Through My Eyes - Another walk in the woods

Here are some inspiring sights I saw today when we took a walk in the woods. A couple of them were found as we picked through a small wood pile. (keep an eye out for snakes when doing this!) I have to give my sons some kudos because they found most of the items. I'm always telling them to keep their eyes open for interesting things, and it's nice to know they have been listening to me :)

Here is a gorgeous millipede. We found 2 of them curled up under a log. I just loved the stripes, the red legs and of course how he looked all curled up.



Here are a couple of toads we found in old logs. Their camouflage was so perfect. It makes me want to create something that has a hidden element to it. A little surprise that your eye may not catch the first time you look at it.




























There weren't many flowers in the woods this late in the summer, but we I did find this one. I love the way it branched out. It had a very cool geometric feel to it.


We also managed to collect a bunch of premature acorns, helicopters and other bits and bobs. It was too dark to photograph them when we get back, so hopefully I will find time tomorrow and update this post or include them in my next one.

So take some time to look in hidden places this week and see what you find. It doesn't have to be a creepy log pile, you can explore a road you've never been down before, a town that's off the beaten track or even venture into your basement, attic or a closet you haven't been through in a long time. I'm sure you will find just as many inspirational treasures without all the extra creepy crawlies!

Treasury - Be Inspired Vol 1

I happened upon the Etsy treasury today and actually found an open list, so of course I found the time to make one. I really love making treasuries. It's a quick and easy way to express yourself and work out ideas while promoting other artists. I've decided to start a series of lists inspired by the blog focusing on inspiration. So here is Vol. 1 of my "Be Inspired" Treasuries:


















This list was inspired by this photo I took last week of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.



The clouds were a pretty grey-blue and the sand was a rusty red color. I also tried to convey the textures of the photos as well. Here are some words that came to mind when looking at this photo:

Texture, rustic, grit, sand, haze, structure, lines, travel, gray, blue, water

Let's inspire each other, let me know what words this photo and or the treasury list evoke for you. How will could you use them in your art? Here are a couple more photos I took that day. They all seem to have the same feel to them:











































And this last one is of one of my all time favorite finds. It's a little rock that looks like 2 people embracing and kissing. It may be hard to see from the photo, but it is truly a tiny work of art by mother nature. Crazy inspiring!

Inspiration Revealed - Going Backwards or forwards?

Guess who's back? Yes me from another one of my hiatuses. Artscape and kids kept me busy for a few weeks. Posting will continue to be sporadic until September when I get 7 hours of my day back after the boys go back to school. I have been working on some stuff though so I thought I would do a quick post to share. I'm still opening a 2nd shop (hope to have it all done by Sept. 1) for prints of collages, photography, and other artwork so I have been working on my stock for that shop. I also broke my camera, so I haven't been able to take any good product shots with the cheap pawn shop one I bought as an interim replacement. So unfortunately I have some new jewelry stuff to post, but I just can't get a shot that I feel is up to standard.

To ease my camera frustration, I have been using my pendants and jewelry as inspiration for some new pen and ink drawings. I figure I already have a ton of designs done, so why reinvent the wheel. I'm trying to combine ideas and grow them even more. It's been fun to merge the old with the new. Here's a little collage of my latest drawing that was inspired by a couple pendants and an ACEO:





So take a little time to look back on some older designs and then move forward by creating them in a different medium, combining them into one piece or expanding on them in some way.

Art With A Heart Craft Supply Drive at Artscape

Help inspire others to create!

The BEST team had a really successful craft supply drive for "Art with a Heart, Inc." last year during Hampdenfest, so we've decided to do it again at one of our largest group venues, and "America's largest free art festival" Artscape.

So help us help Art with a Heart, Inc. carry out their mission by bringing craft supply items to one of the BEST artists at Artscape. As a "thank you" for your donation, BEST is offering a one-time 10% discount off a single item purchased at Artscape from one of our participating BEST artists. Please bring any unused craft (or office) supplies or gift card to our BEST tent at Artscape or to any of our participating artists at Artscape to receive the discount. One discount per person, and the offer is only valid on purchases made at Artscape on July 17, 18 & 19th. We look forward to seeing you there!

Participating Best Members:
BlockPartyPress
DandelionBlu
ElisaShereJewelry
greenstarstudio
JenMenkhaus
JennyJen42
JillPopowichDesigns
SweetPepita
TheBrokenPlate
TigerLillyShop
Yummy & Company

Here's a list of items we are looking to collect:

* Deco Markers / Paint Markers
* Elmer’s Glue
* Erasers
* Fabric Glue / Fabric-Tac
* Hot glue guns and glue sticks
* Glue sticks
* Markers
* Masking tape
* Mod Podge
* Paint brushes
* Pencil sharpeners
* Pencils
* Single hole punchers
* Scissors
* Scotch Tape
* Tacky Glue
* Aluminum foil
* Beads
* Disposable/plastic bowls
* Elastic string
* Glitter glue
* Jewelry hardware
* Mat board
* Mat cutter
* Mini hot glue gun sticks
* Paper towels
* Puffy paint
* Screw gun
* Sculpey clay
* Self-hardening clay
* Tag board/poster board
* Thread
* Watercolor paper
* Wire

All donations will go to Art with a Heart, Inc.

"Art with a Heart, Inc. brings the joy and benefit of visual art to those who need it most. They provide interactive, hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges. They offer our unique, custom programs at a variety of sites throughout the Baltimore area, including:

• group housing facilities and shelters
• senior citizen centers
• assisted living facilities
• community centers
• public schools

Art with a Heart programs include an exciting combination of interactive activities and various art mediums. Some projects recognize important cultural and/or historical events, while others introduce participants to the world's most famous artists. They see how these accomplished creators used their medium to express emotions. Participants are then encouraged to create their own works using varied techniques and mediums.

A Different Kind of Inspiration

Sorry I have been absent again, but my husband was really sick and ended up in the hospital which of course coincided with the the last week of school and all the activities that entails. The hubs is doing much better now, so I am going to do my best to get back to blogging. This is less of a post than a link to an inspiring story in the NY Times about my brother and a hospital he started in Pakistan. Hopefully it will inspire you in ways beyond art. Make sure you watch the 10 minute video embedded in the article. Trust me it's worth the time out of your life.

An Improbable American

My brother has inspired me to help in the best way I know how. I will be creating a few art pieces inspired by my brother and his charity and will be selling them and donating the profits to his charity, CDRS. In my mind healthcare is a right and not a priviledge, no matter where you are in the world. I will share the new pieces once they are finished. If you would like to donate to his cause, please follow the link. Here is what your money can do:

What Your Donations Can Do For CDRS Medical Projects In Pakistan

$30 provides free healthcare and medicines to 21 patients
$150 provides free healthcare and medicines to 105 patients
$250 pays the rent of the main CDRS medical facility for 1 month (18 rooms 6 bathrooms, 4 levels, steel reinforced concrete building)
$300 provides free healthcare and medicines to 210 patients
$600 pays the salary of one CDRS Physician for one month
$700 provides food for 30 CDRS employees and overnight patients and their families for one month
$850 provides medicines and medical supplies for all 8 CDRS facilities for one month
$1,000 provides dental medicines and supplies for one dental unit for one year
$1,000 provides basic medicines to all 8 CDRS health facilities for one month
$1,200 provides operational and ambulance transportation (including drivers), fuel, maintenance and vehicle repair for one month
$1,500 provides free healthcare and medicines to 1,050 patients
$1,500 provides gas cylinder re-fills (for heat and cooking) for one year
$2,000 provides fuel for hospital generators for one year
$2,000 provides phone, electric and water for The CDRS main facility for one year
$5,000 provides a modern dental unit to a hospital or Rural Health Center
$15,000 repairs 6 dental units damaged in the earthquake and re-establishes Jinnah Dental Hospital and College in Muzaffarabad City
$20,000 provides for CDRS operating costs and staff salaries for one month (based on new facilities and programs - optimum 2008 budget of $240,000)

Please let me know if my brother's story has inspired you and please send out your thoughts and prayers to him so that he can stay safe in such a dangerous part of the world!

Inspiration Revealed - Ginkgo Leaves

So, I didn't really need pictures to inspire me to create ginkgo leaves as I have quite a few in my shop already, but when I was walking into the mall a couple weeks ago I noticed the leaves were coming in and I couldn't resist taking a few quick shots. I did get a few strange looks, but who cares, it's all in the name of art. I posted the photos to Flickr and didn't plan to do anything with them, but my Flickr, Etsy, Twitter buddy, Sandfibers, told me I should add a ginkgo leaf to my "Out on a Limb" series. Duh, why didn't I think of that? So, I took her advice and here it is:

















Thanks Sandfibers!! If I had a picture of you, I would have added it to the picture mosaic since you were very integral part of the inspiration for this piece!

I added the extra leaves since the pictures showed the trees so lush with leaves. It didn't feel right to just have a lone dangling leaf.

So listen to your friends and don't be afraid to take that picture no matter where you are. I may have looked like a crazy lady taking pictures in the mall parking lot, but I definitely think it was worth it in the end!

These Kids Have Talent!

I had a great time at the Handmade Mart yesterday! The day started off with me waking at 6AM to hear rain on the roof, but by the time I arrived to set -up at 7:30 AM the sun was out and the ground was drying up. The day ended up being gorgeous weather wise with only a little wind started tossing tents around at the end of the day. I had an extra table this time, so I decided to try something new. I included a kids table covered with craft paper for the kids to color on and some polymer clay for the kids to go crazy with. It turned out to be a great idea because the kids totally loved it, The parents were able to spend more time shopping, and the kids artwork was really inspiring. It was also a great way to share the fun of polymer clay and explain how my items start. I have to admit that it was extremely entertaining too. Several kids came back a couple of times to make more art. The only thing I plan to add next time is some handy wipes and directions for how to bake the clay at home. Here are some of the wonderful things the kids made:

































































































At the end of the day a couple kids came int he booth and stacked all the remaining pieces together to make a fun abstract art installation:












A sweet little boy worked very hard on a portrait of his cat:

and as his parents were trying to get him away from the table he told them that he had to make one more thing for me. He was inspired by my new ice cream cone pendants and he made me a little ice cream cone.

I have since baked it and it's now a cherished treasure that I will keep in my cash box always! Yes, I think I will definitely include the art table again!