Gayle’s finished work
Crystal’s finished piece
Here is some of the wonderful work of my students from the most recent eye token class held at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria VA. My next class there will be in July and is art paper dolls.
In progress
In progress
In progress
If you would like to make a lover’s eye of your own, the forms are available from paperwhimsy.com. The eye collage sheet is here. 
Memorial Day 2018
Every month there is an ATC (Artist Trading Card 2.5″ x 3.5″) trade at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria. My offering will be 12 small fabric digital collages. On wispy see through organza I printed out a collage which I placed over hand dyed fabric. They were then stitched with gold metallic thread.
Soon I will be teaching this technique at Artistic Artifacts. The class will be in two parts, beginning with the digital collage aspect. The second class will cover making a print out and selecting fabric for the design. Details will be posted here as soon as I have the dates!
Some of my books and the book blanks ready for class
Noir Magic: Lettering, Flora and Fauna with theresa mARTin
Saturday, January 20, 2018
10:00 – 2:30 pm, ½ hour lunch break
Artistic Artifacts, 4750 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22304
If you’ve taken the class in the past and want to bring back your pens, ask about a discount on the materials fee.
All Supplies Provided! Back in the days when monks transcribed books by hand, Illuminated letters were the enlarged first letter in a page or paragraph, often enhanced with decorative elements, flora, fauna and or mythological creatures. In this popular class, learn a variety of mark making techniques to create a modern take on these classic papers. The metallic and color pens against the black paper produce a WOW effect from even the simplest designs. Theresa will guide your through her process and provide a large variety of lettering examples from books to be inspired by (and trace if desired). This is a meditative and fun process requiring no drawing experience — anyone can doodle a repetitive design! You will leave class with hand made designs perfect to frame, use in book arts or as a greeting card, and more. $48 workshop fee and $20 materials fee, which includes a pack of 10 gel pens plus a white and a gold gel Uniball metallic pen (yours to keep after class!) and the following for use while in class: gold ink, black paper, metallic pencils, woodless pencils, metallic paints, stencils, punches and more. Visit Theresa’s blog here and here to view student work from previous sessions of this class.
About the Instructor: theresa mARTin is a mixed media collage artist and a graduate of the Corcoran College of Art and Design. She is a frequent contributor to Stampington Magazines, with articles and artwork appearing in Somerset Studio, Art Quilting Studio, Somerset Apprentice and Somerset Digital.
Mixed Media Eye Token Workshop with theresa mARTin
Saturday, February 10, 2017
10:00 am – 2:30 pm, ½ hour lunch break
All Supplies Provided! In the 18th and 19th century, Lover’s Eye Tokens were popular with the wealthy. A miniaturist painted just the eyes of a lover, preserving anonymity… thus the recipient alone knew the identity of the person depicted. The tokens were often elaborately decorated and worn as bracelets, brooches or pendants. Create your own version using a love token form, beads, pearls, rhinestones, and an eye portrait. Class fee, $45.00 + supply/kit fee of $25.00, which includes all necessary supplies; students will have a choice of materials and colors. Sizes of the eye tokens range between 2 in. x 21⁄8 in. to 3 in. x 2 in.
Note: Although supplies are provided, feel free to bring in assorted beads, charms and embellishments from your stash to supplement or to add an even more personal touch. View a variety of tokens made by theresa mARTin on her pinterest board and visit her blog here and here for additional information and inspiring photos from previous sessions of this class.
WHO AND WHAT:
I’ll be at this Holiday Market.
I’ll have some paper dolls like the ones above for sale as well as many of my handmade gel pen drawing books. Lot’s of talented people will be selling their artwork and the shop is a definite must see for anyone who creates or for someone looking for unique ribbons and dyed fabrics for decorating. The shop is packed with remarkable mixed media supplies, unique quilting supplies, Bernina sewing machines and is the only WonderFil™ Threaducation Center on the East Coast. Check out their about us page online HERE.
WHEN:
Fri. December 1 10am – 5pm
Sat. December 2 10am – 5pm
Sun. December 3 12pm – 4pm
Artistic Artifacts & Batik Tambal, 4750 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304, United States (map)
The place is jam packed with unique gifts, a friendly atmosphere and lots of eye candy.
From the Artistic Artifacts website: Join us for our Annual Holiday Market: we will have handcrafted items from 15+ talented artisans for sale: fiber art, knit and silk scarves, mixed media assemblages, metal, beaded & clay jewelry, fabric totes, greeting cards, ornaments and more! (Perfect for the upcoming gift giving season — or treat yourself!) All on one level and plenty of free parking for visitors. Throughout our Holiday Market weekend, we will have several local artists on hand for book signings of their recent publications, in addition to demonstrations from several of our staff and instructors. Don’t miss this fun event… and this is also the perfect time to fill out a gift wish list for yourself (we’ll drop the hint to your family and friends).
