class preview: nesting

To be honest, we had kind of a hard time nailing down what class Cathe was going to teach. 

We originally suggested to her that we might like a jewelry class of some sort. She sent an idea, and another idea and another and another.  This Cathe, well, ideas just pour out of her.

We had a hard time picking exactly what we loved the most, but we finally agreed on the nest necklace.

This year, we want Spark to feel like coming home.  We want everyone to feel like they just stepped into their grandma's house. And everyone they know and love are there. And grandma has been baking.

We feel that the nest necklace is a perfect symbol for home.

The nests Cathe will be making in her class may vary a little from the above photo, but the concept will be the same.  This will be a great intoduction into wiring for beginners and a fun free form project for seasoned jewelry makers. 

We can't say enough how happy we are to have Cathe on our Spark team this year.  She amazes us at each turn.  We can't wait to spend some time with her, and you.

happy birthday j.mills

I call him J.Mills.

Megan calls him Babe.

And Margie calls him..... Babe. Because she is funny.

Jeremy Miller is Megan's boyfriend and the mastermind behind all of the Spark films.

Here's why we love Babe:

 This is what he does in his real life.

Pretty manly huh?

This is what he did for us.

Babe gets the Spark vision.

Even if there aren't motor cross bikes involved.

We love Babe.

Happy Birthday to the greatest cinematographer around.

Love, April & Margie

why handmade?

Oh girls Spark is getting ever so close!

We are keeping very busy these days, getting ready for the big event.  

As you know, everything at Spark is handmade. And why is that? Well, let me tell ya.

Creativity is like a muscle. When you use it a lot, it gets bigger and stronger and you find that other parts of your life get better as well. Your balance gets better. You seem to have more energy and enthusiam.

Putting Spark together is a huge workout for our creativity muscles. When the event finally rolls around we are all pumped up and super ready to share our spark.

And when something is handmade, you know that a little love has gone into it.  It's like the difference between getting an email and getting a letter in your mailbox.  We are truly grateful for each person that comes to share their inspriation at Spark. We want you to know that each person makes the event different and special every year.

And that is why we are working away in our studios and planning and scheming. 

And we can't wait to share it all with you.

If you have questions, regarding the event or otherwise, please feel free to contact us.  We will do our best to respond quickly.

Spark Artisan Market 2011

Open to the Public October 21st-22nd 

11am-5pm

We have put together an amazing handmade market this year. We are super excited to see what everyone brings! Many of our vendors have signed up as students so we will get to meet the girl behind the products.

This year, for the first time, we are opening the market to the public. We are hoping that girls who are unable to attend as students can still stop by and find a creative spark from the wonderful artisan handicrafts.

Here's is a list of all the vendors.

Chickadee

Salt City Bakery

Faded Prarie

Emily Rooney

Handmade Jewelry by Liz Eaton

Secondsister Design

Verlaivans

Twig 

Made by Jewls

Cinnamon*Sticks Designs

Academy J

Just Be

Jellabee

Vinate Fern

Livy Love

Reclaimed and Created

Delicious Design

Olio Aprons 

Fallow Field Farm

Vintage Kitchen

Sure Y Not

Silver Firs Farm

M. Erica Design

abode

lil tulip

Cakes 4 You

Anthologies 

Hydrangea Hippo

Katie Dean

Katie Waltman Jewelry

3 dotters

Isabell's Umbrella

Scarletlime

Donna Downey Studios

The Girls Loft

Come prepared to shop! 

class preview: mixed media

Donna Downey is bringing her amazing artistic talent to Spark this year. We are super excited to have Donna on our teaching team and we are in love with the class she has created.

Her class is called "From the Heart".

"Art is a measure of passion and creativity. Expressing yourself through color and design comes from the heart. Opening yourself up to the creative process can be a bit intimidating, but could very well change your life.

This workshop is designed as an introduction for beginners as well as to challenge the seasoned artist. As students, you will explore and enjoy creating visual depth; adding bold color and texture to your mixed-media art pieces.

We will create an original piece of 11 x 14” art using PanPastels, Sofft tools applicators, stamps, and stencils." -Donna

****************************

In the next few weeks, we will be posting a list of items that students will need to bring with them to Spark. This will not be an extensive list and most things you will already have in your home.

Please watch for this post and start getting ready to share your spark! We are only a couple months away!

Lizzy

There are a couple things certain about SPARK!! There will be over-the-top outrageous decor and such treasured details that make this event stand out above others. There will also be so many creative teachers and other influential ladies that will knock your socks off... so bring an extra pair. 

And the one aspect that always blows me away are the brilliant ladies that attend. Yes, you! Each year the students are what make the event what it is. Everyone brings there own glowing spark and by the end it is a full blown firework show with how much our friendship grows, how much creativity is shared & how much fun was had! Whether you come alone or with your girlfriends by the end you'll have new Spark sisters!

The first year we hung up all the students pictures on each side of our gathering room. For the second event we had everyones' photos in a jar on one of the days and each time seeing all our Sparkette's smiles really moves us! 

I am so excited to see your glowing faces this Fall!!

Number three is going to be brilliant!! Margie and her amazing team are orchestrating each moment to be magical!

Can't wait! You don't want to miss it!

xo, Lizzy

Lizzy was one of the founders of Spark along with Rhonna Farrer , Jefra Starr Linn and Margie Romney! Right now she is a blogger over at Dear Lizzy. She has a craft line with American Crafts "Dear Lizzy." She also recently launched Something Splendid: inspiring online workshops ranging from Felt Cupcakes to creative mini albums. She also loves chocolate, in case you were wondering.

paper coterie

One of major sponsors for Spark #3 is Paper Coterie. If you haven't checked them out before, stop reading this and click over. Right now.

Paper Coterie is a company that I believe in whole heartedly. They are doing things the right way. Their products are the best quality on the market. I've toured the building where they make their products and I've seen how much of the work is still done by hand because they are unwilling to compromise quality. 

Paper Coterie is in the business of helping people save memories, and celebrate friends and family. 

And they have a passion for creativity. 

So.

They want to sponsor someone who needs a little "spark" of creativity in their life to come and be part of Spark this year.  

This person could be you. Is it?

Here's what you need to do:

Create a one minute video telling us why you really need to spark your creative spirit.

Upload it to YouTube and send the link to me. 

(secondsisterjewelry@yahoo.com)

We will be posting the top videos and picking a winner on September 5th. 

Entries are due by August 31st.

*Paper Coterie will sponsor the registration fee for the winning entry. Please note that travel expenses will not be included.

Start filming! We want to hear from you!!!

April

remembering last year

Look at this adorable video Nancy Wyatt put together! Nancy is helping us out so much this year! We love her!


Spark the Event 2010 from Nancy Wyatt on Vimeo.

welcome cathe!

Sometimes serendipity works it's magic in such a way that you can only stand back and scratch your head. 

This is what happened:

We unexpectedly had one last class to fill and we were a little worried and stressed. I had been emailing creative women to ask them to write a post for us on what sparks your creativity. I have been following Cathe Holden's work, like, forever, but I didn't know her personally.  So I sent her an email through Flickr asking if she would be interested in doing a blog post.  She answered that, yes she would be happy do the the post but she was hoping that I had contacted her to teach at Spark because she loves what we are all about.

And there you have it. Serendipity. Cathe is a dream teacher. She can do just about anything. I mean, have you seen her blog? Really? It's amazing.

And she's a delight to work with. We are over the moon excited to have her as part of our team.

After successful careers as an agency art director, design firm owner, graphic artist & illustrator, Cathe gravitated toward creative blogging and all sorts of crafting with an emphasis on repurposing and a passion for vintage style. Inspiring others through her blog, JustSomethingIMade.com, she has had projects featured in and is a regular collaborator with Country Living magazine. Her blog was recognized as Flea Market Style magazine’s Best Vintage Artist’s blog to follow. She is a weekly creative blogger for SC Johnson’s Family Economics since 2008. She lives in beautiful Petaluma, California among the dairies and vineyards with her husband, Jeff, and three teenage children.

Stay tuned because we will be introducing Cathe's and Donna's classes in the next couple of weeks and, belive me, they are super fun!

Cathe is taking Alisa's spot as one of our teachers. Alisa has some health issues going on in her family right now and she needs to focus on being there for the people she loves. We hope she will still be able to come to Spark and meet everyone and most of all we hope and pray for good health for her family.

Don't forget, we just offered split payments, so register today!

April

Okay girls! We have a little somethin' somethin' to help you out. Check this out.

We want to help those of you who would like to come to Spark but are having a hard time parting with the complete registration fee all at once. We don't want money to keep anyone from coming! SO- we decided to offer a split payment program.

You can make three payments of $120 due on the 9th of August, September and October.

Please contact Megan if you want to take advantage of this offer.

meg.sparktheevent@gmail.com

We love Dear Lizzie!

Here's a little glance into the Spark Soiree we had last Saturday night at Dear Lizzie.

Spark the Event No. 3 Soiree from Spark The Event on Vimeo.

If you were there, thanks so much for coming! We loved getting to know you just a little more before the event.

If you missed it, connect with us through our Spark Facebook Page.  We want to hear from you!

Mindy, Margie, April

Mindy's baby boy is due in just a couple weeks. Isn't she just adorbes?

Photos and video shot by Megan Aslett.