In an ongoing effort to help out friends who own independent craft stores and also continue to provide access to social distancing-friendly live mixed media classes, I've partnered with my local shop, Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, Virginia to bring you an all new, hybrid Live / Online workshop offered via private Facebook group.

Class was held live on Saturday, May 9, 2020. Registration is now closed.

This live online workshop, POCKETbook, will be as much like an in person class as possible but with the added advantages of an online forum.

• Upon registration and payment (handled by Artistic Artifacts,) you will receive a link to our private Facebook group
• There will be several exclusive downloads and patterns from me for you to use in class
• You can join in and meet and interact with other students prior to the start of class
• I'll share two tutorials in the group so you can prepare some of the project elements ahead of time and also add additional elements to put in your pockets after the book is complete.
• You get a either a coupon for either 10% off OR free shipping (discounted international shipping) for online orders from Artistic Artifacts.
  
• The class itself will be taught through a Facebook Live video hosted only in the private group
• Work along with me, react, and ask questions during the demo via comments
• The video plus questions and comments will be available as a reference to re-watch later
• Take and share photos of your in-progress and finished projects for feedback from me and other class members both during and after class
• Finished projects will be included in a shared album for everyone to get more ideas and inspiration

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See more sample photos below

Class Description:
In this live / online class, we'll create a unique journal with handmade pockets as our pages, ready to fill with thoughts and memories of current events, mementos from a favorite trip, or for mini art journal pages or collages and more. We'll mix paper and fabric (or you can do all of one or the other) plus beads, embellishments, stamps, trims, and more to make and embellish the pockets and covers of our book. (Pick the colors and products that work for your style.) I'll be mainly hand-stitching, but you're free to use your machine as you work at home or skip the sewing altogether.

The class will include a tutorial and patterns so you can prep your covers and cut out the pieces for the pockets and the accordion binding ahead of time. (The journal will be 5" x 7" and about 1-1/2" - 2" wide.) During the live class, we'll embellish and make our pockets, bind the book together, and finish the covers. I'll also share a tutorial for creating collaged inserts to go into some (or all!) of your pockets. (Time permitting, we may start this in the live portion of class.)

Class Cost: $40

Student Supply List:
(If there's anything on the list you need or want, head over to Artistic Artifacts for links to most supplies on the list.)

• Covers: chipboard, book board, illustration board... even cardboard will work
• A selection of fabric and / or paper - a few larger pieces for the covers and to make your pockets. Smaller pieces and scraps for embellishing and building layers. (I used several pieces from the Inspiration Packs.)
• Lace / trims / sari yarn / border pieces, etc... to embellish
• Beads, charms, Boho Bits, and other embellishments - go for thinner / flatter ones if you don't want your book to fan open. (No specific types or brands needed... choose a selection that you like and that fits your style / theme.)
• Needle and a few kinds or colors of thread (I used Wonderfil Eleganza and Razzle, but stitching is optional.) You'll want at least one needle strong enough to go through the binding if you choose to stitch it.
• Glue stick and / or a white glue (I like Avery glue sticks and Sobo or Tacky Glue or your favorite fabric glue)
  
• Sharp scissors and / or fabric scissors
• Ink pads  (I like StazOn - regular and pigment... I recommend brown and black, plus other colors if you'd like.)
• Bone folder, scoring board, or a trimmer with a scoring blade

Optional Supplies:

• Pens - I usually use black plus a gold and / or white gel pen (I like Uni-Ball.)
• Washi tape
• Rubber Stamps - a combination of focal images and background and / or texture stamps. (I'll be using my stamps from PaperArtsy.) You could also print with wood blocks onto fabric or paper.
• A few colors of embossing powders - I'll be using my Boho Blends EP.
• Teflon craft mat / Goddess Sheet & heat gun (if you heat emboss.)
• A sewing machine if you want to machine stitch any of your pockets or elements. My sample is all hand stitched but again, all sewing is optional.
• Any other elements you think you'll want to use in your book.

(You can go to Artistic Artifacts for a list and links for the supplies they carry.)

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Administrative & Technical Details and FAQ

Technical Requirements:

• You must have a Facebook account - it's the only way we can admit you to the private Facebook classroom
• Your computer or device should be capable of viewing video with a strong enough internet connection to stream the lesson
• Check ahead of time to ensure that you can hear and see videos on Facebook (you usually need to both click into a live video and unmute it in order to hear and read and add comments.)
  
• I highly recommend that if you don't already have it, that you download the Facebook app on your phone or device and get logged in and set up. This will make it so you can easily take in-progress photos to post for feedback directly from the app.
  

Administrative Details & Class Policies:

• Unfortunately, because this is an online class where you can view the content and have full access even if you miss the livestream, there are no cancellations or refunds.
• Registration is open and the private Facebook group will open on April 16, 2020.
  
• The two coupon options from Artistic Artifacts will be given in the Facebook group and available after you've been added.
• I usually bring a fair amount of products and goodies to my classes for students to use. However since this is an online class, we just want to make sure it's clear that aside from the downloads posted in the Facebook group, you'll be responsible for providing all of your own supplies (please see the supply list above.) I've tried to give lots of options and alternatives so that you can pull from your stash wherever possible. Artistic Artifacts also has most of the supplies available in their shop so if you have something you need or see something that you want to try, I hope you'll help support the store - make sure to use the coupon while you're at it!

FAQ:
Q: How long will the Facebook group be available after the Live video is over?
A: Indefinitely... we have no plans to close the group. We will, however, be closing registration before the Live - you must sign up ahead of time to get into the group, but you won't lose access after it's over.

Q: When will I get access to the Facebook group?
A: The group is already open, but please allow for up to 24 hours (or possibly up to 48 over the weekends) for the staff at Artistic Artifacts to get you your invitation. Be sure to check your Facebook notifications to see if you've been added or invited to the group.

Q: When and how do we get the coupon code?
A: Artistic Artifacts will share the code in the private Facebook group. This can be used multiple times, but it cannot be shared outside of the group - it will only be valid for customers on the class list. Also, although the store can ship internationally, please note that with the current global situation, packages would likely not arrive before class.