EncaustiKits

moving~

2011-07-29T13:04:00.001-07:00

For sanities sake, I am closing down this blog and concentrating all EncaustiKits info through my main blog, Gingerfetish! Please visit often, and the site is still live and active! www.encaustikits.com. Pssst: something big coming in September :) followed by something even bigger in November :)))
Keep an eye out!
in love. trish

sharing an INSPIRED moment

2011-05-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Sharing this Inspired moment! For all of you from the Ontario area, I've added a retreat close to your home! Muskegon, Michigan this September! Check it out~www.pbsartist.com

Encaustic with Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch
Lots and lots of loving at Inspired I tell ya!!
Trisha is Fabulous! And I love her Encaustic Waxes -- We had so much fun playing with wax and transfers, incisors (sp?), pan pastels, stamps, etc. Gotta LOVE wax!!

And.... I'm so excited to have more wax classes in a couple of weeks when Nancy teaches at Mixed Minded too!! What a waxy month! ...but I digress *smile*

Here is the 8x8 canvas that I made in Trisha's class. Thanks Trisha!! You're awesome sweetie!!
http://www.thearthousestudio.ca/2011/05/encaustic-with-patricia-baldwin.html

Encaustic Mixed Media: Innovative Surfaces and Techniques for working in wax

2011-04-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ready, set, go! Lucky me lucky me! I got to write a second encaustic book and am thrilled to be seeing it coming to life! Due out in August, Encaustic Mixed Media is an indulgence in everything I've been putting my hand to since Encaustic Workshop hit the shelves in February of 2009. Delving into the hardware store, art supply, craft and thrift stores with eyes wide open to possibilities, this book offered me the opportunity to dispel 'no's' and prove the 'yes's' in encaustic rule! Look forward to posts in the coming weeks highlighting the mixed media products and techniques developed for Encaustic Mixed Media~things from plaster and tar to panpastel and wood icing, nothing is left untouched and unincorporated :) in love. trish

YouTube demo from NAMTA!

2011-04-16T04:21:00.001-07:00

Phoenix!

2011-04-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

Awaiting departure for Phoenix for the International Art Materials Trade Show. Looking forward to the opportunity thanks to an invitation from C&T Publishing to exhibit in their booth with my TAP (transfer artist paper) kit and the whole line! Feeling blessed despite only 4 hours of sleep under my belt.....
http://www.namta.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=0

2011-04-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

Create mixed media retreat is coming not only to the Chicago area in late August, but also to Costa Mesa, California in May! Just a month away! I can hardly wait to get down there and not only teach two workshops, but vend EncaustiKits as well! More opportunity to geek people on encaustic!? Can't pass that up! Join me; there's an amazing line up of instructors and events planned. It's a 'don't miss it' indulgence in all things mixed media~
http://www.cvent.com/events/create-with-cloth-paper-scissors-mixed-media-retreat/event-summary-8df45474292a464b9544df5919cbc630.aspx

Sharing the sharing!

2011-02-24T06:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.mevio.com/episode/268374/cha-winter-2011-encaustikits

cloth,paper,scissors rocks!

2011-02-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/blogs/clothpaperscissorstoday/archive/2011/02/23/diver-or-wader-what-s-your-mixed-media-style.aspx
What a treat to see my work, product and passion featured on the CPS blog! Woot!!!

Diver or Wader? What's Your Mixed-media Style?23 Feb 2011 by Cate Prato
How do you approach a new (or new-to-you) art medium? Do you wade in slowly, reading up on everything there is to know, researching the tools on the Internet, maybe taking a workshop?

Or do you just grab the basic supplies and dive in, learning as you go and buying specialized materials as needed?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches, and many people probably fall somewhere in between.

I have to say I fall into the latter category. I'd like to say it's because I'm spontaneous and free-spirited, but the word that actually describes my approach is "impatient." I see a shiny new colorant or a twist on an old technique, and I want to make art with it NOW. So what if I don't have all the supplies or actually know what I'm doing...I'll make do.

Such was the case a couple of weeks ago when I decided to try my hand at encaustic (hot wax) collage. I got a notion to try it, cobbled together the other necessary supplies, had some success, and now I'm addicted.

Now is when I want to get my hands on all the "correct" supplies and learn more than the very basics.

Research. So I've been doing some research. Not only did I re-view (again and again) Amy Stoner's "Encaustic Collage" WorkshopTM video, but I got my hands on a copy of Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch's book Encaustic Workshop: Artistic Techniques for Working with Wax. Patricia's book is comprehensive, with information on the basic tools and techniques, mixed-media variations, and how to assemble and display your artwork. She also wrote a terrific article in the January/February 2010 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. Between those two sources, I am now well-versed in the basics and beyond.

Wax. There is beeswax and there is encaustic medium. Beeswax comes in refined and natural. The main difference is that the refined variety produces a clear finish while natural beeswax has that warm, honeyed look. It's really a matter of preference.

Encaustic medium is beeswax combined with damar resin. The resin hardens the wax, raises the melting temperature, and prevents bloom (turning white).

Application. You can brush on the wax, in which case you'll need a natural bristle brush as synthetic bristles will melt. You can pour wax over your collage or dip pieces in it. Or, you can paint with it, using clear or pigmented wax and a stylus. Pat Gaignat wrote an excellent tutorial on using a stylus with encaustic collage in the November/December 2009 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. Using a stylus allows you to pick up wax and drip it or draw with it, which sounds like a fun option to me.

So far, my preference is for using encaustic medium and a brush, so I plan to stock up on the medium this week during the 15% off sale in the Interweave Store. But I can't wait to try out all my options.

So, which method do you prefer: jumping into the deep end or wading in slowly and carefully? Something in between? Everybody into the pool (aka Comments section) for a discussion!

THAT WASN"T SO BAD!

2011-02-01T04:11:00.000-08:00

:))) Last day of CHA trade show. Wonderful~

EncasutiCamp 2011

2011-01-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

'Sixty four percent of Americans want to make more things themselves. There's a huge opportunity in providing the tools and materials to do just that.'
This quote, serendipitously clipped and tacked to the board above my desk several months ago, speaks to all that I believe, and have believed, for myself for as long as I can remember: To create what I 'want' myself.
My first big sewing project was my eighth grade dance dress. In high school a friend and I saw a great twig reindeer at a craft show and went home to make several ourselves. In college, needing Christmas gifts but having no means to buy things for my family, I collected pine cones from the local park, glued them to a cardboard frame, sprayed them with glitter and offered up holiday wreathes.
As a new mom I saw some adorable kids clothing, way out of my price range, as I began my journey as a stay-at-home mom so many years ago, and found my way around recreating a version of my own. Even as money became less of an obstacle, I made the boys' teachers holiday gifts of polymer ornaments and shrink plastic icicles (sigh).
So it comes as no surprise to find myself not only wanting that same ability to befall everyone else, but to come boldly forward in my course through creativity to offer up an avenue for them to find just that! First through EncaustiKits,
the line of inclusive craft kits bringing all things encaustic and mixed media to the craft world and now through Encausticamp-the place to come for immersion in all things encaustic! This retreat opportunity, being offered to experienced as well as novice encaustic aficionados, is being held July 13-17, 2011 on the outskirts of Salem, Oregon on a serene boarding school campus.
Just one hour from the Oregon coast, and the same distance to Portland, EncaustiCamp will run from Wednesday evening with check-in and an all-group demonstration and welcome gathering, through three days of workshops and three more evenings of encaustic indulgence with a vending night full of encaustic supplies, a break out pajama-talk in which instructors will open up about their encaustic art experiences and welcome questions and answers, and a final show and tell all-camp closing party.
Mixed media and experimentation have always been my passion and bringing this together with encaustic is a 'dream I didn't fully realize I had' come true :)
This post makes official the launch of the site and opening of registration to all~come take a peek; email questions, call with comments, but above all, jump in with both feet, come boldly to your own creativity and indulge in this opportunity to embrace creating all that makes your heart sing, yourself. It's that good :)
in love. trish

Sharing!

2011-01-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

So much fun! Share the waxy goodness~
Read Glenda's indulgence in EncaustiKits collage kit and see her results!
http://somewhereovertherainbowunicornsdream.blogspot.com/2011/01/encaustic-rocks.html
in love. trish

wood icing images!

2011-01-03T11:37:00.001-08:00

Check out the wood icing in action~so as to see what it's all about and why you'd benefit from investing!
in love. trish
http://gingerfetish.blogspot.com/2010/12/sitka-collections-4.html

K to J special

2010-12-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

I have been blessed with two amazing people in my life who've come to represent for me the near perfect example of all that is the human possibility of unconditional love. These two forces teach me more than I care to admit sometimes and for this I am featuring a kit in their honor:)
The just released, wildly popular, you don't want to miss this one Wood icing MBShaw stencil EncaustiKits kit is the special feature from K to J; that is, from December 28th, K's birthday to January 28th, J's birthday! Catchy huh?!
Enjoy a $7.00 savings on this fantastic kit on all online orders. This kit is an online exclusive; you'll never see it in stores, so nab one today and indulge in all of its goodness. It's become my favorite!
And to all those who stand in the wings and are the unsung force behind success, count this your nod to acknowledgement of your support in our lives :)
in love. trish

Two new kits!

2010-12-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

Two new kits added to the EncaustiKits line:
Wood icing and MBShaw stencil kit~

and Plaster kit~

Two hot techniques to jazz your painting in encaustic!

bridgette guerzon mills blog!

2010-12-10T05:16:00.000-08:00

Friend and fellow encaustic artist Bridgette Guerzon MIlls posted this review on her blog; enjoy!

encaustic + a kit = encaustikits!
I have mentioned before that throughout the years I have received many emails asking how one gets started in encaustics. I have my whole spiel I write out, but I also mention to people who have never worked in wax before or who may not want to invest in all the paints and supplies to try this: get a block of beeswax, melt it onto the surface of your substrate and then use oil sticks or oil paints on top. This is not encaustic for the purists, mind you, it's just a way to introduce yourself to working with wax, pigment and heat. You still need to have on hand either a tacking iron (to help melt the block of beeswax) and a heat gun (to fuse).
Anyway, all this to say that Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch has created a line of products called Encaustikits. It's kind of like a starter kit for people who are interested in encaustics like I described above. She sent me one to try out and I was really happy to do so especially since she sent me the EncaustiKits Incising Kit. I often use my awl or pintool to write and draw into the surface of my wax, so I was eager to give it a try
I have to say that I really liked the incising tool that was included in the kit. I normally use a pintool from back in my ceramics days. Which works fine. But this tool had two ends to it. Each tip ended with a rounded ball, which made for a much cleaner line than my pintool normally left.
The hake brushes that came with the kit were a dreeeeaaaam to paint with. Seriously, painting with encaustics you just have got to use one of these brushes. At least for me, that's been the case. I tried to go cheap once and regretted it. The hairs kept falling into the wax. It was so aggravating that I ended up taking all the brushes (I had bought a big tub of them on clearance) and donated them to the art room at my son's preschool.
The kit also came with Encausticbords, which I have been curious about since they came out recently. It definitely has a nice surface. But I would have to try painting on a larger surface to seal my opinion on it. I generally like to paint on wood or clayboard. But like I said, I didn't feel like I got a good grasp on how well I liked the board or not since it was only 4x4 inches.
The kit also came with two painting sticks which I always enjoy using when I paint with encaustics. A tin of yellow encaustic paint came with as well. I don't normally use that bright of a yellow in my paintings, so I was a little hesitant, but it was nice change of pace for me to play with...and it made me think of sunflowers and so out came this little painting:(see blog! http://bgmartjournal.blogspot.com/2010/12/encaustic-kit-encaustikits.html)
So if you or someone you know is interested in trying out encaustics, this is a good way to test out the waters. According to the site it looks like there is going to be a plaster and encaustic kit coming out next year....mmmhmmm, I just love plaster + wax.

tweeking and updating!

2010-11-23T09:48:00.001-08:00

Change! It's always a good thing :)
We are making a few changes to things around here, based on initial sales, tester response and our own learned experience!
The labels have been revamped; lasting longer, holding stronger and (sigh!) so much easier to peel and adhere!!!
The instructions hav been tweeked to read more fluidly and take you through the process with ease.
The case pack information is being developed and should be live in the wholesale page by the first of the year~
Relationships with vital vendors have been made more perfect and the consumer will reap the rewards! Look for two amazing new, second stage, kits to be available by February 2011 :)
best of the holiday season to all~
in love. trish.

Warm reception!

2010-10-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

Great welcome to EncaustiKits at the vending night for Art and Soul Portland! Thank you to all who invested in my dream and are enjoying the spreading of beeswax goodness :) Details coming together for CHA in Los Angeles with confirmation of EncaustiKits doing a demonstration for retailers; woot!~ Booth team coming together on a shoe string...God provides! in love. trish

So

2010-10-06T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is SO fantastic!
I am so terrified...
This is SO God's path for me!
I am so scared of where this is taking me....
This is SO exciting!
I am so filled with doubt I could vomit....
This is SO what I am suited to accomplish!
I am so weary and washed out.....
My life is SO much a blessed testimony!
I am so frightened of how far this is stretching me....
The SO will forever outweighs the so.....SO I continue to take the next step and I am a GO! God is it. encaustikits official sales day one....in love. trish

Home! for 9 days...

2010-09-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

In between Portland trips! My just about, probably true, admit it I love it, favorite place~
Just finished a fantastic three day workshop at Sitka Center on the Oregon coast where inspiration was thick and joy in EncaustiKits ran high!
Returning next week for five days all over the state: indulging in a workshop, taking advantage of the opportunity to do coffee and talk ideas with an inspiring artist, tour a campus, connect with a new wax supplier,do a demo at ArtMedia in Beaverton then vend at Art and Soul saturday evening! Go encaustikits!
Speaking of which, the site is up and running! Adjustments being made, but functioning! Pass it on~www.encaustikits.com
in love. trish

What's the difference between a small-business owner and an entrepeneur?

2010-09-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

How would you answer?! I'd love to know your opinion....
Here are some from Entrpreneur Magazine, August 2010.
An entrepreneur is a creator and an innovator. A small-business owner may or may not be.
A small-business owner pulls up his shutters at 9am and calls it a day at 6pm. An entrepreneur is always open for business.
Small-business owners eat crab legs in their first year. Entrepreneur ramen noodles.
A small-business owner has already determined their potential; small. An entrepreneur has already determined the world is his oyster.
An entrepreneur takes a too-big bite then figures out how to chew it~
in love.trish

studio or factory!?

2010-09-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

thriving in the process~ in love. trish

Almost there....

2010-09-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

follow on twitter! @encaustikits.com! I'd love to have you along~

We're live!!!!

2010-08-17T12:34:00.001-07:00

Much tweeking needs to happen and it is only a home page thus far...but I'm working on it! Success comes in stages :) Enjoy with much more to come. in love trish.

www.encaustikits.com

amazing grace

2010-08-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

by the grace of God. EncaustiKits is born!
He mercifully gave me vision, followed it with a heavy dose of perseverance, topped that with blinders to others' interpretations and laid it all in a solid dish of resolve. Thank you my God. It is all for you, from you and about you. Let me do you justice, shine your light and give credit only to you for the glory you've allowed me in this. All to you. And now, I jump in with both feet and arms spread wide!....
~blog ordering and full merchandise list coming soon; fully functioning website slated for end of year! go waxy! trish

REALLY! I'm coming!

2010-07-27T13:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, not much happening here; but I'm working on it daily! Look for something big in September...but knowing me, I'll get it together in August and surprise everyone! Happy summer and I'm looking forward to a fun ride here :) go waxy~trish