PaintingPaper Crafts

Starting an Altered Book at A Work of Heart

On Sunday I taught a full day workshop called, "Starting an Altered Book" at A Work of Heart in San Jose.  Take a peek at the fun we had!

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As you can tell from the photos, I was super lucky to have 24 talented, enthusiastic and very generous students who made teaching the class a real pleasure.  Store owner, Andrea…

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…invited me to come back and teach again next year!  Can't hardly wait!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed-media artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops, her online classroom www.balzerdesigns.com, and through monthly membership at www.MyArtPractice.com.

80 thoughts on “Starting an Altered Book at A Work of Heart

  • It looks like you had a great group and they really enjoyed your class. Art makes smiles and happiness.

    Reply
  • It looks like you had a great group and they really enjoyed your class. Art makes smiles and happiness.

    Reply
  • It looks like you had a great group and they really enjoyed your class. Art makes smiles and happiness.

    Reply
  • It looks like you had a great group and they really enjoyed your class. Art makes smiles and happiness.

    Reply
  • It looks like you had a great group and they really enjoyed your class. Art makes smiles and happiness.

    Reply
  • Boy, was that a fun day! I’m the one with the face painted on her apron and I had a great time. Julie is a good teacher, as I knew she would be from taking several of her online classes. I’m working away on my book and have already bought a few more old books to alter cause I can tell this is something I want to do more of. Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Boy, was that a fun day! I’m the one with the face painted on her apron and I had a great time. Julie is a good teacher, as I knew she would be from taking several of her online classes. I’m working away on my book and have already bought a few more old books to alter cause I can tell this is something I want to do more of. Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Boy, was that a fun day! I’m the one with the face painted on her apron and I had a great time. Julie is a good teacher, as I knew she would be from taking several of her online classes. I’m working away on my book and have already bought a few more old books to alter cause I can tell this is something I want to do more of. Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Boy, was that a fun day! I’m the one with the face painted on her apron and I had a great time. Julie is a good teacher, as I knew she would be from taking several of her online classes. I’m working away on my book and have already bought a few more old books to alter cause I can tell this is something I want to do more of. Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • Boy, was that a fun day! I’m the one with the face painted on her apron and I had a great time. Julie is a good teacher, as I knew she would be from taking several of her online classes. I’m working away on my book and have already bought a few more old books to alter cause I can tell this is something I want to do more of. Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  • I see lots of joy and pleasure on the faces of your students! I adore the bright colors on their pages and see that the color and creativity makes them happy…thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • I see lots of joy and pleasure on the faces of your students! I adore the bright colors on their pages and see that the color and creativity makes them happy…thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • I see lots of joy and pleasure on the faces of your students! I adore the bright colors on their pages and see that the color and creativity makes them happy…thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • I see lots of joy and pleasure on the faces of your students! I adore the bright colors on their pages and see that the color and creativity makes them happy…thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • I see lots of joy and pleasure on the faces of your students! I adore the bright colors on their pages and see that the color and creativity makes them happy…thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • I’m hoping that 2014 may be the year that you’ll teach in the Chicago area. I would love to take a live class with you!

    Reply
  • I’m hoping that 2014 may be the year that you’ll teach in the Chicago area. I would love to take a live class with you!

    Reply
  • I’m hoping that 2014 may be the year that you’ll teach in the Chicago area. I would love to take a live class with you!

    Reply
  • I’m hoping that 2014 may be the year that you’ll teach in the Chicago area. I would love to take a live class with you!

    Reply
  • I’m hoping that 2014 may be the year that you’ll teach in the Chicago area. I would love to take a live class with you!

    Reply
  • What a fun day that must have been! everyone’s books look so colourful and lovely!

    Reply
  • What a fun day that must have been! everyone’s books look so colourful and lovely!

    Reply
  • What a fun day that must have been! everyone’s books look so colourful and lovely!

    Reply
  • What a fun day that must have been! everyone’s books look so colourful and lovely!

    Reply
  • What a fun day that must have been! everyone’s books look so colourful and lovely!

    Reply
  • Hi Julie! What a great class! Thanks so much for all of the knowledge you imparted AND, for the fun time. I REALLY enjoyed it. Hoping you will come back again.

    Reply
  • Hi Julie! What a great class! Thanks so much for all of the knowledge you imparted AND, for the fun time. I REALLY enjoyed it. Hoping you will come back again.

    Reply
  • Hi Julie! What a great class! Thanks so much for all of the knowledge you imparted AND, for the fun time. I REALLY enjoyed it. Hoping you will come back again.

    Reply
  • Hi Julie! What a great class! Thanks so much for all of the knowledge you imparted AND, for the fun time. I REALLY enjoyed it. Hoping you will come back again.

    Reply
  • Hi Julie! What a great class! Thanks so much for all of the knowledge you imparted AND, for the fun time. I REALLY enjoyed it. Hoping you will come back again.

    Reply
  • I would love to take a class like this with you. Will you be teaching in the Philadelphia area, by any chance?
    I think I have Washi Tape Envy!

    Reply
  • I would love to take a class like this with you. Will you be teaching in the Philadelphia area, by any chance?
    I think I have Washi Tape Envy!

    Reply
  • I would love to take a class like this with you. Will you be teaching in the Philadelphia area, by any chance?
    I think I have Washi Tape Envy!

    Reply
  • I would love to take a class like this with you. Will you be teaching in the Philadelphia area, by any chance?
    I think I have Washi Tape Envy!

    Reply
  • I would love to take a class like this with you. Will you be teaching in the Philadelphia area, by any chance?
    I think I have Washi Tape Envy!

    Reply
  • I would love to take this class. Do you have it online?

    Reply
  • I would love to take this class. Do you have it online?

    Reply
  • I would love to take this class. Do you have it online?

    Reply
  • I would love to take this class. Do you have it online?

    Reply
  • I would love to take this class. Do you have it online?

    Reply
  • enlighten me please… the difference between an altered book and an art journal (besides the actual journaling of course)? It looks like it was such a fun class!

    Reply
  • enlighten me please… the difference between an altered book and an art journal (besides the actual journaling of course)? It looks like it was such a fun class!

    Reply
  • enlighten me please… the difference between an altered book and an art journal (besides the actual journaling of course)? It looks like it was such a fun class!

    Reply
  • enlighten me please… the difference between an altered book and an art journal (besides the actual journaling of course)? It looks like it was such a fun class!

    Reply
  • enlighten me please… the difference between an altered book and an art journal (besides the actual journaling of course)? It looks like it was such a fun class!

    Reply
  • What a great class this was, Julie, & thanks for posting all the great pix (I’m on the right in the first pic at the top). Julie teaches in such a lighthearted, fun & easy-to-follow style. I love my altered book & can’t wait to do another! See you in San Jose next year, Julie (I hope)!

    Reply
  • What a great class this was, Julie, & thanks for posting all the great pix (I’m on the right in the first pic at the top). Julie teaches in such a lighthearted, fun & easy-to-follow style. I love my altered book & can’t wait to do another! See you in San Jose next year, Julie (I hope)!

    Reply
  • What a great class this was, Julie, & thanks for posting all the great pix (I’m on the right in the first pic at the top). Julie teaches in such a lighthearted, fun & easy-to-follow style. I love my altered book & can’t wait to do another! See you in San Jose next year, Julie (I hope)!

    Reply
  • What a great class this was, Julie, & thanks for posting all the great pix (I’m on the right in the first pic at the top). Julie teaches in such a lighthearted, fun & easy-to-follow style. I love my altered book & can’t wait to do another! See you in San Jose next year, Julie (I hope)!

    Reply
  • What a great class this was, Julie, & thanks for posting all the great pix (I’m on the right in the first pic at the top). Julie teaches in such a lighthearted, fun & easy-to-follow style. I love my altered book & can’t wait to do another! See you in San Jose next year, Julie (I hope)!

    Reply
  • Oh wow, those pictures are fantastic! Such a variety and expanse of techniques used! Do you ever come out to Long Island to teach???

    Reply
  • Oh wow, those pictures are fantastic! Such a variety and expanse of techniques used! Do you ever come out to Long Island to teach???

    Reply
  • Oh wow, those pictures are fantastic! Such a variety and expanse of techniques used! Do you ever come out to Long Island to teach???

    Reply
  • Oh wow, those pictures are fantastic! Such a variety and expanse of techniques used! Do you ever come out to Long Island to teach???

    Reply
  • Oh wow, those pictures are fantastic! Such a variety and expanse of techniques used! Do you ever come out to Long Island to teach???

    Reply
  • quit having fun!!! ok, no… go ahead – it all looks so awesome! think i’ll pull out my art journal RIGHT NOW… after all, it’s friday!

    Reply
  • quit having fun!!! ok, no… go ahead – it all looks so awesome! think i’ll pull out my art journal RIGHT NOW… after all, it’s friday!

    Reply
  • quit having fun!!! ok, no… go ahead – it all looks so awesome! think i’ll pull out my art journal RIGHT NOW… after all, it’s friday!

    Reply
  • quit having fun!!! ok, no… go ahead – it all looks so awesome! think i’ll pull out my art journal RIGHT NOW… after all, it’s friday!

    Reply
  • quit having fun!!! ok, no… go ahead – it all looks so awesome! think i’ll pull out my art journal RIGHT NOW… after all, it’s friday!

    Reply
  • This was SOOOOO much fun! I really do hope you’ll make it an annual thing, coming to the bay area to teach. You are such a great teacher and amazing, inspirational artist. Thanks so much for the class, I had a blast and am going to start collecting old books now! Thanks again!

    Reply
  • This was SOOOOO much fun! I really do hope you’ll make it an annual thing, coming to the bay area to teach. You are such a great teacher and amazing, inspirational artist. Thanks so much for the class, I had a blast and am going to start collecting old books now! Thanks again!

    Reply
  • This was SOOOOO much fun! I really do hope you’ll make it an annual thing, coming to the bay area to teach. You are such a great teacher and amazing, inspirational artist. Thanks so much for the class, I had a blast and am going to start collecting old books now! Thanks again!

    Reply
  • This was SOOOOO much fun! I really do hope you’ll make it an annual thing, coming to the bay area to teach. You are such a great teacher and amazing, inspirational artist. Thanks so much for the class, I had a blast and am going to start collecting old books now! Thanks again!

    Reply
  • This was SOOOOO much fun! I really do hope you’ll make it an annual thing, coming to the bay area to teach. You are such a great teacher and amazing, inspirational artist. Thanks so much for the class, I had a blast and am going to start collecting old books now! Thanks again!

    Reply
  • So much inspiration. I am drawn to look again and again at the photos of the art pages and all those smiling faces.
    I already have the books to “alter.” However, it’s so much more fun in a group,
    Oh, well, I’m too far away for you to come here, but I thank you for sharing your ideas and enthusiasm.I’ll be thinking of all of you when I alter my book and work in my art journal. Regards to all!

    Reply
  • So much inspiration. I am drawn to look again and again at the photos of the art pages and all those smiling faces.
    I already have the books to “alter.” However, it’s so much more fun in a group,
    Oh, well, I’m too far away for you to come here, but I thank you for sharing your ideas and enthusiasm.I’ll be thinking of all of you when I alter my book and work in my art journal. Regards to all!

    Reply
  • So much inspiration. I am drawn to look again and again at the photos of the art pages and all those smiling faces.
    I already have the books to “alter.” However, it’s so much more fun in a group,
    Oh, well, I’m too far away for you to come here, but I thank you for sharing your ideas and enthusiasm.I’ll be thinking of all of you when I alter my book and work in my art journal. Regards to all!

    Reply
  • So much inspiration. I am drawn to look again and again at the photos of the art pages and all those smiling faces.
    I already have the books to “alter.” However, it’s so much more fun in a group,
    Oh, well, I’m too far away for you to come here, but I thank you for sharing your ideas and enthusiasm.I’ll be thinking of all of you when I alter my book and work in my art journal. Regards to all!

    Reply
  • So much inspiration. I am drawn to look again and again at the photos of the art pages and all those smiling faces.
    I already have the books to “alter.” However, it’s so much more fun in a group,
    Oh, well, I’m too far away for you to come here, but I thank you for sharing your ideas and enthusiasm.I’ll be thinking of all of you when I alter my book and work in my art journal. Regards to all!

    Reply
  • Julie, I just had to tell you how much I admire you. I have followed your blog for several years and I can see how much you have grown as an artist. You have also lost weight and have a darling hairdo. I can tell how much work you have done on yourself and your art and you are sharing this whole trip with us. Thank you and congratulations, i look forward to seeing you and following your continued growth.

    Reply
  • Julie, I just had to tell you how much I admire you. I have followed your blog for several years and I can see how much you have grown as an artist. You have also lost weight and have a darling hairdo. I can tell how much work you have done on yourself and your art and you are sharing this whole trip with us. Thank you and congratulations, i look forward to seeing you and following your continued growth.

    Reply
  • Julie, I just had to tell you how much I admire you. I have followed your blog for several years and I can see how much you have grown as an artist. You have also lost weight and have a darling hairdo. I can tell how much work you have done on yourself and your art and you are sharing this whole trip with us. Thank you and congratulations, i look forward to seeing you and following your continued growth.

    Reply
  • Julie, I just had to tell you how much I admire you. I have followed your blog for several years and I can see how much you have grown as an artist. You have also lost weight and have a darling hairdo. I can tell how much work you have done on yourself and your art and you are sharing this whole trip with us. Thank you and congratulations, i look forward to seeing you and following your continued growth.

    Reply
  • Julie, I just had to tell you how much I admire you. I have followed your blog for several years and I can see how much you have grown as an artist. You have also lost weight and have a darling hairdo. I can tell how much work you have done on yourself and your art and you are sharing this whole trip with us. Thank you and congratulations, i look forward to seeing you and following your continued growth.

    Reply
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