Last week I had the opportunity to take a video documentary class through the Massachusetts College of Art and Design Continuing Education program. I took the course to learn how to work a camera, set up decent lighting and gain some editing experience. I got those 3 things and a whole hell of a lot more. It was an intensive and uncomfortable week of being in front of and behind the camera.

Image of my group in crisis:

Our project got the kabash from public safety and we had only 45 minutes left to capture our video. We ended up creating a documentary on “making a documentary” and it turned out better than we anticipated.

Course Description:
A one-week, full-time, immersion for students who want to learn the fundamentals of video documentary in an intimate and focused setting. Participants will develop an understanding of basic shooting techniques, picture composition, sound, lighting, interviewing, and editing with Final Cut. The class will guide students through a series of assignments using traditional, cinéma vérité, and subjective approaches. Through exercises, screening, discussion, and critique, students will be exposed to a range of storytelling, aesthetic, and artistic issues. From artists who want to document their work, to aspiring documentary filmmakers who want to share stories of social reality, this class will provide a strong foundation to build upon. Prior video production experience is helpful, but not required, whether you are a beginner or have some experience, this boot camp will be a good learning experience.

Sweet new note card from the grey blanket.

Tilda featured the wonderful artist, Julia Pott on her blog today. I love her artwork and followed a link to her animated thesis video, My First Crush. It is just fantastic!

The new Maine Necklace is in an etsy treasury…

The globes/domes came today and they fit my Karalee Designs ring setups perfectly! Crazy! It must be a sign of some sort. I’m still waiting on my glass tube cutter so I can make different size domes but I’m stunned by the possiblities. Snow globes were the initial thought and still forefront in my mind but there are so many ideas swimming around up there now. These are definately a personal project to start but who knows where the idea could end up. I love playing and buying new toys!

For the past couple of weeks, ups, usps and fedex have been at my door each and every day to drop off some sort of supply package, tilda blog item (the little bitch is gaining a reputation and supporting her puppy treat habbit) or christmas gift. Today was special though because I received a package that I have been waiting a while for…although not one I get to keep. I sold a painting to a friend of mine and have been crossing my fingers for it’s arrival. Upon opening, it is even more fantastic in person and I am so excited to deliver and hang it this weekend for the new owner. Prints of the “Christmas in California” painting are available for sale but the original is taken!

A couple weeks back I was hired to hang pictures in a fancy Boston apartment. I had no idea of the size and shapes of the pieces so I grabbed my little toolbag, stopped at Home Depot and bought a whole bunch of hanging hardware. Turns out there were 17 pieces in a full size range. So, I now consider myself a “professional picture hanger.” Hee hee. Anyway, I was so motivated that I came home and finally hung 3 awesome little pieces of work by one of my favorite Boston artists, Jennifer Lewis. I think they look fabulous!!

Remind me never to take on a pop-up card assignment again! I have spent too many hours designing, cutting, taping, ripping, printing, re-cutting, re-designing, re-, re-, re- …to even count. I’m exhausted. Pop-ups are evil. Here’s my final prototype before the color is added…

NYC artist Parisa Karami has an amazing website called Pillows for the People, where she sells a line of gorgeous one-of-a-kind pillows. Parisa has combed the garment districts of New York and Los Angeles as well as Caracas, Auckland, Berlin and Tehran to find unique fabric prints and vintage textiles. The pillows are made from a mix of flower petals, flax seed and essential oil, which when used as an eye pillow, can relieve stress and tension as well as generate energy renewal. To view Parisa’s work, please visit, www.pillowsforthepeople.com.

We are a big fan of the work of Clare Jordan, an innovative designer, who creates magnets, trinkets, and collages that are inspired by her favorite things, such as chandeliers, photos, letters, Paris, vintage jewelry, tea, laughter and martinis. To view Clare’s work, please visit, www.clarejordandesigns.com.