CHA Mega Show

This week I leave the frigid temperatures of NYC and head to the sunny skies of California. I will be attending the CHA Mega Show in Anaheim. For my mixed media art peeps who may not be as familiar, this is the annual trade show sponsored by the Craft & Hobby Association. CHA, according to their website, is an "international, not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the nearly &30 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry."

This will be my first CHA trade show since becoming a Designer Member last year. I couldn't be more excited and I will be busy every minute. I will be teaching two workshops that I designed specifically for this event. The first, Mixed Media Magic Canvas, is sponsored by Spellbinders and I will co-teach this class with Stacey Caron, the company president. The second workshop is called Art Journaling: The Basics.

I will also be holding a book signing for my newest book The Mixed-Media Artist at the F+W Media booth as well as joining Quinn McDonald as a guest contributor at a signing for her new book Inner Hero Creative Art Journal.

I will be attending a variety of art and business workshops, spending a lot of time at the Spellbinders booth, and meeting many of my online friends for the first time. In between, I plan to "walk the floor" and see the hundreds of companies who will be there, revealing their newest product lines for the first time.

I plan to be a roving reporter and share my experience in real time with all of you via my sites: Twitter, Facebook, and (having just joined) Instagram. Be sure to follow me to see the updates. And of course I will share all this with my blog readers in a series of posts when I return. Looking forward....

Spellbinders Diamond Anniversary: Sneak Peek & Giveaway Day 2

Pssst. Come closer. Listen in. I have the inside scoop for you. This week, you can be the first to see the about-to-be-released, new product line from Spellbinders Paper Arts. Starting yesterday and continuing through Friday, members of the Spellbinders team will be revealing one or more items from the new collection and sharing creative tutorials with you as well. You will see these items before they hit the shelves and even before they are displayed at the upcoming Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Mega Show later this month.

Even more exciting, to celebrate their Diamond anniversary, Spellbinders is giving you an opportunity to win items from their newest line of products. Details on how to join the giveaway can be found at the end of this post (now closed). 

At the same time that Spellbinders is celebrating their 10th year anniversary, I am celebrating my first. If you have missed any of my weekly tutorials from 2013, you can find them all on this page. As amazing as I have found the products I worked with last year, I can honestly tell you that this release is extra special. You will be wowed!

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For this sneak peek, I will be showing you two projects that I made using the new A2 Modern Stationary die set. I really love the combination of curves and lines in these dies. And with seven pieces, I found this set to be versatile and perfect for layering.

I was inspired to use this wooden hand as part of the project, as hands represent to me such things as giving and generosity -- not to mention creativity. My plan was to use these new dies to create a dimensional niche to display the hand as part of a mixed media artwork.

I started out by using dies #2 and #4 from the set to create a frame that was open in the middle. I taped the two dies together to make sure that all cuts were equal and used kraft color card stock as my paper.

Then I cut and cut and cut again. I stacked several sheets of card stock in each pass through the Artisan X-Plorer to save time.

Once cut, I was able to stack all these die cut frames and glue them together to create the walls of my niche.

Using a leafing pen, I covered the inside and outside edges of the card stock with copper to elevate the look of the niche and add a regal element to the piece. 

I then used the same combination of dies to cut one frame made of Spellbinders Media Mixage Copper Sheets. The Artisan X-Plorer cuts through this sturdy material with ease.

I wanted to use the copper frame as the front piece of my niche...but not before I added texture using Spellbinders Media Mixage Texture Plate Grate Works One.

I added color and highlighted the texture by rubbing the surface with three colors of StazOn Ink from Tsukineko (Saddle Brown, Teal Blue, Jet Black).

I then adhered the copper die cut to the card stock niche and the project really began to take shape.

I needed to add a back to the niche and decided to look through my stash of hand painted papers. I found a piece that added a good deal of contrast but that also complimented the color palette of the niche.

Once the niche was completed, I hand painted the hand (pun intended) and gathered bits and pieces from my mixed media stash: metal embellishments, rusty wire, painted paper, fabric bits, and frayed book binding material. I used these to create my artwork for the niche. As a final touch, I die cut, embossed and stenciled the word Destiny from Spellbinders Sentiments die set.

 

Supply List

Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:

MMM-001 Spellbinders^TM Artisan X-plorer

S5-219 Spellbinders^TM Shapeabilities® A2 Modern Stationary

MT1-001 Spellbinders^TM Media Mixage Texture Plates Grate Works One

MM1-003 Spellbinders^TM Media Mixage Copper Sheets

S5-200 Spellbinders^TM Shapeabilities® Sentiments

Preferred Promotional Partners: Tsukineko®  StazOn Ink Pad, Imagine Crafts® Inkblushers Sponge

Other: hand painted paper, vintage altered wooden hand, vintage book binding material, metal embellishments, fabric scraps, wire, copper leafing pen, scissors, tape, adhesive

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This new die set is so versatile and its uses are only limited by one's own imagination. I decided to create a second piece, highlighting the opportunity for layering that these dies allow for. This piece called Frost was inspired by the winter season.

Supply List

Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:

MMM-001 Spellbinders^TM Artisan X-plorer

S5-219 Spellbinders^TM Shapeabilities® A2 Modern Stationary

S5-199 Spellbinders^TM Shapeabilities® Font One Lowercase

S4-378 Spellbinders^TM Shapeabilities® Cherry Blossoms

Preferred Promotional Partners: Tsukineko®  StazOn Ink Pad, Tsukineko®  Encore Ultimate Metallic Ink Pad,  Imagine Crafts® Inkblushers Sponge

Other: vintage book cover, decorated paper, card stock, gel pen, marker, adhesive, guillotine cutter, sandpaper

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GIVEAWAY (NOW CLOSED)

You are of course more than welcome to leave a comment to this post but in order to be eligible for the giveaway from my blog to win the newly released die set used in this post, you must click the link below and follow the directions there within 48 hours of this posting. 

For Giveaway Entry, click HERE.

For official giveaway rules, click HERE.

I am just one of many artists participating in this sneak peek. To see more amazing creations and for another chance to win, make sure to check out the work of Candy Rosenberg and Heidi Blankenship who are also posting sneak peeks today.

Questions? ContestQuestions@Spellbinders.us  (no entries will be accepted at this email address)

Top 13 of 2013

In the last week or so I have seen many sites shares their top posts from 2013. I am a sucker for any countdown and this idea clearly spotlights the best of the best. Duly inspired, I decided to post my own list: the 13 most popular posts from my blog, based on hits, in 2013. Drum roll please...

#13 Thoughts on Blogging

#12 Buried Treasure 2013

#11 30/30: Marit Barentsen

#10 Change Direction

#9 Chris Cozen: Double Giveaway

#8 ATC Ring Book

#7 30/30: Elizabeth Bunsen

#6 Treasure Time

#5 Family Portrait

#4 Art Blog Directory

#3 Rolodecks

#2 Spellbinders Explore Beyond: Sneak Peek and Giveaway Day 6

#1 Blog Hop: Pam Carriker's New Stamp Line

I think as a blogger it is a fascinating exercise to find out which of your posts float to the top. Whether it is content for your own top 13 post, information to be used as you create your 2014 postings, indirect critical feedback about your blog, or simply just curiosity...there is a potential goldmine to be found.

A Website is Born

For me, 2014 is about dreaming big, making plans, and achieving goals.

There is no time like the present and I wanted to start off the new year by checking off a goal that I have had in mind for many years: my very own website.

My blog will always be my home base, but I have wanted to have an online site where it is easier for people to find my artwork -- without digging through years of posts. The format of a website makes it the perfect spot. Not only will you see my artwork (organized by category no less) but you will also find an event calendar, updated lists of my workshops, publications, exhibitions, and press features, and (of course) a link to my blog.

Lastly, you will find a new online shop at the website as well. The shelves are stocked with my artwork, my stencils, my DVDs, and signed copies of my books. I will be keeping my Etsy shop active as well but will only sell work priced under $100 on Etsy. The shop on my website will include a wider range of artwork, including pieces I have not been available online before.

Please stop by the website and have a look around. I plan to update it frequently, so feel free to bookmark it and visit often. Any feedback, glowing or critical, is welcome!

www.sethapter.com

I Couldn't Resist

Last year, Artist and author Diana Trout began a feature on her blog called First Friday Artist. Once a month on (you guessed it) the first Friday, she spotlights one artist who shares artwork, a tutorial, video, story, or other art-related content. To date, Jane Davies, Tammy Garcia, and Jeanne Handley McLaughlin has been in the spotlight. Today it is my turn.

I am sharing a tutorial on making stencil resists using a product that is new to me but that you may already have in your stash.

And yes...you have to head over to the post to see what product I am talking about. :-)

Spellbinders: A Week of Giveaways

As I enter my second year as a member of the Design Team at Spellbinders, I am excited to announce that the time has almost come for the Spellbinders Diamond Anniversary Sneak Peek and Giveaway.

This event marks the 10th anniversary of the company and celebrates the release of their newest product line. Being a member of the Blog Team, I have had the good fortune of working/playing with their new items. Believe me when I say they outdid themselves. 

Beginning on January 6th and running through January 10th, readers will have a chance to view the new releases before the rest of the world AND have a chance to WIN these products before they hit the shelves. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with Spellbinders, this week is the perfect introduction. And if you are already a Spellbinders fan...prepare to be wowed!

How do you play?

Simply check the Spellbinders Community Blog every day from 1/6/14 to 1/10/14 to find out who the participating designers are for that day. Click the entry form link at the bottom of their post and fill in the necessary contact information. You may enter once from each participating blog every day!

You can read more about the contest rules here. And if you want to get familiar with the participating designers before the Sneak Peek...here they are!

Becca Feeken

Debbie Olson

Candy Rosenberg

Seth Apter (you are here)

Heidi Blakenship

Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray

Linda Duke

Sherry Cheever

Michelle Woerner

Linda Lucas

Darsie Bruno

Magical Moments

I always find myself in a moment of reflection at this time of year. As we transition from 2013 to 2014, I feel fortunate to be as contented with this past year as I am excited about the upcoming one. Many changes have occurred for me in 2013, both personally and professionally. As is always the case, there have been experiences to remember...and those that I would rather forget. But as a whole, I continue to be energized, mesmerized, and captivated by this adventure we call life. I have many plans for 2014, some that I have already announced, some to be revealed soon, and some that even I do not know about yet.

Art remains my anchor, my beacon, and a stabilizing force for me. I feel so very fortunate and am endlessly grateful to all of you out there who have become such an important part of my life. Thanks for your visits to all of my sites, your comments, and your emails. Thanks to those of you who have purchased my artwork and taken my workshops. Thanks to those who have either contributed to my books, read them, or both. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your endless support, inspiration, energy, and generosity. I would not be the artist I am today without you all!

There is magic to be found in the lives we are living and I look forward to sharing many more magical moments with you all in 2014.

Bits and Pieces

The new issue of Pasticcio Quartz is now available. Sarah Fishburn and Angela Cartwright are the brains behind this QUality ART Zine.

This is one of my favorite publications out there. Every issue of Pasticcio Quartz delivers so much and the 60-page, issue #15 is no exception.  In addition to pages and pages of art, there are also interviews, book reviews, movie quips, tutorials, links to discover, stories, historical artist reviews, and so much more.

I so appreciate the wonderful review that Sarah and Angela wrote about my book The Mixed-Media Artist and the fact that they included a piece of my art entitled Seek the Stars.

You can see a preview of Pasticcio and order all 15 issues here.

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Australia here I come. Registration is now open for Art is You Australian Mixed Media Road Show. 

I will be joining four other US artists (Kecia Deveney, Andrea Matus DeMeng, Michael DeMeng and Sue Pellitier, as well as a group of local Aussie artists, in August 2014 in three different locations down under: New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. This all inclusive retreat will include workshops and many special events. I am gobsmacked to be part of this adventure and hope to see some of you there!

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Hot off the presses from the people at Cloth Paper Scissors is a new downloadable eMag called Art Lessons: 2013 Collage & Paint Series Collector's Edition. 

This publication is a compilation of 14 Art Lessons (one from each month of 2013 and 2 new bonus lessons) from artists such as Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Downa Downey, Jane Davenport, Carolyn Dube, Karen Michel, and many others. I am so happy to be part of this group and my Dimensional Stenciling Art Lesson is included as well.

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Congratulations to artist Lesley Riley. Her recently released, self published book Quotes Illustrated has been picked up by North Light Books and will be reissued with additional content. 

If you want a copy of the original book, you only have until midnight 1/1/14 to order. If you want to be part of the new edition, there is still time to submit artwork -- all of which is inspired by quotes. For details on the artist call, click here.

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I have been planning a "project" for quite some time and have been busy behind the scenes working on making it happen. Thrilled that it is now complete and will be revealed just after the new year. My first resolution checked off. See you for the reveal.