Aldana Mica

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Yesterday's Workshop at Iguana Imports

Yesterday's class was a success! Check out what was made below...the student was a fast learner...she made a bottle and started a beanie, which she then later finished at home. I am so happy with how it all went!

Wine Bottle will later be used as a vase

Beanie started....

Beanie growing....

Beanie finished!!

2 projects in one afternoon!! Amazing!

click here for workshop schedule

Friday, April 1, 2011

Upcoming Workshops and Fairs!

Next Saturday April 9th 4-10pm, we will have a booth at "Lyon's at Night" event...Lyon's is located on 441 E 4th St., Long Beach, CA 90802

Workshop Schedule for Kids, Teens and Adults are as follows....

Kid's Workshop

"Crafty Earthlings" Ages 5-9

Tuesday April 26th 3:30-5pm InspyrArts 3910 East 4^th St., Long Beach, CA 90814

Students will create several useful projects using items found in the household. They will be encouraged to be creative and exercise their imagination by reusing ordinary items and turning them into functional creations...as well as learn about how important it is to take care of mother nature and their role as earthlings on this planet.... They will be able to choose from several projects including: basket weaving, musical shakers and guitars, milk carton bags and magazine holders, yarn kytes, notepads and greeting cards.

$15 per class

more classes to come soon!

Teens-Adults Workshops

Details about class: Learn the basics of finger-crocheting and up-cycled art. Great gift-making ideas! Choose from several projects like beanies, hand warmers, scarves, hanging bottle plants, jewelry frames or bring your own ideas and we can create them together.

Benefits of crocheting: therapeutic because of its calming, rhythmic movements. Studies have shown positive results for people suffering from chronic depression, Alzheimer's disease, dementia and schizophrenia. It relieves stress and muscle tensions after a hard day at the office as it easily takes your mind off from work and draws you deeper into a solitary hobby where you can collect your thoughts as you let your fingers do their work. Crocheting can also bond people by sharing time and working on ideas together.

Monday April 4th 5-7pm Iguana Imports, 3440 E. Broadway Ave. Long Beach, suggested donation $15

Monday April 11th 4-6pm Consignment Corner, 3228 East Broadway Ave. Long Beach, suggested donation $15

Monday April 18th 1-3pm The Infinite, AXÉ L.A. Cultural Center, 517 Pine Ave, Long Beach, sugg. donation $15

Monday April 18th 5-7pm Iguana Imports, 3440 E. Broadway Ave. Long Beach, suggested donation $15

Monday April 25th 4-6pm Consignment Corner, 3228 East Broadway Ave. Long Beach, suggested donation $15

Tuesday April 26th 6:30-8pm InspyrArts, 3910 East 4^th St., Long Beach, $15 p/person

Monday May 2nd 1-3pm The Infinite, AXÉ L.A. Cultural Center, 517 Pine Ave, Long Beach, sugg. donation $15

Monday May 9th 10am-12pm InspyrArts 3910 East 4^th St., Long Beach, $15 p/person

Monday May 16th 1-3pm The Infinite, AXÉ L.A. Cultural Center, 517 Pine Ave, Long Beach, sugg. donation $15

To RSVP please go to my facebook page for a list of events or send an email to micaelaas@gmail.com or call me at 562-225-7511.

If you would like to attend a class but these dates don't work for you, please contact me and we can schedule for a day that suites you best.

Hanging Bottle Plants...and Avocado Tree!

This is one of the several projects you can choose from at the workshop...I will provide bottles and yarn but you are also welcome to bring your own....

These bottles are filled with water which lasts for a long time so it's great for people that forget to water the plants....like myself sometimes....

Any bottles are good, even plastic ones...although glass are the best.....this one above is a wine bottle....the one below is an apple juice bottle....

Beer bottles are also great because they come in nice brown and green colors....

This particular one is 1/2 of a water bottle...you can see the cap on the bottom....I sprouted one of our first avocado seedlings in it!!

Part of the process is learning how to finger crochet...with a little practice....and once you got that down, the rest comes easily!

These 2 pictures below show a small water bottle I cut in half and made two plant holders....

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Upcycled Art Ideas for Kids

I got this 1st idea from a book called "Make It, Don't Throw It"

Save this trash from going to the landfills and instead...wash it good and let it dry.....

then, turn it into this everlasting ......Plastic Pillow!!!!!!

Make a nice pillow cover for it and take a seat!

Painted Super Hero Capes at Warm Expressions Event 2010

Rockin' Guitars with the Time Exchange at the Boys & Girls Club 2011!

Shakers in hands at Pike Festival 2010

Pin Cushions made with Styrofoam and scraps of fabric and yarn

Notebook made with used envelopes

Milk Carton Bag and/or Magazine Holder

Magnet with Bottle Cap

Lots of magnets!!

Finger Crochet at the Pike Festival 2010

Basket Weaving with Strawberry Baskets and scraps of fabric/yarn

Monday, March 28, 2011

Guitar Making Workshop

Last Friday afternoon, The Long Beach Time Exchange teamed up with Boys and Girls Club and Teacher's Association of Long Beach to bring one of several interactive children's workshops to the first ever 'Teachers for the Arts' fair! Projects worked on included rain sticks, canvas making, marble painting and guitar making. There was also a very creative dance performance at the end of the event. Check out some pictures taken at our station: guitar making workshop!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Up-Cycled Dolls

All of these dolls were made in times of inspiration with lots of colorful and useful odds and ends....

Made at the beach with a feather, sticks, wire, scraps of fabric, beads and love....

Made with visiting family in Los Gatos...small purple fruits from tree, twigs, plastic sheet, yarn scraps, paper, button, while sippin' tea....

Made while living in Brazil....with metal jewelry scraps, plastic security tab from water bottle, sequins, absorbent pack, candy wrapper and a clothes pin....

Egg beater farm girl...made with broken egg beater, plastic pitch fork, silver star, metal flower, squeeze toy, ear phones, fabric, plastic mesh bag....