Magnetic Personalities

The Chamber Maid, a "Magnetic Personality" I created
in a workshop with Stephanie Rubiano

Weekend before last, I joined a group of artists who are MAGNETIC PERSONALITIES themselves in a workshop with Stephanie Rubianio which she calls, "Magnetic Pesonalities."  My good friend, Deryn Mentock and I met with two friends I had not seen in three or four years, Kim Loya and Stephanie Rubiano.

Left to Right: Stephanie, Kim, Sally, Deryn

Deryn and I met Stephanie and Kim on Friday in Austin to catch up and to shop (of course).

Uncommon Objects in Austin, Texas
(Photo by Diane Cook)

Deryn finding those rare objects she uses in creating her art jewelry.
(Photo by Stephanie Rubiano)

After hours of shopping in that awesome co-op of stores, we braved the heat to check out the refreshment stands across the street.

(Photos by Stephanie Rubiano)

Our better judgment and burning bodies convinced us to leave the 104 degree heat and head for Stephanie's home where we were joined by an online friend, Diane Cook.

Oh, my word!! You can't believe this house! It is an absolute paradise to anyone, much less to her mixed media artist friends. The whole place is gorgeously decorated with art by Stephanie and other creative artists. Her studio off the entrance to the left is crammed with incredible eye candy. 

 

Scenes in Stephanie's house.
(These pictures made previously by Stephanie Rubiano.)

We called it a day after a delicious meal out and a trip to Baskin Robbins! When you see the pictures I post next from the workshop on Saturday, I suggest you keep an eye out for the yummy art all over Stephanie's home. In addition, you can see more pictures on her blog, So I Gathered, especially here. Her studio is an absolute delight. You can see pictures of parts of it on Diane's blog here and on Deryn's blog here. In addition, Stephanie has pictures throughout her blog and archives at "So I Gathered."

Stephanie's "Magnetic Personalities" Workshop on Saturday

Here are the other "Magnetic Personalities" who took the workshop.
Left to right: Kim Loya, Mary, Beth, Cece Grimes, Jennifer Rowland, Diane Cook, me, and Deryn Mentock. In the background is part of Stephanie's collection of channel letters.
(Click on the image to see a larger version.)


Deryn Mentock and Kim Loya


Cece Grimes and Jennifer Rowland


"OH, SALLY!
Me and Stephanie

  Stephanie had prepared the boards for our dolls so the first thing we had to do was cut them out with a jeweler's saw. (That was a great refresher for me!) On the left here is how they looked after sawing them.

Next we went to work making clothes for our wooden dolls. This is where the fun really set in. We all became clothing designers and played like little girls with paperdolls.


Jennifer, Mary and Cece

Kim tries out a metal headdress.

Deryn works with us at Table B. Things are shaping up.


Table A in the far room, Table B on left above, and the sawing station on the right.
(Photo by Stephanie Rubiabno)

Next, Stephanie demonstrated how to wax select pieces of our wardrobes and also how to accomplish waxing delicate butterfly wings. Then she assisted as we made accessories from metal, fabric, and found objects.

After we got some frocks made and learned how to put the powerful little magnets on the back of them, the little darlings came to life and our table tops began to look like behind the scenes at a designer's runway show. What fun it was.

Jennifer and Cece produced as if they had a whole staff of designers!


Deryn's doll models one of her line of chic clothing.

 
Kim's doll wears a unique peacock skirt.



My newest BFF, Diane Cook and her doll with those creative wings.
 



Me and my doll donning her other outfit.
(Get it? The clothes are only magnetically held to the doll! Very cool idea, Stephanie.)

This workshop was a total blast! If you have a chance to take any of Stephanie's workshops, I highly recommend it. She is a fount of knowledge and I PROMISE you will learn loads of techniques applicable to your own work.

 
Dinner at ZTejas. Left to right: Deryn, Kim, me and Diane.
(Photo by Stephanie Rubiano)

City-wide Garage Sale!!!


Austin has a regularly scheduled city-wide garage sale! Woohoo!
(Photo by Stephanie Rubiano)


 
Some of my loot from Uncommon Objects and the City-wide Garage Sale.
 

 

Well, of course I had to get this chest of drawers!!
 

 

 

Though my sweet cupie doll says right on the back that he is the "BEST" . . .

I have to admit that the best thing I went home with was one of Stephanie's exquisite little PIXIES!

My pixie is "bijou," a French word for a small, exquisitely wrought trinket; something small and delicately worked; or an adornment made of precious metals and set with gems. And precious she is!

Thank you, Stephanie, for a grand weekend.

Pixie created by Stephanie Rubiano
(Click on image for a closer look.)

Comments

[kim mailhot]

oh, what juicy fun, fun fun ! You know how you have an arty good time, that's for sure, Miss Sally !

Love all the dolls and treasures ! Thanks for sharing your bliss ! ;)

[Deryn Mentock]

What a great combination of creating, food and treasure hunting. Of course, I always have fun with you Sally! Steph's class was terrific. I'm ready to go again!

[Diane Cook]

I am ready to go too! Oh, Sally!!!

[Holly]

It looks like such an amazing time! All the paper dollies are so pretty. Isn't it fun to be a "big girl" playing with dolls? I always love coming here to see what you have going on. Thanks for sharing!!