P is for Ponder

Club Creative Studio’s blog has a focus on creativity. Today, let’s take a moment to focus on how we can take a break from the creative work in our day-to-day situations and experience creativity without really thinking about it.  The letter “P” is for ponder.  Ponder how you can be creative in different ways. How might one do this?  Try taking the suggestions below to heart.  How creative will you be in your expressions?  Have a creative day!

Ponder different ways to be creative.

Always know where to find your inner child.  What can you do today that may be considered “child-like”?

Change your mind every 3000 miles. Like the oil change in your car schedule your fresh start today.

Add sprinkles whenever possible… this just means to try to do something special to top off your day.

Follow your dreams where will they take you during your day or night?

Practice moderation.  maybe a slow-down is just what the doctor ordered.

Consider relaxing with yoga, meditation, prayer, message, hot shower or just a good book.

Walk like an Egyptian.  Do something goofy and out of the ordinary to prove you have a sense of humor.

Take a personal inventory and sell, donate or gift what you do not want or have use for any longer.

Close your eyes and make yourself invisible.  The world will still revolve around you but take more deep breaths.

Share your thoughts there’ll always be more!

Don’t let time tick you off.  Prioritize and remember that tomorrow is another opportunity to improve.

Rethink the job you have.  How can you change to bring back more passion to your work situation?

Entertain sad thoughts they’ll really appreciate it.  Look to the light for a brighter day.

Commit yourself to finding more humor in your life.

Look for different ways to be creative every day!

Feel free to add your own suggestions via a comment post as to how someone may simply be creative without thinking about it too hard. Have you been inspired by this list?

Related articles

• M is for Milestones (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

O is for Organize

As Club Creative Studio’s supply list gets larger and contains a growing variety of items, it gets more challenging to find a way to organize.  I have tried many different ways to keep small items and tools readily close at hand, and tidy at the same time.  Depending on my workspace, some methods of organization have worked and some have not been the best solutions.  It’s as hit and miss situation when I try to organize supplies because I have to also be creative about it along with being creative with art. There just are not many perfect organizational tools out on the market that fit well with my set-up.  I have to think outside the box and I enjoy it when something works well or is recycled to fit my organizational needs.

One of the worse ideas I had for organizing beads were the use of small round tins, the type that are sold in craft stores for holding wedding token mints and such.  The tin itself has a lid that is secure enough and has a plastic “window” for easy viewing of contents but the buck stops there for helping me hold supplies. I found that the size was too small.  I was left opening and closing the lids too often, which took time and added to the completed process time.  Also, I placed magnetic strips on the back of the tin containers, hoping that they could be displayed on a metal sheet hung on the wall.  I really hoped it could serve as a decorative display of supplies but, the beads I wanted to store in them where just too heavy to be displayed. The tins would not stay stuck to the magnetic place… bummer.  Like anyone, I learn from my mistakes and perhaps revisiting the system one day, I may find a different way to arrange or utilize that storage method.

One successful bead organizational method worth sharing is one that includes my present storage situation. It also includes the means by which I will move the beads to a new workspace location safely and securely. When shopping for storage, make sure it is large enough for what you need, but gives you an option to expand or hold more items at a later date.  Moving many items in a studio is not really fun, except knowing that a challenge is ahead and the opportunity to make a work space more functional and practical.  A fresh start is always a good thing in the end but preparations and the moving process have to be experienced first before the rewards come into play.

Because I am moving many stored containers at one time, I want to be as organized on this end of the moving so that when my items arrive to the new location, they are ready to be unloaded and placed quickly in my new studio surroundings.  Here is one method I have accomplished that will hopefully make my bead storage move a smooth transition.

Club Creative Studio bead storage containers are placed in a file folder bin for easier moving to a new location.

File bin has a tight lip locking lid to secure many stacked items placed inside.

Bins can be stacked and are easy to see through for quick identification of contents. Each file bin holds twelve of my individual bead storage containers.

If you have a solution to a small item storage challenge, please let us know in a comment post so that others may solve a problem they may have as well. While not every solution for a storage system will be a perfect fit for everyone, maybe we can help each other with suggestions.   Thank you for stopping by today’s blog about organization and my storage solution.

N is for Necklace

Club Creative Studio creates many different styles of hand-made necklaces.  And, when designing a necklace, there are many factors to consider besides the beads, and findings.  The letter N is for necklace and in today’s blog, I share with you information that you may find useful when designing your own or purchasing a necklace with a specific length you desire. The length of your necklace can be created in a variety of ways and worn to enhance your over-all style.

It may be easier to know the common vocabulary to describe your length needs of a necklace.  Use this chart to become familiar.

Club Creative Studio Necklace. http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Choker:   14-16 inches (35-40 cm)

Princess Necklace:  18-20 inches (45-50 cm)

Matinee Necklace:  23-24 inches (55-60 cm)

Opera:  30-32 inches (75-90 cm)

Lariat:  40-45 inches ( 100-112 cm)

Sautoir:  Longer than an Opera necklace

Club Creative Studio necklaces vary in lengths.

It is always possible to make a longer necklace shorter or a shorter necklace longer.  When in the design stages, knowing the desired outcome in advance is the key to making it a specific length in the end. Often times an extender (additional links) can be added to the necklace at the ends to make the length adjustable for comfort or convience.

Related articles

• “B” is for Broken (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)
• G is for Gain Great Looks 5 Ways (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

M is for Milestones

Club Creative Studio has a focus on creativity and today’s post topic is about expected CREATIVE MILESTONES.  The A to Z blog challenge has me blogging with a topic each day beginning with an alphabet letter.  Today’s letter “M” stands for milestones. Dealing with child development, do you know the creative milestones children strive for from ages 0-6?

Milestones in child creativity development are important.  As your child scribbles with crayons, chalk, pencils or markers and the like: they are developing their creativity. As they make collages with papers, noodles or buttons, etc., they are developing in creativity.  Whatever the craft or activity like building with blocks or playing with puppets, a child is taking the time to develop ideas about the world and they are learning new ways to communicate thoughts, feelings, interests. They can build upon these skills later in life.

My daughter concentrates on painting gloss on her beads.

As naturally creative children grow, so do their abilities.  Children begin to express their feelings, and ideas in visual ways.  Although there is a wide range of what is “normal” when it comes to creative expressions of children, there are things that you can do as an adult to encourage creative growth and ability to have children reach creative milestones.

 Possibly the best way you can support a young child in growing creativity is to foster and encourage their own sense of creativity and love of art-making and creating.  Offer praise in the form of approval of the process over the finished product. building confidence and then later building on skill level is the key to development of creative confidence.

Creative thinking skills generally develop in stages and ages. Remembering variety from child to child, take a look at suggestions for what you might do after what you may view.

Here are some things to look for that your child may do, with actions that you may support.                                                                        

Ages 0-2:   

Notice light and dark colors, shapes, movement, texture and patterns. Point out visually interesting sights and talk about them

Use senses, and feelings and interpret the world with them.  Share books with many illustrations or photographs

Communicates with gestures, facial expressions and cries.  Encourage child to observe carefully

Communicates with words and phrases.  Encourage with expression

Begins to scribble after 15 months or so.  Offer appropriate art items that are easy to hold for small hands

 

Ages 3-4:      

Discover making marks on paper represents an objects feature.  Offer blocks, crayons, finger paint, new materials=new ways

Draws recognizable shapes and combinations of those shapes.  Avoid suggestions that imply a “correct” way of expression

Creates with a specific intention: wanting to draw a  (item). Be enthusiastic , your interest is an influence to confidence

 

Ages 5-6:      

Attempts graphic symbols to represent objects.  Celebrate the arts mount and display art in prominent places

Developing a personal style.  Listen to their stories about their art, help them expand thoughts

Visually represents emotions such as joy, sadness, anger.  Accept self-expressions and preferences to express art mediums

Creates more complex pictures,stories and scenes.  Date art or make notes to document clearly

 

When your child becomes school aged, visit the classroom to see first hand progress through their paintings for example.  Support their developments with ongoing learning from home. Foster their creativity, independence and thoughts expressed through art to help them grow up, develop in creativity and reach their creative milestones.

 

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• From Crayons to Shakespeare: Exposing Young Children to Creativity and the Arts (centerforchildrenandfamiliesblog.com)

L is for Lovely Loop

Club Creative Studio shared a mini-lesson on how I like to make a double hook on April 8th.  Today we continue the wire project by creating a double loop.  You may want to add to the supply list a ruler and the hook that you made in the prior lesson.

For the hook and loop project, use these tools: chain-nose pliers, flush cutters, stepped forming pliers, round-nose-pliers, wire.

There are a few reasons why artists create their own hybrid jewelry findings like a hook and loop closure.  These hand-made elements add to the over-all design and beauty, originality, and cost effectiveness of the piece. They are also fun to make, can be made to fit a specific design, and adding to the fact that it can be hand-made and not dependant on a manufacturer for its supply.

Enjoy creating your own double hook and loops and experiment with the different sizes and finishes as you develop your skills.

Refer back to the April post to refresh or review the steps to creating the double hook.  This loop will match in design.  Good luck!

Making a lovely loop to go with your hook

STEP ONE:  Gather your materials begin with step two.

Gather all of the tools and materials needed first.

STEP TWO:  To begin you will need to know that you will be working directly from the spool of wire.  Flush cut the end and then measure out about three inches or so of wire from the largest step on the stepped forming pliers.  This amount of wire should give you plenty to wrap around the largest jaw step twice as shown in the photo below.

STEP TWO

STEP THREE:  As you bend both of the straight wires, you’ll want to finally cut the wire from the spool. Trim about one-fourth inch from the loop that you just made. Grasping the long wire with the chain-nose pliers, make a 90 degree bend and continue to make a loop. Holding that loop with the flat-nose pliers, wrap the wire around with the aid of the chain-nose pliers. When the core wires are wrapped (covered) and secure you can trim the extra wire.

STEP THREE

STEP FOUR: Finished wrapped loop.

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• H is for How to Make a Hook (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

J is for Junk, K is for Keepsake

Club Creative Studio takes on many creative challenges daily and there is no stronger challenge than to transform a broken or mis-matched section from one item, and fix or combine it with another to create new item worth keeping.  It is like turning junk into a keepsake, trash into treasure, and placing fun into functional once again.

Today’s blog focus is on two letters of the alphabet J and K. The letter J stands for the “junk”.  Junk might be the word that refers to items in your jewelry box collection that you still have, never wear, and/or can’t seem to part with.  It may include outdated, broken, or mismatched jewelry. Junk is a “strong” word but, junk/aged jewelry can be classified as practically useless even if it still valued in your good taste an associated memories if it is not worn or enjoyed.

Having the opportunity to “up cycle” materials is a welcome challenge for me to turn what was once old into desirable, wearable art once again.

This is an example of an old marble necklace that I was asked to redesign into a few new pieces.

These are a few new jewelry items I created as a “spin-off” from the above family necklace. After my deconstruction, I reworked the design and I was able to create several items from the initial single beaded strand.

The letter K stands for “keepsake”. Keepsake jewelry pieces can be old but can also be in style.  They are sentimental, so you want to keep ahold of them. Jewelry passed on from generations can be considered keepsakes as well as very unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry or custom-made jewelry art. New pieces like those including personalized charms are popular because they have the potential to keep their meaningful attachments or they are personal to the person giving the gift or wearing the item itself.

Club Creative Studio-Custom bracelets created for a wedding party.

Club Creative Studio bracelets were made with custom colors and initial charms attached.

I enjoy the challenge to combine old with new, slightly change or transform ‘junk’ into keepsake status.  To me, jewelry can take on even more uniqueness when it starts from something with history or a personal story. What do you have around the house or hidden in your jewelry box that can be transformed into an improved version? If you are skilled and have an artistic flair or are crafty, then try your hand at repurposing your items. Maybe you too can transform your junk into keepsake items. If you are not able to visualize a concept or desired outcome, drop me a line via the Facebook business page or my e-mail and we can talk about your vision and the item in question to be transformed and up-cycled.

http://www.facebook.com/ClubCreativeStudio

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Up-cycled charms and miscellaneous metal parts are seen in these unique items.

Club Creative Studio mixed metal art created from up-cycled charms.

This Club Creative Studio pendant was created with up-cycled charms, findings, buttons, ribbon and beads.

 

 

I is for Inspiration

What inspires you to be creative?  The letter “I” is for inspiration, learn what inspires the art of Club Creative Studio.  And think about what inspires you to be creative as well. For me, inspiration involves merely looking around at nature, looking to the printed word, whatever I document as images from my camera, concerns for a ’cause’, the color wheel and finally… imagination.

                                                                               I often look to nature for inspirations for paintings because it is right in front of me, always.

Inspired by what I find in nature, and in my own yard.

I also enjoy looking to the printed word for further inspiration. Here, I painted with a theme.  The written words included were taken from cards and love notes from my husband.

My painting incorporated words from my husband's cards and letters.

My camera is almost like my best friend. I value it and the things it can do for me.  I use my camera EVERY DAY! I use it to document the beauty I see.

I use my camera to document and show detail of my jewelry art as well.

Club Creative Studio: Hand-made, mixed media glass crystal pendants.

  I am inspired by the cause for a cure for breast cancer.

Be inspired to create for a cause.

The color wheel inspires me to explore what colors I can mix and combine in clay and paint.

Club Creative Studio: Creating hand-rolled polymer clay beads inspire me to look to the color wheel for inspiration.

Exploring your own imagination, and going beyond what you think is a limit enables and inspires growth in creativity.

Live out loud! Voice your visual expressions with art.

What inspires YOU to be creative? How do you inspire others?

To view more creative art items that have been inspired by nature, the color wheel, and imagination, please stop by the website where the inventory changes often.

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

H is for How to Make a Hook

Club Creative Studio blog has a focus on creativity and as a blog challenge participant with the A to Z blog challenge, I also have a focus on a letter. Today’s letter focus is H. The letter H stands for How.  I would like to share HOW I make a Hook.

Are you inspired to create a hook and loop with wire?

To Begin: These are the tools that are needed to create a hand-made wire hook and loop set.

As in the above photo, I suggest that you gather your tools first.  Have on hand silver wire, non-tarnish wire or craft wire.  I used 18-gauge wire in this sample. Also, the hand-held tools are named from top to bottom, chain-nose pliers, flush cutters,stepped forming pliers, round-nose pliers, and not pictured but you will need a ruler, and marker or pen.

Step One:

Cut five inches of wire and flush cut each end.  I measured from one end, one and one half inches and created a shape like a hairpin.  To make that shape I used the round-nose pliers.

Pinched hairpin shape.

Step Two:

As you hold the “U” shape to the bottom, place the short wire to the left and the longer wire to the right. This photo was taken as I twisted so it is seen in reverse. Make a 90 degree bend opposite the short wire. I used the chain-nose pliers for this move. Switch to the round nose pliers to begin your wrapping around for a snug loop and wrap. Trim all excess wires once the shape is formed.

Forming the shape with a pen.

 Step Four:

Holding the wire against a pen or marker, bend from where the wrap starts, bending over the pen to make the hook shape.  At the tip, I used the chain-nose pliers to form a small bend at the tip at about a forty-five degree angle.

Club Creative Studio hand-made wire hook.

The hook is now finished!

Check back on this blog to learn how to make the loop of this HOOK and LOOP lesson. It will be presented on April 12, 2012.

G is for Gain Great Looks 5 Ways

Club Creative Studio offers creative one-of-a-kind Art to Set You Apart.  Today’s post also offers five suggestions for how to GO FOR GREATNESS with your jewelry fashion selections. While first considering the fashion trend report found from Squido, read on for suggestions to put you a step forward.

(Source: Squido)

In 2011 the jewelry tendencies showcased big, bold and chunky pieces. In 2012 the top 10 jewelry trends are all about classic pieces for the spring as well as natural pieces for the fall collection. 2012 will be all about sustainability, recycled, raw pieces that will range from classic to exotic. We will also see that few trends that started out in 2011 that will continue to be hot fashion items in 2012, such as the big and bold rings as well as mix of vintage with a contemporary flair.

In addition Bright colors will also be a huge within jewelry industry and you can expect to see bold / unexpected color combinations. Large gemstones and natural geodes and crystals will also be so in!

Standing out on the 2012 runways was the presence of resin jewelry pieces. Bright, colorful and Chunky these pieces are made to make a statement that can be bold and fun at the same time.

With that information at hand, I offer information as you decide ways to mix up your style.  Club Creative Studio does create chunky style art, resin art, colorful art, classic and exotic looking art. It seems then that we are right on track with providing the popular looks that the fashion experts predict to be wonderful. Why be ordinary when your jewelry art can set you apart?  Consider these steps.

Step One Great Look:  LAYER

Pile it on. Layer your necklaces and bracelets. Yes, it is true, delicate chains do go with chunky beads.  Try it out and experiment.  You can wear mixed metals, silver with gold, gold with copper and so on.  You can avoid the fashion police and still break all the old fashion rules by layering different styles for a variety of brand-new looks.  Learn to layer.

I created these two necklaces differently but, with the same "feel" so they could be layered together or worn alone as a single necklace.

Step Two Great Look:  COORDINATE

Choose the right necklace by picking out items with style and personality.  Make sure that you enjoy wearing jewelry for comfort along with style.  Wear necklaces that hang above and below the neckline depending on the outfit. Pick out a flattering necklace to help enhance the look of an outfit. Consider the space that your neckline provides as a canvas to fill and compliment. Coordinate your style, the neckline focus and the colors you put together for a total complimentary look.  Aspects depend on your clothing choices. Mix and match the colors, and layers for a new look also consider coordinating a mood or theme with your outfit and jewelry choices.

Coordinate neckline, color of necklace and length for a complimentary complete look.

Step Three Great Look:  CONTRAST

Look to the color wheel to combine unusual color combinations for a “pop” of color enhanced or a great eye-catching combination of jewelry against an outfit. Also consider general color variations so that you can enjoy a range of colors all at once.

Contrasting color combos add dramatic personality in your over-all look. Here consider wearing two different necklaces with two different colors. design is similar but if colors blend or contrast, you gain a great new vibe.

Step Four Great Look:  STATEMENT

When you wear jewelry with a focal point that really “says something”, and seems like it may have a life of its own with a personality to match, then you probably own what is known as statement. A statement piece stands on its own well and can dress up a plain or solid colored outfit.  Statement pieces say something about art, your style, your personality and your courage and confidence.  A statement piece may even fit into the category of being unique and unusual. It really “speaks” to you or others.  Listen to what your jewelry says.

This is a chunky-type necklace with larger beads and focal pendant. The necklace on the right is made with three guitar pics as part of the focal point.

STEP FIVE GREAT LOOK:   BE BOLD

Using your courage to wear something bold can allow you to express your originality, creativity, and fashion sence.  Be bold in your look so that you can add confidence and style.  Add a new and different look so that you can be expressive without even saying a word.  For additional art items that are sure to set you apart by being original and festive, please take time to visit the ever-changing items in the inventory of hand-made art at in Club Creative Studio’s collection online.

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com.

Good luck  as you gain great looks.  Consider using these tips when you GO FOR GREATNESS today. Looking at trends and wearing the style you are comfortable in is what fashion and expression is all about!

Statement Piece tri-strand detachable necklace by Club Creative Studio.

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• “D” is for Dare To Be Different (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)

F is for Findings

In the A to Z Blog Challenge, I am blogging today with a focus on the letter f.  F is for Findings.  What are findings?

Findings are not hard to “find” unless you drop a few of them in deep pile carpet. Findings are small elements that are needed to finish a jewelry project when creating it. It can be referred to in many forms.  A finding can be a hook, a closure, a small metal detail like a protective guardian wire, among a few examples.  Jewelry Findings is an old world term used to describe the components which go into the making of jewelry.

Findings used often in jewelry-making are wire hooks, loops, beads and caps, bead cones, clasps, crimps, charms, head pins, and eye pins to name even more.  Most online sites, books, and stores have organized their Jewelry Findings in a few different ways for viewing and shopping convenience. If you know your material and finish preference, you can navigate by the type of material.  Often offered are precious metal, solid metals, or base metal findings. Categories are then further broken down by types of findings.

Findings are not hard to FIND!

Once you know the type of finding you are looking for, you can decide on the various types of specific earring findings, clasps and toggles, bails and component holders to name more.

Sometimes, a finding is a not so common element needed to complete a project.  As examples, a clasp shortener, eye-glass sling, or pin finding and pin clutch fit into that category.

A shortener clasp finding allows you to convert a long strand of pearls or beads to wear it as a double strand. Also called a twister clasp for twisting multiple strands together.

Adjustable eyeglass slings.

Pins and a clinch clutch are sometimes sold separately. Pin findings have a flat top. Pin clutches have flanges that can be pinched to make the clutch easier to remove from the pin. 

Hand-made simple clasp sample.

Now that you can identify what a finding is, you can perhaps appreciate the functionality and details of findings in jewelry art.  Be sure to check out how I incorporate my findings in created art and see if you can spot a hand-made finding in Club Creative Studio items.

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

• “B” is for Broken (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)
• “D” is for Dare To Be Different (clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com)