Candy Colors

This weekend I had the kind of studio time I have been dreaming about for some time now. I worked and worked and was super excited with the results.  

I have always wanted to learn how to make a God's Eye so I looked up some videos online and finally made my own.  I used paper straws for sticks but I'd like to get some dowel rods or maybe even make some with my handmade arrows.  This color combo makes me want to eat a bunch of candy.

That project is what put me in the direction of my next project.  I wanted to make some wreaths that were similliar to my dreamcatchers.  The tassel was inspired by the God's Eye.  The use of black is pretty new for me and I like the contrast it brings. I think it helps make everything pop.  All these colors and fun things brightened up my mood so much.

After this I was on to the next one and decided to use strings of felt feathers instead of the tassel.  That giraffe was hanging out in my pile of stuff so he was included at the end and seemed to bring it all together.

I am now exploring some new color schemes for these and considering adding a dreamcatcher web to them.  

This is the happiest I have been in a while. I'm excited to be working again.

What are your projects? Are you making holiday gifts? Please share!

Shop

I have been filling up my etsy shop with lots of goodies. In a very perfect world I would be able to hire a photographer who could teach me how to shoot the best possible product photos ever. I just cannot understand how to use a camera.  I always want to blame the camera but I know the saying about not blaming the tools...Click the picture for more details. I do free gift wrap!

Dream Springs

I'm really into tassels right now. Last night I was able to work for a bit in my studio and I finished up this blue jersey dreamcatcher. I fought the urge to add anything else to it and just went with the simplicity.

I also listened to Fleetwood Mac's Silver Springs and felt feelings because if any song will make you feel feelings it's that one.  Stevie Nicks is my muse.

Quietly quiet.

Hi! How was your weekend?  Did you have a long weekend filled with so much food? Did you shop? Did you celebrate Thanksgiving and or Hanukkah? If so I hope you had a fabulous holiday.  If not, I hope you had a fabulous weekend. 

This was the first Thanksgiving weekend that I haven't worked in retail since I was in grad school.  Trust me I savored every second of it.  Saturday was my birthday and I quietly turned 31.  It's hard to imagine that ten years ago I not-so-quietly turned 21.  My how times have changed. 

My husband gave me my gifts in bed.  I got a few books that I had been wanting and was surprised with a few other goodies. We had a shopping day a couple of weeks ago where he patiently followed me around stores and paid attention as I lingered over things. He did a great job with his picks!

My super talented friend Robyn snuck a gift into my mailbox while I was out and about. She had been working on this beautiful broach for sometime, leaving little clues here and there on her instagram account.  I'm so in love with it. I recently realized how much I love swans, especially swan "things" so this was a very timely gift.

I worked in my studio a bit this weekend as well.  I'm finding ways of diving back in by making small things that make me happy. I'll figure out what to do with it later.

These feathers are going to be put to good use soon.  I feel quite content.

Do not forget about the Artists Heal PH shop.  There are still tons of great goodies left.  Buy yourself or someone you love a handmade gift and know that you are supporting relief in the Philippines.  Here are a few things you can still get your hands on... (Click on the image for details)

Happy shopping! 

Artists Help

When a typhoon struck the Philippines a few weeks ago I have felt nothing but helpless.  I've listened to news stories and heard people pleading for help. I was so happy when Nancy from Pretty Little Thieves reached out to me and asked me to participate in a fundraiser. Yes yes a thousand times yes! This is a time when art can really help.  I packed up a box full of goodies and sent it off to be sold in a shop with all proceeds going toward relief.  I am blown away by all the wonderful donations that have been submitted. You can check out a preview on the instagram feed.

A big cartel shop will open tomorrow, Thanksgiving day, November 28.  This is the one store I will be grateful for being open on the holiday. ( :

 Be sure to check back in tomorrow and in the following days to pick yourself up a piece of art and know you are helping support a great cause.

Happy Thanksgiving to you if you celebrate the holiday. If you do not, Happy Thursday to you and I will see you soon.

(Images are from Pretty Little Thieves blog.)

Dream Home

Today I'm dreaming.  We have had our house for over a year now and I love it but it still doesn't feel like home. I think I still treat it like it's an apartment so I am afraid to make a lot of cosmetic changes. I am also just not ready to truly settle down and dream about the day we will move some place further south where it's warmer.  I would love to settle in Nashville and even though it would still be a few years before we could make a move like that I am still mentally packing my bags.

I've culled pinterest for some inspirational ideas that may help me with decorating my home and feeling more like I belong here.  Click the image for the link.

Everything about this place.... everything...


I wish I could get my studio to this state. Minimal-ish, sooooo white, soooo organized.  This space would be amazing.


That rug haunts me in my dreams. I want it so bad.


Drool...


I wish I could have those tiled walls. Does anyone think that mirror is hung for a super tall person? I would maybe be able to see my bangs in that mirror? If I tease them high enough.


Oh my gosh what if this was in my backyard?! I would make it my year-round studio and make all the arts in here.  I die just thinking about it.


I'm going to start drawing up plans for my southern fried dream home. In the meantime I will do my best to make my current place a lot dreamier.

xoxo

Making Stuff

Hi!

How was your weekend? I hope you filled it with lots of sweet things like candy.

I did what I said I would do and I worked in my studio.  It felt so good. I'm excited about what I am working on finally and even feel motivated to work on both arts and crafts.  

Here is the progression of my latest drawing.

 At one point last night I was worried I was overworking it so I decided I should set it aside for a day or two before I figure out how to finish it. I hope the addition of the glitter will not be regretted later. My husband wasn't into it but he isn't into glitter as a general rule so I felt like I  could disregard his opinion.

I am fast at work on a new piece.  I'm going through old sketchbooks and am working with imagery that I created while I was in grad school.  At the time I was making these weird drawings I could never figure out how to use them in my work so they were mostly ignored.  Now I am excited to return to this because they are starting to mean something different to me so the thought process is a new one to work through.

It feels so good to be making stuff again.  And thank you to everyone who had such kind words to say. It helped keep me motivated in my down time.

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