Silver Bella

A Note From Sally Jean...

SILVER BELLA ~ SALLY JEAN Update

Just a quick little latest-and-greatest info on supplies for Sally Jean Workshops at Silver Bella!  Yay!

Make sure to check the Supply List for your Workshop for details, but here are a few updates:

For all Workshops:

Pliers - At least one pair of pliers are important.  I'd choose bent-nosed if you can get just one.  If you have two pliers...even better.  For those that are having difficulty finding chain-nosed pliers, bring what you have.  But as an option...we can use clothes pins!  I will have some at the workshop to share.

Soldering Supplies/Equipment - If you have your own soldering supplies, please bring them to use during the workshop.  I will supply Flux, Flux Brushes, Sponges, Flux Remover, and Polish to whomever needs it. 

IMPORTANT:  If you need to borrow soldering supplies such as a soldering iron, solder and sal amoniac block...you can check them out.  To do so, you will NEED to trade your drivers license for a soldering kit and then you will get your license back when you return those supplies.  Please note that I only have 20-ish full kits of soldering supplies...so we may need to share.

A cookie sheet type tray and a terry hand towel are must-haves.  You can use a cheap, throw-away, tin-foil type tray that is available at grocery stores or a teflon-coated cookie sheet from stores like Target (usually 2/$5).

Don't forget to bring your Kit Fee to the Workshops

For specific Workshops:

SOLDERING FOR VIRGINS (Kit Fee $10):

Make sure to bring pre-made artwork.  The sizes are:  1" square, 1"x1.5", and 3/4"x2".

CANDY CANE COURTESAN (Kit Fee $15):

Optional Supplies to Bring:

1. Paintbrush (if you want to paint your own artwork)

2. Text from an old book (for personalization)

PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE (Kit Fee $15):

Please Bring:

1. Paintbrush

2. Ephemera/artwork/text you would like to use in collage (if you want/in addition to your kit)

3. Favorite paints, stamps, text as you desire (I will have some to share)

SNOW GLOBE (Kit Fee $20):

Please Bring (to add to the items in your kit):

1.  Pearls or beads

2. Small personal trinkets/treasures that you would like to incorporate into your Snow Globe

See you all REALLY soon!  Can't wait to play!

O, Santa Baby...take me shopping!

A few weeks ago I posted the listing of Vendors for the Bella Vendor Faire. There have been a couple of changes, so I wanted to post the revised and final list.

There were some unfortunate vendor cancellations which then made room for some fabulous additions.

One word: amazing!!!

• Doojies
• Everyday is a Holiday
• Papier Valise
• Vintage Diva Designs
• Melissa Danner
• Pretty Petals Boutique
• Willy Nilly Art and Whimsy
• Sugar*Sugar
• Birds of a Feather
• Donna Layton
• Karla's Cottage
• Confections by Cheryl Dack
• Raised in Cotton
• Wanda Clark
• Holly Doodle Designs
• Carol Wingert
• Elizabeth Williams
• Curious Sofa
• Sweet Pea Ink
• French By Design
• Princess Lasertron
• One Hundred Wishes
• Lollishops
• Toni Pastory
• HodgePodge by Amanda
• Cari Kraft
• Jemellia Hilfiger
• A Gilded Life
• Carrie Huber
• Kate Wakefield
• Geralyn Gray
• Lonnie Jenck
• Moonfairies World
• Artistic Bliss Designs
• Sally Jean
• Charlotte Lyons
• Jenni Bowlin
• Kim Kwan
• Pam Garrison
• Teresa McFayden

There are 8 tickets to the Vendor Faire still available. The deadline for purchasing them is November 1. Tickets must be purchased in advance.  If you are interested in purchasing tickets to the Vendor Faire only, they are $30 each and payment can be made via PayPal to: tmcfayden@cox.net. Be sure to indicate in the comments section of the invoice who the tickets are for, and also provide a mailing address.

 

P.S. This week this kitschy blog is featured on Typepad! Thank you Typepad....and you know you'll always be my favorite blogging service! xoxo

She Get's Us

This is an exciting announcement! Mary Engelbreit, our Guest Speaker for the Bella Luncheon, has a special treat for us...

Mary has a newly designed licensed print: Arts and Crafts Keep You Sane. Ain't it the truth, though? We are offering it at Silver Bella! This print is so new you won't find it anywhere on the market!  You can see small version of this print in The Home Companion's Guide to Creative Living (page 8) when Mary features a wonderful article on the subject of "making your mark by creating something with our own hands".

Bella's can pre-order her darling print and pick it up at The Bella Luncheon. She will autograph it for you!
11 x 14 Print $26.00
18 x 24 Print $52.00

Here's how to get her print for yourself:

Submit your PayPal payment to: tmcfayden@cox.net

Let Mary autograph your pieces for you at The Bella Luncheon!

*This offer is exclusive to Silver Bella only*

Pre-order deadline: Monday, October 27

Oh no!

The last day to register for Silver Bella is Tuesday, October 21! Gals have been registering this week and I am so excited for them. Lots of first timers and I know they will have a ball here in Omaha!

I also know they will go home so inspired and full of ideas to build on. Those first timers will meet so many others and develop new friendships. They will fine so many treasures at the Vendor Faire, too. Oh, and they will dine and shop with Mary Engelbreit...can't forget that! Click on over to Paper Bella Studio to register before Tuesday, October 21!

See you there!

A Supa Special Feature!

Last year's Silver Bella Event is currently featured in November '08 issue of Country Living Magazine!

It was so exciting to relive last year's event through the pages in the article! It was a pleasure working with the Editors and authors this past year to make the article happen. I've seen the article on the screen several times, but seeing it in print just pretty amazing to me. I am so honored to have Silver Bella featured in one of my very favorite magazines!!

So, if you are wondering what Silver Bella, a paper arts event, is all about go pick up the magazine and take a peek! The magazine landed in my mailbox yesterday, and will be on newstands across America shortly!

Vendor Faire Tickets!

Now that it's October, it's time to get your tickets to Silver Bella's Vendor Faire! If you aren't able to attend Silver Bella, but would like to come shop, see and experience the most exciting shopping experience of the midwest, then here's the details you have been waiting for!

   

Come shop with all of the amazing and talented artisans and vendors who are busy at this very moment creating just for Silver Bella!! Tickets are $30 each which includes admittance, festive appetizers and dessert bar. Cash bar also available.

Payment via PayPal to: tmcfayden@cox.net. Indicate your mailing address and the names of all persons you are buying tickets for in the comment section of your PayPal payment.

DEADLINE to purchase: Saturday, November 1

Tickets will be mailed on or about November 3.

Come mix and mingle, shop for your holiday gifts and stop and say hello!

Bellawear

T-Shirts! Get yer t-shirts! Short sleeve or long sleeve, vintage prom dress on front and Silver Bella logo on the back. Pair the t-shirt with a fun skirt or leggings and a crinoline and voila instant Bella Prom attire.

Sizes run true to size and are available in S,M,L,XL,2XL, 3XL.

They are available for pre-order now and can be picked up Thursday, November 13 at 7:00pm in the ballroom just before the group workshop. Front of shirt designed by my Aussie friend, Natasha Burns. Sweet, isn't it?!

Deadline to order: Tuesday, October 21

You can order them here :)

(digi credits: Paper Relics)

Bella Vendor Faire and Prom!

Ladies, ladies, have I told you how wonderful The Bella Vendor Faire will be? Let me give you the details.

Every year, attendees have the option of dressing up for Vendor night. One year it was pajamas, last year it was Gypsy Cowgirl, and this year: Vintage Prom.

So many girls already have their vintaged dresses, pearls and gloves already packed in their suitcase and ready to go.

Of course, wearing a prom is dress is optional, and of course you can get creative with your attire. Maybe an old bridesmaid dress, your momma's prom dress...you get the idea!

If you aren't up for such glam, other options could be layers of bling and a fabulous vintage style slip and boots, or even a exclusive Silver Bella t-shirt designed by the talented Natasha Burns.

Pre-orders for t-shirts coming soon!

Below is the fabulous line up of Vendors participating in the Bella Vendor Faire. It's quite a list, and I betcha you are going to like it!

Drum roll, pleez...

• Doojies
• Everyday is a Holiday
• Papier Valise
• Vintage Diva Designs
  
• Melissa Danner
• Pretty Petals Boutique
• Willy Nilly Art and Whimsy
• Sugar*Sugar
• Birds of a Feather
• Donna Layton
• Karla's Cottage
• Confections by Cheryl Dack
• Raised in Cotton
• Wanda Clark
• Holly Doodle Designs
• Carol Wingert
• Elizabeth Williams
• Curious Sofa
  
• Sweet Pea Ink
• French By Design
• Princess Lasertron
• One Hundred Wishes
• Lollishops
• Toni Pastory
• HodgePodge by Amanda
• Cari Kraft
• Jemellia Hilfiger
• A Gilded Life
• Carrie Huber
• Kate Wakefield
• Geralyn Gray
• Lonnie Jenck
• Moonfairies World
• Artistic Bliss Designs
• Sally Jean
• Charlotte Lyons
• Jenni Bowlin
• Kim Kwan
• Pam Garrison
• Teresa McFayden

Exciting isn't it?! A beautiful room, with beautiful gowns and happy faces and so many talented vendors from near and far. I can't wait. Makes me want to dance!

Strands of Friendship

Now that it's September, pre Silver Bella fun is in the works! Friendships flourish, art is created, paint an glitter is flying...

Some artist's swaps are now underway and filling up quickly. Last year I was amazed at all of the beautiful swaps offered and the finished creations. Bellas, if you are interested in joining one of the swaps, head over to the Yahoo board and sign yourself up! You won't regret it!

There are some other fun, exciting side events starting up soon. Something new this year, and I can't wait to see how it all comes together. When creativity and friendship is involved, it's bound to be over the top exciting! More details on that coming soon...

Silver Bella Blingage

Last month I received a really great necklace from Natalie Hansen. Although it's a bit presumptious with that "Queen" verbage on it, I love it! Must be that great silver crown that's making me happy! Natalie makes each charm by hand out of silver art clay (99.7% pure silver). The charm of it all, to me, is that it's SILVER it's CROWNY and it's BELLA BLINGISH. So we put our pointy little heads together and came up with some for Silver Bella!

Natalie will even personalize a charm for you. For the custom orders she adds a crown (everbody gets a crown, it's just the Bella way) and add YOUR text! Like: Happy Bella, Artsy Bella, Swella Bella, Pretty Bella, uhm what else can we think of...uhm...Kitschy Bella, Bitshy Bella, Pinka Bella, Baby Bella, 3rd Year Bella....oh I could go on and on but you should give it a try and come up with your own *Bellafied* phrase!

Here is the information on how to get one for yourself or your favorite Bella friend (click on information to enlarge):

So, things to remember:

• Charms are picked up AT Silver Bella on Thursday night before the Group Workshop.
• Last day to preorder is October 22 and
• Natalie takes payments through Paypal.

Questions? Please email Natalie Bella Hansen at: natalieh1225@yahoo.com!

She said it.

Gather insight from Meleen Dupre! Here, she shares a bit of what Silver Bella means to her:

let's see....where does one begin to explain silver bella, i'll try my best, but please know that some things just can't be explained. two or so years ago i stumbled upon a few blogs. i read them occasionally at first, one link or comment leading me to another, soon i was reading the blogs of very creative women, but women i could relate to. their creations were the kinds of things i loved. last spring teresa mcfayden's blog talked about silver bella. i was intrigued, i read more.....silver bella....a paper arts event, but oh so much more....then, i read...3 days in omaha nebraska...forget it. it was never going to happen.(i live on the east coast)

i had been mentioning bits and pieces of these blogs, the beautiful creations, silver bella, etc, to my husband. being one to always support any idea i've had, my husband said to go for it.  but, while i could vision it, it just seemed so far fetched. i logged on, and watched registration come and go....sold out!!! oh well, i had missed out, but i continued to read....still intrigued. i loved making my own beautiful art pieces, and now i was kicking myself for not taking a chance. a chance to connect with others who love what i love, a chance to learn all kinds of new techniques, a chance to visit a place i never thought about. ( i learned that it would be so much more...) sometime in september, my husband just happened to ask what ever happened to that silver bella thing. well, it was sold out, but i told him everyone on the blogs were still talking about it. then he suggested i email teresa, and ask her to let me know if she gets any cancellations.

long story short, i emailed, and there was an opening!! i had to decided quickly.....okay, ....i was in!! holy cow, i was going to omaha!!! from then, i never looked back. full steam ahead!!! and now, looking back it was "the" best thing i ever did.

i met so many wonderful people, the classes were awesome. but it was more than just taking great classes,....everyone shared everything....their ideas, tips, stories, supplies, laughter...some shared so much more. it was such an uplifting weekend. and a bonus.....omaha was amazing!!!  the shopping was such an unexpected surprise.

my best advise for anyone on the fence...save up a few bucks and go for it!!! you'll never have a chance to connect and create like this, don't let this event pass you by. i'm not a big risk taker....and when i told people that i was flying to omaha for an art retreat, they thought i was crazy. now, i couldn't imagine not going. i hope this is somewhat helpful.....and, any questions....feel free to ask!!

see ya in omaha!!!

meleen

oyster bay, new york

She inspired me. She'll inspire you, too.

Lately, I've been loving the life of stitches. The possibilities of a few strands of thread. Limitless! It's been the fault of many, my sister for one. Spending time with Rebecca Sower last week only made my fondness for stitches stronger! Thought I'd share something I've been working on:

They are thin wrap around bracelets. Inspired by many, but after spending time with Rebecca last week, I gained the courage to try it for myself. She is teaching a couple fabulous workshops at Silver Bella, one being FABRIC ART ADORNMENTS!

If I get a chance, I'd love to sit a spell in that workshop. After seeing all of her work, I was drawn in hook, line, and sinker. She has the most amazing details in all of her work, and she's sharing it with everyone in her workshop. Rebecca shared a sampler she is continuously adding to and it will...it will...it will break you my friend! You will weep in wonder and lust! She's so very talented with her passions and it shows. I hope she brings that sampler for all to see in her workshops. Lucky bellas! 

My little bracelet wrap around can't hold a candle to her skills, but it was sure fun to do. My daughter even asked me to make her one. Thank you, Rebecca!

Let's Talk Tables (and Booths)

But first, an update about Registration! Silver Bella is about 3/4 full! Thank you so much to everyone who has registered for this exciting paper arts event. During the past 3 years this Event has grown into something so much more than I had ever dreamed. I steer the direction as much as I can, but Silver Bella and it's success is much more than one person can ever control!

It's the registrants and their enthusiasm and desire to learn, it's the instructors who I've come to adore(and so have so many of you), it's the sponsors -great and small- and it's the vendors, who share their creations with us. It's the Guest Speakers that delight us and inspire us. Last year Country Living Magazine Editors and this year Mary Engelbreit! And it's Omaha...in all it's quaintness. All of these things come together to make Silver Bella what it is.

Silver Bella is original and trendsetting and always will be. And registration is filling up which delights me to no end. If you are considering joining us, be sure to gather the details and get on board for a paper arts event you will never forget: HERE!

Vendor apps are coming in left and right! There are so many wonderful artists and talented folks coming to sell their wares at the Bella Market Faire! I love it! Bellas love to shop and be wow'd with original creations!

There is a nice variety so far, but I do want to stress that some areas are filling up. Would love to see another jewelrysmith join our Bella Market, and also love to see artist's with handmade creations whether that be seamstresses, collage artists, holiday decor, etc.

Once area that is full is paper arts suppliers. That being paper arts supplies and ephemera. Love it and need it and will buy loads of it, but that section for Bella Market is at capacity. Just wait until you see the wares that are coming....mama mia!

Vendor applications will be accepted until the ballroom space is full, and when that happens I will post about it. Also, emails will be sent out by the end of July letting vendors who have applied know they are accepted! Such an exciting time!

If you are thinking about attending Silver Bella but your pocketbook isn't allowing you to, you might think about signing up to be a Vendor. Then create some original artful pretties and sell them at The Bella Market Faire. That way you can earn a little to help pay for the trip, and better yet, push yourself as an artist, and grown and learn and gain some fabulous exposure at the same time!

More Pearls

Pearls come in all sizes and styles, just like the new listing of Silver Bella Sponsors in the sidebar on the right! I hope you will check each of the fine sponsors listed. I am so delighted by their generosity and know you will be, too.

Don't you love this find I scored recently? Vintage mercury glass tiny clusters. Reminded me of pearls.

Enjoy your day!

Pearls of Enthusiasm

It is with much excitement that I share this Pearl of Enthusiasm!! It's going to be a Mary Christmas this year at Silver Bella!

Yes, that's right, Mary Engelbreit will be joining us that very special day! She has inspired us for well over a decade with her illustrations, fabric line, greeting cards, home decor and gift ware, scrapbook supplies, embroidery patterns, and book and book of 100% cuteness. Let's not forget her magazine, The Home Companion! Seriously, I have every single issue!

Please note, this is a private speaking engagement for Silver Bella only, and is not open to the public.

Need more information on Silver Bella? You can register: HERE!