Gallery Updates

Here are some new pictures of the Gallery after the revamping yesterday, We hung our first offical exhibit called "Art Near and Far" , a collection of Fabric and Mixed media postcards, journal pages , ATCs and Inchies, over 150 pieces on display all made with different mediums and themes.  The result is a fun and fancilful collection that will people smile and be creative for years to come.  I also have some amazing pieces by Lisa Lectura that is a artist I first met selling her work on Ebay, her work is so detail oriented and intricate that every auction was a battle to gain her pieces.  Now worth every struggle as she does not produce very many pieces like these now, she concentrates on painting and to acquire one of her fabric treasures is a rare treat nowadays.

So take a look at our new layout and enjoy....Have a blessed day

some new works

Art From Near and Far Exhibit

Tin Fins By Larisa Pardo

Recycled Tin 3 dimensional fish

Some of Larisa's Metal work

Baskets and Vine Trees by Corinne Amidon

Beadwoven Bracelets and Jewelry

Fabric Postcards, mailable pieces of Art

Our bead selection in front and behind the counter, we carry mostly glass, crystal, semi-precious, seed beads and antique trade beads. 

EVENT OFFERINGS FOR OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL IS OFFERING :   NOW THAT SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION WE KNOW MANY PARENTS ARE OVERWHELMED WITH WORK, REBUILDING AND LIFE IN GENERAL. WE OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE KIDS IN AND DROP THEM OFF FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND WE WILL HELP WITH THE ARTISTIC ASPECTS OF SCIENCE PROJECTS, BOOK REPORTS AND MORE.  $10.00 A HOUR , SUPPLIES INCLUDED , UNLESS THEY NEED A VOLCANO BUILT , WE DON’T HAVE THE SUPPLIES ON HAND FOR THAT.  I RAISED 3 KIDS AND DID A LOT OF SCHOOL PROJECTS AS WELL AS HAVING BEEN A SUBSITUTE TEACHER HERE IN DARE COUNTY. WOULD LOVE TO HELP YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN.  4450 MARITIME WOODS DRIVE , MANTEO, NC 27954

OCTOBER 5, 2011  Wednesday Workouts…No Not Exercise , Art work out, come and learn how to draw Cartoon Animals then we will take them all and make them into a book for you to write a story of you want. Class cost is $10.00 runs from 4pm to 6pm  All Ages and we will be glad to help with homework if we can. FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL 4450 MARITIME WOODS DRIVE, MANTEO, NC     252 256-3034

OCTOBER 19^TH ,2011 Wednesday Workout…No not Exercise…Time to start thinking of Christmas Gifts …we will work on some great cute ideas , Key chains, coin purses, and more…some hand sewing One item is a Fabric CD/DVD Caddy, very handy 4 pm to 6 pm $20.00 cost includes all  supplies   All Ages FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL 4450 MARITIME WOODS DRIVE, MANTEO,NC 252 256-3034

OCTOBER 29^TH , 2011 ART FREE FOR ALL , THIS WILL BE A FREE OUTDOOR EVENT, WEATHER PERMITTING, FOR ALL AGES, WE WILL HAVE ALL KINDS OF ART AND CRAFT PROJECTS TO WORK WITH AND THERE WILL BE SOMEONE TO HELP WITH HALLOWEEN COSTUMES IF NEEDED.  PLUS A HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST IF YOU ALREADY HAVE YOUR COSTUME READY.  FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL 4450 MARITIME WOODS DRIVE , MANTEO NC 252 256-3034

NOVEMBER 9^TH, 2011 Wednesday Workout, no not exercise, Holiday Ornaments class, paper collage, folded paper, shells and more.  $20.00 all supplies included All Ages, 4 to 6 pm 252 256-3034 FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL 4450 MARITIME WOODS DRIVE , MANTEO, NC 27954

NOVEMBER 30  Wednesday Workout,  More Fun Gift Ideas, Picture frames, Key Chains, eye glass cases, for just a few ideas, some sewing for older kids 4 pm to 6 pm $20.00 all supplies included 252 256-3034  FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL 4450 MARITIME WOODS DRIVE, MANTEO NC 27954

DECEMBER 2011  DURING CHRISTMAS BREAK IF YOU NEED A BREAK FROM THE BREAK , BRING THE KIDS TO DO SOME ART AND LEAVE THEM WITH US FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS , OR STAY AND MAKE SOMETHING WITH THEM.  $10.00 A HOUR, INCLUDES SNACK AND SUPPLIES.  ALL AGES  252 256-3034  FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL  4450 MARITIME WOODS DRIVE, MANTEO , NC 27954

DECEMBER 7^TH, 2011  Wednesday workout….DASHER Dash, last minute holiday gifts , lots of fun, and treasures galore, something for everyone..$20.00 all supplies included.  252 256-3034 FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL 4450 MARITIME WOODS DRIVE, MANTEO, NC 27954

DECEMBER14^TH, 2011  Wednesday workout….GIFTAMATIC, Paint a picture, make some ornaments, a Christmas Stocking, Earrings , you name it we make it or will try anyway.  All Ages 4 pm to 6 pm  $20.00 all supplies included.  All ages, 4pm to 6 pm.  FOUND COLONY ART SCHOOL 4450  MARITIME WOODS DRIVE, MANTEO , NC 27954

Desperate times call for Desperate Women...

Found Colony Art School

I hope Russ doesn't mind ,,,but desperate women do desperate things,this article was copied and placed here from the Outer Banks Voice , hoping more of you would read it and see what I am trying to accomplish me, in time I know we would be successful, the problem is time is not on our side, nor is the economy ...But I know that with your help and publicity through your help , we can survive and be here to help our grassroots artists, many who just lost everything in the hurricane and the children of the area. Thank you for giving us Just consideration. Dreams can come true I tell people all the time never give up and I plan on following my own advice. Blessings to you all

Found Colony helps folks discover an artistic side
Russ Lay


July 21, 2011

Lee Chambers, Found Colony owner. (Russ Lay photos)

Lee Chambers, owner of the Found Colony Art School, Bead Store and Gallery, likes to remind people that “Penland and John C. Campbell had to get their start somewhere.”

Penland and Campbell are renowned arts, crafts, and folkways (dancing, cooking) learning centers nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

In some respects, they have spawned artist colonies that thrive in the surrounding areas. Chambers would love to see something similar take route on Roanoke Island.


Business profile Chambers has been a fixture on the Outer Banks for years. Her story is peppered with hills and valleys just like so many others who have tried to carve out a living in one of the toughest markets anywhere. Her story even demonstrates how progress in the form of chain stores can result in collateral damage to merchants whose businesses are not remotely in competition with the big box outlets
Arriving here via northern Virginia in 1999, Chambers was wholesaling beads and teaching classes in people’s homes. When her daughter graduated from photography college in 2001, they began to work weddings and family portraits together, in addition to Chambers working at Soundfeet Shoes.


Her daughter wanted to add another activity to their income source, so they opened up the Bead Store on Colington Road, a 450-square-foot shop next to Billy’s Seafood.

Their tactic: free classes in making jewelry — beaded, hemp, leather, strung pearls, with students paying only for the supplies. Of course, many came back to purchase subsequent materials.

“It took off by word of mouth. On a rainy day, we would be packed to the hilt.” In 2003 they moved to a 2,000- square-foot store in the Nags Head, a move that almost worked.
Some of the material you will find at the store and gallery

“There was too much space for our inventory. At the time, Food Lion and Family Dollar were still in the shopping center. We kept doing really well, then Family Dollar closed and sales went down by half as we lost our walk-in business. But we still were covering our bills and in our fifth year, when we thought we would start really making money, the shopping center owners came in and told us they were not renewing our lease.”
The Bead Store, along with Mrs. T’s Deli and a hair salon were shunted aside to make room for Staples. Chambers packed up their inventory and planned to re-open, but during the down time her husband was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer and her attentions were channeled into the role of caregiver.

Her husband passed away in 2009, her employer let her go three days after her husband’s death and she was left with no money or job.
Girl Scouts are among the students.
Chambers began painting when she was 4. Her father was an artist. At age 10 she discovered beads and jewelry, and at age 13 she student- taught at a Montessori school. Her new goal was to open a full-blown art school, expanding far beyond beads and retail.

They opened two months ago in a complex off the beaten path on Roanoke Island. To get there you turn left at the Elizabethan Inn, following the signs to the Dare County Animal Center and the Detention Center. You keep driving past those buildings and more warehouses until you see a relatively new green and gold colored strip center at the end of the road.

The most prominent feature is Millwood Cleaners, but you have to continue driving to the very end of the road and then turn right into the back side of the center. Only then will you will have found the Found Colon
The name is a riff on the Lost Colony as well as the idea of an off-the-beaten path art school that people will seek and find.

In two months, she has already taught 24 students, following the old formula. One class consisted of older citizens who learned wire wrapping. Bead weaving (peyote stitch), bead basics, hemp jewelry, watercolors, acrylics, oil pastel painting, polymer clay, sewing, art quilting (painting with fabric) are among the choices.

There is no class minimum — Chambers will teach a group or one-on-one. You might even be able to walk in a take a class. Most are one to three hours, but there are also 12-week classes, such as the art quilting course

Some classes are free, others now have tuition. Currently there is a “Free Friday” offering for any class where one only pays for supplies. The goal is to make the school portion a non-profit, while keeping a retail store and gallery out front, which sells beads and art pieces.
All ages are welcome. Christian youth groups, youth surfing groups, even Girl and Boy Scouts have taken classes. The Found Colony also hosts birthday parties where kids go away having made something unique for themselves

Found Colony also hosts birthday parties
With the short day classes, Chambers is really interesting in tapping the tourism market, where groups could come in and spend a few hours learning some basic art techniques. To that end, she is trying to get the word out to local rental management companies and hoping visitors will find the Found Colony.

To give one an idea of Chamber’s passion and thought process, one of her biggest concerns is the state of art funding in school. “They have defunded art in school so far that people are not getting that. Art is a common sense, self-esteem builder, problem-solving function. Suppose the teacher says draw a flying pig –the child has to think about many things. What does a flying pig look like? Should it have bird wings, dragonfly wings or angel wings? Should it be a big or a small pig?”

Her daughter Larisa Pardo is close to adding another certification from COA in jewelry, and the next step is a lab for metal smithing and a small kiln for pottery. Pardo is a partner in the new venture, so the Found Colony is truly a family business.

“I meet so many older citizens who don’t want to hang around a seniors center all day with people their own age,” Chambers said. “They want to be around younger people and interact with them. Art can do that. I want this location to be a community center, a place where people can gather, hang out and interact. I want other art teachers to be able to come in here and teach what they know.”

If the mountains can support two artist colony destinations, surely the Outer Banks, home to so many talented artisans can do the same. And maybe Lee Chambers will be the person to create the next Penland.
Location: 4450 Maritime Woods Drive, Manteo, NC









Blog: foundcolonyartschool.blogspot.com



charlie says:


This story is why the Voice matters. Thanks
on July 22, 2011 @ 4:54 pm

Laura OBrien says:


My two daughters and I were vacationing in Nags Head and recently visited Found Colony Art School to make jewelry. We had met Lee at the Manteo Farmers Market Sat morning where she invited us to come by the art school later that day. Both girls loved picking their beads from a wide selection of choices. They had never made jewelry before so Lee walked them through the steps. It was super fun for the girls and they both left with prized keepsakes. What a treat to meet Lee and her daughter. The school is off the beaten bath, but all good things in life are. We wish them all the best with the new school. It is a treasure.

on July 25, 2011 @ 4:46 pm

ART FREE FOR ALL Festival

August 27th, 2011 we will have our first Art Free For All...11 art stations set up with things for all ages to create a piece of Art that is all you...from mini clay bowls to watercolor paintings to beaded bracelets and more...It will start at 3:00 pm that Saturday afternoon and continue till at least 6:00pm.  It is for all ages and we are looking forward to a great turnout.  If you need more information or would be willing to volunteer that day as either a Artist Mentor or in some other format, donating items for our raffle we would like to hold that day...then please email us or post a comment...thank you so much ...

Lorri & Larisa...

Why I teach? because ART is important !

In the last 30 or 40 Art has lost its defined purpose in the public school system whether this is because of true funding crisises as claimed or intentional determination that Art makes people think and problem solve too well, which it does I am not sure... I pray it is not the latter.  I am posting a College English Argumentative Paper I wrote for my summer school semester on my other blog for you to read and grasp a understanding as to while I feel it is so important for me to teach people arts, crafts and being creative.  I hope you will read it and leave me feedback as to what you  think.

http://fairygodmotherarts.blogspot.com/


Thank you in advance.

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/

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.....