What is it about Canadian artists and crafters?

This is a rant...you've been warned...if you decide to continue please grab a cuppa' tea or your preferred beverage and read away...hell leave a comment and maybe we can start something here!

My daughter sent me this email yesterday:

Hey mama...if you write that book on patch work jeans & start your yoga back up again you could be a Teacher at one of these (& bring me along since I'm suggesting it?!?) wouldn't this be a cool thing to have up here too?Hmmmm.... ;-) xoxoxox
Click here:http://www.squamartworkshops.com/

My response to her email:

Hi Love...yep, I know all about Squam but I don't have a hit website, I don't have a book, I'm not 'young' and as you know over the years I tried to get a similar retreat thing going up here but Canadians are not very supportive of fellow artists and hide their own creative lights so far underneath their USA counterparts that you'd think we were a country of no talents...it would be fabulous though...take the ball and run with it:) xxoo mama

Did I sound a little harsh, perhaps a wee bit bitter...damn straight I did!
I confess that I have become lazy (note...I told the daughter to take the ball and run with it) and could do a whole lot more to promote and start a fabulous Squam-ish style art retreat opportunity for Canadian girls/women...believe me I have serious Squam-envy because several years ago this was my big dream.
Correct me if I'm wrong but Americans seem to have this whole artist/crafter support system down to an 'art' (pun intended)...and quite frankly I think we are huge supporters of it...we love to read their blogs, take their online classes, cross the border and attend their workshops and retreats...and we love it, right...oh come on, sure you do!
Personally I spend so much time reading their blogs and wishing I could go to their retreats that I'm embarrassed.

Don't get me wrong I read many lovely Canadians blogs:

http://www.blackeyedsuzie.typepad.com/
http://www.acageybee.com/
http://pinkglitterfae.blogspot.com/
http://timewithtascha.blogspot.com/
http://hercreativespirit.blogspot.com/
http://www.mypinkturtle.blogspot.com/
http://twodressesstudio.blogspot.com/
http://birdnutsmixedmedia.blogspot.com/
http://www.violette.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/embellishstudios

...these are but a few of the wildly talented women right here under our Canadian noses. I confess I am a lurker, I read their blogs but don't leave comments and I feel much shame in that...because I realize that if we are not showing support to these women how can we expect to ever have retreats of our own with some of these fabulously talented Canadian women sharing their skills with us?
I too am an artist/crafter that hides her talents under a great deal of real/false modesty and I could name at least a dozen other multi-talented women right here in my home town that have so much creative talent it would knock your socks off!

Do us all a favor and if you're a Canadian woman who has a unique artistic or crafty talent that you share on a blog leave a comment and a link. If you're interested in teaching at a retreat let me know...I've decide to grab the ball back from my daughter and try again! If you're interested in attending an arts and crafting retreat let me know as well...can't have a retreat without women who will support it...and pass this blog post on to all your Canadian women friends who might love an opportunity to join us.

Let's be the start of something wonderful and inspirational, let's encourage each other to recognise our talents and our love of creativity as Canadians!

...we can still love the American artists & crafters, we have a great deal to learn from them and their solidarity.

If you've read all the way through to here you deserve a thank you and I truly hope you'll leave a comment...good or bad, I think we need a collective kick in the butt to get motivated and be supportive.

Mizz Fitz Doll Workshop with Florance

Pictures from the Mizz Fitz Doll Workshop taught by Florance.
Keep looking...scroll down so you can see all the fabulous two-headed Mizz Fitz these amazing women created!
I`ll be running another one in January 2012, email if you would like to participate.

Dangerously Crafty Tattoo...gotta' love it!

Is this awesome or what? Tannya from http:/www.shootfromthehipsonline.com shared her awesome tattoo with me when she came to the shop...sweet "Dangerously Crafty'!

New Store Hours for July - September...it's Summer time & the Livin' is easy!

Just in case you want to come & see me or do a little shopping this Summer the hours are Noon - 5:00 pm, Tuesday - Saturday from July 19 - Mid-September.

There have been no classes in July as you may have noticed...our instructors needed a break too:) We will slowly add new classes back in through August and gear up into full swing for September!

Graphic 45 'Magic of Oz' has arrived!

The simply fabulous newest edition to the Graphic 45 family has arrived at Dangerously Crafty...we have the entire line of 12 x 12 papers, the new chip board tags & frames and of course the 8 x 8 pads!

Graphic 45 Curtain Call Card Class this Thursday evening, May 12

7:00 - 9:00 pm
$25 includes all supplies
Join instructor Caleigh Aalders in creating exquisite Graphic 45 Curtain Call cards that will delight & impress their recipients!
Basic kit w/craft knife required...don't have a kit, no worries...we can provide you with one for the class.
Call 250-590-5009 or come in to Dangerously Crafty to register. Space is limited to 6 participants for loads of attention and space to work.

Vintage Style Alice in Wonderland Tags Class with Tammy Murdock...two dates to choose from May 19 Or May 25

Join Tammy in creating lovely tags in an assortment of different sizes that are perfect for gift giving, scrapbook page embellishment and trading. You will be using stamps, embossing, vintage style papers, charms and more in creating these lovely tags. The perfect class for Alice in Wonderland fans! Check out Tammy on facebook http://www.facebook.com/embellishstudios
Instructor: Tammy Murdock
Date: May 19
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
or
Date: May 25
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Fee: $30 includes all supplies (HST extra)
Bring your basic kit or borrow one of ours if you don't have one for the class:)
Call 250-590-5009 or come in to Dangerously Crafty to register. Space is limited to 6 participants for loads of attention and space to work.

Paper-Doll-A-Palooza Class...Mixed Media Mermaid Paper Art Dolls

Register today in our new series 'Paper-Doll-A-Palooza', take one class or all of them, pick and choose…the choice is yours! We will be using the gorgeous and versatile Catherine Moore ‘Character Constructions’ line of Paper Doll Art rubber stamps. You will learn the basics of creating your own delightful, articulated paper art doll. Follow along step-by-step as we build a two lovely mixed media style Mermaids from the new ‘She Sells Sea Shells’ line of stamps. Wonderful to give or to keep…these beauties add elegance to art journals, mail art, mixed media art, scrapbook pages, tags, bookmarks...anywhere your imagination takes you!
Instructor: Florance Simpson
Fee: $25 includes all supplies ($5 will be donated to Angel Hair for Kids)
Date: Friday – May 13
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
OR
Date: Saturday – May 14
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Florance (owner of Dangerously Crafty) will be cutting off 12” of her hair to donate to Angel Hair for Kids and she is offering a Dangerously Crafty Gift Certificate to attend the Paper-Doll-A-Palooza class of your choice from the series to anyone who comes in & donates their 12” braid to Angel Hair for Kids today as well!
Please read the hair donation guidelines on their website prior to cutting your hair!
http://www.acvf.ca/index.php/our-programs/angel-hair-for-kids

Artful Stationery...a Lost Art of Correspondence Class

Come and create personal stationery sets perfect for letter writing, thank-you notes, or to add that final sentiment to your gifts. As an added bonus, you'll get a chance to learn about mail art and creating your own extraordinary snail mail! Paper artist Kaitlyn Patience of http://isavirtue.net/#303/custom_plain will take you through the process of handcrafted envelopes and writing paper and you'll take home professional but unique stationery for yourself or to give as a gift!
Instructor: Kaitlyn Patience
Date: Thursday – April 28
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Cost: $25 plus $10 supply fee payable to instructor

Frida Kahlo ATC class pictures

I know the class participants from the Frida Kahlo ATC class have been watching & waiting for me to post these pictures...here they are at last! I promise to update the blog every week from now on. This ATC class was full of new techniques and challenges and everyone rose to the occasion with flying colours...just look at the beautiful artist trading cards aka ATC's they created. The techniques taught in this class can be transferred to all paper crafting art. Frida Kahlo could be replaced with a favorite family member or pet to create a keepsake ATC or a lovely addition to a scrapbook page...isn't it fabulous how one class can open up a wealth of creative possibilities!