June 2013

Case: Quilling and other Paper Crafts by Stacey Kennedy

Quilling or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of paper that are rolled, shaped and glued together to make decorative pieces. I started quilling in 2008 and continued to build my skills in quilling. I loved being creative in quilling so that I built my business around selling at craft shows, teaching quilling classes and fulfilling customer’s requests for gifts for friends and family.

I have always had a creative spirit growing up. As a young child, I explored my creativity in many ways. My exploration took me through a journey of exploring pottery, drawing, watercolor painting, collage, cooking, sewing and into paper crafts that range from scrapbooking, card making, origami, quilling and into zentangle. I have taken a great interest in paper crafts. I graduated from Nyack College with a bachelor’s degree in History in 2001 and soon went on and pursued another bachelor’s degree in web design in 2007 at SUNY Delhi. I found quilling back in 2008 on the internet trying to find a card I could make for a roommate. This is when I got bit with the quilling bug to where I started making gifts for co-workers and friends. This attracted the attention of others around the area to my art and this is how I created my business: Staceysmile Creations.

I have slowly been doing craft fairs in the area and teaching classes in East Greenbush, NY where I now reside.

Here is the link to my blog: http://staceysmilecreations.blogspot.com.

Walls:  Oils and Watercolor Paintings by Two Sisters & Their Act

Betty Childrose

I have lived in the surrounding area for most of my life. Painting did not enter into my scheme of things until my later years and I have enjoyed the medium of watercolor for about 5 years.

The idea of seeing something beautiful and then being able to bring it to paper by watercolor is something I really love.

The old south, dogs, people in different settings, sunsets and butterflies are what I enjoy painting most.

I have attended quite a few classes in and around the area and enjoy learning anything new in this medium

Sally Spring

I have been a resident of Castleton-on-Hudson in Rensselaer County for over six decades.

My creativity and talent laid dormant in my teen years. Sewing, ceramics, and tole painting began a new realm in the realization of art I hever dreamed possible.

I heard an artist say: "One should paint what makes one happy." So when my first art instructor asked me: "What do you want to paint?", I decided I should paint what makes me happy or represents the beauty of the earth that I so enjoy. Shadows and the use of colors inspire me greatly. Every achievement in art astonishes me and every experience challenges me to do better on the next project.

I have shown my work proudly at the Broadway Arts Center, the Christ's Church, Colonie Library, Colonie Town Hall, Columbia-Greene Community College, the East Greenbush Community Library, Local Color Art Gallery, Schodack Town Hall, Woman's Club of Albany, Zion's United Church of Christ of Taborton's Studio Art Tour and Show and the Visions Gallery.

My biggest accomplishments were my painting "Tha Palisades" which was featured on the cover of the "Government Finance Officers Association" magazine; and a commission to paint the Acropylis.

I have been the financial/administrative director of the Broadway Art Center, the treasurer of the Broadway Art Center, Inc. in Albany, NY; a board member, committee chair for their website, coordinator for the CAL/Schodack Town Hall exhibits; CAL chair - Pruyn House Spring Show and past president of the Colonie Art League, Inc. I have also been a founder of the East Bank Arts Alliance and the the Woman's Club of Albany's Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees Art Show.

I have studied with the following professionals: Louis Pelkey, Sergio Sericolo, Susan Wiley, and Regine Petrowsky and Carol Bowman-Greene.