Twist, Beadmaking Workshop, Community Paint Day

Twist is this weekend! Yet another round of fun and inspiring DIY crafters presenting you with their goodies. Now in it's 6th round, the event is held at the Northampton Center for the Arts and features all kinds of unique, handmade things. Definitely worth a visit! Added bonus, you can surely find that last minute mother's day present you need while having a great time.

Check out this article written by Sarah Platanitis of Ansel Blue, a fellow vendor and long time Twister. Find Twist on facebook, and check out the website for all the details.



Spring Beadmaking Workshop! Come try something new and have a great time doing it! Learn about flameworking and make your own beads at ETTA Art Studio in Amherst on Saturday, May 14th, from 1-5pm.



Here's the official blurb:
Introduction to Glass Beadmaking

This fun workshop will introduce students to the art of
flameworking by learning to melt glass over a small torch to make
beautiful glass beads. The four hour workshop will allow students
to have a great time trying something new. Basic bead formation and
decorative techniques will be demonstrated, and students
will be given time to play and practice.

$60 plus $15 material fee Instructor will bring materials
and provide all tools and equipment.
1/2 price deposit to hold your spot. Limit 5 students.
contact 413-230-3272 or etta.arts@yahoo.com to sign up


Community Paint Day

Last, but certainly not least.... Get Up Get Down will be having an open community paint day on May 19th from 3-6pm at Kendrick Park in Amherst. Come paint with us, preview the new youth mural that will be going up in town, and dialogue with the youth about their visions of our community and the future.

P.S. Save the Date! June 18th, Beer Tasting Fundraising event at the new site of Stone Soup Farm.

Spring News

Our new barn in need of a paint job.

Well, the new energy of spring has sprung, and despite the cold and rain, I'm diving into new projects in all directions. My partner and I just bought a home and will be moving his farm- Stone Soup Farm- and my studios to our new place over the coming months. Both the house and barn require much of our energy as we work on renovations, but by next summer we should be all settled with our freshly painted signs welcoming you to our art studio and farm in Hadley. Coming up in June, we'll be hosting a Beer Tasting Fundraiser event to help us get things going, and the first thing we need is COMPOST! Tons of it! I'll let you know the details shortly.


Get Up Get Down mural design

The second big project I'm working on is with my youth program, Get Up Get Down. A group of fabulous Amherst youth have designed a mural which has been approved to be installed on a wall in the center of town, at the Cinema parking lot for those of you who know Amherst. We've worked hard to create a mural design that incorporates lots of ideas from each of the youth that they'd like visible in their community. Now we are cutting panels, priming, designing metal elements, and looking forward to the unveiling on June 2nd at the Amherst Art Walk. This will be in conjunction with a Youth Action Coalition exhibit in the Burnett Gallery at the library across the street. We're planning an open community paint day for May 19th, so you can come talk to the youth and join in the fun!


Glass knobs on glassware cabinet

Finally, I've continued to make my usual creations, but I've also taken on some custom projects this winter. I recently finished making a set of glass knobs and blacksmithed drawer pulls for an entire kitchen, which was quite an undertaking. This project required 14 drawer pulls, individually formed of steel, and about 70 glass pieces that were each mounted to hardware. I also made a custom lamp shade frame, and a glass vase urn for someone's loved one. Keep me in mind if you are thinking about redoing a kitchen or bathroom, or have some other custom projects that I could help you realize. I also have a new website up and running at www.katierayart.com

By the next time I write, I'm sure the weather will be beautiful and you'll be excited to come out to the spring shows to stretch your legs :)

P.S. Remember Artisans of WMASS when you need a birthday present, mother's day gift, etc. Many of those things that you can buy from manufacturers all over the world are also hand made by your neighbors!

Sculpture at Amherst Chamber Thursday

I have a sculpture show at Amherst Chamber of Commerce for the month of March. Opens at Amherst Artwalk on Thursday, March 3, from 5-8pm. Galleries will be open across town. Take an artistic evening stroll... ?

Beadmaking Demo at ETTA Studio Thursday, and Valentine Shopping at Handmade with Love, February 12

I'll be doing a glass beadmaking demo at the ETTA Studio in Amherst tomorrow night (February 3) as part of a bigger event showcasing local Youth Art and ETTA's instructor work. There will be a live band and other festivities. I'll be lighting up the torch around 6pm to get folks excited to make some glass beads in my class which starts next week! Still accepting sign ups for this class- limit 5 people. Try something new, and warm, this winter!

*******************************************************************************************************************************

Thursday Feb. 3rd, ART WALK AMHERST 5pm-7pm.
*ETTA Art Gallery located at 534 Main Street in Amherst is proud to
Exhibit the work of our teachers and students.

Come and delight in the wonderful Art Works that will be on display made by children and teens of all ages. Paintings, mini-environments, collages, drawings, paper-mache and clay sculptures can be viewed during the month of February.

*A special DEMO during this month's Art Walk: GLASS BEAD-MAKING
by artist Katie Richardson
Thursday 5-7pm FEB.3rd during ART WALK
with Live Music with local Teen Band "Who'da Funk It".

******************************************************************************************************************************

Try Something New! Glass Beadmaking

Happy New Year!

Just letting you know that I have 3 upcoming glass beadmaking classes for those of you who have been wanting to give it a try.

Option 1: ETTA Art Studio
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH THE ARTS
534 Main street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-230-3272 or etta.arts@yahoo.com
Introduction to Glass Beadmaking

This fun class will introduce students to the art of flameworking by learning to melt glass over a small torch to make
stunning glass beads. Basic techniques such as using stringers, cane, dots, layering, and raking will be covered,
and students will leave with a variety of beautiful handmade beads.

4 Tuesday sessions, 6-8pm: 2/8, 2/15, 3/1, 3/8
Class cost-$140. $15 material fee per class
Instructor will bring materials and provide all tools and equipment.

1/2 price deposit to hold your spot. Limit 5 students.




Option 2:
Bisque Beads and Beyond
141 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 442-9300


Glass Beadmaking Workshop, 2 sessions on January 22nd, 9am-noon, or 1-4pm

Come hang out for a morning or afternoon and see what its like to melt glass over a torch to make colorful beads. Basic techniques will be demonstrated and you'll leave having made a few of your own beads. Truly unlike anything else you've tried- this incredible craft is sure to have you mesmerized!

$75 for the workshop plus $10 materials fee


Option 3:
Bridgewater Art
232 Broad St
Bridgewater, MA 02324
(508) 279-0707

March 5th, 3 hour workshops, 9-noon or 1-4. More details to come.

Call Bridgewater Art or let me know if you're interested in this one and we'll be sure to get you all the info.

Last Minute Holiday Treats- Friday

Here's your last chance before the holidays to grab some great handmade goodies. Come to the Winter Warmtimes- a festive gathering featuring 5 local artisans' work, the Connotation singing and fun times together in a relaxed home atmosphere. 5-9pm this Friday, December 17th, at 22 Aldrich St Northampton.

Also, I'm having a sale in my etsy shop. 10% off all items Wednesday and Thursday this week (12/15-16). Just type in 'HolidaySale' when you are asked for a coupon code. I will be offering free shipping on Friday as part of a national Free Shipping Day.

As always, check out artisansofwmass.com for more great local gift ideas.

Happy Holidays!

Weekend Events!

This weekend you can find me at two great events- both great opportunities to wrap up that holiday shopping with local, handmade goodies. Saturday is the Crafty Rumpus put on by the Greenfield Center School. The Rumpus you say? Yes, its called the Rumpus! I mean its gotta be work a visit. You can browse the list of artists and get more info here .

Then on Sunday I'll be at one of Boston most exciting handmade events of the season- The Boston Bizarre Bazaar! This one features a great big selection of handmade art, craft, functional and decorative wonders. The info is all here http://bazaarbizarre.org/boston/.

SCULPTURE SHOW

Finally, I will have a sculpture show opening in Northampton next Friday night, December 10, during Northampton Arts Night Out in the Living Arts Studio, 5-8pm. This will be a sweet little show of sculpture, with some new and some old work included. You can see all the participating galleries by going to the Arts Night Out site here. http://artsnightout.wordpress.com/

And as always, please try to keep you dollars local by shopping through Artisans of WMASS! Many of our Etsy shops will be holding promotions in December, including free shipping day on the 17th, or other discounts. Search "wmass team" on Etsy to find all these great local artisans.