Dalliance Creations Art Lab

Dalliance Creations Art Lab Nature-inspired paper and mixed-media artist specializing in quilling. Heather Smith | Dalliance Creations

I teach creative workshops that build community and invite creativity, curiosity, and reflection into everyday life. Dalliance Creations Art Lab explained: Dalliance because art has been a dalliance for me my entire life - brief and casual encounters with techniques and methods and playtime with colors and creation. Thankfully I've recently been able to make creating art a more regular occurrence.

Art lab came from thoughts on what to call my work space. "Craft room" didn't seem right, and "studio" seemed way too formal for my cozy space. "Lab" is perfect because it is all just learning and discovery through research and experimentation - new (to me) art forms, new ways of doing things, new techniques, and honing my craft through joyous trial and error.

Today I'm playing with metal embossing. So fun!
05/20/2026

Today I'm playing with metal embossing. So fun!

I'm delighted to be participating in the Wild & Luscious exhibit with the Oregon Botanical Artists at the Lake Oswego Fe...
05/18/2026

I'm delighted to be participating in the Wild & Luscious exhibit with the Oregon Botanical Artists at the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, running June 26th–28th! The exhibit explores heritage and wild food plants through art and education, and I'll have three botanical artworks included in the show.
I'll also be one of the demonstrating artists on June 28th from 12:30–2:30, sharing a look into botanical art through sketching and colored pencil techniques.
The festival is filled with wonderful art, demonstrations, and opportunities to explore the fascinating relationship between plants, food, and culture. If you're in the area, I'd love for you to stop by and say hello!

I’m excited to attend this Sketch & Sip event on Monday, May 18th at 5:30 at the Lakewood Center for the Arts with the t...
05/15/2026

I’m excited to attend this Sketch & Sip event on Monday, May 18th at 5:30 at the Lakewood Center for the Arts with the talented Robin Phillips Studio - Inspirational Art/Design. Sharing because this looks like such a fun event and I’d love to help spread the word! Hope to see others there too!

Look at these gorgeous finished pieces from Pam and Jenn! They were among the students from my recent quilled reverse ty...
05/14/2026

Look at these gorgeous finished pieces from Pam and Jenn! They were among the students from my recent quilled reverse typography class, and I just had to share — I'm always inspired by everyone's creativity and unique approaches. Beautiful work, you two!

It’s been so long since I’ve posted anything! I’ve been a bit disconnected from my hands-on art lately—off exploring, le...
04/27/2026

It’s been so long since I’ve posted anything! I’ve been a bit disconnected from my hands-on art lately—off exploring, learning, following other threads. But recently (maybe it’s spring), I’ve been feeling the pull back to slow art, paper, and just making for the sake of it. I guess this is part of the rhythm: explore, wander, and then come back to things that bring you joy. 💚

Today’s art: colored pencil on Bristol.I’m always drawn to rose hips in winter. Looking for the bright spots. 💚
01/25/2026

Today’s art: colored pencil on Bristol.
I’m always drawn to rose hips in winter. Looking for the bright spots. 💚

I’m so excited and looking forward to teaching paper quilling at the Forest Grove Library on February 28th from 1–3pm!Th...
01/25/2026

I’m so excited and looking forward to teaching paper quilling at the Forest Grove Library on February 28th from 1–3pm!

This cheerful, beginner-friendly class is a chance to brighten the last days of winter with a swirl of color, creativity, and the simple joy of making something by hand. No experience needed, and all supplies are provided.

🌸This class is free!
🌸Only 3 spots left — sign up soon!

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/69191b310562322f00306bfd

Happy New Year 💙I’ve always loved this time of year and its feeling of renewal. I’ve been spending some quiet time refle...
01/06/2026

Happy New Year 💙

I’ve always loved this time of year and its feeling of renewal. I’ve been spending some quiet time reflecting on what really motivates me and considering what I want to focus on next.

I have two big projects I’m excited about this year. One is a book exploring quilling as a fine art practice. The other is a longer-term exploration of what helps adults create, learn, and reflect in the middle of busy, full lives—and how we might make more room for that.

I’m looking forward to sharing pieces of both as they take shape. And as always, I’ll be making art, teaching, and finding ways to connect with fellow creatives and those who share an interest in human flourishing.

Here’s to 2026—one step at a time, moving toward what matters.

A few snapshots from our December quilling meetup. It’s always such a joy to spend time with this warm, gracious communi...
12/22/2025

A few snapshots from our December quilling meetup. It’s always such a joy to spend time with this warm, gracious community of creatives!

Starting next month, our meetup will expand beyond quilling to include other mediums well-suited to our cozy library space. I’m really looking forward to 2026 and all the community and creativity it will bring. Sending warm holiday wishes, creative cheer, and gratitude to each of you as we step toward a new year full of possibilities. 💚

12/13/2025

Anyone in the Hillsboro-ish area interested in taking a clay ornament class tomorrow? Artist Eileen Begley (I love her work!) is teaching "Beyond the Cookie Cutter: Ornaments" and has some rare, last-minute openings for her class at The Walters Cultural Arts Center. I'll be going - so excited!

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Hillsboro, OR

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