inspiration resources

ever felt like you are the only person on the face of the earth suffering from a severe lack of creativity? of inspiration? of motivation?

well, here I sit—wondering where my “c.i.m.” is, so I started perusing blog list and the answer is no.  no one else appears to be suffering from a lack of c.i.m.

did you know in australia, the 25th of april is anzac day?  my friend tanya posted a poignant tribute on her blog, suburban jubilee.

and then there is the amazing pam garrison who is working on this great commitment to document her “project life” (now into week 13), plus all kinds of other creativity she manages to squeeze in as well.  (it’s enough to make a girl feel like a total failure!)

 

then there is my friend, kimberly jones, who not only participated in one of jeanne oliver’s workshops, but she actually took what she learned and made this . . .

 

and finally, my upstairs neighbor, kimberly santiago—having veered off our mutually-agreed-to complacency path—took another stroll down the road of productivity and added these kits to her inspired inventory.

this is just a sampling of all of the productive and creative folks out there accomplishing great things.

so, tell me, how do you overcome your creative obstacles?

thanks for your indulgence.

Creating a Creativity Journal

I am feeling compelled to start a creativity journal.  I envision a few different types of journals, but I am stuck even before I begin.

I have been keeping a mini-journal of sorts in my scheduling calendar.  I’ve been writing notes about where we’ve been, what we did, who we saw, but (other than the initial creation of my journal-style calendar) it’s not very creative.  I think I’ll step-up the game and start including more art and mixed-media components, but I also feel like I want to do more.

Perhaps it is because I’ve been spending more time with my Stampington & Company magazines.  Perhaps it is because I am face-to-face with the creative inspiration of Kimberly’s art e-v-e-r-y day; plus, her inventory of ephemera, paints and gesso tempting me e-v-e-r-y day.  (I don’t even know why I want gesso or what I’d do with it if I had some, but want it, I do!)  Perhaps it’s because I’ve stepped-up my creativity game and I feel overwhelmed by all of my ideas and need to make a record of them. 

The other day I talked with a friend about the possibility of leading an art journaling class—more like an ongoing workshop—as a spirituality exercise.  (Is “exercise” the right word?)  But who am I to lead a spirituality “work-out workshop” when I can’t even get started on my own?  And why do I feel a spirituality journal sounds so contrived?

{And, here’s the real rub (as if I haven’t brought-up enough issues)—I am not an artist.  I know, I know—I’m not suppose to worry about that—I’m just suppose to create.  But I really, really want it to be cool and pretty-ish.  I want to look at it and be proud . . . I’m sounding really self-absorbed . . . I’ll be quiet now.}

So, here is my question for you . . . do you do this type of journaling?  If so, how did you get started?  Which media do you utilize—paint, markers, gesso?   Do you also write in your art journal?

I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for your indulgence.

Somerset Studio—The Art of Paper and Mixed Media

People are often commenting that they think it would be so much fun to have a shop like mine—especially when it comes to buying the inventory. 
They’re right.
But one of the more difficult decisions we have to make is when to let stuff go.  Sometimes, more often than I care to really consider, I buy stuff that just doesn’t resonate with others they way it did with me.  That is when I have to decide to put it on sale and/or stop re-ordering. 
I thought, in a moment of  “I need to cut-back in a few areas,” that I would look a the sales of my Stampington publications—some, honestly, move slower than others.  So I did what any responsible retailer would do—I looked at what was left on the shelf.
I only took a quick glance at the shelf and my decision was made, I would have to cut Somerset Studio.  I have to admit . . . it’s been months since I’ve even taken one home to peruse.  In fact, the real reason I carry this one is because my sister, Kendall asked me to stock it.
Wait a minute . . . you mean the sister, Kendall, that actually finds inspiration and the desire to create art—trying new techniques and exploring new media—that sister, Kendall???
Oh, alright, I’ll take the last issue home and . . .

. . . seriously?  Who thought it was a good idea to discontinue this fabulous magazine?   well, scratch that idea—we’re keeping it!


I flipped kind-of-right of-center and I was hooked!   The page I flipped to was part of the inspired by faith feature by Mary Beth Shaw.  It was a story about an artist who starts with paint by numbers kits and then proceeds to alter them in her own manner.

 
Then I was drawn to the Mèlange pages in the center; all I can think is “how do they just give this a away?”  They are free for the consumer to use in their own mixed media projects.  You can copy and manipulate it or just use it as you find it.



The Expressions pages were very inspiring.   There were a few to which I personally connected, but the others, I just enjoyed exploring the creativity of fellow readers.

In each issue, they provide information about how you can be included in future publications.  Their upcoming themes for reader submissions include Storybook Magic, Haunted and a Celebration of Winter.  Pick-up a current issue for more details.  Don’t forget to peruse Creative Corner while you’re here—Kimberly keeps it stocked with all of you mixed-media needs.
What will you create?
Thanks for your indulgence,

PS—stay tuned to Artful Origins for our creative workshops—in fact, I will be offering one inspired by one of the articles I just read!

Keeping Children Warm by the Fire

One of my recent project for winter sprucing-up around the house was this garland:

 

I have been collecting pictures of children all wrapped-up in their winter wear ever since Auntie Bliss introduced me to the two snow babies on the sled in the middle.  I have several in frames around the house, but I decided to use photocopies of them to make this festive garland for my dining room mantel.

Here’s what I did:

First, I gathered five of my burlap triangle (yes—I’ve got them pre-cut, ready and waiting, ‘cause you just never know when the urge will strike), then I cut slightly larger triangles out of my light blue card stock.

Then I printed off copies of my favorite snow kids, using a parchment-look card stock, and started cropping them to fit on the pennant triangles.

I then applied a thin smear of Mod Podge® (which you can find in The Creative Corner at Hodgepodge!) using a stiff, short bristled paintbrush.

Having dumped a little blue, glass glitter into a bowl, I began “scooping” the glitter onto the photo.

While the glitter dried, I used the Mod Podge® to apply the burlap to the card stock.

Then I attached the glitter-fied photos, as well as a little piece of brown trim, to kind of finish the look.

I measured a length of jute across my mantel, allowing for a little “drape,” then I attached the pennants to the jute using masking tape.

Another quick look at this crazy easy project.  Those happy faces just make me smile!

If you have any questions, please leave me a message here or drop me an email.

As ever, thanks for your indulgence!

barn sale EXCITEMENT!

Okay . . . yesterday I visited the location for The HayLoft at Port Royal—it’s a barn sale that will take place Oct 19 & 20th—and to say I was blown away would be an understatement! The host, Shirley Thomas, had a vision; with the help of her husband, Knox, and friends, Bubba (introduced as “like a son”) and Dave, she has brought that vision into reality.
Shirley has been a long time customer and, as I tend to do with my customers, we have becomes friends. Often she will stop by Hodgepodge just to kick-around an idea for decorating, but about six months ago she brought the idea of a barn sale with her. We talked about it for quite a while. I told her I had been hoping to have something like that take place here in Clarksville for years. I have been invited to participate in numerous barn sales in the past few years, but I am often stymied by the issue of distance. (I just can’t be away from the shop—with inventory—for very long.)
Anyhoo, long story, longer . . . Shirley and crew have been working like animals to get their former milking barn ready for the big event. So I went out to see it yesterday.
On my way to find it, I was happy to notice a few barns were being utilized for smoking tobacco. I am fascinated by this practice, which is rather ironic, as I really abhor the use of tobacco products, but we all have our vices, don’t we? (As I live in a glass house, I will leave it at that!)
Back to smoking (as in, “curing”) tobacco . . . the scent is a herald of the season for many folks living in the south. Imagine my thrill when I pulled-up to The HayLoft location and saw those wistful plumes of smoke billowing out of the eaves!
Shirley was gracious enough to stop her hard work and take me on a tour of the place.

We started here—Shirley refers to it as “downstairs;” she was originally going to to just offer spaces on the main floor and had spent most of her time preparing that space, but the interest in this event has grown to the degree that she needed more space!

 Those are tobacco sticks she has used to fashion a wall to delineate spaces for the vendors. Love it!

Here is the main floor. It is vast and wonderful. I love the chandeliers—a barn isn’t a barn without chandeliers! Be sure to take a look-see at those lights around the perimeter of the Hayloft—they’re fashioned from Mason Jars, ingenious!

Tobacco sticks—I’m obsessed.

Here is a view of the chandeliers Shirley has constructed. She plans to add burlap slipcovers to those shiny new chains—a woman after my own heart!

A view of The Hayloft—food services will be available there in the room with the windows (she has thought of and provided for everything).

The smoking barn . . . major l-o-v-e!

As I was leaving, I turned around for one last shot—this is going to be so much fun!!!

Our booth will be located on the upper level, right next to Elizabeth Vaughn, of Artistic Works by Lu. I will have a full stock of Chalk Paint™, a few creative items, as well as some painted furniture samples; I will also be doing some demonstrations with Chalk Paint™. My sister, Kendall Welsh, will share the space with me. She will bring along some of her signature window designs and picture frames, as well as other items.
At last check she had more than 30 creative vendors beating down her door to participate! There will be handmade items, one-of-a-kind creations and antiques for the home and for yourself. You will not be disappointed!
I provided a link to her blog at the beginning of this post, but here’s her facebook page, too. (it’s her personal page, where she seems to be doing most of the posting about the event.)
One more item to note, there will be a special preview event on Thursday, the 18th from 4 – 7 pm. The cost is $10, which will cover your entrance to the event, food and music! (I say come early!)
Hope to see you at The HayLoft!
Thanks for your indulgence,