Craftcation 2015 Ventura - this is the best investment of my time and energy every year!

 This year was my second time attending Craftcation in Ventura, CA. Last year I attended for the first time, and it blew my mind, so I was quick to sign up to this year's event. Craftcation is a combination of amazing makers sharing their stories of how they built their companies, how they make their craft, and their ups and downs. SO AWESOME!

 

Craftcation 2015 took place in Ventura, CA. The weather was perfect! This was shot steps away from the event.  

Really I go for all the business and marketing classes like

Pay Yourself: The artist's guide to profitability with Tara Swiger

and

Be A Better Boss To Yourself: Maker's Mindset with Kari Chapin

and

How to Build an Audience and a Customer Base with an Awesome Email Newsletter with
Abby Glassenberg

 

Everyday of Craftcation, there are multiple classes to chose from.

 

Attendees posted intentions and inspirations on this board, daily.

 

This is PACO. He sat next to me in a class and just kept smiling the whole time. 

His mom is Evan Kleiman from good food, who taught at Craftcation

 

The 101 in Ventura, at sundown. LOVE.

  

Fiskars sponsored a "sit and stitch" one night, lots of fun!

  

There was a live PODCAST lounge.

 

Sizzix also hosted a craft station, where we made these cool heart stamps for making tags. 

And Bernina was there with their luxury sewing machines. So fun to try out and sew on.

 

I made a stamped metal Pendant out of copper clay with Christine Street from Chocolate and Steel. 

 This I'd been curious about for a long time, since I work in ceramics.

 

My last stop on the way out of town was SuperBuzzy.  I don't even really sew, but their selection of fabrics is so inspirational that I can't help myself.

So many classes, so many rad people to meet and network with, I can't say enough good things, and I can't wait until next year!

Faux Taxidermy Skulls Now For Sale

 I'm obsessed with these new skulls I've been making. 

They are life size, made of ceramic eathenware, and no animals were harmed in their making. 

 This mountain goat skull is mounted on reclaimed wood, that is painted and altered into the pattern you see here. I painted the wood, cut and mounted it. This is a one of kind custom piece. 

 Here is the mountain goat skull available in the shop.

I also made these life size steer skulls or cow skulls (below) and these tiny tiny skulls (above) that are just cute, if skulls can be cute...available in the shop.

Portland Art, Soul, Watercolor and Shopping Trip

This week I traveled to Portland, Oregon to assist my friend Gina Rossi Armfield on her tour of launching her new book and teaching classes about "No Excuses Watercolor". 

We painted, we shopped, we ate good food, we met great people and we saw beautiful art. 

Here's some shots of Gina's class at Art and Soul, Portland.

 

 Of course voodoo donuts and salt and straw ice cream were a must.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some shots from shopping in the Alberta arts district of Portland. So many good stores!

So much good art! I can't wait to come back.

  

DIGS has beautiful home decor, everything arranged by palette.

I was lucky that the Portland Saturday Market had just started back up. There are hundreds of booths with all kinds of hand made ceramics, wood working, jewelry and so much more.

 

I'm always so happy to see these tiles upon arrival home at LAX.

 

Home and time for snuggles and sleep.