Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Girls, Girls, Girls!

Girl in progress...
It's girls, girls, girls here. I've been taking Christy Tomlinson's She Art Workshop and loving it. I registered for it because a couple of friends were going to take it and I thought it might be fun to play with my mixed media supplies again. As the workshop approached I got more and more excited and when it debuted on Monday I swear I was all aquiver with excitement. It's just so much fun to have something special to look forward to even if that something special is just some classes online.

Pitt artist pens by F.C.
I started to watch the first week's videos as soon as they were posted on Mon. morning. I got through about four then. All about supplies, super cool things to do with supplies, how to layer to make fabulous textured backgrounds.... so so so much fun. I went to Dick Blick the next day and spent all my allowance for the month. But I got the coolest things... my favorites being the Faber Castell PITT artist pens. They come in three different tips, I like using the brush tip best. What is so darn cool about these pens is that they're india ink pens. Super vibrant and they worked like a dream. They go on looking like any kind of marker but if you're using them on a hard glossy surface, or on a sealed surface like I was, then you can rub that sharp line to create a soft shading effect. I used them to do the shading around my girl's face and in her hair. You can see how soft they are. I tried to do the same thing on regular paper and they just looked like marker again. I would never have given them a second glance in the stores. But Christy raved about them and demonstrated how super cool they were so I got a few. LOVE! So I'm glad to have taken the class just for that little discovery. But I'm also glad because I've never tried doing girls before and really enjoyed the paper doll aspect of them. My first girl is a Prayer Girl. She has her Bible and is waiting on the Lord. I've got another girl who's praising and then two more canvases being prepped. Definitely girls, girls, girls around here. :) I'll keep you updated. ;)
Just about done....

Monday, February 28, 2011

Excuses...excuses...

They're not valid reasons... They feel super important...but they're not- they're excuses.

I had to laugh at myself today as I started thinking about all the excuses I come up with. Nothing like "She can't trust anymore... she was mentally incapacitated... she was one-handed and blind..."

Nope. The first things that came to mind as reasons for not trying or dreaming or pursuing something really go more like....
I don't know what we're having for supper.
I just cleaned up the table
I should really put my time towards a work out or running errands
There's so much laundry to do
You have no more money
There's no trim around your windows
Wasn't it three days ago that you last showered?
The rug has adhered itself onto the floor, might be time to clean that
I can't find my art supplies because my studio is such a mess
I don't actually want to go into the studio now because it'll just overwhelm me
I'll work after I clean it up first
I feel so uninspired
I feel in need of coffee first
Wasn't there a package to mail?
I forgot to send thank you cards and the party was a month ago

Don't get me wrong, I found other more "typical" excuses applied to me as well. Things we tell ourselves like...
You're not pretty enough or thin enough or confident enough
You didn't finish college
You might sound dumb because you don't know something
You get depressed and hide sometimes
There are people who are more qualified
Maybe you're just fooling yourself
No one will understand you
No one will "get" your art
No one will pay for _____
Any day now you'll fall flat and not be able to get up
You're not strong enough....
You probably don't have what it really takes to make it
It's not worth the time and energy it take to put yourself out there
You're taking time away from your family


I know you've probably got your list too and some of your reasons might be far more valid then mine. But they're still excuses. Things we tell ourselves so that we don't have to feel bad about not trying or dreaming or stretching out. They're walls we put up ourselves so we can claim the way is blocked. What are your excuses? Do you listen or do you believe and try anyways? It can feel selfish to spend the afternoon creating instead of planning menus for the week, or washing your kids' bedding. But I know how depleted I get if I don't allow myself that time. It's necessary for me to create and to create is necessary for my soul. So here's to no excuses.....

ps- I was just at a friend's blog and she had a perfect answer to this today. I love it when that happens! Thanks Shelley!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Playtime Supplies

It's 1:30 in the afternoon and I'm eating my lunch as I type this, every moment I have lately I'm trying to cram one more thing into it. Time is time. We all have the same amount of it but how we use it says a lot about us.Time is, I believe, more precious to many of us then money. After all if asked to donate to a cause would rather donate your Saturday afternoon or some cash

Time is precious to me because I have so much to do in such seemingly short days. Usually playing with art supplies, journaling, and reading a good book all get punted to the bottom of my to-do list, but I'm trying to re prioritize them back to the top. At least, kind of near the top of the list. So I made some time to play a bit the other day and snapped a couple of pics to share. I love making these photo holders out of old books. I think because I get to use all my papercrafting stuff, like old paper and fun rub-on's. I just picked up a chipboard set by Basic Grey last week and found all kinds of cute stuff in it.

How do you fill that well? Is it a bit of journaling first thing each morning? Is it grabbing a block of time every once in a while and shutting out the rest of the world and your to-do list? I'd love to know- so please leave a comment!


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My Journey into Blogland

This pic was inspired by those on the Raining Sheep blog
It's huge, vast, and I felt like an explorer braving the grand unknown. In the last few days I've spent over 8 hours in blogland reading, surfing, jumping from blog to blog. I've never put so much concentrated energy into checking out other people's blogs. The blogs I usually read are blogs that I've come to organically (for lack of a better description), they're written by friends, or found through a link in a friend's post or recommendation. Rarely have I taken the time to really search out other artist's blogs.

I had an assignment you see, find 14 links to specific blog posts that fit your theme. I chose inspiration because it's an endless fascination to me and I figured I wouldn't mind putting in some time reading about what inspires people most. Then I split it up into smaller subthemes like "finding inspiration at home", or "being brave and acting on your inspirations" or " about blogging your inspirations". But I found it really hard to just type in something like "inspired by art materials blog" into Google and find something like I wanted. So I took another tack and tried picking artists who I thought really really love their art supplies and then reading their blog until I find something that fit. Really NOT the most efficient way to search out an unknown post on a specific topic. Finally, feeling completely loopy I would end up just blog hopping and forgetting completely what it was I had been searching for.

Photo from Raining Sheep
Here are a few things that I figured out from all that time blog hopping:
1) Pictures matter- a lot. One of the things that would keep me on a blog were the pictures. Was the color nice, were they crisp, did they appeal to me aesthetically or emotionally? Did the photographer shoot from unexpected angles? Some of the pics that appealed to me least were people's trip photo's. Many that appealed to me were photo's of someone's living room, or a vignette in a window. Nothing special as it's focus but so so pretty to look at when done right. One blog I really enjoyed because of the photo's was Raining Sheep.
2) I like the post written in a friendly "just stopped to chat" sort of tone. That might just be because that's how I like to write so that's a personal preference. I also like it when a blogger really comes across with a voice that's authentic. They really share who they are and aren't just hyping their art or niche interest. Ranting occasionally is ok- if it's something your passionate about, but if you do it every post it gets annoying and I want to move on.
3) I like good content and I like it when others are sharing something I find interesting or valuable. For instance, I really enjoyed this post by Tanner Christensen at his Creative Something blog. Which really turned out to be a great find. Many of the tools or ideas he expresses in his blog are things I spoke on in my book but from a slightly different perspective.
4) I really like tutorials. I love seeing people's ideas and projects brought to life. I'm a craft book junkie though and a good tutorial is just like a fix for me. It makes me want to see more. So blogs that either had their own tutorials or linked to tutorials by others were super fun.
5) I like a blog that's not overwhelming to look at. Too many colors and textures and fonts and it makes me want to hop along to the next blog. That being said, I do like colors and textures and pretty fonts but feel like there has to be a balance and something that's over the top in this area (or has too much information in it's sidebars, or has too many flashy things going on, or plays music...) just overstimulates me. Making use of the pages option is a very good alternative to putting it all on the front page. Here's a blog that I feel does it just right. I want to spend time here.

So the best part about my time spent blog hopping was that it gave me a clearer vision of what I'd like this blog to be. Some things I think I'm doing fairly well, some things I'd like to improve, and some things are just really really good ideas that I think you'd enjoy too. Like video tutorials and digital art. I'd like to learn more about these as well as just how to take better photos in general so I could create really cool visuals for the blog. I really do love how blogs are organic and are constantly changing and evolving by their very nature. So how about you? Anything you can think of to add that you really feel draws you to a certain blog? Is there something you feel you're doing well on your own blog? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. As always, thank you for your comments!!!

Monday, February 21, 2011

An Unexpected Detour

Clipboard by The Old Shop Teacher on Etsy
Detours are often a blessing in disguise. We'll be sailing along following the map marked out for us but suddenly the way is blocked. The blessing is that when the way is clear before us we often don't pay attention to the way. We don't feel we need to but when our way becomes blocked we suddenly check in again and pay attention. This happened last week. I had a to-do list I was working from when suddenly a friend went into labor and I was called in to help with her kids. I do the mama thing in my sleep now with my little boy but watching my friend's children had me on my toes again. But it was SO rewarding too. She has a little girl and a little boy who reminds me so much of my son when he was that age. I got to cuddle before nap time with the little boy like I used to with Jasper when he was two, and read some of Jasper's favorite stories. I got to introduce the little girl to Sleeping Beauty, and monkey bear sandwiches, and taught her how to draw princess dresses. I think I had more fun then they did. Although they seemed to be pretty pleased when I would show up again the next day. Being there when my friend brought home her little baby was a super special moment as was telling the kids that their new little sissie had arrived.

If it hadn't been for this detour my days would have been spent working off my to-do list. Cleaning the house, running errands, listing stuff on etsy, and writing some articles. I would have spent the days alone and they would've been no big deal. So the detour in my days made something memorable of the time instead. There are so many things in our lives that are detours. The unexpected diagnosis, the allergies you now have to cook around, the job opportunity, the call to action, or the volunteer position you didn't see coming; these are all detours that we might see as trouble and delay but hold blessings as well. If you stop and think about the hard things I bet you too will see blessings that have come from them.

This week it'll be back to things as usual.. to art as usual. But I'm better for having had an expected detour. So are you. :)Thanks for reading!!!!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Clay and Wire Flying Heart Pendant Tutorial

Just to spread a little extra love today I put together this little clay and wire pendant tutorial for you. I hope you enjoy it and Happy Valentine's Day!!!








 Heart with Wings Pendant Tutorial

Tools and Materials:
For Wire Wrap:
-16-gauge steel wire
- Heavy duty wire cutters
-Needle nose pliers (optional)
For Clay steps:
-Polymer clay in two contrasting colors: I used Studio by Sculpey in a peacock blue and a red
- Little flying heart stamp or mini wings stamped.
-White acrylic glaze: you can use fluid acrylics or acrylic with a little glaze mixed in. I used Studio by Sculpey antiquing medium since I had some on hand.
- Acrylic clay roller: You can sub anything round and non stick here. I've used the glass tube my vanilla beans came in for years.
- Stylus: Again, anything sort of sharp can be subbed here. I've started using this because it has the sharp end and I can use the handle to roll the clay smooth.
- Rubber paintbrush (optional) for smoothing clay
- Silicon baking mat (only used for clay) or a teflon craft mat and bakingpan
- Oven: ideally a little oven just for baking clay but your kitchen one will do.
- Paper towels

 Step One: About 3" from end of wire make a small loop. Then make a quick bend down and form wire into a square-ish shape. Wrap wire around twice and then cut wire.








Step Two: Break off 3-4 squares of the blue and "condition" the clay by rolling it, smooshing it over, kneading it a bit, then rolling and smooshing it again. Continue until clay is soft and malleable.





Step Three: Form clay into a squareish shape a little bit bigger than your wire form. Press your wire form into the clay.








 Step Four: Firmly press stamp into clay. Use rubber paintbrush to smooth out marks you don't want.








Step Five: Tear off a small piece of red clay and condition as above. Form into a tiny little heart. Press into place and then use stylus to write "love" into cay and then add any scratches or marks you'd like to see.






Step Six: Bake as directed by manufacturer. I do bake mine for a little less time then recommended and then turn off the oven. I leave the tray in the oven as they cool, keeping the oven door shut.







Step Seven: Using a rag or paper towel rub paint into recessed areas and stamped areas. Then using a clean part of the rag wipe across the top surface of your pendant cleaning off the paint. If desired seal with a clear acrylic medium. Add a jump ring, and a bit of ribbon and you've got your own little flying heart necklace. You can see the finished pendant at the top of this page. Have a wonderful day, and I'm wishing you all love today!!!

I Love....

Image Courtesy of Single Stone Studios
It's All About LOVE today and I thought I'd share a few of mine with you.

Friends Whose Art I Love:
-Shelley, from Single Stone Studios (art top left) is one of my very best friends and a wonderful artist/designer. I love her vinyl decals- they're gorgeous designer art for your walls. I have her "fly".
-Cristi, from 2 if by Sea (art top right) is another one of those love to talk to you friends of mine, and I truly think she's one of the most talented jewelry designers out there. She puts beads, trinkets, pendants and wire together in ways that are always just right and just perfect. I have a few of her necklaces and a bracelet that makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it.
-Catina of Catina Jane Arts (art bottom left) is a new friend of mine but I am lovin' getting to know her and her art a bit more. She's truly truly amazing and I need to make one of her collages mine. Soon. :)

Supplies I Love:
Just tonight I was cleaning off my craft mat and rejoicing in it's ability to look completely grimy and yet clean up so spectacularly. It's an amazing bit of technology I've gotten really really attached to.

My Sakura glaze pens and souffle pens are my go to's for making marks on paper, canvas, and metal. It's the writing on metal part that really hooked me.

My wire. It's oily and grimy but comes in big ol' spools that just make me happy to see them.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sign Me Up

I don't know if I've actually mentioned it but I've been taking the Soul Restorations online class taught by Melody Ross. I registered for it just a day before registration actually closed, it was a total last minute decision that was the result of a dream I had (in the dream I'd missed registration and really really regretted it). I knew I wouldn't be able to start until it was already a couple of weeks in, but I decided I needed a reason to take some time to refuel. So I purchased the class as a tool to motivate me to refocus my attention inward for a while. It's worked great. There are fabulous videos, a super fun curriculum, and I love the projects I've done as a part of the class. It's also focused my journaling which has really helped me get in touch with how I feel about life right now, my art, my goals, and has helped me figure out what I'm really willing to put my energy into.
I would highly recommend it. People I know will just randomly come to mind as I work through a lesson and I'll think "if only they knew this", or "if only they could experience this". It just really hits home in a lot of ways.

Soul Restorations is the second online course I've taken. The first was Kelly Rae Roberts' Flying Lessons which is another I really enjoyed and felt was well worth my time and money. I know many of you are constantly taking online courses but it's something I just didn't know much about and felt pretty trepiditious about. But after these two experiences I'm excited to keep going. Then a friend mentioned a class that begins at the end of the month that she and another friend had signed up for. It's called The She Art Workshop by Christy Tomlinson. I had never heard of her or the class but jumped onto her website to take a look and fell in love- hard- with Christy's art. So whereas the first class I took was fabulous for it's information about the business of art, the second class is great because of how it's refocused me, this third one just looks like fun. So I think I'll do this too.


I was hoping that a few of you had some killer courses you'd like to recommend as well. It's fun to find out what's out there. I also know of something super cool that's just debuting that will act as a clearing house of sorts for all the fun e-courses out there.
To quote , "The FEEL GOOD DEAL OF THE DAY arrives in your inbox each weekday morning, alerting you to sweet savings on creative, artistic, soul-stirring, spirit-lifting products and programs. Created and delivered with love by [Liv Lane of] ChoosingBeauty.com." So check it out, and if you have anything to cue us in on, please leave a comment!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Artist's Giveaway on Create Mixed Media- A Creative Bloom Prize Package!!!

I am SO excited because today on the new Create Mixed Media website they posted their very first giveaway- of my book! Because this is a very special giveaway they're not just giving away the book; it's the book, plus wire, plus needles and floss, plus fabric scraps, plus a heavy duty wire cutter, plus a needle nose pliers, PLUS a scribble heart I made for your wall and a wee little one to put in your pocket. It's EVERYTHING you need to get started creating wire and fabric sculptures with a bit of art to boot.
So run, hop, or jump on over to this site and register to win this amazing, fabulous, crazy cool prize package!!!
(Oh and spread the word too- Yay! Thanks!)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

On Hitting Thirty...

Right away I want you to know this is not a post about how I turned thirty or the soul searching I did as it happened. No, this is a quick little "hurrah" post because I just counted and I've now 30 original tutorials here on the blog for you all to enjoy. I'm excited because a tutorial isn't an easy thing to write and takes time but I really love to do it, and I believe they add value to a blog.

I also come from a strong family background of teachers. My mom and dad, my grandma, my aunt and uncle, my great aunts, all teachers. I have a lot of respect for teachers and although I said I never EVER wanted to be one, I do find myself teaching in all sorts of other roles. I've taught children art in schools, I've taught moms art through my moms group, I've had the pleasure of introducing my son to art and now I've had the pleasure of sharing my interests, experiments, and fun stuff I've tried with you. I secretly always wanted a place I could share the latest cool thing I discovered with others. Others who care and are interested. I also love the open sharing that tutorials represent. I enjoy being generous with my time and artistic discoveries, just as I appreciate it when others do the same. It really does foster an environment of friendliness and discourages the me vs. you attitude artists can sometimes feel.
So please, if you haven't yet, take a couple of minutes and check out my tutorials tab at the top of the page. And I think this momentous occasion calls for a new goal. Maybe hitting 60 within the next year? That would be SO COOL. I'm going to start doing some of them as video's too. So stay tuned!!!