Ornaments, Potatoes, and Joy

Inky Goodness Ornament Display @ Red Potato Market

Hello!

Happy November!!  This is the month of Thankfulness!  I hope you are finding many moments of thankfulness and gratitude in your life!  Sometimes, we have to look really hard to find them, and other times, they are easily found.  

I am keeping a "Thankfulness" journal.  Every night, I take a few minutes to reflect on the day and find something to be thankful for...even if it is a small thing.  I am finding that it makes me happier and more positive.  

I encourage you to give it a try :)

Gratitude Unlocks the Fullness of Life -Melody Beattie

​Today, I want to share with you a wonderful venue that I discovered.  It's a beautiful, welcoming, warm-hearted shop called Red Potato Market.  

Fair warning, my Texas roots are shining through in this post!
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I also want to share with you a big step I am taking....My very first live workshops!!  I am super excited!  I bet you already guessed, it has to do with my current obsession with alcohol inks!! (Yes, I know that's a LOT of exclamation points!!  I wasn't lying when I said I am super excited!!!!)

Without further ado, please enjoy!

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Red Potato Market

Red Potato Market - Photo by Jessica Sanders

As I made the drive out to Red Potato Market, I felt like the Texas Country Reporter. The voice of Bob Phillips sounded in my mind as I drove down the winding Farm to Market Road leading to my destination, 

bringing back memories of my childhood in rural East Texas, spending time with my grandparents, and watching Bob uncover amazing, hidden gems on the backroads of Texas.  Red Potato Market is just such a place.

Red Potato Market - Photo by Jessica Sanders

Nestled in the heart of Simonton, Texas, Red Potato Market houses an eclectic, lovingly curated, collection of treasures for your home.  You will find an amazing mix of old and new.  There are original paintings from local artists, antique collectibles, and repurposed furniture.  They also offer classes and host a local farmer's market. 

Red Potato Market - Photo by Jessica Sanders

Red Potato Market - Photo by Jessica Sanders

Red Potato Market is ready for the holiday season.  Each room is beautifully decorated, showcasing Christmas decorations, collectibles and unique gifts.

Red Potato Market - Photo by Jessica Sanders

Whether you are attending my workshops or not, I invite you to make time to stop by this unique shop, it is well worth the drive.  When you walk into the country cottage, Laurie and Debra will welcome you with a big Texas smile :) ​

Red Potato Market Location - Google Maps

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Inky Goodness Ornament Workshops

As you know, I am totally obsessed with alcohol inks!!  I love their fluidity, movemement, vibrancy of color, quick drying time, reconstituting power....ok, you get the picture!

So, naturally, I had to find a great way to use them for the holiday season! 

And, if you give a mouse a cookie....

I am beyond excited to announce my first workshops, Inky Goodness Ornament Workshop!  I am teaching them at Red Potato Market November 14th and 19th, 2015.  I plan on scheduling more, and perhaps doing Ornament Making Parties!  

I've been experimenting like crazy, trying lots of different techniques for using the inks with ornaments.  I've made some demo videos, which are currently in editing (aka, I still have work to do on them!)  But, I do have one short video for using Ranger Ink's Pitch Black mixative inside an irridescent ornament!

Alcohol inks are made for nonpourous surfaces, and the whole reason I discovered them was because I was looking for color that would adhere to glass for mosaics!  Glass ball ornaments seems a natural extension of that.

The first ornaments I made felt pretty disastrous!!  But, I kept going :)  And I actually like the 2 on the left pretty well.

I tried ink on the outside..pouncing and dripping  I didn't like the dripping, too messy, even for me!  I do feel like the pouncing has a nice effect. :)

I tried ink on the inside.

I combined the 2 - inside and outside!  (Just like the Disney movie Inside Out)

Of, course, there HAS to be GLITTER!!

All of this experimenting has been so much fun!  and it has been quite a learning experience.  I took notes..

...which need much interpretation and editing!

I did a practice class with my children + I have one scheduled with some friends.  I want to be more than ready to teach these workshops!  

I am so looking forward to sharing this wonderful, versatile medium in a project-based setting.

It's going to be fun and fabulous!  

​I would love for you to join me!!  
FYI, you don't have to be an "artist" to make beautiful ornaments!

As of today, I am offering 2 classes. I am hoping to have more :)

Red Potato Market is a beautiful location for my
Inky Goodness Ornament Workshops 
this November.  

​You can sign up online here.  
​Spaces are limited, so sign up today :)

Thanks for following me!!

P. S.  As I mentioned, I'm thinking of having Ornament making parties.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this!  Would you like to host a party?  Please leave your comment on my Facebook Page!

Next time:  My favorite technique for Inky Goodness Alcohol Ink Ornaments!  Hint:  They remind me of geodes!