moving~

For sanities sake, I am closing down this blog and concentrating all EncaustiKits info through my main blog, Gingerfetish! Please visit often, and the site is still live and active! www.encaustikits.com. Pssst: something big coming in September :) followed by something even bigger in November :)))
Keep an eye out!
in love. trish

sharing an INSPIRED moment

Sharing this Inspired moment! For all of you from the Ontario area, I've added a retreat close to your home! Muskegon, Michigan this September! Check it out~www.pbsartist.com

Encaustic with Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch
Lots and lots of loving at Inspired I tell ya!!
Trisha is Fabulous! And I love her Encaustic Waxes -- We had so much fun playing with wax and transfers, incisors (sp?), pan pastels, stamps, etc. Gotta LOVE wax!!

And.... I'm so excited to have more wax classes in a couple of weeks when Nancy teaches at Mixed Minded too!! What a waxy month! ...but I digress *smile*

Here is the 8x8 canvas that I made in Trisha's class. Thanks Trisha!! You're awesome sweetie!!
http://www.thearthousestudio.ca/2011/05/encaustic-with-patricia-baldwin.html

Sharing the sharing!

http://www.mevio.com/episode/268374/cha-winter-2011-encaustikits

cloth,paper,scissors rocks!

http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/blogs/clothpaperscissorstoday/archive/2011/02/23/diver-or-wader-what-s-your-mixed-media-style.aspx
What a treat to see my work, product and passion featured on the CPS blog! Woot!!!

Diver or Wader? What's Your Mixed-media Style?23 Feb 2011 by Cate Prato
How do you approach a new (or new-to-you) art medium? Do you wade in slowly, reading up on everything there is to know, researching the tools on the Internet, maybe taking a workshop?

Or do you just grab the basic supplies and dive in, learning as you go and buying specialized materials as needed?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches, and many people probably fall somewhere in between.

I have to say I fall into the latter category. I'd like to say it's because I'm spontaneous and free-spirited, but the word that actually describes my approach is "impatient." I see a shiny new colorant or a twist on an old technique, and I want to make art with it NOW. So what if I don't have all the supplies or actually know what I'm doing...I'll make do.

Such was the case a couple of weeks ago when I decided to try my hand at encaustic (hot wax) collage. I got a notion to try it, cobbled together the other necessary supplies, had some success, and now I'm addicted.

Now is when I want to get my hands on all the "correct" supplies and learn more than the very basics.

Research. So I've been doing some research. Not only did I re-view (again and again) Amy Stoner's "Encaustic Collage" WorkshopTM video, but I got my hands on a copy of Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch's book Encaustic Workshop: Artistic Techniques for Working with Wax. Patricia's book is comprehensive, with information on the basic tools and techniques, mixed-media variations, and how to assemble and display your artwork. She also wrote a terrific article in the January/February 2010 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. Between those two sources, I am now well-versed in the basics and beyond.

Wax. There is beeswax and there is encaustic medium. Beeswax comes in refined and natural. The main difference is that the refined variety produces a clear finish while natural beeswax has that warm, honeyed look. It's really a matter of preference.

Encaustic medium is beeswax combined with damar resin. The resin hardens the wax, raises the melting temperature, and prevents bloom (turning white).

Application. You can brush on the wax, in which case you'll need a natural bristle brush as synthetic bristles will melt. You can pour wax over your collage or dip pieces in it. Or, you can paint with it, using clear or pigmented wax and a stylus. Pat Gaignat wrote an excellent tutorial on using a stylus with encaustic collage in the November/December 2009 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. Using a stylus allows you to pick up wax and drip it or draw with it, which sounds like a fun option to me.

So far, my preference is for using encaustic medium and a brush, so I plan to stock up on the medium this week during the 15% off sale in the Interweave Store. But I can't wait to try out all my options.

So, which method do you prefer: jumping into the deep end or wading in slowly and carefully? Something in between? Everybody into the pool (aka Comments section) for a discussion!

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

amazing grace

by the grace of God. EncaustiKits is born!
He mercifully gave me vision, followed it with a heavy dose of perseverance, topped that with blinders to others' interpretations and laid it all in a solid dish of resolve. Thank you my God. It is all for you, from you and about you. Let me do you justice, shine your light and give credit only to you for the glory you've allowed me in this. All to you. And now, I jump in with both feet and arms spread wide!....
~blog ordering and full merchandise list coming soon; fully functioning website slated for end of year! go waxy! trish

REALLY! I'm coming!

Okay, not much happening here; but I'm working on it daily! Look for something big in September...but knowing me, I'll get it together in August and surprise everyone! Happy summer and I'm looking forward to a fun ride here :) go waxy~trish