Duck Tape Jewelry on Safari - A little Zebra love!

My jungle love...Oh we Oh WE OH! - well, I'm not going to the jungle or at least I don't think I'm going to the jungle, but I AM going on Safari to Africa in 26 days!!! It's the countdown!

I grabbed my zebra safari print duct tape and went on a little crafting safari of my own.  Believe me - I got lost in the craft jungle.

Watch how I create more duct tape jewelry with duct tape on an upcoming episode of Cool2Craft.  I promise your tweens will love this too and I think you'll be surprised at what I use to make them.

How to use Friendly Plastic Pellets in your Mixed Media Projects - New Video

In this episode, learn how to use Friendly Plastic Pellets with molds to create unique mixed media and found object artwork.
The best challenge is to use what you already have and incorporate it into a piece of finished art! It's lots of fun and the possibilities are endless. Enjoy! We'd love to hear your comments and feedback.





Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

A short road trip for Pizza - Ranked Missouri's #1

They say there are 6 degrees of separation.  Inevitably, when I meet someone, I find that they are friends of friends of friends or share some similar connection with me.

A couple weekends ago when I was in St. Louis for Missouri Art Ed, I met an art teacher from Reeds Spring, Missouri.  Seeing her ID badge with my home town, I engaged her in a conversation.  You see, MANY moons ago and maybe even rock ages ago, I went to Reeds Spring Vo-Tech and took graphic arts from Mr. Lear.  (poor Mr. Lear, I gave him such a hard time.  I wasn't a bad student, more of an onry one...but that shall be another story)

As it turns out Teacher Jeanette, knows Mr. Lear, who has since become the Mayor of Reeds Spring and the owner of the popular Reeds Spring Pizza Company, which was rated by the travel channel as one of the top Pizza joints in the whole country and most recently #1 in Missouri.

So last week Dana and I declared "Date Night" and headed on a little road trip back in time to my "home" (sorta) town to see just what this pizza was all about.  It truely is a destination as Reeds Springs sits down tucked away from civilization, a quaint little town with a couple of antique shops and a tea room.

Immediately, you grasp a sense of good ole hometown hospitality.  The restaurant is quaint, not fancy, but very very comfortable. Don't forget to bring a sharpie so you can leave your mark on the walls.  Here graffiti is COOL and encouraged.  You'll read testimonials from all over the country written in indelible ink on the bright yellow walls.  Where we sat, people had come all the way from Boston MA just to sample the pizza - WOW! Really?!?!?!   Along one whole wall is a museum of camera's and photography - WAY COOL too!

The menu is full of artisan style pizzas and probably the most bizzarre pizza I have ever heard of is the Nutty Blu Pig pizza.  Topped with bacon, red peper, cheese, spinach, pecans (yes I said pecans on a pizza) and a homemade lemony dressing this pizza is not only unique, it is absolutely incredible and to die for.

So Mr. Lear if you're out there reading this, I have to say THANKS - not only for being a great teacher and inspiration (I use what you taught me EVERY SINGLE DAY) but also for giving me a great destination every time I'm in the mood for pizza (which is nearly every week).  Oh....and sorry Charlotte and I were such a handful! We'll make it up to you in pizza sales.

Check out this link for a news video on Reeds Spring Pizza Co

Look Out New Jersey Here I come!! Jerry's Artist Outlet

Mirage in Colour - Mixed Media Friendly Plastic

(c)2012 Linda Peterson

If you're in the area, I'd love to meet you!! Come join me for Friendly Plastic and Cloud Clay demos at Jerry's Artist Outlet April 14 and 15th.

I'll also be teaching a class in Cloud Clay on Sunday for ages 8 to 80.  Cloud Clay isn't just a kids clay and in this class I'll show you how to sculpt using armatures.  You'll be amazed at what this light weight air dry clay can do.

See Jerry's Website for details and to sign up.  see you there!!!

Moonstruck Man from Cloud Clay

HAPPY MONDAY!!! I thought it might help to jump start your week by giving you a little crafty inspiration!

I've just come home from the MAEA (Missouri Art Education) conference held in St. Charles, MO.  where Moonstruck Man received rave reviews! Teachers love Cloud Clay and all the different things you can do with it.  I love that our Art Teachers are so passionate about teaching our kids and sharing their passion for creativity.  (Have you thanked your school's art teacher lately?)

Moonstruck Man was something I had conceived in my head and wanted to make as a sample for MAEA.  He was also my personal challenge using Amaco's newest air dry clay called Cloud Clay.  It's easy to be fooled by the packaging, since the packaging reflects bright fun whimsical colors and characters typically associated with kids crafts.  It's great to use in your mixed media work too.

I'm due to inherit my mom's kiln from her china painting days and I'm just can't wait till I can start oozing  clay in my hands, throwing and handbuilding a long list of things I want to make.  But until then, I wanted to see if I could simulate the look of ceramics with air dry Cloud Clay.

It's WAY out of the box for me, he's well...not the prettiest thing I have ever made, but he's full of loads of fun techniques.  And I'm really happy with the artful way he turned out. And yes, he fools the eye.  Everyone that picked him up expected something heavy...not something that was as light as a feather and yet durable!

He's made over an armature of aluminum foil, his clothing is full of texture-yummy texture and I used dyes to color the clay.

I'm thinking about offering the video tutorial and clay as a kit.  Anyone interested?  Let me know in your comments!

Craft on....or in this case shall I say... CLAY ON! :)