Seth Apter's Blog, page 19
August 8, 2017
A Man with a Plan
I am a man with a plan. Well...planner that is. For the first time I have decided to commit to journaling my daily life in art for an entire year. Note how that was worded. I am not journaling every day but by the end of the year I will have an entry for every day of the year.
I am limiting my entries to my creative activities.
That way I will have a documentation of my life in art for 2017.
At the end of the year I will decide whether to continue into 2018.
You can read more about my planner and see additional images in my guest post today on the Spellbinders blog.
-------------------
My journal was created using all the components from the book kit I designed for Spellbinders. It includes
3-Ring Binder
Refill Paper Packs
Change-A-Page Journal Die Set
Grab-A-Tab Die Set
Would love to see how you document your creative life. Feel free to share details or a link in the comments so we can see if you have a plan.
I am limiting my entries to my creative activities.
That way I will have a documentation of my life in art for 2017.
At the end of the year I will decide whether to continue into 2018.
You can read more about my planner and see additional images in my guest post today on the Spellbinders blog.
-------------------
My journal was created using all the components from the book kit I designed for Spellbinders. It includes
3-Ring Binder
Refill Paper Packs
Change-A-Page Journal Die Set
Grab-A-Tab Die Set
Would love to see how you document your creative life. Feel free to share details or a link in the comments so we can see if you have a plan.
August 6, 2017
ITAC 2017
The International Tournament of Art & Craft
Won't you join me for an online, international tournament filled with creative challenges, tutorials, prizes, and a few surprises.
For 5 consecutive weeks beginning August, a group of international artists have prepared a set of weekly creative challenges, each representing a world continent, to inspire the artist in you.
Each challenge comes with its own theme, set of instructions, tips, tutorials and masterclass. There will also be a sixth, final challenge as a grand finale. Oh yeah...and prizes. Lots of prizes.
It is free to join and the deadline for all challenges is not until September 15 -- so there is plenty of time to participate even if you are busy. Every level of skill is welcome!
All the instructions, additional details, and the reveal of the entire team behind the tournament can be found here. Hope you will consider joining our community and sharing your creativity with the world.
Won't you join me for an online, international tournament filled with creative challenges, tutorials, prizes, and a few surprises.
For 5 consecutive weeks beginning August, a group of international artists have prepared a set of weekly creative challenges, each representing a world continent, to inspire the artist in you.
Each challenge comes with its own theme, set of instructions, tips, tutorials and masterclass. There will also be a sixth, final challenge as a grand finale. Oh yeah...and prizes. Lots of prizes.
It is free to join and the deadline for all challenges is not until September 15 -- so there is plenty of time to participate even if you are busy. Every level of skill is welcome!
All the instructions, additional details, and the reveal of the entire team behind the tournament can be found here. Hope you will consider joining our community and sharing your creativity with the world.
August 5, 2017
The Sunday Papers: 20
Welcome to The Sunday Papers. Grab a cuppa, get comfy and turn the virtual pages. Didn't get last week's paper delivery? See every edition here.FIGURE IT OUT
Jenny WatsonSURFACE
Donna StewartJOURNAL IT
Pam CarrikerMARK MAKING
Leslie Avon MillerSTORY TELLER
Orly AvineriLUSH BRUSH
Lorna CraneART CRUSH
Lee McKenna
August 3, 2017
Australia 2017: Post 3
On my recent art expedition in Australia, I started in Melbourne and went to Ballarat - both in Victoria. From there I headed to Lismore in New South Wales for another week long adventure as part of Fibre Arts Australia.
While we flew between events, I don't seem to be able to go to Australia without being packed into a van with many other artists as well.
Three months earlier a huge flood overtook Lismore and the surrounds. 20,000+ people had been evacuated and happily there were no deaths. There was a lot of destruction however and much of the main part of town was still effected. I was thrilled to be part of a group that was bringing people and commerce to the town.
The workshops were held at St. John's College in Woodlawn, just a few minutes outside Lismore. Evidence that we were in Australia was all around.
My workshop, a Library of Memories, was held in the science building.
We had a lot of fun in the lab with all the equipment and specimens.
We even stopped for a visit in the lab shower...
...which is well worth seeing empty too!
We painted, booked, collaged, embossed, drilled, glued, assembled, attached, and more.
Not sure I managed to get pics of every project but the photos below show just how talented this group was.
While I was there I had some time to create myself and seemed to be drawn to small works with a good deal of stitching and fabric bits. It was Fibre Arts Australia after all.
As a group, we all made a modified star book to auction off for a charity -- benefiting a homeless shelter in Lismore.
As wonderful as the art was, it is always the people who made these events special.
Sending a big thank you to Glenys Mann, the brains behind the event, for inviting me to be a part of the crew.
A bigger thank you for inviting me back next year. My workshop in Ballarat is already full but there are a few spaces left in Woodlawn. Wanna join me mate?
Next up: Off to Sydney for more workshops.
While we flew between events, I don't seem to be able to go to Australia without being packed into a van with many other artists as well.
Three months earlier a huge flood overtook Lismore and the surrounds. 20,000+ people had been evacuated and happily there were no deaths. There was a lot of destruction however and much of the main part of town was still effected. I was thrilled to be part of a group that was bringing people and commerce to the town.
The workshops were held at St. John's College in Woodlawn, just a few minutes outside Lismore. Evidence that we were in Australia was all around.
My workshop, a Library of Memories, was held in the science building.
We had a lot of fun in the lab with all the equipment and specimens.
We even stopped for a visit in the lab shower...
...which is well worth seeing empty too!
We painted, booked, collaged, embossed, drilled, glued, assembled, attached, and more.
Not sure I managed to get pics of every project but the photos below show just how talented this group was.
While I was there I had some time to create myself and seemed to be drawn to small works with a good deal of stitching and fabric bits. It was Fibre Arts Australia after all.
As a group, we all made a modified star book to auction off for a charity -- benefiting a homeless shelter in Lismore.
As wonderful as the art was, it is always the people who made these events special.
Sending a big thank you to Glenys Mann, the brains behind the event, for inviting me to be a part of the crew.
A bigger thank you for inviting me back next year. My workshop in Ballarat is already full but there are a few spaces left in Woodlawn. Wanna join me mate?
Next up: Off to Sydney for more workshops.
July 31, 2017
Ray of Light
Happy Monday.
Question: What better way to start a new week than with a giveaway?
Answer: Two giveaways
I am excited to be part of the Designer Favorites Blog Hop sponsored by Spellbinders. Six of their product designers, including myself, have gotten together, chosen a favorite, and are taking part in this hop and giveaway. Head to the bottom of this post for all the details.
Ray of Light
For my favorite, I chose Ray of Light - a die set from my January release.
All my die designs are abstract but this one was specifically created to represent the rays of the sun. And with all the challenges that the world faces right now...who couldn't use a little sunshine?
BE
Within
Mystery
-------------------------The Fine Print
Hop Along
Head to the Spellbinders Blog to get the links to hop from one designer to the next:
SpellbindersDebi AdamsSharyn SowellMarisa JobTammy TutterowStephanie LowSeth Apter (you are here)
GIVEAWAY ONE
Spellbinder's is hosting Giveaway One and will give away a bundle of all six designer favorites (dies and stamp) to six different winners. To be eligible, you must enter the giveaway here. The contest runs until August 3 until 11:59 MST. Winners will be announced on August 5 and contacted directly by Spellbinders.
GIVEAWAY TWO
I am hosting my own giveaway. One person will win both a piece of art featured in this post and my favorite die. To be eligible, leave a comment to this post and be sure to tell me which piece of art you would like to win - Within or Mystery. As always, internationals welcome! The contest runs until August 3 until 11:59 MST. Winners will be contacted directly by me so please be sure I have your email address.
Question: What better way to start a new week than with a giveaway?
Answer: Two giveaways
I am excited to be part of the Designer Favorites Blog Hop sponsored by Spellbinders. Six of their product designers, including myself, have gotten together, chosen a favorite, and are taking part in this hop and giveaway. Head to the bottom of this post for all the details.
Ray of Light
For my favorite, I chose Ray of Light - a die set from my January release.
All my die designs are abstract but this one was specifically created to represent the rays of the sun. And with all the challenges that the world faces right now...who couldn't use a little sunshine?
BE
Within
Mystery
-------------------------The Fine Print
Hop Along
Head to the Spellbinders Blog to get the links to hop from one designer to the next:
SpellbindersDebi AdamsSharyn SowellMarisa JobTammy TutterowStephanie LowSeth Apter (you are here)
GIVEAWAY ONE
Spellbinder's is hosting Giveaway One and will give away a bundle of all six designer favorites (dies and stamp) to six different winners. To be eligible, you must enter the giveaway here. The contest runs until August 3 until 11:59 MST. Winners will be announced on August 5 and contacted directly by Spellbinders.
GIVEAWAY TWO
I am hosting my own giveaway. One person will win both a piece of art featured in this post and my favorite die. To be eligible, leave a comment to this post and be sure to tell me which piece of art you would like to win - Within or Mystery. As always, internationals welcome! The contest runs until August 3 until 11:59 MST. Winners will be contacted directly by me so please be sure I have your email address.
July 30, 2017
July 28, 2017
Australia 2017: Post 2
Continuing my review of my recent trip to Australia, this is post 2 in a series. You can check out my previous post on my playtime in Melbourne here.
Today's stop is Ballarat in Victoria where I was part of the Fibre Arts Australia crew. The event was held at The Ballarat Grammar School during winter holiday and we took over the classroom buildings, cafeteria and dorms.
It was a very busy week but I did get a chance the first morning to wander outside the school grounds and find some inspiring sites.
Given that it was winter, darkness fell quite early but at least we were lit one night by the full moon.
I spent the week getting lost on the campus and was always happy to find my friend at the door to my workshop building so I knew I had found my way.
I taught a 5-day workshop called A Library of Memories with a group of wonderfully creative and very cheeky students.
I think it is fair to say that it was a very, very fun experience...
...with a lot of art making happening from when the classroom opened at 7am to when it shut at 9pm.
As a group we created a star book that was auctioned off for charity.
The completed projects were phenomenal and I was amazed at the amount of work that was completed during the workshop.
At the end of the event, there was an exhibition of all the student work.
It was exciting to be able to see the work that created in the other workshops as well. #somuchtalent
A huge thank you to the artists who took my workshop. Looking forward to seeing many of you again next July when I return to Ballarat for round 2.
Next up: heading to Lismore in New South Wales to do it all over again.
Today's stop is Ballarat in Victoria where I was part of the Fibre Arts Australia crew. The event was held at The Ballarat Grammar School during winter holiday and we took over the classroom buildings, cafeteria and dorms.
It was a very busy week but I did get a chance the first morning to wander outside the school grounds and find some inspiring sites.
Given that it was winter, darkness fell quite early but at least we were lit one night by the full moon.
I spent the week getting lost on the campus and was always happy to find my friend at the door to my workshop building so I knew I had found my way.
I taught a 5-day workshop called A Library of Memories with a group of wonderfully creative and very cheeky students.
I think it is fair to say that it was a very, very fun experience...
...with a lot of art making happening from when the classroom opened at 7am to when it shut at 9pm.
As a group we created a star book that was auctioned off for charity.
The completed projects were phenomenal and I was amazed at the amount of work that was completed during the workshop.
At the end of the event, there was an exhibition of all the student work.
It was exciting to be able to see the work that created in the other workshops as well. #somuchtalent
A huge thank you to the artists who took my workshop. Looking forward to seeing many of you again next July when I return to Ballarat for round 2.
Next up: heading to Lismore in New South Wales to do it all over again.
July 22, 2017
Australia 2017: Post 1
I am writing this post in my hotel room in Sydney, Australia as what has become an annual adventure down under is fast winding down. I have had the good fortune to have had the opportunity to be a part of two Fibre Arts Australia events and teach too additional workshops as part of an Art is You popup. Some time to explore this incredible place was also part of the plan. Happy to be able to share my experiences in a series of blog posts, the first of which is now...
Australia 2017 started in Melbourne, where I had some time to acclimate to the 14 hour time difference and play a bit before the work started. I love the urban grit at the heart of Melbourne and the fact that the city is like a patchwork of so many distinct qualities.
It is a big city...
which holds on to its history.
It has pockets of beautiful nature...
mixed with a hipster vibe.
Secret passages, alleyways, and lanes are everywhere. Some filled with shops or restaurants...
and many filled edge to edge with street art.
Oh the street art. Melbourne has been dubbed the stencil capital of the world. And for good reason...
Spent a good amount of time in Fitzroy, a gentrified neighborhood a bit akin to Williamsburg. Many of the street arts pics were capture there. It was also in Fitzroy where I found a cool shop called panelpop, a gallery of sorts where art is printed (and more) on reclaimed materials. It is also filled with inspiration and endless photo ops.
My time in Melbourne went by quickly and after a few days it was time to close that chapter and walk through the door to my next adventure down under.
Next up: Ballarat and Fibre Arts Australia event #1
Australia 2017 started in Melbourne, where I had some time to acclimate to the 14 hour time difference and play a bit before the work started. I love the urban grit at the heart of Melbourne and the fact that the city is like a patchwork of so many distinct qualities.
It is a big city...
which holds on to its history.
It has pockets of beautiful nature...
mixed with a hipster vibe.
Secret passages, alleyways, and lanes are everywhere. Some filled with shops or restaurants...
and many filled edge to edge with street art.
Oh the street art. Melbourne has been dubbed the stencil capital of the world. And for good reason...
Spent a good amount of time in Fitzroy, a gentrified neighborhood a bit akin to Williamsburg. Many of the street arts pics were capture there. It was also in Fitzroy where I found a cool shop called panelpop, a gallery of sorts where art is printed (and more) on reclaimed materials. It is also filled with inspiration and endless photo ops.
My time in Melbourne went by quickly and after a few days it was time to close that chapter and walk through the door to my next adventure down under.
Next up: Ballarat and Fibre Arts Australia event #1
July 10, 2017
NEW Impression Obsession Stamp Sets
New release week continues for me, with four new sets of stamps from Impression Obsession.
I am excited to have not one but two stamp sets in a new series called Journal Jargon. These word, created in a vintage-typewritten font, are perfect for art journaling, mixed media, card making, scrapbooking and more. Each set contains 18 unique words on deeply-etched, cling-backed red rubber. All the words are pre-cut so you can open the package and stamp to your heart's content.
JOURNAL JARGON ONE
JOURNAL JARGON TWO
----------------
If you have followed me for some time, you know that I believe you cannot have enough circle stamps. My newest set, RPMs, contains three stamps, with diameters ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches.
RPMs
----------------
For this release I also wanted to add to my border series and with Primitives, I now have four unique sets with four stamps each.
PRIMITIVES
Stamps are available at many online outlets and art/craft shops, at the Impression Obsession website, or can be ordered directly from my online shop.
I am excited to have not one but two stamp sets in a new series called Journal Jargon. These word, created in a vintage-typewritten font, are perfect for art journaling, mixed media, card making, scrapbooking and more. Each set contains 18 unique words on deeply-etched, cling-backed red rubber. All the words are pre-cut so you can open the package and stamp to your heart's content.
JOURNAL JARGON ONE
JOURNAL JARGON TWO
----------------
If you have followed me for some time, you know that I believe you cannot have enough circle stamps. My newest set, RPMs, contains three stamps, with diameters ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches.
RPMs
----------------
For this release I also wanted to add to my border series and with Primitives, I now have four unique sets with four stamps each.
PRIMITIVES
Stamps are available at many online outlets and art/craft shops, at the Impression Obsession website, or can be ordered directly from my online shop.
July 7, 2017
Just Added: 2018
My workshop schedule for 2018 has begun to take shape and there are some exciting things on the horizon. I will be visiting many new places and returning to some old favorites. Here is a bit of a preview of both:
February brings me back to Donna Downey Studios in Huntersville, North Carolina.
From February 9-11, I will be teaching Table of Contents.
Click here to see the magic that Glenda Miles made in this class when she took it earlier this year at Art is You Santa Rosa. Registration is now open and seating is limited.
-----
April takes me back to Portland, Oregon for the first time since 2013. I will be teaching a very special collaborative workshop with Kecia Deveney.
A Field Guide to Altered Aviary will take place at the studio space of Jesse Reno from April 12-15. Email me at shap97@gmail to be added to the interest list and you will receive info on details and registration first.
-----
In May I will be teaching in Lexington, Kentucky for the first time at EncaustiCastle, the retreat venue run by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch.
I will be part of a 6 day book arts retreat. From May 9-15, I will be teaching and from May 15-19, the amazing Daniel Essig will be your instructor. Take my workshop, take his workshop or take both. Add you name to the interest list and get info first.
-----
In late May and early June , I will be one of may instructors at the Quilt & Surface Design Symposium at the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio.
I will be teaching Table of Contents, a 5-day workshop from May 28-June 1 and For Your Eyes Only, a 2-day workshop from June 2-3. Registration is now open.
As always, you can see my workshops and class descriptions on my workshop page.
February brings me back to Donna Downey Studios in Huntersville, North Carolina.
From February 9-11, I will be teaching Table of Contents.
Click here to see the magic that Glenda Miles made in this class when she took it earlier this year at Art is You Santa Rosa. Registration is now open and seating is limited.
-----
April takes me back to Portland, Oregon for the first time since 2013. I will be teaching a very special collaborative workshop with Kecia Deveney.
A Field Guide to Altered Aviary will take place at the studio space of Jesse Reno from April 12-15. Email me at shap97@gmail to be added to the interest list and you will receive info on details and registration first.
-----
In May I will be teaching in Lexington, Kentucky for the first time at EncaustiCastle, the retreat venue run by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch.
I will be part of a 6 day book arts retreat. From May 9-15, I will be teaching and from May 15-19, the amazing Daniel Essig will be your instructor. Take my workshop, take his workshop or take both. Add you name to the interest list and get info first.
-----
In late May and early June , I will be one of may instructors at the Quilt & Surface Design Symposium at the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio.
I will be teaching Table of Contents, a 5-day workshop from May 28-June 1 and For Your Eyes Only, a 2-day workshop from June 2-3. Registration is now open.
As always, you can see my workshops and class descriptions on my workshop page.
