Bella Carta at Art 'n Soul

Art 'n Soul has the best circle of customers, who are more like friends and family to us. Our entire staff was thrilled yesterday to welcome everyone who took the time to come over to the store and join us to celebrate our 10 years as the area's premier source for fine art rubber stamps, fine papers and other art supplies. We totally understand, too, that our 10 years . . . and counting! . . . has been made possible due only to the loyalty and support that our customers show us each and every day.

Special Name Tags for the 10th Birthday Party
were made by Patti Highlands . . .
much to our surprise Sunday morning!

Congratulations to our birthday party winners. Pam Nelson & Gloria Lynn Walker both popped the two 40% discount balloons!

Linda Beveridge popped the one and only 50% discount balloon! Patti was just as excited as Linda at the register when the balloon popped . . . and Susie looked on with total glee for Linda.

The lucky winning name being drawn by
Art 'n Soul's Featured Artist Sherry Barello
for the Celebration's Grand Prize!

Peggy Austin is the lucky Grand Prize Winner . . . Gelli Art Gelly Print Plate, gift certificate to The Thai House next door, and a $100 gift certificate to Art 'n Soul! Everyone shouted their joyful congratulations to Peggy over the telephone! (by the way, Peggy . . . what I was looking for to give you is in my drawer so please ask for it when you come in to retrieve your Grand Prize!)

Sherry Barello

Art 'n Soul's first Featured Artist is Sherry Barello. Sherry remembers her greatest artistic influence being her high school art teacher, Mr. William (Bill) Phillips. He taught her how to look at backgrounds and see the picture that wants to come out -- to use her imagination and look for what is not obvious, but intriguing.

Sherry has lived in Tacoma since 6th grade. She taught arts and crafts to children at Fircrest Community Center for 14 summers. She has taught a senior aerobics dance class for 27 years, and headed up a seniors craft class at the same center. More recently, Sherry has been taking care of her 92 year old mother-in-law in Rainier where she is enjoying 'country' life.

Sherry’s favorite artistic thing is to turn her "little doodles" (Zentangle!) into a wonderful card that makes the recipient’s day brighter.

She loves showing others how they can easily doodle their way into being an artist and realize that art does not have to be perfect, it just has to please the artist.

Sherry's work is awe inspiring to all of us . . . she had so much to share yesterday and it was difficult to choose what to show you here. We will be displaying some of Sherry's artistry very soon, i.e., as soon as she's able to bring it back! In the meantime, enjoy these views . . .

by Sherry Barello

In each of these examples of her zentangling artistry, Sherry looked at the designer paper and either saw the direction she should take, or she started not knowing where her art would take her in the beginning. I'll never look at another piece of designer paper the same way again; I think I'll always have an idea of "what could I do with this design in a zentangle way" that will weigh on my mind. She's also inspired me to take another look at the papers I have in my stash!

This is only a small representation of Sherry's range of artwork. She has quite a variety of styles and techniques in her portfolio. We are so proud to consider Sherry a part of the inspiring Art 'n Soul family of friends!

For the party, Marj Marion demo'd the new Gelli Art Gelly Printing Plate using Martha Stewart acrylic paints. There might be one plate left, so you might want to check it out at the store very soon! Running with creativity is the main focus, as well as versatility in all of the uses for the beautiful painted papers you'll have. Take a look . . .

Marj even made a recipe guide
for the color swatches! It's a terrific reference.

by Marj Marion -- Gelli Art plate print on paper

by Marj Marion -- Gelli Art plate print on paper
Used Hero Arts stamp on the plate and then again on the paper.

by Marj Marion -- Gelli Art plate print on paper
Showing some of the catalyst tools that allows you to make
patterns in the paint on the gelli plate. You can order the
catalyst tools at Art 'n Soul.

by Marj Marion -- Gelli Art plate print on paper
Showing how you can make plain colored paper to match.

by Marj Marion -- Gelli Art plate print on paper
Using stencils after using catalyst tools to design paper.

by Marj Marion -- Gelli Art plate print on paper
To use up paint on your brayer, continue to roll remaining
paint onto pages from an old book that can be torn out
later for collages and/or background papers.

by Marj Marion -- Gelli Art plate print on paper

Patti Highlands likes the Gelli Art plate as well. She had some fun with fabric!

by Patti Highlands -- Gelli Art plate print on fabric

These are some cards that Marj has made from her Gelli Art plate printed papers.

by Marj Marion
using papers made with Gelli Art print plate

During the party, we were excited to meet a new customer . . . Susan Jane Thomason. She had made this awesome project with Graphic 45's French Country paper collection . . . a tea light lamp.

by Susan Jane Thomason
"the top"

by Susan Jane Thomason
notice the trim at the base of the shade
and the base of the lamp

by Susan Jane Thomason
the "back side" showing the battery-operated tea light

by Susan Jane Thomason
the shade sides feature vellum covered cut-outs or
die cut shapes

We want to thank Susan for bringing this paper art to Art 'n Soul. Can you believe it only took 3 of the 12x12 sheets from the paper collection to make this lamp? We're trying our best to convince Susan that making one of these would make a great class at Art 'n Soul! What do you think?

Finally, for today, we're so proud to show you a special 3-sided card from Sharon Wolvin to commemorate our 10th birthday celebration!