Archive for In the Studio
Truth & Beauty
Posted by: | CommentsMaking it Real
Happy New Year!
Last week, I talked about choosing a theme for your creativity in 2011 and I LOVED-LOVED-LOVED all the theme ideas that everyone shared in the comments. So smart, thoughtful, and inspiring.
If you haven’t seen them and are still looking for the perfect theme for yourself, I invite you to please take a look. You might find the perfect idea from someone else’s comment.
My theme for this year is Persistence and I think my tagline is going to be Collaborate (I’m still “honing”).
Now I want to help make it real by creating a vision board or a mind map based on my theme. Will you join me?
This can involve cutting out lots of different images from magazines that relate to your theme, but if that feels too complicated or you can’t find the right images, feel free to just get yourself lots of magic markers and let yourself doodle your way to a fun and inspiring vision board.
Here’s a mind-mapp-y visiony thing I made last year when I my theme was Break Through and my tagline was Have Faith.
I used a giant piece of paper and it took up a huge chunk of wall which I totally recommend if you have the space because it really helps make your theme a priority in your life.
The process of creating a visual expression of your theme helps you develop your ideas about what it means for you and transforms an abstraction into something more concrete. Simple imagery and symbols are a POWERFUL way to help your subconscious really internalize your theme’s message.
For instance, persistence could be expressed by an image of a river.
If I use that as my hook, I could keep exploring that angle by using blue and green markers to doodle up some rushing water swirls and shapes while also expanding on the river idea with more water images that feel persistent–maybe a gorgeous and powerful waterfall, or a picture of a mossy rock softened by a slow imperceptible drip. My tagline, Collaborate, could be expressed by images of symbiotic relationships in nature or even straightforward photos of hands or people working together.
I know all this might sound corny, but it works because our brains respond strongly to symbolism–and the more personal, the better. Remember, it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone except you!
Another Cool Way to Start Your Year Right
The lovely and smart Jennifer Hofmann from Inspired Home Office, (a very cool organizing business for us right-brain-y types) has a super cool program for starting your January off in a very supportive, un-January type way, and I wanted to tell you all about it because I’m thrilled to be involved.
She’s created a month long series of classes and programs called “A Call to Nourish“. And as part of that awesome call for sanity and self-care, I’ll be teaching a Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-class, and I’m so excited.
It’s truly an inspiring month of great programs run by very cool roster of powerful and creative women.
This program also includes the chance to participate in 4 of Jennifer’s Office Spa Days which are a fantastic way to get your studio or craft room organized in a sustainable fashion that makes sense to you…I’m planning on attending at least one myself–and as I look around at the chaos I call my studio, maybe make that two…
She’s offering it all at an insanely good price, so please check it out here, and if it feels right, sign yourself up for some sanity and self-care.
Your Turn
How’s your new year starting off?
Do you think you might create a vision board using your theme as your guide? Are you still trying to catch your breath from the holidays? Are you ready to organize your studio or make a date with your creativity by taking a Creative Breakthroughs Collage Class?
Please leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!
Great Expectations
Posted by: | CommentsA lot of energy can go into trying to make sure you don’t make something “bad.”
Playing it safe, doing what you know, or simply not making anything at all–just to really seal the deal.
The thing is, do you really know when you’ve made something “bad?”
Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that what you made didn’t meet your expectations.
And perhaps it’s those expectations that need re-examining.
Are they accurate? Fair? Helpful?
Do they leave room for experimenting? Practice? Being a beginner?
What are you asking of this one moment in time? Of this particular object or artwork?
I personally have had family members retrieve work out of my garbage pile that is hanging on their walls right now–work I now actually like myself.
Things I thought were bad because they didn’t meet my expectations.
When we stop and consider what our expectations are, we become aware of their actual existence, and that can be an eye-opener.
Because usually they’re harsh and unforgiving. And usually, we mistake them for reality–for the nature of things–like the air we breathe.
And when you experience your expectations as the nature of things instead of thoughts, you’re stuck with the unhappiness they cause.
But they’re just thoughts. And while they might be compelling, they’re only permanent as long as you remain hypnotized by their stories.
This is a huge relief. Because even if you’re not sure yet how to let go of these harsh expectations, how to stop believing their lies, once you realize they aren’t the truth, they’re no longer quite so in charge as before.
Not that it’s easy. Lord knows.
And certainly, throughout it all, we all want to make work that we care about, feel proud of, think is “good.” That’s natural.
And I know that as long as I continue to make things, I’ll continue to think some of them are “bad” and you know, some of them will be.
I just won’t always be right about which ones. And neither will you.
And, just as important to realize, it works the other way too.
Something you love right now may not do it for you in the long run–may not have the staying power you…..expected.
Which almost makes it funny, really. How perverse our expectations are. How unimportant and relative. How little they have to do with our creative essence.
They simply don’t deserve the serious attention we give them.
Naming Contest!
Posted by: | CommentsSo normally I’d be writing the 20 Minute Club minutes here and you’d be seeing this blog post tomorrow, but it’s a long holiday weekend coming up and I’ve decided to break with tradition because well, I’m stuck and I need some help from you!
What’s in a Name?
This summer I’ve been creating how-to videos for my 3 holiday ornament kits and I’m almost done with my latest here on the left.
(I know the holidays seem far away, but people who make their gifts need more time to plan them and get them done than people who buy their gifts.)
I love this ornament and always call it the Faberge Egg Ornament Kit in my head, but I just realized that I can’t actually name it that because well, Faberge is taken.
However, I can’t get that one out of my head, and all the new names I’ve come up with so far….stink.
This is a problem because I need to finish the how-to video by like, yesterday, and it needs a name for me to finish it.
This is where you come in.
Naming Contest!
I’m having one. Starting right now!
I’m so excited, I’ve never held a contest before.
The winner gets a single-color 3 ornament kit as the prize. (That’s a $47.00 value!)
(Or, if you like my Glitter Decoupage Kit better, you can choose one of those instead.)
All you have to do think up a fabulous name or three and leave me a comment telling me your suggestion(s).
(Or, if you’re shy about leaving comments, you can shoot me an email.)
Because I need to get this how-to video done already, the contest will only last for one week.
All suggestions must be submitted by Thursday, September 9th by 5pm!
I can’t wait to see your ideas!
P.S. I realize I wasn’t very clear–I don’ actually want to use the word “egg” in the name here–the reason I thought of Faberge Eggs initially was just that they are all glammed up and glittery and I made them to look like they could open which reminded me of Faberge Eggs. I was more taken with the word Faberge. 
20 Minute Club Minutes-Becoming a Framer
Posted by: | Comments
This week the hubby and I worked on making frames for my artwork because I want my final framed pieces to look how I want them to look.
Except they don’t quite yet, because I’m still not that good at it.
So this first frame will require lots of sanding along with some wood filler to compensate as I learn to use the tools better.
But that’s what it’s all about right? You can’t expect the first one, two, three of anything you make to be perfect.
(Although I did think buying the right power tools, like a miter saw, would eliminate some problems. Turns out that it doesn’t preclude actually being good at using the tool itself. Oh, that.)
And, as is true with art supplies, I’ve been wondering how much easier it would be and how much better it might look if I were using top-of-the-line equipment instead of the cheapest ones I could find.)
And, as is true with art supplies, I’m thinking…hmm, probably a lot.
But, as is true with art supplies, sometimes you just have to buy what you can afford and make what you want to make anyway. So that’s what I’m doing. 
And it’s good. I like learning new things and I like that it requires that I pay attention in new ways.
And we worked in short (20 minute-ish) chunks which made the discomfort of not-knowing-what-I’m-doing easier.
Self-Appreciations
(If you want to find time to nurture your creative soul by making things, it helps a lot to honor the process. To respect everything you ARE doing about making that happen because it’s so easy to discount your efforts or not notice them, which, well, doesn’t help your creativity at all.)
Appreciating yourself is an important part of the weekly 20 Minute Club Minutes.
Here’s mine for this week:
- I really really appreciate that I allowed myself some much needed time off last week, along with injections of fun and frivolity. My productivity shot up as a result. (Note to self: Inject more fun and frivolity on a regular basis and justify with reminders of productivity improvement.)
| - I appreciate that I honored my thinking/ruminating process as legitimate work for my business, even though it’s invisible and sometimes involves lying on the bed. Good ideas fulminated as a result.
| - I appreciate that I worked through the discomfort of making these frames when most of the time I didn’t know what I was doing. (I also really appreciate my husband’s wonderful help and optimistic inventiveness as we soldiered along.)
| - I appreciate how much I learn by continuing to engage with pieces that I’m pretty convinced are only “okay” and might never be “good”…but by resolving them, I learn so much artistically.
| - I appreciate every time that I’m patient with myself, including be patient that I still get impatient so often.
Your Turn
Can’t wait to hear about your creative week or to read your self appreciations. And don’t forget–it’s all good to share, even the frustrations or when you’re still searching for ways of making that 20 Minutes happen.
Mark Your Calendar!
Posted by: | CommentsEven though it’s been raining non stop in the NYC Metro area for the past three days, it still feels like Spring is on her way. What a great time to come out of hibernation and get those creative juices flowing again.
And I’ve got lots of ideas for how to do that–so break out your calendar, we’ve got some planning to do!
Come Have a Creative Breakthrough or Three
Friday, March 19th, is the last day to sign up for my March 26th Creative Breakthroughs Collage Workshop at the fabulous early bird price. So please, if you’re thinking about coming, make sure to sign up this week so you benefit from the special discount. (And if you bring a friend, the deal is even better!)
Watch the video and get all the details here.
The Chrysalis Project
I’ve also started another group to complement The Creative Breakthroughs Workshop which I’m super excited about.
I’m calling it The Chrysalis Project and it’s a great chance to make huge headway on your creative dreams and goals by receiving one-on-one coaching–centered on your creativity–in an intimate, 6-8 person creative mastermind group.
The first session is Sunday, April 18th. Read all about it here.
Right now I’m offering these workshops from my studio, but if you live outside of the NYC Metro area, no worries–online versions of both are on the way!(I’m so excited about this, I can’t even tell you..)
If you do live in the NYC Metro area, please join my new NJ/NY Creative Breakthroughs meetup to sign up, stay updated and make friends with other arty people all seeking Creative Breakthroughs as well. So far it’s an incredibly interesting and varied group of people who’ve joined. (And my easy-going Intro Meetup is tomorrow night–not too late to sign up!)
A Show–I’m Having One!
Yes, I’m having a show of my digital collages on glass at the incredibly hip, incredibly cute Made With Love Artisan Bakery & Cafe in Jersey City.
The opening is Saturday, April 3rd from 6-8pm and YOU are cordially invited.
There will be lots of yummy organic baked treats both savory and sweet, and Charles Ramsey, a wonderful classical guitarist, will be playing as well.
Here’s a video of him playing. Wow, right?
And if you’re wondering, the parking is quite reasonable and it’s easily accessible by bus or Path train (Grove Street Stop). (If you want better directions, just send me an email and I’ll get you the details!)
I would LOVE to see you there!
In the Meantime, the Big Print Giveth
And the small print taketh away. Which is my way (well Tom Waits‘ way) of saying I’ve got to get back to the madness of sorting out my taxes.
Gah! I’ve done nothing but sweat over my bookkeeping and receipts for the last two days, but I must confess that I’ve actually had an organizational epiphany or two about how I could make this less painful next year. Who’d a thunk it? My time management guru Cairene would be so proud.
How are your taxes going? Are you done yet? Any advice for your fellow arty types who dread this kind of thing?
And remember, if you need a break from the ugliness of taxes and accounting, please come to my opening on April 3rd, and/or support your creativity by signing up for the March 26th Creative Breakthroughs Collage Workshop by this Friday, March 19th to get the early bird pricing.
I hope to see you there!
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Telecraftastic
Posted by: | CommentsGlitter Ornaments, Drawing Fun, Sewing Tidbits & More
Yes! The Telecrafting Teleseminar is next Wednesday, Dec. 16th at 4pm. Whoa–time flies–Christmas is just around the corner! What does that mean for you?
It means that if you’d like to make a gift or two this year, and you’d like some support in the way of carving out a structured time to get it done, then you’ll need to order a Glitter Decoupage Ornament kit soon soon soon, now (ish), so I can assemble it, pack it and ship it out so you get it in time for our Dec. 16th rendezvous. I’m excited.
So, if you want to participate in the free conference call, you’ll need to order by this Saturday morning EST at the very very latest.
(Of course, you can always order the kits right up til Christmas day and make them whenever you’d like.)
Everything gets sent out priority mail, so if you live on the West Coast and you’d like to join in on the call, it might be better to order today, so I can get it out to you by Friday.
Testimonials
If you’re still on the fence, click here to read a couple-three testimonials from happy ornament kit crafters. I’ve gotten the nicest emails and Facebook & Twitter feedback–everyone seems to be having a really good time.
If you have any questions, btw, that you need answered before you can buy, feel free to contact me and I’ll get back to you asap.
Other Fun Stuff
Cool Drawing Warm Up/Loosening Up Exercise
I stumbled across this wonderful “artist warm up exercise” on Instructables.com and wanted to share. I think I’m going try this one out myself–it looks fun and is a great way to get jumpstarted. Click here to view. Read More→
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Doing Vs. Trying: What's the Difference & Why Does it Matter?
Letting Your Family Off the Hook
Posted by: | CommentsThe Many Faces of Feedback
I thought I’d continue to explore the nuances and perils of getting feedback (and the different ways it can manifest) because it brings up a lot of complicated feelings that can undermine our ability to protect ourselves in order to keep creating without getting discouraged.
(Or start creating again when it’s been a long time since we’d made anything.)
So today’s post is about the difficulty of getting unpleasant feedback from our families and loved ones, feeling unsupported, and what we might be able to do about that.
Feeling Exposed
The tricky thing about making anything visual is that your work process itself is visible to the people around you (as opposed to writing, for instance, where you can close your notebook or shut off your computer). Read More→
