Bird & Leaf

Excited to go to Cali!

2012-01-21T19:03:00.000-05:00

Can't wait for my weekend trip to California! Gonna see my 2nd cousin Van, only 9 months old...gonna see my BEST FRIEND Cindy for the first time in 20 years. There's a story there, thank you Facebook. And of course, gonna chill with Ilysa at the CHA convention. Well, more like work our tails off and come back with 50 pound suitcases. I do believe my suitcase is going to have almost nothing in it when I leave. Except maybe another suitcase, debating whether I should bring one to act as a carryon for the trip back.
Right now, we are waiting to hear if we will be chosen for a Reality TV show. I can't believe it, I actually hate most of them. But I love the Cupcake wars, and this show is put on by the same producers. It's kinda like a Crafter war, we don't have a lot of details yet but casting ended yesterday- so keep your fingers crossed. If we get on tv, ThingsCrafty.com will take off like crazy- which is perfect because once again, this year I've already been informed that I'm losing my job in June. Ugh. When will public education get better?

Shut Up and Put Out!

2012-01-14T13:02:00.001-05:00

OK, that's a little strongly stated, but that's the point. Ilysa and I were talking business this morning and we decided that is going to be the theme of our new crafting community. We are both action-minded women, and Ilysa has been self employed for almost her whole adult life- and that is my goal too. In the next 2 years, I plan to leave "the Man" behind and work for The Woman- Me! But that requires SMART goals and planning. You need to do small, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely things in order to move forward in life. That's what we will be talking, writing, videoing, and blogging about in the near future over at ThingsCrafty. We've got great things in the works- and we will be explaining how sometimes you need to just Shut Up your mouth or your brain, and Put Out- that means get it done!

a much needed break

2012-01-13T20:19:00.000-05:00

I've got a long weekend ahead of me... with a couple of side projects going, plus a certification need I'm going to have to take care of, and the desire for some me-time, I'm really looking forward to it.

Hellboy is on the TV, I'm browsing art supplies, and I'm avoiding grading my Art History final essays at all costs. They will catch up with me by Monday, and then I have to grade another 50 in 24 hours next week when we do midterms. For all that plus the ton of other work I do for that class, I get a $450 "bonus." Gotta love it.

I applied for a job at Apple today- it was such a great looking position I couldn't help it. School has basically told me I don't have a job next year, unless I certify in another area. I am going to do the certification I need, but now I am on the hunt for an employer who will truly be able to value what I have to offer without getting caught up in red tape and lack of funds, which has been the story of my life as an art teacher.

"creative genius"

2011-12-28T12:53:00.000-05:00

So, I just want to say something about what it means to be a Creative Genius. It means that I am always thinking, putting 2+2 together (and definitely NOT coming up with 4), always learning, pushing limits, reading, writing, did I mention thinking? There's an awesome other way to think, it's called Metacognition- in which you actually think about what you think about, and how you think about it. LOL. It means that although I am an excellent speller, there are two words I can never, ever spell and I always have to use spellcheck to fix them, no matter how many times I have written them before (exercise, and rhythm.) It means that I am unafraid of a creative or intellectual challenge and I actually seek both. It means if I don't have the ingredients, I will experiment.

I encourage everyone to work on the Creative Genius inside of them. Creativity is not just about making art, or making good art for that matter. It's the quintessential "making the best out of what you have," plus a little bit of magical thinking.

Fun with Encaustic!

2011-12-09T15:55:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I played with the Encaustic technique for the first time... it was very fun.

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Art Journal- SCORE! at the Goodwill

2011-11-06T10:30:00.000-05:00

I found this awesome blank book for $3.50 yesterday at our local Goodwill. I couldn't resist, because the pages, which I assume are for gluing in photos, are big, blank, and a nice heavy weight. Perfect for an art journal, a task which I have often thought about undertaking but have never actually done.

This book is bound in a very time-honored traditional way, it's called Japanese stab-binding. Basically a fancy way to say, there are holes going all the way thru the pages and the covers, and a string is holding them in. Rather than having a spine, the spine is open and you can see the edges, and the front and rear covers bend when the book opens. So if I want to, I can even remove pages in order to paint them. I plan to use a lot of gesso- tip- sometimes I keep a container of Kilz primer around- it's cheaper than gesso, and does the same thing.

Part of my creative anxiety stems from the question "Will it matter?" and I have decided that yes, it will, even if only to me. Now the anxiety that comes up next is, do I have time for this? With all the other things in my life that I am dying, or trying, to start up, do I really have time to write, scribble, draw, paint and collage in this book? Or is it just another creative diversion? Well, I suppose creative diversions are important too. I always tell my students that it is important to practice, you can't "think" your way through a project. So it's high-time for a taste of my own medicine. I recently got several new books on mixed media techniques, all of which seem very logical to me- but I can't own those techniques until I really try them out. So, here we go...

Adventures in cosmetics.

2011-11-02T20:12:00.000-04:00

I'm usually not very conscious of cosmetics for appearance. My typical make up is mascara and eyeliner- dressing "up" includes eyeshadow and perhaps lipstick. I never wear anything else- I'm quite freckled, so it's virtually impossible to wear foundation or coverup, which I never really need anyway because I have nice skin. So- on to what's really biting me- that's right, my teeth! I got Invisalign today and they will be with me for the next 8 months on a rather aggressive teeth-moving plan. Top teeth done in 7 months, bottoms, 8. It hurts! But my smile has been on my mind, since my front teeth started crossing over each other years ago and it got to the point where my front left tooth is totally crossed under the right and pointing into my mouth, which is uncomfortable. So I decided to do something about it this year. I've been practicing speaking tonight- my biggest challenge is my Art History class, which requires me to lecture so I can't wait until tomorrow morning when I attempt class on Ancient Greece - s sounds are the worst! Debbie made me orzo with butter for dinner, which I sucked down without chewing.

I'm now working on three Etsy orders- things are picking up with the holidays, and drinking some almond milk thru a straw... I'm thinking the one great thing that is going to come of this, besides straight teeth, is a smaller waistline since eating hurts and boy is it a b*tch trying to get these things in and out of my mouth.

Breaking through creative blocks- just do it.

2011-10-27T19:54:00.000-04:00

I have suffered from what I sometimes refer to as creative ADD. I can get incredibly engrossed in learning something- usually for a very short time period of say, one to two weeks. In that time span, I read several paper books, download 10 ebooks, listen to 50 podcasts, read every magazine article available, bookmark 25 websites, research several experts working in that media, and learn everything there is to know. Then, I either buy some supplies and try it out, or determine that I'm not all that interested in actually trying it out, and move on. Or, put it on the back-burner as something I will someday try. And- my favorite- get angry at myself for not having done it sooner, because now I have to compete with someone who is already doing it the way I "would have."

All of this is, of course, a well-disguised version of procrastination, which is in itself a well-disguised version of creative-block of one kind or another. I have quit doing this, by the way. I read a great book called Art & Fear, I got some therapy, listened to Byron Katie, have taken up Buddhist philosophy, started to pray again, and worked it out. Now my issue is time. That will be dealt with in another post.

So what is my number one tip to breaking through the creative block so you can have something to show for yourself? Start!

The world wants what you make. You are the only one who can make it, and there are people out there who really love what you make. But you can't let them see it if it never sees the light of day, if you never get around to creating it, if you stop it before it starts.

Don't wait until you are good enough. In Western Culture, for some reason we have this penetrating idea that we are never good enough. We are brought up that way, to self-deprecate, to hate ourselves or at least lack self-confidence. It's time to stop the madness and allow. Be. Make. Create.

VistaPrint to the rescue again!

2011-10-25T19:51:00.000-04:00

Well, I realize it's been a while since I ordered business cards. Also, I recently moved so I need to update some things. I'm out of business cards with my good phone number, and my address labels are now defunct :( So, having told a colleague that I do, in fact, have business cards, I realized I better actually get some!
VistaPrint.com has great deals. I know, as a graphic artist I could make my own cards...but while browsing their free designs I couldn't resist. They had the perfect one with nice earthy colors and a pair of scissors cutting a cool photoshop-scroll looking design. So that was the one for me, and I artfully arranged their standard form areas. They want you to put your address, number, etc. But I used all the spots available to put my name, title, three blogs I work on (this one and my two business blogs) and included the fact that I'm a photoshop expert, multi-media artist, and videographer. You never know who you are going to meet out there- so I put the things I am best and and would be talking with people about. And I made the executive decision to leave my phone number off of it this time. If I want to give out my number, I can write it on the card- but I'm assuming that my email and website address should be enough for the casual admirer or conversation. And I threw an order of return address labels on for fun, because the Holiday shopping season is upon us, Etsy orders are picking up, and I like my packages to look nice!

Some things just strike me as silly...

2011-10-22T17:46:00.000-04:00

Like this...spotted on Etsy, a hot-pink skirt from the mid 80's (which they got wrong, the listing said it's from the 90's)...
Since when is 90s "vintage?" Just another way to put an old garage-sale item up there for sale by mislabeling it- twice.

Where did they come up with this?

2011-10-21T21:09:00.001-04:00

Confident, goal-driven, hard-working, authoritative, tries to accomplish as much as possible in the shortest amount of time, motivates and leads others

LOL, just found that note on an online profile of me that I didn't know existed...somehow, the all-knowing computer got it right :)

This past weekend, I led my little team of graphic designers to stardom as they took their first award for our 'Zine full of student writing and art. They placed third in the district competition, and we're headed to states!

How do you do it?

2011-10-08T13:01:00.001-04:00

"What?" says Danielle....
"Live each day with this kind of Passion! Don't you find it exhausting?" ~Prince Charming

LOL. Can you tell I'm watching Ever After for like, the 80th time? I really enjoy this modern spin on Cinderella.

Anyway, I LOVE IT when he says that to her in the midst of a heated argument. Why wouldn't you want to live with passion everyday?

Seek gets a faceup

2011-10-02T11:11:00.001-04:00

Today I am finally finished with the polymer portion of my art doll called "Seek." I rubbed her down with acetone (after forgetting that it is a solvent, pouring some out into a plastic cup, and having my cup literally runneth-over as the acetone ate the cup, lol.)
Then I used Genesis oil paints to give her a blushy glow, rosey cheeks, beautiful lips, and eyebrows. I do think she is going to get real eyelashes. You will notice her head is shaped funny- don't make the mistake of making a "realistic" head, because then when you attach the hair or wig, it will be really BIG! So I left room for gluing, because she is going to have 2 kinds of mohair attached in clumps, starting at the nape of the neck.
But I won't be working on her head anymore until the sculpture is assembled. She needs to be attached to her legs now and positioned, because when you do a sculpture in the round, you really need to see the whole thing developing. One of the easiest mistakes to make is to spend a long time developing one part of your sculpture, before you work on other parts- you usually end up with something that looks unbalanced. So, next step- attach hips to legs!

This is what a day off looks like...

2011-09-29T11:26:00.000-04:00

Deb and I went to the beach early today for a nice long walk. Then home to work on our art- she's making a curio cabinet for the kitchen out of recycled materials such as magazines, wire, and cigar boxes. I'm working on my dolly. She just came out of the oven with skin on her face, and I'll post again later with an update. So far, she has her arms and her dress, in rough form, and I apoxied a ring in her hand to hold the lantern. She will be called "Seeker."

Starving Artist? We need to thrive instead

2011-09-25T10:23:00.002-04:00

I love Angi, and just wanted to share what she has to say about this topic. In recent months, through therapy and reading, I've uncovered the negativity in my soul- in America, we are raised with horrible social norms including the idea that taking care of ourselves is a selfish act. That not finishing the food on our plate is somehow causing children to starve to death in China, that we must take care of others at the expense of ourselves, that sacrificing our desires is actually a desirable character trait. We then buy into the idea that to want- to really want, is to take from someone else. What a crock of .....
Anyway, enjoy.

Creativity when you're tired

2011-09-23T22:30:00.001-04:00

It's hard to be creative every day. I think sometimes it's just plain hard to be creative. I am always thinking, and always ahead of the game- I think of wild things that sometimes my friends and acquaintances just don't "get." It's a blessing and a curse. And lately, I'm just tired. Tired of my situation, my job, and always being turned on- striving to do my best. Why can't I just slack off? Why can't I be "normal?" Why do I have to think of better ways to teach my Photoshop classes (full of 45-50 students, ridiculous) and AP students who don't really care about Art History? Because, I'm a teacher, and I care. And because I am basically a creative person, I can't help but create new and better ways of doing everything I do. So the answer is, keep on truckin'. Even when you are tired. Otherwise, you won't like yourself.

dress

2011-09-16T22:07:00.003-04:00

Looks mechanical now, just wait!

Fairy parts.

2011-09-16T22:06:00.003-04:00

Can you see her Apoxy skeleton? I'm working on a 14" fairy sculpture at the moment.
Wow, it takes a lot of different art supplies to create her. So far: Apoxy Sculpt for the armature of the body, over wire; cardboard, bamboo skewers, Sculpamold and hot glue gun for the base (her dress); sticky-back vellum, Angelina film, wire, glitter, glitter glue, Gorilla glue for the wings (and a soldering iron); polymer clay, pearl-ex, genesis paint and UV resin for the eyeballs; 2 different kinds of mohair for the wig; PuppenFimo and Cernit for her skin. And I'm not sure yet if I will use actual fabric, or a layer of paperclay and paint for the dress...I'll make that decision once I have her body finished, but I'm leaning toward paperclay. Then there's the lantern- she is a Seeker in the Dark- she is leaning over, holding out a lantern that really lights up. I have a design dilemma to work out, because the lantern has batteries that will need to be changed, and a button that needs to be pressed. So I have to engineer it so it works, lights up, and is removable from the sculpture for maintenance. I'm thinking maybe one of those cigar tins that individual expensive cigars come in, with holes poked in it to let the light out.

Filming Polymer Clay Podcast- crazy times!

2011-07-22T21:31:00.000-04:00

I'm in North Florida with Ilysa, and we just filmed the next 12 episodes of Polymer Clay TV...plus, we are putting together 3 new courses on Mixed-Media art and Journalling, and a new library of Polymer Clay videos. And we released Ilysa's kaleidoscope caning to the world via hi-def DVD. Of course, all our video is in Hi-Def these days, since we both picked up new camcorders. It has become fairly inexpensive to get really nice equipment, and ours are Canons, which I consider top of the line. As far as we know, we are the only production company doing only HD video for our instructional videos. We are kicking butt and taking names, as they say, since I am only here for 5 days we have to get a lot done. I've got iMovie, Final Cut, iSquint, and iDvd going at the same time- good thing Ilysa's Mac can take it! We have a whole new video intro (short and sweet), and a new song. And a new site- we are opening ThingsCrafty.com shortly, where we will be promoting Inspirational Craft Journeys through Mixed-Media are and art journalling.
On top of all that, I am having nightmares....I am supposed to find out this coming week if I can go back to my job or not. Crossing fingers...

Choosing Business names and the dilemma of user names

2011-07-15T17:44:00.001-04:00

I just made a few changes, including picking a new business name that makes a lot more sense to me and my business. I am expanding, changing, and in some ways, going back to the basics- which all began with a leaf.
Picking a business name can be really difficult- it has to speak to you, your passions, what you make, and how you want your customers to feel owning your art. Then, there is the newly sprung question- does someone already own my domain name or user name? In my case, I chose Studio Bijou in 2006 when I opened my etsy shop. At the time, it spoke to me- I was creating tiny gems of art and jewerly, and I really like the word "Studio." I still do, but I realize that most of what I create centers around birds, flowers, and leaves. So Bird & Leaf makes much more sense as I grow into myself as a business woman. BUT, someone else "owns" that name on Etsy. So I can't have it. Plus, StudioBijou already has lots of 100% positive feedback...and all my listings are already there. So why start over? I can just point my new name and domain at my etsy shop, change my banner so my customers are not confused, grab the name for my Facebook page, and move on with my life. There are SO MANY social networks and selling sites, it may be getting close to impossible to get your user name of choice on all of them at this point. So I will be content with using Bird & Leaf at many of them, my name at some of them (this blog!) and StudioBijou at etsy, my humble beginnings.

Texture unexpected.

2011-07-09T20:20:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking about what is important to me, what I am passionate about. It's important to stop and think when you are in a stressful situation as I am now. Texture. I am passionate about visual and audio texture. The sound of waves, and the look of them. Likewise with leaves on trees, a scarce commodity in south Florida. Sand, snow, wind, and coral-the bones of the sea. In visiting Texas last weekend, the textures there were dry, flaky, hot...gritty. Green and fertile in the shade. Texture gives meaning to everything. I'd you slow down you will notice the texture of things. Thoughts so thick you could chew them, tastes so wonderful you could roll around in them... I've always said that if it were acceptable, I would bathe in candied sweet potatoes. For the texture, warmth, smell, and taste. Mmmmmmm.

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It's Preposterous!

2011-07-07T09:33:00.001-04:00

Ha, I just like that word. And other words, such as flummoxed, bamboozled, and cummerbund. But, back to my point.

Still no word from Broward County about whether I will get my old job back. Usually they wait until the last dying moment, so no surprise there. Money suddenly "appears," seemingly out of nowhere, and they call the laid-off teachers and make offers. Of course, they fail to apologize for the loss of sleep, stress, strained marriages, and other physical and psychological problems caused by the whole mess. As for my marriage, of course it's been strained. Right now, my husband has gone to another state to find work. We couldn't both sit here waiting for the hand of god, or someone, to help us out. There is no work in South Florida, people. Don't come here. Yes it's beautiful, yes, there is a great beach and palm trees...but unless you like climbing those trees to hack down your own coconuts in the face of starvation, it's not a great place to come looking for a life right now.

Do I sound bitter? I really, truly thought that once I got my job teaching art at a highschool, my LONG career quest would be over and I would stay out the rest of my working days. It's not even that my quest for a career was long, it's that my quest for a JOB was very very long. I always wanted this career, but it took 15 years to get the job.

Well, happy to say that my feelers are out and a certain Prep-school will be interviewing me next week to join their Fine Art department in the Digital Photography and Media capacity. If I go there, Broward will have lost one of it's finest. But as I stated before, all you need to keep your job in Broward County is a hire date and a pulse, you don't need any actual skills in the area you will be teaching. That's thanks to our "wonderful" union.

Working with positive Affirmations.

2011-07-06T09:12:00.003-04:00

I got an app that features list of rotating affirmations -475 of them! Did you know you could say that many positive things to yourself? Most people spend all day cutting themselves apart, saying "I should've, could have, wish I had..." etc. I am experimenting with only saying positive things to myself. So far its been great. My favorite one is "I'm ok." Over and over, since I am prone to irrational anxiety. It helps.

it matters not what I do for kids....

2011-06-15T08:27:00.003-04:00

Oh the disappointments involved with being a public school teacher in Florida. On Monday morning I got the phonecall. Summarily laid-off due to seniority and lack of funds.

It seems the Longer I am employed, the lower my seniority gets, since they keep chopping off the feet of the arts totem pole. My Principal and several others have come up to bat for me, I even spoke with the head of the district arts dept, who said "Gee, you have a lot of fans rooting for you!" I told her, of course I do, I'm nice, the kids like me, and I do a good job. Duh.(not that last part.)

But in public school overrun by a useless union, it doesn't matter what my skills or effectiveness are-it only matters that I was hired on 2/20/08. It is very sad, and I hope somehow the word gets out to parents when an underqualified randomly selected person with more seniority is attempting to teach my digital and AP classes next year. How can we fix public education? It's the worst run business I have ever experienced, where skills have nothing to do with your job or compensation.

Another Day in Paradise

2011-06-12T16:15:00.001-04:00

Well, the school year is over...to my chagrin, every art teacher below me in seniority was laid off. I'm next, say lots of prayers that those below me somehow get their jobs back.

I am now enjoying my days, preparing for a summer of making and creating, after a quick trip up to NY to see my sisters- one turned 30 and the other is 6 months preggers, so a visit is in order :)

Getting ready to list a whole bunch of wing jewelry that I made for shows this spring...what didn't sell is going onto Etsy for my online clientele.

mermaid again

2011-05-07T22:37:00.002-04:00

Post Dr Who. This very large canvas has been sitting in the corner of the bedroom for over a year, painfully waiting to become beautiful. Finally, I am unblocked.

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mermaid

2011-05-07T22:05:00.001-04:00

Underpainting part one. Pre Dr Who.

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Last launch of Endeavor

2011-04-29T08:15:00.001-04:00

Sorry, kids, I decided on a last minute whim to travel up to Kennedy Space Center to see the penultimate shuttle launch. We got a fabulous parking spot right across the bay from the launched, and I've got the hd cam ready to go. There's a guy roasting ribs ( gonna be a great lunch) and the place is filling up quick. It's gonna be a Long day of waiting, since the launch isn't scheduled until 3:47, but we've got chips, cards, and smartphones ;)

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The quiet of twilight

2011-04-22T20:06:00.002-04:00

I live by the beach and there are two pools on my property. Interestingly (to me, anyway) I don't use them much. Tonight I felt like some me time so I came down and it is so peaceful. There is no one here but the birds.

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Rainbows to remind me...

2011-04-13T19:07:00.002-04:00

Just when I was having a baddish evening, I turn around to see a rainbow poking thru the black clouds. Add a little Ani Di Franco to the mix and things could be looking up.

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Art Bead Scene Blog: April Monthly Challenge

2011-04-11T21:54:00.000-04:00

Art Bead Scene Blog: April Monthly Challenge

Yay! I love this month's theme, and I am going to try to enter. It's been a while, and a challenge is just what I need.

Wicked!

2011-04-07T20:05:00.001-04:00

Going to see Wicked tonight! The show is about to begin.

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The curious case of the bashed banana.

2011-03-02T21:35:00.002-05:00

Ah, the trials and tribulations of the Art History teacher. I love it when bananas sprout legs, climb into a book, pull the cover closed, and invite 100 banana friends to jump on the book thereby crushing said original banana. At least that is the story, as it were.

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Waiting.

2011-02-26T19:41:00.001-05:00

Today was all about patience. Waiting for others, waiting for myself... waiting for lights, people, food, a kiln, two drawbridges. I took a long walk this morning and started listening to the Tao de Ching, so I suppose it was inevitable that I would, of course, spend my day learning the lesson of slowing down. Now if my dinner would just hurry up and cook!

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Mixed media class at Trash2Treasure

2011-02-17T20:19:00.001-05:00

Check out the gorgeous wall art created by one of my students on Ties night! My first class at the new studio got off to a rocky start when I couldn't get in to actually teach the class due to a broken deasbolt on the studio door! But, Michael came and saved the day and I taught the class in the center instead. Oh, what a night...

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Teaching portraiture

2011-01-25T18:00:00.001-05:00

Oh what fun, today I attempted to explain how to take a good portrait to a group of half-awake teens. Some of them enjoyed it...

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android blog post!

2011-01-24T21:50:00.001-05:00

I just downloaded the Blogger app for my phone. Actually spent some time this evening figuring out how to help my smart phone help me. I want a full experience with this thing, after all, I lId too much for it and the service is expensive. I hate to waste, so hopefully this will help. Blogging on the go, whoda thunk?

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Counting Blessings

2011-01-18T18:30:00.000-05:00

Just needed a positive moment.
One of our Guidance Counselors lost her life to a sudden heart attack this week. It's terrible- she was only 55, and healthy, happy, and a lovely person. It's shocking when these things happen, there's no reason, death is a part of life. These are all very rational thoughts.
Connie, you will be fondly remembered. You've given me a reason to count my blessings today. I have a wonderful family and husband, a job at a school with wonderful kids, three crazy cats, a home by the beach, health, a car that runs, business partners that Rock...the list goes on and on. What are you grateful for today?

Frustration

2011-01-14T20:25:00.000-05:00

Just when I think a technological breakthrough is about to happen in my classroom, the school board blocks yet another "inappropriate" website. This time the target was Tumblr, which imo was going to be the next breakthrough in classroom blogging. Our photo department was all set to start using it for twice daily reflections and photoblogging. Way to go, Broward County. Keep blocking those sites. Soon every graphic resource on the net will be a no-go. It's very frustrating to be a digital design teacher in this district.

Creativity flowed this weekend...

2010-12-21T08:42:00.001-05:00

Ilysa and I got together in CT (boy was it cold!) to film four- that's right- four! new crafting DVDS. We used canvas, resin, acetate, paper, clay, inks, paints, silkscreens, you name it- and created some really cools stuff. We also INVENTED a new product! You heard me. When you allow yourself to play, a lot of discovery happens along the way. I don't allow much time for play in my crafting life, I view it as time and money wasted- part of my "issues" because I feel the grown up need to be totally practical all the time. It was nice to say, let's try this, and when we saw what happened it was amazing. My drawings are now going to be packaged up in several ways to create a miracle product. Here's one of my projects- a metal ATC case, and a card to go inside. It features Magic Transfer Clings- coming soon to an internet near you :)

Jewelry design- it's an art

2010-12-17T19:14:00.001-05:00

I enjoy creating leaf beads out of clay. My leaves are cane creations, meaning that the color and form go through the whole piece of clay, creating marvelous color and resistance to the breakdown you get with plating or painted surfaces.

This bracelet features my own leaf beads. When I blended the colors, I wasn't sure where they would lead me. I always lay out a pile of leaves and then I start sifting through my bead collection. I allow the beads to call to me, suggesting their own story and coming together. My favorite concept and Principle of Design is Unity- the perfect blend of harmonious shapes, colors, and sizes of beads.

LOL. I am grateful, really I am!

2010-12-17T18:58:00.000-05:00

I think weekly is my limit. I am grateful for every breath I take, and every sight I see- I think today I'm grateful for my eyes. I am an artist-what would I do without them? This morning I took a photo with my new phone that I thought was very funny at the time- in the lingering half-dark of dawn, a million blackbirds were lined up on the street poles at the crossing of Pines and 75. There were 6 birds on each traffic-cam- sitting under the lovely "bird-proof" metal fluff-looking thing they put on top of the cameras to keep the birds off. Four birds on top of each camera, and birds on each side sitting on the wires that project out from the sides. Nice job, engineers. Plenty of room for the birds. I adore where my tax money goes, into such useless projects and pieces and parts like bird-proofing.

Gratitude on the Eleventh day.

2010-12-11T08:37:00.000-05:00

Today I am grateful that we chose to live by the beach. I think I am most grateful for my 12th floor balcony with water views on both sides. It is freeing to live up so high, see birds flying right by, watch the sun rise over the ocean and set over the intracoastal. The view is mostly sky up here, reflected by water. It is peaceful, and one of those things you might "dream" about if you saw a picture in a vacation magazine. I'm glad we chose to live here.

Sickness trumps Gratitude...

2010-12-07T18:22:00.000-05:00

I've been so sick, I forgot to be grateful :(
But, I'm grateful that I have all my energy back today! Amidst extreme head congestion and fatigue from 4 days sick and still working, this evening I'm feeling pretty good. Here's a sneak peek at some digital things I've been working on. The photo is from Lisajen_Stock on Deviantart.com. They gracefully offer lots of photos in nice poses. I've colored and enhanced the photo, added elf ears and a pretty pink finch. Next I'll be giving her a gorgeous landscape. Then I'll take her into Artrage and create some digital painted magic.

Gratitude, Day 4

2010-12-04T15:44:00.000-05:00

Oops, I missed a day! It was inevitable. I got sick, things happen...
Today I'm grateful for stories and their tellers. I am a fan of fantasy. Perhaps it's partly due to family influences. You see, I'm Yolen offspring, and I was given many gifts of books by my mother's cousin, Jane, when I was young. My favorite of all time is The Hundredth Dove (and other tales, actually an anthology.) I grew up with a love for modern and old fashioned fairy tales, and I really love finding out what the REAL endings to the stories are, not the "disney-fied" versions. Let's see, the top shelf of my bookshelf includes...Grimm's Fairy Tales, Where the Sidewalk Ends, 100 Vicious Vampire Tales, 100 Wicked Witch Tales, The Mermaid's Three Wisdoms, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy, Strunk and White. I see a trend. And today, I'm sick and lying on the couch. Thankfully, there is a Harry Potter marathon on today- and it's the extended cuts so I'm seeing scenes I haven't seen before. Stories can be so helpful at times like this.

Gratitude, Day 2

2010-12-02T20:12:00.000-05:00

Wouldn't you know, I would feel grateful for health and then...today I'm coming down with a cold. My first in months! LOL.
Today, I'm grateful for my ability to learn. I am quick, and it's a gift. Not everyone has the gift of natural ease of learning. In school, I was a quick learner and that trend has continued into the rest of my life. I often learn new things just from hearing or seeing them one time.

31 days of Gratitude- Day 1

2010-12-01T09:04:00.000-05:00

This coming year I have big plans. But I believe the most important thing to do is first step back and ground myself if what is real. December seems like a good month to do this.

Day 1: I am grateful for my health. I just had my first physical in about 6 years, with full bloodwork. Secretly, I was hoping something was wrong. After all, I haven't been sleeping well, and goodness knows I've been trying to lose weight for years. If something was wrong, it could get "fixed." But nothing was wrong. In fact, I am in such good health internally that I'm convinced I will live into my 90's just like my two grandmothers. My cholesterol is low, my "good" cholesterol number is so high I couldn't believe it. So, I am thankful that my health is not something I need to worry about.

For the kids...

2010-11-23T21:41:00.000-05:00

Yes kids, sometimes it's all for you. When I say "the kids," what I mean is, "my crazy (loveable) highschool students." When you hear teachers say, "I do it for the kids," what they really mean, is they endure great hardships on behalf of their students. Grading papers, monitoring progress, deciding who gets it and who doesn't, and how to fix it, figuring out how to make art history "interesting" to the 17-year-old mind (is that even possible?) and overusing quotation marks. And writing blog entries about the kids at 9:38 at night at the beginning of Thanksgiving vacation. Because, kids, realize that half my vacation will be spent setting up YOUR next three weeks of work, tests, study guides, directions, rubrics, blog posts, and essay questions. Muahahahahah! I don't know any teachers (thank goodness) who don't do it for the kids. They are really all we've got, when it comes down to it. I'm delirious. Can't wait to get to work on my schoolwork, for now I think I'll watch some more Photoshop videos. Oh yeah, that would be...for the kids.

I love ning.com!

2010-10-24T20:05:00.002-04:00

There are so many great networks there. I just found this one, http://willowing.ning.com, it is so pretty and full of great information, beautiful art, and hopefully, nice people.

Teacher Shoes

2010-10-12T21:34:00.001-04:00

Ha! Walk a day in my shoes. But make sure you really look at them. Really.

I keep my two pairs of "teacher shoes" under my desk, inside my office. Yes, I am blessed with an office this year. One of the "perks" of having a very large classroom for the very large number of students I have in my elective classes. So I get the big room with the separate office. This is a good thing, because I am not a desk-sitter, and my kids know it. Of course, they still try (and sometimes, unfortunately, do) to get away with playing the Halo Demo while I am on the other side of the room helping someone else. But I digress...

Yesterday, I wore a long skirt. After the first bell rang, I went into my dark office and kicked off the flip-flops I customarily wear to school, to exchange them for the high heels under the desk. My shoes of choice are Onex shoes, American hand-made, very nice. One pair in black and one in cork- the same style, so I don't have to have aching feet from changing styles all the time. I just wear whatever matches my current outfit. Unless it's a Tuesday, the day I choose to wear one cork, and one black, shoe all morning long. Just goes to show how very observant my students are, that not a one said a thing. I looked down around lunch time and had a WTF moment, as I saw my two different colored shoes. Such is my life.

Facebook LOVE!

2010-09-18T09:33:00.000-04:00

I really do love fb. A lot of people don't, but I am now connected or re-connected there to almost everyone who ever mattered to me. I have moved around a lot, and it's really difficult to stay connected when you have friends in every port. Especially for me, due to childhood experiences (dare we say, baggage?) I am a really disconnected soul. Disconnection from those I care about is a defense mechanism, if you (tell yourself) not to care, and you act like you don't care, it's much harder to get hurt. I guess for me, fb offers me a way to be able to send a quick message (don't even need email anymore!) and let my friends have a little glimpse into what's going on in my life. I am not a fb addict, telling everyone everything about my day, and I do tend to lurk- I love reading everyone else's updates, while not updating much on my own.

So does all this digital stuff encourage, or discourage, community and connections? I challenge whomever says that we are less connected because of the internet. I feel very connected, and it works for me. Everyone is different.

Pricing Strategy experiments...

2010-09-18T09:28:00.000-04:00

I read in a lot of places to increase your prices and see the sales pile in. I tried that, and it didn't work! So, last weekend I repriced everything on Etsy to a slightly lower and more competitive price-point, and I had 6 sales in one week. I think that's a record! I think I have finally found my sweet-spot, which means it's the price I can live with, and the price my customers will easily pay. I don't wholesale my work, although I've been thinking I would like to. But I think I would develop a different line for wholesale, something more robust at a higher price-point would work IRL sales situations. But online, you have to convince someone they want what you are selling, for your price, and you have only a few photos to do it. IRL, people can touch and hold your items and fall in love with them :)

Inventory!

2010-09-06T18:37:00.000-04:00

I've got so much finished jewelry lying around...I've been listing in my etsy shop like crazy! Experimenting with prices, reading a lot of seller blogs trying to figure out my best tactics, and generally still getting decent views but nothing is selling. hmmm...

hmmm.....is Etsy the answer?

2010-09-04T07:41:00.000-04:00

For the past week, I've been checking my google analytics to see when people view my shop, which is mostly between the hours of 5-8 pm EST, and I've been attempting to either list a new item, relist a sale or relist expired items at least once a day during that time. To keep my items in the first few pages of their categories, as is said to be key by experienced and successful sellers. It hasn't been working. Not sure what is going on, but I haven't had good views since mid-August when I listed a particular necklace. I'm thinking that necklace was popular but people didn't want to spend $28 for it. Hmmmm. I am trying very hard right now to balance my online prices with what I can live with wholesale, and what people are willing to pay! It's difficult. I sat down last week and made 28 new pairs of birdie beads in different colors so I can get those into the shop in time for holiday shopping, plus I am going to several art/craft shows this fall- a new thing for me. So I need to get in the habit of creating inventory, a concept I am unfamiliar with.

How to create a blog background with a scanner and CS4-

2010-08-11T15:57:00.001-04:00

OK, here it is...
Step 1- draw funky flower and leaf designs on white paper with Black Staedler India ink pens
Step 2- scan drawings
Step 3- open with Illustrator. Live trace, expand, and clean up all the lines. This creates a pleasing vector line drawing.
Step 4- copy and paste the paths into Photoshop.
Step 5- save each item- flower, leaves, and cherry blossom, as a separate brush.
Step 6- create the drawing, layering flower and leaves. Erase overlaps as necessary.
Step 7- Using the paint bucket and color picker, fill areas with flat color. I chose this method, rather than using gradients, so I would get flat colors that would load more quickly. Remember, online, load time is important when you make a graphic intensive background.
Step 8- finalize the position of the elements. I created a large-ish repeat, my actual background graphic features the big flower with leaves and the cherry blossom 4 times, flipped and rotated so that a repeating background would look seamless and nice.
Step 9- save as a .png with a transparent background. This way, only the black lines and fills will need to be represented, and float over the background color I choose in my CSS. This way, I can actually change the whole color scheme of my blog on the fly- and not have to ever go back into my background graphic again if I don't want to.
That's it! Step 3 is what took the longest. When you convert line drawings into vector art, there can be an awful lot of cleanup involved.

Wow, or what it feels like to NOT lose my job for the third year in a row...

2010-08-11T15:49:00.000-04:00

OMG, I really hope Broward County can get their act together this year and not send us all on the emotional roller-coaster again. I will be back at my beloved West Broward High School in a few days. This year, I have the pleasure of teaching Graphic Design 2 in it's very own block (last year the poor kids were mixed in with the level 1 students) and AP Art History. Exciting and scary! There's a lot of pressure on the AP kids and teachers for passing grades, as you may imagine. My plan is to spiral the text, exposing the students to the entire timeline three times throughout the year. Hopefully it will give them the brain exposure and practice time they need to remember what they need to know. Unfortunately, if you think about it, a high school class is taught for a year- and tested in May, whereas a college course is taught and final tested within a 4 month period of time. Imagine trying to remember something you learned once, 8 months ago, during a timed test. Good luck!

Anyway- I'm happy to be back, and honored to be given a chance to teach the AP class. I know I'll do a good job- and I can't wait to see my test results (in a year! LOL)

Back from Ireland

2010-07-18T16:24:00.000-04:00

I predicted that I would love Ireland...I know myself. I was right.
Not Dublin- it was certainly not the most beautiful foreign city I have seen, and it reminded me of Upstate New York, with older buildings. Cold, rainy, gray. Not a place I want to return to- if given a choice :)

But the rural countryside, that was another matter entirely. I did not know this- but Ireland has no large predators- no large cats, bears, coyotes or wolves. This makes the island country the perfect place for raising livestock of any kind. Sheep and cows wander freely, and are gathered in for yearly shearing and check-ups with the help of dogs. So while you are out driving or hiking, you come across random animals. One sheep even came over to say hi. BAAAAA, really. Interestingly enough, the locals don't seem to be into overfarming and raising absurd amounts of anything (like in America, where the aim is always to maximize) so the cows and sheep appear very content and not overcrowded. The beef and lamb is incredible at restaurants and pubs, because it is all local, grassfed, happy animals that donate it :)

I spent 5 days in a Vagabond tour vehicle with my brother, sisters, spouses, and Dad. It was awesome. We visited mountain passes, we kayaked with harbour seals, we hiked amazing trails that we NEVER would have volunteered for here at home. 45 minutes, uphill at a 45 degree angle with no flat bits? Sure! Give me two, please! Have you ever seen an old movie, where the heroes are captured and driven to a castle on top of a mountain, in a carriage at alarming speeds at the edge of a cliff? We replicated that- take one LandRover, 12 passengers, one luggage trailer, and an old copper-mine road. Add in a couple of passengers who are afraid of heights, and you get one hell of a ride! We drove on another road where 200 meters of it had fallen into the sea 2 years ago, and had to be rebuilt. A very comforting story for our tour-driver to tell while we were driving on the new part of the road. The gents loved Jean on the first 2 days, and all the ladies secretly fell in love with Sam and his accent. We had to change drivers mid-tour, due to the laws for drivers. It was fine, as they are all knowledgeable and fun.

I'll write more about specific moments once I get my pictures ready!

I threatened to change the background....

2010-07-05T17:20:00.001-04:00

what do you think?

Creative things that I did this week...

2010-07-04T19:01:00.000-04:00

I just finished watching Julie & Julia- it's the movie about the blogger who made every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook, and blogged about it, for 365 days. How fun! And ambitious. I know I could never do that, because although I like to cook I simply can't imagine cooking all that food for just me and Rob (without gaining 30 pounds each, anyway.) Plus, it would have to be my only hobby and if you don't know me well, let me tell you- I already have too many. But what a delightful story and life-changing experience for Julia Powell.

As for blogging daily, that would be an adventure too! I still haven't got the gist of this, it's too personal for me to write every day about everything.

I have just discovered the joy of drawing! I decided that I wanted some designs to transfer onto clay and perhaps turn into stamps so I took out some white cardstock, got a folder and some Staedler pens, my stack of Dover reference books, and started to draw. I am now down to about 3 hours for a completed and acceptable drawing. I've done 4. I am enjoying it so much I don't know if I will ever stop. I just bought a new sketchbook and had to get a new purse that can properly hold it! And I'm thinking my blog background might have to change. We'll see.

School's Out!

2010-06-10T22:12:00.000-04:00

School is over and I breathe a sigh of relief...I have narrowly escaped the first round of layoffs in Broward County. My Department Head is happy, but the three art teachers left (myself and two others) are so low in seniority that we are still worried. I won't believe it until I walk back into my classroom in August.

On the upside, it looks like I may get to teach Art History next year! What fun. I just want to enjoy the next three weeks or so. Tomorrow LessonPop is having a re-group meeting. I know ONE Director who sure wants to get our act together and start making a saleable product!

Today is my Birthday! Celebrating with Whimsey...

2010-05-23T13:08:00.000-04:00

A Fairy was born this morning on my desk. She is Orange, Pink and Purple (of course!) and she holds high a banner that states "Whimsey." I didn't even plan it that way, it's just how my favorite colors came together naturally once I sat down to create. I have been immersing myself in Intention for the past 3 weeks or so, as I face almost certain unemployment in just under 3 weeks.

My teaching career in public school will be a "flash in the pan" of my life. And that's ok, because I think that the public school system will never compensate or appreciate me the way I deserve. I have come to believe that teachers in general have collective low self-esteem. We allow ourselves to be used, mentally tortured, financially abused. We try to do our best- and the excuse for why we take the abuse is "It's for the good of the children." How come I have to do what's best for YOUR kids, when you don't even care enough to make sure I have a budget to buy supplies with? Why should I spend MY money on YOUR children's education? These are only a couple of the many questions I have about the public education system right now. I think it's broken from several points of view, and since I don't support having negativity in my life (saps the energy, ya know) I don't think I will mind if I lose my job. Of course, if a miracle occurs and I don't lose my job, I will go back and volunteer for the abuse all over again. I do love those kids, and they love me back. My friend Marsha says we don't have low self-esteem- she calls it a "Sense of the Higher Good." Well, they do say Kharma is a bitch- and she's coming for any of you parents who don't help your school systems find real solutions.

Anyway, I have been thinking that unemployment really just means "time to work for no one but me." So I've been planning and scheming. Add a dash of Whimsey to the mix, and maybe I'll even have fun figuring this all out.

Gardens-

2010-05-21T19:15:00.001-04:00

Gardens... should be like lovely, well-shaped girls: all curves, secret corners, unexpected deviations, seductive surprises and then still more curves. ~H.E. Bates, A Love of Flowers

Found at QuoteGarden.com- I love that site!

Tired of my domain name...

2010-05-10T20:56:00.000-04:00

I started Studio Bijou in 2004, when I first began to sell my jewelry online. It made sense to me then, but my sensibilities have changed and so has my art. Should I change my domain name? I have an etsy shop under that name, with great feedback. But I'm starting to hate the name. I'm gonna sit on this for a while and think about it. Things that make you go hmmmmm.

The Mind/Body/Soul connection for artists and intellectuals, like me

2010-04-25T12:24:00.000-04:00

I had an interesting breakthrough this week. I realized that for most of my life, I have been told by my guides (parents, teachers, other important adults, and popular media) that I had the mental and artistic gifts of artist, musician, and intellectual and therefore, it was unimportant and unexpected for me to develop my physical body. I bought it- hook, line and sinker. And so I find myself, at 37, unhappy with my health, overweight. I never question why- I know it's because I'm a thinker, not an athlete. But my body is weak, my spirit is sick, and yup, I'm very very smart. I can't create- because I'm so stuck in my mind with my unhappiness.
So here's the breakthrough- I realize that during my time here on earth, I am made of three parts- physical body, intellectual mind, and creative soul. I need to develop balance so all three can be united equally, and produce equally, without one detracting from another. I hurt my back earlier this week, causing me to have to lay down for most of it. That made me angry, because I couldn't teach, study, or create. Going to workout makes me angry most days- why should I waste time in the gym, when I could be absorbing information? (I have learned most of what I know from reading, studying, and practicing.) I always feel like time spent moving is time spent wasted- because I would rather be learning. This is a fatal flaw- and must be corrected. I have decided that I need to encourage myself to spend equal time learning, creating, and moving. Only that way will my inbalance and unhappiness be cured. I spend so much time learning- which basically means sitting-still; reading, watching videos, or practicing my skills on the computer- that I have made my body sick and with it, my soul. My soul can't reconcile the fact that my body doesn't match my mind- and so it worries, constantly- and can't embrace the creation process fully. I'll let you know how it goes.

Tough being positive

2010-04-14T18:05:00.000-04:00

It's been tough lately. I went to Photoshopworld in Orlando three weeks ago- which was fantastic and made me feel like I could make a living with my computer, Wacom Tablet, and CS4. But then reality bites. I have bills to pay, I'm about to lose my job (at least all things point to that) and my poor husband is already unemployed in a very bad market for a job. We don't want to move- we've done that too many times already. Morale is very low. I don't have a whole lot of time to whip up the kind of stay-at-home business that will match my current pay scale. It's frustrating. wah.

Use the Muse contest!

2010-03-28T17:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I've taken the plunge and entered the Use the Muse beader's contest...and I was pleasantly surprised when I received my kit in the mail. It's lovely, with wooden pieces, crystal, seed beads (yeck! lol) and a couple of unmentionables, including the "Muse" which is a secret piece. I can't say too much, but I'll post pictures soon. Let's just say the possibilities for my style of work are great, and it's pushing me to create in a new style that's been on my mind, but I just haven't sat down to do it yet. So all in all, it should be a fun contest that get's my creative juices flowing!

What losing your job feels like...for the third time.

2010-03-01T20:29:00.001-05:00

I'm not enjoying my spring with Broward County Schools this year. It's the third spring in a row when I have faced surplus status. The first year, I narrowly missed the horrible budget cuts. The second year, I was surplussed and thankfully placed at West Broward High, where I belong. I teach at the best high school in Broward County, FL. I love it there. I asked to be placed there, and before the district went ballistic I was able to secure that position. The reason? I am a graphic designer- and they need one. I am one of the only 2 career-changing graphic artists in the district (of 16,000 employees.) We both work at WBHS. Debra teaches digital photography, and I teach that plus Graphic Design. We are uniquely suited for our jobs- because we have both been in the current corporate world of print, marketing, and graphic design. We are trained in these things. We possess knowledge that the "typical" art teacher doesn't have, since most art teachers are cross-trained in many disciplines and specialize only in their personal passion.

After all, think about it. We are certified to teach Art, k-12. That is an awful lot of information- let's think. We have to teach the following disciplines at all ages, from 5-18: drawing (pencil, color pencil, oil pastel, dry pastel, crayon, conte crayon, pen and ink), painting (acrylic, tempera, oil, watercolor), printmaking (lithograph, foam, linoleum, stamp, monoprint), ceramics (handbuilding, throwing, slip-casting), sculpture (found-objects, wire, papier mache, wood), crafts (stained-glass, weaving, jewelry-making, leathercraft, mixed-media). Don't forget- we also need to have a working knowledge of Art History and Current Events. Plus, we are often called upon to create posters, bulletin boards, invitations, flyers, etc for school events. To think that you could be good at ALL of them is ridiculous. And at all ages? That means you have to know the difference between teaching watercolor to a 5 year old, and to a talented 18 year old almost-adult. Add onto that the ability to teach Adobe products- Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. Most art teachers aren't even exposed to that unless they have a personal interest and pursue graphics on their own. So what's going to happen this year?

I know- the district is going to fire me. I mean, that's the obvious choice- since I am a "least-senior" art teacher. They are going to keep the older, more senior teachers in place and just stick one of them in my vacated position. Vacated involuntarily, that is. I am doing a great job, just ask my admins. And the "new" old teacher, well, let's just say the students will know more about CS3 than she does. I especially feel for the students I have recruited into Graphic Design 2 next year. It's going to be a laughable class.

I will have no choice, no say, and no argument and neither will the teacher they stick in my spot- that's the beauty of the horribly ineffective Broward teacher's union, of which I am NOT a member. They do nothing for us, they are weak, and I refuse to give them my money. When the district has budget problems, like now, they fall back on a bad contract that states teachers are kept based on seniority only. It also has no stipulations for when you get surplussed from a position and then you "get your job back," which means they say "Oops, just kidding, but we already filled your old job. Take this new one or get terminated." Yes, that's right. They often re-hire only a few weeks after firing you, only to tell you that you cannot return to your old position and must start over at a school of their choosing, not yours.

So, does all this make me bitter? You bet. Does knowing it now, in March, affect my morale for the next 3 months of teaching? Oh, yes. Can I be honest? Well, that's hard to say. I don't think teachers are encouraged to be honest about this stuff. We are supposed to grin and bear it.

Figs and Sunsets....

2010-02-17T21:53:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I took more steps in my Creative Every Day journey towards making my house a home. I bought a Fig tree, a blueberry, and tomatoes, red & Jalepeno pepper plants. And the gardener through in a young rosemary as a gift! The fig is awesome, it's a small bush and already has at least 20 figs growing on it. While bringing it up on the elevator, I met a man from Turkey who told me all about how to care for it and tell when the fruit is ripe enough to eat- lucky for me, because I bought it on instinct and impulse, hoping to figure it out later! So now all these lovely little plants live on my southern-exposed balcony.

I left the fig on the west side, hoping to give it more sun, and put the smaller herbs and blueberry on the east side so they would wake up with warm sun and then be protected from the harsh afternoon heat. I'm watching them to see how they do with this arrangement! I had a very green thumb when I lived in Portland, but here I'm nervous. The climate is more harsh to plants.

It's been a rare thing to see a sunset of such beauty as there was tonight..Here's a pic for inspiration.

Out of the mouths...and hearts...of highschool students

2010-02-09T15:42:00.000-05:00

When I left my room for lunch today, I saw this writing on my white board. I have to share it, because the fact that it is there made my day and explains exactly why I teach high school and love it. My students say I work them hard- that's because I refuse to give them much homework. Many of them take AP classes and push themselves with academics, ROTC, sports and music- and I know if I push them during the 100 minutes I have them, they will learn a lot. Plus I use Adobe Creative Suite 3, which most of them don't have access to after leaving my room. I am constantly amazed that I have managed to teach 42 students at a time (times 6!!!) as much as I have in only 5 months! And here is why.....

Home Month at Creative Every Day....what I did today!

2010-02-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

Today, DH and I decided to wake up at our regular weekday time (5:45 am) and go down to the beach to watch the sun rise. We hatched the idea last night, when it was breezy and clear. I always want to go to the beach- after all, we live across the street. But he is not into it during "winter" when it's ONLY 70 degrees outside. LOL. So it was pretty impressive that he agreed to join me on the adventure to sunrise.
So, we awakened to a cloudy morning, got dressed in layers, grabbed a blanket and travel mugs of hot tea, and walked across A1A. We sat on the back steps of the pool area, which gave us a great view. Of course, there was a big thick gray bank of clouds on the horizon. I got some great pics which I will get around to uploading later. We had rushed to get over there and so we were a little flushed from the exertion- but after we cooled down it got really cold! So we only stayed out until 7. Then we went up to the Flea Market because we both need sunglasses- and that's how things became creative!
We live in a cold, white, mirrored condo. The back wall is all glass, looking out onto our balcony. Above it is a 2 foot expanse of blank wall, which is where the cantilever for the balcony above is located. It provides an interesting decorating dilemma. I have wanted to put a starfish garland there since moving in, but the only place I have seen the type I want is at the Coral Castle in Miami, which is too far to drive just for that. I've played with the idea of buying the individual shells and such, but always stop because it's going to require a lot of work to create what is in my head. I always talk myself out of starting, because I've been so busy lately with teaching. In stepped Serendipity today. Turns out, in the rear of the Fleamarket there is a little shop called Seaside Cottage- full of kitschy shell themed things mixed with really beautiful things. They had lots of garlands and shells. I bought one! I spent the afternoon unstringing it and restringing the kinds of shells and seaglass I want to hang up above the windows. I only got 1/2 of one side done and I still need to hand-knot the whole strand, but I'm really excited about how it's coming out. I will post pics as it comes together.

Trying to mix Diamond Glaze with UV Resin

2010-02-05T20:06:00.000-05:00

I live by the beach, in a high rise condo, with southern exposure. My balcony heats up like a frier! But it's great, because I always have sun and no blockage because I'm far enough away from the next building. That makes playing with UV curing resin lots of fun.

I love glitter and shine, but I don't like to polish my polymer clay, and glitter doesn't bake well. So I've dabbled with Diamond Glaze, but I really don't like it because it's not waterproof- and there's nothing a beach girl hates more than diving in with pretty jewelry that's set up for a melt-fail. So I avoid Diamond Glaze for jewelry- and I usually advise others to do the same. IMO, that product is for scrapbooking and mosaic wall-pieces. Not for something you're going to wear.

Resin is a better choice. But then there's the 2-part resin problem. Not curing correctly, overheating in my climate, and the general mess of having to wait for things to dry. Not fun in a 3 cat household- usually hair will land on things before they finish a lengthy drying process. So in steps UV curing resin to the rescue!

Right now on my worktable there is a test pendant with a puddle of Diamond Glaze mixed with glitter, waiting for tomorrow- when I coat it with Magic Glos and put it on the balcony. 15 minutes later I should be ready to know if I can do that and have it work. I'll post results!

My Digital Playground

2010-01-31T19:15:00.000-05:00

So, I can't have the same blog background for very long. The reason is simple- I have a different mood for practically every moment! I really love the one I have right now- which is this:

It's a little garish, I know. But it usually fits me. The problem is keeping with it. Sometimes I want to change it, so I will! I like how this one tiles. And incorporates my favorite colors, which are pink and orange together. My Twitter page has this, and I will totally keep it that way. I really like how it looks on twitter.

The reason I call this blog my digital playground is simple too. I enjoy testing new ideas, graphics, widgets, blog topics....so I will go ahead and do it here! I have felt limited in the past, to having to blog about the "same" things to get readership, to having to keep my website the "same" so people will always know it's me. But that's the thing- I am so easily bored! My friends know this, and they will just have to get used to the idea that things here might change once in a while :)

Creative Today

2010-01-27T21:32:00.000-05:00

Here's something I love to do. I go to the craft shop...either JoAnnes, AC Moore, or Michaels, which are all local. I have no particular plan, and I just go to look, think, dream, and plan projects I may or may not ever take on. I pick things up, think about them, put them back down. I admire new products and think up new ways to use old ones I am familiar with. I did that today. I came away with a great idea and a plan for a new line of pendants, which I started working on tonight.

Taking the plunge...ordering shipping supplies

2010-01-25T21:14:00.000-05:00

Today, I realized as I packed an Etsy order, I handwrite my return address on all packages. Well, although it's no big deal, I think a label would be, prettier I guess. So I went to VistaPrint, picked out a nice one in pink and red floral and ordered 200, added 250 free biz cards because my address has changed, plus I bought KiraSlye.com and I want to start using it, and paid a whopping $10 for the total! You really must check out VistaPrint.com, especially when you just want to try something on for size, like the labels.

For my regular glossy business cards, I love Gotprint.com and have ordered from them many times.

And here's a bonus- I order great little (tiny) 200 lb test boxes from uline.com- they fit inside a padded, or even regular, 6x9 envelope. At first I thought I would just send the box, but it is 4x2 inches and the postal lady told me it could get "lost" under the other mail. She suggested I put it in a larger envelope- and the strength of the little box allows me to do that. Plus, now the shipping cost of most of my little packages is under $1.50! So, I am under $2 for total shipping cost.

Creative Every Day

2010-01-24T09:10:00.000-05:00

I joined the Creative Every Day challenge a few days ago. Yesterday, I kept a promise to myself to visit with a friend from the http://SEFPCG.com- South East Florida Polymer Clay Guild, of which I am the VP. So. My friend Carol, who loves fairies, and missed our meeting the day I brought some of my fledgling fairy sculpts to our general meeting, has been wanting to see them ever since. I, on the other hand, know that she has a huge collection of Genesis heat-set oil paints, plus a crazy home studio. Her children are grown, so her crafting room has taken over part of her house. Plus, she has a bright purple fairy-themed bathroom. Well, you learn lots about people when you make the leap from casual-acquaintance to "come on over." I always equate friend-making with dating, I think it's funny. So anyway- she has two cats and a DH who, after talking for a while, I found has the same musical preferences as I (classical, with a bent towards the string section) and a collection of Celtic Woman CDs (he let me borrow for my ipod) and not one, but two violins- acoustic and electric which I was allowed to hold and caress. I have been wanting to, but hesitating from, learn the violin for a while now. You see, I always saw playing the piano as a strategic nightmare- you can exactly carry it to a party. My piano resides in my school's music department right now, as the condo we moved into this year left no room for it, and the music dept. needs it more than I do. But holding that little blue electric violin got my juices flowing. We'll see.....

But, onto my visit with Carol. She likes to make fabric dolls, plus she beads and does clay. Her dolls are lovely. I told her we should collaborate to make a mermaid- I love fabric dolls but have NO interest in sewing the bodies. She, on the other hand, is quite good at it. So, we're thinking about it. Before I left, she gave me a piece of slate and permission to scoop as much Genesis paint onto it from her collection as I wanted. So, I made myself a nice palette, which I will take a photo of sometime soon, and resolved to make her a fairy in return. Sometimes gift-making is what I need to light my fire. It can be hard for me to create "just because." I entered this year's challenge to challenge myself to create for me- rather than to sell, give away, or some other cause. It's my personal challenge to get away from the practicality of needing a reason to create something.

Something just for me

2010-01-17T20:00:00.000-05:00

I get in the habit sometimes, of thinking it's not worth making if I'm not going to sell it. I was at Michael's a couple weeks ago, and I hardly ever buy beads there because I can get them online so much cheaper...but while browsing the sale rack, I found some resin beads for 99 cents! I bought two matching sets- the donuts, and some gorgeous aqua stick beads (to be featured at a later date!) I was inspired to use some of the Swarovski siam flatbacks I have left over from my sister's wedding last summer- don't ask, but I'll tell- I hand-cut 1,000 flowers, and hand-glued 1,000 crystals into the center of those flowers for those 100 invitations. Swarovskis come in 1,444 packs- so I had 444 left over! They look so nice on these new earrings, floating above the surface of the resin. So I spent some time today bringing these to life....

First, I spent some time looking at them and thinking. Of course, my thoughts went to polymer clay. The pendant below, which features a beautiful stamp on the bottom layer, then some handpainted ink to extend the design and color the flowers, several layers of poly-juice for shine and dimension, and finally glitter and a Swarovski on the front. I have to wait for the glue to dry before brushing off the excess glitter, there will just be a tiny bit for sparkle when it's all done. But I am pretty excited about the idea. It is a deep design, with things happening in all the layers and I think it represents a new direction for me. I have been playing extensively with Magic Transfer Paper lately, as well as with real paper- and I have been creating some tiny designs that I think are going to end up as embellished transfers, layered like this one. Today was a testing day. I ruined several pendants, made some molds, tested my inks and embossing powders, and generally made a mess. But I finished with this pendant and my new earrings, so all-in-all, not a bad day!

Cold days in south Florida!

2010-01-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

It's been chilly down here! But I love it. I relish the chance to be outdoors in 60 degree weather, wrapped in a blanket, drinking tea. It's one of my best childhood memories. I don't know why I developed the habit, but I remember many moments on the back porch, facing the trees, in the wind, in my lawnchair too far into autumn to be considered comfortable or normal by anyone but me.

Now, with my water view balcony and wild sunsets almost every night, I get to take advantage of the chill any evening I want! I dragged my poor DH out to downtown Hollywood tonight, all bundled up, just to get some fresh air. We ended up in a Turkish restaurant, having Mezzas, baklava, and a delightful fruity Rose wine. Plus I found a factory outlet for an expensive boutique and got the most beautiful top! A fun and unexpected night. DH and I had to celebrate, because he starts school tomorrow and I won't see him again until Friday. He's taking night classes, and won't be home in the evenings until I'm in bed.

But on the upside, it gives me evenings to myself in the condo, so I can get myself going again. I created a bunch of new jewelry prior to Christmas for a sales-party my friend was giving. It was nice to have a fire lit under me, so-to-speak, and I was very creative for a spurt. But I'm really reconsidering my direction lately. I love two things very much- fantasy, and digital art. Fantasy like elves and faeries, and digital art like seriously fantastic, grungy, gritty stuff. So I've been experimenting with photoshop a lot, learning new tricks with layering, patterns, brushes and such. And I found this awesome clay that doesn't have to be baked, with allows for some interesting ideas for the integration of things that can't be baked. So I'm hoping to carve out my new niche soon.

In the meantime, here's a fun link to a site I found a few days ago. Been meaning to post it....Duirwaigh

I am great at highjacking my own posts! On being an expert in my field....

2010-01-03T10:40:00.002-05:00

A previous post spawned the thoughts in this one, so I figured I better divide and conquer!

I have some things I would like to do- this year is my year to get published. Ilysa and I are writing a book about polyclay artists around the world. It's a look into their studios and minds, and we are excited about it. After that, I plan to submit to the magazines. Here's the most important fact about the Polymer Clay World that no one will "tell" you, but everyone knows- if you're not published, you're no one. Even though I demo for my local guild once a month and everyone consistently gushes over how "talented" I am, what a "good teacher" I am, and how "knowledgeable" I am, they still say they want a "Real" polymer clay teacher. What am I, liver and onions? So, it's obviously time to sell my soul to Art Beads, Bead & Button, Belle Armoire, and PolymerCafe. Otherwise, I am obviously just an untalented hack not worth paying for my expertise :)

Is Artfire catching up to Etsy?

2010-01-03T10:39:00.002-05:00

I really like my Artfire shop, although I havent' sold anything there yet. I admit, I haven't really been trying very hard. But, I LOVE the way Artfire is doing things. It's a snap to upload things straight out of my etsy shop, so I don't have to spend a bunch of time reposting a listing. If I really wanted to, I could import my whole etsy store straight into artfire! But, I've been seriously contemplating my future online, so I've been holding off.
Back to why I like Artfire- there's a great Bio feature, that shows a pic of me, selected Gallery pics of my work, and has space for 4 website links. So I get to say a little something about myself and direct traffic to other sites, like Polymer Clay Podcast and the PCAGOE.
Then, there's the market hub feature- this has links to EVERYTHING I do online! Etsy, here, twitter, facebook, even IndiePublic. I am thinking about switching kiraslye.com to point to my Artfire account just because of this! At this point, kiraslye.com is just a hub flashpage anyway, that points to my online doings. Now I can utilize a place where I actually attempt to sell, as a hub! All at no extra cost, since I signed on with Artfire in the beginning and my shop is only $7 a month for life as long as I don't cancel. I like how Artfire assumes that you are a working artisan, and doesn't limit you from promoting the heck out of yourself. Etsy limits you- you can't point users away from it and god-forbid that you suggest people go check you out somewhere else on the web. Plus Etsy doesn't do flat fees, so I already like Artfire's fee structure better. And with automatic listings on googlebase, that's great too! I just hope traffic catches up. Etsy is older, so it gets more traffic.

No-Freckle me

2009-12-31T20:00:00.002-05:00

Being a Graphic Design teacher, I spend a lot of time teaching kids how to use the Adobe CS3 software. But it's been a while since I've invested time in my own creative pursuits. I have some products planned that need a model, so I was thinking about photographing one of my beautiful sisters to do the job. After all, I am dark, freckly, speckly. Sometimes I don't feel "pretty" enough to model my own creations. So here I am, de-freckled. I think I may invest in some makeup to do my photoshoots- the even skintone looks fantastic, and in this photo, taken simply with my iSight camera on my Mac, in the dark, no less! and poorly edited in about 5 mintues, actually looks pretty nice. Imagine what I could do if I actually invested myself! Since my new creations glow in the dark, the dark-gypsy look is going to do the trick.

Shiny white paper

2009-12-30T20:40:00.001-05:00

Why is it, when faced with a clean, shiny, new open sketchbook, panic sets in? I love little notebooks. Currently my favorite are Moleskins in an unassuming khaki brown, and very small....little, with plain white pages. About the size of a small index card. I bought a pack of three. In one, I am writing down quotes I think I would like to use either on a pendant or an ATC. In another, I am drawing henna patterns- practicing my compositions. The third lies fallow.

I was at Borders today, and they are having their post-holiday sale. There were several really cute blank notebooks in the size I like, smallish, fits in my very small purse. Now, don't be fooled- I don't ever carry my purse unless I have a notebook with me. Otherwise, on a regular old day, I just carry my clutch- with is really just an extended wallet wristlet thingy. Everything I carry is designed to be small enough to fit inside this. I have never been fussy (or needed to be) about my looks, so I just carry a lipgloss, my phone- which is a very tiny flip phone (not much bigger than a lipstick) my debit card and a couple other cards. My keys are clipped to the handle of my wristlet with a carabiner.

Now- back to the notebooks. I just can't figure out what I would do with one. I mean, I love little journals and sketchbooks. So many of them have such wonderful covers, beautiful really. But when faced with shiny white paper....I get the most terrible fear. What if I waste it with meaningless doodles? What if I write the wrong thing? I threw out a bunch of journals from my youth because I was disgusted with myself upon reading them later. I would hate to have the same experience again with such beautiful books. This is my block- not lack of creativity, but lack of the willingness to allow myself to be "wrong" or "wasteful" with ink.

There are funny, strange things our mothers do to us- mine left me with a horrid, practical drive to never waste. That is most of the reason that my artwork tends to be on the tiny side. I battle this fear and loathing for wastefullness every time I sit down to make art. What if it doesn't sell? What if it's not perfect?

What blocks do you battle? Trust me- we all have them and it's a b$#@ getting rid of them. I may have to go back to Borders tomorrow for a sketch book.

First Year Teacher syndrome

2009-12-13T09:34:00.000-05:00

I've been sick 4 times this fall! Twice I was totally debilitated, with flu-like symptoms. Today, I am so stuffed-up I can't imagine what it's like to be able to breath. It's amazing what we take for granted on days we feel "normal."

I teach computer arts and photography, so all day long I am showing students tricks and tips with things like photoshop- which often requires me to touch their computer keyboards. This of course transmits whatever they have to my fingers. I have considered teasing them by wearing surgeon's gloves to class! I'm sure they would think that was very funny. But seriously, I can't wait for next year. The assumption is that first-year teachers are overexposed to all kinds of funky stuff, and by the second year your immune system is more fortified. It can't happen soon enough. I don't think I have been this sick in the past 4 years!

Red-Winged Black Bird Wings

2009-12-07T18:34:00.000-05:00

Last week, someone found my etsy shop and asked me to make special earrings for a friend. I LOVE CUSTOM ORDERS! It's so much better to make something someone wants, rather than just make things hoping someone finds what they like in my inventory. I think I enjoy the craftsmanship very much, as opposed to the artistic vision. I gravitate towards certain imagery, like the birds, wings, flowers and such...but love to make especially what my customers want. Here are the very special earrings...

Spent the weekend making birds and wings...

2009-11-29T18:04:00.000-05:00

This weekend was lovely. I started by grading papers on Thanksgiving morning, went to a wonderful relaxing dinner at a friend's home (just 2 couples!!!) spent Friday and Saturday creating, frantically, jewelry due to the fact that I am the featured artist at a holiday party this coming weekend and I was greatly behind. Today I went for a walk on the beach and will soon be planning for my classes this week.

Here's a preview of some of the things I made this weekend. I will be listing them in my etsy shop, and attempting to sell them this weekend.

Birds- it's funny, but I don't relish the idea of birds as pets. But I love to watch them. Especially Ravens and other corvids, which are few and far between in South Florida. But I have seen a few. So a few years ago, I began to make bird beads. Actually, in 2001 I was creating bird ornaments for the Portland Saturday Market. The next incarnation was bird beads, then art necklaces. I tried stamping a bird, and the necklace sold quickly- but I wasn't satisfied. I am more a sculptor than a stamper. I need to have my fingerprints in my work. So here they are, the newest flock....

Pleasant Thanksgiving mornings...and new jewelry

2009-11-26T14:12:00.001-05:00

We're staying put in Florida this holiday, and having dinner with another couple who decided to do the same this year. Last year I travelled up north at the last minute to visit my Uncle Mike, who sadly lost a battle with Pancreatic cancer this year. Last thanksgiving he had just been diagnosed, and we all know how quickly that disease can take a loved one away- so I didn't want to risk it. I'm glad I went, as that was the last time I saw him. So today I have some sobering thoughts. I thank God for Uncles and Grandfathers- they are two "classes" of men in young ladies lives who want nothing from you- not your success, not to be pleased by you- they only want what makes you happy. There isn't the same expectation as a father has for you- so I have been particularly devastated by the loss of two uncles to the same cancer, and my Papa 11 years ago now. I miss them all acutely, and I am thankful for the family and friends that are left.

My newest jewelry item- handmade wings joined by a "Halo" in the center, dripping with crystals and pearls, is dedicated to them.

I'm making my special cran-apple sauce to share, and a pitcher of Pusser's Painkillers. Google that- it's an awesome tropical rum drink, with nutmeg- that makes it nice on a day like today. Football and barbeque'd pork, here I come. (as you can see, here in FL we eat what we like on Thanksgiving!)

Yippi! I sold a bead.

2009-11-23T20:08:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you have to celebrate the little things.

I just love it when one of my birdies flies home!

I went to Barnes & Noble today to gawk at Enchanted Adornments, Cynthia Thornton's new book. It's so pretty and has very nice ideas for mixed media jewelry. Plus, it's fully illustrated and includes a little short story. What a nice difference from traditional books- I mean, how many books include "basic" directions for polymer clay at this point? This one skips most of that and goes straight to the point- the fun things you can use different clays for, and how to mix it all up with gems, resins and such. I expect Ilysa and I will discuss this book soon on Polymer Clay Podcast.

As the Crow Flies...

2009-11-22T18:25:00.000-05:00

I love that statement. It sounds so funny to me. And why a crow? Why not the pigeon or hawk? I mean, didn't they use pigeons for that, to fly directly to a spot? Anyway....

We live by the ocean, and the only way to get out of here is to get off of A1A and onto a local road. We have to cross the Intracoastal waterway, and go inland. Thankfully, there is a lot of shopping locally. Almost everything we "need" is within a little L shaped route. The furthest part of the route is the Mall. One evening while sitting on the balcony, I noticed that there is a building that looks quite close, with "look at me" lighting- it's lit up blue on the top with columns of white light on the front. That building is the nearest hospital. It looks so close, and as the crow flies, it is. But it takes quite a drive to get there! If only I could fly...

More about me...that wouldn't fit on my profile!

2009-11-22T18:12:00.003-05:00

I am an animal lover, and surround myself with 3 furry friends in the shape of cats. I have also called myself friend to an Akita, beloved Kasha, who now waits at the Bridge.

I share my life with my partner and husband of 12 years, who has joined me on my many moves and adventures.

My landscape is painted pink and orange over blue ocean waters every morning...and purple and fuschia over intracoastal waters every evening. During the rainy season, there is a rainbow almost every night. I have many photos of these gifts and sometimes post them for everyone to see.

I have the urge to create with my heart and hands, almost constantly. It's a gift and a curse. Combined with my Gemini spirit, I almost always have a new idea, and almost never have time (or tenacity) to complete all of them. I feel disturbed if I am just sitting still, like there are so many things to be done. Down time? What's that? So, I often exhaust myself. Or get down on myself for relaxing when I should be doing...feels too much like laziness. I'm trying everyday to find the balance.