Sharon Bloom Designs

Heart Felt

2012-02-20T13:18:00.004-08:00

Bead embroidered earrings in my Etsy shop.

Felt brooches in progress.

I'm having one of those slow moving kind of days. Not an unproductive one, just slowly, gradually moving through my creative goals of the day. I typically try and crowd my time with way too many tasks, finding myself frustrated at my lack of accomplishments by nightfall. But today is different. I have the day off from work, I'm still in my pj's and I don't mind much if I even step outside into the gray skied world. Inside, I have been patiently working on these colorful bits of felt and beads transforming them into textural and wearable small artworks. Just another tangent in my ever evolving world of art explorations and distractions. The earrings are now in my Etsy shop, and the brooches will hopefully be following in the near future. Now onward to clay!

Trash or Treasure?

2012-02-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

When I go to a yard sale or a flea market that old saying comes into mind, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Truer words were never spoken as I walk the rows of a large flea market. Sometimes there are piles of things I would not ever want or be attracted to, and once in a while I find myself drawn to tidbits of the past lives of previous owners’ well loved items. The fun is all in the hunt of course, but then it can be overwhelming at the same time. Hundreds of vendors, some taking great care in display, while others pile stuff about in a hap hazard fashion not seeming to care if this pile of dusty stuff finds a new habitat. I look around my place and wonder if sometime in the future someone would find rummaging through my debris a delightful curiosity or just shovel it into the nearest landfill. As a maker of things, I respect the stuff of life that

stuffs my life, but I’m not sure if I want to have too much more of it popping out of every nook and cranny of my space. But then again………I might miss out on that perfect treasure.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T16:36:00.000-08:00

As you step into the new year, take a moment to pause and take the road of your choice. Best wishes for a beautiful and wonderous 2012!

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

More Beads Please

2011-11-13T22:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to the Bay Area Bead Extravaganza (also known as B.A.B.E.). There were over 200 vendors selling their handmade beads, supplies and tools. My heart was full and soon my wallet empty, but it was a grand day. I came home inspired and recharged and ready to create new work. Working out new designs and with new found loves of vintage buttons has been challenging and rewarding. I love the way the buttons feel with the beads creating textures and color spots. These are some of my newest pieces now available in my Etsy shop! So the hunt continues as I wander down the pebbled road of glass beads in all of their brilliance.

Sacramento Arts Festival

2011-11-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

I'm at the Sacramento Arts Festival this weekend, booth #704!! Stop by and say "hello" to me. The show is located at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Sacramento, CA. There are 225 fine artists and craftspeople with many beautiful wares for sale. See you soon!

Happy Hallowe'en

2011-10-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

Happy trick-or-treating and to all a Good Fright!

Favorite Haunts

2011-10-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

I thought since it was October, my favorite month of the year, I would share with you a couple of my “favorite haunts.” These places transcend time and the common world of the retail shopping experience, and are more like a magical trip to a forgotten world somewhere between European arts and a Steampunk village shop. Both venues are in Berkeley, CA.

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles is our first stop. Every time I walk up the doorway of this place my heart begins to race. I am flooded with visuals: brilliant colors, textures, and objects I have never seen before except here. I love massive selection of uncommon threads, needlework tools and equipment, books, and a plethora of foundation materials to create just about anything from a spectacular Chapeau to a tatted lace doily. And most importantly an extremely knowledgeable staff, that seems to know what you want or need before you do. There is even a lace museum in the same building! With its high ceilings and vast array of goodies and books, you will not ever leave Lacis empty handed.

My next stop is the fascinating Castle in the Air located on Berkeley’s famous Fourth Street sharing other specialty shops as neighbors. Shopping on Fourth Street is never disappointing, and Castle in the Air is on the top of my list as a destination. Amazing seasonal window displays are worthy of more than a casual pause. Once inside the doorway you are greeted by German puppets, miniatures in antique glass cases and an excellent selection of items like heavy crepe papers, real glass glitter, blank books, drawing and calligraphy inks, scrap and just about anything sparkly to create your own wonders. They have classes and a gallery upstairs run by artists that create their own work and are masters at their craft. Many people frequent this place to purchase a gift that one could not find anywhere else including fountain pens in all colors and styles, reproduction classic fairy tales, European greeting cards, hand carved collectibles, paper mache figures, and French ribbon.

Happy haunting and may you discover these places and your own secret nooks on your travels.

The Great Pumpkin Halloween Blog Giveaway WINNER is...........

2011-10-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

The Vintage Witch, a.k.a. Julie, is the winner of The Great Pumpkin Halloween Giveaway!!! Thank you to all who participated and shared great memories of your fabulous costumes. Happy Halloween!!

The Great Pumpkin Halloween Giveaway!!

2011-10-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

It's time to have another giveaway! Make sure to read the flyer below and follow the Rules for the giveaway. Good luck to everyone!

Be Still My Halloween Heart

2011-09-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

The weekend was a blur of orange and black, uplifted spirits, friendly faces and whole barrel of fun. I so look forward to this weekend each year, but find myself a bit let down afterwards. I wish all of my shows were of this caliber and amusement. I was able to go around quickly to some of the other artists' tables and take some photos of their talented offerings. Most gone like a witch flying past the harvest moon on Halloween eve by the end of the first hour of the show. So feast my friends, and savor the delicious works of some of the best folk artists in the country gathered once a year at Halloween and Vine, Petaluma, CA. Be inspired, be joyful, and see you next time.

Sandi Pfeffer & Sue Losey

Halloween & Vine Sneak Peek!

2011-09-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

It's my favorite day of the year.............almost. Heading out tomorrow for Petaluma, CA for the best Halloween showcase of folk artists around. Halloween & Vine here I come! This is just a tiny sampling of my special creations made just for this event. Please stop by and say "hello" if you are in the area. This is a show not to be missed. Saturday, September 24th. See you there or catch you on the spooky side.

Labors of Love

2011-09-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day! Another busy weekend here at Sharon Bloom Designs. Fall is a my most productive and busy season. I do spend the summer months producing a lot of pieces, but the shows begin for me in September. I have been having fun mixing new colors, like the green and the pinky orange for this group of owl dishes. For some unknown reason, at least to my conscious mind (!), I have been creating owl images on many surfaces. I like the animal and the symbol along with the fun I can have with patterns and colors. So watch out for more owl stuff and swoop one up!

Button, button.....

2011-08-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I went a bit overboard making buttons! I decided to make some of my own, when I could not find ones that I liked to embellish my jewelry and other pieces. Then the light bulb went on and I had one of those lucid moments. Here is the result so far. I made dozens of button shapes ranging from tiny to ginormous (is that a word anyone over the age of 10 should use?). Some have single holes, others multiple, but all are hand formed and imperfect. The way I figure, I will have more to choose from as I am inspired along the way and also have some to put in my Etsy store. There are a lot of options for surface decoration, so I am already spinning at those possibilities! But first these babies need to go into the kiln and to be bisque fired. Fingers crossed, needle threaded.

Halloween & Vine Sneak Preview!

2011-08-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

Before you know it, Halloween & Vine 2011 will be here. It is best Halloween Folk Art Show on the west coast, hosted in an old hall in Petaluma, CA. I get excited about it every year without fail right around January. This year is no exception. I have been making new pieces for months and these are a couple of wall hung sculptures that will be joining me this year. If you never have been to the show, consider coming. It is worth the trip. Here is a link to the official website: www.halloweenandvine.com At the show you will meet approximately 32 of the greatest folk artists in the country and have a good old fashioned Halloween time!

For The Birds

2011-08-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

In my last entry, I posted a photo of this wreath prior to kiln firing. Here it is fully glazed and ready to hang! I made several of these wreath pieces with different themes, but I like the birds so much. There is something magical about taking a piece from the initial idea, then to dimensionality, and lastly making it come to life with colors. I love the process. Sculpting these pieces is fun too and takes me away from surface painting and keeps my hands in clay. Sweet.

It's The Little Things

2011-07-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

On any given day you will find me with something in my hand: a paintbrush, a hammer, a sculpting tool. Lately, since I have several weeks off from my job, I have been working non-stop on my ceramics, getting ready for upcoming fall shows. It has been a fast-paced week, and when I look at the pieces in progress I am pleased with my progress thus far.

Today, I took a breather and stood in the back doorway. I watched as a Jay bird eyeballed the bowl of cat food I had left near the entry. As it keenly watched my every move I stepped back out of view so it could swoop down and grab a bite. This little bird inspired this sculptural wall wreath. So remember to take a breath, look around and find inspiration in the little things every day.

One Bead At A Time

2011-06-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

Another day another bead, or should I say BEADS?! I took a mini workshop on this beaded bead pattern using right angle weave stitch. It was challenging at first, but let me tell you, after making six of them I can do it without looking at the written directions. That's how I learn stuff. I have to physically create it and then it is embedded in my brain forever. I like the way the units come together. They somehow remind me of Japanese patterns and this bead can be created with a lot of variations. That's good for someone like me that suffers from never ending curiosity and bead obsession.

Signs of Summer

2011-06-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of summer vacation from my teaching job! A Second Grade student gifted me with the above drawing. I loved it, so I am posting it here. Another sign of the approaching summer are the hot air balloons that float over my yard every morning just about daylight. It is quite a sight to see and hear as the balloons "breathe" right over the rooftops of my street. I never get tired of this sight. The sun is shining and the road back to the beginning of a new school year seems far away........

It's Not the Destination, It's The Journey

2011-06-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought that I would spend days working on this little beaded flower! Not me, that's for sure. I decided to overcome my fear of following written instructions and attempt this beaded pattern. I am so visual and learn quickly if I can see the object first. So this was a real challenge to follow a numbered sequence and finish this piece. It only took four times! I love to bead. It is intimate and portable. The textures and colors of beads intrigue me and distract me. Now I can move on with a bit more confidence and make some more pieces and expand on this idea.

Tools Of The Trade

2011-05-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

A spool of baker's twine, a worn brush. a rusty washer, an Ebony pencil, a well used eraser, some beach treasures, and a rubber tipped shaper are some of the tools I use to create art with. I seem to find a use for just about anything that crosses my path. But these are just a few of my favorite things. I love the look of worn tools used by human hands and wonder what others made with them. What are some of your favorite tools?

I am also a slave to technology and would have difficulty not having that one big tool, a computer. Once in a while I am tested, like today when it seemed like my whole pc had crashed and there I was faced with a black screen and not a lot of options. Fortunately, it was not as bad as it appeared and I am once again connected with that invisible electronic highway. I panicked for a moment, feeling like I lost an appendage. Silly I know, but then comforted by the much more primitive tools that I am surrounded with each day and have some control over. Ahh bliss.

Rainy Days and Art Delights

2011-05-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

It's raining here in "sunny" California today. Actually it was pouring and then sunny, and then windy. A good day to stay indoors, look out the window, sit, and paint. I don't mind the weather a bit. In fact I enjoy the dramatic visuals of dark and light through my front window. It gives me a breather from the outside "to do" list to being able to create indoors. I have painting a lot and here are two new Miniature Masterpiece mixed media paintings now available in my Etsy store!

One day a long time ago.........I was born.

2011-05-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I celebrated another year on this earth. It was a great day and this is going to be a great year. I can feel it. Being grateful for the small things and trying not to over process the world at large helps a lot. Once I have aced that, I will write a book and give it away to everyone!

Thank you for all joining me here with your interest and support of my art!

2011-05-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

The winner of my blog card giveaway is...Margaret from Sacramento, CA !!

Congratulations and thanks again to everyone who subscribed. More fun to follow............

Blog Winner!

2011-05-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Thank you for all of your subscriptions. I have selected a winner for my blog giveaway. I wrote everyone's email on a piece of paper and put it in a bowl and pulled one out. The winner has been notified and when I hear from them, I will post it here. I plan to have more blog giveaways in the future, so please stay tuned and I hope you enjoy following my musings and artful creations!

Blog Giveaway!!

2011-05-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

I'm having my first Blog Giveaway! All you need to do is "subscribe" to my blog and you may be chosen to win these 4 neat cards created from my original paintings!! Subscribe to my blog on the upper right side of page. Winner will be selected and notified on May 5, 2011!! Good luck............

Bubbles

2011-05-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

Here is another new small work I finished this weekend. Carefree and calm. Painted on a canvas panel with texture on top using acrylic and pencil, 6" x 6". Trying to catch bubbles is tricky, but a lot of fun!

The Peacemaker

2011-04-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

Another day of painting! Life is good and sweet for sure. I painted this piece, or should I say "peace" on a some handmade watercolor paper with acrylics,ink,and colored pencils. It measures about 5" x 7" and may a donation for a fundraiser. Take flight and enjoy your day!

Miniature Masterpieces!

2011-04-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

Check out my new and vibrant "Miniature Masterpieces" in my Etsy store! They are adorable, framed under glass and ready for display or gifting. Shipping is included in the price too. I created these from watercolors, ink, and colored pencils. Some even have some interesting collaged accents in the background. It is pure joy to sit and paint these.

Bird Boy

2011-04-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

Another new painting! The texture of this piece is very dense and bumpy up close. I have used acrylics and ink with a lot of gel medium to achieve a translucent feeling. It is painted on a piece of unusual handmade paper that has an uneven deckle all around. I wanted to paint a face and this character showed up.......with his pet bird. You never know who is going to show up around here!

King of Spring

2011-04-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

I just finished this sweet little painting last night. It is created on a piece of handmade paper with acrylics, ink and some acrylic gel medium. Creating texture in my work is something I am working on and I am having fun carving and scraping details into the surface. With thoughts of Spring, this piece seemed like a natural entrance into the season.

Sweet Home........Chico.

2011-04-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I participated in a boutique show in Chico, CA. Chico was my home for twenty years and holds a special place in my heart. The town was in full bloom with bright green trees and the light scent of jasmine wafting in the background. It was wonderful to see some old friends, albeit briefly, and receive an unexpected phone call from a long time friend (wow!) and enjoy the warm welcoming atmosphere of the place I called "home" for so many years.

The show was fun and swift as I watched a lot of my small works of art find new homes. This colorful floral encaustic painting went home to a collector of many of my mini works! I am excited to see my new paintings being positively received. I suppose no matter how long I have been at this, I still love the validation of people appreciating my art. It really touches me on a deep level and makes me feel more connected to this human experience.

Waxy Buildup & A New Painting!

2011-04-03T16:09:00.000-07:00

I finished this fun little 3" x 3" piece yesterday. I finally am feeling like I have a handle (or brush) with the encaustic paints. I made my own colors with dry pigments, beeswax, and damar resin. I like the results and mostly the texture that is emerging. To really get depth with this technique, you have to build up layers of the encaustic paint. With more practice I hope to create larger pieces.

A Cast of Characters

2011-03-27T21:51:00.000-07:00

I spent most of today painting these clay characters that were created in the last couple of weeks. They took forever to dry in the damp weather. But today they are in the "cooker" slowly being fired. There are many more pieces firing as I loaded the shelves, and I hope nothing explodes! If all goes well, they will go through one more glaze firing before they are truly complete and ready for assembly.

The Class

2011-03-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Beeswax blocks.

As mentioned, I went to Mendocino to take an encaustic painting class from Cynthia Schildhauer. There were five of us brave souls ready to jump into the waxy world of beeswax and accompanying mediums, colors and a plethora of collage materials. It was a wild ride for me as I was gently pushed away from my familiar comfort zone of the narrative imagery to the less comfortable area of non-representational art.

This concept was challenging and sometimes I resisted it. Upon reflection, I am looking forward to moving forward with this medium and interpreting it in my own way. Anything goes and will go when I get going!

Mendocino, CA

2011-03-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. I'm just back from a 3 day class at the Mendocino Art Center located along the coast here in Northern California. I am adding these photos to share my experience of the local venue along with details of the encaustic painting class that was the impetus for my heading there. The weather was a mix of pounding rain, hail, wind and finally on the last day, billowing clouds and sun.

Along the way, new friends were found. New experiences unfolded. Inspirations all around....

And time for some reflection.

2011-03-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: A. Sprague

These tiny flower pots were made from terracotta clay last year. They now live in upstate NY. I used a press molding technique and a tranquil, sage colored glaze. Their simplicity and size appeal to me. Waiting quietly to be filled with new beginnings this Spring.

Waiting To Be Born

2011-03-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

Clay wall sculptures in progress.

I spent most of today with my hands in wet clay. It was a great feeling. Sometimes I wonder if I will give it up someday in lieu of something that takes up less space and needs less equipment. But when I have a day like today, where everything is moving along effortlessly and the time passes at the speed of light, I am reminded of how much I like this medium.

These pieces are just in their humble beginnings. There is much left to do with them. After they dry out considerably I have to paint them and fire them in the kiln. This is a long and tricky process. Sometimes it is a happy surprise and sometimes it is a big devastation. Especially if a piece explodes in the firing. I form an attachment to my work, after handling it for so long. I want them to be born, joyfully and perfect.

Emerging

2011-03-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

Just like the emerging spring that is upon us, my creative spirit is preparing for its grand debut.

Show & Tell

2011-03-08T18:34:00.000-08:00

I was very excited to stumble on this dvd: COLLAGE: Paper, Patterns & Glazing with Anne Bagby.

After viewing it a couple of times I was excited about making my own collage papers. This is a dvd that is a mix of fine arts and craft. It is apparent that Anne Bagby has a fine art background, but has used contemporary materials to create her own look that is unique unto her. I have been exploring more methods lately and working in a frenzy of directions. I hope to incorporate some of these new learned techniques in my own work.

Doodle Encaustic Painting

2011-03-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

I have been experimenting with encaustics and here is a tiny doodle painting that I created. It is a mere 1" x 4" and contains mixed media elements including: watercolor, ink, oil pastel and wax. I wanted to see how far I could go with all these mixed elements. It was fun to build up layers of wax and add some hand colored details.

Waxy Beginnings

2011-02-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

Melting beeswax to make encaustic medium.

Finished cakes of encaustic medium that contain a mixture of beeswax and damar resin.

Over the weekend I finally had some time to begin my new venture with encaustic painting. I have been wanting to explore this medium for a long time. After reading several books, reading technical information on the Internet and watching a bunch of youtube videos, I felt ready to tackle this. I was surprised at how everything came together so easily. As I am not one to follow recipes while cooking on the stove top, it was a bit of a challenge to follow an exact recipe for making encaustic wax medium. But alas! I did conquer my resistance and here are a few photos of the process. It is not very glamorous, however, I hope my new artworks created in the medium will show the depth and subtle beauty of the wax.

Here's What's Cookin'

2011-02-24T15:58:00.000-08:00

This is the inside of my workhorse kiln. I use this large kiln to do all of my glaze firing in. It has a computer controller too. I recently had a lot of repairs done after owning it for 15 + years, so this was the first firing since then. Oh happy day!

Are We There Yet?

2011-02-23T19:11:00.000-08:00

I don't know exactly why I decided to start a blog, but mostly it was at the constant urging of artist friends. My goal is to share with you, the reader, a bit about my creative life and inspirations. Often I am asked "Where do you get all of your ideas?" The answer is easy and complicated. But, my most honest answer is: From everything around me.

For me, ideas and creative thought are the same as breathing. I don't have to spend time contemplating them. They just reveal themselves constantly and randomly like tossing a handful of glitter in the air.

As an artist I never feel like I have reached my destination. The creative road is full of twists, turns, and choices. Come and share the ride with me as I explore this ever changing landscape.