greenpepperpressblog

Tag: cool stuff

  • 5.17.17

    I caught this photo Tuesday afternoon.  With the heat expected today, there is no doubt this will open up for a birthday sign from Shannon.  There are a few dozen that look ready to follow, and by the end of the week it will be a glorious show.  The first rose bush planted in honor of my sister in 2008 is well over ten feet high.  At one point I had over twenty bushes, but get this….all the non-pink roses have perished.  Pink has taken over.  You can't even see where the non-pink bushes were since the pink ones have filled in the vacant spaces.  Love that.  More photos soon.

    MWbday2017

    Miss you sweet Shannon.  *blows kisses*

  • Playing with Fire

    The new Somerset Studio just arrived.  Here is a sneak peek of my article.  You know you're onto something good when you can't stop. At some point you have to put down the tool, quiet the inner voice that keeps coming up with additional ways to push the technique, then document the body of work with the camera, and start writing about the experience.  When you're in the groove you fear that hitting pause may become a permanent hold.  However, as I showed you last weekend with the tattooed eggs, it was not hard to get back my mojo a few weeks after the premier voyage into pryography.  I think this one will keep my attention for some time.

     

    Michelle Ward Playing With Fire article Somerset Studio MayJune2017

    MW Playing with Fire FB

     

    How cool is this?  Two weeks ago the new Uppercase magazine arrived.  A writer named Brendan Harrison wrote an article about pyrography too, also called Playing with Fire.  I loved hearing his take on it.  

    MWplayingwithfireX2

     

    Thanks to all my friends who have stepped up swiftly and lovingly to support another friend.  And to those of you I've never met, how cool that you joined in too and have trusted me to pass along your positive messages of healing and cheer.  I know it's going to be powerful as I can feel the spirited energy within each piece.

  • Maker’s Day NJ

    This weekend there are hundreds of Maker's Day events taking place in communities throughout New Jersey.  Check the website NJMakersDay.org to find an event near you on Friday and Saturday.  Initially launched from my own local library, we are proud be included as a vendor on Sunday, March 26 for their Maker's Market at Piscataway Kennedy Library.  Sam will have his painted cards, and our Special Olympic teammate Keith will be there too, with his birdhouses.  We hope you'll stop by!!

     

    MwMakersDay2017

     

  • NEW NY stamps

    As you know, last year we released a series of stencils with a New York City theme – designed by me, manufactured and sold by The Ink Pad NYC.  Earlier this month they started selling stamp sets that coordinate with the stencils.  There are unmounted sets, trimmed, on cling foam, as well as several images available on wood mounts.  They are not yet listed in their online shop but you can pick up in the store (37 Seventh Avenue at the corner of 13th Street) or call to order anytime.  212.463.9876 

    EDIT:  Stamps NOW available online! Click HERE to transport to ShopTheInkPad.com

     

    MW TheInkPad Stamps

     

    MW TheInkPad Stamps ATCs

     

    MW TheInkPad Stamps 2

    EDIT:  Stamps NOW available online! Click HERE to transport to ShopTheInkPad.com 

     

  • 3 years = 12,000+ pins

    Last week I was privileged to teach to an AP Art class at our local high school.  We had a great time pulling prints from the Gelli Arts printing plate, as well as plain old paper to paper printing of hand-cut collagraphs.  After amassing a pile a papers, they created a small journal or a grid collage, or both.  I will show photos from the event next week.  Below is a practice print I made to get warmed up for class – using a stencil that is having it's three year anniversary today!  

     

    MWprints2017

     

    Not long ago I started paying attention to the changes at Pinterest.  They seem to continually change their format – just when I think I get how it works, it changes.  It's likely they don't actually change it that regularly, but seems like it since I don't visit very often.  One new feature seems to be that they have figured out how to compile close-to-accurate numbers for how often a photo/graphic is pinned. It used to be that you would see an item pinned from your blog with a quantity of 10 or 20 next to it, then see the same item further down the page with a 15, 30, or 50.  There was a photo montage from my blog that had registered over a 1000 pins and I thought that was pretty cool, until I visited it this week and discovered, because of the new calculating wizardry, that the pin is now on over 12,200 boards.  (see HERE if you're on Pinterest) HCIT?

    I can't believe it's been three years TODAY since these stencils came out.  Designed in October 2013, they were released with Stencil Girl Products on January 27, 2014.  Here's an abbreviated posting of my original.  

     

    MW SGP 2014a

     

    MW SGP 2014b

     

    MW SGP 2014c

    These stencils are available at STENCILGIRLPRODUCTS.COM and GREENPEPPERPRESS.COM

     

     

  • I’m up!

    Today it's my turn to share a video lesson for Nathalie's Creative JumpStart.  Have you joined in?  It's been a fun month of learning all kinds of tricks and techniques.  You can sign up anytime, click HERE.

    MWCJS2017

  • silver linings seeker

    On the newsstands now or very soon, the Jan/Feb Somerset Studio – with my article: Silver Linings.  Made with gelli prints that were painted back in October 2013, I decided to finally USE THEM as they were in peril of being pitched.  Pages are stitched together – a tip I got from my friend Julie Prichard in one of her online classes.  I'm a Silver Lining seeker – trying to see the good in every situation, no matter how difficult.  Quotes of affirmation, collected over time, now reside in this new journal.  See the article for more about the process.

     

    Michelle Ward Silver Linings Journal

     

    Michelle Ward Silver Linings Somerset Studio JanFeb2017

     

    Don't miss out on the early registration discount for CreativeJumpStart2017.  Offer good through the ball drop on Saturday night.  Join in for a full month of creativity videos and giveaways – from 27 artists.  Last year was so much fun – my first time as a presenter. Happy to be back again.  Come along!!

    Mwcjs17FB

  • CLS 2017 sneak peek

    Have you signed up for Creative JumpStart yet?  You can still get an early registration discount of $45 until the end of December. (Regular pricing of $50 on 1/1/17) Why not get enrolled now, before the ramped up activities of the holidays?  Sign up and and sit back, knowing that throughout January you can re-motivate your creativity on a daily basis with videos by 27 artists.  Treat yourself!  Click HERE.

    Here's a sneak peek of the supplies I use for my project video.  Debris from your table will work!

    MW CJS17 supplies

  • visual interview

    CJS2017banner

    My friend Nathalie, host of Creative JumpStart, has prepared a video that is a visual interview.  She asked the questions, I sent her graphics for my answers.  I love this kind of interview.  Check it out.  You can sign up for a month of motivational tutorials from 27 artists, to get you plugged in to making cool stuff HERE.  I hope you'll join us!  

     

    A Visual Interview with Michelle Ward from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

     

    When you get to the end of the video it will show you some of the other interviews that have been posted so far – click on those too. Super fun!

     

    MW CJS What Inspires You

    MW CJS How do you feel about JANUARY

    MW CJS Who is your favorite Master Artist

    MW CJS What did you want to be

    MW CJS Whats your Secret Talent

     

  • Creative JumpStart 2017 – registration discount today! Plus Stencil sale Monday!

     

    I'm excited to announce that I'll be a participating artist for Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2017, hosted for the 6th year by Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2017. 

    Learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with other artists and crafters. 

    Throughout January participants get access to 27 downloadable videos from 27 featured artists. I'm proud to be one of those artists, called “JumpStarters.” See for yourself:

    Announcing Creative JumpStart 2017 – CJS17 from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

     

    Head on over to Nathalie's site to sign up and to learn more details:

    Nathalie's Studio - Creative Jumpstart 2017

    If you sign up before November 30th (11:59 pm EST 2016) the cost is only $40.

    Afterwards it will be $45 until December 31st, 2016 before it goes to its regular price of $50.  

    Treat yourself and jumpstart your creativity for the new year – a full month of inspiring posts to get you plugged in to making art!

    I participated last year – with my first video!  It was super fun to see how each jumpstart artist interpreted the prompt of the theme, and I learned a lot of really fun techniques (from artists I knew and artists who were knew-to-me) and it definitely got me motivated for the new year.  This will be my second year, and only my second video - I know!  I'm a dinosaur….eventually video-making will become more of a habit…I hope!  I am grateful to my friend Nathalie who pushed me out of my comfort zone to make these videos.  

    I love the theme for 2017 – MIX, MATCH, & MASTER and I have translated it with a quick and easy project that everyone should try!

    So what are you waiting for? Sign up here at: 

    Nathalie's Studio – Creative Jumpstart 2017

    Chime in below if you are coming along for the ride and we will get excited together!

     

    AND……….if you're a cyber shopper (who isn't?)  Stencil Girl Products has deals all day long TODAY. 

    Stencil savings up to 35% on my SGP designs!

    Official shopping details: www.stencilgirlproducts.com

    Save 25% off all* stencils  Use code: cyber25 
    Monday, November 28, 2016 from midnight until 11:59 a.m. CST (Central Standard Time)
    PLUS 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size!
    AND orders over $100 get a FREE large stencil of Mary Beth's choice!
    SHOP for my designs HERE.

    Save 20% off all* stencils Use code: cyber20 Monday, November 28, 2016
    from noon until 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time)
    PLUS 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size!
    AND orders over $100 get a FREE large stencil of Mary Beth's choice!
    SHOP for my designs HERE.

    Lots of really amazing designs at Stencil Girl Products – stock up for yourself, and double up to get some gifts!

    MW SGP CYBER MONDAY SALE