The final countdown is here!  

In a little over a week we’ll be packing our tools and heading to artBLISS  for a weekend full of workshops and socializing – enjoying the camaraderie of being among like-minded artists.  Does this sound good to you?  You’re in luck because there are a few seats left in several of the workshops!  By now you probably know your schedule for the weekend of Sept. 27th – 28th….and if it looks like you’ll have a day free, please come and join us!

See all of the artBLISS workshops here –

Today I’m interviewing one of our artBLISS instructors, Christine Damm.  Christine will be traveling down from New England to teach a couple of workshops you do not want to miss!   If you want to make your own custom jewelry components, Colorful Landscapes is a class for you.  You’ll learn what to do with inks, chalk and paint as you create layers and texture on polymer clay elements.  In Worlds of Color, Christine will teach you how to make your own beads, pendants and more. This class is packed with tips and techniques, and you’ll be sure to leave full of new-found inspiration.

What are some of your basic tools and supplies?

The most essential tools to bring to class are your brain, your creativity and your curiosity! Seriously, the tool and supply list is on the artBLISS website, at the end of the class description. Don’t stress if you can’t get something–I have plenty of tools to loan. I’m bringing dozens of texture plates and molds but bring your favorite ones as well. And please—no alcohol inks! We have tons of beautiful pigments and crayons and pencils so come prepared to discover something new.

What is one of your favorite techniques that will be covered in class?

One of my favorite techniques that we’ll cover in class:  my new pigment discovery (obsession!) – the Pan Pastel line of pastels. If you’ve ever used chalk before, this will knock your socks off– not your mother’s pastels! The colors can be applied to be bold or subtle and they blend beautifully. If you don’t like it– just sand it off and start again! Couldn’t be easier to apply but the effects are stunning. And we’ll be using these  with clay to create a faux porcelain look for your beads and elements– I call it “Polyporcelain”.

Is there anything surprising that students will learn in class?

One surprising thing we’ll learn in class: How many things can you do with one technique?  In the Colorful Landscapes class, I’ve come up with over 17 projects that you can do with just one simple technique. Add all the ways you can color your creation and you have one technique that could keep you going for months.

And a few more examples of Christine’s fine work.  I can’t wait to see these brand new pieces up close and in person at artBLISS!

Thank you for sharing, Christine!  If you have ever taken a class before with Christine, you’ll know she is very generous with information and her enthusiasm for her art is contagious.   Attendees at artBLISS will have the rare opportunity to learn from Christine Damm, an artist in the forefront of the polymer clay field.

Highlights for artBLISS 2013:

• Meet and Greet – Friday night social with the instructors

• Workshops with Richard Salley and Jessica Papke, Stacie Florer and Christine Damm

• Saturday Night Soiree – vending by attendees, complimentary casual dinner for students, demo with Erin Siegel of  Bohemian Inspired Jewelry. 

• The Missing Link book signing with Cindy Wimmer – crossing our fingers copies will arrive in time hot off the press! Projects from the book will be displayed.

We hope to see you there!

Cindy Wimmer is a jewelry designer with a passion for combining vintage elements with modern wire design.   She is the co-founder of artBLISS, hosting jewelry and mixed media workshops in the DC area. Her wire jewelry design book , The Missing Link, will be released in the Fall of 2013.