Dropping off art for jury in WV....

In my world, it will forever be about the art, but it can certainly do me no harm to also be about the food. The Purple Fiddle in Thomas WV is one of those places, if you haven't discovered, you need to drop in and check it out. They have a line up of music that includes old-time and traditional bands, but also a little rock n' roll, jazz, funk, raggae, Celtic, folk, Latin and more. The menu consists of a lot of fresh made unique wraps, homemade falafel, hummus, and pico de gallo and is served in a dining area either outside or eclectic in nature inside. You can even draw with chalk on the walls in the lady's bathroom! Fun.

A cute and small artsy gallery is located just a short jaunt away. It is owned by a couple local artists.

One of their displays is quite interesting. They had a bow in the floor and decided it would be really cool to insert a door to take care of the issue, then suspend another door on top to use as a display table. Clever and fun. This was currently being used for "buttons", of which Seth created a lot of the sayings and images on them. My daughter ended up with many of them. They included a couple of my favorites that he made to just see if you would say them out loud to make you sound silly: "supa sep secky suchy saba susser sa!" and "licka lally lupa luck luk!". Then there were "buttons are sexy"and "cheeses priced".

This is Sean, one of the co-owners. His work is super cute and comic in nature about life, drawn with sharpies and microns. His work can be seen at http://www.theartofseth.com/. We spent a good bit of time talking to him and Chaise walked out with several items, to include a print. He had a wonderful and welcoming personality and was super easy to talk to about why he does what he does.

Our main goal to our journey was to stop in to Mountain Made. It is this wonderfully old, large building and has a fabulous gallery of art and fine craft. Not only can you shop here, you can shop on-line at http://www.mountainmade.com/. Since I also have a home in West Virginia, I was able to take my jewelry to be juried to see if I could become an artist represented by Mountain Made that was established to promote WV artists. They offer classes, art studios and, of course, art. The work is dropped off and the wait time of about a couple weeks begin as they look over my work to see they agree that I am a nice fit for their gallery and that my quality is what they are looking for. Judging by the work currently there (I've shopped there many times before), I think I'll make a nice addition. Wish me luck!

Friends felting on Friday....

A beautiful day, some fiber & silk, two friends and some fun was the perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon on a porch in Cumberland! The result: lots of laughing, lots of strong java, lots of serious business talk, a "little" wine and a way cool scarf! I'm modeling my fabulous Nuno Felted Scarf that we spent about 2 hours making. Takes a little less time if you aren't "yapping" - but what fun would that be?!

This scarf ended up with so much texture and is made by felting hand dyed merino wool, silk hankie, mohair, wool yarn and glitz onto a hand dyed 90" silk chiffon scarf.
The colors were simply gorgeous together. And look how the edges of the chiffon are left to sort of curl. This is the outcome due to the felting process as the wool sinks deeply into the chiffon as you work it while it's wet. It is a fun process and you get a little exercise while making it!

The edges at the bottom of the scarf have wool yarn that extends down past the chiffon to create fringes.

I would love to take credit for this gorgeous creation, but it is actually a kit that is created and sold by my friend Dalis Davidson. Dalis is as vibrant in her personality as her scarves and other products she creates and sells at http://www.dancingleaffarm.com/. You can buy a premade scarf from her or the kit to make yourself! It comes in all sorts of colors and can be made all sorts of ways and even using a shorter scarf. She also teaches this very fun class on making this fabulous neck art. She hand dyes her own scarves and wools at her sheep farm in Barnesville MD and then assembles the kits for sale. Doesn't she look wonderful in MY scarf?!

Upcoming Booth Display Class...

Selling at Craft Shows: How best to present your work and yourself with Mary McCunn

at the Allegany Arts Council
04/18/2009

Allegany College of Maryland’s Institute for Professional Development and Extended Learning is pleased to partner with the Allegany Arts Council to offer “Become a Master at Marketing Your Artwork,” a timely and educational series of classes on Marketing Your Artwork.On Saturday, April 18 from 10AM-12PM, the class “Selling at Craft Shows: How best to present your work and yourself with Mary McCunn (PRO366)” will be presented. Mary holds a degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She lives and works from her studio in Cumberland where she utilizes her extensive experience in business management, merchandising and marketing. If you are considering making your art work available for sale at art & craft events, this is the class for you. Mary will introduce you to the basics of designing your physical booth and display space while highlighting some important do’s and don’ts of display. She will touch on how best to present you so you keep customers once you have grabbed them with your booth design and art work. She will provide a list of various suppliers and prepare you with an art & craft checklist to cover your needs before and during the show.The class will be held at the Allegany Arts Council’s new special functions room located at 9 North Centre Street. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be available. Brochures are available at the Allegany Arts Council. For more information call Kathy Condor at 301-784-5121. To register call Allegany College of Maryland at 301-784-5341. Sign-up for all three spring classes and save $23! The Spring series includes: Creating Powerful Slides (03/28/09), Selling at Craft Shows (04/18/09), and Working with Local Galleries (05/30/09).

Jewelry Classes at......

Jewelry Classes at Meadowbrook Arts studio!

We have just added classes for 2007! Come join Mary at her home studio for a very personal art jewelry experience. Classes are limited to two participants per class to provide a very hands on experience and more one-on-one time with the instructor.

*Join our mailing list to be notified of future classes or send an email to be included on our list in the event of a cancellation. We always give our mailing list participants first shot at the class dates. And believe me, they fill up fast and have ALWAYS had a waiting list.

Metal Jewelry 101:
This one day class provides instruction in the fundamental techniques needed to cold fabricate metal jewelry. You will complete at least one jewelry piece while you learn how to cut, saw, pierce, bend, form, hammer, file, sand, polish, and finish copper, brass or sterling silver. No experience is necessary for this class. Tools & supplies will be covered and a basic list will be provided to take home so the participants can further pursue jewelry as a hobby or more professionally.
Instructor: Mary A. McCunn
Level: Beginner Child 16+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 9-5 pm "day class"Tuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
May 20, 2007
Sunday Full
June 9, 2007
Saturday Full
July 22, 2007
Sunday 2 slots available
August 4, 2007
Saturday Full
September 16, 2007
Sunday 2 slots available

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. April 20 for May 20 class)

Silver Solder 101:
In this one day class you will learn to solder silver. After you learn the basics about the tools, materials and equipment, you will have hands on torch soldering time and will design and complete at least one jewelry piece with a bezel cup and semi-precious cabochon stone. Prerequisite required: Metal Jewelry 101, Earring 101 or prior class knowledge of techniques or skills included Metal Jewelry 101

Level: Beginner 18+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 9-5 pm "day class"Tuition: $125Materials: $30 per personTotal cost: $155 per person
Date & Time:
May 19, 2007
Saturday Full
July 21, 2007
Saturday Full
August 5, 2007
Sunday 2 slots available

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. April 19 for May 19 class)

Brazing 101:
This one day class is similar to soldering, but instead you will learn the techniques to brazing copper and brass. Learn about flux, tools, materials and equipment. You will form a necklace piece out of copper and brass and learn how to forge and heat form brass. Torch time will be provided. Prerequisite required: Metal Jewelry 101, Earring 101 or prior class knowledge of technique or skills included Metal Jewelry 101
Level: Beginner 18+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 9-5 pm "day class"Tuition: $125Materials: $30 per personTotal cost: $155 per person
Date & Time:
June 10, 2007
Sunday 2 slots available
September 15, 2007
Saturday Full

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. May 10 for Jun 10 class)

Kids Beginner Class - Homeschoolers:

Are you a homeschooling parent who wants to give your child some extra art to add to their curriculum? Depending on age and gender of the participants, two to three projects will be performed. Kids will learn about sculptures where they will make and paint a small abstract plaster sculpture. Another project would be learning about metals and how they are used in sculptures and jewelry in the past and present. They will be supervised using hand tools to make a metal pendant, earrings, bookmarker and/or small metal sculpture.


Level: Elementary Grades 1 - 5
Class size: Limit 2*Length: 9-11 am 3 sessionsTuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
Oct 15, 22, 29
Mondays 2 slots available

or
Level: Middleschool Grades 6 - 8
Class size: Limit 2*Length: 9-11 am 3 sessionsTuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
Oct 17, 24, 31
Wednesdays 2 slots available

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. Sep 15 for Oct 15 class)

Adult Hobby Beginner Evening Class (2 sessions):
This two session evening class provides instruction in the fundamental techniques needed to cold fabricate metal jewelry. You will complete at least one jewelry piece while you learn how to cut, saw, pierce, bend, form, hammer, file, sand, polish, and finish copper, brass or sterling silver. No experience is necessary for this class. Tools & supplies will be covered and a basic list will be provided to take home so the participants can further pursue jewelry as a hobby.
Level: Beginner Child 16+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 5:30 - 8:30 pm eveningTuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
Nov 5 & 19
Mondays 2 slots available
or
Level: Beginner Child 16+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 5:30 - 8:30 pm eveningTuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
Nov 7 & 14
Wednesdays 2 slots available

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. April 20 for May 20 class)
The materials fee is for basic materials needed in class and for wear and tear on tools. Participants have access to hand tools & power tools at Meadowbrook Arts. Feel free to bring whatever favorite jewelry supplies you already own (i.e. pliers, beads, wires).

We also recommend that you bring the following items:
hair accessory (pony tail holder, hat or bandana, etc.)
sketch book & pencil
zip lock baggie, craft box or your own favorite beads & container
brown bag lunch (we have a microwave!) & drink or lunch money
1 hour break for lunch - pack a lunch if you don't feel like driving out
Because we pride ourselves in your safety and want to make sure we have a fun time without accidents, there are a few safety tips we would like to pass on to make sure you are prepared. You may want to consider bringing an apron made of cotton to protect yourself or your clothing. Because long hair and loose jewelry items can get caught in some machinery, you should bring a pony tail holder or hat to pull back your hair at certain times. Loose jewelry (chain bracelets & long necklaces) as well as loose ties on shirts and scarves can get caught in machinery. If you wear them, you should remove them during class. Eyewear will also be provided.
You will be provided with a mailing before the class of pertinent information! Please read it thoroughly because it contains a liability waiver that you will be required to sign to participate in our class!

REGISTER FOR YOUR CLASS TODAY!
Complete the registration form below and return it with your registration & materials class fee (payable to Meadowbrook Arts or Mary A. McCunn) by check, visa or mc. If you want to ensure your spot in the class, register early since space is limited and on a first-come first-serve basis! Class fees due to cancellations on your part 14 days prior to the class are NOT REFUNDED for any reason!
Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis!
Register early to avoid disappointment.
Your place is held only upon receipt of payment in full.
Please call (301) 729-3750 with questions or to check availability or e-mail Mary at mary@meadowbrookarts.com for specifics pertaining to the class.
Class Registration Information Form (MS Word document)

Earring 101 at Deep Creek Lake

Another fabulous class. This time we were on the Lake and had plenty of room to stretch those legs, fingers and arms as they went a-hammerin'. Two days worth of classes produced another group of creative earrings out of some creative peeps! Made some new friends and had a great time with these lovely ladies! Look at the Discovery Center! We had the entire bottom area and what a nice view of the Lake, we had lunch by the water. Two images show Mary teaching filing and cutting with a jewelers saw. Cecelia was hammering and didn't smack any precious fingers. Everyone took to the class well and had a great time.