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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Fall Update

VonZetta Gant is shown with her beautiful quilt "Zulu," which
she displayed on October 16 through 19 at the
Pacific International Quilt Show at the
Santa Clara Convention Center. What a truly fabulous creation!
Calendar of Events
 
October 23 through November 16, Altered Barbie Exhibition, Shotwell 50 Studio, San Francisco. Go to Chatter Box Arts International for details.

Now through November 9, Day of the Dead Exhibit. Sun Gallery, 1015 E Street, Hayward. www.sungallery.org

November 7 and 8, Alameda's Original Home Town Holiday Boutique, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. at the Veterans" Memorial Bldg., 2203 Central Avenue, Alameda (corner of Central and Walnut Streets). Free admission.

November 20, Phoebe Meeting, 3rd Thursday, 6:30 P.M. at the Alameda County Education Building. Bring your items for the bookstore window (see below).

November 26 through December 21, Holiday Boutique, Sun Gallery, 1015 E Street, Hayward. Thursdays through Sundays, 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. www.sungallery.org  

December 2014, Annual Christmas Window Display at the Book Shop in Hayward. All Phoebes are invited to participate. Submit any kind of original art (including dolls of course) that could be interpreted as a Christmas gift. These will be displayed in open gift boxes in the tableau. Please bring your items to the November meeting.

December 6 (Saturday), Winter Wonderland, First Annual OOAK Folk Art Show, Sheraton Hotel, Pleasanton, 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. Well-known felt doll artist Kerry Howard-Schmidt is putting on this show, which will feature many artists we all know, including Melissa Tereck and our own Sharon Martin. Don't miss it!

Annual Phoebe Christmas Party and Gift Exchange has been changed to Saturday, December 13 at 12:30,  Floresta Villas Clubhouse, 3789 Mortenson Road, San Leandro 94578. It is just south of the intersection of Floresta Blvd. and Fremont Street, behind the San Leandro Orchard Supply Hardware. There is a security gate and someone will be standing there to open it for members. If not, call Mary at 510-409-6154 from your car. There is plenty of parking inside. Bring your favorite "sweet or savory" dish to share and don't forget your gift exchange package!

January 12, 2015, Sally Lampi "Patchwork Painted Quilt" Workshop. Create a quilt design display using watercolor and sharpies. Contact Stephanie Smith to sign up at smitharts2002@yahoo.com

February 2015, Castro Valley Library Exhibit. We will be returning by popular demand, and conducting a "make it and take it" event there on February 21. The theme of our exhibit will be "Black, White and Red (Read) All Over," so be thinking of a doll you have or plan to make that incorporates those colors.


October Phoebe Meeting

Prior to the meeting, Roxanne Padgett conducted her Surface Design Techniques Workshop at the Boy Scout Building in San Leandro. Many Phoebes took advantage of this opportunity to learn, play and experiment with Roxanne's many techniques and ideas. Mary and Zanaib brought their work to the meeting.
 
 
 
Using acrylics, sharpies, stencils, and a multitude of objects to use as stamps, layer upon layer was built up to create these exciting surfaces on paper and/or fabric.

 
 
Roxanne brought four of her wonderful dolls she has made to the meeting. 

By Roxanne Padgett
 
 
By Roxanne Padgett
 
By Roxanne Padgett
 
 
A group of Phoebes joined other doll makers in Portola (near Reno) recently, as they attended a class taught by world-famous clay artist Kate Church. Several Phoebes brought examples of the expressive doll heads they made in the class for show and tell. Above and below are examples made by Anne Klocko.
 

Stephanie is working on scheduling a Kate Church workshop for the club in 2015. Many of us are anxious to learn the techniques used to create the amazing facial expressions and body poses that bring Kate's work, and that of her students, to life. Above is another of Anne's heads from the recent class.
 
Anne's heads are adorable. This one features fanciful eyelashes, plus detailed tongue and teeth. 

 
Colleen also took the Kate Church class. As usual, Colleen proved she is one of the most prolific artists we have ever met. Here are examples of the numerous dolls Colleen has completed since the class, followed by a photo of one of her latest quilts.


Colleen made at least three Absinthe Mint Fairies...
 
 
and, a flying figure suspended by nylon filament. On his head she molded a multi-tiered headpiece, ultimately topped by a fish! You will note the expressive hands and arms... also a part of the class work.

 
Another doll by Colleen. She also brought a child's sweater, a sock monkey, and the beautiful scrap quilt, below, to share with us.
 
 
Quilt by Colleen
 
 
 

Several people brought their completed dolls from the Lisa Litchenfel workshop. Marcella turned her little lady into a fortune teller. So cute!

 
 Tani also brought her doll from Lisa's class, inspired by her memories of her mother, including her favorite rocker and sandals.
 
 
Pame showed us her wonderful altered book which featured dragons.
 


Another of Pame's altered books with an Asian theme.
 
Pame, who is so talented in numerous artistic areas, is also a teacher. She brought an example of a class project she designed for her students. This one is an example of an ampersand, very beautifully and elaborately embellished.
 

 
 These scary but fun "jack on a stick" dolls were made by Pame and fit in perfectly with our Halloween-themed October meeting.
 
 
Stephanie is an amazing polymer artist, and here are some examples of her jewelry made from an assortment of beads... lentils, hollow, extruded and caned. We want to take a class from her!
Close-up of bead pendant by Stephanie.

The San Francisco neighborhood around Stephanie's barber shop always looks forward to her seasonal window displays. She shared with us photos of this year's Halloween display.

 Stephanie is a gal with so many talents and skills... not only barbering, polymer, dolls and puppets, but also knitting. When she's not knitting something adorable for her new granddaughter, she's whipping up beautiful sweaters like this one, which has a special neckline design.
 
Harlene is another prolific Phoebe artist who besides designing and sewing wonderful up-cycled and embellishment clothing and dolls, spends much of her time making jewelry and preparing for her numerous boutique sales and shows. Here are examples of her lovely necklaces. The one on the left is fabric stuffed yoyos... so popular now.
 
A special guest at the meeting was Christine Denden from Sun Gallery in Hayward. She brought examples of art she has made for the Day of the Dead display now going on in the gallery. See the calendar at the beginning of this post for details.

 
 These are more examples of Christine's wonderful Day of the Dead creations to be on sale at the gallery.

Friday, September 19, 2014

A New Year for Phoebes Begins in October



Harlene wowed us at the meeting with her batik vest
and matching yoyo necklace. The vest is adorned with
sparkling little butterflies she painstakingly cut from
another fabric and fused onto the vest. Beautiful!
 
Calendar of Events for 2014
 
September 19-21 (Fri., Sat. and Sun), Harvest Festival Art and Craft Show, Alameda County Fairgrounds. www.alamedacountyfair.com

September 26, 27 and 28, Pleasanton Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

September 27 (Saturday), Crossroads Doll and Bear Show and Sale, Alameda County Fairgrounds. www.alamedacountyfair.com

October (all month), The Book Shop Window Display, A Halloween treat created by Betts Vidal and Sally Lampi. Be sure to go see it!

October 4 (Saturday), Tinsel and Treasures Craft Show, Veterans Hall, Danville, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Phoebe Sharon Martin will be participating. See a sampling of her work in this post under Show and Tell. Don't miss the show!


October 12 (Sunday, 8 to 4), Pleasanton Antique Faire, Veterans Hall, Main Street, Pleasanton. Go to www.pleasantonantiquefaire.com

October 16-18(Thursday (4 to 7), Friday (9 to 6), Saturday (9 to 3), Serendipity, Alamo women's Club, 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo. Sharon Martin will be participating in this boutique of handmade items. 
 
October 16, Roxanne Padgett's Surface Design Workshop, 9 A.M., Education Building, Hayward. Contact Stephanie at smitharts2002@yahoo.com for details and to sign up.

October 16, Phoebe Monthly Meeting, 6:30 P.M., Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton, Hayward. Roxanne Padgett will conduct an Enrichment Presentation, which will include a make-it-and-take-it project. Remember to bring your craft supply/tool kit to the meeting! The postcard exchange theme is Egypt. Please participate!

October 16 through 19, Pacific International Quilt Festival, Santa Clara Convention Center. Thursday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., Sunday 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission $15 ($13 on Sunday). www.quiltfest.com

October 23 through November 16, Altered Barbie Exhibition, Shotwell 50 Studio, San Francisco. Opening Party on Thursday, Oct. 23. Go to Chatter Box Arts International for details.

December 2014, Annual Christmas Window Display at the Book Shop in Hayward. All Phoebes are invited to participate.


September Phoebe Meeting

 The September Phoebe meeting was well attended, and although we were so disappointed that Pame Rose was ill and unable to give her "All About Me" talk, we are wishing her a speedy recovery and hoping to see her return soon.
 
Sally announced that she and Betts were putting together a window display for The Book Shop in Hayward for the month of October. The theme is, of course, Halloween. Knowing them and their talents, we know it will be amazing and a must-see stop for all of us. They will feature a large witch who is sitting at her dressing table admiring herself. Below is a sampling of one of the many other items these talented ladies with include in their tableau.
 
This is Sally's polymer sculpted head she has turned into a "pumpkin man."
 
 
Post Card Exchange
 
The theme for the post card exchange this month was China. Four people participated and did an outstanding job on their cards.
 
Sharon received this beautiful card from Marcella.
Fabulous job, Marcella!

Donna was the proud recipient of Harlene's card.

Marcella recived Sharon's card, which included
two tiny pairs of sandals.

Harlene received this card from Donna.

 
The Challenge
The last club challenge for 2014 was due at the September 18 meeting. Mary had handed out a small paper bag containing jigsaw puzzle pieces and a small doll. Below are photos of the original solutions to this challenge the members brought to share.
 
Elizabeth created a beautiful crown from stiffened lace
which she sprayed with glitter. The puzzle pieces
were used to embellish the front.
Marcella used her puzzle pieces to make a card—a homage to Phoebes and their love to gather, craft together,
and inspire each other. Lovely idea!


Marcella also made a coaster for her coffee mug,
incorporating the puzzle shapes.


Mary created a necklace from a length of lace and used the puzzle pieces as charms. She also used them to decorate the top of a small box.

Maudell assembled an amazing piece by first creating the charming bird with pencil legs and puzzle piece feet. A stork! The small doll was adorned with bits of lace and glitz. Great job and so original!

Suzanne was inspired by the current trailer for the upcoming movie Box Trolls, which we are all dying to see. She removed the arms from her doll and attached them to the sides of the box. She attached the puzzle pieces to the front of the box and used a head from another doll to finish her piece. Very cute!


Rosie created earrings and pins from her puzzle pieces. They are embellished with graphics, text, jewels and beads. Love them!


Zoe used her granddaughter's favorite colors in assembling a piece that represents the need for increased awareness in the growing prevalence of autism in children and the dire need for research and development to find solutions to all aspects of autism.
 
Show and Tell
It's always great to see what other Phoebes are working on. Here are some of the items shared at Show and Tell.
 
Diane W. brought her plastic bag storage dolls. She makes these for family and friends. They are designed to hang on the wall and make grabbing a plastic bag a simple task. Their faces are absolutely adorable!

Here is a sampling of one of the many, many items
Sharon will have in her Tinsel and Treasures Show
in Danville on October 4. This is an altered book 
with its cover removed and lavishly embellished. 

Another ornament beautifully created by Sharon
for her show. She will have a few Halloween items,
many Christmas items... all of them are exquisitely gorgeous.

Stephanie brought her newest cloth doll. Her dolls
keep getting more adorable all the time. This one is
so dainty and precious.

Donna has taken a little break from yoyo necklaces
and switched to these pendant designs. Her personal
challenge is to just use items from her stash. This one
is made from a graphic printed on fabric, vintage Japanese fabric, and even rubber tubing

Another of Donna's pendants made with small
fabric scraps, a very old tassel, a broken earring,
and some old beads.
 

Sunday, September 14, 2014

It's Membership Renewal and Election Time For Phoebes

These are two of the dolls Diane Willis brought for her
"All About Me" presentation. Read all about it in this post.
 
Calendar of Events for 2014
 
September 2014, Phoebe Doll Exhibit at the Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge off Redwood Road (closed Friday's). The exhibit runs through the 30th. A must-see, beautiful exhibit. Phoebe "Make It and Take Event" at the library on Sept. 20, 10:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. Contact Diane Joseph if you would like to volunteer to help with the event.

September 18, Phoebe Monthly Meeting, 6:30 P.M., Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton, Hayward. We will be voting on the slate of officers for the coming year. Be sure to attend, or give your proxy vote to someone who is going so your vote will be counted. If you have not yet mailed your dues to Marcella Hardy, please pay them at the meeting. We need to get the membership booklet published in a timely manner this year. The postcard theme this month is "China." The highlight of the evening will be "All About Me" by Pame Rose. Don't miss this meeting!

September 19-21 (Fri., Sat. and Sun), Harvest Festival Art and Craft Show, Alameda County Fairgrounds. www.alamedacountyfair.com

September 27 (Saturday), Crossroads Doll and Bear Show and Sale, Alameda County Fairgrounds. www.alamedacountyfair.com

September 26, 27 and 28, Pleasanton Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

October 16, Roxanne Padgett's Surface Design Workshop, 9 A.M., Education Building, Hayward. Contact Stephanie at smitharts2002@yahoo.com for details and to sign up.

October 16 through 19, Pacific International Quilt Festival, Santa Clara Convention Center. Thursday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., Sunday 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission $15 ($13 on Sunday). www.quiltfest.com

October 16, Phoebe Monthly Meeting, 6:30 P.M., Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton, Hayward. Roxanne Padgett will conduct an Enrichment Presentation, which will include a make-it-and-take-it project. Be sure to bring your craft supply/tool kit to the meeting!

December 2014, Annual Christmas Window Display at the Book Shop in Hayward. Stay tuned for more details.

"All About Me"


 
 
Diane Willis gave us a wonderful opportunity to get to know her better and view some of the beautiful dolls she has created, many of them from Phoebe workshops she has taken in the past. While attending a local doll show, she was encouraged to take her first class—from Phoebe VonZetta—followed by a second one from Barbara Willis. Since then, she has created many beautiful dolls and now teaches doll making herself at a local senior center. Below are additional photos of her lovely creations.
 

 

 

Show and Tell
 
Elizabeth brought her doll for the Nola challenge. She named her Emily and gave her a very sweet clay face.

Zanaib made a paper doll for her Nola challenge. Delightful! Love the leg tattoos!

Zanaib also finished her frog from the Bett's workshop. His name is Professor Dapper Frog and sports a very dapper costume.


Rosie made "Nola Sisters" for the challenge—Lulu and Loopy. Their adorable hand-painted faces, stick legs, and girly costumes made them a hit.

Stephanie sculpted the head and painted the face on her Nola doll. So feminine with her hat, purse, and lacy dress!

Stephanie also brought two of the ghost dolls she is making for her Halloween window display for her barber shop. Her seasonal window displays filled with her dolls, puppets and bears have been a delight for the neighborhood for years.

Donna made two dolls for the Nola challenge. The Steampunk Fairy has a cloth sculpted face and the Harajuku (Japanese Little Lolita street style) doll has a hand-painted non-sculpted face.

One of the two beautiful vests Harlene made from recycled fabrics she got at FabMo in San Francisco. This one has lovely hand-stitched lace motifs.

Harlene also shared with us a gorgeous chunky necklace she created. Her jewelry is always a hit at the numerous craft shows and fairs she participates in each year.

We were all so thrilled that Geri from Petaluma could join us at the August meeting. She brought a few of the many amazing tags she has been making using Julie Nutting stamps. She puts so much work into each one and each one is an unique work of art.

Anne continues to wow us with her clay and metal art. She was busy preparing for her annual prestigious art shows coming up in the Bay Area. Her shows are always a great success.