The Firefly Girl Online Studio Classes (Re-runs!)

Gosh, I feel like laughing at myself for posting the title for this blog post. Makes it sound all celebrity-ish. Hehe. I am posting the class module and scheduled air dates.

Please note, you will be issued a password, which changes regularly.
If you wish to take recorded sessions individually, please note they are charged separately.

The next live session will restart after Ramadan inshaAllah :) The information here is an overview. For detailed information on what you learn and what we cover, you can request an information booklet by emailing fireflygirl.studioclasses@gmail.com :)

Class One
BASICS
(for beginners and newbies)
Rs 1000

Class Two
Inkology
2A Inks
2B Distress Products
2C Mists and Sprays
2D Powders and Pearls
2E Alcohol Inks
(excellent starting point for beginners, pros and plain ol enthusiasts!)
Rs 3500 for all 5 modules or Rs 800 each

Class Three
Stampology
Information on stamping techniques including different methods of rendering. Five of them are covered along with basics on how to use your stamps, different ones, and so forth.
 (excellent starting point for beginners, pros and plain ol enthusiasts!)
Rs 1750

Class Four
Paper Works
Exploring the world of paper
Rs 600

Class Five
Ten Embellishment Project
Starting from scratch, how do you create something for the Ten Embellishment Project?
(beginner level)
Rs 1200

Class Six
Tag Books and Tags!
Creating Tagbooks start to finish with fun tags!
(intermediate level)
Rs 1500

Class Seven
World of Crafter's Delight
an introduction to the equipment and tools. Pros and Cons. Identifying which one is right for you and more! (Big Shot is covered in this class)
(intermediate level)
Rs 1500


Class Eight
Mixed Media Journal (Altered)
start to finish mixed media collage to alter a canvas
(intermediate to advanced level)
Rs 2000

Class Nine
Pen Holder (Altered)
start to finish upcycling project
(basic to intermediate)
Rs 1250

Class Ten
Tag Wallets
Rs 1250

Class Eleven
Accordion Books 11A
Accordion Books 11 B
Two styles, Two classes. Basic structure and prep work.
Rs 2400 for both
Beginner and Intermediate level

Class Twelve
The Ultimate Mini Album Adventure
Prior knowledge of tools and equipment, inks, stamping and compositions is required.
Required to take the Basics and the Ten Embellishment Project
Rs 2800

Class Thirteen
Developing Aesthetics
Rs 600
Beginner level. Exercises to tweek your understanding of color and design

Class Fourteen
Florals
14A Roses
14B Shabby Chic Round Flowers
14C Shabby Chic Flowers
14D Peonies
Rs 600 each or all four for Rs 2000.

Opt for all of them for Rs 10,000 as part of the RE RUN PROMO!

About the instructor, Varah Musavvir:

As far as my qualifications or experience goes, I have a background in design from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. I have been paper crafting via Firefly for over two years professionally. I have been scrapbooking for ten years and have had Art and Design as well as Fine Arts during my schooling years. I am a textile designer by day and a craftaholic by night. I love sharing what I know and am happy to teach or help others create things which further inspire dreams!

I understand several of you run on a budget, and I have kept our class and course rates as reasonable as possible. The international price range for basic classes online runs from 10-45 U.S. Dollars. And workshops or interactive classes in person are anywhere from 75-250 U.S. Dollars per session, and that does not include the cost of materials.

I am in touch with international manufacturers as well as the international markets of the United States as well as Hong Kong, so am able to share new products, trends or techniques with you, most often with first-hand information. I discuss local alternatives as well to aid our fellow crafters in Pakistan, having tried and tested most myself :)

The Re-Runs are recordings. Each class Module will be available for two days. The schedule for such will be put up on the 27th of May inshaAllah.

Re Rerun Registrations close on the 1st of June. Please confirm your interest by finalizing your modules and submitting fees. email fireflygirl.studioclasses@gmail.com :)

Love Crafts, but new to Crafting!

Another post after my unplanned hiatus over at the blog. It's unfair sometimes. :( I get so occupied with work and home committments now that I don't get time to jot down my own ideas or thoughts.. let alone blog posts to eleborate my random musings or observations. I have a couple of blog posts pending, I have my material ready but need to compile it together.

The post today is exactly what it says, Love Crafts but new to Crafting!

You may wonder what sparked me to post this today, it's actually something that we need doses of now and then to remind us of what works and what doesn't. I sometimes ask my friends about what works in a layout and what doesn't.. I even try to research and learn more about color and design in my spare time.

I'm not the crafting queen, and my words are not set in stone, so if you have anything to add to these, points, share em :) A background for some who may wonder, I have 4 years of professional design training and almost 10 years of paper crafting experience in the U.S., Pakistan and now Hong Kong... I felt I could share what some of you could benefit from. InshaAllah x

When I began paper crafting, I didn't have all the fancy stuff. (tools, punches, inks, stamps, die cut systems and so forth). I just had a flair to make something and make it look awesome. (even though several attempts were epic fails.)

In the last year specifically, I have observed an improvement in the work I produce, be it in composition, detail or overall effort. You could say it's evolving. And I wanted to share some tips on how you can apply that to see your work evolve, too! :)

• If it came out of the box, it doesn't mean you 'assemble it' and pass it off as 'crafting'. What I mean to implore here is we often get hold of kits and 'card in a box' or 'album in a box'... what we don't realize is when they say 'it's everything you need to create'... it means you use it as a platform, and make the most of your skills to add to it. Don't leave things 'raw'. ie... take a floral background, and use a red border punch to embellish it. Why? Any other person that gets hold of that background or that punch, is going to be able to do the same. What's your input? Have you composed it? Have you added personalized details? Did you get your hands dirty to paint, ink or create a dimensional flower?

• Make your work your own. It is very easy to see a color combination you like, with a product you like, and a request to create the same thing. Rule number one, politely hold your ground and clarify that the work requested belongs to someone else, and you would love to create something based on the same idea, ie floral, vintage and so forth but would not replicate the same colors on the same product.

• Inspiration versus copy. Be confident in your own piece of work. Like someone's idea? execute it in a way that the piece looks like it's your own individual concept, your own aesthetic.

• Don't stuff every 'color' on the planet onto one canvas. IF not done tastefully, it will look like a colorful mess. (in not so nice terms)

• I know it's tempting, but just because you're doing an album, don't force a vintage key into it. If your palette is bright bold hues or delicate pastels and you're not careful in placement of your embellishments, that key is going to be smack in your vision and will look off from the rest of your project, despite the ohmg, look at that KEY syndrome.

• The thing with stamping, embossing, glittered accents, metal embellishments and bling. These 5 are a lethal combination when used and applied the right way. You want them to blend as a theme, as one, and not look like a bit of everything, just because you wanted to. Know when to use them, and when to skip. While the effort is no doubt commendable, it may look too gaudy or over done.

• Less is more. Work on creating layouts and compositions to help you develop a form of story telling, that moves your eye, and motivates admirers to look closely at your work. The simplest of detail can be most impactful when piecing together your projects. Don't scatter bits and bobbles everywhere to confuse the person.

• Binding, do I go for jute, ribbon, rings, or spirals?
  If it's a formal affair, avoid using spirals. If you opt for rings, camouflage them with delicate trims and ornate laces. If you want to opt for a natural feel and have managed to blend in eclectic elements, opt for jute. Be careful, as jute and spirals, if used incorrectly can make a fab project look floppy. Ribbons are great for almost any occasion. Be selective about which ones you use, if you use stiff ones or those that are too 'shiny', they may throw off your beautified craft piece within seconds. I personally use the binding rings because they work with formal and fun projects. They look solid enough and don't remind me of a school notebook or something I picked up from the photocopier. (no offense to others, I've got gorgeous journals bound with spirals and I love them to bits.. handcrafted just look different when used with spirals)

• All that glitters is not gold. While most people look at the sight of glitter and fall to uber appreciation, if used in excessive amounts, can look tacky. Control your glitter urges folks, accent it with a line, a smaller embellishment, as glitter stands out!  You don't want it to over power the rest of your layout. :)

• Compose, compose, compose. Don't let your work float everywhere. Make it look grounded with a visual experience. If you like working with straight lines, do wonders with them. If you like asymmetry, don't make things float everywhere.

• Proportions are vital when doing albums and cards. You don't want two large flowers and one small one. Try balancing one large flower with two smaller ones, or with one small or medium. It makes a big difference.

• Lost in Space. Keepsakes are intended for 'keeping' for the 'sake of memories' for most. If you have created or crafted an album, especially a mini. Make sure you leave room for photos and text and don't centralize your embellishments. Mini albums are smaller in size, and have less room for photos and journaling to start with. If you have large embellishments, it may look pretty, but would defeat the purpose and practicality of being an 'album'.

• Hand written. If you feel like incorporating your handwriting in a project, try not to let it float or look like a sloppy note you'd pass in class. Take a minute to draw a line with a scale to write on the line. If your cursive isn't the most exciting, don't go for it, print it instead.

• First Love. Don't fall in love with your work. Be pleased when you put together something you put your heart into, but never fall in love with it. Because that's going to stop you from doing better or striving harder. Which will stump your growth and grooming as a crafter or artist.

Hope these little bits and pieces of information strike a chord and help you rethink your projects and help you for amazing future ones. I have yet to share some amazing work by Pakistani Crafters from our Craft Month Celebrations. You'll see some talent from simplest of pieces when I do :)

I often tell my students, that when you have the eye to appreciate something beautiful, your admiration shows your aesthetics are pretty awesome! So never tell yourself you're not very good at being creative ;)

Much Love.
Smile Sunshine!
 

2013... the year of more happenings!

So it dawned upon me that I haven't blogged in a while and I have a perfectly responsible excuse for that.. I've been trying to get Firefly operations back and running along with something AWESOME for all those who have been asking me about Online Classes for a while now.

When we conduct our Ultimate Crafter's Workshop, there are often delays or unseen drops in attendance due to exams, situation in the city or the fact that people want to whine about the venue... when the truth is, where there is a will, there's a way.


I won't be hosting my workshops til I'm in town next for the expo, so til then... we will be beginning our online classes via Ustream. I am super duper excited about this, because this means, all our crafty friends can watch the classes online and interact with us at the same time :) isn't that neat? I have set a time of 6-9 pm Pakistan time. I'm three hours ahead in Hong Kong. It will take a few tries to make it right, but hey.. you have to start some where. There are heaps of tutorials online, but I figure for Pakistanis especially, we need a local insight as well. What materials do you find, where do you get em.. which jugaars do you come up with. I've had countless queries on the online classes since yesterday and I am very very glad that I'm having Firefly fans from around the globe connect! MashaAllah.

Those who are interested can write to me fireflygirl.studioclasses@gmail.com for information :) I have 18 class modules listed for queue and sign ups... but am totally flexible to more tutorial requests or technique demos. I will share freebie sessions every now and then as well.

The 18 modules do have fees but are minimal if compared to the rates currently in the market internationally! Let's just say, it's not even for my time.. it's for my laptop, the internet connection the classes run on and my crafting supplies :) Hope you all learn and this is a fruitful project. I need heaps of duas, and cannot wait to interact with you all!

Our Demo Class is Monday! 6 pm :)
bookmark this channel... and watch out for the password ;) I'll share it Monday at 5 pm.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/craft-academy

for information on these online classes, email me at the above mentioned gmail addy.. let's learn and get crafting! all in the comfort of our pj's at home ;)

Recent news about the pages being deleted and violating terms of service.. while I never agreed with the grand giveaways, I do feel I should stop hosting the smaller ones on my page to avoid graver consequences. All giveaways from now on will be hosted here just to be safe. SO.. all of you need to click 'follow' on the righ hand side and leave your comments here!

I'm working on another project I'm excited about publishing very soon. It's for my Prophet Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam inshaAllah... and will be debuted on the 12th of Rabi ul Awwal if all goes well :) I had an article published on Firefly last month in Newsline... which had some false information. It's being rectified in this month's issue... look out for it :))

Hong Kong by the way is awesome Alhamdulillah. I'm still exploring and settling in :) you guys can follow my escapades by following me on Instagram.. firefly_girl23. If you have a photo of a Firefly purchase you want to instagram...  tag with #whimsical_firefly

:) xx