Are you on the fence about coming to Handmade U?

So I have people that see the photos of Handmade U and say - "Wow looks like such a fun time, what a great weekend it looks like you all had!!"  I agree, and say "It was truly such a fabulous time, we have another semester coming up in May, come and join the fun!"  Many times the response then is "oh I'm not an artist, not crafty, I've never learned how to do any of this...."

Ladies, we all start somewhere.

Why not start at Handmade U??

If you've noticed I have had many teachers come through the barn door.  Painting, mixed media, leather cuffs, paper collage, book making, soldering jewelry, doodling, we have covered a lot of crafty/artsy ground.

And you know what??  Not every student had ever soldered, or collaged, or tooled leather, or carved a stamp....some even said they didn't think they'd ever figure out how to carve a stamp for instance...

and you know the funny thing is...they did it, and I heard they even did it again after class!!

So come, don't let your fear or intimidation that your work won't be as good as your neighbors stop you from the joy it could bring you ... if you let go and come for the friendships, the weekend away, the meals someone else will cook for you, the creative process of learning from these amazing teachers, to try something new, you'll open up something within you..I just know you will.

Be vulnerable, be open, be ready for a challenge and some fun!  You might even surprise yourself...

And the one thing I know for sure is true... you'll have a lot of new friends cheering you on!

Come join in!  Your creative side (yes the one you might not even know you had) is asking so very sweetly!!

www.handmadeu.com

Early Bird Pricing for May 12-14, our 10th Semester, ends Oct 31.
-Rach

Fall 2015 Handmade U Quick Highlights and Spring 2016 Announcement!

Hi Everyone,

I am still coming down from the Handmade U High since our Fall semester was this past weekend.  Each semester it just seems to get better and better.  The teachers, the ladies, the projects, the food, and the weather - All just SOOO Good!

I'll be posting lots of pics and stories from the weekend but wanted to give you a few highlights from the past weekend, and give you the info on next semester!!

 Lorraine Bell and Rae Missigman are a dynamic duo!  Both their classes which they taught together were AMAZING!!  I think everyone FINISHED their projects which is always a treat!

Cora McGough especially loved Rae!

We also had Nicole be our right-hand girl for the weekend.  Wow did this make a big difference, thank you so much Nicole!  Look forward to having you back in May!

Here is our Fall 2015 Class!  A good mix of 1-peaters (Freshmen) and 2-, 3-, ...up to an 8-peater!  Love that my repeaters come back time and time again.  It is like a family reunion when we all can get together and love welcoming 1-peaters into the fold.

I'll be sharing all the details of the weekend, from the class projects to the food to the SWAPS!!

I know so many of you have asked "WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE?!?"  The answer is May 12-14, 2016!  We will be welcoming Mindy Lacefield to Handmade U to teach her inspired work!!  

I'll be teaching as well and be showing you how to create a Leather Quiltdori!

Can't wait!  Go check it out HERE!!  Be sure to like us on Facebook HERE to stay current on updates!!

More to come on the wonderful time we had this past weekend.  I miss all the girls so much already!!

xoxo
-Rach

Handmade U - Seventh Semester Day 2 of Classes

Hi Again,

Day 2 of Handmade U this past October was all about ephemera and journal making with our own Hold Dear owner Michelle Geller!

She came true to form armed with the most adorable kits, lettered with our names in her fun handwriting!

She demo'd a fun technique to create the cover.

She then showed how to use vintage postcards as pages adding ephemera as collage material.

We broke for lunch and the sun warmed us up a bit!

I had searched for vintage metal lunch boxes to house the students lunches and am so happy with what I found.  The Ladies got a kick out of them too!  I am on the lookout for more to add to the collection for our 31 girls in April!

We had such a cold snap this weekend and we appreciated the girls bundling up and being patient with us as my husband went out and bought 6 heaters!  Always fun with Nebraska weather :)  

Next up I'll share the swaps that happened!  Each semester they just get better and better!

Now go be crafty,

Rach

RECAP :Handmade U Fourth Semester - Class with Dawn DeVries Sokol

Day 2 of Handmade U - Spring 2013

After our fun welcome dinner and vendor night we had a full day class Friday with the talented Dawn DeVries Sokol.  You know her from her many fun Doodle Books.  She had a new release Art Doodle Love and each student received one as a part of the goodie bag!  It is a fun doodle starter book for those of us that stare at a blank page and FREEZE!  Check it out, it's on sale at Amazon as of this post.

We all were excited to get our ART on!  As you'll see we all had our official Handmade U T-shirts on too for our class photo.  We like to be comfy for our crafting!  Plus why worry where the paint might splatter?!

Here is my table space...clean for the moment...not to last long...

The class was a Doodlicious Tape-bound Book that began with the kit above.  Dawn had brought along cereal boxes, dog treat boxes, cardboard, etc.  This was to be the base of journal.  

We started by learning a bit about Dawn's process.  

We collaged using scraps of ephemera, I just pulled out all my swap goodies from the night before and had MORE than enough fun things to choose from.  Here is what my first layer looked like...

I loved how Dawn showed us how to start with a base then to keep adding more and more layers....I always feel bad covering up a layer I just worked to create...I mean you don't see all the detail anymore?!?....then once the next layer goes down you start to see something wonderful forming...a work of art you couldn't have planned in one try!  So here goes....we also learned a little about color choice...she showed us how not to mix colors together that end up as BROWN and MUDDY...unless you like the muddy look, but I was happy to hear how to avoid that!

Here are a few of the attentive students :)

Then we all chose our colors from my tote of paint and the colors Dawn brought along!

I was pretty happy with how mine was coming together...as you can see here I was still sad to cover up the cool ephemera that I had laid down first...but don't worry I get over it later!

Of course Dawn's was look A.MAZING.

Shelley and Jennifer were finger painting away...they both made beautiful books!

Jayne and Tamatha's also came out so cute!

There is just something about paint all over your fingers!

Next putting the pages into the cover with TAPE!

We used an assortment of masking tapes, duct tape, washi tape, etc. to add pages to our book.

Dawn brought some of hers tapes to share, and nearly all the students had a pile of their own!

They make such fun colors and prints of duct tape these days, hot pink was Dawn's choice.

Then we just added pages and pages to the book.

This is how my cover was coming together..

Of course I had to add some of the mustache duct tape....why wouldn't I?

After we all had our pages in and were at a place to start doodling, Dawn gave us some prompts to start us working.  Here we were to create a Doodle Quilt...

One of the others was to create Doodle Lines...

All in all this was a FANTASTIC Class!!  Just look at all these fabulous journals!  Each one unique to the special students we have at Handmade U!

Thanks again Dawn for such a FUN class, so happy to have you as an Alum of Handmade U!  

XOX Rachel

Handmade U - Spring 2013

Hi Everyone,

I am sure everyone is busy getting ready for the holidays like we are here! It seems that things begin to move at a super-sonic rate as the year rolls to a quick end. One thing I wanted to get ready before the end of the year is our plan for Handmade U - Spring 2013!! I know April seems so far away, but it will be here before you know it!


I still haven't finished sharing all the goodness that was our Fall Semester, but as I continue to do that, please consider joining us again, or for the first time for Handmade U - Fourth Semester Spring 2013. We will be in downtown Omaha April 4-6th for our latest installment.

You can find all the details on the new website! www.handmadeu.com Please stop over and let me know what you think of the new site! I am totally biased, but I love it. It really is the Handmade U style.

The instructors we have coming this time will be FABULOUS!!! That is 100% certainty, no if's and's or but's about it.


Dawn DeVries Sokol will be teaching an exciting class called "The Doodlicious Tapebound Journal" Sounds yummy!

Camille Serra McClelland will be teaching a very cool class called "Introduction to Leather Whispering". Ohhhhh love the leather, love creating cuffs!!

Hope to see you when the school bell rings April 4th, 2013!! Visit HandmadeU to signup NOW!!

Happy Holidays!!

Rach

Art Classes In Omaha Nebraska - Handmade U...the Inspiration

As Handmade U, our sure to be amazing art retreat (based on the most creative ladies coming) quickly approaches I am reminded of the first Art Retreat I ever attended.

I was living in Colorado at the time, and needed to come back to Omaha, Nebraska for a work meeting.  I was reading a Country Living magazine and saw an article on Silver Bella.  It was going to be the weekend after my meeting and I figured I would enjoy spending a few extra days in Nebraska visiting my family.  I did take some time to decide...the pictures and projects looked amazing, I loved creating things, but hadn't really made the time to work on projects.  

I did not know a soul that was going, or really anyone that was into that kind of CRAFTY stuff.  It was not cheap either so I thought and thought about it....I realized that I couldn't put it out of my mind and if I didn't do it I would be disappointed and regretful for not making the time for something I'd enjoy and really be inspired by.  So I signed up!  I figured the classes would be fun and hopefully I would meet a few people that had the same interests as I did.... And did I EVER!

I was excited and didn't know what to expect!  I showed up and it was wonderful.  I met a few gals from Kansas City that took me under their glittered wings and I had the BEST time.  Thanks to Kara, Sheila and Ali!

One of my first instructors was Charlotte Lyons, she is so very talented!  As you will see in upcoming pics, I seemingly stalked her at each event I went to!  I actually always just loved the projects that she was teaching, and she has a fun laid back style that I love.

After my first event I went crazy...Here is a walk down memory art retreat lane!

I attended Spark 1 in Salt Lake City, UT, again knowing no one!

Silver Bella 2009, Yes that is Charlotte again, we are wearing our felted hats that I learned to make in her class!

The Kansas City girls and I wearing our fun aprons!

I learned of Brave Girl Camp from a few gals and decided again to go without knowing anyone.  The fun thing is I ended up knowing a couple girls from the Spark event.  Best of all I met my sweet friend Lisa who has become a lifelong friend....a crafty partner in crime!

Melody Ross and her sister Kathy Wilkins have turned their Brave Girl Camp into an AMAZING beyond inspiring retreat.  Here are Melody and I at BGC in Idaho.

My friend Kara came up from KC to take an all day class with the cute and fun Claudine Hellmuth in Lincoln, NE.

My friend Jen and I decided to attend a retreat in Savannah, GA!  We had never been and wanted to see the sights and meet some fun ladies!  We met Shelly Overholt, in the middle between us in the pic below.  Yes we were suppose to be in Southern Belle Garb!  Shelley did I better than us!  Shelley will be back for Handmade U 3, her 3rd time!!  So fun!

Mary Engelbreit had a fun art retreat weekend in St Louis, yes that is her in the middle of us below.   My friends Lisa, Kara and I decided to head there together!  What a fun weekend.  Plus we got to see Claudine again!

Another class with Charlotte - YES PLEASE!

Kaari Meng of French General hosts the most incredible week in the South of France!  I've been blessed to be able to go twice.  Once in 2010 and in 2011.  This was my 2010 trip.  Met incredible ladies there as well!

Jo Packham of Where Women Create hosted Creative Connection in Minneapolis.  It was a huge convention of ladies in crafting businesses as well as just those of us wanting to learn new things!  My friend Lisa and I met there.  We were thrilled to run into Melody Ross and Margie Romney Aslett, our Brave Girl Sisters!

The Second Spark in Utah I was ready to head out with Lisa yet again, but she had a family emergency.  I was lucky enough to find out my friend Dana that I had met at Spark 1 was going again. We were able to share a ride and room and had a blast!!

Silver Bella yet again,  I hosted a fun swap and was excited to meet all the ladies that joined in!

Sheila, Kara and I at the vendor night!

This was the year at Silver Bella that I met Michelle Geller!  I didn't know at the time that we were destined to lots of collaboration in the future!!  At the time I joined a journal page swap that turned me onto vintage ephemera and woke me up to needing to UP MY Game in regards to embellishing!! :)

Great to see Jenny Doh, another Brave Girls Sister, and once again Charlotte Lyons at Silver Bella.

Brave Girls Camp 2011 - Lisa and I at it again.  We met another wonderful lady - Michelle!

Lisa and I at BCG with Camille - the leather whisperer!  (amazing artist)

I attended Moulin Rouge in Southern California, May 2011.  I knew of people going but wasn't close enough with anyone at the time to bunk up!  So I asked the lovely hostess Kim Caldwell and she gave me Denise Hahn's name.  Lucky me!!  Denise is as sweet as she is talented!  She picked me up and we shopped the garment district along with Michelle Geller and Valita Baxley!  What a fun day!!

This is where Michelle and I turned ideas into actions and I roped her into being the first instructor at the very first of hopefully many HANDMADE U's!!  (yes the wine may have had something to do with it!!)

Swap exchanges....one of the fun perks at some Art Retreats, exchanging goodies, ephemera, artworks with other crafty artsy ladies!!  I can't wait to see what the Handmade U gals come up with this fall!!

As an added bonus we went to visit Kaari Meng at French General and took a class with the talented Mother Daughter duo of Debbie Murray and Shea Frangosea.

May 2012 was also Birdsong at the talented Karla Nathan's home studio.  Lisa and I met in the middle! (Lisa coming from OK and me from NE)

The talented Carol Spinski was one of our instructors!  Fun tree class!

Then it was time for the First Semester of Handmade U!  Fall 2011  With the help and support of my husband Jim and my parents Gerry and Sara we really had a great weekend!

Michelle and I, HU's first instructors!

Fall 2011 Graduating Class (DeeAnn not pictured)

Mollie, Stephanie, Michelle, Rachel, Sara, Lindy, Lisa, Michelle, Shelley, Hope, Pam and Nora!

Brave Girl 2013...what a great group of girls!  My pal Amber!  Love her, so funny!

The best roomies!  Gina, Johanna and I

Melody and I

Don't even think about touching our Mod Podge!!  Camille, Me, Megan, and Johanna.  The Craft Pack.

Michelle and I kicking off Handmade U Spring 2012

Handmade U Graduating Class Spring 2012

Rachel, Shelley, Jodie, Paige, Michelle, Hope, Pam, Michelle, Leslie, Laurel, Mollie and Stephanie.

Handmade U - Staff.  Sara, Jim, Rachel, Gerry, Michelle and Pam.  THANKS!

Fast forward 4 years and after 13+ art retreats I have now hosted two of my own, moving onto Semester 3 of Handmade U!

I am most giddy when I have ladies email me about never attending an art retreat before and this will be their FIRST!  It makes me a little nervous that I am sure they enjoy Handmade U SO MUCH, it makes me work harder to prepare an AMAZING weekend.

I have at least 2 ladies coming this time that have never been to a retreat, they don't know a soul. I hope they can look back in a year or two and are thankful they were BRAVE and made their first step into Artsy Retreats!!

We have a few spaces left for Handmade U - Fall Semester.  The weekend details are HERE.  September 20-22 in Omaha NE.  Our instructors have COOL, AMAZING, WONDERFUL projects planned!  Hope Wallace Karney and Liesel Lund, so AWESOME!