Recent Posts

Feb 21 2012

Manufacturing oops with our resin...

First off, we want to thank you for all your input. We love hearing from our customers. After hearing your requests for more resin items, we did our best to increase the variety and quantity of resin pieces and styles we’ve brought in for 2012. We’re really excited about offering you more selection this year. That’s the good news. The bad news is that because of a manufacturing error, we recently discovered that we have fewer sets of certain resin pieces in stock than we planned. We can only order resin once a year, so unfortunately, we can’t get more. You may notice that there are several items labeled “Low Quantity”. When you see that designation, it means that we have a limited number of pieces available, so get your order in as soon as possible, because once they’re gone, they’re gone! We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, and thank you for your understanding and support. We’ve already resolved the issue with our manufacturer, so in 2013, you’ll not only get lots of variety, but we’ll have plenty in stock too.

Not all of our resin offerings are affected, and we’ve also added a variety of new and exclusive wood and tin items that we know you’re going to love. With our new, wider selection of surfaces to choose from, we’re sure you’re going to find something wonderful to paint.

Your Friends in Painting, The Artist's Club Staff

0 comments - Posted by Diane at 9:30 AM - Categories:

Feb 16 2012

I'm a Shara Reiner Fan!!!

I am a Shara Reiner fan! I have her books, I’ve ripped projects out of magazines for years, and find myself drawn to her designs when I need to paint a special gift or something for a donation.
Each year, I make a donation to our local Children’s hospital, by painting something that is “auctioned” off at a fundraising brunch. I’ve done baskets, candleholders, signboards, and this year, a big birdhouse that’s been in my stash for a very long time. One of the big reasons I chose it this year, was because it was already basecoated, and all I had to do was trace the pattern and paint! Since I was pretty much standing on the deadline to have it to the committee, this was very good news!
Shara’s designs are great on the pieces she paints them on, but I love taking one of her designs and adapting it to a surface. For the big birdhouse, I took the pattern that Shara painted on the Angel Clock in her new book Shara’s Funky Folk Art 2, added a few additional flowers, and wrapped it around 3 sides of the birdhouse. I added the checkerboard to the edge of the roof, and I had the project completed. It’s still sitting there waiting to be varnished, but most importantly, the painting is done!

0 comments - Posted by MaryJo at 11:26 AM - Categories:

Feb 15 2012

Meet Shara Reiner

I have been painting 35 years. When I took my first class it was all consuming for me. It still is today. There is no better therapy than to paint the hours away and not think about another thing.
I worked in a craft store in Poway, California, I taught needlepoint and filled in for what ever else needed to be taught. I was the one who said, “I can not paint!”, but would stand around and watch the painting classes. Finally I broke down and took a class!!!! That was the beginning! I never would have guessed that all these years later I would be travel teaching and writing books.
I have been a student, teacher and shop owner and I love it all. I count my self so lucky that I can work at something that I love. I still take classes when I can, and think of myself as a beginner every time I do. I will always learn something in a class no matter how long I paint.
This most asked question I get is where do I get my inspiration?? That is a hard one for me. My students are always inspiring me .They will say things like "Why don't you paint a Santa with Christmas trees for boots??? You know I might. Once I start a project one thing will lead to another and by the time I'm done I will have three projects painted. We all hit a dry spell from time to time and that is when I go shopping. I have favorite quilt shops and high end gift shops that I visit, and those shopping breaks will get my mind going.
I have met wonderful people in this business and made lifelong friends. Try to remember that there is more painting than finishing a project. And, be watching for that Santa with Christmas trees for boots!