Celebration of Sapphire | Have Paper, Will Travel

Greetings, gentle reader. This is a Celebration of Sapphire Field Report from Penny. Yesterday (11/07/2025), I had the great good fortune to be the Guest Presenter to the Craft Club at Harnett County Early College. For this appearance, I brought along a heap of mixed media (no-mess) art supplies* and shared the wonder that is The Celebration of Sapphire International Mail Art Call with a group of almost 20 eager creators.
*Sharpie markers, gel pens POSCA markers, Art Markers, colored pencils, collage fodder, glue sticks, magazines, circle punches, washi tapes, and a stack of postcards cut from 140# watercolor paper.

After a brief introduction and an overview of the project, they descended on the arrayed materials with laser focus. Markers were grabbed, magazine pages were removed, washi tapes were selected, and the scrap bag of miscellany was plundered. Armed with scissors and glue sticks, the young creators rapidly got to work - crafting their visions in hues of blue….

Let me tell you: 45 minutes was GONE in the blink of an eye! They did lovely things in that short amount of time. My only regret is that I did not manage to get photos of all the works in progress. However, I did manage to gather the group for my standard “circle-of-hands” shot before they dispersed from Craft Club back into their day.

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Not everyone finished during our time together. After these lovely creations are completed, they will wind their way to HQ to be added to our online exhibit. Didn’t they do a wonderful job? My sincere thanks to the other Ms. Weaver (Tatum M Weaver, History Teacher extraordinaire) for the invitation and the opportunity to work with her lovely students. Thanks for having me!

…and if that wasn’t enough, I enjoyed a gorgeous drive back home under beautiful puffy clouds with vibrant pops of autumnal color. Truly a wonderful way to kickoff the weekend! I hope everyone gets to enjoy some fall color and some unbridled creativity this weekend! Hey, why not send us a postcard to commemorate your endeavors?

Until next time,
- plw

Tips on Tuesdays #007: One Stencil Three Ways

Greetings intrepid explorers! Penny here with our latest installment of ToTs. How many stencils do you have? I am (not entirely) embarrassed to say that I don’t actually know!? Let’s just agree that there are many few stencils in my stash and move along (fair enough? ;) For today’s exercise, I have chosen a 6x6 inch stencil that reminds me of the of the gently rolling waves that the dolphins frolic in at the Seaside Sessions house at the beach….

Having chosen my stencil, I grabbed a few postcard blanks (these were cut from larger pieces of 140# watercolor paper) and gathered a few other helpful bits (a mechanical pencil, a Micron pen [0.3], a 1/4 in. roll of washi tape, a fine line grey gel pen (not shown here), and a few blank sheets of copier paper).

To begin, I anchored the blank postcard and the stencil to the blank copier paper with washi tape. The washi tape I selected is the same width as the border of my stencil - this ensured even borders all the way around my postcard. I traced each of the openings on the stencil onto my postcard using the Micron pen. Additionally, so the I would have a “map,” I also traced the corresponding openings onto a blank sheet of paper and numbered them (not shown here).

Remember our friends from ToTs #003 - Security Envelopes? They make a triumphant return this week to fill the sections of my stencil (same thing, only different)! After numbering the openings on my “side sheet,” I used a selection of security envelopes to make the “puzzle pieces” to fill the design. For the tee-niny openings that would be impossible to fill with paper, I used varying shades of blue markers/gel pens.

By tracing the shapes to fill each section on the back of the envelopes, once I flipped them over they were properly oriented to drop into the corresponding placement on the postcard. After tracing lightly with a pencil, I went over the pencil lines with a ball end stylus to emboss the line. To further “loosen the fibers” in the envelope paper, I then went over the embossed line with a fine point gel pen. After that, the pieces could nearly be torn from the envelopes - making a softer line on the edges before gluing them to the postcard.

After all of the pieces were glued in, it seemed like too much white space…. So, I decided to outline the sections with an Ultra Fine Point Sharpie marker. Who knew the standard Sharpie blue was the same color as “security envelope blue”? That tightened things up a bit, so I decided to add dotted lines to the broad white lines that separated the sections. BINGO!

The set up for the 2nd card was much the same: mask the stencil with washi tape, trace inside each segment, and fill. This time, however, I opted for a watercolor fill using a small set of pan watercolors called “Ocean and Forest". Of course, I only had eyes for blues ;)

After filling all of the sections with varying shades & washes of blue, I outlined each with a slightly shimmery gel pen. Once again, the white areas in-between seemed too stark. This time, I filled the white stripes with a silver acrylic paint marker. Much better - I then added a darker, glittery outline. BAM! With the slightest movement under the light, it almost looks like the waves are undulating across the surface of the card.

For the last one, I decided to switch the orientation from landscape to portrait. The setup was much the same: anchor the card to the stencil with washi tape, trace the openings, and fill. This time, I opted to doodle my way to bliss. Using an assortment of blue hued gel pens, I filled each section with a different pattern/color. At the end, I added extra depth/dimension by adding extra fine lines in a neutral grey. Once all of the sections were filled, I was quite pleased with the remaining open space. It provided relief between the various patterns. Each section was outlined in the same grey, lending cohesion to the overall design while providing a subtle visual link between them all.

So, that’s a wrap on this episode of ToTs. Will you take on the challenge of One Stencil Three Ways? Admittedly, the security envelope thing was beyond fiddly; however, I thoroughly enjoyed the practice of creating three very different postcards with the same underlying image. You needn’t replicate my efforts. You could do this exercise with any medium: colored pencils, Sharpie markers, tissue paper, pastels, acrylic paints/markers, crayons…. Like all things creative, the possibilities are endless! I do hope that this has inspired you to look at your materials a bit differently. Further, I hope that you are inspired to join us in The Celebration of Sapphire and create a postcard of your own.

Looking for additional inspiration? Join us on Facebook in The International Mail Art Celebration of Sapphire group to see all of the submissions we have received so far. We can’t wait to see what you come up with*!

Michelle will be back in a couple of weeks with our next ToTs. Until then, stay safe and keep on creating beauty.
~ plw

*and no dilly-dallying - December 31st will be here before we know it!

Celebration of Sapphire #016 | MH

MH
Weissdorf, Bavaria
Germany

Celebration of Sapphire #015 | Pedro Bericat

Pedro Bericat
Zaragoza, Andora
Spain

WOW Wednesday -- Did You Know...

…art strengthens problem-solving and critical thinking skills?

We think it is beyond wonderful that doing something we already enjoy is actually beneficial to our aging minds.  In addition to beautiful scenery and amazing people, Your Creative Connection is good for your brain!  What more reason do you need to join us in October (11-15, 2018)?

Imagine:  4 days in the idyllic setting of Haw River State Park and it’s protected, old-growth forests; all of your meals attended to by the chefs, including a freshly baked treat every afternoon; and the creative merriment of 3 Days, 3 Artists, 1 Surface, and a Show! – all of which is designed to send you home inspired to carry your new enthusiasm for creating into the Holiday season and beyond. 

Your space in the circle is waiting – there are new friends to make, new skills to learn, and the strengthening of your mind at hand!  Your deposit secures your spot for an art retreat experience like none other.  We can hardly wait to share this incredible, creative experience with you!  Register today, it’s not too late to take advantage of our flexible payment options.

WOW Wednesday -- Did You Know...

…what we commonly refer to as Rice Paper actually contains no rice at all?

Admittedly, in spite of her love of paper, Penny was intrigued by this particular “Did you know?” – having no idea that the name referred to the source vs. the material(s) of composition.  Upon researching the topic, it was made a bit clearer.  The best, single-source article for a pleasant read on the varieties and historical significance of the thing was found at Larry Hodgson’s Laid Back Gardener Blog.

To better accommodate the offerings of Our Artists, we will focus our attentions on the wonders of Stonehenge, 100% cotton paper as we present our vision of 3 Artists, 3 Days, 1 Surface, and a Show! in October (11-15, 2018) in the beautiful setting of Haw River State Park.  No worries, tho’ -- Penny has assured us that there will be a little rice paper in the creative mix!

Your space in the circle is waiting – act now!  We can hardly wait to share this incredible, creative experience with you!  Your deposit secures your spot for an art retreat experience like none other.  Register today to take advantage of our flexible payment options.

Friday Feature: Spotlight on Michelle Davis Petelinz

My Studio Session will focus on a variety of ways to create surface texture and pattern with paint and ink.  In my own mixed media work, many of my texture and pattern discoveries come about from my asking questions:  "What if I combined...?", or "How can I create...?"  Intricate, multi-layered, and multi-hued patterns resonate with me, and I often include them in my paper, paint, and clay work.  I am excited to share what I've discovered with our Creative Explorers, and I can't wait to see what they will create during our time together.  Penny, Jeanne and I have been working on our content for Studio Sessions, and below is a peek at what I've created so far in preparation for mine, including embellished monoprints, tape transfers, hot glue and foam stamped prints, 3-D elements, and painted papers.  

Here's what I've got planned: 
Creating texture and pattern with custom tools:  I've found that to make my work truly my own, I had to create my own, custom-designed stamps and texture tools.  I will show you how to design foam stamps, hot glue stamps, texture plates, paper combs and masks, 3-D elements, and whatever else we can dream up to put your own, unique stamp on your work (pun intended); we'll let our imaginations soar!  

Getting the most from your Gelli prints:  using your new custom tools and a variety of techniques, we'll create fantastic monoprints on our luscious Stonehenge paper.  We'll be layering, transferring, embellishing, and adding natural elements to our prints for use as stand alone works, or as components of larger pieces.  If you've never used a Gelli plate, you're in for a treat (it's truly engrossing), and if you've worked with one before, this Studio Session will offer you new ways to use an old favorite.

Exploring composition:  once we've designed, created, and experimented with our new tools, it'll be time to put them to use in your compositions.  Tips and tricks for effective compositions abound, whether you're looking to enhance your paintings, to create 2-D or 3-D mixed media work, or to complete the pieces you'll display in the Your Creative Connection show.   Oh yes, there's going to be a show...and next Friday, Penny will complete our June "Friday Features" series with a look at her Studio Session content and more details about the show.  Stay tuned.   

If you haven't done so yet, Register now, to be sure you'll be able to join in the fun.  

MDP

Friday Feature: Spotlight on Jeanne Faith d'Orleans

As announced last week, each remaining Friday in the month of June will feature one of our Artist Instructors and the Studio Session that they are offering at our October Experience.  Our Friday Feature Series is the perfect showcase for the concept that informed the structure of this distinctive event:  3 Artists, 3 Days, 1 surface, and a Show!  While each of our Artist Instructors brings a different approach to her mixed media endeavors, they will each be presenting their methodology on the incomparable Stonehenge paper. Jeanne beautifully blends light washes of color with fiber elements to tell her own, unique story – rich with many layers of luscious color and texture.

Whether entertaining guests in her home, nestled among the greenery of a yard surrounded by trees and plants, or addressing small and large groups in professional training events:  our Guest Artist Instructor, Jeanne, is an excellent communicator!  She has a natural ability to put folks at ease and comfortable people are most often quite happy people.  She has a passion for creativity that has spanned a variety of interests in her youth and throughout her adulthood.  We are thrilled to have her on our team for the Haw River Mixed Media Experience in October, 2018.

In her Studio Session, Jeanne will lead Creative Explorers in exercises designed to incorporate assorted fiber content (fabrics, roving, and threads) and notions in their creative, mixed media expressions.  Bringing her love of nature to the table, Jeanne will inspire the inclusion of organic elements to evoke a sense of place as well as bringing dimension and texture to the work.  In answer to the declaration “Oh, I don’t sew…”  she responds “You don’t have to!”  She will share stitch-free (and stress-free) methods for incorporating more fiber in your work – and is a firm believer that we can all do many things we think we can’t if we come at them from a different angle.  She looks forward to spending the day in the studio, coming up with new ways to combine paint, thread & fiber, fabric, and paper in imaginative and innovative ways.  Have questions for Jeanne or about this creative adventure?  Contact us any time – we look forward to hearing from you!

Next week, we’ll see what Michelle has in store for our Creative Explorers.

Introducing Friday Features!

Hey!  Hi & Hello…  As noted last week there has been much going on behind the scenes of late, in the Your Creative Connection environs.  All of that loveliness has reached it peak, and we look forward to doling out heaping helpings of creative inspiration and temptations throughout the rest of June.  Each of the remaining Fridays this month, we will feature a different Artist Instructor for our Mixed Media Art Experience at Haw River State Park in October.  You’ll be treated to all new photos of our Studio Session samples for the retreat as well as a closer look at the Artists themselves.  While new information is regularly being added to the website, our Friday Features will be highlighted in their own Blog posts with plenty of links to put you in touch with any and all extra information. 

Newsletter subscribers can also look forward to an exclusive special offer during the 2nd half of June.  What’s that?  You don’t get our very incredible and not at all intrusive Newsletter e-mails?  You can remedy that, post haste, if you sign up today!  Subscribers get first dibs on all things Your Creative Connection up to 10 days ahead of public announcements.  Your e-mail address is always safe with us and will never  be used without your permission.

Have a great weekend.  We’ll see you back here, soon!

Thankful Thursday - The Gift of Curiosity

Did we all learn the word "curious" from this little fellow?  

Curiosity:  a quality related to inquisitive thinking such as exploration, investigation, and learning, evident by observation in humans and other animals.  ~Wikipedia

We artists are a curious bunch, and perhaps mixed media artists are the most curious of all.  We constantly ask "What if?",  "What can I use to...",  "How can I?", and best of all:  "Why not?".  The thrill of exploration, experimentation, discovery, and ultimately mastery is what keeps us going, posing questions, and leaping out of bed in the morning (well, maybe not actually leaping, but a reasonable facsimile thereof!).  And, we love to share our results with each other, in hopes of answering someone else's "How can I?".  Of course, the Internet and YouTube videos in particular have made this information and technique sharing easier to access (Curious about how to create marbled paper with shaving cream?  Make mono prints on clay?  Use that Fiskars cutter you just bought?  There are multiple videos on each topic).  But to me, there's no substitute for being face-to-face, learning about another artist's original "wild" idea, first plans, unsuccessful results, back-to-the-drawing-board moments, retries, and ultimately, seeing her successful project realized.  It's those bumps along the road which are most instructive, and which often lead off onto another creative tangent or 'accidental' discovery which can be used later (those are the best!).  

We here at Your Creative Connection celebrate and embrace curiosity; we encourage it in all we do.  Penny, Jeanne and I can't wait to reveal what we have been working on to share with you in October!  In future blog posts, we'll show you our moments of experimentation and discovery which were born out of our asking "What if?" and "Why not?" in preparing our Studio Sessions for you, our Creative Explorers. 

We're excited about what's to come, and if you're curious too and want to take the leap and explore with us, why not register for our October 11~15 retreat? 

Until next time,

MDP