Remember Robert Redford ? The  actor, film maker,director,sex symbol , and now complainer .

Robert Redford, is now 72 and living away from the glare of the Hollywood lights for some time now.

You may remember him for roles such as “Barefoot in the Park“,”Sun dance and the Kid” and my favorite,”The Sting” with Paul Newman.

Anyway, he has this little event in Aspen every year ,known as the Sundown Film Festivall that he started way back in the late 70’s.

Apparently he may be getting old or jealous because HE is complaining about there being too many film festivals.

Robert said he may be “selfish” but I guess he doesn’t want to spotlight to shine on someone else.

Alright I think everyone has given him his due and respect. It’s not easy for an aging sex symbol to be up-staged and having to share the arena with other independent film makers, but maybe he should take that as a compliment.

After all, he struggled to get the festival off the ground and now everyone is embracing the idea.

There wasn’t the ease of filming and instant fame because of YouTube and the Internet,that we have today.

let’s give him a collective pat on the back and send “Bob” an email, saying”Thank you for all your hard work and foresight! We really appreciate you!”

Fleece, Not Fleas

I started to see a grassroots movement of sorts a few years ago that really came into its own last year.

I discovered llama fleece in the raw. Fleece is the ‘hair” or wool that the animal has sheared off usually in the spring and sometimes in the fall. It is very soft and the ones I use and sell are Suri or long, wavy locks. There are other types that are shorter and crimpier.

These beautiful, wide -eyed cuties are being raised by some people all over the states. I first spotted them on a Pennsylvania farm 10 years ago.

Now they are on numerous farms here in Kentucky.

Another beauty is Alpaca, the cousin to llamas. They have finer, softer and more expensive fleece.

Fleece is used for yarn making which in turn, makes many kinds of sweaters, hats, socks, crafts and food. Yes, some farmers butcher them for their meat. Whatever your needs, Llamas is a good source for those who want to be self sufficient…

Another Opportunity or Exploitation for Kids?

Celebs including Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Kate Bosworth and Jared Leto attended the Art of Elysium’s annual black tie gala in L.A

E.ly’.si.um: a place or condition of ideal happiness .

http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2009/01/the_art_of_the_elysium_live_st.php

Mission: The Art of Elysium, a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1997, encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. We provide artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing.

The GOALS

• Create The Art of Elysium Center, a place where children can learn and artists can showcase their work. During the day, the center will be open for children in need to be taught acting, art processes, comedy and music. In the evening, the facility will be used for participating artists to present their creative work.

• Provide musical instruments, compact discs, videotape, art supplies and makeup for various pediatric facilities we serve.

• Fulfill special requests for medically challenged youth, including but not limited to providing individual, continuing lessons in the arts after discharge from the hospital.

• Open New York and Memphis branches of The Art of Elysium.

This looks like a worthwhile cause and many celebrities support this cause, which is especially important now with all the budget cuts.

It would be nice to have celebrities support a worthy cause without getting publicity and a free meal in return.

Polymer clay is a versatile craft material that can be made into almost any shape and has many decorating purposes.

I read a how-to article that I copied a link to in my post.

It gives all the materials and instructions to make your own garden wall face plaque, which was designed by Maureen Carlson.

Many of us in the United States are stuck inside during the winter months and making crafts is a great way to pass the time. This project will enable you to make some gift items or decorating items for your garden once the weather warms up.

http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/polymer-clay-garden-wall-face-plaque/index.html

Another version of this idea is to make a clay mask of yourself or your kids to give as presents to any grandparents.

This is a wonderful keepsake for a parent also and a unique way to preserve a memory.

Have fun and read the entire article for ideas.

Learn a craft and business at the same time. There are people today that still make shoes. They are craftsmen, designers, or ‘cottage industrialist” as they put it.

“ShoeSchool” remains dedicated to the preservation, sharing, and furthering of the knowledge and skills, related to the Ancient Art of Designing & Hand Crafting Footwear.

ShoeSchool is located in Port Townsend, Washington, on the scenic Olympic Peninsula, approximately 2 hours from Seattle. The next workshop starts in March.

Who would be interested in this?  The Shoeschools claims that medical personnel, theatre craftsmen, business owners, shoe repairers, major corporations and  entrepreneurs.

The first 5 day workshop is geared for beginners who will learn everything about shoes and will make a pair of shoes to take home. This is offered four times a year and is attended by people all over the United States and all over the world.

Who knew?

Go to the website and read more about this interesting workshop. You can learn a new trade and start a business. Everyone needs shoes.

http://www.shoeschool.com/shoeschool/index.html

Plywood Art Prints

I discovered an article featuring the familiar plywood with a famous artist prints and named it “plyprints.” This is cleaver, when you consider the fact that the old plywood technology has been refined to remove the harmful formaldehyde that usually is found in it.

Columbia Pure Bond® PLY prints™ now offers prints made from the late artist Alexander Girard.

“In collaboration with the estate of Alexander Girard and Pfeiffer Lab, Columbia is pleased to re-issue select artwork first used as part of the 1970’s Herman Miller® Environment Enrichment Panel program”.

These 14 inches by 14 inches maple wood panels are environmentally safe as well as adding an artistic flair to a room. They also come in smaller 3 inch by 3 inch squares. These remind me of tiles, made of wood not clay.

I think this is an inspiration for all artists that like to make tiles art.

One can see artists making plywood squares that are probably easier to make.The only thing you may need to find out is if you can buy this special wood from the company.

You can read the entire article here. http://cfpwood.com/plyprints.aspx

Dress Up Your Plain Light Switch Plates

Plain light switch plates are something most people don’t think about, except when they need to be replaced.  You can find switch plate covers in most hardware and large home remodeling stores. They usually come in white, beige or black. Boring colors without a design needs something.

Why not dress up the room and have some fun for a very low price?

Polymer clay has been used to make all kinds of crafts and covering the switch plates are not exception. Polymer clay is fun and easy to use. If you have all the tools that I mentioned in the last few articles, then you can get started.

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of making your own polymer clay designs, then ready-made “canes” are already made by talented artists on the internet.

EBay, Etsy and other craft sites sell these. Just follow the directions or ask the seller.

http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/polymer-clay-light-switch-

cover/pictures/index.html

http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/cyclopedia/switchplate.html

 I like to use polymer clay to make items and  found this video showing you how to make tiny cupcake charms to attach to a bracelet. Adults as well as children will like to wear these fun items.

All you need are a pasta machine to condition the clay,polymer clay in different colors,a cutting blade,sculpting tools, a roller, and your hands.

You will also need to use a portable oven that you will not bake food in. The polymer clay can become toxic when heated above 275 degrees in some brands. Anyway,it’s wise not to use your kitchen oven to play it safe.

Yesterday I posted about making miniature doll food for dollhouse scale size and these are similar but with a twist.

Since you may have the clay and all the tools out for one project, it would be a good idea to keep them out to create this project too.

Watch this lesson and see how easy she makes this look. I’m sure you will be just as good as she is with some practice!

There are crafters and collectors like myself ,who love anything

miniature.

Dolls and dollhouses need furniture and food made for their size.You can make food to play with,but you can never eat it. of course this is for the dolls,silly!

Polymer artists use polymer play to make anything and cover just about anything with it.

Some artists have become so good,that the photographs of miniature food items fool anyone that sees them.

I can only hope to make fake food look this good. Real size polymer food items would be a bit easier to produce,but making a delicious chocolate frosted looking cake or slice of  cake one inch high look real is truly a gift.

I have located a video of the most beautiful and realistic looking miniatures food items at this link; 

http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuCYHQg4YJM

Why not look and see yourself.

 Video Artist Captures  Silent Talking Heads

The talking heads are silent. No, these are not the music group from the eighties, but the famous talkers that are captured before an appearance on television.

I read an interesting article that the New York Times ran about an actor by the name of Harry Shearer, who is the character voice of Smithers, Mr. Burns, and others on “The Simpsons” cartoon. Apparently he is an avid video artist and has a new exhibition “The Silent Echo Chamber,” now at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum . Mr. Shearer displays video of celebrities and politicians sitting silently in the minutes before appearing live on television.

Among some of the notables in his exhibit are Henry Kissinger, John McCain and Larry King.

This video artist label is new to me. I’ve heard of a videographer or film maker, so video artist must be more concerned with the “art” of the video?

Here is a link to read; http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/arts/design/31shea.html?_r=1&ref=politics.