Blog / Shop News

BLOG News

It was a rough week for me. I was really sick Monday, and you may have noticed I did not have a new post on Tuesday. It took me all week to get my strength back and it made me realize that having a schedule and a plan for my blog is helpful.

I was doing really good having a weekly plan at the beginning of the year and I have slacked off a little, well after last week I know I will get back on schedule starting this coming month.

Pam had her last post sharing her tips and ideas for organizing a space and showing all the embarrassing photo's of my studio in chaos. She will be back a few times throughout the year sharing more tips organizing tips.

The popular post last week was Do You Love Everything you create? Check it out, lots of great comments and room for more.

A new guest post in the Artist Inspiration Series coming this Friday!

Stop by everyday, for sharing inspiring and creative ideas.

SHOP News

I started adding new items to my Etsy shop last week and more coming this week, check it out and let me know what you think.

Have a great week!

Do you Love Everything you Create?

Everyone has different tastes, and like different colors and styles.

As sales people we want to have everything for everyone so we can make the sale. As artists we want to create only what we like, so our work reflects who we are. Either way it is not easy to make everyone happy.

It's a tough decision to decide if you want to create for everyone or just yourself. I have always tried to find balance with that, ending up with a whole lot of inventory with few popular pieces that sell.

When I started working with the hardware that really helped me define my work. I choose to follow my desire to create pieces I liked knowing it would not appeal to everyone. I strive to create a variety of styles, and I love to come up with new looks and ideas.

I know the hardware is not necessarily lady like, delicate, or appeal to people who preferred beaded jewelry, but I decided to work with it because it was new for me and that was exciting. I just have to work harder finding my customer base.

What about you?

Do you create to sell as much as you can or sell items that you love to create?

Photo's to Inspire - Nature Upclose

This weeks collection of photo's from Flickr show the beauty of nature close up. The shapes, color, and textures create a inspiring collection that could be abstract art. Be Inspired.

Still Surviving........... by linlaw39

Mushroom in K's Garden Jim Frazier

Grossular Garnet (288) by Tjflex2

Spirals by jciv

Blue Turkey Tail by StGrundy

Blue in Yellow by tlindenbaum

What visual images inspire you? Let me know and I will pull together a Flickr collection, and share that you are the source of inspiration for the week they are posted.

Transformations 2010 - Pulling it All Together

When transforming a space identify the one thing you love. As you are planning, keep in mind how you will highlight that one thing. I knew I wanted to highlight Valerie's books. I wanted to make sure the books were center stage.

When displaying the items you love add art, pottery, candles or pictures to the display area to break up similar items and to create visual flow. Using knickknacks will help change heights and create dimension in the area.

If possible, move storage containers below to create display areas above. If you have things you need, but not on a regular basis, move it below out of your line of sight and label it.


While transforming your space you may move something and realize the new location does not work for you. Don't force yourself to get use to it, this process is all trial and error, so move it back.

We ran into this challenge while working on Valerie's workshop. In the end the garbage can, clock, heater, and one of two dogs stayed in their original location. After a couple of days Valerie adjusted to the new location of her calendar and printer and the second dog adjusted the her new spot as well.


Organizing should not stifle your productivity. When you transform your space don't give up your sources of inspiration. If you like a little chaos find news ways of creating it in your space without sacrificing organization.

Now how many of you are going, "huh"?

In Valerie's workshop we recreated chaos on her inspiration board and we selected vibrant fabric for a room dividing screen. You could always frame your before your transformation picture and keep them close.

Tips

1. After you clean your space invite people in to see it. The positive feedback is a great motivator for keeping it clean.

2. Downsize enough to have room to grow

3. Take before and after shots. Looking at your space in a photo may help you see things you overlook while in the space.

4. Make sure your space has proper lighting after the transformation

5. Take baby steps!

Who knew blogging could be so much fun. All of the tips shared in the last few weeks of Transformation 2010 are yours to run with, so go, be inspired to transform your space.

Stay tune for future organization posts in 2010.

Pam Moore - An aspiring organizer attempting to conquer one space at a time. As a professional coordinator, she sees the big picture, then breaks it down into details, to achieve end results. She uses these skill in organizing spaces by assessing clients needs and collaboratively finding solutions for functional spaces. You won't need an organizer, you can look forward to tips and tricks through out the year to organize your own space.

1.25.2010

7 Ways to Recharge your Creativity

Next time you need a little inspiration or you are having trouble staying focused, try one or two of these art experiences to recharge you creative battery.

Go to an art museum or gallery - take a note book, don't look at just what you think you should but what your mood draws you to see. Write down what emotions you are feeling, and ideas as they come to you.

Listen to music - sit down, relax, and listen to the music attentively. What feelings does the music inspire in you? How can you harness those feeling into a project you are working on?

Visit a craft store - check out supplies in your medium, as well as supplies in a medium you would like to try. Look at them with a fresh perspective, let the supplies inspire you.

Doodle - doodling is a great way to release your inner critic and let your hands draw free.

Explore you fantasies, daydreams, and visions - ideas can often arise from the bizarre images in you fantasies, daydreams, and visions. Take a few minutes and journal about you fantasises, and the ideas that come to you.

Play with toys - pull out some children's toys, or crayons, or play-doh, and take a few minutes to let your mind relax and be open to new ideas.

Take a drive - when you drive you can't do anything else, so use that time to let your mind wander discovering new ideas. Listen to your inner voice.

Try these activities over and over again. Do them alone or invite a friend to get their reactions and share their ideas.

What are your favorite thing to do to recharge your creative battery?

1.24.2010

Shop / Blog News

I have been inspired lately and new ideas are flowing.

Check out these new ideas you can find in my Etsy Shop...

Love natural elements, then Washers with Rocks is the collection for you.

Like funky and unique jewelry, then Floating Flowers is a fun collection you will like.

Looking for fun colors to add to your spring wardrobe Bright Washers will be full of exciting colors.

Stop by my Etsy Shop, more new items coming soon!

BLOG News

Last week I shared in the post Transformation 2010 - Functional Space the before and after shots of my studio. I look at those before pictures today and wonder how I was able to get any work done. I can't thank Pam enough for helping me with the big change in my studio and rethinking my ideas about space. Coming this Tuesday is Pam's last post about about organizing for the New Year. Don't worry she will be back thought out the year with more organizing ideas. Check out all of Pam's post to get inspired to change your own space.

New this past week was my first post of Artist Inspirations. Rachel, from Raspberrykidz shared her creative story as my first guest blogger. If you missed her post check it out and leave her a comment. I have a few more followers lined up to share their story in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

Coming this week more ways to be inspired and a creativity project to help you get the ideas flowing.

Have a great week!

1.22.2010

Artists Inspiration - Raspberrykidz

Join me in welcoming Rachel from Raspberrykidz, as she shares with us what inspires her and her creative process. Thanks Rachel!

Children are my inspiration. I have always liked bright colors and simple designs, and I think children possess a natural ability in this area, as they tend not to over think things as much as we adults do. Starting Raspberrykidz has helped me to nurture my own inner-child.

Raspberrykidz has evolved over the years. I stared about 7 years ago, when my son Ethan was a baby. We were in a playgroup with other new moms and babies. For the holidays, I wanted to give the moms a personal keepsake, so I created pictures based on each of their babies. I included their names (in raised balls above their heads) and birth dates (either in blocks or flowers by their feet). I printed these out on the computer and matted them. Everyone loved them, and I continued to make them for other moms, along with cards, baby announcements and invitations.

Then, when Ethan was a few years old, he started to make his own pictures. It’s so exciting when your first child draws their first face (or in his case, car). When he did get around to drawing people, I absolutely loved them. Each face had an expression I wanted to capture. I started silk screening his designs. We had a mini art show at the local park district. It was lots of fun. But silk screening was not practical. I don’t have a studio or the room in our townhouse. So, I started to recreated his drawings on the computer. And just like the original Raspberrykidz, I would raise parts of the picture up, to give it a 3D effect. Ethan went through a wonderful “fairy phase,” and I’m so glad I saved so many of those drawings, because now he is more into drawing Pokemon battles. We had another park district exhibit/party, and other moms started asking if I would do the same thing with their kids’ art. So I did. And that’s where I am now.

I love working with children’s art. Their pictures are so free, and their color choices are so perfectly random. Parents love the finished product, as it is something that captures a stage of their child’s development that they can showcase in their home or give to the grandparents as a special gift. And hopefully, seeing their own artwork presented in such a professional manner will, in turn, inspire the children to continue on with their artwork.

You can see Rachel's work on:
facebook
etsy shop
web site
blog

1.21.2010

Movies and Inspiration

Have you ever noticed when you are watching a movie you are looking around at everything but the actors on screen? I have missed scenes checking out a necklace on someone in the background, or the shape of a building. I find movies to be a big source of inspiration.

In movies you can see places and things you don't see in your everyday life, as well as learn about different lifestyles, and time periods.

I have created many piece from furniture, other jewelry, or buildings I saw in movies. If you look around while watching a movie or even a TV show, you will see several things that might inspire an idea.

I recently saw the movie Up in the Air and I loved the shots of the ground from airplane. The shapes and colors gave me several new ideas I could being to my work, and I really liked the movie too!

Of course movies about artists such a Pollock or Frieda are another source of inspiration seeing how they created and what was behind their desire to create.

Spend some time this weekend checking out the background of a movie. See how many new ideas you can come up with, that inspire new designs.

What movie has inspired you to create?

1.20.2010

Photo's to Inspire - Water

A couple of weeks ago nomadcraftsetc left a comment on the Geometric Shapes post about how she is inspired by water. You can see this in her amazing glass beads and lampwork tobacco pipes.

I love photo's of water too, so this week I searched Flickr for some unique photo's of water. Be inspired.

Mineral water 13 by frscspd

The Magic of Water by ubigene

Symposium of Water and Ice by Tapio Hurme

Love, Light & Water by Aaron Reed

Water Drop by Cindy's World

Blue Planet by Lumatic

What visual images inspire you? Let me know and I will pull together a Flickr collection, and share that you are the source of inspiration for the week they are posted.

1.19.2010

Transformation 2010 - Functional Space

Designated areas

Starting the year off with a clean organized space allows for you to focus on your art, business or hobby, without the worry of uninspired space.

As you clean, take advantage of cleared space by considering how you can rearrange large work surfaces. For example, in Valerie's workshop she had two desks for making jewelry. One desk was under utilized which made it easier for me to convince her to eliminate it all together.

Freeing up floor space allows for greater flow and function. In Valerie's case, eliminating the extra desk, moving the existing photo station, and moving the computer desk created better flow throughout her workshop.

Newly designated areas for mailing, business duties, and sewing maximized the functionality of her space by making them all within arms reach.

Highly functional spaces start with clean surfaces, though keeping the surfaces clean is usually the problem. Using desk top organizers will help, but creating a habit of putting things away is even better.

Tips

1. - Look around your space and consider the level of usage for each piece. If you have under utilized furniture, let it go. Another persons junk is someone else's treasure.

2. - Consider your daily activities when designating the location of supplies or items you use regularly.

3. Use your support person by asking them to look at your space and help you decide where large items can be moved -another person can add a fresh perspective

What is your favoite desk organizer?

Post by Pam Moore - Open space

Pam Moore - An aspiring organizer attempting to conquer one space at a time. As a professional coordinator, she sees the big picture, then breaks it down into details, to achieve end results. She uses these skill in organizing spaces by assessing clients needs and collaboratively finding solutions for functional spaces. You won't need an organizer, you can look forward to tips and tricks through out the year to organize your own space.

1.18.2010

I am inspired by jewelry artists past and present. Today's Artist to Know is one of my favorites. Enjoy his unique and inspiring work.

Art Smith (1917 - 1982)

Art Smith was a Jewelry Artist who designed avant-garde jewelry in the 1950's. Considering that Smith was a gay black man, his work was admired and commissioned by several stores including Bloomingdales and featured in Vogue and Harpers magazine.

Art was part of the American modernist jewelry movement. He viewed the human body as a armature for his jewelry, and it was an incomplete sculptural expression until it was related to the body.

His work included large asymmetrical necklaces and earrings that were hand-hammered from wire and sheet. He liked to create large cuff bracelets that covered the entire forearm and large rings.

Smith opened a shop in Little Italy in New York City in 1946, and moved his shop to Greenwich Village in 1948, where he stayed until ill health forced him to close in 1979.

Smith was lucky to have enjoyed a certain amount of recognition while he lived. He was included in several exhibitions and sold to craft shops across the country.

Two noteworthy commissions were a brooch presented to Eleanor Roosevelt and cuff links for Duke Ellington.

You can read more on Art Smith at modernsilver.com.

1.17.2010

Blog / Shop News

BLOG News

Last week the post Artist & Fear, started a great conversation, take a minute and check it out, maybe even add your two cents.

When I started this year I set big goals for my blog. I am glad to say that things are moving forward. A couple of weeks ago I started with my first guest blogger Pam and her tips for organizing.

I am very excited to start a new series starting this Friday called Artist Inspirations. Guest bloggers from the Additions Style Blog community will be writing a post about what inspires them and how they use their inspiration. It will be a way for us to get to know each other and be inspired by our stories.

I will also have a new guest blogger who is a art therapist and will post regularly with tips, projects, and quotes to keep you inspired to create. Look for her posts starting in a week.

I am working hard to create a blog experience that encourages you to be creative and place we can share and grow as artists. If you know someone who would like to join us, please share the link to the blog.

SHOP News

I have a new collection coming soon.

Here's a sneak peek...

What do you think?

I hope you have a great week!

1.16.2010

Journal Your Way

Do you find keeping a journal challenging? I did, until I changed my idea of using a journal.

I think what is hard is the idea of keeping a journal. We have these preconceived notions about what we should write in a journal but that doesn't have to be the case. I have written a few posts about journal styles such as Journal your Way to Self Discovery, and Journal Styles that are full of ideas about keeping a journal.

Today's post is about creating a journal as unique as you. I don't really keep a journal in the traditional way, I use a sketch book that I draw in often and when I read I keep notes of idea and information I want to share. That's what I consider a journal.

Last week in the comments of the post Transformations 2010 - Getting Started MooreMagnets said "I am currently documenting my organizing journey on my blog", using your blog is another way to journal.

A friend of mine said that one of her goals this year is to do something every month that she has never tired before and to journal about her experiences, that's her idea of a journal.

Their are many ideas for creating a unique journal that is all about you. Try writing or doing a collage about things you learn, ideas you have, things that happen to you, experiences you have, or even a food journal with all the recipes you try and how they taste. The ideas are endless.

Choose topics that intrigue and compel you, those are the things that will keep you writing and working on having a journal that means something to you.

What type of journal do you keep?

1.15.2010

Starting Next Week - A New Series

I have been looking into adding guest bloggers to my blog for more interesting content and ideas. I put out a shout out last week in the Etsy forums, and had Rachel from Rasberrykidz respond. We have been sending messages back and forth about what she could do, and in the process I was inspired.

As I search to find inspirational and creative content for my blog, I did not think to look directly into our community until talking with Rachel.

Well a new series is born called: Artist Inspirations.

With this series the artists who participate will have an opportunity to write a guest blog post about what inspires them and how they use their inspiration. It will give us an opportunity to get to know each other and be inspired by the stories of fellow artists in our community.

I am very excited to get this series started! Since Rachel was the inspiration for this new series, she will be my first guest blogger. You can read about Rachel's inspiration next Friday 1/22, you won't want to miss it.

1.14.2010

Artist & Fear

As artists, we know fear. We fear no one will like our work, no one will purchase what we make, and in our ability to create. But a fear we have all felt at least once is when an idea is executed the idea will never be as good as it is our mind.

I fear this all the time. I have great ideas, sometimes I even put them on paper as I work them out in my head, but when I go to create them I can't get it right, and I can't figure out how to make it right. Does this happen to you?

I have wasted a lot of material on my fear. I work on an item trying to figure out how to make it better, and it never happens. When I show my family the idea they don't understand why I think something is wrong. Even if I explain it, they still don't see the problem. Well at least my mom, sister, and daughter, have wonderful jewelry collections with all the items I have rejected.

Fear is something we have to overcome ourselves. Their are lots of books on the subject, as well as web sites and blog posts, but when it comes down to it we have to let go of the fear and believe in our abilities, and our creations!

What is an artistic fear you have? Have you overcome it? If so how?

1.13.2010

Photo's to Inspire - Old Buildings

A few weeks ago TheNikiProject left a comment that she is inspired by "old, rundown, forgotten, falling apart, decaying buildings. Houses, barns, industrial, castles, you name it. There's just something so romantic about it.. :)" So I searched Flickr and found this amazing collection.

The Crooked Old House by NE nature

Two Guns, Arizona: two doors and a window by Mrs Rachel

IMG 0029-2 by Andrea & Tim Wilson

Rustic Buildings by SJBuvel

Falling Down by 1961modelcar

Square Composition by Ken Foto

Forest Reclaiming Hotel by Can't Equalize

Thanks Niki for sharing your inspiration!

What visual images inspire you? Let me know and I will pull together a Flickr collection, and share that you are the source of inspiration for the week they are posted.

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