Just for Fun

It always amazes me how people get so into Halloween. In my neighborhood decorating for Halloween is a art form. 

At our house we keep it simple, and pass out candy to all the trick or treaters.  I have some friends who decorate their house inside and out, bake things, and even dress up.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween? 

Do you have Halloween traditions at your house? 

Artful Blogging

Winter 2011

For the past year in a half I have been enjoying a magazine called Artful Blogging.

If you have not had a chance to check out this magazine it's worth exploring.  It's visually beautiful, full of inspiring stories of artist who blog, and a few tips that you can use for your own blog. 

Since I started reading this magazine I have discovered several new blogs that have become my new favorites. 

The magazine comes out 6 times a year and it's worth every penny.  You can read all about this wonderful magazine or get information to submit your own blog on their website.

Have you checked out Artful blogging?  What do you think?

Be Inspired - The color Orange

Words to Inspire

“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.”
John Burroughs

Idea to Inspire

Use, wear, and enjoy the color orange this week.

Photos to Inspire

Today I took inspiration from one of autumn's most exciting colors.  The artist on Flickr show us how beautiful orange can be.



Orange Sunset by Doug Wheller



Orange by Todd Ryburn



Orange by AlbinoCavewoman



Blazing Orange and gold Bromeliad white cup and black stamens by Jungle Mama

It's the Season of Art

SOFA Catalog 2006

Not only is the holiday season getting under way, it's also the season of art. This is the time of year museums roll out major exhibitions, major show announce dates for new shows, art groups plan events, and there are lots of gallery openings.

Here in Chicago, we have an amazing art show called SOFA (Sculpture Objects Functional Art), it happens every November and it's the start of the Chicago art season.  When SOFA comes to town there are gallery openings all over town, and lots of fun art events.

This is the perfect time of year to check out art events in your area.  Find time to attend one or several of your local events.  What a great way to recharge your creative spirit.

Do you have an event that you like to attend during the art season?

Artist to Know - Ansel Adams

I love doing the Artist to Know feature, because I get to learn about artists and their lives.  Today's artist is very famous and well known, and I learned a lot of new things about him researching for this post.   I hope you enjoy his amazing work as much as I do!

Ansel Easton Adams
(February 20, 1902 – April 22, 1984)

Ansel Adams was an American photographer and environmentalist, best known for his black-and-white photographs of the American West, especially in Yosemite National Park

Adams primarily used large-format cameras, despite their size, weight, setup time, and film cost, because their high resolution helped ensure sharpness in his images.

Adams's timeless and visually stunning photographs are reproduced on calendars, posters, and in books, making his photographs widely recognizable.

His lasting legacy includes helping to elevate photography to an art comparable with painting and music, and equally capable of expressing emotion and beauty.

"It is easy to take a photograph, but it is harder to make a masterpiece in photography than in any other art medium." Ansel Adams

Read all about Ansel Adams and see his work on the Ansel Adams website.

Artfire Shop

Artfire Shop

Grand Opening

November 1, 2010

I've jumped on board and opened an Artfire shop.  I have been working on it for the last few week getting it ready for my Grand Opening on November 1. 

There are lots of features on Artfire and I have been trying to figure out all the ways to make my shop memorable.

I am hoping that having an Artfire shop will give me a few more sales this holiday season. I know it won't be like having a Etsy shop, but a few more sales never hurt.

Do you have an Artfire shop?  Share a tip on how you make your shop look good, and get your shop noticed on Artfire. 

Art Club

I am lucky to have a group of friends that are into learning about and enjoy art.  We started a art club earlier this year and meet every month. 

We have a art teacher in our group that teaches art history, and he puts together informative presentations for every meeting.  I have learned so much participating in our monthly art club, and I look forward to going every month.   

This time is important to me. I spend most days by myself working, and I don't talk to many people during the day.  The opportunity to get away and talk about art is a nice contrast to working alone all day.  It's also nice that their is always lots of good things to eat and tasty wine to sample.

It was really easy to put our group together, here is what we did:

The couple that started our group asked one of their fiends and they asked a friend and they asked a friend and next thing we knew we had a group of about 15 people. 


We picked a day to meet each month, and created a monthly list of who was going to bring the food to the meeting.


Like I said we have someone who loves to do presentations and puts together our program, but if you wanted to start your own group you could easily have each person in the group switch off each month and do a presentation about an art subject of their choice. 


You can also take it one step further and actually do art projects (I have another group of friends that get together to try out new art material, but I will tell you about them another time). This will give everyone the opportunity to learn a little something, and experiment with a new art medium.

Getting together like this is a great way to learn more about art and experience new art mediums.  Grab your friends and put together your own art club.

What do you do art related outside of working?


 

Check This Out...

This is a monthly post where you can share 3 things about yourself or your business. Giving us an opportunity to get to know each other and our businesses.

Suggested ideas:
-business goals or goals you have met
-books you are reading
-a new project you are starting or doing
-places you have visited
-blog posts you have enjoyed
-a post you have written that you would like to share
-new items you have added to your shop
-new materials you are working with
-family plans or an event you are excited about
-need help with an idea - ask for help
All I ask is that you are a follower of my blog to participate and that you check out a few links from the other people who leave comments.
Let me know if you have any ideas or questions, I would love to here your suggestions. You can contact me at additionsstyleblog@gmail.com.

Be Inspired - The Leaf

Words to Inspire

“Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.”
Benjamin Spock

Idea to Inspire

Next time you see a beautiful leaf look at it closely, check out every detail and line. Use those details to create something special.

Photos to Inspire

Today's photos showcase amazing artists on Flickr. Enjoy the colors, textures, and details of each of these beautiful leaves.


Translucent Red Leaf by tokyocannon


R-A-D #135 5/15/2010 "Fallen Leaf" by Maria Apostolou


Banana Leaf by ecotist


Fire in Montana - Sumac leaf by montanaraven


Almond leaf burnished in silver and gold by jungle mama

7 Ideas to Lower your Stress While Preparing for the Holidays

The busy season is upon us. People are starting their holiday shopping and sales will start coming in as a higher rate then they do all year.

I am looking forward to more sales this year. I had a really good show this past weekend and 2 more shows to do this season. I am planning to continue on this trend of more sales all season. That means I am going to have to keep adding to my inventory, which will add more work to my regular schedule.

Keeping the stress level down is important to your health and for getting things done.

Here are some simple ideas for destressing this holiday season.

Listen to slow music

Burn a scented candle

Grab a friend and go for a walk

Set an alarm to take a break in the middle of the day to just sit and breath

Take a moment to read jokes for a little laugh

Help a friend

Play with children

As you get busy during the holiday season, remember to take time for yourself and relax. Try a few of these destressors to keep you working happily all season long.

What do you do to destress?

Librarian Chic

I am thrilled to have Kelly from Sour Tang as a guest blogger today. Kelly has a fashion blog that is full of great fashion and Kelly's fashion insight. Check it out! Thanks Kelly for your fashion insight today!

Hi Everyone, My name is Kelly from Sour Tang, and I will be guest posting for Valerie today!! I'm really excited to be posting for Everyday Inspired, I'm always a big fan of how inspiring her blog is, and how it gets me thinking!

Today I'm going to talk about a fashion trend that I noticed from the Spring 2011 ready-to-wear collections. I am always a big fan of knit cardigans and sweaters. And they have been especially prominent on the runways this year. I just love love this trend because they are comfortable and effortlessly chic. Designers are also trying to add little details such as ruffles, large buttons, and various knit patterns to make the cardigan and sweater more fashion forward and unique! Making it even more perfect for a simple outfit with a plain tee, jeans and heels!

How do you like this trend? Will you be trying it out?

Clements Ribeiro, Rachel Roy, 3.1 Phillip Lim via Style.com

Hand Painted Accessories

Today I have a colorful collection of accessories that are beautiful pieces of art. These Etsy artists show us that hand painted accessories are the perfect addition to showing off your personal style.

All Colors Hand Painted natural silk flower brooch by simut

Belt Buckle Oval Hand Painted by CBLadornments

Sunset Van Gogh Inspired Bird Landscape by learntosee

Silk Scarf Hand Painted Accessories by silkshop

Hand Painted Clutch Wristlet by ivoryAndOrange

Spiral Theme Hand Painted Paper Parasol by ARTintersect

Stop by each shop and see all the amazing hand painted items they have created.

Wabi - Sabi

examples of pieces I put aside

I do this all the time, I have an idea in my head, I create the piece and it does not look like the idea in my head so I put it aside. Sometimes I go back to the piece to see if I can use it, but most of the time I forget I have it.

What do you think about working with your flaws/mistakes?

Maybe we should think of our mistakes as a message from our mind, and it's telling us to go in a new direction. This is going to be my new train of thought, in my effort to not waste so much and trust my creative instinct.

There is a Japanese aesthetic called Wabi-Sabi, which is described as - beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble. It is a beauty of things unconventional.

Maybe we need add a little Wabi-Sabi to our own work, and appreciate what we create, even with all of it's flaws.

Do you find that you scrap pieces because they don't look the way you want them to look?

Could you work with your flaws and create a new piece?

Be Inspired - The Beauty of Fall

Words to Inspire

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein

Idea to Inspire

Talk a walk on a beautiful autumn day. Listen to the leaves crunch under your feet, enjoy the colors of the season, and pick a few leaves and use them in your art work that day.

Photos to Inspire

Fall is my favorite time of the year. This collection of autumn foliage from Flickr features one of my favorite colors. I love the bright colors and the textures in these pictures. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me.

Fall colours at MOBOT by Bill Dahl

Fall Color by PhotoScenics

Fall Colors #2 by besimo

Fall Color by chrisbastian44

Creative Business Quick Tip - Unsubscribe

Do you subscribe to a lot of online newsletters, RSS feeds, and blogs?

Make your life a little easier, unsubscribe to the newsletters, feeds and blogs that are not helpful to you or your business.

I read a lot of blogs and their are some that are not updated very often, those are the ones I unsubscribe or stop following.

It may take some time to go through your blog list, feeds, and newsletter, but it will be worth it in the long run. It will make your life a little easier, your email box will have less junk email, and it will give you time to read the information that is important.

Review your lists today.

Inspiring Sounds

I was sitting on my deck the other day, taking a moment to myself, and looked up into the trees and had a creative moment.

Do you ever use the sounds around you as inspiration?

I realized while sitting there listening to the wind blow through the trees, the falling leaves, and the birds singing, that if you relax your mind and enjoy the sounds that it's easier for ideas to flow.

I think sounds regardless of where you live can be inspiring. I remember when I lived in New York City the sounds of the traffic and the people were great for sparking new ideas.

Listening to music is another way to let sound inspire you. Even sitting in a park and listening to kids play has it benefits.

What sounds do you enjoy for creating creative moments?

Journal Prompt - Planning List

It's always nice to have people to talk with about your business.

Today's use your journal and ask yourself:

If I had a mentor I would ask...

Create a list of everything you want assistance with, want to learn, and where you want to take your business.

If you have a mentor or are planning on working with one in the near future then you can use your list as a starting point for working together. If you don't have a mentor, use your list as a starting point for gathering information and creating a plan for working your business.

Use this journal prompt as a guide and start working on your business today.

Do you have a mentor?

Choosing Art

Starting next year I want to make some big changes around my home. I would like to paint every room and go from all warm colors to cool colors, and I would love to fill my house with art.

My plan is to attempt to create a few pieces of art myself, hopefully recruit a few artistic friends to create pieces for me, and start hunting for new and interesting art objects.

Anything can be art, not just paintings, and works on paper, but pottery, found objects, flower arrangements, whatever makes you happy.

Looking for art is an exciting mix of treasure hunting, art history, curiosity, intuition and luck.

I have been reading a lot about art lately and here are a few tips for starting a collection:

Attend gallery openings - talk to the artists and gallery employees. I love to go to gallery events, this is a great way to actually meet and talk to a variety of different artists.

Visit fine art show and craft events - you can meet local artists and in bigger shows national artists. Sometimes you can even get some really good deals.

Go to museum events - this is a great way to expose yourself to contemporary art. I don't do this as much as I would like, but I think I am going to make more of an effort next year.

Check out yard sales and flea markets - they are full of secret treasures.

Have fun - as far as I'm concerned, anything about art is always fun.

The most important tip:

Trust your instinct - only purchase what you love. You will have to look at it for a long time.

Buying art is very personal. What you may like your friends may not, so when you are ready to purchase your art do it alone or with your partner. You are the only one who has to think it is special and you are the one who will get to enjoy it for years to come.

Do you have a special piece of art that you recently purchased? Any other tips for choosing a piece of art? Please share.

Your Color Personality

Do you want to know what your favorite color says about you?

I found a quiz about color to share with you today. It's a fun way to find out your color personality.

Click the Real Simple to take this quick and easy quiz.

When you are done stop back by and share with everyone if what they said is true about you.

Be Inspired - Landscapes

Words to Inspire

“Landscapes have a language of their own, expressing the soul of the things, lofty or humble, which constitute them, from the mighty peaks to the smallest of the tiny flowers hidden in the meadow's grass”

Idea to Inspire

Paint, just for fun!

Photos to Inspire

This week it was really hard to choose art to inspire. There are so many amazing paintings on Flickr! These are a few that I love. Take a few minutes search painted landscapes on Flickr and and enjoy all the beauty for yourself.

Acyclic Landscape Painting 'Tranquil Stream' by Joe Hush

Oil Painting Modern Landscape, River, Colorful Trees BeyondDreamArt

Original mixed media abstract landscape painting

Abstract Sunset painting by markchadwickart

Beyond Creating

I spend a lot of time online, working, and creating. Sometimes I let it consume me, until my family drags me away and we spend time together.

I have several shows this season so I have been busier then usual lately. I realized that when I take I break I do better work. Also when I do something I love taking a break a lot easier.

I love to cook. I found that taking a bunch of ingredients and turning it into a meal is a nice break for me. Cooking has become another creative outlet for me.

There are a lot of thing I like to do outside of my work, watching old movies, books, hanging with family and friends, relaxing on a beautiful day, and of course cooking.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not creating?

Artist to Know - Toni Swarthout

Today's artist to know creates art work that stirs up mysterious feelings and deep emotions. I love her use of color, texture, and the passion she puts into each of her paintings.


Toni Swarthout

Love Wide Open

Words from Toni Swarthout
Painting, for me, is all about listening and awareness. I am inspired by nature and human activity around me. My paintings are my way of bearing witness to events, nature, human kindness and suffering in the world.

Crashing Thru the Clouds

Painting feeds my soul. It is a gateway for me to connect with the earth, nature and beyond. I take much delight in sharing my art with others and offering them a window into my world.

Jana's Dream

View all Toni's amazing work on her website.

All Dressed up and Ready for the Holidays

It has taken me all summer, but I finally finished all the changes I wanted to make in my Etsy shop.

I've taken new pictues of everything in my shop, and added several new styles. It was a really big job, and I really glad I'm finished. It has been worth it, my shop looks great, and my new pictures really showcase the jewelry.

I changed most of my titles, tags, and updated my profile and policies. I also changed my inventory a little, now showcasing styles that are all hardware. All the embellished hardware pieces are moving to my new Artfire shop.

Yes, I gave in and opened a Artfire shop. When 1000 Markets merged with Bonanza, I knew that was not a place I wanted to be, and I wanted to be in another market. So, I closed my 1000 Markets shop and opened up a new Artfire shop.

I will have a grand opening for my Artfire shop November 1, with special offers and new merchandise.

Take a look at my Etsy shop and let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions, or ideas please share!

What have you done to your shop to prepare for the holidays?

What is your Favorite Style of Art?

I love abstract paintings!

If I could fill my house with abstract painting, I would have them everywhere. If I could paint I would create abstract paintings all the time.

With so many varieties of painting styles to choose from, there is something for everyone. Here is a list of just a few styles to choose from, abstract, realism, impressionism, minimalism, and expressionism.

I like abstracts that have lots of color, are visually pleasing to the eye, and give off a positive feeling. I found these amazing piece on Etsy. It was really hard to narrow it down to just these three, there are so many beautiful paintings to choose from!

Red Dawn 24x30 Modern Contemporary by Comingabstractions

Art painting fine art oil painting original oil painting by eakrem

Electro Magnetic original abstract painting by brianelston

So, my question to you today: What style of paintings do you prefer, realistic or abstract?