DIY ring holder

If there is something that I have A LOT of it is rings! I love collecting unique rings and I am always looking for simple ways to store and display them.

After find these simple jewelry display hands at my local craft supply store, I got busy transforming them into something a little more my style.

I started with a nice thick coat of spray paint. I also found a small plate from the thrift store to use as a base and gave it a coat of color.

I glued the hand to the plate with E6000 (this can be done either before or after adding doodles).

Then, using a white paint pen, I covered the entire surface of the hand with doodles. 

The result is a really pretty and decorative way to organize off my rings!

happy weekend!

nesting season at haystack rock

This my friends is Haystack Rock. Haystack Rock is a 235 foot sea stack located in Cannon Beach, Oregon. We are about 10 minutes away from this beautiful beach and it's one of our favorite local spots to hang out.

 I grew up here and honestly the magic of this place never ceases to amaze me.

What makes Haystack Rock and the surrounding rocks (they are called "The Needles) so cool is that there is wildlife everywhere! It was granted marine garden status back in 1990 which means no collecting plants or animals. But you can still explore and it is one of my favorite place to take photos.

From starfish to sea anemones, to crabs, chitons, sea slugs and more, there is some much to discover at low tide!

Haystack Rock is also a nesting site for all kinds of sea birds and right now we are in the midst of nesting season. This means hundreds and thousands of sea birds flock to the surface of the rock and make nests, lay eggs, feed their chicks and then fly off to the ocean. It is an amazing sight to see especially because we get flocks of Tufted Puffins nesting. 

haystack rock from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

We've spent a couple of mornings down here photographing the nesting activity and it is really beautiful to see all the different birds flocking to the rock.

There are so many birds flying back and forth gathering materials for their nests, bringing back fish for their chicks- it's a lot of activity and it is amazing.

If you look closely you can see all kinds of Pelagic Cormorant (I am pretty sure this is the name of these birds) up on the rocks.

Photographing birds is really hard and I've spent years trying capture the illusive puffins that flock here in the spring. While these little guys are everywhere, they are so hard to capture because they are so busy but FINALLY I was able to capture a few photos! 

Oh how I love nature!

free coloring page for you!

I just want to say thank you so much for the really wonderful response to my summer line up of online classes. So many of you have registered and I am super excited to share more creativity with all of you! I've been making online classes since 2009 and even though I am old pro at it, I always get the butterflies when I release anything new so your support and participation always means the world to me.

The only way I know how to say thank you here on the blog is by making something for all of you. Today I've got another free coloring download. Print one out for coloring or even use it in your mixed media projects. ENJOY!

Download the page HERE

Looking for more coloring inspiration or free downloads?

1. my favorite ways to color and a download  2. succulent coloring page download  3. coloring outside the lines  4. fall leaves download  5. spring coloring page  6. using kids markers to color  7. mandala coloring download  8. tips for coloring with colored pencils  9. ways to use a coloring page and a free download  10. tips for using crayons  11. flower download  12. candy coloring download

new online classes for summer!

I've been hard at work over here and I've got a fun lineup of new "micro" classes for summer. Micro classes are small classes focussed on one topic. It's the perfect solution for those on a budget or those of you who have a busy schedule but are still looking for inspiration and an excuse to create.

The best part is that I created these classes for all ages so everything that I teach can be used with kids, adults or even both together. Each micro class is designed to teach you something very specific. Like the rest of my classes they pack a PUNCH! With demo videos, photos, prompts and downloads, each class is designed to give you a burst of inspiration and creativity.

ROPE BOWLS
$15
Class goes live JUNE 13th
Handmade rope baskets are so much fun to make but I am taking the process a step further and using mixed media techniques to create one of a kind bowls. In this class I will be sharing how to create rope vessels (with and without a sewing machine). Then we will use all kinds of simple supplies, to transform them into colorful, embellished and unique bowls.

register for class HERE

WATERCOLOR BLOOMS
$15
Class goes live JULY 4th
Flowers and watercolors make the perfect pair! In this class I will be sharing all kinds of really simple techniques for transforming your favorite flowers into expressive, beautiful and colorful paintings. 

register for class HERE


CLAY BOUQUET
$15
Class goes live JULY 25th
NOTE: THIS CLASS MAKES USE OF AIR DRY CLAY OR POLYMER CLAY
While I love drawing and painting, clay makes it possible to create art that has dimension. In this class we will using air dry clay and transforming it into flowers. I will be sharing a variety tips and tricks to use hand building, sculpture and painting to create a beautiful clay bouquet.

register for class HERE


THE TRAVELER'S JOURNAL.
$15
Class goes live August 15th
I carry an art journal or sketchbook wherever I go, even when I travel! The result are pages and page full art, free writing and collage inspired by my experiences. In this class I will be sharing some of my favorite concepts and techniques for keeping a journal dedicated to travel and adventure.

register for class HERE 

WINTER/SPRING MICRO BUNDLE

$50  $40

Individual classes each cost $15 OR purchase the "SUMMER Micro Bundle" at $50.00 to receive a $10 savings! And for the rest of the month I am offering an early bird discount of an additional $10 off.

Register for bundle HERE

ABOUT MY ONLINE CLASSES:

There are many online workshops out there at different prices with different content. Back in 2009, when I decided to offer an online learning option, I set out to create a structure that is similar to taking a "live" class from me.  My mission is to provide an affordable class with a learning environment where you are watching lots of demos, learning techniques and then creating on your own art.

FACTS:

• I have three different structures of online classes: 

Large Class: These classes are $50 and have 5 HUGE lessons that include videos, photos, written information, prompts and more. My large format classes dive deep into a variety of techniques, projects and information.

Mini Class: My mini classes cost $30 and have 3 HUGE lessons that include videos, photos, written information, prompts and more.

Micro Class: These classes cost $15 and have 1 HUGE lesson that includes videos, photos, written information, prompts and more.

• My classes are a combination of video learning (with demos, techniques and me talking) and lots of photo steps outs of inspiration, techniques and process.

• All classes are all filmed in my studio. Since 2009 I have been tweaking my gear and my process with the hope that video/photo content gets better and better. My #1 goal is to provide inspiring lessons and visuals that are easy to understand.

• My classes do NOT have a required supply list. Instead I share the supplies that I like to use and then give you a variety of options and inspiration to use supplies that work best for your process and your budget.

• All of my classes have unlimited access which means once you register you can create and access at any time and work at your own pace. Whenever I "release" a new class- I release each lesson "live". Many people enjoy working in this format, as the lessons are posted each week but once all information gets posted there is unlimited time to access everything. I have found that some people prefer to work along with the live format when I release a new class, while others will wait months until they have the time, money and the schedule to register for the class. Either way works- just know that once you are in- there is no deadline or pressure to create.

Head on over to my shop HERE to view all of my class offerings!

happy weekend!

exploring smith rock state park

The last part of our road trip adventures were spent exploring Smith Rock State Park. Oh my goodness you guys, it is beautiful here!

The park is located in Central Oregon about 25 minutes from Bend. The park covers 650 acres and full of compressed volcanic ash and welded tuff rock faces.

This place is AMAZING! With trails and huge rock walls for climbing, Smith Rock Start Park attracts hikers, horseback riders, climbers, trail runners and mountain bikers. It is a destination for all things outdoors!

We picked the River Trail, one of the easy and more kid friendly hikes but there are numerous trails and places to explore and even picnic areas with incredible views.

The Crooked River runs right through the middle of the park which makes everything even more beautiful!

Sport climbing at Smith Rock is world famous so you are able to spot all kinds of climbers scaling the rock walls. 

Another must see Oregon attraction!

You can check out all of our family adventure HERE