Good Morning!

The rain is here. I am not a fan of cold gloomy weather but you have to admit rainy days do have a certain charm. Who doesn't like sitting by a fire, warm tea, a fat book, and something sinful in the oven like chocolate chip muffins or a loaf of banana bread. I love to eat soup on wet grey days, wear big socks, watch movies from the 80's and laugh at the hair and the clothes that I thought were so wonderful when I was sixteen.

Here at Tangerine it is quiet. The street is full of rain instead of cars and it's a day to catch up on all those things I have been avoiding like tax prep, website updates, sweeping, putting the last of Christmas away...

Last night I made more ephemera jars while I drank hot chocolate and listened to the rain beat down. The jars are a little smaller but packed with better stuff I have been holding onto just for this purpose. I also made some jewelry, my hope is to have it all completed by Friday and put out next week for everyone to enjoy.

New magazines are here and Catherine Moores new line of stamps arrived last week, they are wonderful. I will be hitting the gift shows next month and I am excited to find a few new things for the store.

Julee Herrman is about to become a regular fixture. She will be doing a little creating here at Tangerine and helping me out when she can. I love her energy, enthusiasm and her creativity I believe she will bring a little more magic to the store.

Tracy Bautista may be doing a workshop soon, I will be meeting with her this week to discuss the possibility, she is as sweet and wonderful as everyone says she is and overflows with arty goodness.

I had dinner with my two side-kicks Iva Wilcox and Colleen Moody. I don't know what it is about getting out with girl friends that makes you feel like smiling and being silly. Colleen will be featured in Stampingtons new Primitive Doll magazine and Iva is doing a lot more painting (she is a gifted painter but keeps it a secret) we had drinks, great food, gossip, told dirty jokes and had a great time, they keep me happy.

Ingrid Pomeroy has been a busy bee. I love Ingrid, she is witty, smart, and a hard working artist. It seems like every time I open a Stapington magazine there she is. Her work is lovely. She stopped by with her sweet daughter a week ago, they are always so cheery and full of news. You can see some of Ingrids work at American Harvest in Pleasanton. Tell Sharon I sent you.

Lana Kloch will be doing a Tangerine trunk show, I don't have a date but we are gearing up for spring. It will be in the evening, and will be a lot of fun. Lana is a collector with an eye for the subtle and beautiful she is one of those people everyone knows because she has a certain Lananess that makes you want to giggle and tell secrets. She has put aside some wonderful things to sell to other collectors and art makers (after much begging from me). It will be an event not to be missed.

I have been doing a little studio clean-up myself and it has cleared room not only in my studio but inside me. It is funny how when you get rid of the clutter there is more room for creative energy. I made huge piles of things that I "saved" from old projects mostly stuff I bought too much of or will never use again. I then drove to the recycle depot in Berkeley and donated it. I came back home and felt great I had room to move and breath.

I have a heart full of new projects and I discovered some treasures I had forgotten about.

If you were stranded on an island with enough food and water but you were allowed to bring one shoebox full of art supplies what would you bring? I would bring good pencils and a good eraser, Windsor Newtons traveling watercolor kit, a fine point black pen, cold press paper, Tim Holtz scissors, twine,a small bottle of Aleenes glue (in the gold bottle) a small but fat sketch book, and a few chocolate bars (they are essential to my creativity) and a Penguin copy of Goblins Market by Christina Rossetti.

If you think about it, what ever is on your list is all you really need in your studio if it is a big room, a corner in a small room, a desk or suitcase. I think we get so busy buying, collecting, and thinking of things we will someday make that we forget to just sit and play with what we already have.

Get Rid of a little clutter, explore your playground and Make Art=Be Happy!

Oh Merry Everything!

Happy Winter Holiday Everyone!


It has been a little bit busy here at Tangerine, so busy in fact that I did not notice that the Tangerine website was down (Thank you Sarah Logan for the heads up!)
The good new is that I was able to get the site back up today. Updates will have to wait until I am back from vacation but there many new classes coming!!!!


Thank you to all the great customers who have come in to bring me treats and visit. This store is all about people, creativity, and friendships. I love it that almost everyday I get to hang-out with customers who have fast become good friends. I love my job...well, maybe I don't love the book keeping, the paperwork and the boring stuff but I sure love having this groovy little hang-out and all the people who hang out with me.

Thank you Lana and Kerri for your generosity, friendship, good advice, silliness, and permission to always be my true self.


I am planning a spring retreat in Corning California where my very good friends have a beautiful Olive farm. It will be rowdy event, just girls, good wine, art making, olive tour and tasting, and gourmet cooking in the field kitchen. If you are interested in the event I am building a list. I will have the dates for you in February.




New classes:

Julee Herrmann will be teaching more soldering, she just did the most amazing orny class, oh they were soooo pretty. She has new projects lined up.

Iva Wilcox will do something fun, she always does, hopefully another bee's wax project.

I am crossing my fingers that Collen Moody will teach another workshop this year, they are always a full house.

We have two wonderful women who will be teaching mosaic, I can't wait.

I will have two more paper clay classes; a doll making workshop and a figurine workshop.

I will also be teaching a basic acrylic class soon. I have a new contract with Golden and I can't wait to get started on some painting projects.

Buttons! Tangerine will host a mini-workshop/play date, everyone brings ten images they would like to turn into little 1 inch buttons. It will be a no cost workshop.

Mini art quilts...ever wanted to try but thought you couldn't sew? We will be working with found objects, fabric, fabric dyes and the dreaded sewing machine. Time to get brave and dust of that machine that has been sitting for years.

I have three beautiful kilns and when the weather warms up a bit I will be giving a ceramic vessel class.

Our second junk jewelry class where we will make some new stuff out of old stuff.

One more journal making day.

and a partridge in a pear tree.

The store will be open while I am gone, My dear friend Sawsan will hold down the fort. I will be back on the 29Th and get class times and dates posted for you.

Have a beautiful holiday season enjoy your time with your loved ones.

Make Art=Be Happy

Oh We got Demengted!

For those of you who were a part of the three days of Michael Demeng I just want to say thank you! It was wonderful watching you all work, looking at all your buckets of cool stuff and just having all your wonderful art energy here at Tangerine.

It was painty, stinky, gluey, crusty, rusty, naily, junkie, amazing, amazing, amazing...

We had a guest artist and instructor Michael Demeng here for three whole days of art making and it was a blast. He is a sweet and talented man, patient, kind, adorable, funny and he has a great MP3 collection. We had artist that traveled from far and not so far to be here and play and the vibe was buzzy and inspiring.

Tracy Bautista showed up for a visit and we may have talked her into teaching a workshop or two...how exciting!

It is almost time for me to get Christmas ornaments up and I am looking for the right little tree to hang from the ceiling. Next week we should have a little winter in the store.

New Mags just arrived last week and the Where Women Create is beautiful and makes me want to clean and organize my studio.

Ms.Julee Herrman has a list that is getting quite long of people who would like to get their solder on. If you wanna be on it come by or give me a call. I will be posting the dates for her classes soon.

This Saturday we are doing Paper Clay Dolls! We have two spots left.

Hate to make it short and sweet but I have a dozen little snowmen who are all naked and need little hats and scarves.

Make Art=Be Happy!

Economy and art angels...

It was blue week. I'm not sure why, I just started feeling the weight of things to come. Not real things just possible things, and not good possible things. I turn on the TV, the radio, open my home page and I feel hit with such doom and gloom, i thought I could hear the thunder

Artists are hit hardest by the economy. We rely on our patrons and if they are not doing well, we are not doing well. Lucky for us we are creative souls and we are use to rolling with what ever comes our way, we know how to budget, save, and turn hidden ideas into new opportunities.

I guess I was feeling bummed for my art friends who are once again weathering hard times, worrying about my small business friends who are struggling, and wondering "what ifs" about Tangerine.

In the middle of all this "Blueness" friends arrive, artists friends, it was like I sent out some kind of telepathic SOS and they just came, I am lucky that way.

Yesterday Stephanie Jordan and Julee Herrmann arrived all Thai food and smiles. We had an incredible afternoon and they turned my gloom into laughter, ideas, and renewed hope. If you have had the opportunity to be in the company of creative woman you will know what I am talking about.

We talked about all our woes and issues but mostly we talked about gratitude; lucky that we have the lives we do, happy to know that better times are just around the corner, and honestly seeing that it isn't about light being at the end of a tunnel, it is more about choosing to stand under a cloud when there is light all around you.

This week gave birth to new ideas once I chose to move myself two inches to the left where the sun was always shining.

1. Artist play dates: I have talked about it but I am ready to put it into action.
I will be posting dates on the calender at elevenmorningstangerine.com A great
opportunity to learn some new techniques in a casual setting, not rules, all play.

2. Art Therapy: This is close to my heart and needs a place on the calender.
Once a month we will meet, share some yummy treats, work on "Stuck" projects,
bring art and ideas to share and for critique. We may have guest speakers, swap
art supplies but mostly we will be sharing ourselves, our ideas, our support and
keeping our art community strong.

3. Bring back the workshops. I have had far to many emails and phone calls. I
gotta bring em back! I will be contacting instructors next week, if you are a new
instructor with some great ideas drop me an email.

There is exactly one space left in Micheal Demengs Class next week it will be gone in a blink of an eye, if you want it give me a call. 925-548-8447 or drop an email to elevenmorning@yahoo.com

Thank you art angels (Iva, Lana, Stephanie, Julee)

Make Art= Be Happy

Almost a year!

Holy cow can you believe it! October will be one whole year Tangerine has been open.

It has been a little quiet this month, it is that time of year, a little time to get organized and ready for the holidays. The temperature dropped today from 102 to 68 degrees, it seems fall is really on the way now and it makes me want to make soup, wear knee socks, and start making Christmas decorations for the store!

Michael Demeng will be here on the 18,19, and 29th of October we still have a few more spaces left for one day classes, if you are interested now is the time before get a final head count and close the class.

Iva Wilcox was here today and we talked about a Christmas workshop she would like to teach, keep an eye out for that elevenmorningstangerine.com under workshops.

Paper clay dolls, Jeweled Alters, and a Big Wing class are also coming up, I am very excited about these. Hopefully we can get them scheduled before Christmas so we can make some awesome gifts for people we like!

Ballet shoe project is being extended so no worries for those of you who thought you had to be done by November. I will update you with a new finish date. It seems many of us have Christmas shows that need to our attention.If you are in Berkeley and would love a special treat make your way over to College Avenue and try Ici...the lovliest ice, super-delicious, most wonderful, makes-my-knees-weak place for ice cream and sweet treats. Don't be intimidated by the line, it is worth the wait I promise. I love the malted banana on that long sleek handmade cone... I think I may have drooled on the keyboard.

Oh it was so tinsely!!!!

Iva Wilcox did an amazing job with this years Tinsel and Treasures. Once again we had visitors from far and wide and a long line waiting to get in. The beauty of this show (and it is the only show I will do) is the women Iva collects, they are talented, fun, exciting, interesting, and professional.

The night before the show the hostess with the mostess Colleen Moody opened up her lovely home to all the artists. She set an amazing table under the stars and fed us until we burst open. The night was all about laughter, unforgettable.

My favorite at the show this year was Sue Bartolucci (The Napa queeen) This woman is a powerhouse. She not only runs a beautiful winery but she makes time to create rockin art. Her work is fun and whimsical but I find that many people miss a whole layer of what it is she is doing.

Each piece she makes tells a story, the images are real people and she tells a story about them using found objects and terrible puns. There is something deep and haunting about her work, her fascination with the past, and human behavior. Sue stands out. She will be doing Napa open studios this year, if you are around her studio and work are worth checking out.

It has been a little quiet at the Tangerine this week. It is a nice break for me but I miss all the visitors. I am always grateful for Stephanie Jordans regular weekly visit, she lights up a room with her laughter and stories. I am prepping for the busy time and scratching my head trying to figure Christmas out. I want to fill a little tree with handmade decorations that can be enjoyed year round. There is nothing more frustrating than having to pack up something you enjoy looking at, and nothing sadder than Christmas hanging around all year.

There are some new goodies coming for art makers, and some really sweet kits for gift giving called Into the Forest. Little pillow packs full of German yummies for making little stuff.

The jewelry making class on the 20Th has been rescheduled. Noah has had a virus and needs his mommy home to love him up. I will get the new date out ASAP. This is going to be a super great class.

Michael Demeng will be here next month and we had a cancellation ( a baby that will be here a little earlier than planned) which leaves a spot open on all three days. If you are interested call soon.

New Stuff!

Oh it has been a busy and warm week at Tangerine...

I went to the San Francisco International Gift Fair last and had a fantastic time. Tangerine is all about real things made by real people and I met some real and wonderful people a whole group of them that traveled to the show from Oregon. Hard working young families determined to live a quality life on their own terms. They care about families, the environment, and products that mean something.

One of the companies I was very impressed with was Woolly Hood Winks. They have a sweet children's book and a line of simple animals that you can imagine a child loving and keeping forever. The company started small, the owners hand sewing each piece one by one.

When they had to meet larger quantities they choose to look here in the United States for an organization that could help support the demand. They found a woman's Co-op that was founded to help low income women with children. The organization takes women with sewing skills, pays them a fair wage and offers on site day care at a very low cost.

This is a great product made by moms for a company that cares. I can't wait for my big brown box to be delivered!

I bought the uberest kids T-shirts from a couple who are funny, smart and pushing through this recession by sticking with great product and awesome customer service. They do all the design and printing themselves and their work is superb.

There are other goodies on a truck someplace making their way here. The store is getting another small nip and tuck to make room for the new products. It is looking even sweeter than before.

Two shows I would like to promote:

Tinsel and Treasures

Iva Wilcox is producing this annual event. Last year was lovely and I had a great time. This year there a few more A-list artists; Sylvia Anderson, Susan Bartolucci, Ceal Bialobrzeski, Sally Case, Anna Corba, Dee Foust, Charlene Geiger, Marcia Harmon.Ulla Millbrath, Colleen Moddy, Donna O'Brien, Melissa Valeriote, Iva Wilcox, and me!

The even will be On Saturday September 12 from 9-2 (doors will close at two so be sure to get there early) This year it is being held at the Alamo Women's Club @ 1401 Danville Blvd in Alamo.

This is a small, intimate show with spectacular goodies. www.TinselandTreasures.com or call 925-451-7805.

Also in September Red Carpet Crafts is putting on the Ritz In Dutch Flat on September 25,26,and 27th. This is an opportunity to take some fun workshops, do a little shopping and be a part of a film being made that weekend. If you want more information or to make a reservation call 530-220-4103.

Summer is wrapping up so quickly and I have hardly had enough Popsicles, sprinklers or mosquito bites. Don't let it slip away easily take these next two weeks to rock your summer; pitch a tent in the backyard and make breakfast on the grill, Make hot cocoa and count stars, make a jello-pie with a buttery graham cracker crust and real berries, got for a long walk under a setting sun.

September is when Fall begins, kids go back to school and summer starts to fade into cold nights, leaves falling and big meals spent with family. It is a beautiful season and I am thinking of some wonderful ways to celebrate it. I know a sweeeet girl who can bake like no ones business and rumor has it that she may be opening her own cupcakery...maybe we can get her to make us a some fall treats for a Cupcake Saturday.

Three spots left in Michael Demengs class Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

If you are registered for any of the August workshops with me:

18th: Deconstructing the narrative
28th: Getting over the water color hump

You need to call and confirm this week so we can get a head count.

Julie Herrmen will be offering a special beginning solder class on September 26th, this will be a great opportunity for all of you who have always wanted to try but have been putting it off, it is also a good time to start some Christmas charms. Julee is an easy, happy, enthusiastic and good instructor.