Friday, November 15, 2013

Yeah, I know...

I really owe an explanation for my long absence.

It's coming.  2013 has been a very long year. So was 2012.

2014 is going to rock.  Seriously.

I'll tell you about it as soon as I can wrap my brain around it and formulate something read-worthy.

xo Cam

Leather Gallery

Welcome to my tooled leather gallery!

Camille McClelland
aka. WonderCam
aka. Leather Whisperer

camillemcc@gmail.com

This is not a complete gallery of my work, but the most complete collection in one place.

Enjoy and Happy Tooling!
































xoxo Cam

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Popularity.

"When I was a kid..."

We all have at least one story of when we felt bullied. 

I remember one time in Sunday School class there were not enough chairs.  A girl I looked up to suggested to the class that I could sit in one of the small baby chairs.  It hurt my feels enough that I've never forgotten about it, and yet, I know she wasn't intentionally trying to be mean.  If anyone else had said it then it probably would not have bothered me.

I've been thinking about the power that comes with popularity.  The power to sway opinions that can make or break someone.  I remember being so afraid of this one girl in high school.  Not that she was mean..  Not that I ever had a conversation with her.  ever.  She seemed nice enough.  She was confident, and radiant, and so stylish.  Always in the spotlight with her accomplishments.  I don't have a negative thought about her individually.  But she still scared me. 

For me it was the power she held.  What if I did try to talk to her or be her friend and she rejected me?  What if I did or said something embarrassing and she saw it and told someone.  Such power.

This whole post makes me feel so uncomfortable.  Brings back all those high school insecurities.  What if there are people like THAT girl who came across my blog and thought it was stupid for a grown adult woman to still be hung up over stupid high school popularity?

I'm not so afraid anymore.  I have life experience that has taught me who I am, and helped me to understand my own worth.  Sure, I have my self esteem ups and downs...  here is a secret-- everyone does.  Even THAT girl. 

I wonder... does THAT girl even know the power she held?  I would hope not. Power can do nasty things to good people.  Power instantly results in a feeling of superiority.  Are any of us really superior?  Hell yes.  Of course.  Not overall.. but in individual talents and accomplishments there is a resounding yes. 

For example, a lawyer must attain a certain level of education to earn a law degree.  I do not have a law degree.  I have not been to law school.  I have only been to one semester of college.  So... does a lawyer have a superior education in comparison to mine?  Yes.  Does that make the lawyer a superior person to me.  Yeah, no.. I don't think so. Not that I have anything against attorney's and not that I consider myself superior, either.  We all have our strengths and weaknesses.. and that's what makes us unique, and and in many ways, provides an identity to hold onto. 

Where did all this come from?  This video...  I watched it.  Then watched it again.  Then called my kids in and we watched it together, and then talked about how it made us feel.

You should watch it.. right now.  It's from this website: http://www.upworthy.com/bullies-called-him-pork-chop-he-took-that-pain-with-him-and-then-cooked-it-into and was created by Shane Koyczan.

I wish I could say that I know Shane personally..  because I am so impressed with him.




There is great responsibility that comes with popularity.  Power.  Power to make or break a person.  Bullying must stop here, where the power exists to stop it.

xo Cam 
(I can't stop watching it)

Monday, January 14, 2013

Handmade U With the Leather Whisperer - April 2013

This is my good friend, and fellow Brave Girl, Rachel .



Rachel is AWESOME.  One of the most authentic, down-to-Earth people I know.  I met Rachel in February 2010 at Brave Girls camp and we have stayed in touch since.  I have visited her in Omaha and she has been back to Idaho.  She's just one of those people you want to know... especially with what I'm about to tell you...

Rachel has started an Art Retreat called "Handmade U,"  college themed "semesters" with intense art instruction. The classes are designed to start at beginner level instruction, but also include intermediate and advances techniques to reach all skill levels.  The setting is intimate and comfortable at the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Omaha. 

For the "Fourth Semester" April 4-6, 2013 I will be teaching along with  Dawn Devries Sokol! I am so so excited, and honored to be invited to instruct.  Dawn will be teaching a Doodlicious Tapebound Journaling Class on Friday (seriously, she creates the most amazing journals, I can't wait to learn from her!)

This is Dawn, and a couple of examples of her work:



Ah-Mazing!


I will be teaching a class I'm calling, "Introduction to Leather Whispering"  We will go over all the basics of leather tooling, tips and techniques; and the class will include making a cuff, and a set of three tooled leather flowers. I'll provide step by step instructions, along with a written guide.  (My instructions will be WAY easier to follow than an Ikea "some assembly required" guide.)  But first...  I gotta figure out what the cuffs going to look like.

I know you've prob seen enough of my stuff to last you... but here's a few more pictures of some of my favorites.









If you are attending Handmade U...  Tell me what you want, and I'll work with popular demand.  I am so excited!  This is going to be a blast.  Oh, by the way... coincidentally, Rachel coined the nickname "Leather Whisperer" for me.. and it stuck.  :)

Handmade U is selling out fast..  I hope you make it!

xoxo Cam