Thursday, August 8, 2013

It's about time for an update!

The Co-Op has been up and running for a few months now.  We've had some wonderful projects and attendees and are very grateful to The Arc of Weld County for all of their support!  Here is a run down of what we have been doing:

In May of 2013 we got together to tie dye shirts at Bittersweet Park in Greeley, Colorado.  What a turn out!  It was amazing to see so many faces.

In June of 2013 we made fairy gardens in Eaton, Colorado.  My "magic bean" has been producing green beans for dinner over the past few weeks! 

In July of 2013 we painted with acrylics on re purposed materials in Fort Lupton.  We used quartered pallets that would have otherwise been thrown away as well as high chairs that a local restaurant had thrown away.  The high chairs have since been recovered and donated.  The families who received them are very grateful!

In August of 2013 we came back to Greeley and met at Farr park for book art.  We made our own journals and used some old law books to carve out secret candy stash spots.  I've already eaten all of my candy but I haven't filled up my journal yet!


This brings us to September already!  Can you believe it?  For September's gathering we are going to be doing print making in Windsor, Colorado.  We will have a few pre-made designs that you can use to print your own greeting cards or other materials that you provide.  (You'll be able to print on anything from cardboard to t-shirts but I'll only be bringing blank cards and envelopes)  We will also have materials available to create your own one of a kind print design!  Come dressed to get messy!

Here are some of the details:

What:  Start Making Art! and Start Making Art Jr.! Artist Co-Op "Print Making"

Where:  Windsor Main Park Shelter #2.  301 Locust St, Windsor, CO

When:  September 7th, 2013 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM

Who:  Anyone and Everyone!  For Arc Members the event is free and for anyone who might like to drop in the cost is only $5.00  














Monday, July 1, 2013

July Activity

Acrylic Painting on Re-purposed Materials!


No matter your skill level please join us for a guided painting session on your choice of a variety of re-purposed materials.  We will be offering an opportunity to all participants the opportunity to keep for personal decorative use or to donate for charitable cause all artistic work that is created.

The Start Making Art! Co-Op is reaching out to our South County Residents this month by meeting in Fort Lupton from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon on July 6, 2013.

The address for the Fort Lupton Rec. Center is 203 S. Harrison Avenue, Fort Lupton, Colorado, 80621.  Our Co-Op will be meeting there THIS WEEKEND!  Dress to get messy!
          
Driving Directions:
1.  On Highway 85 going South take the CO-52 ramp (exit) for Ft. Lupton/Dacono
2.  Turn LEFT onto CO-52 (which is also 1st Street) for approximately 3/4 mile
3.  Turn RIGHT onto S. Harrison Avenue for approximately ONE mile
4.  The Rec Center is on the RIGHT side of the street.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

UPDATE FOR JUNE CO-OP


We will be offering an alternate activity of personal FAIRY GARDENS for those who wish to 

participate but do not wish to partake in Moss Painting. 




Start Making Art and Start Making Art Jr. will be meeting in Eaton, Colorado at the park on 

Collins Street just East of Cherry Avenue.

Directions:

From East Greeley:   

Take Highway 85 North to Eaton.  Turn West onto Collins Street.  You will go all of the way to the West side of town on this street until you see a park on the North side.  There is off-street parking located at the park and we will have a covering set up for our group.

From West Greeley:

Take 59th Avenue (CR 31) North to Weld County Road 74.  Eaton Grove Nursery is on the West side of the corner where there is a stop sign at roads 31 and 74.  Turn Right (going East) onto 74.  Take this road all of the way to Eaton.  There is a stop sign at Cherry Avenue.  Go just East of this stop sign and you will see a park on the left side of the road (North).  We will have a covering set up for our group and there is off-street parking available for you at the park.



 If you have any questions or concerns please contact Nicole at (970) 353-5219 ext. 103 or nicole@arcweldcounty.org.
 

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Thank You Arc of Weld County

Sponsored by:

Thank you to the Arc of Weld County for making Start Making Art! possible.  Without their support and sponsorship this idea wouldn't be reaching our community.  Thanks to the Board of Directors, and all of the employees and volunteers who keep positive programs going in Weld County! The Start Making Art! Co-Op is eternally grateful!

Monday, May 6, 2013

Join Us in June

MOSS PAINTING

Moss graffiti replaces toxic chemicals and paints with moss.  It can grow on its own and it is living, breathing art that is Eco-friendly!  In June Start Making Art! will get together to paint with our living green paintbrushes and grow our art. 



In June the Co-Op will be located in Eaton to encompass our Northern Weld County community.  More details to follow.

  

Quick Tie Dying Tips

Here is a Run Down of some useful tips for creating and keeping tie dye projects:

1.  Use a dye fixative.  I recommend soda ash.  This is the first and most important step to tie dying in my opinion.  It needs to happen before you use any dye.

2.  Use a high grade fabric dye.  For our project I bought the dye and the soda ash from Dharma    trading company.

3.  Use only the colors you wouldn't mind seeing blended together.  I.E.  Red and Yellow make Orange but Red and Green make a muddy brown. 

4.  Let loose with your patterns.  Rubber bands make neat circle shapes.  Wherever they are tightly wound together is where the dye won't get to and the shirt will remain its original color.  You can always incorporate more or different objects such as a stick or a block that will make a different shape.  You can't make a bad pattern with tie dye!  If you're still worried about this piece look up dying patterns on the internet and get some inspiration.

5.  Mix your dye into five gallon buckets one color per bucket.  I've found this method to be far less messy than squirting the dye on with bottles or spraying it on.  Dip one color at a time and wring it out again before moving onto the next color.

6.  Throw your project into a plastic bag by itself and let it hang out for a few hours before you think about it again.

7.  Take out your pattern makers, i.e. rubber bands and throw the project into a cold water cycle in the washing machine.

8.  Dry your tie dye and TA-DA! 


Oh yes, for the faint of heart, USE GLOVES!    

Launch Date Photos









Thank you to EVERYONE who came and made the launch of Start Making Art! a success!  Smiles abound and it was great to see all of the wonderful t-shirts getting so happily made with friends and families.