Author: Jane

I am an artist and teacher working with fiber, fabric, and mixed media collage. I love providing art instruction for all ages. I also teach Zentangle, a special, meditative drawing technique that focuses the mind and releases creativity. My Certified Zentangle Teacher training (2012) was made possible by a Chris Clark Fellowship award from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. My mission is to guide others to an artFULL path.

Simple Books II Workshop

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I thoroughly enjoyed students yesterday afternoon at the Art Lab, part of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum of Michigan State University (East Lansing). Enthusiastic participants explored making 4 simple styles of books with folding, taping, cutting, and punching holes. Everyone was imaginative and creative with their books which was thrilling to witness. What fun! Thanks to the Art Lab for being gracious and generous hosts.

Healing Through Art

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As part of Mental Illness Awareness Week, NAMI Lansing is hosting an art show in Old Town (https://www.namilansing.org/). I have two pieces in this wonderful fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Lansing office. Join me at Urban Beat in Old Town Lansing on Friday night, October 12th, 7:00-10:00PM! There will be an interesting variety of artworks expressing the beneficial properties of making art.

See you there!

Peace Sign Project

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Create your own individualized peace signs from paper, plastic, yarn and beads.  Draw peace signs on paper (or use stickers or clip art), laminate with clear plastic, hole punch the edges and crochet around with colorful thread or yarn.  Voila! You have a wonderful, unique ornament, pendant, earring, or good luck charm.

Materials:

Paper (I used white drawing paper)

Markers, crayons, or gel pens for drawing (I used fine tip markers and metallic gel pens)

Round Hole Punch (1/8” or ¼” diameter)

Embroidery floss or crochet cotton (I used sizes 20 and 3) for edging

1 skein embroidery floss for each tassel, optional

Clear plastic laminate for heat sealing (3 mil or 5 mil)

Laminator, electric (I use a “Scotch” brand laminator)

Large eye Beads, optional

Large eye embroidery needle

Small Crochet hook (I used B and E)

Steps:

  • Draw peace signs on paper—I ranged from 2-3” diameter
  • Cut out shapes
  • Laminate
  • Cut out peace sign shapes, allowing minimum ½” clear border around each shape
  • Hole punch around shape, within clear border area, spacing holes about 3/8” apart
  • With hook moving from front to back through punched holes, single crochet around the entire shape, creating a colorful border.  I usually make 3 stitches per hole—you may have to “fudge” a bit to make the crocheted border fit snugly around the curved edge.
  • NOTE:  I used a E hook for embroidery floss and crochet cotton #3 and ¼” holes
  • I used a B hook crochet cotton #20 and 1/8” holes
  • Upon reaching the first single crochet stitch, join with slip stitch to first single crochet stitch.
  • To create a loop, chain 25 and join with slip stitch to first chain.  Tie off and weave in end.
  • If desired, add tassel by making tassel from one skein of embroidery floss.  Refer to Crafty Chica’s instructions at http://www.craftychica.com/2014/06/colorful-purse-tassels-keychains/
  • Thread needle and string it through top of tassel, thread beads onto strand.  Cut and tie onto the crochet edging of peace sign
  • Embellish your peace signs as design with beads, tassels, or connect 2 or more together as a hanging
  • Alternative to crocheted loop—use large metal jump rings as hangers or connectors
  • Enjoy and have fun!