A Bitter Sweet Farewell to Prima and A Happy New Beginning!

Hello everyone!


Well I've been putting this post off for some time, because I knew I would be writing it with a heavy heart. Last month I decided that my life and career needed a change, and so I left Prima Marketing in order to start a brand new adventure that ultimately gives me and my family more financial security. We all know how much a I love Prima, and I am so thankful for the past five years. I am forever grateful for the opportunities they have given me, and they will always have a special place in my heart.

So what does all of this mean? Well it means that I will be designing and developing products for a few new brands, and the best part is there will be a lot more product lines in the future by Marion Smith. I am so unbelievably excited to announce that I will be working exclusively with Canvas Corp, 7Gypsies, and Tattered Angels. Together we plan to provide you with some amazing new products that will only feed your Artsy addiction. (I'm just going to apologize to all the husbands out there. This is my disclaimer for the large credit card statements!) 

I really truly feel at home with these new brands, and the whole team is just amazing! I want to thank all of you for sticking by me all of these years and going along for the ride. It's truly been a dream and I am incredibly thankful to all of you for your friendship and support! I also want to extend my thanks to Canvas Corp, 7Gypsies, and Tattered Angels for seeing something in me and understanding my chaotic and creative mind. 

I will be teaching like a mad women this year, so please make sure to sign up for my newsletter to find out where I'll be teaching next. In March I will be touring California the entire month and I will post that schedule at the end of next week. Also if you would like to request a store to teach at please forward me the info marion@apieceofcraft.com. 

Now I would like to invite you all to follow each of the new brands on facebook. Get ready because we have a lot to share and I just know you'll love visiting each brand for that creative inspiration! 

Canvas Corp Facebook

7Gypsies Facebook

Tattered Angels Facebook

Below is a mixed media piece I made to celebrate this new beginning. It is made using products from all 3 brands, and only glimmer mist, no paint! It kind of symbolizes my growth in this industry as I feel I have finally bloomed and found my place. 

Now as always I leave you with question....

What is one of your most favorite products made by each or one of these 3 brands and why?

Thank you all!

xoxo
Marion Smith

Creative Spaces A Peek Into My Studio

Hello everyone!

Today I want to give you a little peek into my studio! My studio is located in old downtown Waxahachie Texas. The building is over 100 years old! It's 5,000 sq ft which is a pain to sweep and dust I must say! My studio is mostly dedicated to a not for profit program called "Art is in The Heart" This program allows us to teach Orphan children and foster children with special medical needs free art classes. Of course any child can come to the classes, in fact we encourage it! The classes are free, we do take donations for class supplies to keep our program running, and often times children will attend and give us an art supply as their class fee which has been so much fun and very inspiring!

I would like to thank Home Decorators, & Home Depot for the new partnership and for making my studio life more efficient and organized with their awesome Martha Stewart Craft Line of furniture. You can get a special tour of my studio and this amazing furniture in the brand new issue of Creative Spaces! Check it out here!

Thank you so much everyone at Creating Keepsakes for the awesome spread, it's truly like a dream!

Now I would like to show you a before picture of my studio! We worked very hard on it! It took endless amounts of paint and lots of mopping to get the studio ready for my personal touches! Below is a photo of the studio when it was just a shell. 

To see the total transformation you'll have to pick up the Creative Spaces Issue! Wink! But here are a few peeks inside the awesome line of Martha Stewart Craft Furniture that you can find here at Home Decorators.com

These flat file drawers are perfect for stamps and inks! Not to mention there are tons of drawers like this in each cabinet!

Here is a little peek at one of my favorite Martha Stewart Craft pieces, it's a collapsible table. The legs fold in so you can store it away when needed, and there's a ruler on the sides perfect for measuring yards of trim or fabric! 

 Ok now I have a little treat for one lucky commenter from Creating Keepsakes! We would like to give one special person a free issue of Creative Spaces Vol. 2! All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what your creative space needs most by Monday at noon and we will pick a winner at random! 

So, what is that your space needs? More storage? Decor? A Personal maid?? We want to know! 

xoxo

How to Crafting Videos and Some Update Videos with Marion Smith

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to share with everyone my latest videos that are on my Youtube channel at Apieceofcraftdotcom. Some of these are quick organizational tips for your scrapbook room or studio, others are start to finish techniques and tutorial videos to help you master your craft of scrapbooking. Thanks to all my subscribers to this blog and to my Youtube channel and if your not make sure to subscribe to both because I will uploading new videos everyday.

Marion

What am I up to??

Phew! Has it been a busy month already?

It sure has! What a way to kick off the new year! I'm getting ready to head out for CHA this weekend, and then I fly back home to celebrate Beckam's first birthday! How did that come so fast?? Then a day later I fly back out to Palm Springs to teach at Art Venture! It should be loads of fun, and I hope I will see some of you there!

I've been having lots of fun at the the studio with all the classes and events, thought I would share a few projects Ive been working one. Below is a mixed media canvas painted with non other than Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. I love using glimmer mist on my paintings, my favorite thing is being able to change the intensity of the colors etc. and who doesn't love a little sparkle!

Here is another 12x12 canvas also used Glimmer Mist as well as Deco Art Acrylic Paint. Sealed with Claudine Hellmuth Matte Medium. Those butterflies were made using Utee and Drywall tape, one of my favorite little secrets!

Also did you know I designed some fun albums for Leaky Shed Studio? I did, and I think you will really like the detail and frill of them! Check them out here and order yours while you still can!

Ok last on my list! You can now get your issue of Creative Spaces Magazine! It is officially on the shelf today at Barnes & Nobles and many other magazine retailers! You will get a special tour of my studio as well as so many other awesome spaces by artist you may know and love! You can also order it online! Read about it here!

Also Check back on Saturday because you are going to get a special peek into my studio! We're talkin something you won't see in the magazine! Also one super lucky reader is going to receive something special from CK media just for stopping by and leaving a comment! 


I hope you all are having a fabulous New Year so far, and I'll leave you with one question!

What is a craft you've always wanted to try and why haven't you??


xoxo