Sarajane's Polyclay Gallery

Resume of Sarajane Helm

Experience:

2017-present  Sarajane’s | Creative Connections  owner operator  Rock River Wyoming

  • continuing the  production and sales of artwork, website and graphic design, and arts promotion.
  • organized and implemented an online Shopify Gallery with 4 artists and growing.

2016-2017~ Tinkermill Instructor Longmont CO 

  • Served 4 months as interim Treasurer at the 501(c)3 makerspace Tinkermill until elections were held
  • Taught classes in metal working including: electrical etching, inked metal, metal patinas, wire jewelry, making jewelry components, making earrings, Business of Art, sculpting with polymer clay, watercolor techniques, how to use Inkscape software with the 80Watt laser cutter

2014-2015~ Creative Connections 501(c)3   Director Longmont CO

  • Trademarked and established Creative Connections as an arts education non-profit corporation between 2014-2015
  • Website design and outreach to establish working relationships with other groups and organizations
  • Worked with local nonprofit groups including the library, arts groups and the local cable channel to promote arts and creativity in Longmont.

1985-Present~ Sarajane’s   Designer Longmont, CO

  • Coordinate all production and design details for a line of wearable art and gift items sold in boutiques and stores nationally.
  • Design and implement all graphic designs for business use as well as graphic art for publication (juvenile and adult books, paper dolls, magazine illustrations and textile designs).
  • Design and build Internet websites and pages used in promotion of this and other companies.
  • Authors “how to” articles for magazines and books; five years as bi-monthly columnist for Belle Armoire magazine.
  • Develop educational text, graphics, and video as well as edit, scan and organize computer projects.
  • Shoot and edit digital photography and videos.
  • Design layouts for desktop publishing includes magazines and books.
  • Manage booth display design, setup, sales and promotion at national trade shows.
  • Teach art and design classes on three levels: children, adult and professional.
  • Tutor and teach classes in digital photography, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, Microsoft Word, proficient with Windows and Mac OS.
  • Develop and sell gift items to catalog companies such as “Quilts & Other Comforts” and “Alice’s Tapestries.”

2014-2015~ KCP Gallery  Leadership Team Longmont, CO

  • Managed day-to-day operations of art gallery and co-wrote protocols for same.
  • Developed classes and community events.
  • Developed, displayed and promoted a new Featured Artist show every month.
  • Coordinated volunteer and member activity.
  • Built and managed website.
  • Promoted arts and artist activity throughout the larger community in cooperation with schools and local businesses.
  • Showcased and sold the work of over 50 local artists.

2011-2014~ FRCC Art Club  Founder, President, Secretary, Webmaster Longmont, CO

  • Founded student art club, built website and trained other members in its use.
  • Organized and coordinated a group student/faculty art show at Longmont Public Library.
  • Organized and coordinated two group student/faculty art shows in cooperation with Firehouse Art Gallery:  “Beyond The Fridge Door” Feb. 17-Mar. 7, 2011 and “A Creative Celebration” Oct. 17-21
  • Designed postcard and display cards, wrote and sent press releases and organized  hanging and tear-down.
  • Responsible for building website and updating information about classes and events on website, taking and distributing meeting minutes.

2011~ Front Range Community College/Firehouse Art Gallery   Student Intern Fall Semester Longmont, CO

  • Helped coordinate shows, wrote and sent press releases, designed postcard and display cards for “Objects of Inspiration”  Nov.11-Dec. 15, 2011.

2010-2013~ Front Range Community College  Art Studio Monitor Longmont, CO

  • Maintained studio space for digital photography/photoshop, 2D, ceramics, jewelry students, oversaw tool use and safety, organized as needed, created documents as needed for instructors.

2009-2012~ Front Range Community College  Continuing Education  Instructor, Tutor  Longmont, CO

  • Taught independent classes through the Continuing Education Department in Business of Art and Polymer Clay, tutored students in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Digital Photography, Web Design , World Mythology and English Composition

2005-2008~ Bead Lounge  Class and Promotions Manager, Webmaster Longmont, CO

  • Scheduled and promoted in-store arts classes and events, including internet based and print advertising.
  • Tracked  consignment artist inventory.
  • Performed retail sales and special events.
  • Designed award winning displays.

2004, 2007~ Tougaloo College Summer Art Colony  Instructor Jackson, MS

  • Designed and implemented a one week intensive polymer clay arts class for adult artists and teachers.

2000-2002~ National Polymer Clay Guild    Vice President Membership USA

  • Rebuilt and maintained large database using Microsoft Word, Access and Excel.
  • Interfaced with membership via mail, phone and email.
  • Worked with other officers to develop and promote all aspects of the organization and its  merchandising.

1984-1985~ Hsu & Co.   Assistant Manager Columbus, OH

  • Coordinated purchasing and restocking at health food store.
  • Weighed and packaged bulk fruits and nuts and other food items.
  • Provided highest quality customer service and information.

1982-1986~ Columbus Community Festival   Booth Coordinator Columbus, OH

  • Developed contracts, maintained mailing lists, sent out and received mailings of agreements for all festival booths including artists, community organizations, and food vendors.
  • Responsible for organization and placement of 150 to 200 participating vendors and groups.
  • On-site problem solving for this annual three day Arts and Community Festival.
  • Collection of daily revenue percentage for the festival organization from all booth participants.

1980-1983~ OffHand   Store Owner, Designer Columbus, OH

  • Created interior and window displays at four Columbus stores including women’s clothing and gift stores.
  • Owned and operated a wearable art gallery and gift store.
  • Designed and manufactured lines of clothing for women and children.
  • Facilitated and managed all sales including advertising, logo creation and promotions.

Education:

2009-2014 Front Range Community College    Longmont, CO
Graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree (Media Graphic Design, print and web design)

Attended BFA Theatre Arts & Design Programs from:
1977-1979 Ohio State University   Columbus, OH
1975-1976 Barat College of the Sacred Heart   Lake Forest, IL

1973-1975 Graduated  Lincoln High School   Gahanna, OH

Programs:

  • Windows and Mac operating systems
  • Adobe CS6 Photoshop
  • Adobe CS6 InDesign
  • Adobe CS6 Illustrator
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • GIMP
  • Inkscape
  • HTML, CSS
  • WordPress CMS
  • Social Networks
  • SEO, meta tags and web statistics
  • Internet Marketing integrations

Specialties:

  • Art Setup and Direction
  • Technical and instructional writing
  • Paper and digital graphic arts  (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • Digital photography and editing
  • Digital video recording and editing
  • Desktop document layout, editing and publishing
  • Branding, logo and packaging development
  • Book, magazine, and cover design
  • Website design and maintenance
  • Textile design and embellishment including beading, dyeing, painting/printing
  • Pattern design and drafting
  • Sewing and costuming decorative arts, Costume Designer and Wardrobe Mistress
  • Doll, puppet and miniature construction
  • Animation and theater arts
  • Faux-finish and set decoration
  • Mask and figure sculpting and mold making
  • Character design and development art
  • Class and project development
  • Instruction | Tutoring | Mentoring

Statement:

As an independent artist and author, I have learned the value of having many skills that interconnect. I have all of my skills available to use in design challenges, and I instruct others on how to access their own artistic and perceptive abilities. When instructing on uses of dyes and paints, textiles, sculpting, advertising art or thermoplastics used in jewelry and sculptural maquettes, the power of creative thought is emphasized and nurtured.

These skills can be honed in any creative area for their own sake–or to bring about better use of mental and physical skills in all levels of work. I am available for workshops with children, adults, those with exceptional abilities or special learning needs, and for corporate workers who wish to hone their abilities in perceptual skills and problem solving in previously unexplored ways. 

While beads, dolls, and wearable arts may seem of less import on the surface, aesthetic and ethical design qualities are at the basis of many endeavors. These things can be learned in a comfortable, non-threatening, fun and satisfying way through creative arts. Perception and the communication of it are the key elements in all my art and other endeavors. I learn well, and help others to enjoy learning also.

The uses of creativity and nurturing it in others are my specialties. Whether designing textiles, jewelry, sculpture, or writing about creative work in books and magazines, I choose to share in ways that are fun and informative while still incorporating a further understanding of ethical behavior and personal responsibility. Creativity in visual or tactile fields sparks improvement on many levels of brain and physical efforts. I make interesting and thought-provoking work, and show others that they also have the ability to do so and to develop their own creative voices.

I am seeking opportunities to apply my skills in ways that result in top quality performance of the work at hand, and to receive compensation commensurate to my results. I am ready to help others to do the same–we can all win.