SALVAGED Inspiration

Reclaimed Wood Heart

-Do you scavenge for little treasures when taking a walk or wallow amongst the chaos in an antique store?

-Do you see possibilities in a rusted nail or a broken piece of jewelry?

-Do you have a fond love for weathered objects and find beauty in what others may consider as junk?

At ShaDeeLa, we think there is just something incredible about old wood, weathered surfaces and patina metal that produces the most beautiful array of textures and colors. We covet our stashes of rusty treasures, broken objects and vintage jewelry envisioning how they will play into our next piece of art.

Join ShaDeeLa for the SALVAGED WOOD HEART Workshops this March at The Green Doors  and in April at The Queen’s Ink as we adorn a reclaimed wooden heart with a creative combination of meaningful elements transforming into a lovely finished piece of art.

ShaDeeLa Creative Workshops is excited to share this unique and creative project as you up-cycle something old into something new and something new into something old. 

Tiny Treasures...

Saturday's Altered Shadow Box Workshop proved to be an interesting peek into people's lives as objects and the stories behind them were shared and observed. 

Students brought in their tiny treasures, along with donations for the “share bowl,” to be thoughtfully placed within the many little niches of their box. Layering, distressing, design and depth of field were just a few of the techniques demonstrated. 

It was fascinating to see and hear the stories develop as each Shadow Box came to life. As always, in true ShaDeeLa style, we laughed, had fun and realized that it's the "small" things that count and everyone has their story to tell. 

After all, "One man's trash is another man's treasure"......

Oh, What a Workshop...

Captured moments...

Layered colors...

Special memories created...

Written words...

Guidance by Dee...

A soulfilled day.

 Visit us on Facebook.

Melt those Winter Blues away...

with an inspirational ShaDeeLa Workshop!

We are offering four great workshops in February and March at the Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA) studio. Located just one mile past the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the lovely neighborhood of Stevensville, Maryland, the creative atmosphere at KIFA will warm your artistic spirit.

All skill levels are welcome. Early enrollment is encouraged due to limited class size. Call KIFA at 410.643.7424 and register today.

Tell them ShaDeeLa sent you!

Polymer Clay Techniques

Saturday's Polymer Clay Techniques led by Dee was an intensive and informative class that introduced participants to the endless possibilities of working with this medium. The use of push molds, texture, layering, mica powder and antiquing with paint was fully explored. Final embellishments included gems and touches of Lumiere metallic paint that gave each piece that "bling factor". Students left with six beautiful tags that could be used as ornaments or gifts. This class was the perfect introduction to polymer clay in preparation for a future class called Mosaic Mirrors, where students will make their own clay titles and adhere them to a mirror frame.

ShaDeeLa Facebook

Building a Foundation...

Saturday's Mixed Media Painting Discovery Workshop was a great success and a valuable learning experience for all involved. Designed for budding artists with little or no painting experience, ShaDeeLa instructors guided them step by step on how to build a painting and trust that the end result would be a painting they would be proud to hang on their wall, students realized that this might require a leap of faith.

Based on 12 easy steps, students were able to witness the process of building a foundation and layering paint to create surface quality and focal point interest. It truly was a journey into self discovery and confidence. One student even described it as "art therapy".

As each painting unfolded and blossomed into it's final stage, it was clear that something special had happened during this class. Not only did students learn to trust their creative intuition, they confirmed to themselves that their hearts were able to open up into a beautiful expression of art.

For those who were unable attend this fabulous workshop and would like the opportunity to do so, please check our workshop page for additional Mixed Media Painting Discover Workshops.




Click on link to visit our Facebook page to see additional photos of the ShaDeeLa Creative Workshops: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ShaDeeLa-Creative-Workshops/138178482867875

Winter weather ...

A little snow and ice couldn't freeze the creativity at the Ocean City Art League.

Deb worked her magic teaching students techniques that made

their canvases come alive with layers of color and personal messages.

The end result? One-of-a-kind pieces of art that will serve as inspiration and a sweet reminder of a fun day!

Hello Creative Souls!

February is an art-filled month for ShaDeeLa. Visit our WORKSHOP SCHEDULE for the details, including dates, workshop descriptions and supply lists.

BISHOP’S STOCK SPECIAL!!!

Register* by February 5th for one (or both!) of ShaDeeLa’s FEBRUARY Creative Workshops at Bishop’s Stock Gallery and you’ll automatically be entered in a drawing for our “Embrace your ART” gift basket. Filled with creative supplies and surprises, the basket is valued at over $50!

The drawing will take place on Saturday, February 12th at 3 pm.
Call Ann Coates at Bishop’s Stock Gallery to register today 410-631-3555.
Email ShaDeeLa Creative Workshops at ShaDeeLaWorkshop@aol.com with any questions.

We hope to see you soon!
Sharon, Dee and Deb

*Registrant must be paid in full by the day of the workshop in order to qualify for the drawing.
This drawing applies for workshops on Friday, February 11th and Saturday, February 12th
at Bishop’s Stock. Participants that have already registered have been included. Limit to one entry per person per workshop.

Messages.....

There is nothing better than having a daily reminder of life's important messages to keep you grounded and centered in this crazy world. That is exactly what student's walked away with after completing the Message In a Bottle workshop held at Queen's Ink. Deb provided instructions to transform a blank canvas into a beautiful piece of art work. Students used painting techniques to layer color and create depth, as well as decoupage techniques to add special messages and wisdom cards. At the end of day, everyone had a beautiful piece of artwork that showcased their creative talent and personal insight.

Heading to Snow Hill

We are heading to Snow Hill for a weekend of creative workshops at Bishop's Stock. The fun will begin Friday night with a Wine and Tag workshop. Create six personalized gift tags and a wine gift bag, while sipping some reds and whites selected from the Bishop's Stock offerings. Class price is $37, which includes all supplies and a $15 credit towards a Bishop's Stock wine purchase.*

On Saturday morning, come nurture your creative spirit with the Nurture Threads Framed Affirmations workshop. You will transform a simple unfinished frame to encase a beautiful piece of art. Using fabric, golden thread, paint, rubber stamps and images from the ShaDeeLa Creative Collage sheets, you will learn techniques to design and layer images to create depth and focal interest. Class price is $48.

Don't miss out on all the fun! Call Ann Coates at Bishop's Stock (410.632.3555) today to register.

Advance registration required. Workshop space is limited.

*No cash back on the $15 wine credit.

Waste not....

When Dee and Deb's father, a fine artist, offered ShaDeeLa linen canvas scraps, we snatched them up. While we weren't sure what we would do with them, we were confident we could create something great.

With a swatch in hand, Dee headed to the fabric store for a quick trip and inspiration. The textures, the colors and the imagery got the creative juices flowing.

In her studio, she began experimenting with combinations of fabric, rubber stamps, paper, original artwork, mica powders and golden thread. The final product was the inspiration for Nurture Threads.

A great project for all levels. The next Nurture Threads class is being offered at Queen's Ink on September 18, 2010. Sign up soon as the class is filling up quickly!

She's Got Attitude....

ShaDeeLa's June class focused on recapturing youthful confidence and laissez-faire attitude. Starting with a blank canvas, instructors Sharon, Dee and Deb worked with students to turn childhood photos into modern, personal works of art. Students were encouraged to experiment with texture and color, with a focus on layering the two, by using stamp and transfer techniques. Everyone walked away with a picture perfect canvas... and a reminder that we all still have a little attitude!

Mermania

To open up the workshop, Dee shared several prototype examples, while reviewing the basic techniques of working with polymer clay. ShaDeeLa's students then began their mermaid contour "foundation" forming the essential parts that would be put together at the end. The parts were then given texture, pattern and interest using rubber stamp impressions. The "push mold" faces were adorned with clay accents such as hair, crowns and halos.

While the clay parts were in the oven baking, ShaDeeLa artists enjoyed a tea and cookie break as they pulled together the final accents to be added to their crafted Mermaid. After the clay cooled, artists embellished with color washes, seashells, jewels, beads and of course, glitter! The parts were assembled with wire, jump rings and beads completing a beautifully articulated Mixed Media Mermaid!

Jointed Flower Doll

ShadeeLa’s workshop artists created cheerful jointed dolls sculpted with Sculpey Ultra Light clay in June's workshop. Copper wires were inserted into the sculpted legs, arms, torso and head and baked for 20 minutes. Each doll part was painted, adorned with rhinestones, beads, glitter, sealed with a satin varnish and then assembled. Each doll had a finished size of approximately 6 inches tall. They all had unique shapes, adornments and colors. It was fun to hear the names that each Flower Doll was assigned.

This was a full day class that included an incredible potluck lunch prepared by all attending.

You Look Mahvelous Mirror

ShaDeeLa held it's "YOU LOOK MAHVELOUS MIRROR" workshop in early May. Participants received a wooden framed mirror, which soon became individual masterpieces! After transferring original designs to the frame, students painted, glittered and glued down items that gave dimension and interest. The final touch was using a wood burning tool to outline designs to create a "pop" effect. With the final pieces in hand, students walked out of class with a smile on their faces and a reminder that... "YOU LOOK MAHVELOUS!"

Road Trip!

Sharon, Dee and Deb usually take the month of August off. Vacations, preparations for the holiday trunk show (details coming soon!) and project development normally has the month filled. This year, however, an unexpected phone call had the ladies of ShaDeeLa heading north to Philadelphia. The project -- working with a group of girlfriends; The agenda -- finishing up partially completed projects. Sharon, Dee and Deb gave the friends new ideas and modernized a few old techniques. So much fun! This could be come an annual event.

"This was such a great Saturday with the girls - and productive too! Sharon, Dee and Deb were great instructors and really gave us all some wonderful ideas. I hope they have workshops in our area soon!"- Kris L.

Creative Sparks Incubation Box

This workshop was developed specifically to spark that creative ember that glows within all of us and to keep that flame alive and burning bright!

Whether you are a writer, musician or an artist, your most creative ideas always seem to arise while in the shower, in a traffic jam or when tossing sleeplessly at night. Noting your ideas when they arise is crucial to the creative cycle. These boxes were designed to establish a holding place for written or sketched thoughts for future attention when one’s artist cycle is in its full moon.

While openly sharing their best known discovery (or aha) moments, students learned the technique of carving their own handmade rubber stamp using a linoleum cutter and a rubber blank. The circular boxes were adorned with paint, rubber stamping, burnt matchsticks and finalized with wood-burned accent.

Miniature Garden Delights

To honor the coming of Spring, ShaDeeLa’s guest instructor, Auralea Krieger from Nature’s Soul Miniatures led the “Miniature Garden Delights” workshop. Kits were distributed with everything we needed to create our own potted Hydrangea plants. They contained pre-cut tissue petals, hydrangea stalks, pre-cooked polymer clay heads, leaves and even a clay pot for the flower! Auralea shared her special techniques, inspiration and guidance and some of us cultivated our own. All participants left with their own miniature piece of art to cherish or give as a gift and most of all we left with a newly learned craft and a blossoming of our creative soul.

Faux Real Painting

Techniques on Canvas

Students did not need to have drawing or painting experience to learn easy decorative faux techniques and finishes in March’s workshop taught by instructor Deborah Rolig.
Exploring the very useful step-by-step instructions on surface prep, paints, glazes, washes, crackle, transfer and texture techniques, students were able to achieve unique and stylish, distressed masterpieces. Everyone went home with a finished piece of original art that was ready to hang!

Soul Collage

ShaDeeLa student’s had been asking us for ages to come up with a class that they could use all of their left over scraps of paper and ephemera. Out of their request, Soul Collage was born. The focus was to dig deep into their spirit and find images that had personal meaning and significance. Using a 5X7 canvas, some students incorporated words and text, while others used color and texture. Of course, glitter made it into almost everyone’s canvas. The finished product was easy to pop into “ready made” frames with mats that will make a wonderful gift!