Martini with a Wire Twist

My friend and co-worker moved into a new apartment with a bar in her kitchen. Because she is renting she can't paint the walls and feels like she's living in an insane asylum with all that white! She wanted a little decoration over the bar area and said something about a wire martini glass. I told her that was something I could probably put together for her. She said she knew exactly how she wanted it to look but just didn't know how to do it. We talked about it and I drew up a little sketch to see what she was imagining.

Not but a couple days later my boss brought me some extra galvanized steel fencing wire that she used in her yard. I got home same night, threw on a pair of gloves, and I got right to it!

Here's the final product!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Haley loves it and can't wait to put it up above her bar! It would look great even with some Starry String Lights woven through it for a little light-up option!!

 

 

 

 

 



Making a Handmade Birthday Card: How-To

I love making my own cards for special occasions! I am not against buying a card, and nowadays there are some amazing cards out there. But there is nothing like getting a card from someone that they made and really put the time and thought into. As it is, I love working with paper and think you can create some amazing things with it, so a reason to create a cute card for a cute girl is perfect!!

My cousin's little girl, Cedar, (who I made my first growth chart for - seen here), turns 5 this year and I really wanted to make a cute, interactive birthday card for her. She is so smart and aware, she loves the outdoors, exploring, flowers, and animals. So I made her a card with growing flowers to celebrate her continual growth!

Here's a step-by-step how-to on making a handmade birthday card!!

(I'm sorry about the iPhone pictures - I am working hard at getting a better camera!!)

 

  Step One: I always create a drawing first and then a mock-up of how it's going to work before I start cutting up my good paper!! So here's the first one I threw together to look at placement and figure out the "mechanics" of making the flowers grow.

 

 

 

 

 

Step Two: Here I've started with the good paper. I find a sturdier piece of paper and fold it in half, depending on what size of the card that I want to make.

 

 

 

 

 

Step Three: I start cutting out my details (grasses above, flowers below). I decided to make some bunches of some of the flowers to fill in my "garden". For their stems, I first glued two pieces of the same green paper together to make it nice and sturdy. Then I cut them out long enough to leave room for their "growth". The horizontal piece is what they will all be glued on and will be attached to the pull so they will all "grow" together. I measured out how long the flowers will be, glued them and cut them to length.

 

 

 

 

 

Step Four: Now that I have my flowers attached and the sun cut out (sun not pictured yet!) I can get a feel for how long things are and how much space they will need to "grow", which will give me a feel for how to put together the "mechanics" of the pull.

 

For the pull, I took four pieces of sturdy paper and glued them all together, then cut them out into one long strip. I want it to be nice and sturdy to be able to handle being pulled on often. I also made sure to keep it the color of the background of the card (sky colored in this case) so that if it shows behind any of the details it will blend in more. The top part is another paper used to bolster the inner layers of the pull and will be glued behind the sun and not seen.

 

I figured out where the highest point the flowers will "grow" to and made a mark. This is where I made my horizontal slice just big enough for the pull to fit through. (The pull will not go through in this direction but this is just me making sure it fits and isn't too tight or too loose in the slot.)

 

I then measured out the lowest area the sun will go (which will put the flowers all the way down), and made a mark and sliced my slot in there.

 

 

 

 

 

Step Five: I put my pull through the two slices (leaving the edges out on the front of the card so I can glue the details to it). I glued the sun to the top of the pull and reinforced it from behind. Then pushing the sun all the way to its lowest position, I glued the flowers to the pull (cut off any excess on the bottom of the pull that extends past the bottom of the card). This makes it so that when the sun is at its lowest position the flowers are, too, and when the sun rises, the flowers "grow".  

 

 

 

 

 

 Step Six: The pull is still showing through on the back side of the card, which I want to be able to cover up without obstructing the movement of the pull. So I chose a cute, matching paper and glued it to the edges of the back of the card (that way it covers the pull but still allows for its movement).

 

 

Here's the back now. (Sorry for the poor photo quality again!)

 

 

 

 

 

Step Seven: I glued the grasses onto the bottom of the inside of the card to cover the flower stems. I glued them all the way at the bottom and taped just a tiny bit for reinforcement. The flowers go all the way to the bottom so I knew they would bump into the grasses a bit, which is ok, but I wanted to strengthen the grass's placement.

 

 

Here's the inside of the card with the sun risen and the flowers all grown up! The grasses are perfectly placed to cover up the flower base!!

 

 

 

 

 

Step Eight: So now for the front of the card! I had this adorable polka dot paper, which reminds me of birthday balloons. I cute out a rectangular section and attached it to the front of the card.

 

 

Looks great! Love the mix of patterns!!

 

 



Step Nine: I was going to make or trace my own letters, but it is so much easier to print them off. I cut out the letters for her name and was going to cut out the letters for the Happy Birthday but I kind of liked the way it looked all connected still. Plus it was a little easier to read.



 

Here's the final product of the front of the card (with better photo quality!!!)!! I love it! Personal, colorful, fun, and bubbly! 



 

Final Step: Step Ten: Putting a personal touch on it!

 

Here's the inside of the card with my little note and instructions to "Make the sun rise to see the beautiful flowers grow", although I know she'll have figured it out before being told! Little smarty pants, she is!! 



I stamped my little bird on it - if you've ever bought anything from my Esty shop MyVintageBird, this is one of the birds I use on all my thank you notes, cards, and tags!! My little signature. :)

 

 

 

 

 

Finally (and I am SO proud of this little feature) a video of how awesome this card turned out. I know Cedar is going to love it and I hope it brightens her 5th birthday just a little more!!!

 

Any comments or questions on the making of this card? Just comment below!

 



Day Twelve of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Twelve of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Eleven: Encouragement here!
Check out Day Ten: Strength here!
Check out Day Nine: Positivity here!
Check out Day Eight: Balance here!
Check out Day Seven: Appreciation here!
Check out Day Six: Patience here!
Check out Day Five: Community here!
Check out Day Four: Inspiration here!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here! 

On the Twelfth Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: ENJOYMENT!

 

 

This is our last day together in our 12 Days of Creativity!!! Thank you so much for joining me through this journey to embracing your creativity!!

TIP 12 - ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT! The point of this whole journey was to embrace your creativity in a way that you want to continue creating and don't burn yourself out or get frustrated.

Don't be afraid to be tacky - remember there's a market for everything. Just pick up a project for the pure enjoyment of it! Sometimes when I am in between projects I will pick up my needlework. I love cross-stitching. I mean LOVE. I think they turn out beautifully and I am totally entranced by the process. I am by no means knocking cross-stitching. As I have previously stated, I LOVE it. I love all types of embroidery - cross-stitching, creweling, anything. With that said, cross-stitched items aren't easy to decorate with most of the times. Yes, a beautiful cross-stitched decorative pillow can really set off a couch, but in general you aren't going to hang your cross-stitching on the wall like a tapestry. A lot of times I will do cross-stitched Christmas stockings so that I can get in my fix.

You would be surprised though at all the folks that will find something to do with cross-stitched items. Cross-stiching isn't tacky but that was just an example of doing something just because you enjoy it. Don't just chose a project because you think it's cool, or rather, don't turn down a project because you think it borders on tacky. I have a friend that will buy some weird crafted things online.

You always see that house in the home decor magazine with a sea shell framed mirror. It may not be your style, you may look at it and gasp, but they have made it work in their space, and someone crafted and sold it to them.

Sometimes you need to do a craft just because you enjoy it. Don't worry about pleasing people. But you will be surprised at the amount of buyers for some of the projects you didn't think anyone else would enjoy.


TASK 12 - Think of a project that you've been really wanting to do but haven't been able to think of what to do with it when you're done. Go ahead and do that one now. Get those seashells you've been collecting and make that seashell mirror. Go to the holiday expo shows with all those amazingly tacky crafts and get ideas. A lot of those are so tacky they're cute. Plus, hell, look how many folks are there buying! The holidays (Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc.) are the perfect time to create some awesomely tacky crafts and not only get away with it but enjoy it!!


ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!!


Share your one day projects with me!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Twelve.

Thank you again for joining me through this journey!!!

Day Eleven of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Eleven of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Ten: Strength here!
Check out Day Nine: Positivity here!
Check out Day Eight: Balance here!
Check out Day Seven: Appreciation here!
Check out Day Six: Patience here!
Check out Day Five: Community here!
Check out Day Four: Inspiration here!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here! 


On the Eleventh Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: ENCOURAGEMENT.

TIP 11 - Start small. You don't have to start with the Sistine Chapel. Start small with your projects. Start by painting a little picture frame, creating a wreath for your front door, making a holiday craft.

Check out Pinterest for some smaller ideas that you are inspired by. Finishing a fun little craft keeps your enthusiasm going for the next project!

A lot of people have these grand ideas for their first craft project - I admire your artistic inspiration and hutzpah, but don't start something that you will be overwhelmed by and lose your steam halfway through. Once you build your skillset and your love for the craft you can choose larger projects that you will work on over time.

We all have those half finished projects laying around that we work on little by little. That's fine as long as you haven't burnt yourself on crafting before you even began!

The important part is being motivated to keep going!



TASK 11 - Pick a project that you can get done in an afternoon or one weekend day. Think about a small project you've been meaning to get done and start on it. Make a little holiday craft that you can display and immediately be proud of.

As I said, you don't have to create a Louvre-worthy piece of art to feel artsy and accomplished. Just the pride that comes with getting something done and displaying it is worth it.


Share your one day projects with me!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Eleven.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Twelve: ENJOYMENT! 

Day Ten of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Ten of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Nine: Positivity here!
Check out Day Eight: Balance here!
Check out Day Seven: Appreciation here!
Check out Day Six: Patience here!
Check out Day Five: Community here!
Check out Day Four: Inspiration here!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here! 


On the Tenth Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: STRENGTH.

Picture nabbed from Flickr | Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library



TIP 10 - Play to your skills. I think it's important to try out all types of art and crafts to build your repertoire and skillset. But once you really find your niche of what you enjoy, what you are good at, what may come more naturally than others, hone in on that skill. That isn't to say once you find something never try anything else. It's amazing what random skills come in handy during another project, but play to your skills. Doing something that you not only like but are good at will continue to encourage you to keep going and keep trying new things.



TASK 10 - Identify three things that you really enjoy. Three things that you already enjoy or know you are good at. This is a great challenge to start NOT downplaying ......... You have to start believing in yourself. You have to start thinking bout things that you have done and think about what skills came from that. Think about CREATIVE TIP 9 - don't downplay your skills. If you recently did a Pinterest Christmas item think about what you had to do to do that. Were you particularly good at one part of that? keep it up!


Share your projects and accomplishments with me! Show off your work!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Ten.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Eleven: ENCOURAGEMENT! 

Day Nine of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Nine of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Eight: Balance here!
Check out Day Seven: Appreciation here!
Check out Day Six: Patience here!
Check out Day Five: Community here!
Check out Day Four: Inspiration here!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here! 


On the Ninth Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: POSITIVITY.

Thumbs up, man!

TIP 9 - Don't downplay your skills or accomplishments. I hear people all the time after they complete a project say "oh, it's nothing." Be proud of what you've done! Even if it's "just" a wreath for your front door, "just" a flower arrangement for your kitchen table, or "just" a painted wooden letter for your child's bedroom door, you did it, and it's probably well done!

Just today my co-worker found out that I am crafty and sell things on Etsy. She said, "I wish I was artsy and did things like that." I reminded her that she's talked about the things she does and the presents she makes from things she sees on Pinterest. She said, "well I only copy things I see". And I told her that is a skill in and of itself and to not downplay that.

Even being willing to see something and be inspired enough to do something is great! The more you do it the more you will want to do it. The more you do it the more you will build your skill set and your own artistic voice.

Be proud of the work you do and don't downplay your skills!!!



TASK 9 - Create something and post it somewhere! Post it on your Facebook or Instagram page. Do a little fishing for compliments. Be proud of your accomplishment and relish in the moment!! ;)

Feed off the positivity you get from your friends and family to want to keep creating!



Share your projects and accomplishments with me! Show off your work!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Nine.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Ten: STRENGTH! 

Day Eight of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Eight of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!


Check out Day Seven: Appreciation here!
Check out Day Six: Patience here!
Check out Day Five: Community here!
Check out Day Four: Inspiration here!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here! 


On the Eighth Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: BALANCE.

Photo nabbed from Flick | HomeSpot HQ

TIP 8 - Take breaks when needed, and stay up all night when needed. There are times that you are working on something and nothing is turning out right. Everything is messing up, frustrating you, testing your last nerve. You are ready to rip it up and throw the project out. STEP AWAY FROM THE PROJECT! Take a moment away to regroup. It is no benefit to anyone or your project if you are forcing anything. If you are tired and over it, nothing good will get accomplished and you will start questioning yourself.

On the other hand, if you are in the groove and still working even as the clock ticks away, keep going! Some nights I'm done early, some nights I stay up extraordinarily late because I'm in the mood, and my juices are flowing. If you have an important meeting the next morning, I suggest you prioritize your responsibilities. But if you can get away with it, stay up and go as long as your mind and creativity will allow you.

If you try to stick to a schedule you will hinder your creativity a lot of times. Turn on the t.v., crank the tunes, take a Saturday and get to creating! Most importantly, though, listen to your body as you are working and keep going when you need, and stop when you need! It's important to listen to yourself so you want to continue creating and you don't burn yourself out.



TASK 8 - This task is a little less concrete than some of the others, but I want you to do an exercise in listening to your body! As I said before, the purpose of really listening to yourself is being able to enjoy the craft you are working on not burn yourself out.

The next project that you are working on, be it a holiday Pinterest gift, a picture frame, re-decorating your living room, anything artsy, I want you to really listen to your body. Make note, on paper and mentally, about when you were doing something that you just had to step away from, and when you were really in the groove and kept going.

When you are trying to re-create that awesome wall collage of mirrors and you just couldn't get it to look right and you are starting to get frustrated and down on yourself, take a break and make note of that moment. You will enjoy coming back to it once you are mentally refreshed.

On the other hand, when you are working on that holiday Pinterest exchange gift and it's going well and you are chugging through it, make note of how that feels and the excitement you have to keep going and creating. I bet you will feel empowered to do another craft and excited for the next one!



Share your moments of frustration and excitement and how you felt through them!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Eight.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Nine: POSITIVITY!

Day Seven of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Seven of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Six: Patience here!
Check out Day Five: Community here!
Check out Day Four: Inspiration here!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here! 


On the Seventh Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: APPRECIATION.

Nabbed from Flickr | Loving Earth

TIP 7 - Don't be too hard on yourself. I have already been harping on this idea. Do not become your own worst enemy when it comes to creating and being artsy. Allow yourself mistakes and redos. Appreciate your own talents and understand that mistakes come with that!

My grandma taught me how to make dream catchers and how to weave baskets, and she always said the Native Americans said any mistake in your weaving is a place for the evil spirits to be released from your life. Whenever I mess up I just joke with her that I am releasing a lot of evil! Take that mindset when creating! Any "mistake" or unintentional move can be used to your advantage if you let it.

I understand it is easy to work on something for hours and then take a step back and say, "this looks terrible". Step away for a moment then and come back later. But do not start beating yourself up because you will create a mental block.

Also, do not base your success or accomplishments on others. As I said before, you are not the Picasso of art. You are not the Martha Stewart of home crafts. Don't try to be.

Be the YOU of YOUR WORK. Sounds cheese-tastic, I know. But do it. Allow yourself to become the expert of your own style and relish in your style. For all you know, there are people out there trying to replicate you!



TASK 7 - Find a project or idea that you like and make a gift for a friend this holiday season! This will force you to be creative and to appreciate your work enough to give it away to someone to let them enjoy it! This may be difficult because you will question yourself the whole way through and think, "maybe they won't like this", or "they'll think this is terrible", or any of the other negative thoughts you have about your work. POWER THROUGH THAT! :) Create something, appreciate it, and let someone else give you kudos and appreciate it.



Show me the gift you made! Let me give you kudos! :)
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Seven.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Eight: BALACE!

Day Six of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Six of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Five: Community here!
Check out Day Four: Inspiration here!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here! 


On the Sixth Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: PATIENCE.

Nabbed from Fernando | Flickr - "Lulu Learns Patience"

TIP 6 - Give it time. Patience, patience patience, people!! Patience really is a virtue. One in which I don't typically possess. And I often have to step away from a project that I am losing patience with. But when I come back calmed down and ready, I am back at it with a totally new perspective.

99% of people (my stat, not "scientifically" proven ;) ) will not pick up a paint brush for the first time and paint a masterpiece. And if they do, it will take them some time to correct, and re-correct. Most art and crafts take time to hone the skill set. Even if you are a natural at something, your later work will often reflect all the time and effort you've put into it learning and improving.

Don't give up after your first attempt. Don't let yourself get defeated that quickly. Just go into it with the purpose of enjoying it and trying something out, and not to be perfect and amazing.

We learn best from our mistakes anyways. Some of the greatest things have stemmed from huge mistakes! Relish in your mistakes and work with them! Just don't give up because of a mistake.



TASK 6 - Take a 30-day art challenge. Go online and search for these challenges. Find one that speaks to you more than another - or like I'm going to do, pick pieces and parts from different ones and Frankenstein your own 30-day challenge that really excites you!

This challenge will force you to have some patience with improving your skills. Day 1 you may feel like you have no idea what you're doing - push through that!! By Day 30 you will feel much more comfortable with your skills and will have honed in on them a bit more.

Stay tuned to my blog - after my 12 Days of Creativity in the New Year I plan on doing a 30 Day Art Challenge and I'll be posting all my work plus my commentary :)



Start your 30 Day Art Challenge and show me your progress! Send me your stories of when patience was very important (or when you lost patience) while crafting!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Six.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Seven: APPRECIATION!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Five of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Five of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Four: Inspiration here!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here! 



On the Fifth Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: COMMUNITY.

Image credit: Ryan Khatam | Flickr 

TIP 5 - Take classes or get together with other crafters. Sometimes the most inspiring thing is to be around other artistic people. Their excitement and enthusiasm for art and creating can get you going. Having a supportive community to be around will aid in your creativity. Go seek out classes that teach you how to do something new like crocheting, painting, making pottery, anything!

Get a group of friends together at your place and all practice watercolors. Someone may catch on quicker than the other - have them show you their technique. I did this with my friend Molly. We both really wanted to hone our watercolor skills and we sat down, watched some t.v., and just started messing around. We looked up tips and videos on the internet. When one of us understood something better we'd help the other. We aren't selling watercolor paintings now or anything, but we felt better about it and more excited about trying it again. Plus we enjoyed just hanging out and messing around with watercolors. I'm more of an exact painter so it took me a bit to get the watercolor technique but Molly is much more flowing with her art and she was able to help me along. After she left I kept messing around with them and will continue to try more stuff out!



TASK 5 - Look into local art classes. A lot of local community colleges offer art classes. You can take cake decorating classes at Michaels. Your local Tandy leather shop has awesome leather working classes. Check into your local home and garden shops for floral design classes. Look in your local newspaper or events paper for art, drawing, painting, quilting, sewing, crocheting classes or clubs. They are everywhere and can start with very basic skills and reach to more advanced skills.

Another option is to get a group of your friends together one night with the set task of eating, drinking, and creating. Make some snacks, get a couple bottles of wine, and find a project you all want to do - a watercolor painting like Molly and I tried, a front door wreath, or a Christmas ornament. Either sign up for ONE art class or do ONE get together with friends to awaken the crafting urges!!



Tell me what classes/groups you've found AND joined! Send me pics of your crafting get-togethers!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Five.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Six: PATIENCE!

Day Four of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Four of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Three: Imitation here!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here!



On the Fourth Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: INSPIRATION.

Photo nabbed from Lonny Magazine

TIP 4 - Look for inspiration everywhere. There really is beauty everywhere. I know that sounds like the first line in a love song, but those crooners got it right. It's true. There is beauty and inspiration everywhere.

Oftentimes we are on the go so much that we aren't able to appreciate those moments. The leaves in the fall, the snow in the winter, the flowers in the spring, the hot, sunny day in the summer. There are moments of inspiration in everything and everywhere.

Keep a notebook on you, or make a note in your phone, of some thing you see that you enjoyed, that tripped your visual trigger, that you'd like to replicate. The best thing about our phones now is taking pictures of things that visually stimulate you. Half the time I take pictures of things and don't do anything with them. But sometimes I go back through my photos on my phone and get inspired by a photo I took.

Don't try to force it though. Sometimes it's nice to just take in the view. You don't have to paint everything you see or think every leaf and petal should inspire you to create. But take in the views and appreciate what's out there and when you're working on something some of those ideas will come back to you.



TASK 4 - Start looking through magazines, the internet, Pinterest, etc.. Start making collages of things that inspire you - bright colors, interesting textures, lines and shadows, portraits, etc. Make a literal "vision" board. A board of visually stimulating things that will continue to inspire you. Put this on poster board or tack it on a cork board. Put this where you will see it often and will be able to draw ideas from it. This can be an ever changing piece of art in and of itself. Add to it or cover things up as you see fit. This is a great way to start looking for inspiration. Once you are more aware of what trips your visual triggers, you will start seeing it everywhere. Then post this vision board in your work space (from Day Two) for further inspiration.



Show me your inspiration board or anything that inspires you!!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Four.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Five: COMMUNITY!

Day Three of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Three of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day Two: Work Space here!
Check out Day One: Confidence here!


On the Third Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: IMITATION.



TIP 3 - Don't be afraid to copycat at first. Everyone thinks they have to have some amazing, groundbreaking idea in order to create. If you have one of those, by all means get to it! I am not knocking those creative souls with wildly original ideas.

But to get the creative juices flowing, sometimes it's ok to get ideas from others and start there. Don't rip off someone's ideas as your own - I am not suggesting that - but merely utilizing a form of artistic brainstorming. Sometimes the best pieces come from thoughts you have and ideas you get while working on something else.

Head on over to Pinterest and try to do one of the crafts you see there. It can be the little steps that get you started and keep you going.

Another benefit to copying others, or getting ideas from others at first, is you get to try multiple different medias - i.e. painting, decoupage, crocheting, sewing, etc. You may never have known what a natural decoupager you were until you tried that cute idea you saw at the art fair. Then from there, once you have that skill set down, you can really take off with it!



TASK 3 - Once again, go online, look through magazines, blogs, and/or Pinterest. Find ONE project that you want to do and DO it. This is a great way to get started, to build your experience and skill set, and to start getting to a point that you can come up with your own projects. *One caveat is to not try to pass these off as your own. Give credit where credit is due. You deserve credit for doing a great job, but also give credit to whomever had the idea first! :)



Show me today's project or ideas you have learned from in the past!!
Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Three.
AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Four: INSPIRATION!

Day Two of the 12 Days of Creativity

This is Day Two of the 12 Steps to Creativity: Embracing Your Creativity Challenge!
Check out Day One here!


On the Second Day of Creativity Meghan gave to me: WORK SPACE.

Nabbed from Fabric Paper Glue :)

TIP 2 - Set up a space where you really feel inspired. We can't all have the amazing New York City loft studio that the brooding artist on t.v. lives in with massive, beautiful windows and an inspiring space for creating. Some of us live in regular suburban apartments or homes in Akron, Ohio, or Wichita, Kansas, or Birmingham, Alabama (not that any of those cities, two of which I've lived in, aren't full of art and inspiration, but they aren't what you see featured on t.v. as artistic Meccas).

 Regardless of where you live or what your space looks like, it is important to create a space that's inspiring or a space where you feel like you can create. If this is a corner of a room, an area in your basement or garage, a shed out back, whatever it is, take the time to make a space that you feel comfortable in, where you can spread out a bit - (or your stuff can spread out a bit - art gets messy!), and make it your own little art loft. One of the biggest things that can prevent you from creating is feeling like you have nowhere to do it.

Make a space you want to be in - where you could hang out for hours. This may mean bringing in a t.v. or a radio, or making it around the corner from where everyone hangs out in your home so you don't feel completely left out, or completely opposite to that, out in the shed so you are undisturbed and truly have your own space.

Put up photos, paintings, and clippings that inspire you, encourage you, and add to your oasis of art. It will be your own space that as soon as you enter it you get those butterflies of excitement to get creative and start working on something!



TASK 2 -  Start looking at your surrounding for a space where you could set up a space for creating. Make a list of 5-10 items that you would like to have in that space and slowly start pulling together these items needed to make that space happen - a work table, a comfortable chair, a cool lamp, a container (or containers) for all your supplies (be it paints, fabrics, thread, etc.), then put up your inspiration board (to come from TASK 4).



Show me your work space or a space that you feel inspired in!!

Leave me some comments on your thoughts on Day Two.

AND Stay tuned tomorrow for Day Three!