Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Announcing Two Fall Art Workshops

Happy Autumn! I'm thrilled the leaves are starting to change in Northern NJ, although it's hot during the day, the mornings and evenings are cooling, bringing the possibility of change, and making my runs with Ringo more enjoyable. TraillWorks is evolving with the seasons and is pleased to announce two fall workshops with two very talented artists. 

Fabric Tassel Postcard, 6" x 4", by Martha C. Hall

First, No Sew Fiber Art, set for Sunday, October 24th from 10 -3pm will be taught by Martha C. Hall, an award-winning textile artist who is venturing into the teaching realm. She is a creative and consummate professional in everything she does and I anticipate this workshop being very well-received. I've known Martha for about three years; she impresses me in the way she presents her work and herself. She's a patient person, who is also very thoughtful about everything, the makings of an excellent teacher. I can't wait myself as I think Martha will open up new possibilities for my own work.

Workshop participants will make one to two pieces of small fiber art, one of which will be a postcard suitable for mailing. We will experiment with surface design techniques including fused fabric and papers, stamping, writing with fabric ink pens, freezer paper resists and stencils. Design concepts and tips for working on a small "canvas" will also be addressed.

Register for No Sew Fiber Art Workshop with Martha C. Hall in Newton, NJ  on Eventbrite
No Sew Fiber Art with Martha C. Hall

Japanese Stab Binding Book, Mixed Media, by Renie Garlick
The second workshop, Japanese Stab Binding, set for Sunday, November 14th from 10 - 3pm will be taught by artist, Renie Garlick. Japanese stab binding is a decorative method of joining the pages of a book to it's cover. It's one of the simpler, yet very beautiful methods of book binding. Like Martha, Renie has similar qualities of a good artist / teacher. She knows her craft, is always well-prepared, and is able to offer alternative approaches or directions for her students. She's also very interested in building a sense of community through collaboration.


Homage to Julia Limited Edition Book, constructed by Renie Garlick / designed by Jennie Traill Schaeffer, $40 each

Renie and I have collaborated recently on a book together. She constructed the above book that I helped design using limited edition giclées of one of my paintings, Homage to Julia, as the cover image (still copies available.) One of the books made during the workshop will be a Japanese tortoise shell binding composed from pages designed by workshop participants. The other book created with blank pages with use a 3-hole punch style binding (shown above). The tortoise binding is ideal for work with single sheets of paper; makes lovely photo albums, journals and storybooks. Making your own book makes a touching gift. I made a scrapbook for my sister upon her high school graduation, and made a guest book for my best friend's wedding.

Register for Japanese Stab Binding Workshop with Renie Garlick in Newton, NJ  on Eventbrite
Japanese Stab Binding with Renie Garlick







Both of these workshops are suitable for beginners through more advanced students, mature teens through adults. There are only twelve spots available in each workshop and pricing is discounted for early registrants. All participants will be treated to a complimentary three-course lunch from Krave Cafe and Caterers in Newton. You can register above through Eventbrite or by contacting me at TraillWorks via email: jennie@traillworks.com or phone, 973-383-1307. I hope you'll join us for at least one creative day! jennie@traillworks.com

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Opening and Benefit a HUGE Success!

From left, Brenda Decker (featured artist), Jane MacNeil (Turn the Towns Teal, Inc.), Jennie Traill Schaeffer (me), Martha Traill Schaeffer (jewelry artist and mom)
I'm still on cloud nine after this Saturday's opening for Brenda Decker and benefit for Ovarian Cancer Awareness! TraillWorks saw a fantastic turnout with Jane MacNeil, president of Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. on hand to greet visitors and share information about ovarian cancer. Featured artist, Brenda Decker was on hand, as well as an appearance by jewelry artist, Martha Traill Schaeffer. I'm pleased to announce that though donations and sales during the day, TraillWorks will be donating about $279 to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. to help in their awareness campaign across the country. 

Brenda Decker and Jennie Traill Schaeffer

Special thank yous go out to Krave Cafe and Caterers for their tasty and elegant spread, as well as to Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd. for the delicious Folonari and Trapiche wines. Both donated their respective offerings for the evening. 

Red Line, Acrylic on Panel, 24" x 36", ©2010 Brenda Decker, SOLD

And, congratulations on the success of Brenda Decker's artwork. Thus far we've had one sale, and though it was my favorite piece of the show, there are many other sublime pieces available through September 25th. Brenda was also an award-winner at the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council's Skylands Juried Show. She's worked hard to achieve the recognition; it's well-deserved. 

Circle of Hope Pendant, $95, ©2010 Martha Traill Schaeffer
Martha Traill Schaeffer and TraillWorks will continue to donate 10% of the retail price of any of her jewelry purchased during the rest of the month to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. Her set, Circles of Hope, is still available, though congratulations is in order on her sale of a Circle of Hope pendant on Saturday.  

Homage to Julia, Oil and Collage on Panel, 24" x 24", ©2010 Jennie Traill Schaeffer, SOLD

And, to toot my own horn, because, as my associate Corrie says, my work should come first, I finally sold a painting via ArtQuiver on Saturday to a longtime student. Homage to Julia will be my first official ArtQuiver sale and helped me to donate money to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. I'll be posting a blog soon about my upcoming commissions and their progress, so keep an eye out for that! 

Thank you again to Jane MacNeil of Turn the Towns Teal, Inc., Kate and Rich Hashway of Krave Cafe and Caterers, Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd., Martha Traill Schaeffer/Mom, Brenda Decker, and all of the friends, family and visitors who joined us and donated on Saturday to help save women's lives. 

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Circles of Hope by Martha Schaeffer

Circle of Hope Pendant, $95, ©2010 Martha Traill Schaeffer




My mom drove out to Newton on Saturday with a bag in hand, jewelry inside of course. It was a drop-off of new jewelry, as well as an excuse to see her grandson. Either way, it was a great evening . . . with dinner at our favorite local Italian Restaurant. She brought quite a few new pieces to display for this Saturday's Ovarian Cancer benefit; what stood out among the copper bracelets and silver pendants was a set she designed for ovarian cancer awareness.

Not one to name her work, these she felt needed the title of "Circle of Hope". She told me she came up with this idea awhile back and finally got to making it. I can't imagine how difficult and emotional this may have been to make since she lost her best friend to ovarian cancer. Barbara would have been tremendously touched by mom mom's design, and her cause.

Circle of Hope Earrings, $60, ©2010 Martha Traill Schaeffer
Sold as a set for $150 or individually, the pieces are all hand-made from .999 fine silver. The rings are hand twisted and fused. The indicolite-colored crystals are hung on hand-wrapped silver. Even the ear-wires are hand-formed. 


Persian Chain Maille Bracelet, $125, by Martha Traill Schaeffer

Mom also brought me a new handwoven, Persian Chain Maille bracelet, accented with an aquamarine stone box clasp. These have been very popular, so far selling out of each one she's made for TraillWorks. I've heard from owners of the bracelets how light-weight and comfortable they are to wear; great for everyday or a night out. Each of these links are hand-closed, sterling silver chain.

10% of the sale of Martha's jewelry featuring the color teal will benefit Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. if purchased during the month of September. Reserve your's now before Saturday's event.

Friday, September 3, 2010

ArtWorks Benefit Ovarian Cancer Awareness

TraillWorks, Tealed.
September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Three out of the past four years, I have held some type of event to benefit an Ovarian Cancer organization. The previous two benefited Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation, and this year I have decided to work with Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. which used to be under Kaleidoscope of Hope's umbrella. Gail MacNeil (1943-2008) coined the phrase, Turn the Towns Teal and also helped to start Kaleidoscope of Hope.

Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the mission of raising awareness of symptoms of ovarian cancer. It's a strange disease, in that if treated early, over 90% of women will survive. However, due to symptoms that seem more related to general aging and the lack of early detection screening tests, most cases are not diagnosed until the cancer has progressed into later stages. Only about 19% of all ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at this early stage and if found in later stages, three and higher, the survival rate is only about 30%. 

Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. is working in NJ and several other states to "teal" town centers with ribbons, lawn signs, and distribute symptom cards to raise awareness of the disease. This organization is special to me because it directly affected my family when my mom's college friend, Barbara Salamy, passed away from ovarian cancer several years ago. It was found too late and she fought for a little over a year. It was my first knowledge of the disease and since then several of my mom's close friends have been diagnosed. Fortunately, they were more aware of the disease's symptoms, following up early enough to be diagnosed sooner.  

Jenny Shotwell of Doggone Gorgeous and me tying teal ribbons.
Spring Street, Newton donned in teal ribbons.
Saturday, September 11th, coinciding with the opening reception of "Brenda Decker-New Acrylic Paintings and Recent Gelatin Monotypes" I'm hosting a benefit at TraillWorks for Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. From 5 - 8pm Brenda will be on hand to talk about her work and meet with visitors. Krave Cafe and Caterers has agreed to donate a spread of hors d' oeuvres and Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd. will donate Trapiche and Folonari wines for the cause. We will have symptom cards on hand so you can learn about ovarian cancer. Some of the jewelry artists have made teal jewelry and my work will be available in the lesson room. And, throughout the day, TraillWorks and its artists will donate 5% of all sales to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. All customers will have the option to receive an additional 5% off or donate it to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. 

Reclamation, 18" x 24", Acrylic on Panel, ©2010 Brenda Decker, $750
Brenda Decker of Stockholm, NJ, is a multi talented artist whose work for the show features both acrylics and gelatin monotypes. The pieces are rich in texture, spontaneity and strong in composition. Her work is loosely influenced by nature, but she tends to stay away from giving her work too much context, preferring the viewer to find their own meaning in the work. Strong at using both subtle tones and strong colors, several of the pieces feature the color teal.


I've known Brenda since exhibiting together at Art at the Mill in Lafayette, NJ and has always admired her work. It's an honor to be exhibiting it at my own gallery and to help support a very dear cause. I hope you'll join us for a special night. Learn more about the event here, or view a preview video of the exhibit.