Friday, November 19, 2010

Big News!!

From Art to Zebras has BIG news!!  We're officially open for business at our new studio location!  We're super excited to continue our journey at our new place!  We're now located at 3935 Brian Jordan Pl., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27265.  Come by and see us!  We're open Monday-Friday 11am-6pm!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

...Treasure! Our New to Us TV Stand

Hooray! I finished my project today. And of course, Mr. Anti-Creative loved the finished result. He always does, he just can't envision it until it's standing before him. Here it is before.











I removed all the hardware and put the screws up for safe keeping. I sanded down all the pieces. I wasn't going for a perfect finish, because I do like an aged look. I then did a darker spray primer and sanded all the pieces again. Primed. Sanded. Wiped. Then onto a spray of satin black. Sanded. Wiped. Painted. Okay, you get the point. After it was all done being painted, I sanded down the edges a bit to expose a touch of wood. I said I like he aged look, didn't I? After that, I added two coats of sealer to finish it off. I had painted the shelves I had cut along with the desk. This was added into the space where the chair goes to hold our stereo components. And that was it! Fits perfectly, in the finish we love for a LOT less than new! Here is the after.


Joined the Party at:
Strut Your Stuff Thursday
Transformation Thursday
Penny Pinching Party Wednesdays
Power of Paint Party Wednesdays
Trash to Treasure Tuesday
Metamorphosis Monday
Show Off Your Stuff Party
Super Crafty Saturdays
Weekend Wrap Up Party
Check Me Out Saturdays
Saturday Nite Special
Frugalicious Friday
Simply Designing Link Party
Craft Schooling Sunday
It's So Very Cheri
Creative Cats
Remodelaholic Anonymous
Feature Yourself Friday
It's a Hodgepodge Friday
Thursday's Treasures
The DIY Showoff Project Parade
Motivate Me Monday
Make It 4 Monday
Market Yourself Monday
Making the World Cuter Monday
What's Your Sundae Scoop? Weekend Wrap Up Party
Tuesday Talent Show
All Things Related
Do It Yourself Day
Toot Your Horn Tuesday
The DIY Club

Monday, April 5, 2010

From Trash to...

Anyone that knows me, knows I like to funk thinks up. Yes, I said it. I like to take something normal or a little drab, and make it funkalicious! I have been totally in the mood lately to get my hands on something, anything!

I was able to talk Mr. Anti-Creative to swing by the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore with me today. I was in Heaven! Him, not so much. There were so many things...the ideas were pouring out of me! I think I may have overwhelmed Mr. Anti-Creative just a bit. I had several things picked out and realized I was not leaving with more than one project. :(

I talked Mr. Anti-Creative into this sturdy, old, solid wood desk.  Our entertainment center has seen better days and is not so stable at the moment. We have an odd family room that has really no wall space, so bigger is not better for us. So, long story short, I am converting this old desk into our new entertainment center.





It has some beautiful moldings, solid wood, original hardware, and tongue-and-groove is in perfect shape. You don't see it? Oh, don't worry, Mr. Anti-Creative, you will. I have already begun and can't wait to finish! Stay tuned! Oh, and I found this really cool silver vase!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Quick and Easy Spring Crafts for Kids

From Art to Zebras had so much fun at the March of Dimes walk this past Saturday doing crafts and glitter tats with the kiddos. It was delightful for the little ones up through the teens! Imagine that!


beaded-chick-craft, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.

This beaded chick was super easy! With just two wooden beads, markers, a feather and chenille stem, these were cute! We had the kids color the beads first, fold a 6" chenille stem in half and tuck the feather into the fold. Next, thread the smaller bead (head) on the unfolded end of the chenille stem, then the larger bead. Lastly, fold up the ends to make a couple of little feet. Your little ones can make a whole peep of their own chicks! Have fun...

Joined the party at:
Tots Tuesdays

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Mother Earth's Garden


mother-earths-garden-2, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.
I created this for a challenge on the Busy Mom's of Etsy group for March. The theme was Mother Nature's Garden. I love little fairies, so I had to incorporate them into my garden! This is a mixed media on a 9"x12" gallery wrapped canvas (5/8" deep). Okay, my little fairies are wearing masks, they have to go incognito, don't they all? JK.

I will be listing the original in my etsy shope, smallfrynotables.etsy.com, so you can get it there, or let me know if you would like a smaller print. No problemo!
mother-earths-garden

Joined the Party at:
Strut Your Stuff Thursday
Thursday's Treasures
Feature Yourself Friday
It's a Hodgepodge Friday
What I Made This Week
Remodelaholic Meeting
Creative Cats Friday
Super Crafty Saturdays
Weekend Wrap Up Party
Check Me Out Saturdays
Saturday Nite Special
DIY Show Off
Just Something I Whipped Up Monday
Motivate Me Monday
Make Your Monday
Made by You Monday
Market Yourself Monday
Making the World Cuter Mondays
Made It Monday
Do It Yourself Day
A Little Craft Therapy
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Show and Tell Wednesday
Make It Yours Day
Talented Tuesday
Toot Your Horn Tuesday
Tip Me Tuesday
Lucky Linky Tuesday
Get Your Craft On Thursday
Bring in the Spring Blog Party

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Dirty Little Critters


art-by-cort, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.
My daughter was with me at the studio while I was trying to finish up some work. She got an idea and went to work herself on some Model Magic. Shel loves to make little things. Lots of little things. After she sculpted these little critters, she colored them in with markers to make the "dirty". I like the dirt. :)
cort-with-art

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Funky Little Toadstool Houses

The kids in our Draw/Paint/Sculpt class had so much fun designing and creating these little toadstool house. They used some old plastic bottles as the foundation and then added paper clay to create the houses. They started designing them on paper first and then painted away. These are SO cute and would make a wonderful little village.

toadstool-houses-closeup

Links to party with:
We Made It Friday

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Handmade Mother Goose Stationery


recycled-envelopes-3, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.
If you know me, you will agree I like books. I love books. Okay, I may be considered a hoarder when it comes to books. Some of my books are no longer easy to read because of missing or damaged pages. I still can't part with them. Sometimes I will use them in my artwork to add a bit of whimsy.

I love upcycling and being able to use these books for an entirely different purpose. I used some of the pages from a Mother Goose book that were undamaged and handcut each envelope. These are so cute and have been very useful for quick thank you notes. I slipped some recycled colored cardstock into each one along with a matching address label with a star shape cutout.

I love these and can't wait to make more! You can get some of your own in our studio or check out our etsy shop, small fry notables.

Link parties to hang with:

Super Crafty Sundays
Check Me Out Saturdays
Metamorphasis Monday
Show & Tell Wednesday
It's a Hodgepodge Friday
Make It 4 Monday
Tots Tuesdays
Do It Yourself Day
It's So Very Renovated Tuesday
Show and Share Day
Toot Your Own Horn Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Making the World Cuter Monday
Talented Tuesday!
Creative Cats!
Trash to Treasure Tuesday
Penny Pincher Party Wednesdays
Lucky Linky Tuesday
Simply Designing Link Party
Made by You Mondays
Whatever Goes Wednesdays
Weekend Wrap Up Party
The DIY Show Off
Just Something I Whipped Up Monday
Made It Monday
Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday
A Little Craft Therapy
Look What I Made
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Make It Yours Day
Get Your Craft On Thursday
Frugalicious Friday

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Star Wars Paper Mache Fun!

We had a fun get together for a newly turned nine year old boy and a few of his friends today at the studio. He really likes Star Wars, so we decided upon these figures. They really got into it and were busy bees hard at work!
Anikan Skywalker in Paper Mache Form

This is also a great recycling craft project. We started off with a drink bottle with the cap removed for each child. They balled up some aluminum foil for the head and glued that on the top. We used wire for the arms, then layered on the newspaper strips coated in glue. The finished with a layer of paper clay on the head, paint, and glued on the finishing touches.

This is definitely something you can at home, just be prepared for a LARGE mess!

Joined the Party at:
What are little boys made of? Weekly Round Up
Penny Pinching Party Wednesdays - The Thrifty Home

Friday, March 12, 2010

Senior Project in Progress

The last two weeks seem to have flown by, with me trying to get a grip on the moments as they whizzed past me. With classes ending, registration for the next session, summer camp sign ups, new employee training, and on, and on, I am looking forward to catching a breath this weekend.

One of the things from the past week that I enjoyed, was mentoring a high school senior for his senior project. Of course it is due this weekend, so his stress was my stress. I could see his uncertainty when he first arrived at the studio. He knew he wanted to do some pop art, just not sure of the specifics. So we narrowed down some ideas and he started making some decisions. Once this senior got started, he worked diligently until it was completed. I think he did a great job and was proud of what he accomplished!

Just one tip for this senior in the future, Don't wait so late next time! Lol.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Erin's Birthday Rap

Erin, our studio manager at From Art to Zebras, made this "birthday rap" for me. It was so fun (and funny!), that I had to share!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Custom Printed Train Invitation


Train Invitation, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.
I know it can be hard to find train themed invitations that do not have Thomas the Tank Engine on them. I created these invites for that little boy in mind. With its touch of vintage, these invitations will bring back that nostalgic feeling and true excitement for your little ones. These are custom printed on 5.5"X8.5" glossy cardstock and include recycled kraft paper envelopes. If you don't see an invitation that will fit your theme on our website or smallfrynotables.etsy.com, feel free to contact us to have some created for you!

Joined the party at:
Celebration Inspiration Party

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Car Themed Photo Invitation

I just finished this super fun car themed photo invitation. It is really an attention grabber with its bold primary colors. I can make your child part of the action! You can check out more of our custom invitations at: From Art to Zebras or Small Fry Notables.

Friday, February 5, 2010

newlyweds - ain't love grand!

I wanted to do something special for my first niece and her new hubby. As they are making a new home for themselves, they are sure to need lots of new art and photos for their blank walls. I was lucky enough to be able to take their engagement photos, so I have plenty at my fingertips to inspire me. I have been able to do some fun collages and works with them and have an abundance of gifts as they are needed. How often does that happen! I am so happy for them and look forward to many more gift-giving occasions!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

February Fan Drawing!

We would like to do something extra special for our February Fan Drawing! We need your opinion! What would YOU like to win?? Think BIG!!!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Classes!

We're excited for our classes to resume this week! We were very productive during our break last week, but we're looking forward to everyone coming back for classes this week. If you still haven't signed up, there are still some spots open! Give us a call (336-454-2091) to sign up!

Are you looking for a place where your preschooler can have a creative outlet and experience art, music, and creative movement all in one? We have the perfect class for your child - Art with a Groove! Call today (336-454-2091) to find out more info and sign up!

Monday, January 18, 2010

We have a winner for our January Fan Drawing!

Congratulations to Tinisha Lambeth! You've won a Parents' Night Out for 2 children, and a 15" fuzzy friend for each child ($70 value) to be used in the year 2010. You will need to claim your prize within 7 business days. Thank you to everyone who entered our January drawing! We'll do another drawing in February, so keep a lookout for how to enter!

Monday, January 11, 2010

We need feedback from you!

We want your opinion! We're going to be starting a series of creative workshops for adults on Tuesdays or Thursdays. We want to get feedback from you - would you be interested in these workshops? If so, when is a good time? Give us a call (336-454-2091) or email us (sales@fromarttozebras.com) to share your opinion with us! P.S. If you give feedback and comment on this post, you'll also get credit toward our January drawing!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Happy New Year!


Happy New Year, everyone! We're super excited! Our classes are starting again this week after a break for the holidays. We're looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Geography Society and Science Club have come back with a bang! In Geography Society, we're continuing our road trip across the U.S.! In Science Club, we're continuing our study of Chemistry! We made our own awesome lava lamps this week!

Our art classes have started back in a big way too! In Observational Drawing, we're studying "line" right now. Check out what we've already drawn just by using "line," and it's only the 3rd week!

Don't worry - we still have some spaces available if you haven't signed up yet. Give us a call (336-454-2091) or visit our website to sign up!