Bookmarks for Dummies - CraftTestDummies

Last week I met with Jenny Rohrs (CraftTestDummies.com) to have a "play date." We ate spicy soup for lunch and afterwards sat outside to make some soggy wet crafts (making fabric paper).
My mission for the day was to create something as a base to use for some simple gifts to send out to my guests for the Artist's Way Women's Retreat I am facilitating in September. Jenny had an idea she wanted to share with me - bookmarks, using fabric paper as the artistic focus.
I came away with our meeting with ink-stained hands, mild sunburn on my back, a strong sense of inspiration and some pretty nice fabric paper samples.
I've pictured here a sampling of the bookmarks it took me a few days to finish assembling at home (it's tough to find time when juggling job searching with freelance... and of course mommy duties).
I'm looking forward to sending out the bookmarks to my Retreat guests, along with their final information mailers. Today is the day!
I look forward to posting another project in here, making use of the dried paper towels we used to clean our paint-soaked hands. I want to bring back to life a craft I invented back in college (stay tuned). Looking forward to sending Jenny a sample as a thank you for her generous time and friendship.

"Luscious Layers" Workshop at Grand River Beads

I actually tore myself away from home for a few hours (thanks to my good friend Kim who babysat for me) to attend Jenny Rohrs's polymer clay class, "Luscious Layers," at Grand River Beads. I had a marvelous time and came back home with several pieces of which I was very proud.



When I came home, I displayed my pendants on the living room table and happily offered Kim any pendant of her choice as a gift of thanks. She chose the one I would have picked for her (unfortunately not shown here).

I find it ironic... I've worked as an ornament designer for 10.5 years, just got laid off, and now am finally taking the first 3D class I've taken since my college days. I'd written a goal for my previous job to learn more about 3D materials by actually experimenting with them (to learn by DOING). I never liked or wanted to work hands-on with 3D materials, because it almost always involves fire and/or heat. I have a definite phobia of fire and handling hot objects (I assume this is a natural fear I've just never learned to overcome).

Now I'm becoming more and more interested in 3D crafts (clay, metals) as I browse the net and drool over the rich artsy collage work I see people doing. Creating art with polymer clay, collage work with vintage images and artifacts, artist trading cards... the more I see out there, the more I want to experiment.
But first thing's first...
I need to create a workspace at home -- just for me.
I think I figured out where that can be... I just need to move my boxes of old baby and maternity clothes in the attic ("hard to get to!" -- ever see the film Serenity?).

My Six-Word Memoir

On Jenny Rohrs's website, crafttestdummies.com, she had an entry on her blog regarding an exercise called "The Six-Word Memoir." I decided to take a moment and actually think abut what my six-word memoir would be (to describe my current life). I normally tell myself I don't have time to write, and this was a good way to tell myself, "You have time for six words, don't you?"

I wrote:
"Little Wendy, coming into the light."

I feel an awakening happening this year for me. I was on the phone pretty late last night with one of my husband's friends, talking about my present journey, exploring the creative life, taking risks, and trusting that God will lead me toward the path He wants me to take. All I need to do is take His hand.

For me, spirituality is definitely linked to the creative. I feel empty if either is lacking in my life.

I challenge you to take a moment and work-out your own 6-word memoir.
I'd love it if you could also share it by posting a comment on this site.
Best wishes on your own journey, and may you trust the hand of God to bring you forward.

Creative Mom: Jenny Rohrs

And here I begin my new journey in blogging! After a meeting with Jenny Rohrs, I decided to let my website be the home for my Artist's Way Retreat page, and I'll try to keep up with this site as an online journal. Thank you, Jenny, for all your wonderful advice. You live my dream life, aiming to make a living by being CREATIVE. Surely something I can aspire to, myself.
Motherhood is a wonderful job, but our children also look to us as role models for how to live a grown-up life. Do they want to see us dissatisfied? Or full of energy, excited, and dedicated to our dreams. I believe the latter is true.

PolyClay Art Doll Pin- "Lady Madonna- Momma's inner life" - Workshop by Jenny Rohrs

This charming, whimsical pin explores the metaphor for a woman’s “interior life”- not the tasks we have to perform as workers, wives, and mothers, but rather the rich, deep, passionate beings that we ARE, but don’t get to share with the world everyday. Try your hand at polymer clay; using stamps, mica powders, UTEE, paint and “doo-dads”, we’ll fashion a block of clay into a great art pin you’ll wear with pride. Feel free to bring small metal or plastic charms to embed in your encaustic collage to make it even more personal. Come play with Jenny and open your creative opportunities.


Jenny Barnett Rohrs is a self-taught mixed media artist who likes to work in polymer clay, fabric, and paper. If it can be stamped, foiled, stitched, painted, wired, soldered or beaded, she’s lovin’ it. She also teaches polymer clay jewelry classes in Rocky River and Amherst, and blogs faithfully at www.CraftTestDummies.com and www.CraftTherapy.com.