process easier and yes fun so after 6 hours you can leave with a one of a kind teddy made by you and the knowledge to do it again and again.

Check out my etsy shop under my Fairy Godmother Arts Name...you will find many pieces of my work for sale there....http://www.etsy.com/shop/FairyGodmotherArts?ref=si_shop
You will see what we are all about ,,,,,thank you.
 the link below takes you to a news article written about Found Colony and our goals....

http://outerbanksvoice.com/business/

Friday, July 22, 2011

Some of the classes we offer,,,,

We Are waiting for you.....

Last week we had our first students and they did very well.  So now we are just anxiously waiting for the rest of you to come and visit and maybe take a class. 

I have listed below many of the classes we have available although these are not all of them, and if you don't see the one you want call us or email us.

Class ListThis is a basic list of the classes we offer, but anything is possible as far as we are concerned.  So ask if you don’t see what you want, seek and ye shall find.  Almost all classes are done on a walk in basis…some classes are a prescheduled curriculum class but we can work around certain sections of that too.FREE CLASSES…just pay for supplies.Jewelry Making Basics :  Learn to string a necklace, bracelet and earrings , finishing them in a professional long lasting technique.  This class is FREE you only pay for supplies,   Based on your selection of beads and findings.Wire wrapping:  This is the class you want to take if you want to learn how to wire wrap all those pieces of sea glass, shells and other treasures you find so you can wear them and share them with others as your exclusive beach jewelry.  This class is  FREE you only pay for supplies.  $8.00 for suppliesArt Postcards:   Paper collage , treasures and tricks to make one of a kind ART postcards to send to friends while on vacation or just because , you can make them and just frame and enjoy them.  Class is FREE just pay $5.00 for supplies.Hemp Jewelry:   Learn the basic hemp knots and how to add beads and finish your piece of iconic beach jewelry.  This class is FREE , just pay $6.00 for base supplies, can be a little more if you select beads other than what is included.Regular Classes:Water Color  Painting class:  Learn the basics of sketching out and painting with watercolors.  You will see how easy and fun it can be.  Class Fee Free : $15.00 supply fee .Acrylics  Painting Class:   Learn how to mix colors and manipulate the wonderful  medium of acrylic paints.  Fast drying, fun to work with and spontaneously willing to let you create amazing art.  This is a basics class just to teach you how to prepare your canvas , sketch and complete small piece of work. Class Fee Free: $20.00
supply fee.  Pastels :  Pastels are a fancy version of colored chalk, you see many times caricaturists at Amusements parks using them to do portraits.  But it is a wonderful medium to work with and you can achieve great affects with them. Class Fee is $18.00
Fabric Postcards:  Learn how to make Fabric Postcards, mailable art,  some sewing experience needed.   You will be taught how to cut out pieces of fabric ,and design  one of a kind fabric art postcards , using ribbons, beads, paints , raw edge applique.Class Fee is $30.00Art Quilt 6 week class:  This class is broken down into 6  3 hour sessions one day a week.  First class is basic sewing , and how to make your sewing machine do the things you want.  What to look for in designing  your art quilt ,  different ways to use designs.  Info on  the rest of the classes is available on a separate sheet. Supply list is included on that sheet.Class Fee is $180.00 or $30.00 a week with full sign up.One section of the Art Quilt class  is $50.00 
Crazy quilted handbag:  this class will teach you how to do crazy quilting and make a foundation piece to make either a clutch bag or messenger bag.                   3 + hour class  Basic supplies provided, bring  your choice of fabrics. Class fee is $45.00
Fabric Book making :  Make a fabric travel or art journal ,  You will learn how to design your book pages, then make the fabric covers, finally learn how to assemble your book and enjoy it.  They  make great gifts !Class Fee is $40.00
Artist Trading Cards:  This class will teach you how to create paper and fabric ATCs,   A fun little card that is 2 ½  by 3 ½  inches of artistic spirit.  They can be embellished with your own artwork and then decorated with beads and bits of this and that.Class Fee is $20.00

Bead Weaving Classes  Peyote Stitch Bracelet :  A easy to learn off loom bead weaving technique , We use larger beads to teach that make it easier to understand the process.  You will complete a bracelet in the 3 hour class.  Supplies included.   Class Fee $45.00Free form Peyote  Stitch bracelet:  Off loom bracelet that allows your artistic     side to really blossom through your personal selection of focal beads and treasures. Width of bracelets vary, and is made from your available color selection.    Most bead supplies  included in price of bracelet class. 3 hour classClass Fee $55.00


Spiral Stitch Bracelet.A fun twist on off loom beadwork, this is a beautiful fun bracelet to make. 3 Hour class.  Supplies included  Class Fee:  $40.00Beaded Amulet Bag :  This class will take longer than 3 hours but you can do it in sessions.  For one set price.  This is a small beaded bag done in circular peyote, select colors and learn how to make it from start to finish.Class Fee is $95.00
Right Angle Weave Bracelet :  Make an unsusal open weave bracelet that can be embellished with beads and treasures on top.   Beautiful to wear or give as a gift.Class Fee is  $40.00  Daisy chain Bracelet   , a fun , funky little bracelet that works up fairly quickly.  2 to 3 hour class.  Class Fee is $20.00
Circular Peyote:  Make a circular medallion that can be used as a Pin or hair piece.2 to 3 hour class.Class Fee is $20.00 Memory Wire Bracelet:  Tempered wire holds it bangle shape and is fun and easy to wear.   All beads included, except for anything extra special.$15.00

Personal Fabric Pouch (Medicine Bag)  This little bag is quick to sew and embellish with beads and bits.  Perfect to keep all those little beach treasures in and add more things as you  travel.   Takes one hour.Class Fee is $10.00
Basic Card Weaving:   Class will teach you how to take a piece of cardboard and  make it in to a simple loom, to weave a small wallhanging you can embellish with beads and shell pieces.  Just a pretty little piece of art for that special place.2 hour class   all supplies included.Class Fee $10.00 Greeting Card Class: learn to take tissue, paper and scraps of this and that to create artsy one of a kind greeting cards and envelopes.  1 hour classTeddy Bear Class : this is an all day class 6 hours you will learn how to make a traditional teddy bear , fully jointed with wood joints, collectable bear.  I use a sewing technique that makes the process easier than can be imagined.Class Fee $95.00Miniature Teddy Bear Class:  learn how to make a teddy  4 inches tall all jointed (movable ) legs and arms.Class Fee  $60.00Polymer clay Beads :  Get in touch with the basics of wonderful Polymer clay, it is a clay comes in a variety of different colors.   The clay then bakes in a dedicated toaster oven.  To a  durable hardness, make a necklaces bracelet or anklet from the beads you make using basic jewelry techniques.Class Fee  $30.00
Polymer clay Dragons.Making cute little clay dragons that can only bring smiles to your face.Pick two favorite colors and then we will show you all the techniques required to complete one.$30.00  see you there.....

Please check out this very nice piece written

about the school,  and what our goals are ....

You will see what we are all about ,,,,,thank you.



http://outerbanksvoice.com/business/

Monday, July 11, 2011

We were Ocean Beads Gallery for 5+ years...

In 2000 Ocean Beads Gallery opened and did something no one has ever done before especially on the Outer Banks ,  we sold beads and gave free lessons on what to do with them. Jewelry Basics class was free and all you did was pay for supplies. 
 Well on May 18th ,2011 , a dream came true, we’re back and we love our wonderful new name – Found Colony Art School -- and our beautiful off the beaten path location at 4450 Maritime Woods Drive off of Driftwood Drive in Manteo.
Our setting offers an island, a bridge, frogs and cat-tails for inspiration.  Quietly  reflect on life.     The occasional sound of airplanes taking off and landing nearby may momentarily intrude on your serenity, but you may also get to enjoy a skydiver’s graceful descent.
WE have added Wire Wrapping Sea Glass and Beach Treasures to that free section, along with a few other great new classes for all to enjoy. These classes are done on a walk in basis -- no schedules to work around.   Any age can enjoy any of these classes during business hours.   Oh and Yes. we still have our awesome bead store, chock-full of glass, stone, wood, beady treasures, hemp IN all colors... the list goes on.
  Found Colony Art School, is a place full of supplies for all mediums , especially beads and fabrics. Get project instruction on a walk-in basis or enjoy one of our creative  art camps.  Found Colony believes everyone is an artist -We just help you  open the door to your imagination.
     We now have 750 square feet of fun learning space, with 4 sewing machines, tons of beads (well almost), and more creative instruction and support for all ages.   We also have the only bead store on Roanoke Island , located next to the largest quilt shop on the Outer Banks. Find Beaucoup goodies to inspire you.
 http://foundcolonyartschool.blogspot.com/
Found Colony Art School is offering the following  Arts and Craft Camps for July 2011.
Art Doll Camp: Have you ever seen the fancy little dolls that just seem to be?  Some are fairies, some are medieval ladies, some are just pure fantasy. They were originally created to commemorate people, like a 3-D photograph, and since then have taken off as a way to play with dolls in the adult world.
Come learn the various methods OF  creating  Art Dolls - from wrapped armature to soft sculpture bodies sewn on a machine in a fail safe and fun way.  Then you will design their clothing and make it using hand sewing, machine sewing, stapling...whatever method works to bring your doll to life.
I have one of the largest collections of antique trims and notions to create from and am willing to share. 
This is a two day camp - July 20-21 - FOR 6 plus hours each day.  Bring a lunch and drinks. Cost for the camp is $125.00.
I am excepting the first 5 people who sign up so make  your reservation today!   Call 252 256-3034 or email foundcolonyartschool@gmail.com Art Quilt Camp :   This is a two-day camp - July 27 AND 28.  Learn the ends and and outs of creating fabric wall hangings -- Art Quilts with various fabrics and techniques, including my process called PAS. ( Poor Artist Silkscreen, an art process that gives your work an ethereal look, like the design is floating.)
  You should bring a photograph or drawing of something you would like to see hanging in your home and we will help you convert it to art.  Also bring fabric pieces you like or purchase them at the quilt shop next door on Monday before the camp starts.
Each day is 6 plus hours each so bring a lunch and drink.  Open to the first 5 people who sign up.
Make your reservation today!   Call 252 256-3034 or email foundcolonyartschool@gmail.com
Can't  make it then just let me know -- we will be offering these classes on a regular schedule.
For more  information, CALL US at 252 256-3034.  and meet JW while your here if you would like.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

What makes a Artist???

Sometimes it is happiness, sometimes lonliness and sometimes sadness.

I  create from all but mostly happiness , maybe a wonderful bright colored new piece of fabric or a chance sighting of a Kingfisher sitting on a piling in the water, or maybe a little girl walking on the beach with her bright yellow sandpail picking up shells and enjoying life as it should be. 

Whatever your catalyst is , you must not ignore it....because it will not go away.   Those doodles that keep dribbling out of your pen at business meetings or during long phone calls are telling you something.  You have a creative streak, Oh my gosh your a streaker, oops not in that sense, you need to get someplace where you can play like you did when you were a child in school remember the first day of school and the smell of a new box of crayolas or the paste in a jar or how paper smelled.  Ok so now you are saying to yourself , this chick is crazy , well maybe, I have been called Bohemian by more than one person in my life and you know what it fits for the most part.  My love of my fellow people and the idea that many think they can't be creative just sends me spiraling trying to figure out how to get them headed to where I am . Its ok they know me here, and I just want others to see how much more fun life can be with art in it.  Art is not expensive, does not require years of study, and is the most personally uplifting process you can ever experience in today's tough times.  When you create no matter what it is, it is ART!  and YOU are a ARTIST!  

So what makes a artist, allowing yourself the freedom to sit down and create .

Come try your hand if you are in my area at my Creative Learning Center, you will be surprised what will appear when you open the door.  See you soon!