What's Happening Now?

I have a new website which is online at www.hodgepodgestudio.com.  This blog is linked directly off the main menu of the new website. There is also a store that will be live by the middle of April. It has to be--I have a virtual sales table for the NAME Online Houseparty from April 22 - 27 and my sales link is my store on the website.

But, before that happens, I will be in Chicago April 10-12 as one of the miniature dealers at the 3 Blind Mice Miniature Show.  I am partnering with Phyllis Brown of Zealousarts and we will have a nice selection of miniature accessories for your dollhouses, roomboxes and mini scenes in one-inch and quarter scale.  I, of course, will have one-inch scale fine silver accessories and inch and quarter scale miniature books.  Phyllis's line of accessories includes a variety of ceramic wares--including cannister and bowl set for the kitchen, wooden shelves and bookcases, toys and jewelry.

I am also offering a bookmaking class on Thursday before the show opens. All of the information is on the 3 Blind Mice website HERE.

So, if you are in the Chicago area April 10 - 12, please stop by and visit us.

My Prints on Display at the Irvington Branch Library

One of my main goals for next year is to improve my photography skills.  I admit that I took these with my phone which accounts for some of the problems, but even with my camera I don't really take good photos. Of course, I have also never taken the time to really learn how to use my camera.  It is just a point and shoot, but it has a lot of features that I know will improve my photos if I use them.  So, hopefully over the course of the next few months that will change.

Anyway, here are a few photos from the exhibit of my prints--IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TREES--at the Irvington branch of the Indianapolis Public Library.  The library conference room is a wonderful exhibition space for 2D work and the library's hanging system can handle small prints like mine (5 x 7s and 8 x 10s) as well as very large paintings.

Here are a couple of closer shots of some of the prints--etchings, woodcuts, and monotypes--that I hung.

It's Thanksgiving and Miniature-Making Time

Well, the Autumn Art Fair at Garfield Park was last Saturday and Sunday.  A bit cold, but still had good traffic and sales. And, I am still working on packing away everything from the show and getting reorganized for lots of miniature-making.

So, what is next on my agenda? On Tuesday, December 10 (6:30 - 8:30), I am teaching a Holiday Book class at the Garfield Park Art Center.  In this class we will be making a tiny holiday book (picture coming soon) with a short story inside.  (I will be providing the pre-printed stories for the students to assemble.)  These are great as a tiny gift, a necklace, or a holiday decoration. Call (317) 327-7135 to register, or sign up online.  To see more of the classes and events offered at Garfield, visit their website at www.gpacarts.org

I also have several miniature book projects that I need to get busy on.  And, I have lots of miniatures to make--I will be selling miniature books and fine silver accessories for the well-appointed dollhouse at the Three Blind Mice Miniature Show in Chicago April 10 - 12.  I just got signed up, so I am not yet listed as a dealer on their web page, but I am really excited about being a dealer at this show.  And, if you are in Chicago for the miniature shows in April, I do hope you will stop by and see me.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Marti

Autumn Art Fair at Garfield Park Art Center

What are you doing the weekend before Thanksgiving?  Come join us at the 6th annual Autumn Art Fair at the The Garfield Park Arts Center (GPAC) at 2432 Conservatory Drive on Indy's near southside.  I will be there again this year with my bright and shiny fused glass jewelry as well as some of my small prints.
  
The Autumn Art Fair provides convenient shopping from local artists in a beautiful location right before the holidays!  With a focus on exquisitely hand-created, family-friendly and affordable items ($0.50 -$500) from over 45 Hoosier artists you will be sure to find something you love. 

Free entry!  Free parking!!  And door prizes.  Visitors can sign up for the Autumn Art Fair mailing list and be entered to win door prizes crafted by the artists.  (You need not be present to win.)  

Participating Artists include--John Jarvis, Gene Cooper, Earlynn Collier, Lisa Anderson, Bob and Moon Stumpp, Rick Greiner, Sean Gray,  Pam O’Rourke, Anne Kominowski, Jeanne Scheuring, Duane King, Len Bibeau, Larry Myers, Smashing Designs Mosaics, the Calligraphy Guild of Indiana, the Indiana Gourd Society, Marti Icenogle, Christine Heisler, Jerry Barnett, Emily Dillard,  Mac McCrary, Barbara Mangus-Hopkins, Mary Ann Habeeb, Marilyn Scott, Lynne Medsker, Dottie Hawk, Debbie Heidelberger, Teresa Webb, Steven Keller, Steve "The Bird Man of London" Donnella and Leo Ware.

Saturday there will be live music and dance demonstrations.  Food available from Citizen Hash Food Truck both days from 11-3pm.  

Is It Really November?

I had really good intentions about posting regularly on my blog, but time has really just raced by this summer and fall.  My daughter had some very serious health problems and things were pretty tense for a couple of months, but she is really doing well now.  And, I am once again focusing on my artsy endeavors with renewed enthusiasm.  Have lots of things on the schedule and lots of projects I want to complete.

Last weekend (April 26th), I was a dealer at the Louisville Miniature Club Show with my miniature books and fine silver accessories. The Club put on a very well-organized show and they really made the dealers feel welcome.  I had a great time and am pleased to say that I sold some miniatures.  And, I will be going back to Louisville next spring to teach a silver clay miniature class for the Club.  After looking at the club members' miniature exhibits on display at the show, I know it will be a class that is filled with lots of creative energy.  The  two photos are of the booth that Phyllis Brown and I shared.  (My books and silver are in the photo on the left.)  Phyllis (in the photo on the right) does lots of miniature ceramics and laser-cut wooden pieces.  (Her laser work is fabulous!!)

As the Sales Room Chair for the 2014 Online Houseparty, I have also been busy recruiting dealers for the houseparty which will take place next April.  This is something new for NAME, but I think it is going to a really great event.  It is a great opportunity to attend a miniature convention without hotel and transportation expenses.  And, you can attend the online events in your PJs if you want and shop 24/7.

This week, I am hanging my prints at the Irvington branch of the Indianapolis Public Library.  They will be up for the rest of November and December.  I love hanging my work there--the staff are great and the hanging system is really wonderful.  Once I get them hung I will post some photos.  Then the following week I will be back at the library to install some of my miniatures in one of the display cases in the entry hall.  I will  post photos of that exhibit also.

And, then the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 23-24) I will be very busy at the Autumn Art Fair at the Garfield Park Art Center in Indy.  I will be there selling my fused glass jewelery and some prints.  See my next post--probably Tuesday for more details about the show.

Very Busy Spring!

It has been months since I posted anything on my blog.  I always have good intentions about keeping it up, but I get involved in things and the blog goes to the bottom of the list.  So, I have decided that for the remainder of 2013, I will make two posts a month--even if they are really short posts.  Hopefully this will get me back in the habit of posting regularly.

So, what have I been up to?  Well, I am still working on organizing my studio.  That probably won't be done till the end of September now since summer slipped up on me and I am now spending time working in the garden.  I have tilled up one area and I am putting in a cottage garden.  As soon as the basics for that are completed, I will start on my fairy garden.  I am really excited about the fairy garden--I want to get as much done on that as I can this summer, but it is probably a two year project.  And, yes, I am getting up early to garden before it gets too hot.

In April, I attended the big miniature show in Chicago ( Tom Bishop Chicago International Show)

and took a few classes.  And then in May I attended the NAME (National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts) regional convention (a "houseparty" in miniature-speak) in Lexington, KY.  I had a great time; took several classes there also.  Now I have more unfinished projects.


At Lexington, I also taught a miniature silver clay class.  Had great students and everyone finished their projects--a fine silver picture frame and a lidded trinket bowl.  I was really excited about how well everyone's projects turned out.  Miniaturists are great students!!  If you would like to see more pictures of my fine silver miniatures, please visit my Miniature Gallery page.

And, coming up on July 13, I will be teaching a two miniature bookmaking workshops at the Museum of Miniature Houses in Carmel, Indiana.  The morning class will be focused on faux books and the afternoon will be spent making an "open" book and a book with readable text.

Make a single book to lay on a table or make a bookshelf full.
We will age the pages to make our opened book look ancient	And tiny books can be readable!

For more information and to register for one or both of my bookmaking classes visit the Museum website

Hope you have a great weekend!!

Organizing is Hard Work

Well, I am working hard on getting my studio organized. However, re-organizing the studio is leading to re-organizing the library, the enclosed porch, the basement, and most of the house. And, since my house is small that leads to chaos like this--

   

I have the tables stacked as I try to sort out tools, books, notebooks, etc.  And, there is more to come--there just isn't any more room on the tables.  And, I am convinced once I get everything organized it will all fit.  And, more importantly, I will once again be able to work efficiently without spending time looking for tools or beads or wood strips or ...

And, now back to sorting, labeling and arranging.

Simplifying and Organizing

2013 is my year for organization and simplification.  The first step towards simplification was to merge my blog and website.  So, the information from my Magickal Dragon Designs website is now being merged into this blog.  This means everything is in one place and hopefully I will do a better job in 2013 of posting regularly and keeping my classes and events pages current.

This is also more cost-effective, since I am no longer paying for hosting service for my website only the registration fee for my domain (hodgepodgestudio.com).  Actually for the next 18 months or so I will continue to pay for registering the domain for magickladragondesigns.com also.  And, for my gallery pages to show examples of some of my jewelry and miniatures, I am using Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com.  This FREE app pulls your images from another source, such as Flickr or Facebook and puts them together in a photo array that links to the originals larger images.  You just copy the HTML code to your blog or website.  And, so far it seems to be working well.  Let me know if you experience any problems with my gallery pages.

I am still tidying up loose ends on the web and making sure that I have good links from my old website to thissite.  But, hopefully by the end of the year all of that will be done.

Now, I need to start on step 2.  I moved my studio home in 2011 and never really got properly organized..  I am just one of those people who works better when all of my supplies and materials are categorized, boxed, and labelled.  So, that is the next project.  My former dining room is my studio/teaching space which works fine, but I have been spending more time trying to find things than I have creating art.  I also have a slight issue with my kitties--Cordelia and Isis.  They both think that my worktable is a great place to lay down or, worse yet, bat around small things like tiny silver bowls and then hide them.  So, this is going to be a challenge but I have already purchased a rolling work table and storage cubes as a starter.  So, you might want to check back and see how this all come together.

5th Annual Autumn Art Fair This Weekend

We would love to have you join us this weekend for the Autumn Art Fair sponsored by Indy Parks & Recreation at the Garfield Park Arts Center at 2432 Conservatory Drive on Indy’s near Southside.  We will be open on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM AND ON SUNDAY, FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.  This show features hand-created, family-friendly, affordable art (50¢ -$500) from over 40 Hoosier artists.  You just may just find that perfect piece of art for your home or truly unique gifts for those special people on your holiday gift-giving list.  Free admission!  Free parking!  And door prizes!
 

I will be there with my fused glass jewelry and fine art prints.  There will also be painters, sculptors, potters, basket makers, fiber artists, jewelry makers and more. 

And, you don’t want to miss the live entertainment.  Drama and some comedy come from the Garfield Shakespeare Company.  Garfield Park Arts Center Dance Teachers Ali-Munger, Faten and Brenda Perkins, show off their talents and their students on Saturday around 1 pm. The extraordinary ManualAires and their energetic director Mr. Spencer Lloyd will surprise us. Musicians Andy Wysong and Friends always entertain us with some smooth golden oldies.

And just in case you haven’t visited Garfield Park recently, here are DIRECTIONS::

From I-65, take Exit 109 W. onto Raymond St.  Pass Shelby St. & S. Garfield Dr.  At the light, veer left (SW) onto Pleasant Run Pkwy.  Opposite the fire station, turn left (south) onto Conservatory Dr.  Go straight, cross 2 bridges, & turn right into our parking lot.  GPAC is built into the side of the bluff.

INDYGO ROUTE #22 goes down Shelby along the east side of Garfield Park about a block from GPAC.  We are west of the Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens across the creek.

Hope to see you there!!

May is a Busy Month

I have good intentions about blogging, but I always get busy and May, so far, has been extremely so.  I have a contract for providing the technical edits for a jewelry making book--6 chapters done and waiting for the last 3 from the publisher now.  I also have had several one-on-one computer consultations helping people resolve their software and internet issues.  I managed to get some new work down to the Southside Art League for the Second Friday opening for their latest show--Rhythms and Movement.  And, I am also teaching a jewelry making class at Garfield--this is the last week for the class.

And, of course, I am working hard on getting everything prepared for my two silver clay miniature classes that I am teaching at the Museum of Miniature Houses on June 2.  (Additional information on my Classes page.)  If you want to try something new in miniatures, I think there are a few openings left--but don't wait too long.  And, of course, I have lots of work to do on the pieces I will be exhibiting at the Sci-Fi & Fantasy show at the Garfield Park Art Center in July.  Check the What Else Am I Doing page for more details..

Chicago Miniature Shows

I just got back from Chicago--a great few days immersed in the miniature world.  I took three classes including the 1:144 Leather Bound Books in a Bookcase Class.  The books, which are 2 - 4 mm in length do open.  The books were great fun to make and our instructors--Tine Krinjnen & Rachel Roet--were wonderful.  I hope they are back next year so I can take another class.  I took two other classes also--Wire Your Miniature Settings with Tim Kraft and working with the Jewelry Saw with Diane Almedya.  Both of these classes were very informative and the instructor's really know their subject matter.

Then on Friday, I attended the Bishop Show all-day preview.  This is a great way to see the show.  Yes there are 600 people in attendance but that is much less than on the regular show days and you can actually stop and talk to the dealers and browse leisurely without feeling like you are keeping other people from being able to visit a booth.  Saturday, I wondered over to the IMA show and Sunday made another trip back thru the Bishop show before I headed back to Indy.  I loved the browsing and admiring--but, of course, I also spent some money.  Another book kit from Tine, some QS furniture kits from Templewood Miniatures (owned by Alan and Kathryn from the UK), some 1/144th scale roomboxes, and a random assortment of other minis, including a 1" scale mortar and pestle for my Wizard's Potion Room.

My only disappointment was that with my classes and the Bishop Preview show, I didn't make it to Three Blind Mice.  I will definitely schedule next year so that I make that show also.  Yes, I am already planning for next year.

2012 Indiana State Day - Your Heart's Desire Emporium

This weekend I attended my first NAME event--Indiana State Day in Shipshewana.  It was wonderful.  I drove up to Shipshewana Friday afternoon, so I could participate in the evening events.  There were some make-it and take-its as well as the Shoebox Sale.  It was great fun.  Then on Saturday, we had a wonderful breakfast followed by the morning workshop where we started building our shelving units for the emporium.  We also received a kit for creating a very elegant hatbox and other boxes and were instructed on completing the hatbox.  All of the luncheon centerpieces were quite creative--I particularly liked the bright colors of Alice in Wonderland centerpiece...  But, I didn't win a centerpiece.

A  Real Emporium

An Art Gallery

Then after lunch the emporiums created by the steering committee members and many of the volunteers  were unveiled.  Each one was different and each a treasure.  And, of course, they were emporiums so there were so many things to look at you just couldn't see everything in just one look.  Then with lots of help from the committee and the volunteers we were all able to get our emporium shells put together.    And, now mine is setting waiting for me to do something with it.  What type of emporium does my heart desire?  And, there were some great State Day Helpers, but I didn't win one.  My favorite was this elegant little art gallery. 

Museum of Miniature Houses

I started volunteering at the Museum of Miniature Houses in Carmel today.  This was actually my volunteer training day.  They have a wonderful collection of miniatures and if you haven't had a chance to visit the museum I highly recommend that you add it to your list of great places to visit in Central Indiana.  To get a peek at some of their collection visit their website

Creative Journeys - First Meeting This Sunday

Page from co-instructor
Moon Stump's sketchbook

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? Would you like an opportunity to meet with others who share your interest and be inspired by their work? Are you interested in sharing information on the newest pens, paints, and other supplies? Then join us this Sunday, January 8, 3 - 5 pm at the Garfield Park Art Center for our first meeting. This group is open to journal and sketchbook artists of any skill level. We'll discuss methods, materials, and media. At every meeting we'll have discussion, share our work, and engage our minds with a fun sketching/journaling exercise.

Our meetings will continue on the second Sunday of each month.  Free and no pre-registration required.

All About Red Show Opens on Friday, January 6

The All About Red show featuring interpretive art from the Southside Art League artists opens on Friday, January 6, from 4-8 pm. The SALI Gallery is located at 299 East Broadway in Greenwood.  This show will remain up through the end of February.  

“100 YEARS OF INDY PARKS” EXHIBITION

Opens December 3

Ten Indianapolis-based artists were invited to provide their creative interpretations of Indy Parks’ impact on the community over the past 100 years and in the future for the “100 Years of Indy Parks” exhibition at Garfield Park Arts Center located at 2432 Conservatory Drive on Indy’s near southside.  I am honored to be one of those ten artists; the other participating artists are Mint Evans, Clyde Gaw, Emma Overman, Quincy Owens, Dianna Porter, Erin Swanson, Chris Tower, Justin Vining and Kevin Wilson.  Along with our pieces which are available for purchase, the exhibition includes photographs and narratives about some of the City’s 207 parks properties.

I do hope that you will be able to join us and the Indy Parks staff from 5 to 7 p.m. on December 3 for the exhibition’s opening reception featuring live music performed by classical guitarist Samuel Lawson as well as light refreshments. Visitors may also create a 100-year commemorative clay tile as a keepsake and record memories and stories of times spent in the City’s parks. 

The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will continue through January 15, 2012 during regular Garfield Park Arts Center hours.  The Garfield Park Arts Center is open Wednesday and Thursday from 2-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

More Classes - New Location

And more and more classes!  In September I will begin offering classes at the Southside Art League in Greenwood.  And, I am trying to keep my Classes page updated as I add new classes to my schedule.

Classes at the Southside Art League

Beginning in September I will be also be teaching class at the Southside Art League (SALI) at 229 E. Broadway in Greenwood.  Here are the September classes.

A Charming Charm
Thursday, September 8, 1:00 – 3:30 pm

This class is a brief introduction to the fascinating world of silver metal clay—where you form a piece of jewelry with clay, fire it in a kiln or with a torch and it becomes fine silver (99.9% pure silver)..  Participants will create two to three small charms as they learn about some of the basic techniques for working with metal clay.   All necessary tools and materials are provided by the instructor.  Ages 14 and up.  Pre-registration is required for this class.  Cost:  $30.00

Artful Wire Bending
4 Thursdays, September 15 – October 6. 1:00 – 3:30 pm

Bend and twist your cares away while you learn to make copper wire jewelry.  This class is an introduction to making simple wire jewelry and the tools needed for basic wire bending.  Participants will create 2 pairs of earrings, a freeform wire pendant, 2 wire rings, forged wire earrings, and a narrow copper cuff  bracelet.  These same skills once learned can then be applied to making more complex copper jewelry pieces and to working with sterling silver and gold-filled wire.  All necessary tools and materials are provided by the instructor.   Ages 14 and up.  Pre-registration is required for this class.   Cost:  $53.00

Contact me for more information or to pre-register for one of the SALI classes via email at marti@magickaldragondesigns.com or by phone at 317-402-4999.  And visit the SALI website at http://www.southsideartleague.org/
 to check out the other classes they are offering.

Two New Classes at Garfield Park Art Center

It is all about classes!  I am continuing to add new classes to my schedule and I have  two new classes on the fall schedule at Garfield Park Art Center.


.Visual Journaling 101
6 Sundays, October 2 – November 13, 1 – 3 pm
No class on October 16
I am co-teaching this class with Moon Stumpp.

In this six week class you will be introduced to techniques and tips for keeping a visual journal using primarily ink and paint.  We will begin by discussing the various paper, paints and inks used for journaling.  Then we will begin working on various journaling techniques that you can incorporate into your personal journal, including creating fabulous page backgrounds, laying out your journal page, adding text and much more.

For this class you will need to provide your own journal and pens, but Garfield Art Center will be supplying the paint and other journaling supplies.  And, if you don't already have a journal, just come to the first class where we will talk about  journals and pens, and even some alternative journaling options.  Cost:  $65.00


Jewelry:  Cold Connections
4 Thursdays, November 3 - 17. 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Cold connections are jewelry making techniques in which metals and found objects are attached without the use of glues or soldering.  In the class make a pendants using several different cold connection methods, including riveting, screwing with nuts and bolts, and attaching eyelets.  Pre-registration is required for this class.  Cost:  $30.00 plus a $10.00 supply kit fee.

Pre-registration is required for all of my classes.  For more information and to register for Garfield Park Art Center classes call 327-PARK or visit the Indy Parks website at http://www.indparks.org/.

Come Celebrate with Us This Saturday

This Saturday, June 25 from 11 AM to 4 Pm is Celebrate Irvington. Events include the 4th Annual Celebrate Irvington Art Walk featuring over 35 artists, including me. I will be at George Thomas Florist at 5609 E. Washington Street. In addition to having an opportunity to see and buy some great art there are a lot of other things going on-- grand opening and anniversary celebrations of local businesses, the annual fish fry at the Irvington Presbyterian Church, the Irvington Guild of Artists Collectors Show at the Bona Thompson Memorial

Center, shopping, dining, games, and much more.

So please come out this Saturday and join the CELEBRATION and please stop by my table to say hello.

Prints on Display at Bjava

There is still a chance to see my prints on display at Bjava Coffee and Tea at 5510 Lafayette Road.  My prints will be up through July 6h.  So, if you get a chance, stop by and enjoy a good cup of coffee and see what I have been printing.