EncasutiCamp 2011

'Sixty four percent of Americans want to make more things themselves. There's a huge opportunity in providing the tools and materials to do just that.'
This quote, serendipitously clipped and tacked to the board above my desk several months ago, speaks to all that I believe, and have believed, for myself for as long as I can remember: To create what I 'want' myself.
My first big sewing project was my eighth grade dance dress. In high school a friend and I saw a great twig reindeer at a craft show and went home to make several ourselves. In college, needing Christmas gifts but having no means to buy things for my family, I collected pine cones from the local park, glued them to a cardboard frame, sprayed them with glitter and offered up holiday wreathes.
As a new mom I saw some adorable kids clothing, way out of my price range, as I began my journey as a stay-at-home mom so many years ago, and found my way around recreating a version of my own. Even as money became less of an obstacle, I made the boys' teachers holiday gifts of polymer ornaments and shrink plastic icicles (sigh).
So it comes as no surprise to find myself not only wanting that same ability to befall everyone else, but to come boldly forward in my course through creativity to offer up an avenue for them to find just that! First through EncaustiKits,
the line of inclusive craft kits bringing all things encaustic and mixed media to the craft world and now through Encausticamp-the place to come for immersion in all things encaustic! This retreat opportunity, being offered to experienced as well as novice encaustic aficionados, is being held July 13-17, 2011 on the outskirts of Salem, Oregon on a serene boarding school campus.
Just one hour from the Oregon coast, and the same distance to Portland, EncaustiCamp will run from Wednesday evening with check-in and an all-group demonstration and welcome gathering, through three days of workshops and three more evenings of encaustic indulgence with a vending night full of encaustic supplies, a break out pajama-talk in which instructors will open up about their encaustic art experiences and welcome questions and answers, and a final show and tell all-camp closing party.
Mixed media and experimentation have always been my passion and bringing this together with encaustic is a 'dream I didn't fully realize I had' come true :)
This post makes official the launch of the site and opening of registration to all~come take a peek; email questions, call with comments, but above all, jump in with both feet, come boldly to your own creativity and indulge in this opportunity to embrace creating all that makes your heart sing, yourself. It's that good :)
in love. trish

Sharing!

So much fun! Share the waxy goodness~
Read Glenda's indulgence in EncaustiKits collage kit and see her results!
http://somewhereovertherainbowunicornsdream.blogspot.com/2011/01/encaustic-rocks.html
in love. trish

wood icing images!

Check out the wood icing in action~so as to see what it's all about and why you'd benefit from investing!
in love. trish
http://gingerfetish.blogspot.com/2010/12/sitka-collections-4.html

K to J special

I have been blessed with two amazing people in my life who've come to represent for me the near perfect example of all that is the human possibility of unconditional love. These two forces teach me more than I care to admit sometimes and for this I am featuring a kit in their honor:)
The just released, wildly popular, you don't want to miss this one Wood icing MBShaw stencil EncaustiKits kit is the special feature from K to J; that is, from December 28th, K's birthday to January 28th, J's birthday! Catchy huh?!
Enjoy a $7.00 savings on this fantastic kit on all online orders. This kit is an online exclusive; you'll never see it in stores, so nab one today and indulge in all of its goodness. It's become my favorite!
And to all those who stand in the wings and are the unsung force behind success, count this your nod to acknowledgement of your support in our lives :)
in love. trish

Two new kits!

Two new kits added to the EncaustiKits line:
Wood icing and MBShaw stencil kit~


and Plaster kit~


Two hot techniques to jazz your painting in encaustic!

bridgette guerzon mills blog!

Friend and fellow encaustic artist Bridgette Guerzon MIlls posted this review on her blog; enjoy!

encaustic + a kit = encaustikits!
I have mentioned before that throughout the years I have received many emails asking how one gets started in encaustics. I have my whole spiel I write out, but I also mention to people who have never worked in wax before or who may not want to invest in all the paints and supplies to try this: get a block of beeswax, melt it onto the surface of your substrate and then use oil sticks or oil paints on top. This is not encaustic for the purists, mind you, it's just a way to introduce yourself to working with wax, pigment and heat. You still need to have on hand either a tacking iron (to help melt the block of beeswax) and a heat gun (to fuse).
Anyway, all this to say that Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch has created a line of products called Encaustikits. It's kind of like a starter kit for people who are interested in encaustics like I described above. She sent me one to try out and I was really happy to do so especially since she sent me the EncaustiKits Incising Kit. I often use my awl or pintool to write and draw into the surface of my wax, so I was eager to give it a try
I have to say that I really liked the incising tool that was included in the kit. I normally use a pintool from back in my ceramics days. Which works fine. But this tool had two ends to it. Each tip ended with a rounded ball, which made for a much cleaner line than my pintool normally left.
The hake brushes that came with the kit were a dreeeeaaaam to paint with. Seriously, painting with encaustics you just have got to use one of these brushes. At least for me, that's been the case. I tried to go cheap once and regretted it. The hairs kept falling into the wax. It was so aggravating that I ended up taking all the brushes (I had bought a big tub of them on clearance) and donated them to the art room at my son's preschool.
The kit also came with Encausticbords, which I have been curious about since they came out recently. It definitely has a nice surface. But I would have to try painting on a larger surface to seal my opinion on it. I generally like to paint on wood or clayboard. But like I said, I didn't feel like I got a good grasp on how well I liked the board or not since it was only 4x4 inches.
The kit also came with two painting sticks which I always enjoy using when I paint with encaustics. A tin of yellow encaustic paint came with as well. I don't normally use that bright of a yellow in my paintings, so I was a little hesitant, but it was nice change of pace for me to play with...and it made me think of sunflowers and so out came this little painting:(see blog! http://bgmartjournal.blogspot.com/2010/12/encaustic-kit-encaustikits.html)
So if you or someone you know is interested in trying out encaustics, this is a good way to test out the waters. According to the site it looks like there is going to be a plaster and encaustic kit coming out next year....mmmhmmm, I just love plaster + wax.

tweeking and updating!

Change! It's always a good thing :)
We are making a few changes to things around here, based on initial sales, tester response and our own learned experience!
The labels have been revamped; lasting longer, holding stronger and (sigh!) so much easier to peel and adhere!!!
The instructions hav been tweeked to read more fluidly and take you through the process with ease.
The case pack information is being developed and should be live in the wholesale page by the first of the year~
Relationships with vital vendors have been made more perfect and the consumer will reap the rewards! Look for two amazing new, second stage, kits to be available by February 2011 :)
best of the holiday season to all~
in love. trish.