tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22820071894616094092024-02-06T20:25:12.568-08:00Castle in the AirCastle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.comBlogger588125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-87772170478665322602016-06-21T22:24:00.001-07:002016-06-21T22:28:31.560-07:00The Adventure Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUxeJDSqoGzaIfqEMHGYjWR8KEI7O9VKD3WpiKCP3O0h-kwIgLe-UDz11_Ufj_g-YyDBvkUG7Mi2Hs-UFIYOPt6m3Ez3PjcjLGWBlhIYXbYJ_8rPCDyt2j_DBHCUBp0rn2MPSklS1czy8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-21+at+10.27.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUxeJDSqoGzaIfqEMHGYjWR8KEI7O9VKD3WpiKCP3O0h-kwIgLe-UDz11_Ufj_g-YyDBvkUG7Mi2Hs-UFIYOPt6m3Ez3PjcjLGWBlhIYXbYJ_8rPCDyt2j_DBHCUBp0rn2MPSklS1czy8/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-21+at+10.27.14+PM.png" width="398" /></a></div>
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You wouldn't know it by the pace of the blog posts here, but the Castle in the Air gnomes have been quite busy, especially online. In fact, today I'm ecstatic to reveal one of our grandest projects ever—a completely new and integrated web experience for you.</div>
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<span class="s1">Beginning this week, the Castle in the Air website has been reimagined to better reflect our many projects. Here are some of the highlights: </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Our class listings have been given a fresh update, and our new zoom option helps you take a closer look at the craft samples our teachers have prepared. Tutorials for some of our most popular projects can be found through the YouTube link on the website.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">We’ve taken new photos of our most popular products and posted them to the Online Shoppe, which has been integrated into the website. We want to make it easy for you to connect with the best crafting supplies on earth, so the Online Shoppe is now mobile-friendly—try it out!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">All of the award-winning books we publish through Dromedary Press are available through the new site, too, along with associated videos and greeting cards based on the illustrations.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Social media has been a vital way for us to communicate with our friends and fans around the world. You can find links to our various social media pages including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">My favorite new aspect of Castle in the Air’s site is the array of pictures we’ve included showing people using our products to bring their creative dreams into waking life. “Believe in the fantasy” isn’t just a saying—it’s what we strive to do every day.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Additionally, we’ve started a new blog on the website. You’ll be able to browse past articles here, and when you visit the new site you can read about current projects, including community events like the Blue Castle Badge and Ironcraft.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Castle in the Air is many things, including a shop, a classroom, and a collection of online resources. But all of it is in service to a community of artists, writers, and dreamers—you. This was our mission when we opened our doors fifteen years ago, and it still is today.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Even though things change, in our hearts we’re still the same. Thank you for your continued kindness and generosity, and welcome to the next chapter in our ongoing adventure.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Best wishes,</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Karima Cammell</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Founder and owner, Castle in the Air</span></div>
Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-7545062325265528162016-05-24T13:25:00.002-07:002016-05-24T14:35:27.143-07:00Ironcraft Returns to Castle in the Air<div class="p1">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3hwVmx9eoJEDizl5GR68selvIdeD-kn800q50x_T5U0v8OaQ18eVxkWnVfq0LI1bJ7AOGVg73wARX05APtBxnbW-Sdi8cZDzbsOW2qaWmGATumSv_G8DmuEZZHgXe8Q3mHQci_xlbeCH/s1600/Castleintheairlogotote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3hwVmx9eoJEDizl5GR68selvIdeD-kn800q50x_T5U0v8OaQ18eVxkWnVfq0LI1bJ7AOGVg73wARX05APtBxnbW-Sdi8cZDzbsOW2qaWmGATumSv_G8DmuEZZHgXe8Q3mHQci_xlbeCH/s400/Castleintheairlogotote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ironcraft is back! Our <a href="http://blog.castleintheair.biz/2014/10/ironcraft-entries-on-parade.html" target="_blank">first Ironcraft creative challenge</a> was so much fun that we’ve decided to repeat it as part of Castle in the Air’s 15-year anniversary celebration.</div>
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In case you’re new to this game: Ironcraft takes inspiration from the Iron Chef television show where cooks create unique dishes incorporating a common mystery ingredient. For our challenge, Castle in the Air has selected an item from our huge stock of special crafting materials. The mystery item is the same for every entrant, but of course every result will be one-of-a-kind!</div>
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To participate, stop by Castle in the Air between now and the end of June (or until supplies run out) and ask for your Ironcraft Kit. If you can’t visit us in person, you can order the kit from our <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=3712&k=10&c=237" target="_blank">Online Shoppe</a>. The kit is free but if we send it to you a small charge will apply to cover shipping. Take the item to your studio and work your magic on it to create something wonderful.</div>
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When you’re done, show us your creation! Drop off your Ironcraft entry at the shop, or email a photo showing it against a white background to ironcraft@castleintheair.biz. To be eligible, all Ironcraft entries must be received back by noon on Friday, July 1. While we love all forms of creativity, we ask that you please keep your Ironcraft entry appropriate for an all-ages audience.</div>
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<b>What to Include</b></div>
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Whether you submit in-person or online, include your name, postal address, email address, and telephone number with your submission, so we’ll know whom to credit and where to send your prize. Your contact information will only be used to send you your prize. Also give us a written description of what inspired your creation and a few sentences about your artistic process: What materials did you use? Is this the first time you’ve worked in this medium? You may also include a website or social media address. This time we have a plan to display all in-store entries in our front window for the month of July. We will also create an Ironcraft gallery on our website, Facebook page, and Instagram. Stay connected with updates from us and share your progress by using the hashtag #ironcraft. We will publish entrants’ names and (if you wish) your web address so people can see more of your artwork.</div>
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After the competition, your Ironcraft entry will be available for pickup or can be shipped back to you at your expense. We will be in touch to arrange for reuniting you with your art.</div>
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Ironcraft isn’t a competition but a celebration of ingenuity and the creative spirit. Stop by Castle in the Air to get started!</div>
Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-43340456844939129832015-12-14T13:14:00.001-08:002015-12-14T13:14:59.242-08:00Krampus Invades Fourth Street<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JPH5C1vvsOk" width="480"></iframe>Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-44658919830788534322015-11-11T13:41:00.001-08:002015-11-11T13:45:05.984-08:00Pen Show This Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IUVmgd2c6SeLo0Ov3cQMLk5es0p9l5fBWxx1KloLTuCC6O88fuQ_bV3t2hqSCOy4E8_niP3Sp_aJ8fr6jrK9k-r2hpAeuAkEneTkAnSel4QWU5rJ20oZbF1tJwpQlsl88INAV_wQ9UKr/s1600/pen_crier.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IUVmgd2c6SeLo0Ov3cQMLk5es0p9l5fBWxx1KloLTuCC6O88fuQ_bV3t2hqSCOy4E8_niP3Sp_aJ8fr6jrK9k-r2hpAeuAkEneTkAnSel4QWU5rJ20oZbF1tJwpQlsl88INAV_wQ9UKr/s400/pen_crier.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have you been dreaming of owning a top-of-the-line fountain pen or rollerball? Maybe you're hoping for the chance to try one out before committing? Is so, you'll want to visit Castle in the Air this coming Saturday for a very special half-day pen show.
We will be stocking complete lines from luxury pen companies including Omas, Montegrappa, Visconti, Fisher, Aurora, Regal, Waterford, and others. Brand reps will be on hand to answer questions and guide you through their current collections.
Best of all, Castle in the Air will be offering a 20% discount on all pen purchases and orders placed during the show.
Whether you're an experienced collector, are just getting started, or are looking for the perfect gift, you won't want to miss this opportunity to try many of the world's finest pens. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!<br />
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Pen Show & Sale<br />
Castle in the Air
Upstairs at 1805 Fourth Street, Berkeley<br />
Saturday, Nov. 14, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm<br />
For more information, please call (510) 204-9801 or email shop@castleintheair.biz.Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-21198854987725695152015-11-08T15:59:00.002-08:002015-11-08T16:05:35.389-08:00Take a Virtual 3D Tour of Castle in the Air<div class="p1">
The Grand Transformation is complete and Castle in the Air is open for business!</div>
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All of our neighbors are getting into the swing of the season, with festive lights being hung up and down Fourth Street. Come down and soak up the magic!</div>
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If you can't make it by for a visit (or even if you can), check out this jaw-dropping virtual tour of the shop. If you've ever dreamed of having Castle in the Air all to yourself, you won't want to miss this. Which items catch your eye?<br />
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<iframe width="540" height="480" src="https://my.matterport.com/models/HWKmF7257GG" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-35619439013316586442015-10-30T17:33:00.001-07:002015-10-30T17:33:04.363-07:00The Grand Trollsformation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPg_TXwTNg1d5XsVx80NWOz5LoIp8ygupaoPbzDK-ZftfptY_gdPCqUqTPYjBBxFnZDaTuPrkgi7bXuAKUWtcRyFIGQ74hZAG5hmp8WNMIWa_2P7jlCjIME_UpIBC59EVceWtqZYCPX89/s640/Troll_crier.jpg" title="Karima Cammell Apple Troll" width="314" /></div>
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<a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=3542&k=10&c=346" target="_blank">Register for the Apple Doll Class</a></div>
<br />Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-49899952471265304032015-10-09T16:58:00.002-07:002015-10-09T17:13:47.683-07:00Finch the Fairy Trunk Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnh4Sage2lKLWrcrnoiY_gEMtkyu8Z6W10fOCgJMRDFbYiib9sVousqs4GwOI0sTx1rXhaYLYjXr0Ft92DtGOmnzkrHjLxLcGA5-HOMtkIHjcWuEgZ2-XuSdjUIjgQuPrhDdCkGX_bXtV/s1600/kat_trunk_show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnh4Sage2lKLWrcrnoiY_gEMtkyu8Z6W10fOCgJMRDFbYiib9sVousqs4GwOI0sTx1rXhaYLYjXr0Ft92DtGOmnzkrHjLxLcGA5-HOMtkIHjcWuEgZ2-XuSdjUIjgQuPrhDdCkGX_bXtV/s640/kat_trunk_show.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
<br />Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-6965200791512795722015-09-15T16:52:00.001-07:002015-09-15T17:06:06.960-07:00Concept to Page<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gNZg-4yBsNo" width="480"></iframe><br />
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In this video I discuss my artistic history and the creative process I uses to make the characters, scenes, and stories in my books. This video was made in my home studio in Berkeley, California.Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-17999866556689621442015-07-02T18:55:00.001-07:002015-07-02T19:01:24.743-07:00Italian Calligrapher Massimo Polello at Castle in the Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMTzX5DWT-h_EGBkyWBYd_EzrPCrfCzP0XvKn4N4FtnU2L3jcwUWyLEY1AGg58GZ3VRCPVwfAGPZRUpJKaY7olYsuSG7JICfJ5G-JFN6X7rpDT3Kk1_EGIA6dG1F0eRIcS4BOLiee21_3/s1600/massimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMTzX5DWT-h_EGBkyWBYd_EzrPCrfCzP0XvKn4N4FtnU2L3jcwUWyLEY1AGg58GZ3VRCPVwfAGPZRUpJKaY7olYsuSG7JICfJ5G-JFN6X7rpDT3Kk1_EGIA6dG1F0eRIcS4BOLiee21_3/s400/massimo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We’re delirious with excitement as we prepare to welcome master calligrapher <a href="http://www.lacalligrafia.com/" target="_blank">Massimo Polello</a> to Castle in the Air next weekend. He will be flying from his home in Turin, Italy to teach our two-day Expressive Italic workshop.</div>
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The hand of Massimo Polello is familiar to calligraphers and artists around the world. His work imbues classic Renaissance lettering with painterly, almost sculptural qualities, and has been the subject of solo exhibitions throughout Italy and internationally. Polello’s dynamic approach merges a time-honored art with a sensibility and materials that are thoroughly modern.</div>
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Polello will begin the workshop by presenting basic letterforms, then teach dynamic techniques for personal expression in handwriting. Using pens and alternative instruments to play with proportion, speed, and rhythm, Polello’s students will charge their own calligraphy with new levels of vitality and drama. A culminating project will serve as a guide for students who wish to develop their expressive writing style further.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="256" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/34835813" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" nbsp="" p=""></a></div>
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It’s a tremendous honor for us to host Massimo Polello this summer, and it’s a reminder of how Castle in the Air’s reputation has spread beyond the bounds of our little shop in Berkeley. With each season of classes we greet a mix of new and familiar students, and our roster of teachers keeps growing to include both local lights and international stars.</div>
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What’s the next class you’ll be taking in the <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&k=10&c=346" target="_blank">Studio for the Imagination</a>? </div>
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Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-3491618714671515172015-05-27T20:03:00.000-07:002015-05-28T13:43:27.148-07:00Castle in the Air Loves the Oakland Book Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a clubhouse for writers, Castle in the Air knows who uses which pencil, what everyone’s writing for NaNoWriMo, and who is communicating tomorrow’s big ideas. It’s no accident that we’re in the middle of it all—as soon as we opened in 2001 we started working on books of our own, and that work grew into <a href="http://www.dromedarypress.com/" target="_blank">Dromedary Press</a>.</div>
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There are other Bay Area writers’ clubhouses too, mostly in the form of shops and cafés. But rarely has there been a grand party gathering everyone together under one roof. That’s why we’re thrilled to learn about the Oakland Book Festival, happening this Sunday at Oakland City Hall. Check out this lineup!<br />
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We'd love to hear from you. Tell us what exciting things are happening in your community to support books and publishing. </div>
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<b>Oakland Book Festival </b></div>
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Sunday, May 31, 2015, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.</div>
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Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland CA </div>
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Free and open to the public</div>
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Read. Debate. Celebrate.</div>
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<b>One day – Seven Hours – 90 Writers – 40 Events</b><br />
Inside City Hall, 90 novelists, poets, historians, philosophers, journalists, and activists will engage event goers in panels, interviews, and open debate. The event features national literary luminaries Edwidge Danticat, Hector Tobar, Tracy K. Smith, Paul Beatty, and Astra Taylor. Participating Bay Area writers include Rick Prelinger, Elaine Brown, Vikram Chandra, Ben Fong-Torres, Mark Danner, and Anthony Marra. A full list of activities and speakers can be found at www.OaklandBookFestival.org. Join us for conversations about gentrification, multi-culturalism, whistle-blowing, city life, and the future of American literature.<br />
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<b>Children’s Area – Music – Booksellers – Food</b><br />
The outdoor portion of the festival, on Frank Ogawa Plaza, includes a dedicated children’s area with performances from Children’s Fairyland, “favorite-stories” read by librarians from the Oakland Public Library, and book-making projects courtesy of the Museum of Children’s Art. There will be live music on the amphitheater all day. Booksellers, magazine publishers and local literary organizations will have booths on the plaza; food trucks will provide nourishment.<br />
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And don’t miss …<br />
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<b>Opening Night Plenary </b><br />
Saturday May 30th, 6pm to 8pm<br />
Reading Oakland: Stories from our City’s Literary Past<br />
Keynote address: Lewis H. Lapham<br />
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza<br />
Followed by a wine reception<br />
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<b>Closing Party</b><br />
Sunday May 31st, 8pm<br />
XOXO Nightclub, 201 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607<br />
Performances by Critchley and Simmons<br />
“Ever wondered what it would sound like if David Bowie & Jacques Derrida had love children who decided to form a band?" Critchley and Simmons - are those love children!<br />
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For more information and the full program please visit: <a href="http://www.oaklandbookfestival.org/">http://www.oaklandbookfestival.org</a><br />
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<br />Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-57395970792339972962015-03-20T15:03:00.001-07:002015-03-20T15:08:11.504-07:00Cleomade at Castle in the Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you visited Castle in the Air during the early days of our upstairs gallery you might have seen the paintings of Cleo Papanikolas, which melded images of food and animals in phantasmagorical and whimsical ways. As delighted as we were by them, we’re even happier that they are just the tip of the iceberg in Cleo’s creative world.<br />
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For the past year or so we’ve been proud to offer the <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&k=10&c=237" target="_blank">Cleomade craft kits</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/castleinthea1r" target="_blank">YouTube tutorials</a>, each one of them a small sculpture you can assemble with simple tools and minimal fuss. The range includes prize ribbons, a wooden keychain charm, a trio of moths whose wings part to reveal tiny books, woodland candy boxes, and a paper oyster shell holding a fortune.<br />
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In addition to her artistic talent Cleo also has a knack for teaching, which is why we’re so happy she’ll be presenting a springtime themed “make-and-take” craft at Castle in the Air. Just drop in on March 28 from 12pm to 2pm and walk away with a charming craft you’ve made yourself. It’s free!<br />
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We recently asked Cleo about her kits, her creative career, and how much of art is a teachable skill. Here’s what she said:<br />
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<b>Has art been part of your life from the beginning?</b><br />
I’ve made toys to entertain myself since I was little. I grew up in the country in Sebastopol, California. I couldn’t easily get to friends’ houses, or downtown, and there was no TV reception. So I wandered around the yard, garage, and creek and made things. I did draw and paint but it wasn’t rendering, it was more decorative.<br />
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<b>Did you always plan to have a career in art, or did you transition into it?</b><br />
I worked in restaurants and clothing stores through high school and college. I did have an interest in art, but it was propelled by the fact that I couldn’t get into any other school. Once in, I got serious and ended up doing well with a BFA in printmaking from CCA and an MFA in painting from Cal. I started painting for a living right after undergraduate. I did faux finishes, murals, and other decorative painting, as well as gallery paintings.<br />
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<b>How is your process different when working on a standalone piece, such as a painting, compared to one of your instructional kits?</b><br />
I like to keep a balance between craft and fine art. Making my kits and products involves a lot of problem solving, which I like—figuring out the simplest way to make things, sizes, sourcing materials, and designing the covers. Production involves repetitive cutting and gluing and it’s while keeping my hands busy that I get my best ideas.<br />
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Painting is more intense. There is a bit of procrastination, like circling a cold pool before jumping in. Every brushstroke is another decision to make. And every painting goes through an ugly phase and many do-overs before it’s right. I need a bigger chunk of time to paint because it’s unsettling when I have to run out the door to do a school pick-up and leave a painting in the middle of the ugly phase.<br />
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<b>How did the kits come about?</b><br />
I did the Tiny Paintings Project on my blog, in which every week for a year I posted a new DIY craft project made from a postcard-sized painting. There are about 50 free art downloads on my website, each with step-by-step instructions. The craft kits are a way that people can easily get the materials in one place without having to print the art. I spent a lot of time designing the packaging because I wanted to make a keepsake and a lovely gift. People don’t know that I print all those labels on my home computer and cut and glue them all by hand.<br />
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<b>What can people expect when they open one?</b><br />
A postcard of my art to cut and use, instructions with one of my plaid paintings on the back—I hope that people find their own way to re-use the plaid art—some of Castle in the Air’s beautiful crepe paper and some other ingredients like wire and templates specific to the craft.<br />
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<b>Practicality seems to be a theme in your work. You wrote a novella peppered with advice for cooking and life ("<a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=1458&k=10&c=229" target="_blank">Cook Until Desired Tenderness</a>") and now you have your craft kits. Which elements of art can be taught, and which ones come from the artist?</b><br />
I definitely think people can be naturally creative and that helps. But practice is very important. I wasn’t a naturally good drawer but learned to be, through learning observation and doing a ton of bad drawings until I got good. I also never let fear of doing bad art stop me. You don’t have to show anything you don’t want to.<br />
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I hear people say to me all the time, “I wish I was creative like you. I can’t draw a stick figure.” But I’ve been drawing or painting almost every day for thirty years. And because crafty things are my job, everything I see throughout my day I think, “How could I make that into a paper craft?” So I naturally have more ideas. I don’t have particularly good handwriting, so I took lettering classes at Castle in the Air and practiced a lot so I could use it in my book and cards. Art is just like any other exercise—you build muscle by doing it.<br />
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<b>What will you be teaching at the make-and-take on March 28?</b><br />
We will be making jackalope nests. I have postcards of my mama jackalope and nesting material made from shreds of Castle in the Air’s crepe paper. Usually the eggs and antlers are made from nuts, tree pods, or pebbles, but since Easter is coming we will be using chocolate eggs and gold Dresden trim antlers.<br />
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<b>Make-and-Take Craft with Cleo Papanikolas</b><br />
<b>Saturday, March 28, 12 pm to 2 pm</b><br />
<b>Castle in the Air</b><br />
<b>1805 Fourth Street, Berkeley</b><br />
<b>510-204-9801</b><br />
<b>No cost to participate</b><br />
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You can check out the Cleomade craft kits at the <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&k=10&c=237" target="_blank">Online Shoppe</a>, and watch Cleo’s tutorial videos on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/castleinthea1r" target="_blank">Castle in the Air YouTube</a> channel.Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-85097159351459266892015-03-18T14:48:00.006-07:002015-03-18T17:32:03.310-07:00Carnival Adventures in Where Women Create<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are no two ways about it: Jo Packham is a creative catalyzer. She’s thrived as a book and magazine publisher for more than 35 years, championing countless women who make the world more wonderful through their art and businesses. And even with so much on her plate, Jo is always professional, upbeat, and supportive every time we talk. I can’t say enough good things about her, which is why it was such an honor when Jo asked to run a story about our Carnival adventure in her flagship magazine, Where Women Create. The spring 2015 issue has six luscious pages of photos and a narrative of our journey to Venice last spring. Beyond the thrill of reliving that magical trip, I love leafing through the rest of the issue and reading about other women’s creative triumphs. This kind of sharing creates a social space that’s easy to forget about when we’re focused on our own worlds. Each of us is doing our own thing, but what Where Women Create reminds me is that we all have the chance to lift each other up by sharing ideas and rubbing elbows, whether we’re all sat at a party in Venice or side by side in the pages of such a fantastic magazine. Thank you, Jo!<br />
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<br />Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-9548111512163253992015-03-11T21:09:00.000-07:002015-03-11T21:09:13.168-07:00An Origami Treasure Trove Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Talk about bringing imagination to life—we’re giving away a stack of six amazing origami books and kits that can help you turn simple pieces of paper into everything from flowers to animals to airplanes that really fly!<br />
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The books are a gift from Tuttle Publishing, and represent part of their range of papercrafting instruction. Here are the titles we’re giving away via raffle:<br />
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<a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/origami-ikebana-paperback-with-dvd" target="_blank">Origami Ikebana</a>, by Benjamin John Coleman. Ikebana is the Japanese art of floral arrangement, and the wonderworking hands of Benjamin John Coleman take it to new heights by merging it with origami. Learning paperfolding from a book can be daunting, but Coleman’s step-by-step photo instructions help me visualize the projects to the point I feel I can create anything using paper and paint (two of my favorite mediums). This book even comes complete with an instructional DVD with videos to follow.<br />
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Another book-and-DVD set, John Szinger’s Origami: <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/origami-crafts/origami-animal-sculpture-paperback-with-dvd" target="_blank">Animal Sculpture</a> is delightful for its variety, from foxes to lizards to ten-tentacled giant squid. I’ve got a soft spot for the paper narwhal, and the inchworm looks right at home among the paper flowers at Castle in the Air. To turn this into a true nature-lover’s dream, Szinger prefaces his “Adirondack Animals” chapter with instructions for folding your own campsite with a lean-to, canoe, and Adirondack chair. Make a wilderness escape without even leaving the room!<br />
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<a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/japanese-paper-crafting" target="_blank">Japanese Paper Crafting</a>, by Michael G. LaFosse with Richard L. Alexander and Greg Mudarri, expands the art of paperfolding to show how it can be used to add beauty to unexpected parts of our lives. The 17 projects in this book stem from washi papercraft techniques, and guide you in the creation of such wonders as a paper clutch purse, a gorgeous vase cover, a whimsical sailboat envelope, and a sewn washi book printed with your own poems or whatever you’d like. The introductory chapter on papermaking is just one of the examples of the book’s reverence for the history and practice of this exquisite art.<br />
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LaFosse and Alexander team up again to present <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/origami-crafts/lafosse-alexanders-origami-flowers-kit-book-and-kit-with-dvd" target="_blank">Origami Flowers</a>, a kit that includes 180 colorful sheets of folding paper, 18 designs, a book, and an instructional DVD. These two origami geniuses use the book to teach their original blossom designs—ranging in complexity from easy to advanced—and then direct you to the video so you can learn how to add leaves and stems for making bouquets. The bright colors and friendly instructions make this a terrific introduction to the art of paper flowermaking.<br />
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If you’re like me, you often return home from a trip with many extra pieces of paper, such as brochures, currency, and yes even the occasional shopping bag. Cindy Ng’s lighthearted <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/origami-crafts/travel-origami-paperback-with-flaps" target="_blank">Travel Origami</a> lets you repurpose this ephemera into simple gifts of one-of-a-kind mementos of your journey. Even the lowliest of objects is elevated under Ng’s care. Who knew that gum wrappers could make an adorable picture frame, or that drinking straws could be wound together to make miniature rosebuds?<br />
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And for paperfolders who are really on the go, it’s hard to top <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/origami-crafts/one-minute-paper-airplanes-kit-book-and-kit" target="_blank">One Minute Paper Airplanes</a>, by Andrew Dewar. This kit contains a dozen paper airplanes you pop out from perforated pages, a set of full-color instructions, and a specialized rubber-band powered catapult launcher to set them soaring. Even though the “craft” is all prepackaged in this kit, I’ve got to admit that the variety of flyers—from the prehistoric archaeopteryx to modern jets—makes it a lot of fun.<br />
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Would you like to win these incredible papercrafting books and kits? Just enter below and we’ll pull names from a paper hat on April 1st and announce the winner here. Good luck!<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="3a6b59231" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3a6b59231/" id="rcwidget_8l0hqkwu" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-30643569895472660802015-02-03T22:43:00.000-08:002015-02-03T22:48:41.522-08:00Making Peg Dolls & More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since an early age I’ve been telling stories through dolls I’ve made myself. It’s such a part of my life that all these years later I still do it, whether it’s with my daughters or on my own. My latest book, <a href="http://www.thestumpers.com/" target="_blank">The Stumpers</a>, isn’t any different in spirit from the fairy houses and families of dolls I made as a child. To me, this kind of storytelling is a way to dream out loud, to bring my vision of a beautiful life into the world.<br />
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This is probably why I fell in love with the peg dolls of Margaret Bloom. Her dolls have been part of the magic at Castle in the Air for years. All of us at the shop adore the interpretations of classic stories, complete with directions for making them yourself, that she included in her first book, Making Peg Dolls.<br />
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That book gained such a following that Margaret has collected 15 new projects and techniques for a second book, <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=3483&k=10&c=229" target="_blank">Making Peg Dolls & More</a>, just published by Hawthorn Press.<br />
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Taking her simple and sweet scenes as a starting point, Margaret is quietly creating an entire world that shares borders with our own. Making Peg Dolls & More includes toys such as marionettes, spool snakes, and tops alongside ornamental and practical projects like pincushions, wall hangings, and the delightfully scented “comfort friends” dolls that are filled with soothing herbs. Art takes new meaning when we incorporate it into our lives with projects like these.<br />
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Castle in the Air is glad to help spread the word about Making Peg Dolls & More as part of Margaret’s blog tour. You can check out other people’s posts about her work at the links below.<br />
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2/2: <a href="http://www.thecraftycrow.net/" target="_blank">The Crafty Crow</a><br />
2/3: <a href="http://lusaorganics.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Clean</a><br />
2/4: Castle in the Air (you are here!)<br />
2/5: <a href="http://weefolkstudio.com/" target="_blank">Salley Mavor / Wee Folk Studio</a><br />
2/6: <a href="http://www.remedialeating.com/" target="_blank">Remedial Eating</a><br />
2/9: <a href="http://www.forestfairycrafts.com/" target="_blank">Forest Fairy Crafts</a><br />
2/10: <a href="http://www.bellalunatoys.com/" target="_blank">Bella Luna Toys</a><br />
2/11: <a href="http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ben & Birdy</a><br />
2/12: <a href="http://twigandtoadstool.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Twig & Toadstool</a><br />
2/13: <a href="http://www.weewonderfuls.com/" target="_blank">Wee Wonderfuls</a><br />
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Are you ready to welcome Margaret’s magic into your life? Get your copy of Making Peg Dolls and Making Peg Dolls & More at the <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=3483&k=10&c=229" target="_blank">Castle in the Air Online Shoppe</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3bKb8Wzz1GE" width="420"></iframe>Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-61681339904568074122014-12-19T15:14:00.001-08:002014-12-19T15:14:17.910-08:00Writer’s Digest Awards Commonplace Mouse<div class="p1">
If you’ve ever written a book of your own, or even just dreamed about it, then you’ve likely seen Writer’s Digest. It’s a printed magazine and online resource for people at any stage in their writing careers, complete with writing prompts, lists of grants and retreats, and an online forum where fellow writers can share their literary triumphs and troubles.</div>
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One of the ways Writer’s Digest encourages quality self-publishing is through its awards programs. We entered some Dromedary Press titles in their most recent Self-Published Book Awards competition—which accepted titles from the past five years—and were delighted when Commonplace Mouse received an honorable mention!</div>
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Here are some of the comments the Writer’s Digest judges had for Dromedary Press:</div>
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“I’m in love with this book!”</div>
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“Lovely!”</div>
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“Outstanding and beautiful production! The best looking self-published book I’ve ever seen!”</div>
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The entire list of winners in the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards will be published in Writer’s Digest this coming March.</div>
Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-39135211293808067822014-12-12T18:16:00.002-08:002014-12-12T18:17:31.717-08:00The Grand Transformation: Crescendo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We’ve been in Venice all year at Castle in the Air, in spirit if not always in the flesh. It seems like ages ago we were stood in Piazza San Marco dressed head to toe as birds, jesters, and mysterious dames, so much has happened here at home in the meantime.</div>
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Like the water lapping the walls of Venice, the Grand Transformation occurs in waves. As visitors pass between the striped gondola pillars at our front door they witness the latest wonders—glass ornaments piled on trays as high as their heads, like desserts in a dream…the pyramid decorations spinning in the breeze…the incredible array of holiday cards…</div>
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A stone archway topped with the lion of Venice beckons friends into the classroom upstairs, where our teachers lead the final classes of the year, give crafting demonstrations, or just spend the day working quietly on their own, happy to share their knowledge with the curious.</div>
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Castle in the Air has taken on an even more festive mood than usual over the past few months, hosting many merry evenings for artists near and far. The masks on the walls take our thoughts back to Sergio Boldrin’s visit and the magic of that night.</div>
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In unexpected ways, our magnificent masquerade of a year has led to our dropping some of the masks we’ve worn in the past. We were so happy to see John McRae unveil his Dresden jewelry collection, and what a crowd came out to cheer him on and take home some of the treasure. Our launch for The Stumpers was equally festive, the song, dance, and feasting lasting long into the night. Gatherings like these seem to affirm the importance of letting down our guard a bit and sharing more of ourselves with the world.</div>
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And there’s still so much more to discover! If you’re nearby and haven’t yet come to swim in the spectacle, I hope you will. This really is Castle in the Air’s most amazing year yet, and all of us are so grateful for your help as we ferry our dreams across into this world.</div>
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Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-56132888957658398272014-11-10T19:41:00.000-08:002014-11-10T20:38:32.517-08:00We Grow Better Together: “The Stumpers” Book Launch 11/20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It makes me so happy to share my latest creation with you—perhaps you can come to the party?<br />
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The Stumpers is my new children’s picture-book about togetherness and the joy of working toward one’s dreams. It follows the life of a cozy family of gnome-like people and all the good things they enjoy as they live in harmony with their world. The the tale grew organically out of making the dolls and their forest home in my studio. Here’s a <a href="http://youtu.be/iZy1ncKAa4o" target="_blank">link to a video</a> that tells more of how they came to be.<br />
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Music is an important part of my life, and it’s part of the Stumpers’ world too, so it was such a treat to include an original song in the e-book version of The Stumpers. “The Stumpers’ Frolic” is played by the talented Laura Cortese, who also narrates the e-book. As an added treat, Laura will be at the launch party, where she and I will chat about creativity, making art, and working together on this project.<br />
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The Stumpers is my sixth book with Dromedary Press, a publishing company I started with the goal of making beautiful books exactly the way I envisioned them. No one, whether they’re an independent or one of the big houses, knows what the future holds for book publishing, but one thing that’s clear to me is that great things are possible when we work together. If you enjoy The Stumpers, my wish is that you’ll spread the word by sharing it with your friends, both in person and online.<br />
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Gnomevember starts a grand season of merrymaking. I hope you’ll join me to celebrate The Stumpers and its themes of togetherness, joy, song, and dreams made real. Bring a friend!<br />
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The Stumpers Book Launch<br />
Thursday, November 20, 5:30 – 7:30 pm<br />
Castle in the Air, 1805 Fourth Street, Berkeley<br />
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5:30: Autumnal feast with warming cider<br />
6:00: Fireside chat with Karima Cammell and Laura Cortese<br />
6:30: Book signing and live music<br />
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A special a free gift with purchase of The Stumpers at the event!<br />
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Whether or not you can make it to the party, I invite you to visit <a href="http://thestumpers.com/">TheStumpers.com</a>, where you can not only order the book and some magical moving postcards, but also send your friends an email greeting straight from the Stumpers themselves!Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-28639681862243788482014-11-02T18:49:00.000-08:002014-11-02T18:49:22.509-08:00The Castle will be Closed November 3rd!Castle in the Air will be closed Monday, November 3rd for decorating. Join us on Tuesday, November 4th when we re-open and unveil the Grand Transformation!Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-36235968669021270682014-11-02T17:08:00.001-08:002014-11-02T17:30:09.280-08:00John McRae’s Jewels of Dresden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you’ve taken one of his classes or simply set foot inside Castle in the Air, you know the work of John McRae. Whether he’s demonstrating decorative techniques to students or transforming our front window displays, John is a veritable magician when it comes to conjuring exquisite wonders out of simple materials.<br />
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This month we’re thrilled to unveil what may be John’s greatest creation yet: a collection of more than 30 pieces of handcrafted jewelry that rival any fabled treasure hoard. These are John’s “Jewels of Dresden,” wearable art that combines gemstones and other precious objects with the exquisite Victorian crafting material known as Dresden trim.<br />
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Castle in the Air invites you to join us for the unveiling of the entire collection these highly desirable pieces. Set amidst Castle in the Air’s pre-holiday transformation into a Venetian fantasyland complete with Carnival costumes, this one-of-a-kind exhibit will truly be the jewel in the crown. We’ve held off on pre-selling pieces to share them with you all at once, but the night of the show all of these incredible pieces will be available for purchase.<br />
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Jewels of Dresden: An Evening with John McRae<br />
Saturday, November 8, 5:30–7:30 pm<br />
Castle in the Air<br />
1805 Fourth Street, Berkeley<br />
Event guests will enjoy food, beverages, and a souvenir catalog.<br />
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For further event details call Castle in the Air: 510-204-9801<br />
Read more about John McRae on our <a href="http://blog.castleintheair.biz/2014/11/castle-in-air-artist-profile-john-mcrae.html" target="_blank">blog</a>.<br />
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Further afield? Join in the reverie on <a href="http://instagram.com/1castleintheair" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-56075764791804599882014-11-02T16:56:00.005-08:002014-11-03T23:16:11.489-08:00Castle in the Air Artist Profile: John McRae<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">Don’t miss John McRae’s “Jewels of Dresden” trunk show Saturday, November 8th.</span></div>
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Based in San Francisco for nearly three decades, artist John McRae was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in rural California. He remembers a childhood of constant creative activity—making, doing, and exploring.<br />
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“My family always knew I’d be an artist,” says McRae. “We couldn’t afford traditional art supplies, but I would use whatever I found. Odds and ends … house paint … whatever. Now there’s an entire industry around found-object art, but as a kid I was just putting things together in ways I thought were interesting. I was curious about the world, and I learned that something doesn’t have to be a diamond or a ruby to have value. I could never pass a dumpster without looking in. I had a magpie mentality. Pretty! Shiny!”<br />
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This inquisitive approach to art stayed with McRae into adulthood, and led to his discovering Dresden trim while hunting for art materials at Bay Area flea markets. The foil-coated paper fascinated him, and he started using it to decorate boxes and other projects. When McRae realized the material was from Germany, he traveled there to learn more. “I found it and ordered it all,” he says. “I had to have some of every design I could find.”<br />
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Further research into the history of Dresden trim, and his own experimentations with the paper, led McRae to see it less as something purely for ornamentation but as a foundational art material.<br />
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“It acts almost like metal,” he says. “You can bend it and twist it and it doesn’t break. After a while I could look at the pieces and imagine how I would cut them up and remake them.”<br />
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Christmas ornamentation has always had a place in McRae’s artistic life. He discovered its range and history over the course of years of scouring shops and markets in Europe and America, trying his hand at decorating retail interiors. This eventually led to McRae opening his own shop—Every Day’s A Holiday—with partner Byron Bentley in 1997 on San Francisco’s Divisadero Street.<br />
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“Seeing Dresden ornaments for the first time inspired me to make this jewelry,” says McRae, who acknowledges further similarities between his work and ornate jewelry of Renaissance and Victorian Europe. “Dresden decorations are the holy grail of Christmas ornaments. My work is a progression of that idea. I always try to push my own work further than what I’ve seen or previously done.”<br />
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Over-the-top displays inside Every Day’s a Holiday took decorating to new heights. McRae and Bentley brought back wonders from across Europe and reimagined them for a hungry American audience. In one of the shop’s best-loved displays, hundreds of glass ornaments turned into a vegetable stand—a farmers’ market for the imagination.<br />
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A riotous cavalcade of tiny gnome figurines filled another display; McRae made the miniature men using vintage paper doll faces. The gnomes caught the eye of a visiting shopkeeper, Castle in the Air’s Karima Cammell.<br />
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“She bought a bushel of them,” recalls McRae. When Every Day’s a Holiday closed in 2002, McRae and much of the store’s stock—including the rest of his gnomes—migrated to Castle in the Air. He and his collection have been an integral part of the shop’s look ever since.<br />
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Get your Jewels of Dresden souvenir catalog when you visit Castle in the Air.Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-65362837651960075432014-10-27T23:59:00.000-07:002014-10-29T13:05:40.436-07:00Ironcraft Entries on Parade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Three cheers for everyone who entered the very first Ironcraft! We received 27 entries in person and via email, and the imaginative creations blew us all away here at the shop.<br />
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For those who didn’t take part this time, let me show you the mystery item all Ironcrafters received. This bulbous spun-cotton shape was given to each participant, who then took it back to their home studio to turn it into something magical.<br />
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Some people gave the mystery item a personality, using it as the head or body for incredible dolls. Our popular Santos classes even got a nod, with a few entrants hollowing out the doll’s torso to hold tiny wonders.<br />
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My own thought, when I first saw the mystery item, was that it could be a hot air balloon. Everyone at Castle in the Air has a love of airships, obviously, and we did get a few entries along those lines. The aerialist theme was especially appropriate this month, because one of our class teachers, master calligrapher Bill Kemp, took to the skies for the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival. Now we have a fleet of our own!<br />
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Ironcraft isn’t a competition, unless you think of it a challenge for your imagination. Everyone who entered is a winner. As the Castle crew marveled at the incoming entries we all felt like winners, too. Intention, skill, and imagination shine through in each entry, and the commitment it took to send us the finished artwork (or a picture of it) fills me with joy.<br />
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If you participated in Ironcraft and gave us your postal address, then you can expect your prize soon. In the meantime, I hope you take pride in your work. Show it off! Maybe we can revisit Ironcraft in the new year?<br />
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What wonders flowed into Castle in the Air in response to our first Ironcraft challenge! The entries came in all shapes and sizes, and showed such effort and imagination.<br />
The entry window is closed, and we’ve done our best to ensure that every entry we received is represented here. If you sent us yours and don’t see it, please let us know.<br />
We’re floored by our community’s creativity—take a look!<br />
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“Carl,” by Alexandra Von Berg<br />
Hooray for musical ogres! Carl’s mandolin is tricked out with Dresden trim, and his puffy Renaissance sleeves lend him an air of sophistication, not that this good-looking fellow needs any help with that.<br />
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“I didn’t want to do something predictable,” says Alexandra, who says she took inspiration from one of our own favorite painters, James Christensen, adding that Carl is “ready to entertain the Goblin Queen or Dwarf King.”<br />
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“Parisian Hot-Air Balloon,” by Carmen Reid<br />
Carmen’s hot-air balloon is busy setting a land speed record with the help of no fewer than eight tandem cyclists. We love the ballast bags tied to the basket!<br />
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“Esmerelda Weatherwax,” by Lisa Swehla<br />
Between her serene countenance and somber clothing, it would be easy to think that Esmerela has settled down for the Big Nap, but her note assures us otherwise. We hope she wakes up soon so we can ask her where she got her cool boots.<br />
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“Fairy Nest,” by Carol Richardson<br />
Where do you keep your fairy dust? This fairy keeps it on her windowsill to share with the local butterflies, who are no doubt attracted to the other bits of bling encrusting this scrumptious fairy nest.<br />
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“The Aurora Rose,” by Lori Clayson<br />
The Aurora Rose takes flight under Captain Clayson’s able hand. Check out the cotton batting smoke rising up to fill the balloon! The detail in this giant piece is incredible, right down to the Dresden edging and the miniature family portrait.<br />
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“I decided to create an airship that seemed like it could take us to Oz, Narnia, or the Shire,” says Lori. “I christened the airship the Aurora Rose after my daughter.”<br />
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“Mr. Potato Head,” by Nona Wong Kline<br />
Viva vintage toys! So many from my childhood are making a comeback, including this familiar face. Mr. Potato Head had better hide from our calligraphy teacher Bill Kemp, who is famous for cleaning his pen nibs by sticking them in a spud.<br />
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Nona’s daughter Nysa says of the genius creation of this piece, “She thought the mystery ingredient resembled a potato. She dunked hers in her coffee cup and then dusted it with powdered eye shadow to get the desired potato coloring and texture.”<br />
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“Dotted Hot-Air Balloon,” by Nysa Wong Kline<br />
Nysa’s festive balloon lifts our spirits with its bold colors and high-contrast background. The flag-waving pilot reminds us of the etchings of the famous early balloon flights of the Montgolfiere brothers.<br />
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“I was eager to participate and find out what the mystery ingredient could be. I was so excited to get my box in the mail!” says Nysa. “This was a fun idea that I hope you’ll continue.”<br />
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“Lantern Gnome,” by Margaret Bloom<br />
Margaret is known for her friendly peg dolls (we’re looking forward to her next book of them, out this December), so we’re thrilled she made a bigger figure out of our mystery item. Love the knit cap and the lantern—let it shine!<br />
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“Red Ribboned Striped Balloon,” by Melanie Ann Mercado<br />
This jolly confection-colored balloon looks good enough to eat! I can picture it carrying Marie Antoinette, who once called ballooning “the sport of the gods.”<br />
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Melanie writes: “I already make hot-air balloons using paper mache so it was a fun challenge figuring out how to work with this new medium.”<br />
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“Red and White Fox Balloon,” by Tricia Stirling<br />
Sometimes animals get conscripted for aerial adventures (one of the earliest hot-air balloon flights was “manned” by a zoo crew including a sheep, a rooster, and a duck), but this time it seems the flying foxes have persuaded a girl to come fly with them.<br />
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“I was inspired by lovely vintage images of hot-air balloons,” says Tricia. “I covered the ‘mystery ingredient’ with white gesso, then painted on red stripes. I used gold thread for the strings, paper and Dresden trim for embellishments. I found the little characters amidst my stash.”<br />
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“The Starcatcher,” by Mary Dupen<br />
Imagination just drips from this piece from Mary Dupen, with its brightly colored flying boat and its hard-working crew lassoing the stars. All the gold makes this balloon extra-celestial.<br />
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Mary tells the story of the Starcatcher: “On nights of the full moon, vigilant babies are awake by their nursery window, silently waiting for the approach of the Starcatcher balloon. When it floats by, they can climb the gold ladder to the dragon gondola, filled with Milky Way clouds. They are off to a night of celestial mystery, harvesting stars ’til first light. Then back to their beds, where they dream of their adventures!”<br />
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“Doll,” by Jeanie Kashima<br />
Jeanie’s doll reminds me of eastern European figurines for its use of velvety fabric and its nesting-doll style painted face. She affixed a stick to the base of the doll, making it into a perfect actor for a puppet show.<br />
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Jeanie writes: “As soon as I saw the challenge form, I knew I would be making a face. I’ve done numerous art dolls, so I used the materials I already had. It was great fun to have participated.”<br />
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“Colorful Hot Air Balloon,” by Meredith Johanson<br />
Pastel colors and Dresden trim help take Meredith’s balloon over the top. The gold netting and encircling pink and green pennants are adorable touches. We would love to be part of the celebration aboard this airship. Where can we buy a ticket?<br />
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“Tassel,” by Elizabeth Turnbloom<br />
Elizabeth adorned her mystery ingredient with thin strips of Castle in the Air’s crepe paper to create a black, gold, and white tassel fit to adorn a queen’s bedstead. She included a lovely written history of the tassel with her piece, from which we learned that at the height of their glory tassels decorated everything from ladies’ shoes to the throne of Emperor Napoleon.<br />
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Of her visit to Castle in the Air, Elizabeth says, ”Perusing the shop inspires one to put the handheld device down and pick up pen, paper, scissors, and glue. After picking up the craft treasure, I thought that it should be in keeping with the ambience of the store. I adore passamanaria (Italian for “tassels”) and soon decided that’s what I would make.”<br />
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“Ice Cream Cone,” by Raphaella Hero. Sweets for the sweet! Visions sugarplums dance in our heads when we take in Raphaella’s double-scoop cone, which is complete down to the sprinkles and the waffle texture. We love how the pink lace makes the ice cream look like it’s just begun to melt.<br />
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“Snowman,” by Valentina Sa’ida. More is more! Valentina stacked extra cotton-batting orbs beneath her secret ingredient to make this jolly fellow. We never get snow in Berkeley, which is why we were excited to get this early glimpse of winter wonder.<br />
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“Robot,” by Ian Greeb<br />
We picture Ian’s robot coming to life at night to do the bidding of the other Ironcraft entries. Maybe his giant eye can serve as air-traffic control for our fleet of miniature airships. Ian included a list of the components he used to make his robot, including “1 hanger, 1 thumbtack, 1 bottle cap, and 1 spray cap.”<br />
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“Green Man,” by Phoebe Diamond<br />
Phoebe regularly wows us with the inventive figures she makes in Castle in the Air classes. Where do we start talking about all the fantastic details on this guy? The iridescent glass in her doll’s torso makes it look like he’s glowing with life’s spark.<br />
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“I was inspired by the Santos figures that John has taught at the Castle, but wanted to do something a bit more nontraditional,” says Phoebe. “I have also taken a class involving a mini glass garden and thought that plants might factor into my creation.”<br />
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“Skull Figure,” by Ruth Van Slyke<br />
Ruth captures the spirit of the season with her lovely skull figure. From its wise eyes to its ornate gown, this figure seems to know something about eternity. The creases in the aluminum crepe perfectly evoke the folds of fabric at this scale.<br />
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“As it was October, I decided on making a skull,” says Ruth. “I’ve always been fascinated by reliquaries, memento mori, dolls, and any old bits and bobs of fabric and jewelry. I’m so happy with the results that I can’t wait to make more!”<br />
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“Our Lady of Upcycle,” by Heather Jacobsen<br />
Divine inspiration! Heather’s contemporary take on a saint figure is worth praying to when you need a project’s pieces to come together, and proves that we often have what we need close at hand.<br />
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Heather says, “‘Our Lady of Upcycle’ is a 17-inch icon celebrating creative reuse of odds and ends. With the exception of the ‘secret ingredient’ and the wine bottle and base from the kitchen, she is made entirely from stuff found in my sewing room.”<br />
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“Old Mother Hubbard,” by April Ross<br />
April’s entry literally turns the dollmaking concept on its head, using the “neck” of the mystery ingredient as a snout for a canine housewife. The shaggy fur, bright eyes, and patchwork dress charm us to no end.<br />
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April sent us a new take on the familiar nursery rhyme: “Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard, to find her poor husband a bone. But when she got there, the cupboard was bare, and so she said ‘You know what that means—we’re going out for dinner! Yay!’”<br />
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“Lightbulb Shrine,” by Julie Liebenbaum<br />
Julie’s winged “Lightbulb Shrine” flew in like a fantastic bird from the wilds of Mendocino County. She tells us she created the shrine for her father and daughter. We should all be so lucky to be immortalized in such a gorgeous way.<br />
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Julie writes: “Thank you for the opportunity to spend the afternoon drinking tea and crafting our hearts out! Thanks for the challenge. When’s the next one?”<br />
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“Fairy Mother,” by Susan Gross<br />
Susan crafts her creations from her wondrous Boonville “art barn.” She pried open the mystery ingredient to reveal the fairy baby inside. The velvet leaves and snippets of text (is it from Pirate & Hoopoe?) emanating from the top are inspired touches.<br />
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We feel blessed to have had the chance to send a secret ingredient to the rugged Mendocino countryside, where, as Susan’s friend Julie puts it, “mail delivery takes just a bit longer than it does in areas with more paving!”<br />
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“Spider with Pumpkin Flowers,” by Julie Rubenstein<br />
Julie took a cue from the season with this giant spider tending its web, which seems to have caught some pumpkin flowers!<br />
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Julie writes: “I was inspired by an orb weaver spider that I noticed living in our garden for the past few weeks. I am not generally a big fan of spiders, but I really looked forward to seeing her each evening.”<br />
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“Exposition Gnome Balloon,” by Jamie Guajardo<br />
Talk about trading up! These gnomes wanted to visit Paris after hearing about the Exposition of 1900, so they bought a hot-air balloon with some of their gold. Jamie’s balloon can be hung or stood upright thanks to his Dresden-reinforced base.<br />
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“Thank you for such a great challenge,” says Jamie. “I used a lot of what I already knew, however I did challenge myself.”<br />
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“Miss Spinster,” by Bethany Mann<br />
Bethany’s dapper arachnid is ready to weave a dark web from her spool of spider silk, and in fact she does spin in place when the crank on the side of her base is turned. Miss Spinster’s fuzzy pipe-cleaner legs and ornate headdress are the icing on the cake.<br />
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“Rose,” by Caskey Weston<br />
Touches of purple and white give Caskey’s rose sculpture such painterly qualities. It just bursts with life. She cut open her secret ingredient to create the rose’s folds, and it goes to show that sometimes the most beautiful part of anything is the part you can’t initially see.<br />
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“The uniqueness of this odd item was that it is made out of paper. I wanted to see what I could do with its paper qualities,” writes Caskey. “I briefly soaked the top in water and saw the spiral core start to appear, and I pulled and twisted the spirals to make petals.”<br />
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If Ironcraft proved anything, it’s that there is an endless variety of ways to look at a simple object. As soon as we can, we plan to post tutorials some of our entrants sent us. In the meantime, we’re sending out prizes and puzzling over the mystery ingredient for the next challenge. Thank you for being part of Ironcraft!<br />
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Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-36547049887903698832014-10-17T17:55:00.002-07:002014-10-20T20:33:44.138-07:00Mask Master Sergio Boldrin at Castle in the Air<br />
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If you’ve visited Castle in the Air recently, you’ve no doubt noticed the fanciful, over-the- top masks that are part of our transformation into a Venetian wonderland. The masks are the creations of Sergio Boldrin, and they are at once whimsical and striking.</div>
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Sergio’s creations have been praised worldwide, from his hometown of Venice to features in National Geographic and the New York Times. Their most famous appearance was in the secret society scenes in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut.</div>
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I had the chance to meet Sergio in his Venice shop earlier this year. It was almost hard to pick him out—there were faces everywhere.</div>
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He very graciously showed me how he makes his masks, step-by-step in the traditional manner. Would you like a peek into his workshop as well? Take a look at this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb5IEaCgF7M" target="_blank">video</a>, which shows Sergio and his team creating a mask, from an original clay sculpture to the finished, brightly painted piece perfect for wearing to Carnival or any masked ball.</div>
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Come meet Sergio and hear him speak about his life as a traditional artisan at Castle in the Air on Tuesday, October 28. The event is free and will feature refreshments and live entertainment. Masquerade costumes encouraged!</div>
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<b>Master Mask Artisan Sergio Boldrin</b></div>
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<b>Tuesday, October 28, 5:30-7:30pm</b></div>
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<b>Castle in the Air</b></div>
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<b>1805 Fourth Street, Berkeley</b></div>
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<b>For more information: (510)204-9801</b></div>
Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-91631750409879191842014-09-20T13:29:00.000-07:002014-09-20T14:01:59.195-07:00Ironcraft at Castle in the Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Are you up for a creative challenge? Castle in the Air has taken inspiration from the Iron Chef cook-off series and is happy to invite you to Ironcraft!<br />
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Between now and October 21 (or until supplies run out), come in to Castle in the Air and pick up a free crafting supply (our answer to Iron Chef’s mystery ingredient) we’ve selected from our treasure trove of materials. If you can’t make it into the shop but would like to participate you may order your ingredient from our online shoppe <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=3400&k=10&c=217" target="_blank">HERE </a>(the price is to cover shipping and handling). Take it back to your studio and, using any other supplies you like, transform it into something amazing and unique.<br />
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Bring your creation to the shop by noon on Friday, October 21. You can also submit your work via email—just photograph your piece against a white background and send it to ironcraft@castleintheair.biz. Include your postal address so we know where to send your prize. Whether you submit in person or online, include a short written description of what inspired you and a bit about how you made your creation, along with your name, address, phone number, and email address.<br />
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Everyone who participates in Ironcraft will be rewarded with a special prize and will be eligible for a credited mention on the Castle in the Air blog. We may even select a few submissions as the basis for upcoming tutorials. Castle in the Air appreciates and respects all forms of creative expression, but for the purposes of Ironcraft we’re looking for submissions appropriate for all ages.<br />
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Ironcraft isn’t a competition but a celebration of ingenuity and the creative spirit. We hope you’ll stop by the shop to take part!Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-80770915097752267832014-09-08T16:17:00.001-07:002014-09-08T16:39:14.684-07:00Queen for a Day! Crown Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What you will need:</div>
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<a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=2978&k=10&c=302" target="_blank">2 Dresden Crowns</a>, <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&k=10&c=140" target="_blank">Crepe Paper</a>, <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=3138&k=10&c=422" target="_blank">Florist Wire</a>, <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=475&k=10&c=421" target="_blank">Best Ever Stapler</a>, Jewels, Glitter Glue, Ribbon or Cord, Alcohol Ink Pens, Skewer, <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=627&k=10&c=421" target="_blank">Scissors</a>, Wire Cutter, <a href="https://www.castleintheair.biz/shoppe/?b=10&d=291&k=10&c=422" target="_blank">Tacky Glue</a></div>
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Begin by covering the back of one of the crowns with glue.</div>
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Glue crown to a piece of crepe paper and trim the crepe to the edge of the crown.</div>
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Bend piece of florist wire so that it runs the length of the crown and has loops on either end.</div>
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Staple the wire loops to the crown.</div>
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Cut a strip of crepe to cover the wire and glue it down.</div>
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Decorate your crown with alcohol ink, jewels, and glitter glue.</div>
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Bend the crown to fit your head and tie with ribbon.</div>
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Make it your own and celebrate in style!</div>
<br />Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282007189461609409.post-15625020939069209712014-09-02T17:30:00.001-07:002014-09-02T17:30:23.325-07:00The Stumpers Available on iTunes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hooray! Today at iTunes you can be the first to download the ebook edition of <i>The Stumpers! </i>It's extra-special because it features the voice of folk sensation Laura Cortese, who's provided both a read-aloud narration and a new song -- "The Stumpers' Frolic" -- guaranteed to win your heart. Scoot over to <a href="http://thestumpers.com/">thestumpers.com</a> or go straight to <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-stumpers/id905820722?ls=1&mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes</a> to download yours.<br />
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Those of you hankering for the hardcover don't have long to wait -- a hardworking group of American gnomes is toiling away and from what we've seen so far, the book is going to be amazing. More news soon!Castle in the Airhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01755228703104717008noreply@blogger.com0