Nest Fest Special Offer

| Marsha.

Do you remember Nest Fest? Roben-Marie Smith’s online art festival that ran in spring 2024?

Well, it was a huge success! And, Roben-Marie is now offering the lessons as a standalone course.

So, if you’ve missed the live event, you can still explore the lessons on art supplies and techniques that we shared.

Roben-Marie is offering the Nest Fest lessons for a special early-bird price of $19 until November 24, 2024 (@ 9PM EST).

As a bonus, anyone who purchases during this time will also receive one month free in The Roben’s Nest membership!

Starting on November 24, the price will increase to $37.

The course included 12 video lessons, each about a different art medium, with a focus on the supplies you need and how to use them:

Joy Ting Charde – Oil Pastels & Pencils
Julie Hamilton – Paper
Marsha Valk – Gelli Printing
Tracey Wozniak – Watercolors
Stephanie Lee – Texture
Mary Beth Shaw – Stencil
Shay Michelle – Adhesives
Andrea Chebeleu – Acrylic Paint
Lisa Goddard – Eco-Dyeing
Anjuli Johnson – Encaustic
Roben-Marie Smith – Liquid Inks
Wendy Brightbill – Oil Paints

So, yes, this course is perfect for beginners; however, I know it also includes some nuggets for more seasoned creatives!

Check it out here: Nest Fest!

Best of Creative JumpStart Vol. 7

Nat Kalbach's Creative JumpStart Best Of Volume 7: the anniversary edition
| Marsha.
CJS21BestOf

Best of Creative JumpStart Vol. 7 is a collection of CJS video lessons from the archives. The theme for this collection is Unleash Your Inner Storyteller!

This anniversary collection includes project—and technique-based lessons from 20 talented mixed-media artists. Download the lessons to your library and enjoy learning at your own pace from a diverse group of Creative JumpStart classics. This collection is just $19.99 and is available immediately.

You will receive links to 20 downloadable video lessons from Creative JumpStart 2021. Here’s a small peek at part of my project that’s included:

Get ready to jump-start your creativity! Learn more and read a description of the lessons on Nathalie Kalbach’s website!

Nest Fest 2024

| Marsha.

You’re invited to join me at Roben-Marie Smith’s online art festival; Nest Fest, from 8 to 19 May 2024.

Each day, a guest artist will present a different art medium, with a focus on the supplies you need and how to use them.

I’ll (of course) be teaching a session on how to get started with gel printing on Friday 10 May 2024!

Nest Fest is a great chance to grow your artistic toolbox at no cost. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled creative, there’s something here for everyone!

Schedule:
May 8: Joy Ting Charde – Oil Pastels & Pencils
May 9: Julie Hamilton – Paper
May 10: Marsha Valk – Gelli Printing
May 11: Tracey Wozniak – Watercolors
May 12: Stephanie Lee – Texture
May 13: Mary Beth Shaw – Stencil
May 14: Shay Michelle – Adhesives
May 15: Andrea Chebeleu – Acrylic Paint
May 16: Lisa Goddard – Eco-Dyeing
May 17: Anjuli Johnson – Encaustic
May 18: Roben-Marie Smith – Liquid Inks
May 19: Wendy Brightbill – Oil Paints

All videos will go live at 10:00 a.m. EDT (that’s 16:00 h CEST) each day and will be available for 24 hours.

Click here to sign up for Nest Fest 2024!

Something new!

| Marsha.

How are you?!

If you’re reading this, you’ve found my old blog. I’ve ‘moved’. I’m currently blogging (or vlogging) on Substack!

You can find new posts by clicking on ‘VLOGletter’ in the menu at the top of this page. Or go here: Substack.

Substack is a platform for newsletters/blogs. You can read my posts on my website, on the Substack website, and in the Substack app, or I can send each new post directly to your email inbox.

Subscribe to Substack VLOGletter

I’m sending out a new VLOGletter each Monday and Friday.

In my imagination, it’s a mix of my blog before Instagram and Instagram before Reels, but in the form of a newsletter.

I try to include a little video in each post; however, it’s also the place where I tell you more about what you see in the video, what I’m working on off-camera, what I’m enjoying, what I’m reading or watching and where I can keep you in the loop of new video tutorials, new classes and other news I might have.

If this sounds like something you might like, hit that subscribe button above!

I would love to see you there!

Marsha.

Beyond The Paper | Online Class

| Marsha.
Beyond The Paper - Mixed Media Art Journaling Workshop with Birgit Koopsen, Nathalie Kalbach and Marsha Valk

I’m beyond happy to announce that Nathalie Kalbach, Birgit Koopsen and I are back with a brand new collaborative mixed media workshop – Beyond The Paper!

In this three-week online workshop that begins on April 4th, 2021, we’re going to explore exciting and original substrates to create on.

Cardboard, Dura-Lar, Fabric, and more will be the foundation of our creations, and we will discuss how to make the most out of these unique surfaces.

Beyond The Paper - Mixed Media Art Journaling Workshop with Birgit Koopsen, Nathalie Kalbach and Marsha Valk

The three of us will present a variety of paper alternatives and techniques that work beautifully with them, including foam stamping, printmaking, collage, stitching, and image transfers, to name a few.

Sign up TODAY to take advantage of the Early Bird pricing! Head over to the website for more info and to sign up! >>> Beyond The Paper Online Workshop

And that’s not all!

Triple Play Stamp Set by Nathalie Kalbach, Birgit Koopsen and Marsha Valk

We’ve designed a 7-piece foam stamp set, especially for the workshop!

The Triple Play set includes six triangles (two designed by each of us) and then a hexagon border that they fit into.

I had so much fun designing my stamps. And, I cannot begin to describe how it feels to see them used by someone else! It’s weird and wonderful at the same time!

Can you guess which two are mine?

You can buy the Triple Play stamp set exclusively here: n*Store if you’re interested!

Beyond The Paper - MixeTriple Play Foam Stamp Set by Birgit Koopsen, Nathalie Kalbach and Marsha Valk

TIME TRAVELER | Online Class

| Marsha.
Time Traveler - Online Workshop Kalbach Koopsen Valk

I’m beyond happy to announce I’m part of this very special workshop – Time Traveler!

I’m teaching along with my amazing friends Nathalie Kalbach and Birgit Koopsen in this three-week online workshop that goes on sale today and begins on August 17th.

Become a Time Traveler with us! With this course, Nat, Birgit and I will help guide you through space and time, finding inspiration from different eras in history.

Each teacher has chosen a time and will show you mixed media techniques and design motifs inspired by their modern take on that period.

The goal is to create three different handmade book projects using Gelli® plate printmaking techniques and favourite mixed media techniques unique to each teacher.

You will get three different artistic perspectives and oodles of fun and creative ideas to try.

Sign up TODAY for Early Bird pricing: Today, 5 through 8 August 11.59 EST this course is just $89 USD. From 9 to 17 August 11.59 EST Time Traveler will be $99 USD. And then, from 18 August the course will be its regular price of $139 USD.

Check out the promo video below:

Time Traveler will begin on 17 August and will run for three weeks, with a new video publishing each day.

There will be a total of 21 videos, over five hours of video in total, as well as supply lists and additional lesson content in the classroom to help you along the way.

All the videos are downloadable and available to you to enjoy at your own pace.

Here are some of the topics covered in this workshop:

  • Mixed Media techniques
  • Gelli Arts® gel plate printmaking techniques
  • Bookbinding techniques
  • Tips and tricks for translating inspiration into art
  • Creative ideas to take to all your artmaking, art journaling, cardmaking, and beyond!

Sign up HERE for this one-of-a-kind take on creating personal, expressive mixed media art in book form from three talented teachers.

Time Traveler - Online Workshop Kalbach Koopsen Valk

A to Z StencilGirl® Art Journal Collaboration & Challenge

| Marsha.
StencilGirl® Products A to Z Collaboration and Challenge

Hi there! Hope you are doing well!

From about March until now I’ve worked my way through a handmade journal as part of the StencilGirl® Products A to Z Collaboration and Challenge organised by StencilGirl® columnist Tina Walker.

For this challenge, all of the participants were asked to fill a journal with an entry for each letter of the alphabet.

Marsha Valk StencilGirl® Products A to Z Collab and Challenge - B

The idea I had for this journal was inspired by a book that I read and loved about 15 years ago: ‘Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life’ by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

I’ve kept a journal like it before years ago, in a small address book that I had accidentally purchased. I used to keep it in my bag to write down ‘random stuff’ per letter on my train commute to and from work.

A lot of it was overheard conversation, observations, small things that caught my eye or that were on my mind. Sometimes I added little sketches.

I wish I could have had all of that this time around, however, it turned into a home edition of an ‘A to Z of Ordinary Things’ due to you-know-what.

Marsha Valk StencilGirl® Products A to Z Collab and Challenge - M

As this was a collab for the StencilGirl® Talk Blog, the only stencils we were allowed to use were stencils by StencilGirl® Products. All of the other materials I used were my own choice.

Watch the video above for a quick flip through of the journal!

Tina’s column about the collab is up on the StencilGirl® Talk Blog today.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Marsha Valk StencilGirl® Products A to Z Collab and Challenge - V

Please note that I’m also a columnist for the StencilGirl® Talk Blog, so though I did not receive any compensation for participating in this collaboration, the majority of the stencils I used to fill the pages were previously given to me or purchased at a discount!

The Stencilfied Journal 2019

| Marsha.
Marsha Valk | The Stencilfied Journal 2019 - Prompt 5 Stairway To Heaven

The Stencilfied Journal is a 24-week StencilGirl® Collaboration Challenge hosted by the fab Tina Walker. Each Monday from January to June, Tina has revealed a song prompt for us to play with (using stencils by StencilGirl® Products).

Marsha Valk | The Stencilfied Journal 2019 - Prompt 6 Thank You

This round wasn’t as successful for me as the first round during the summer of last year. Which is a shame, because I use song lyrics in my art journal all the time and, I immensely enjoyed the six prompts I did end up doing!

Marsha Valk | The Stencilfied Journal 2019 - Prompt 7 Counting Blue Cars

I figure it has something to do with my schedule at the beginning of the year and the fact that song prompts require more (mental) steps than last year’s ‘doing, not thinking’ type prompts.

Marsha Valk | The Stencilfied Journal 2019 - Prompt 8 Beautiful

I may, or may not, do a couple more of the prompts. I’m certainly not abandoning this little journal. I still love the pocket size, and I want to see it filled to the brim just like last year’s!

Marsha Valk | The Stencilfied Journal 2019 - Prompt 10 Another Brick In The Wall

Tina has written up a farewell post on her blog, with some of the stunning pages the other participants created. Visit her here: The Stencilfied Journal 2019 – Tina Walker

Marsha Valk | The Stencilfied Journal 2019 - Prompt 11 Cat's In The Cradle

Please note that though I am a columnist for StencilGirl® Products, this is not a sponsored post. I participated in this collab because it’s fun and I think Tina is thebombdotcom!⠀

n*Studio | Hex Marks The Spot

| Marsha.

It’s my turn on the n*Studio blog today! Which means that it’s time to share last month’s project with you here.

Hex Marks The Spot

Last month Nat’s Creative Squad was asked to use the Hex Set Large rubber stamps and, to think about what we treasure.

You can read the story behind this page and, a step-by-step description of how I made it here on Nathalie’s blog: Hex Marks The Spot – Marsha Valk

Food For Thought

While you’re there you may also want to have a look at my lighthearted take on this month’s prompt: Food For Thought – Marsha Valk