Reminder... Book Signing at Saturday April 3rd

Please join us in celebrating the new release of

"Mixed Media Dollhouses"

A book signing with

Mixed-Media Dollhouses: Techniques and Ideas for Doll-size Assemblages

with Tally Oliveau & Julie Molina

Saturday April 3rd 5 - 7:pm

Techniques and Ideas for Doll Sized Assemblages" with the co-authors Tally Oliveau and Julie Molina. This book takes the artistic approach of assemblage and collage and combines it with the long-loved tradition of making dollhouses - but these dollhouses are anything but traditional! Begun as an artistic challenge between a group of talented friends, these mixed-media dollhouses include beautiful castles, undersea fantasy lands, gothic attics, inspiring tree houses, and much more. Many of the actual rooms from the book will be displayed!

Pen class with Kelly this Saturday 11 to 3 pm

Saturday, April 3^rd Zinnia So Pasadena

For those of you whom have asked about it here's some things that we do in the class-

1. We explore a plethora of pens. The class comes with a huge 18 page handout that has detailed information on a variety of my favorite pens, important info on the pens and what they do. You also get to play with the pens hands on.

2. Collage prompts! Yes, we do some collage techniques (remember, my classes are never just "one" thing. I like to pack them with info) and I then give you journal prompts for those pages.

3. Journal Prompts! Bring your journal to class (or use the paper that I provide) and we will explore the pens ON the pages in a variety of ways.

4. Writing! Yes, I will demonstrate and let you experiment with some of my favorite ways to add text to the page. No, it is NOT a calligraphy class (those of you who know me know that I lack the discipline and desire to be a calligrapher), think of it as more like urban handwriting.

5. Did I mention a wee bit of painting and layering? Using paint, paper and pens? Yup, that's included too.

6. Fun? Did I tell you it's FUN? Trust me, it is.

I pack a lot into the class and I keep you busy. I also bring a ton of pens (I don't ever travel light). If you have questions, you can email me. To sign up, please contact the store asap as space is limited.

Optional-You can bring your journal to class to work in, or the teacher will be supplying paper for you to work on.

Supply list: Scissors, small selection of favorite collage ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels, permanent black inkpad, container to hold water, 3 1" brushes to glue and paint (I like chip or bristle brushes)

Update

Michael's class in April are filling up fast. We are going to be using a new space which is bigger but we need to make sure everyone there is comfy. The Saturday class is almost filled to capacity and more spaces are still open for Sunday. For information about the class dates, times and details scroll down to the previous post.

Michael deMeng Classes in April at Zinnia

Michael deMeng is coming to Zinnia in April
Saturday April 17th 2010
Cave of Pages
10:30 am till 6:00 pm
$140.


Michael loves working with old paper and ephemera. "Of course I really love working with it when you can play with the 3rd dimension. I figure why just collage when you can add a little depth and assemblage (pronounced the same way as collage...if you want to be fancy), so it's time to "read between the lines", literally. What were going to do in this class is start off with a cigar box base and using other ephemera, photographs and found objects, we will transform it into a cave of pages." What lurks behind the pages is up to you. Get ready to start reading into things.



Sunday April 18th 2010
Calacas Assemblage
10:30 am till 6:00 pm
$140.

Every year Michael visits Mexico during Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Not only is this a marvelous event where relatives celebrate the memories of the deceased, but it is also a chance for the living to mock the reaper. It's a way for the living to say: "Neener, neener you haven't got me yet". One of the ways that Mexicans do this is with little skeletal toys known as "calacas". Usually they are playful scenes where the skeletons are in the engaged in everyday activities, riding bicycles, walking dogs, dancing with devils (okay, so this one is perhaps not an everyday activity). The idea is to have a little fun with ones morality. Well, that is what we'll be doing in class. Using doll parts, action figures, and other found objects student will create little skeletons that will tickle your funny bone.

A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for "skeleton")

Michael is full of creative inspiration and is so generous in sharing all his "tricks of the trade" He has the ability to provoke inventiveness and gets his students to think outside that box we may create in. Concocting new colors with weird names and using new materials is always something to look forward to in one of Michael's classes, not only that but he usually has cool music, he gives amazing critics and always have a great sense of humor.

Book Signing at Zinnia April 3rd

Please join us in celebrating the new release of

"Mixed Media Dollhouses"

A book signing with

Mixed-Media Dollhouses: Techniques and Ideas for Doll-size Assemblages

with Tally Oliveau & Julie Molina

Saturday April 3rd 5 - 7:pm

Techniques and Ideas for Doll Sized Assemblages" with the co-authors Tally Oliveau and Julie Molina. This book takes the artistic approach of assemblage and collage and combines it with the long-loved tradition of making dollhouses - but these dollhouses are anything but traditional! Begun as an artistic challenge between a group of talented friends, these mixed-media dollhouses include beautiful castles, undersea fantasy lands, Gothic attics, inspiring tree houses, and much more.

Many of the actual rooms from the book will be displayed!

Oy the time change. I don't mind it because I always feel tired on my lazy Sundays, I'm just tired earlier and with the sun out. I'll be over it by the end of the week.

I went to Target today to check out the "Liberty of London" that Tamara was talking about in the previous post. Most of it didn't really appeal to me however there are a few summer blouses with cool prints that I might come back for later. When I went to check-out I ended up behind a woman who had a cart full of stuff. It was ALL Liberty of London stuff. She must be a fan or opening her own store. Dresses, shirts, coats, totes, baskets and mugs; five freaking hundred dollars worth. I wanted to ask her if she was a fan but she didn't speak English. I checked out every piece as it went by and checked the price. Humm, $24 for a shirt, I can do that. $4 for a mug? Not my cup of tea (snort ha ha).

Have you stopped by the store lately? We have been adding artwork to the "Gallery" space. We have concentrated all ART in that space. Artwork from local artists has been featured for a few years like; Paul Murray, Joe Carrion, Tyn Atol, Tamara and myself, We also have art work from Shari Enge, Kari Atol & Angela Cartwright. If you haven't already , stop by and take a peek.

This a picture of some of Angela's work. Her work is so beautiful
and she is a delightful person, it's nice to have her work at the store.

I sure hope this lovely weather is here for a few days. Although it could be warmer. Come on summer... I am already making my plans for my Sundays at the beach working on tanning. Yes, I know the sun is baaaad. I'll wear my SPF 1000 and a giant hat. I am mostly interested in tanning my limbs. That sounds weird but it's true. Beside let's hear it for Vitamin D and all its benefits. Yeah.

Upcoming Classes:
Go to our website: www.zinnia.biz and click on the Calendar link. Updated information about classes and events is available. The calendar is printable. A printed copy is available at the store.

The March 19th:
Learn to Decoupage class with Paul (http://www.paulmurray.typepad.com/) is FULL but don't fret he added another class on Sunday, April 4th 11am to 2pm, $40. Paul has a way of teaching; you'll laugh, you'll learn and you'll have fun. He says things that I could never get away with. Sample available at the store.

Sunday March 20th:
Spirit Journal with Kelly Kilmer - 11am to 3pm, $70. For details about the class and supplies needed if any please visit Kelly's workshop blog at: kellykilmerworkshops.blogspot.com A sample of the journal is available at the store.

Saturday, March 27th:
Mini Tin Assemblage with Joe Carrion - 11am to 2pm, $55. A sample of this project is available at the store.

Saturday, April 3rd:
Everything You Want To Know about Pens with Kelly Kilmer -11am to 3pm, $70.
Are you a closet member of PAA (you know, pen addicts anonymous)? Do you hoard pens? Do you want to learn different things that you can do with your pens? YES, we will learn everything about pens (and more). YES, you will explore and play with different writing styles and techniques on your newly created pages. YES, you will walk out with a pile of completed pages and tons of ideas. YES, you will be inspired. YES, you WILL have fun!
Visit Kelly's blog for details and pictures related to this and all her workshops. kellykilmerworkshops.blogspot.com

Okay my friends have a nice week. Check back later this week for information about our Call to Artists and Michael DeMeng's classes coming up in April.

Suki

I know... you miss me.
My life at Zinnia has been

Liberty Of London

Many year ago I was in a fabric store in NYC, I discovered Liberty of London fabrics.

It is so expensive ($38.00 a yard) for a simple cotton fabric, yet when you touch it you know it is different than regular cotton, the thread count is higher and the print is so crisp and clear... it is wonderful.  Over the years,  here and there if I could afford it I would order a piece (1/2 yard) online. 
So yesterday I stopped by Michael Levines, and to my surprise they have started carrying  the fabrics (behind a glass case mind you), so I splurged and picked my favorite one and got a half a yard.  I cherished all night, touching it and examining the detailed print.... loving it so much and trying to figure out what a 1/2 yard could do for me.
SO.... today I was in Target and there was a BIG sign over the entrance "Liberty of London" coming March 14... aughh, I grabbed the first girl in a red shirt and asked her what that meant.... she didn't know ( of course not ?) after many questions I discovered that is was in fact something to do with THE Liberty of London that I was just drooling over the day before...
Came home did the Google thing crossing referencing Liberty of London and Target...
and yes, they are going to start carrying EVERYTHING in their prints. 

Now.... should I be happy or should I be a little bummed....
there is something special about having something so hard to get and something that tugs at those purse strings and you value it for the fact that it is so hard to get and so pricey...
Or should I be bummed that something so precious to me is now available at Target?  I can't imagine the quality being the same....
So nevertheless, I will be at Target March 14 and I will be getting every mans shirt in a small in a different print,  WOOOHOOO!!!!

Just in Time for the big "Alice" weekend!

Arrived Today!

 Handmade Limited Edition 

One-of-A-Kind Creations by ZoZ0 T.M.Q.

(The Magic Queen)

Artist & Designer

Gianna Majzler

who was featured in

"Where Women Create"

Some Women are

simply so talented,

it almost takes your breath away... for me, Gianna Majzler is one of them.

Jo Packman "Where Women Create"

Jan 13th 2010

Veronica Cartwright  looks fabulous wearing one of ZoZo The Magic Queen's creations, a turquoise rose with a flying black bird necklace. It looked so cute and matched so well with her sweater she had to wear it out.