This tour is the best EVER!  We keep getting more and more artists who haven’t even heard of epoxy clay and they are blown away!  Now how fun is that  : )

Today Lesley Venable is your creative hostess.  It’s so fun having such talented friends as Lesley.  Lesley is one of the rising stars on the art retreat circuit.  It’s much easier to list where she isn’t teaching because she is everywhere!  In fact she just wrapped up teaching at Art & Soul in Hampton VA yesterday and is on the road back home.  So how sweet is it of her that Flatwoods Folk Arts is the host site today and to sponsor the tour with one of her fabulous online workshops from her Art Of Altering site.

MORE EPOXY ARTWORK

Firstly I wanted to tell you that I have absolutely gorgeous identical twin daughters so perhaps I love this wondrous creation more than most.  One of the great things of doing this tour is introducing artists to epoxy clay and also to showcase artists that have not been “discovered”.  This is certainly one of them.  I had never heard of her or seen her work but OMG is this fantastic or what.  And my twins both love it too!!

All I know of this very talented artist is the little I’ve learned from her etsy profile.  I’ve convo’d her and hope that she will stop by and let us know more about her.

I absolutely would buy this doll if I had $2,400.  Words cannot describe how much I love them.  How about you?!?!?

Also wanted to share today a piece I made which is a dancing mechanical mermaid.  Here is the pic– she just looks like a solid doll in her little sea shanty right?

But when you see the video you’ll soon realize that through the magic of epoxy clay each scale is actually sewn on and which allows her to swish her tail as she dances!

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OK blog hoppers I’m off to run some errands.  If you want to register for my giveaways, see the hop schedule, etc. just go to Day 1 here.

Wow!!!  Wow!!! Wow!!! Yesterday was so fun.  The turnout for the kick off still has me giddy.

And speaking of giddy, my lovely and talented friend, Alicia, is the host for today’s stop.  You will definitely want to see her amazing and I mean AMAZING artwork.  Her site is so fantastic I don’t think people are really prepared for what they’ll see .  So now that you’ve been properly warned here is where you will want to be today if you go nowhere else!!

ANOTHER GREAT DEAL!

To celebrate the unprecedented turnout I’ve added an additional deal-ski on my most popular workshop, Resin Clay Pendants.  I knocked the price down to a crazy amount and am offering $5 off for the Inspired Remnants Tour blog hoppers.  So is $15 low enough for an online workshop or WHAT?!?!?     I thought of doing this after reading a comment from someone who already owns the book wishing she could get in on the fun of a workshop.  All my workshops were bundled with the book so it’s like I completely forgot about all the people that already have the book.   So very silly of me!

So now here is the full (revised list) of everything I’m offering to celebrate the tour . . .

Just mention that you saw this on Remnants Of Olde blog when checking out through Paypal and you will receive the $5 back.

A) Resin Clay Pendants Workshop + Book = $35 + shipping (only $30 for blog hoppers)

B) Vintage Gentleman Workshop + Book = $40 + shipping (only $35 for blog hoppers)

C) Both Workshops + Book = $70 + shipping (only $65 for blog hoppers)

D) Do you already have the book and would like a really great deal on my most popular online workshop?!?!? Well here it is! The Resin Clay Pendants Workshop is only $20 (and only $15 for blog hoppers)!!

E) Signed copies of my book are available here

NEW GIVEAWAY PRIZE

I’ve also added another giveaway because I want to really celebrate how well this tour is going and how much fun everyone seems to be having.  It’s really way beyond my wildest dreams at this point.

Custom Charlotte Locket

So this is something from my heart to make something from the epoxy clay especially for one of my winners.  If you haven’t left a comment for the prize drawing yet, just go to yesterday’s post here.  And if you’d like multiple chances to win by sharing info about the book tour!!! When you leave your comment just say where you posted (facebook, twitter, your blog, etc.) Each post is worth one entry in my drawing!

SOME FEATURED ARTWORK

This is a piece I’ve admired for some time.  It was made by Laura Friedman Buzard, one of very first students in the Mechanical Bird workshop we teach.   This was also our first big art retreat and so we were understandably a bit nervous.  Well of course there was the most smart-alecky student in there.  She was asking the craziest questions and making so many wise cracks I instantly adored here (being that I am a wise cracker myself).  And you guessed it that was Laura!!!

So no big surprise when she came up to us and wanted to know how to “substitute” a Charlotte doll head for the bird head and doll arms for the bird wings.  Through the magic of epoxy clay it was not hard at all.   Here is the result!  Isn’t it just fabulous?!?!?   It’s so inspiring I plan to make something similar some day soon.

Starts right here right now!

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IF YOU WANT TO LEARN!

If you’d like to try it yourself (and you know you do!) I’m offering three really fun options to really dive in.

I’m teaching online workshops on how to work with epoxy clay, so here is some info for you in case you want to give it a try. Book & Online Workshop Bundles – special pricing of $5 off during the tour. All you need to do is put that you saw this on Remnants Of Olde blog when checking out through Paypal and you will receive the $5 back.

"Beyond Measure" Resin Clay Pendants Workshop

A) Resin Clay Pendants Workshop + Book = $35 + shipping (only $30 for blog hoppers)

Vintage Gentleman Textured Resin online workshop

B) Vintage Gentleman Workshop + Book = $40 + shipping (only $35 for blog hoppers)

C) Both Workshops + Book = $70 + shipping (only $65 for blog hoppers)

D) Do you already have the book and would like a really great deal on my most popular online workshop?!?!? Well here it is! The Resin Clay Pendants Workshop is only $20 (and only $15 for blog hoppers)!!

Signed copies of my book are available here

BOOK TOUR INTRO

The typical book tour back in the day (and even today) is held in bookstores with personal author signing events.   More and more they are being held online.  Which especially makes sense with the huge trend for digital books rapidly gaining on printed versions.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about just google “Amanda Hocking” or go here and be prepared for a shock.

So about this event. . . Even  though it’s technically called a book tour it isn’t even really about the book.  I know, I know.   As the author I should be focusing on hawking books (or hocking as the case may be!).  But I didn’t write the book for that purpose.  Because there is something much larger going on here.   It’s about The Clay.

After using epoxy clay for at least a decade I kept looking around and wondering when the heck someone would let the “secret” out.  Finally I couldn’t take it any longer and that’s how Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams came to be.   It’s about The Clay (sorry for repeating myself myself)

When Charley and I teach workshops together we get to see the magic first hand.

Mechanical Bird workshop

The little spark of realization of what our students are holding in their hands– 100% pure potential.  Unlimited possibilities.  We say it often at the beginning of class but no one really “gets” it at first.  THEN it happens.    The light of realization shining brightly in artist’s eyes.   “OMG you can make anything with this stuff”.  That’s what I’m talking about and that’s what this event is really about!!!  It is helping to get the word out that a magical art material exists and has been largely overlooked.  It is celebrating those artists who have discovered it– the pioneers– and what they are doing with it.  It is confirming that although hard to believe at first that anything that can be dreamed of can now be made.  And thanks to the use of molds not even sculptural skills are required.

This is so far reaching it affects nearly every kind of artist.  Frames for paintings, findings and beads  and bezels for jewelry, amazing components for assemblage, strong armatures under weaker materials like polymer clay are just a start!  The clay is a strong adhesive so joining unusual materials for found object art becomes much simpler and in some cases making an impossible join possible.   Once cured it is oh so strong that it can be drilled, sanded and tapped.  We use it in so many ways to make our mechanical art pieces (automata) such as  in the Mechanical Bird workshop.  Taxidermy artists use it.  Model and toy makers use it.  OK this is crazy but true– there are people who are building *theme parks* with it.

I think back to when polymer clay was first coming out.  And metal clay.  This is huge like that.  Or at least it seems to be unfolding that way so far.

So now do you see how simply silly it would be to try to have a “typical” book tour when an artistic revolution is taking place?

Thank  you for joining in on this exciting and revolutionary  event.   I hope you will visit all the blogs in this tour.  There are many wondrous things being done, giveaways will be won, and clay will be hardening in the sun.  We will be celebrating from now through May 19.  The last location is meeting up on the Facebook page I created for all epoxy clay artists– newer and more experienced– to show their work and share about the clay.  I mean The Clay.  : )

And in case you were wondering all the pieces above have at least some epoxy clay. And none of them could be made quite the same way without The Clay!

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SCHEDULE

May 1
Kerin Gale
Remnants of Olde: http://RemnantsOfOlde.com/posts

May 2
Alicia Caudle
Altered Bits: http://alteredbits.wordpress.com/

May 3
Lesley Venable
Flatwoods Folk Art: http://www.flatwoodsfolkart.typepad.com/

May 4
Christine Lehto
Lilly Bug Studio: http://lillybugstudio.com/blog/

May 5
Seth Apter
The Altered Page: http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/

May 6
Nancy Perennec
Little Bit Wired: http://littlebitwired.blogspot.com/

May 7
Jen Cushman
ICE Queen Zine: http://www.iceresin.com/category/inspired-remnants-blog-tour/

May 8
Happy Mother’s Day!

May 9
Beth Robinson
Strange Dolls: http://strangedolls.wordpress.com/

May 10
Brenda Schweder
Brenda Schweder Jewelry: http://www.brendaschweder.com/

May 11
Esther Verschoor
Vanessie Art Dolls: http://vanessies.blogspot.com

May 12
Kecia Deveny
Lemoncholy’s Flight of Fancy: http://www.lemoncholys.blogspot.com/

May 13
Rachel Whetzel
A Year In The Life Of An Art Journal: http://oneyearartjournal.blogspot.com/

May 14
Shannon LeVart
MissFickleMedia.com: http://missficklemediacom.blogspot.com/

May 15
Marlaine Verhelst
Marlaine Verhelst Art Dolls: http://marlaineverhelst.com/blog/

May 16
Lisa Jurist
Mud Hound Studio: http://mudhoundprimitives.blogspot.com/

May 17
Michelle Bernard
Yesterday’s Trash: http://michellereneebernard.blogspot.com/

May 18
Kerin Gale
Remnants of Olde – Alan Rogerson feature: http://RemnantsOfOlde.com/posts

May 19
Facebook Party!
Apoxie Clay & Epoxy Clays Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_158159677562761

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SOME FEATURED ARTWORK

OK so this is one of those funny “back stories” that you’d likely never hear. My good buddy Jean Van Brederode submitted this fabulous and funny piece entitled “Exotic Dancer Heart Necklace”. Now I thought it was hilarious and really wanted it in the book but it was nixed because of the risque nature of it or something to that effect (yeah nipples are so insulting to polite society). So look what did make it in the book– this fabulous piece by Michael deMeng. I love them both and if it were up to me they *both* would be in the book and all 10 nipples (2 from Jean and 8 from Michael) would be in the book. Now what do you think of THAT!!!

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MUCH MORE

There is so much to share and so I will be joining you again on this tour. And maybe even more than the schedule says with cool deals on clay and such! And there are so many amazing artists both on the tour and that will be joining us all at the end for the big Facebook party! But for now I will tell you how to get the prizes and then call it a day.

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GIVEAWAYS!!! *

Just leave a comment for one entry to win one of these fabulous prizes (every blog on the tour has about this many so hooray!). Get more chances to win by sharing info about the book tour!!! When you leave your comment just say where you posted (facebook, twitter, your blog, etc.) Each post is worth one entry in my drawing!

1) One Aves Power Pack (selection of their most popular formulas) from http://AvesStudio.com

2) Fluid Chalks Online Workshop by Lesley Venable on her The Art Of Altering site which features many other awesome online workshops http://theartofaltering.ning.com/group/fluidchalksbackgroundsbeyond

3) Two Digital Collage Sheets by Alicia Caudle of Altered Bits. You can see her very unique and cool collection here.

4) Sample pack of Silputty 40 silicone putty mold mix from Silpak.

5) 1 OZ ICE Resin and a mixed metal bezel from ICE Resin

6) A copy of Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams

7) I’m especially happy to offer a custom made locket that would be equally at home being worn or hanging around your studio perhaps “supervising” as you work on some exciting new epoxy clay projects : ) This sample one was made for the Christmas holiday but of course it will have whatever inspirational word or saying you’d like plus your preferences of color(s), found objects, embellishments, etc. You can see more about these on my etsy listing here.

Custom Charlotte Locket

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8) GRAND PRIZES FOR BOOK REVIEWS*

Any reader that writes a review ~ however short or long~ of Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams on amazon.com before July 31, 2011 and sends an email with the title “Inspired Remnants Review” to remnants.art@gmail.com will be entered in a drawing to win one of these prizes. Please note that your honest opinion is wanted on this review.

1) The art piece “Sacred Totem” which is featured on the cover of the book

2) Power Pack plus extra Fixit Sculpt clay from Aves Studio

3) Frozen Charlotte Doll with digital tutorial “How To Crackle Charlottes” from Alicia Caudle

4) Resin Clay Pendants online workshop by Kerin Gale

5) Vintage Gentleman online workshop by Kerin Gale

6) Choice of any one workshop being taught by Kerin and Charley at Art Is You retreat in Petaluma, CA. The registration fee and workshop cost are both waived.

7) One copy each of Jen Cushman‘s book, Explore, Create, Resinate and Susan Lenart-Kazmer‘s book, Making Connections plus ICE Resin and a selection of bezels

* Please note prizes include shipping to U.S. addresses only.

Mourning Dove . . .

to finish whip stitching the heavy black silk backing to the lace front.

Still to do . . .

name this (perhaps) and finish attaching antique lace remnants.

Yes, quite.  That lace would definitely be considered remnants of olde.

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks to everyone who came by to visit!

Of the 170 comments, Mr. Random Number Generator determined the winner to be #100 who is Shannon C. of http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/

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If you are a new visitor here, Welcome!  This post is for a world wide blogging event called One World One Heart.

Allow me to introduce myself and share all the details of One World One Heart with you also!

My name is Kerin Gale and I love mixed media art and even more sharing art with other artists– especially at art retreats and online.   The first art retreat I went to was Artfest in Washington state about 12 years ago and it changed Everything for me!

Everything didn’t change all at once on the outside, i.e. in what I as doing in my life, but the seed was started.  I went to more retreats and nourished the dream to be more a part of that world some day.

Then a very traumatic string of events happened and I woke up suddenly very aware of how short and precious life is.  My husband, Charley, felt the same way. So I quit my “real” job and moved near the ocean and started spending much more time doing art.

And now we live in southern Oregon at the coast which is a very beautiful place.  This pic was taken at a beach in Bandon Oregon which is near our house.  We feel very fortunate that people come from all over the world to visit this area and we live here.

Since the move to Oregon I’ve started teaching online classes and at art retreats.  Yay!  I launched a mixed media art site to share with other artists (kind of like an online art party) and so far over 1,400 have joined! And this last year I wrote a book– the first of it’s kind about a little-used but very cool art material.

I love to make art jewelry, mechanical toys and so many other things that my overly active imagination dreams up.  Nearly everything is made from found and recycled objects which adds a lot of fun and it feels good to use these too.  For instance the necklace I’m wearing in the picture above is made from linen thread and beads from a disassembled tire chain.  The part you can’t see is a meat grinder gear with two crabs inside a resin dome.  Well you’d just have to see it to believe it.  : )

It hasn’t always gone smoothly since making all these changes but at least I know that I DID something about it.  I’m not still sitting around wondering “What if?”  For that I’m very glad and feel very blessed.

So that brings you up to date except to let you know that I think the greatest gift I can give you is not something I buy or make but something I teach.  I feel that is really giving a part of myself and sharing something meaningful that I hope you’ll enjoy also.

So my door prize is a free pass to one of my classes called “Resin Clay Hearts”.  They are made of epoxy clay but if you don’t have that clay you could improvise with other types of clays.  Here are the samples from the class.  Please note that you will need a high speed internet connection to view the videos.

Class Sample 1

Class Sample 2

This is open to all bloggers worldwide (you do need to have a blog though!)  To have a chance to win the free workshop, just leave a comment below and make sure I can reach you to notify you if you’re the winner.  The winner will be announced on February 17, 2011.

Now about ONE WORLD ONE HEART . . .

One World One Heart is a worldwide event for bloggers.   It is a chance to meet those they may not have otherwise met from all over the world.   In a very short time you can visit so many new blogs all over the world,  meet the artist AND even have a chance to win their own unique door prize.  All you need to do is go HERE to see the list and start visiting blogs from far and wide (and perhaps even near and narrow!).

It isn’t too late for you to participate (you have until February 12 to submit your post) so if you’d like to join in go HERE for the details.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Kerin

I just got the CS5 Web Design Premium package from Adobe (yay!).  It has Photoshop CS5 and so many other apps.  Anyway I don’t know much about Photoshop and this was the first thingie I did playing around with layers in the new version.

By the way if you or yours work at a school OR are a student, you can get this whole suite of software for $400 instead of over $1700.   All you need to do is show proof to Adobe at the time of purchase.  We even got free shipping.  Such a deal huh!!!

Since the Inspired Remnants book is officially being released this week, I wanted to mention that it’s being offered with my Resin Clay Pendants workshop for only the cost of the workshop itself which is $35.  You can get this sweet little bundle here.  Oh and be sure to use the coupon code to save the 20% off the list price.  I sold quite a few of those bundles over the weekend and I refunded part of the payments on many of them.   I guess that’s a good sign though that they were eager to get the order in.

I’m thrilled that we’ll be teaching at a new retreat in 2011.  One of the classes we’ll be doing inspired me (can an artist actually inspire themselves– that sounds a little funny but I think that’s what happened in this case) to make some lockets like this one that I just listed in the shop-ski.

I would love to make these as a custom item with whatever word or phrase is meaningful along with some found objects.  And of course I could make nearly anything imaginable attached to it out of the epoxy clay.  How fun would that be!

Our Mixed Media Art site’s etsy team is having our first group sale.

We are having our first team sale on etsy and here are the participating shops.  It was kind of a last minute thing we threw together to take advantage of the new coupon feature.  But not a bad turn out considering that!  Just use the coupon code “MMA20″ on any item in any of these shops to save 20%.

Thanks for your support of the Mixed Media Art Etsy Team and hope you find some great (lovingly handmade and unique) gifts for yourself or others in these shops!  : )
http://remnants.etsy.com

http://etsy.com/shop/blacksheepartist

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ByLightOfMoon
http://bylightofmoon.blogspot.com/

http://artwerx.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/debdds

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MelissaStumbo

http://www.nelliewortman.etsy.com

That’s it for now except to wish you all a safe and magical holiday season!