Creative Views: Around Town

Corn husk dolls and other crafts using natural elements were displayed and demonstrated.

Today’s Club Creative Studio “Two-Cent Tuesday” post is a prompt to look closer within your own community for a new creative view.  Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy outdoor festivals and gatherings.  Most craft-fairs and fall festivals do not have an entrance fee so it makes the creative views even more appealing.  Are there events you can explore in your area this weekend?

Good toe-tappin’ mountain music had the audience sitting around on hay bales enjoying the sounds with a great natural setting the Smokey Mountains.

If you happen to find a different place to be other than your local backyard, you may discover highlights from around a new town to enjoy and appreciate.  This was the case when I recently visited another state. Unaware of the annual festivities focused around the region, we enjoyed what was called “Mountain Heritage Day” in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Held on the grounds of Western Carolina University.

The Newfound Forge: Blacksmith Westley Angel handcrafts forged iron.

Forged iron from Leicester, North Carolina

Mountain Heritage Day celebrates the traditions of rich southern Appalachian Music, Dance, Arts, and Folklore.  There were 100 plus, Juried Handmade Arts and Crafts Booths, with Three Traditional Music Stages, a Kid’s Area, Cherokee Stickball Games, Workshops, Heritage Demonstration sand Exhibit Areas, Living History Area, Canning and Baking Contests, an Antique Car Show, Chainsaw Competition and plenty of Festival Food. You gotta love that “fried pie”.

Mountain Heritage Day, Cullowhee, North Carolina. At Western Carolina University grounds, 2012

Wonderful sculptural baskets made from local fallen tree branches.

The pride of the mountains is reflected in the arts during this day-long festival. This celebration was the 30th annual celebration. It proudly showcased some of the finest arts, crafts, music and dance of the southeast since 1974. It has been named one of the top 200 craft events in the United States. I hope you run across a great fall festival in your area soon.

Jim Long and his wife Nancy Hornbuckle of River Cane Weaving display and demo their creative use of natural materials in their weaving of mats and baskets in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Triple C Pottery from artists: Cale and Christy Williams, Eagle Springs, North Carolina create hand thrown stoneware.

Down-home goodness.

Artist: Lori Anderson shares creations from the past and present from corn shucks and other natural materials.

 

I hope that you have the time to discover something that expresses and appreciates the arts like a good-old-fashioned fall festival.

Diedra’s Different Outlook- Part ll

The color of love.

Club Creative Studio introduced you to my neighbor, Diedra in yesterday’s post.  Today I am thankful for having pride in knowing my creative-out-of-the-box-thinking neighbor. Who would not want to know more about how a creative person thinks?  Fitting for the Two-Cent Tuesday theme, I want to show you how the love of one color can have a cost-effective impact. Diedra’s favorite color in her own words is: “The color Peacock”.  It is actually the love of the color turqoise that has her racing to her paint and brush very often.  This interest in painting almost any thing and every thing has also expressed a sense of creative frugality.

Pursuaded by paint of a peacock-color, the rugs, pillows, furniture, and floor reflect that favorite hue.

It isn’t everyday that you can go out into the world and purchase turquoise painted furniture, a statue, flooring, a mailbox or  lawn ornaments.  This is a low-cost way to get that into your world by simply and inexpensively painting an item the way that you want it to look , yourself.  And why not? If you want to love something even more, find a way to make it attractive to you.  Diedra loves “peacock” so she paints many items with that color to reflect what attracts her taste.  You’ll see plenty of turquoise, purple and blue here. Nuff said.

At night- purple lights are scattered here and there in her garden areas.

You are free to consider this decorating style “quirky” but, it is certainly also “cohesive”.

Plenty of turquoise, purple and blue hues here.

Lending to the expressions of the colors purple, blue and turquoise is the personality and spunk of Diedra herself.

Meet Diedra, even her turquoise car has a creative touch.

When asked about the reasoning behind the attached flowers on her automobile roof and back window she responded with her logic. “I go out in the car and park in the parking lots and when I come out of stores I always think that someone has stolen my car because it seems to be parked in between the big SUVs and I can not see it quickly.  So, I put the flowers on top so I could spot it faster. Plus being short, I can see it better over the bigger cars.” Sounds good to me! She went on to add, “I used to change the flowers with the seasons and holidays but, that got to be a bit much.”

Visit the blog again for the continued multi-post series

sharing more of Diedra’s featured creative whims.

Diedra’s Different Outlook- Part I

A section of Diedra’s back yard with her hand-painted lawn art items.

Today, I am thankful for my neighbor’s different and creative views.  As Club Creative Studio shares a focus on creativity, this post today highlights the personality of a very creative person.  There is no doubt that Diedra lives her life with creative expression. She is the star of the next few posts that share a creative story.

This is how I came to meet a wonderful lady named Diedra. I am new to my neighborhood so walking around a few blocks at a time give me a familiar sense of my surroundings.  On a walk one day, I discovered an interesting scene.  A home stood out for many different reasons.  And when I say “different”, I mean it was different from all of the rest.

It had distinct creative personality. I had a hunch that someone creative lived there, and I really wanted to meet whoever was responsible for the creative vibes. I wanted to find out more of their creative story. I knew there had to be a story to the yard art and beyond.

This was my first hint that a creative person lived here. The painted sidewalk is lined with hand-painted faux bricks and playful ivy along the cement wall and street.

As bold as the turquoise painted front door, I went to the house ready to place a note on the door. The note explained that I was a neighbor, had admired the yard and had an interest to learn more about the creativeness.  The note gave my contact information in hopes that I might gather more information for a possible blogging opportunity. Little did I know that a woman would answer the door and readily speak about her artful spirit.

Meet Diedra, even her car has a creative touch.

Diedra’s different outlook extends in many directions.  Her favorite color is (in her own words) “the color Peacock”.  So it is no wonder that she drives a car that is also a “peacock” turquoise color.  Look closely at the roof of her car.  Do you see the pink flowers adorning the top of her car? These flowers are also attached to the back hatch window of her car.  I asked the same question you are wondering…”What ‘s up with the flowers attached to the car?” Her answer was a hint to how interesting this person is.

Visit this blog again for the answer to this question.

In the meantime can you guess what the flowers are doing there?

Creative Thankfulness (5)

Club Creative Studio Art and bold suede cord strands.

Today, Club Creative Studio stops to be thankful for three words and the implications it brings to the fashion world. Choice, chance and change.

Choices

It is great news to know that hand-made art can be both unique and affordable. You are able to realize that when you wear something created from Club Creative Studio, you are the only one in the entire world that owns it.  When you wear something hand-made and one-of-a-kind, you express yourself as being an individual and special.  We are happy to offer a variety of choices online and take pride in knowing that nothing is ever made in duplicate.  The choice is yours to be different and supportive of the arts and art created by hand. Make a choice to express yourself creatively.

Chances

Chances are you will notice that suede is going to be popular in shoes and maybe elsewhere. I have created several simple necklaces that have colored suede cords as the strands so that is right on target for the Fall fashion season already.  The color cobalt blue is said to be popular as well as glitter and sparkle (yeah).  While you will still see and enjoy tone-on-tone items, statement pieces and men’s wear inspired looks will spill into women’s accessories.  How will you take a chance in your Fall fashion statements?  Dare to be different! Take a chance, show your creative side.

This Fall season: you’ll notice tassels, Oxford flat shoes, leopard and wing-tipped shoes, and colored toe caps, the chunky look and to me the most exciting: patterns and bold colors!

Bright colors are great for summer and fall if combined with other accessories that can compliment the boldness.

Changes

What changes will you be inspired to make?  Will you embrace the glitter and sequins trend?  Will you explore and appreciate the colors and patterns in new items?  As far as making beads that relate to the new trends, I am pleased and excited to see more contrasting colors and floral and geometric graphics around us. I look forward to coordinating Art That Sets You Apart with fashion-forward movements. Make a change from being ordinary to extraordinary, strut your creative stuff!

image:wowshoes580warcraftshoes

You might notice how things I look at can inspire bead-making for me. Do you see any similar qualities in the shoes above and the rectangle bamboo beads pictured here? Like changing your shoes, adding bright and bold colors to your wardrobe could be the jumpstart you need to meet and greet the new trend.  I remain thankful that our items lend well to standing out and offering unique and varied choices of art.

Color and texture combine for an interesting look for Fall.

Have fun as you attempt to use your creativity and make choices, take a chance, and allow the changes to be an extended expression of your style.  I’d love to help by suggesting that Club Creative Studio creations are as unique as you are.  Club Creative Studio Art found at http://www.clubcreativestudio.com offers you a wide choice of hand-made creations, gives you the chance to visit over and over again and purchase online at your convience, as well as shares in the excitement that our art can change your appearance in an affordable manner through its hand-crafted artistic designs.

Thank you for wearing and sharing Club Creative Studio Art

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Creative Thankfulness (4)

Club Creative Studio continues to take part in the Gratitude Project 2012, by posting publicly for 90 days something that I am thankful for. On the days that I blog, I am posting about how something with the creativity theme touches my life in thankfulness.  Today is the 4th post that coincides with this blog.

Special identification/informational tags for Club Creative Studio Art located at the Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA

It is with gratitude that I have had an opportunity to display and sell art in a new venue.  Last week, I prepared Club Creative Studio hand-made art to be included with other talented artist’s work within the Abington Art Center’s Gallery Gift Shop shelves.  Laura Burnham, Executive Director of Abington Art Center accepted work and will arrange a space for it to be available to the public for purchase.

Laura preparing to display Club Creative Studio Art at the Abington Art Center.

One-of-a-kind, hand-made pendant from Club Creative Studio.

There are several reasons that warrant my excitement and thankfulness.  I am thrilled to be located in a new area where art and artists are appreciated by many.  I feel that this door has been opened to me so that others can readily see up close and personal what I do when I create Art That Sets You Apart. It is great to have many more local eyes fixed upon what I love to create.

Club Creative Studio hand-made pendant.

Being part of an atmosphere that is a constant support for artists is a blessing.  It is motivating and inspiring to reach higher on a creative level.

Abington Art Center 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, PA

I am pleased to offer one-of-a-kind, hand-made art in a variety of venues, especially at the Abington Art Center but, as always online at:

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

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Multi-Strand Art From Club Creative Studio

Click on the link below to enjoy a short video highlighting hand-made, MULTI-STRAND necklaces from Club Creative Studio.

Multi-Strand Art From Club Creative Studio.

A Group Art Prompt

Club Creative Studio would like to highlight the creativity of a small group of people in this TNT (This-N-That) blog post today.

New Bridge Middle School in Jacksonville, North Carolina was the setting for creativity at the summer Leadership Camp. Five young artists and their instructor led efforts for a group art project . The collaborative works will be proudly displayed.

Take a look at the creative process in the video on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio , and you will see how all parts DO make the whole. This is a project that may inspire you to do in your own way because it is rewarding at all stages of development.

Thank you to the participants and the instructor, and acquaintance Mr. Bernie Rosage, Jr. He will certainly agree that this group art project was created with pride and joy.

Get inspired! This over-all project display technique can be replicated in a variety of canvas sizes, as long as they are anchored securely before and after your wall placement. It reminds me of a puzzle. Happily, their theme is NOT puzzling!

What did you think? Share your thoughts here!

Info With Strings Attached

Club Creative Studio shares tidbits of information with a focus on creativity.  Today, I combine the usual Thursday TNT (This-N-That) post with the Feature Friday post.

Dealing with simple elements found commonly in the home and those that are also low-cost are opportunities to welcome and express creativity. Can you consider a simple string or strand of fiber as a creative starting point? Here are some ideas how you can do this.  The only part that is as challenging as the actual project is the dare to try at least one of the activities and report back to this site to share your experience.  Happy Creating!

Just as this art suggests can you “see” that simple lines can be creative? It’s fantastic art, MASS MoCA. This is a big indoor space that Sol LeWitt made instructions for people to draw on the walls.  With a similar concept but on a much smaller scale try this simple activity.  You will need paper, pencil and a string of some sort.  I suggest a shoe-lace, strand of yarn, thick string or medium thickness ribbon, or a flexible cord will also work fine.

ACTIVITY ONE:

Placing your paper down on a flat surface, take the string of choice and drop it carefully on and around the paper.  Without consciously arranging the strand you can create a design that is just as interesting as one that you have thought-out for placement.  You may need to hold down the material flat so that you can now trace around.

Use your pencil to trace around that line.

You can appreciate the new form drawn or take this a step further, adding areas of thickness, and changing the design slightly but also adding interest.

Stop there or continue with a third step and fill in areas with color, pattern or thickness with a marker.  You can repeat process for more layered and overlapping lines.  If you are trying this project with a small child, allow them to do the string placement and you can be the main person to trace around the string.  The idea here is to create and appreciate a simple line and create a new and interesting over-all design.

Final Project. Are you inspired to try it?

ACTIVITY TWO:

Another activity you can do with a single string is to “paint” with it.  Dipping a string in paint, while you hold one end of the string you can then pull and drag the string with paint on it across paper.  When you overlap lines, you create an interesting trail.  Not too sure about having your little one play so freely with paint?  How about trying this with lunch or dinner left-overs?  Pasta sauce would be a great contrasting “paint” on white paper and the “brush” could be a single strand of cooked spaghetti!

While you are happily trying one of these new string theme projects, I will be stringing along beads. Both of us will have heart-strings attached to our projects.  Here is a “Sneak -Peek” exclusive of one of the latest strings that has captured my heart.  I look forward knowing how you have been creative today.  I welcome your comments!

Club Creative Studio Art. Necklace contains hand- made, hand-rolled clay beads, acrylic beads and metal findings.

Enjoy more string creations at: http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Zentangle Zen

In today’s Club Creative Studio’s TNT (This-N-That) post I again focus on creativity and  I once again invite you to discover.

I have happily discovered an old method of creating has a different name associated with it.  I will write about this particular subject twice.  In today’s post I will introduce to you a process of thought and creation and then on September 07, 2012 I will share my results of what I speak of today, after I take my formal and official instructional class for this particular method. I will hopefully find my zen when I Zentangle.

As a bit of background, before I tell you what Zentangle refers to, I went to my local library yesterday for the first time and discovered some useful information.

I have recently relocated and I am still getting my community introductions and barring.  The library is always on the list early to visit whenever I move because of the valuable resources it provides.  As I browse through the library, much like I would a department store, I take note of the written material on book shelves and also in paper flyer form stacked in revolving shelves or on counter tops.

Those little sheets of paper tell a lot about what is going on and how active the atmosphere is. Take note of those bright-colored half sheets because they are the key to the involvement and excitement of the efforts of the library.  It is a sign that there are little extra investments and opportunities to learn besides checking out the books and taking them home for a bit.

Of course, anything with a graphic on it catches my eye so that is no surprise to anyone who knows me or is drawn to anything dealing with an art form of some type.  This particular flyer caught my attention.  Although it was a black and white half sheet of paper, it was very graphic with three samples of art associated with the layout.  It also had a strange title. What was that about? Really, this is going to be about the process of how to make a simple line drawing look complex and appreciate the negative and positive areas in a line drawing.

I am ready to make a point with my art!

The information was an offering to take part in an easy-to-learn method of creating images with repetitive pattern.  SIGN ME UP! Sounds good to me!

To further explain, the “method” is a registered trademark method called: Zentangle.  I will be taking this “class” from a Certified Zentangle Teacher on September 06, 2012.

The Zentangle method is a way to gain relaxation and express creativity at the same time.  Who would not want that?  Without taking part in this particular method yet, I can only speak of what it claims to do for the artist. It is said to be fun and relaxing. Almost anyone can use it  and the end result is the creation  of beautiful images.

If you have ever doodled with a purpose this is a bit of the same, only with a name!

You may also have heard the term “Zendoodle” which sums up this project outcome as well.  Zentangle is thought to increase focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well-being. The Zentangle method is enjoyed all over this world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.  The Zentangle method is said to be an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life.

Today’s challenge is to simply watch this video again and get inspired.  Perhaps being interested you may also take a class, purchase a kit, get your own materials, discover other artist doing Zentangle images or visit blogs or websites featuring their gallery creations in this technique.  Don’t forget to stop by this blog again to see my results.

On September 07, 2012, I will share with you my first official creation developed specifically after taking a certified class from my CZT instructor.  Have fun Being Creative Everyday!  Are you inspired? Please recommend this blog and pass along the creative vibes.  The world needs information about art and artful creations to make it a more beautiful place to live!

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Black and White

Black and white “Tube Bead” from Club Creative Studio
http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Club Creative Studio is no doubt in love with creating art items using bright and vivid color combinations.  However, this does not mean that anything created in neutrals of black and white are tossed to the side.  NOOOOO, far from that idea.  I also create using black and white in polymer clay and glass.

Hand-made bracelet by Club Creative Studio. http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

I love creating in black and white because of the contrast it lends us visually.  Black happens to be my “favorite color” so, to combine black with any other color is always aesthetically pleasing  to me.  I use black to define and separate areas.  The outlines become just as important that the other elements in my clay bead designs.

Club Creative Studio creates one-of-a-kind art. This is a hand-made necklace featuring a hand-designed black and white crystal pendant with unique elements.

The stark contrast when using black and white draw our eyes into focus of the division of shape and that seems to attract and keep our attention.

Club Creative Studio creates black and white beads for high contrast focal beads.

I am blogging about black and white today because it is “Cow Appreciation Day” today.  Being from the midwest, cows are pretty important.  I will celebrate them today by creating more black and white beads to match the common milk cow, and the abilities of black and white in art to stand out from the ordinary.  Do you like black and white contrast colors together?  What do you like about black and white accessories?

Club Creative Studio Black and White hand-made cuff bracelet.

Club Creative Studio guitar pic earrings. The black and white contrast is what I love in this design.

The next time you see someone wearing items that are designed in black and white, try to determine why you are drawn to that combination.  They are striking for sure.