Club Creative Studio loves to share creative low-cost ideas on Two-Cent Tuesday.  Today, the blog has a focus on an inexpensive project that will improve or change your world with the use of spray paint.

If you want a dramatic look in lighting, consider spray-painting your fixture black.  I recently took this photo of a beautiful crystal chandelier at The Union League in Philadelphia.  I thought while admiring it that this look could be replicated easily and cheaply with black spray paint.  If however, you have a metal light fixture or anything made from galvanized steel, there are considerations for paints.  Galvanized steel is a metal for example that is difficult to paint.  So, knowing the material you are working with first and foremost is important so that you are not wasting your time or money in your creative process. Check the can labels to recognize the best spray can type for your projects.

Getting back to Galvanized steel for example, that material cannot be painted with normal alkyd-based paints, which almost all spray paints are based. It is suggested that if there is any “alkyd…” don’t even think about using it on your steel project.  Looking on the aisle shelf, the brand “Rust-o-leum” does put on the back of their spray paint cans a warning not to use their spray paint on galvanized steel.  However, beware that most spray paint companies do not include this warning.

So what makes that metal so difficult? It is steel that has a zinc coating to increase the steels corrosion (rust) resistance.  It’s “hot-dip galvanization” is a process that makes it similar to steel with large visible grains. Using spray paint to other materials is not as difficult to choose.

Need ideas on what to spray in your home for a new creative twist? How about these suggestions: cabinet knobs and other fixture handles, frames for photos or mirrors, light switch plates, file cabinets or storage furniture, light fixtures, lamps, chandeliers, candle holders, appliances, radiators, steam risers, and even plastic, wood, wicker, and metal furniture.

A pro of using spray paint over brush application paints is that spray paint creates a smooth surface as opposed to brushing on paint. Faux textures like stone and granite as well as unique finishes like a clear coating and metallic are available for your experimentation. Suggested tips for great results are on all can labels.  You may need to gain extra supplies and endure additional steps besides a quick spray. Primer, sanding, or wire-brushing may be needed, depending on the object and the paint. So while this process can be low-cost, it does have a small percentage of cost associated with it depending on the size of your project and the type of spray paint you require.

No matter if you are making a cosmetic change or improving a home item like a flaking barbecue grill, spray paint is a great option to a quick change or improvement. Using spray paint for an improvement is a low-cost idea that can help in a creative improvement solution.  Let us know if you have used spray paint in a recent project. Taking a before and after photograph can be helpful to appreciate how far a project has come.
                              
                              
                           
                         

Club Creative Studio has been a busy place.  I have had a great time working with my mixed metal recently.  Discovering how and what I want to create by meshing layered metals in a cold connection (rivet technique) is a fun challenge. Of course, I wish to also incorporate my hand-made beads as well.

I have been working with 24-guage sheet metals. I have found that to be the most beloved thickness to design and make my jewelry with.  My studio is quite noisy when I decide to texture my metal pieces because I am hammering and pounding.  I have a new textured hammer that is double-sided and has interchangeable ends for making interesting designs.  And I also use my chasing hammer as a multi-purpose hammer for smoothing and doming, shaping and riveting. The ball-peen hammer is my main punching tool and I love the surface texture I can pound using this type hammer.

Recently to incorporate my hand-rolled clay beads, I create a pendant using mixed metals and a cold connection, then add Club Creative Studio one-of-a-kind beads to the art.  What a great combination.  To see more, be sure to check on the Facebook page and online. I will be adding sneak peek photographs and items available for in those particular venues.

http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

I will be taking photos of my metal working tools at some point and use them as a blog topic. Would that be of interest to you? Let me know what other tools of my trade you would like to learn more about.  Be creative every day!

Related articles

• How to make your own texturing hammer from the book The Complete Photo Guide to Making Metal Jewelry (craftside.typepad.com)

Club Creative Studio’s Feature Friday blog post: Inspired by wood.

Welcome to Club Creative Studio’s Feature Friday post.  This week, I was inspired by wood. The Asbury Park, New Jersey Artist: Laura Petrovich-Cheney creates in mixed media and her work is part of a solo series at the Abington Art Center.

I can appreciate her love of texture and creations from found wood items. Gathering her art supplies from her daily walks and traveling adventures, Laura uses reclaimed wood pieces in a creative quilt-like way.  Making small alterations to the wood she adds depth.  You may find wood intentionally burned, impressed, sawed, pierced, or hacked not to mention processes such as casting or cleaving.

I immediately thought of the “crazy quilt” pattern when I first laid eyes on the irregular grid organized wood scraps.  Her raised surfaces put dimension to that same material quality of a hand-made quilt. The recent tragic weather activity on the east coast has washed up interesting wood scrap treasures for Laura to consider in her art creations.  So, if you are venturing out along the coastline for a walk, you may find this MFA holder in Studio Art, MS in Fashion Art, and BA in Fine Arts artist walking along side you.  She will be the one gathering interesting scraps of found wood.

It seems upon looking closely to her art, she combines wood pieces from random finds and original objects. I was inspired to create future beads with similar random patterns and color combinations. Do you see the square with brown, sky blue and pumpkin orange colors in the first photo for example?  I’d love to replicate that feeling in a few beads.  Stay tuned as I attempt to incorporate the pattern or color choice into hand-rolled clay beads soon. You know that I will post pictures of my finished project here on the blog and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio.  Thanks for stopping by and admiring this found art.  Your comments are always welcome, especially if this technique strikes interest.

Portion of the Bead Soup I sent to my beading challenge partner Susan,

Club Creative Studio is taking part in the Bead Soup Challenge #7.  It will be fun sharing Bead Soup.

Please review past posts regarding the details of this wonderful sharing and creating challenge for those making hand-made beads and jewelry from them. Since the arrival of my beads from my bead exchange partner, Susan I have had time to simmer the ideas I have and will soon begin my creative thought process and my design using the beads she sent me last week.  I am looking forward to the creative growth.

I have not gotten official word that my box has indeed arrived to New Hampshire however, it has had adequate time. With that in mind, I would like to go ahead and share what I included in my package of fun. The idea of sharing is to highlight some of your own hand-made beads and pair them with interesting items that can be utilized in a creative challenge for the artist on the receiving end to express in their own style.  Lori Anderson is the host and brain-child behind the organization of this particular bead challenge.  It is perfect “soup” , warming my soul on a cold winter day for me living in Philadelphia.  I welcome the challenge.

I included a variety of supplies and I hope she is inspired to do something fun and add her own components if she desires as well. I included items of stone, Czech glass, hand-rolled clay beads, hand-twisted wire worked beads, seed beads, ceramic, rhinestone and metal charm elements just to name a few.

Perhaps she will blog about her experience. I plan to document my creative journey on the Club Creative Studio Facebook page with photos and within this blogging platform. I am happy to share the experience of the creative thought process and creative expression of this beading challenge by sharing my Bead Soup Challenges.

It is my hope that you find the steps that I take interesting and keep in touch as I share the trials and tribulations of this beading challenge. Please check back for future posts on this topic here and on the page: http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio

Related articles

• Special Arrival: Box of Beautiful Beads (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)
• Enjoy Bead Soup (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)
• My Latest Beading Challenge (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

It’s winter where Club Creative Studio is located and  it’s cold.  It’s time to enjoy a little taste of bead soup.  No, I have not decided to actually EAT, sleep and breathe beads no matter what others think that I already do.  I am taking part in a beading challenge called Bead Soup founded by artist Lori Anderson.  This bead soup challenge pairs up persons creating hand-made beads and places them in a challenge together where they put together a goodie package and mail them to each other, challenging them to create from the stash. 

This challenge has three separate reveal dates so that bead artists have time to complete their projects. Most like me, plan to document the journey.  This is the first time that I am taking part in this event.  I first got word that my “Bead Buddy” Susan was from New Hampshire a few days ago. We have a means to communicate and keep in contact throughout this project.  

The full content of our packages are supposed to be a secret until they are received by mail. We are allowed however to give sneak peeks or “teaser photos”. These are two photos that introduce with curiosity concerning what I have included for this challenge.  When I asked Susan for a hint of what she was going to send me in her package, she said with a bit of wit and humor that my beads all had holes…included something old, something new, something purchased, something hand-made, and something blue. Hummm…I can hardly wait!

My reason for taking part in this beading challenge is to experience a creative challenge and go through my steps of creative thinking with beads sent to me.  I am also in total support of the artist paired with me as I am of all of the artists also taking part in this creative process (which totals over 500 participants).  They all eagerly use their creativity and talent to make hand-made beads and share with others for artistic growth.

Please stop by this blog often as I continue to share photos and information about how my first Bead Soup challenge is going. I am ready and willing to enjoy my Bead Soup and share it with you.

Related articles

• My Latest Beading Challenge (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

Creativity Does Takes Courage.

Creativity does take courage.

The Club Creative Studio blog today has a focus on five of the top reasons why I believe this is true. Can you think of anything to add to the list?

1. Being creative demands that you “put yourself out there”.  It takes bravery to express yourself as an individual.
2. Being creative explores unknown results.  Courage is needed to chart unfamiliar territories and step outside the box.
3. Being creative requires a level of risk.  Creativity has a risk of failure and success.
4. Creativity is a give and take experience.  Creativity gives satisfaction to self and others. Creativity also includes a part of the creator’s soul.
5. Creativity has an element of investment.  Being creative uses invested supplies and a time commitment.

These are the very reasons among others, that I am dedicated to Being Creative Everyday!

It is not easy to be the one that always stands out in a crowd.  But, it is probably the most satisfying result of having courage to create.  Expressing uniqueness is something that anyone can learn to be comfortable with.  When a creative person sits down to focus on a task at hand, they do so with the thought that the results are going to be unpredictable.  I love knowing that my creative endeavors are all part of my wonderful journey.  The path can take on twists and turns as fast as the ideas spark.  The exciting part of creativity is that it can evolve and proceed in many new directions.

Being creative always as an element of risk involved.  I know that my success and failure rates are experienced in record amounts. Creativity is a learning process.  It is an expression as unique as the individual.  While any creative person dedicates a part of their soul to their art, creativity does not always take away from the creator. Creativity expressed and shared gives greatly to those willing to receive and reach out to connect with another’s creative ways. For me, Being Creative Everyday is not only my personal and business model canvas mantra, it is also a means to the end result of being the best I can be in creating art and sharing it with others.

My hope for you today is to find a way to be creative and thrive in your own level of creativity.  The spirit of creativity lives within you, find what it takes to spark it, and see what it can do for you!

Related articles

• Creativity As Stress Buster (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

Club Creative Studio hand-made wire bracelet.

Turquoise bracelet hand-twisted wire from Club Creative Studio.

Club Creative Studio speaks often about creativity. Here on the blog, you will find inspiration from art, project ideas, and other helpful information stemming from creativity. Today is no different in that I am sharing a short story from the spark of creativity that comes from the opportunity to collaborate and brain-storm.

I attended a networking event a few months ago and there, I met very interesting business people. Among all of them, I met a lady who had a common thread with me. We both shared the love and passion for beads. She was also designing jewelry so needless to say we had much to talk about. What began from a single common friendship fostered a bond through beading. As we connected via other social media methods, we learned more about each other. We planned an outing together to a local bead store that was going out of business. It was there that we spent several hours looking and speaking about beads as well as shopping for beads. It was really a fun time to spend time with someone with a shared enthusiasm for beads and supplies. We are now “beading buddies”.

My beading buddy bought a bracelet (say that three times fast). The wire bracelet was a store sample from one of their classes. When we looked at it we thought the same thing. We both had wondered how it was made, and if we could figure it out by closer examination, since there was not a way to get instruction from the store that was going out of business. We both had mentioned that we had wanted to try to create something similar but had not taken instruction on the technique. We thought that we could make them ourselves. We ended up splitting the cost of the bracelet and I took it home to dissect so we could recreate it later.

After meeting for a brain-storming session, we combined our creative time, and collaborated with our supplies to make our own versions of the same bracelet. Turns out the pattern was a good starting point for us to springboard into our own style and wire-wrapping techniques. Our skill levels were expanding together and we were inspiring to each other. That is what I am thankful for today, the opportunity to connect and support the creative drive of a fellow artist. Can you think of someone you have merged talents with or have benefitted from bouncing ideas off of? Do tell how it was a positive impact for you.

I am now getting comfortable with the technique and my materials. I will soon be able to offer these hand-made bracelets online for others to enjoy and purchase http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Feel free to “like” Club Creative Studio on Facebook. You can see a “Sneak Peek” from time to time of a fresh design on the Club Creative Studio Facebook page at http://www/facebook.com/clubcreativestudio

Related articles

• Admire and Inspire: Buds Buy Beads (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)
• The Curse of a Beader (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

STOP! Think twice before you discard that juice pouch.

It’s always good to recycle.  Our carbon footprints are being tracked more than ever before.

If you have young children, grandchildren or you like acting like a child yourself…by drinking from a juice pouch you know that those containers can quickly add up in your trash piles.  What to do, what to do?  Well, I can tell you what to do with them.  Be creative!

If you have not seen hand-made containers made from juice pouches and juice boxes, you are missing out on a creative find.  It’s the innovative mind with the desire to be green that sparked a craze that is fun and functional. I have seen bags, purses, coin purses and other woven and stitched creations originating from the use of this recycled container.  Make sure that you wash and dry your pouch. The best type needle to use may be the upholstery type. If you are hand-stitching, you may want to pierce the initial holes you will need by dragging a hole punch along to pre-drill (so to speak) your indention for the needle and thread or yarn or ribbon. Ask your fabric shop to suggest the best strength for the material and your machine.  If hand sewing this project, use a stitch that doubles for strength. Perhaps a serger would be the fastest way to secure and create this project. To wash later, wipe with a damp cloth. It can serve you just as material fabric would only it is a bit more stiff, even with wear. And speaking of “wear”. Would you like to create clothing from juice pouches and wear your art?

Feeling empowered to sew something a bit more intense?  I am not sure where to credit this photo from but, it serves as a great inspiration for illustration to create with pouches.

While researching this project,  I found that many are out for a profit to sell you their patterns, techniques tips and product.  I did find a young lady who I felt did a good job being concise and who has made her own instructional video. She has supplied the information for free via YouTube.  Who doesn’t like free? Starting out simple, create a pouch first.

Let’s find out how we can create our own pretty recycled pouch!

Today, I highlight Sarah Buckhouse who may someday make a great art teacher (in my opinion). This is her lesson. Are you inspired to drink juice or sew?  Maybe this post has inspired you to do both? Enjoy learning from this video, and good luck creating from your trash. I’d love a purse with the scent of grapes or fruit punch wouldn’t you?

Wonderful low-cost art.

Welcome to the Club Creative Studio Two-Cent Tuesday post.  Today I will feature a few ideas I learned about via Pinterest using a low-cost supplies.

Each of the projects that I will highlight today are made from painted wooden pop sickle sticks.  The first one is a framed creation with same sized sticks, the second project includes a variety of stick sizes and additional wooden cut-out shapes.  Both involve paints and the use of a glue gun for quick results.

Framed Art Project

The first project was made by a group of second graders. Their art project was presented as a school class auction item.  Usually for this type of event, each class in a school collaborates and makes an item that is creative and interesting and it is auctioned off  to raise funds. Each of the class supporter’s bidding can get pretty competitive in their price wars to raise funds and have a chance to own art.  I know that this would have certainly caught my eye!

I am awaiting information on the pinner of this photo and source to share the details of the story behind this pop sickle art. When and if it arrives I will edit this post.  In the meantime, I am guessing that acrylic paints were used and each child contributed a set amount of sticks to form this art. The source: Holly McGavin, posted that the sticks were attached to foam core and then framed out. What a colorful result from something that is a low-cost, easy and quick. I love this project idea.

This project idea has inspired my daughter to create her own art, using inspirational quotes on each of her sticks and painted in the same technique. I think this has no age boundaries, I am even thinking of creating like this too! I love that a simple frame makes this look more worthy of hanging.  If it is a done as a class I suggest that  on one side the design is painted and the other side the artist’s signature is added. This makes the piece even more personal. Each stick can be readily identified this way for later reference.

Snowflake Project

Found on the site called:  Call Me May this project is also easy to make with variety possibilities as well.  How fun it looks, when completed I suggest hanging on a door, wall or from the ceiling! Using a variety of stick sizes, your snowflake shapes can be created in many interesting shapes and diameters. These are obviously painted (or spray painted) in a tint but they would also look beautiful in white and decorated further with added embellishments like glitter for a glam/festive look or buttons and gears for a vintage feel.

Source: http://www.callmemaybe8748.weebly.com

Have fun with your imagination and create with love like these projects were. I love sharing information that is low-cost and appealing. If you live in an area where you have a winter season, the snowflake theme can be current right up until spring!  Please stop by this Club Creative Studio blog often as the creativity is endless.  You never know what will jump-start your creative juices. Let us know what you think about this project in the comment box below!

Related articles

• Christmas Crunch: Quick and Easy Project ll (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

Natural stones can ROCK YOUR WORLD!

Club Creative Studio’s Blog today is called: Between A Rock.  I have  used stones, rocks and gems in several art creations.  I have never felt like I was”caught between a rock and a hard place” when designing with them because there are so many options to incorporate wire to create mixed media art.

Special meaning associated with art.

One recent and particular custom piece comes to mind to speak about because it had special significance to the person requesting that I design an item that incorporated her “fool’s gold”. This nugget was special because her husband was a truck driver and he had the idea to “do something with this” someday.  He did not get around to it but, she kept it close to her heart since he passed away.  Fast forward to 41 years later, his bride decided for him to do “something” with it she gave it to me to create something special.

She wore the necklace I created on the day that what would have been their 41st wedding anniversary.

It is a sweet story that I will never forget.

I love knowing that special meaning can be associated with art.  I love knowing that something that I created with love had more love associated with it for someone else.

If we take time to look around our world, you might find yourself appreciating the little things in life like rocks and pebbles.  The next time you find one, take time to admire the marbling effects, the texture, the shape and even the weight of nature.  A mere stone is special if it is a single stone or grouped into a functional or natural setting. Here are photos of a few man-made stone walls found in the Western part of North Carolina.  I could not resist taking photos of my views. I wonder if you appreciate them as well.

Let no stone be left unturned! This is a wall located in downtown Sylvia, North Carolina.

I love wire wrapping polished stones.

Many natural stones or dyed rocks have interesting patterns, as highlighted in my cuff bracelet design here. Enjoy, admire, own it.Historically, stones have important status.  Paleo archeologists have discovered evidence dating back 250 million years suggesting that pre historic man used warm clay, earth and stone in medicines. The use of clays for healing was also recorded around 2500 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Some scholars also believe that other prehistoric ancestors used ochres made from naturally tinted clay and iron oxides were used not only to paint caves, but also to heal wounds. Interestingly, iron is a main element in the basalt stones used in modern-day stone massage therapy.

Lodestone, a magnetic rock, was discovered in China around 8th century BC. It is believed that needles made from these magnetic stones around this time replaced bone acupuncture needles.   And in Japan, warm stones were worn around the waist to aid digestion.  Stones also play an important role in Native American beliefs. Some tribal elders believe stones to be ancient beings that have souls.  Stones were also used in northern Europe as the original electric blankets without the electricity. People would put warm stones in bed. Warm stones were also used during childbirth to help reduce pain and spasms.

And, if you found yourself in the generation of the PET ROCK, or know of the WORRY STONE, rocks take on additional meanings. I have been working for the past few days creating bracelets that have wire and various stones. I like the feeling that there is a deeper connection to nature when I am creating with stone.  I’ll be highlighting those creations soon as I find ways to perfect my wrapping techniques further.

Rocks, pebbles, stones…oh my! my photo is from an old street in downtown Philadelphia.

What type of people like stone jewelry?  I think anyone can “rock” this look because it is natural and can be a very neutral accessory.  People are drawn to the earth themes of wearing a stone accessory.  It is quite opposite from the shiny bling of a diamond or gemstone.  Adding a rock item to your collection of accessories provides a variety in range from semi-precious stones or a common rock you can find on a curbside or natural forest path.  No matter if a stone is man-made or dyed, it can bring a look of nature, calmness and simplicity. Smooth or rugged, a stone piece can be a statement piece of wearable art or a simple highlight of what nature has to offer us.  Stones can be used in their natural state, carved, polished, combined with other elements, caged in wire, attached to a pendant and even made  as a faux clay bead.  There is no limit to the display of a real stone in jewelry except for its weight.  Many artists attempt to mimic qualities of stone in other mediums.  A common look is from turquoise, and marble.  And why not? The natural stones can be expensive and hard to find, not to mention heavy to wear in their real states.

Image Copyright: Club Creative Studio

 Please visit and revisit the Natural Stone section in the Club

 Creative Studio online storefront. Inventory changes often!

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Find softness in a harsh rock setting like this one from a small north Carolina town called Sylva.

Are you attracted to rocks? Do you enjoy wearing jewelry that has rocks incorporated? Club Creative Studio has items that are unique and are inspired by nature.

Be sure to check out the website to view wire-wrapped stones. It is truly Art That Will Set You Apart!

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com