We've finally found a way to share ART lessons with the masses!  Check back here often for the art lesson of the month, photos of seniors enjoying their classes, and links to other websites that have great class & project ideas for the seniors in your life!  Art, and the therapy it provides, uses the process of creating art to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages.  It's based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem & self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Artsy Smartsy, LLC is dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in art is healing and life enhancing.  Our goal is to serve our clients by providing standards of professionalism while developing and promoting knowledge in the field of art.  We want this section to be interactive for your artsy smartsy hands-on enjoyment!  If you have photos of your version of our art project, or even have an art project you would like to share with us, Click Here To Submit Them To Our Webmaster

Tina Ottmar, owner of Artsy Smartsy, has been teaching art classes in her spare time in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for over a year now, enhancing the lives of our senior students by having fun with art!  Tina's background is as a Residential Designer in Minneapolis.  She received her Master's Degree in Architecture from ASU in 2000 and worked in the Architectural field for over 15 years.  Along with owning Artsy Smartsy, Tina also owns a design firm, T2 Design, LLC and is also an artist who has shown her art works in galleries in Door County, local art fairs, and local coffee shops.

Tina currently teaches Art classes at Independent and Assisted Living locations across the Twin Cities, such as Presbyterian Homes, Sunrise, Ecumen, Augustana, Rosepointe, Chandler Place, Jones-Harrison, and so many more! 

If you're interested in monthly classes, private classes, or having an arty event, please contact Tina at Tina@ArtsySmartsyClass.com

Please mention this ad for $25 off your first class!!  To see photos of her monthly art classes, Click Here.
 

Decoupaged Wooden Bangle Bracelets

This month we will be making our own bangle bracelet from wooden bracelet blanks, leather, fabric, papers, lace, threads and more.  Come and make a truly original piece of artwork that shows your personality and screams……SEEEE, I AM AN ARTIST!!!

Directions to making your own bangle bracelet:

Collect wooden bracelet blanks from any online retailer, or you can also reuse plastic or resin bangle bracelets! One usually wear ONE larger bracelet or two or more smaller ones together.

Collect fabric, papers, yarn, threads, small beads and gems in the color scheme of your choice.  I like to stay with a maximum of three colors per bracelet.

Using Mod Podge in matte or gloss finish, attach thin paper strips around the bracelet blank. You can rip up pieces of colored tissue paper or use a larger piece of decorative tissue paper and try to wrap it as one solid piece-this is a bit harder but with practice can be a beautiful technique. You want the final piece to be as smooth as possible.

You can add as many details and dimensions as you like by adding additional layers. Glue small pieces at a time, allowing it to dry between thicker layers if possible.  You can also use a hari dryer to dry between layers.

While the papers are drying a bit choose 2-3 pieces of fabric in small ½” strips-either torn or cut, or cut with a decorative scissor. You could also use rick rack. Attach these thicker pieces with Eileen’s tacky glue and make sure all edges are securely attached.

Now you can take a piece of yarn or thread and wrap it around the entire piece if you would like more dimension. You can wrap in different directions for more detail.

Depending on your taste, you can also add small self-stick rhinestones, or small beads every so often,  at a few locations for a bit of sparkle.

I’ve seen some bangles also wrapped with decorative colored wire.

When you are finished with all of your layers, cover your bracelet with Glitter, Matte, or Gloss Midge Podge. 

Let dry for 48 hours on a plastic, non-stick surface, NOT a paper surface or it will stick!

 Do not get wet!

Provided by: Tina Ottmar, WWW.ArtsySmartsyCLASS.com, 651-334-3997

Click Here To See The Archive Of Past Projects

Quilting Patterns for Beginners to Advanced
Quilts and Quilting: Our Favorites

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