Spring is in the Air! A New Wreath and Class

My newest book page wreath uses several different books including dictionaries, fiction novels, and children's books. I started making rolled flowers and folded/cut flowers.  No rhyme no reason.  Just making flowers that were pretty. 

The rolled flowers are easy to make and require little effort. When making them out of paper, you do need to have a glue gun or glue dots available to hold the centers in place but otherwise they are simple rolled spiral cut circles. For a great tutorial, check out Joanne B at Splitcoast Stamping/. 


The "crumpled" flower are even easier.  Use square pieces of paper -- any size -- I was using 4" squares for the bigger "petals".  Fold one in half, then half again to make a square.  Then fold the folded edge towards the two folded sides forming a triangle.  Remember when we made paper snowflakes as kids?  Same folding.  Then cut a little heart shape from the folded side to the two folded sides.  Unfold the "flower". 

You will make 4 petals like this for each flower.  Stack them and push a scrap-booking brad through all layers and secure.  You now have a flat 4-layer flower.  Starting with the top layer, crumple it around the brad, then do the same to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th layers around all of the layers before it.  Simply loosen the crumpled petals from around the brad and Voila! a flower.  Attach it to your wreath with hot glue.

Using pages from children's books, really adds color and texture.  Any paper will work - explore your collection.  Go on and do it.  

Special Session -- Your Passion -- Your Career

Join us as we explore the power of a Renaissance Soul and what it can do for YOU!  Learn how to focus on your passions The Renaissance Way.  You will discover how easy it is to identify and articulate your heart’s desires.   

After this workshop, you will feel fully empowered and at ease to live as the swan you are meant to be and not as a duck.    Here is more of what you can expect:   

1.      Gain clarity in which direction to focus on to achieve the success you desire.

2.      Discover the values and beliefs that are limiting and in your way

3.      Visualization exercises to get you on your right track.    (meditation & vision board)  

4.      Develop a manageable step-by-step plan of action honoring your talents, interests, and passions. 

5.      Interactive activities to explore how to have a JOB compliment your passion pursuits.

6.      How to eliminate the competition between a JOB and your passion. 

7.      How to focus when faced with multiple choices.    

8.      Design a personal creative Renaissance visual journal as your map to following your heart’s desires

9.      Gain insight on the myths keeping you from living and embracing your uniqueness. 

10.  Be inspired and motivated that “yes you can.” 

Facilitators:  Theresa Maria Napa, CPCC, LOACC, Certified Career Coach & Shari Pontillo, Owner of Twisted Fiber Studio.

Your Passion -- Your Career - February 17th

Come out and see us!  This topic is a particular passion of mine.  The Renaissance Soul Way has been instrumental in my path to entrepreneurship as well as understanding myself better.  Learn how it can help you.

Register here.

All Dressed Up!

My newest creations - All Dressed Up and no where to go!  These dress mannequins are fun to make as your own. 

CLASS - Flourishing Careers for the Renaissance Soul

Many of you have heard me talk about the career coaching I have had after corporate life to figure out my next step. One of the great things I discovered was that I'm a Renaissance Soul. That was instrumental for me in taking the steps to lay out my path for Twisted Fiber Studio (among other incredible things). It solved a few mysteries about myself and how I plan and do things. But what does Renaissance Soul mean?

Well, on Wednesday, October 15th, Theresa Maria Napa and I will be co-leading a FREE session on Flourishing Careers for the Renaissance Soul at Creative Co-working in Evanston. Event details are in the event section and below. We do ask for people to RSVP so we can ensure we are setup to accommodate.Of course there will be a creative aspect to it! I'm involved.  It is immediately after work so we know that may be a challenge for some but what if this is the key to unlocking your next step?  What if?

There's a Prize...

Twisted Fiber Studio is partnering with Right Track Coaching to offer workshops/webinars that inspire, motivate, and bring clarity to our lives through experiential and creative sessions.  To gauge your needs, we are asking each of you to participate in the following survey.  One lucky, randomly selected, respondent will receive a prize – a handmade journal from Twisted Fiber Studio and “21 Day Leadership e-Course – From Passion to Mastery.

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DRPZWCT

Dress Up: Newest class - Make your own Doll Dress Mannequin

A sample of my newest class.  Details will be available on twistedfiberstudio.com soon.  

The Power of Overwhelm! Really?!! -- a workshop

Feeling Overwhelmed??

On July 12th, my good friend, Theresa Maria Napa and I will be collaborating on a hands on workshop on July 12th in the Chicago area, "The Power of Overwhelm!! REALLY?!!" 

Who hasn't felt overwhelmed, now or in the past?  Its power over our lives is incredible.  Come find out how to eliminate its power over you.  Theresa is an amazing coach who works with her clients to explore, dream, and discover the true path for their life and career. 

This class is open to everyone and you can register here.  At the end of the class you will walk away with a handmade journal for success, and new tools to handle feelings of overwhelm in your life.

What is felting?

Notes from Shari

During the past two weeks, celebrations have been the main theme around our house with our 5th wedding anniversary and my husband's birthday (a significant one).  So first a weekend away for us and then a fabulous bowling party with our family and friends to ring in hubby's birthday!  He loved it.  
 

Where to find Shari

May 20   Lisle Memorial Public Library -- Petite Images (Book Page Collage)
May 27   Inverness Park District -- Introduction to Felting

August 1 -- Midwest Fabric & Folk Art Fair, Lake County Fairgrounds -- Fabric Painting with Fruit & Veggies (Public Show)
continue reading...http://eepurl.com/TQYNb

Snow, Life, and Generalities

Already it is time for the clocks to change this weekend.  And not soon enough in my mind after this winter! It's a sign of spring. Like all of us I am tired of dealing with the snow.  At least condo living means we don’t have to shovel.  That’s the up side of condo living.  

So what am I doing to look forward to spring?  Buying potting soil to re-pot indoor plants. And yes re-potting them.  

And trying some new ideas for classes…

These sweet sequined broaches are adorable and glam up any outfit!  I see them on my jean jacket soon.

Fabric painting wasn’t done!  I had to dress up the ones I had made for a class as my sample and add more stamps (using Claudine Hellmuth STUDIO stamps) to add in more graphic details.  I will be making more!  (Yes the flowers were made with celery as a stamp.)

Enjoy your Wednesday!

 

 
       

Classes this week!

The past two days provided me an opportunity to teach two more fantastic groups of women.  On Tuesday, I was at Indian Prairie Public Library in Darien.  Librarian Cindy Kline had asked me to come teach Felt Flower Pins and I must say it was a fun night and a great facility.  Ladies - you made me laugh and I sincerely thank those that came out not feeling their best!    I look forward to seeing you all again in the future.  Check out a couple photos from that class on the library Facebook page.  Indian Prairie Library Facebook Page

Recycled book page Christmas Trees was the star attraction last night at the Lisle Library.  We had a full house, a lot of fun, and oh yeah some gorgeous trees.  Adult Librarian Mike Monahan took the photos. Aren't thye great?

Thanks Mike!  and thanks to all of you. 

Felting Class Thank you!

Tuesday night was a great time at the Geneva Public Library.  One person was overheard saying on her way out:  “This is the best Library program I have attended.”

You are a fantastic group of people. Did you imagine we'd make that many suds?  Enjoy your soaps and pins!

Happy Halloween!

Felting time of year

The weather cools off (finally) and I think of warm things like wool and felting.  Seriously.  Later this month on 22 October, I will be at the Geneva Public Library teaching an intro to felting class.  I am looking forward to this one!  I've been making samples at home of the few items we'll be making in the class, including a book mark. 

At the end of the class we'll also be making a felted soap!  If you live in that area, come on out and sign up!

Monarch Festival in Waukegan

Twisted Fiber Studio will be at the Monarch Festival -- our first time -- advertising our classes and selling some of our wares.  Come visit us on Sunday 8 September from 1-4pm across the street from the library at the corner of Clayton and County in Waukegan, IL!

Hope to see you there.

 

Spring is here and so are classes

Spring is here in the Chicago area. The trees are gorgeous with their little buds and flowers. Having all of the windows open allowing the breeze to sweep through the house and freshen everything up is one of my favorite things. Recently, though it's been about cleaning out drawers, closets and cabinets. I find I need less and want less as the clutter can be overwhelming and even restrictive. So many new ideas and ways to look at things are coming at me without that clutter. I look at everything and see potential for another piece of art -- a quilt, a wallhanging, a canvas, and a journal. Inspiration comes regularly and at unusual times. As spring continues and summer approaches I wonder what other ideas will come to me. What classes can I take that will either teach me a new technique or just be a chance to share creative time with other like minded artists? What classes can you take to do the same? What new idea could you do with friends or even at your children's parties?

Check out the link detailing the classes we offer. Please contact us at sharilynn@twistedfiberstudiodotcom.

Happy Spring!

 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxtGe5X6YapYM25rLU1kMWtYeWM/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you to the...

great group of ladies at the Wauconda Area Public Library who took our wreath making class last night.   Sue and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves; you are all a whole lot of fun.   All of the wreaths created with book pages are fantastic and will look wonderful in your homes.  See for yourself - here are two photos.

  

 

We are looking forward to coming back this summer to teach more classes.  Yes the journal class is definitely on our list.  See you soon and enjoy!



Thursday's class

This past Thursday, I was at the Indian Trails Public Library, to teach my handmade journal class.  What an uUnbelievably cold and windy day.  The class wasn't going to be very large but this wonderful January-in-Chicago weather may have chased a few away.  We had a small but fun class.  A young lady joined her older sister, thinking she'd just hang out with us.  My immediate response was "she can make one too."  Her sister had assumed that she couldn't since it was a class for teens BUT all we had to do was help her with the sharp tools (awl and needle) and she could make her own journal.  An art book as she named it. 

We all thoroughly enjoyed her skull decorations with their googly eyes (thanks to Sarah Heimsoth at the library for finding those).  Very nicely done.  I hope you can see the detail in their photos below. 

Do you see the eyes? One of them has one red eye and one black eye!