Bad News,Good News

Business owners have a hard job. They deserve hugs.

It is hard to run and maintain a business.  For some, it is a venture that is not long-lived. Whenever a business has to shut its doors and discontinue services to our community I am saddened. It doesn’t matter the reason, there is always a void placed in front of us when someplace we frequent or have support for has closed.

This is the case for a local bead shop in my area. I have only visited and purchased from this particular shop once in the last seven months but, I supported their efforts in bringing the love of beading to many it served.  Perhaps if I had lived closer, I would have been able to take advantage of shopping there more often.  Needless to say, the bad news is the closing of a bead shop.  Now that the owners have decided to close their doors for public business, their bad/sad fortune in closing has become the limited time good fortune and good news for those gaining from their clearance prices.

Find the good in a situation.

Today, I am going to check out their remaining inventory with another fellow jewelry maker. I have no idea what I will come home with, if anything at all.  I do know that my friend and I have different styles in our creations, so I am sure that if we get anything there to add to our supply list, they will be very different items. That fact alone may be a most interesting tidbit of information to realize in our shopping experience.  What will attract her eye and what will I find interesting or useful in comparison? Our design styles will certainly call for the need to shop with different eyes, for different items.

I think that it is important to spend time with those with similar interests in business.  It is a good opportunity to brainstorm and ask for advice if the other is willing to share information and experiences.  Many times artists feel that they are in direct or indirect competition with each other.  I can see how that belief can be possible but, there is also another side to this situation. I look to others in the same field as partners in a way, because we are along the same path.  Our journey and adventure may be very different but, still a common bond can bring us together.  For the love of beads can’t we all just get along!

Be supportive of fellow artists, they are just like you creating with love.

This is the case with my jewelry-making pals. We all have different styles and customers.  If we happen to ever have the same customers, it is because of their love for art in general.  Styles are individual and pleasing to many.  We make our creations with love and care as artists, no matter what level we are on in our specialty craft. We have opportunities to look to and to look out for our fellow creators.  I am happy to support local businesses and people associated with the common bond of beads.

To take this support to a new level, I have an idea in the works that will allow fellow artists to show support to one another.  Stay tuned to this blog for more information on how I hope to bridge creative people together with others and allow them to share their talents and shine.  I welcome you to “FOLLOW” this blog for updates on future posts. Keep informed of creative ideas from creative people.  Thanks for stopping by the blog today creative friend.  Have you been inspired to support the efforts of a fellow artist more deeply?

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Making A New Year Joy Jar

Club Creative Studio wishes you and yours a very Happy New Year.

The year 2013 can be a full year of inspiration and appreciation if you welcome it into your life. My daughter and I wish to share a project that you too can do to help you kick off the new year.  Are you ready to learn how we are getting our year off to the right start?  If you want to resolve to show more gratitude in your life and appreciate the positive and good things that happen to you, this project is for you.

This is a project that is meant to creatively hold the written positive thoughts and actions of an entire year.

We have cleverly and fondly named our project. We call these creations our “Joy Jars”.  Our decorated jars are going to be the hub spot for our daily written sediments of one aspect in the day that was a positive or uplifting aspect of that day.  So that we can remember the event, on a small slip of cut paper, we are planning to write down at least one highlight of the day that gave us joy.  For an entire year, we hope to continue to fill the jar and stuff in the numerous slips we accumulate.  On New Year’s Eve, 2013, we will begin to open up each tab collected and smile at all of the great things that happened to us through out the year in gratitude. Are you inspired to create your own Joy Jar in 2013?

We went on a hunt to a few of our local thrift stores in hopes to find low-cost and interesting glass jars with lids. We felt pretty lucky in finding jars that cost $2.00 and $3.00 each. I am sure that you may be able to find something even less in price, recycled, or even around your home that would also suffice for the same purpose.

We decorated our jars in different ways.  My daughter used many inspirational word stickers, and decorative tapes on her glass jar.  She placed them on and around her entire jar so that no matter which way the jar was displayed, it would show a decorative side.  She created a simple look but, it is still cute and colorful.

Glass jar decorated with stickers and decorative tapes.

Finished Joy Jar

Completed Joy Jar.

The jar that I embellished included hand-made polymer clay beads, hand-twisted wire, and pink and red seed beads.  I glued the large clay beads on the flat areas of my jar.  The jar already had scroll raised designs so adding twisted wire also added the feeling of movement and whimsy to the over-all look.

I added seed beads to wire on my decorative jar.

I used my hand-made clay beads and wire to embellish my jar.

This is the lid of my jar topped with a hand-made clay bead. It is an easy open lid with the added embellishment.

To get an idea of some of the simple joys that you too may want to add to your “Joy Jar” read a few of the comments shared from the Club Creative Studio Business Fan Page on Facebook.  I asked the fill-in-the-blank question: ____________ brings me joy.  These are wonderful examples of sediments that can be added proudly to a “Joy Jar”. Are you inspired to make your own jar?  Being specific in your highlighted statement will be the best prompt of recalling the gratitude you felt when reviewing it a year from now.

Family brings me joy– Kristy

Peace brings me joy- Anna

Inspiration brings me joy- Dawn

Champagne and the feeling after a workout gives me joy- Lauren

Making Earrings brings me joy- Rachael

When a child really understands something funny, the laughs they bring, that gives me joy- Michelle

Being surrounded by beautiful things brings me joy- Karen

Hearing a baby laugh brings me joy- Lynnette

My kids and husband bring me joy- Valerie

Another Finished Joy Jar

Enjoy creating your “Joy Jar” with your own mark of creativity.

Happy New Year as you take your creative spirit into 2013.  I welcome you to follow this blog for more creative prompts, projects and information. Also, be sure to check out the evolving creativity in Club Creative Studio Art on the website: http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Related articles

• The Happiness Jar (vandclover.wordpress.com)

Make It FUNtional

Club Creative Studio’s blog has a focus on creativity.  Today’s post features a simple transformation of art.  I have often found the need to change something based on how I want it to function and serve a purpose for me.  With specific needs in mind, almost anything can be transformed and upcycled with creatively to fit a specific desire.

I recently went on a  gallery and store hop with a friend Lauren, in an area that is full of interesting places.  To mark our memories, I purchased a small piece of art at an import store.  This carved wood piece is from Bali.  Right away, I loved it and I knew how I wanted to display and use this item in my home as a creative form of inventive storage.

Lauren and I with a creative find from Impact Imports, PA

I wanted a new place to display and hang some of my personal necklaces, for an easy way to locate and admire them.  This carving inspired me to use the bottom portion for this purpose.  The tricky part was to figure out how and where I wanted to place the attached screw-hooks.  As with anything you are about to drill into, you want to make sure that you are making the right decision and make your marks correctly the FIRST time.

These are the hooks I used for my project.

In order to not deface the art by placing the hooks directly to the front of the art, Lauren had the suggestion to place the hooks from under the bottom lip of this art. That made perfect sense and left me with the option to remove the hooks at anytime, if I wanted to display this in a different manner at any other given time.  The holes could be easily filled later and for the meantime, were at the bottom of the art so it isn’t obvious when and if I removed the hooks.

Added hooks on the bottom lip of this art.

Finished art transformed in to a display jewelry hanger.

The hooks serve as the resting place for my hanging necklaces. I love the functionality of this and the art as well. It is placed in a room that I see it often, and I appreciate the added functionality of this art. This art has now been adapted to my needs.  I made it personal to me and useful to me.

Have you had the opportunity to alter art? Tell us about your experience and success of your project!  If you are looking to do a similar project, I suggest you make sure you have a stable structure to add your hooks to, making sure that your screws do not penetrate through the wood entirely. Space your hooks evenly, secure with adequate twist, and hang over-all project in a manner similar to hanging framed art, with care and concern for strength of nail choice.  good Luck with your creativity!

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!

Related articles

• Drawing: First real attempt at a Zentangle (mississhippi.wordpress.com)

Stop Run-Away Beads

This is a bead stopping component.

Club Creative Studio’s TNT (This-N-That) post today is about a creative solution in bead making.

If you are into stringing, you know that there is nothing worse than spending time with a hand-made item and then experience some degree of failure.  When you are involved with the technique of stringing beads, you want the task to be enjoyable and successful.  You would even like it to be a bit relaxing or therapeutic.

Stringing beads is a rhythm and a pattern.  To avoid  a break in that process, any mishaps like a sudden loss of a completed string of beads falling to the ground is heart-breaking.  I have found the ideal product that can be used to assure that a string of beads will no longer be unstrung if it is left in an undeveloped state of progress.

My small collection of a useful stringing tool.

The interesting stainless steel coiled clips are small items that have a strong hold onto the ends of stringing thread or wire.  Some companies call them “Bead Stoppers” and that is a good name to describe what they do.  They stop beads.  To use, you gently squeeze both ends to open, and place your strand in-between two of the coils and release ends.  The grip allows for the beads to be held until you squeeze the ends once more.

Attaching and end of a beaded strand secures the beads from an accidental spill.

This is used by bead artists who are mid-stream in a project, have many different projects going at once, or want to bundle their beads to a stopping point for storage.  I often use these supportive ends to work from one end to the middle, and then adjust the strand to center the design, and string the other end to match.

These bead stopper coils have easy grip ends.

If you have had frustrations in beading strands and do not like dropping it and starting over, then this is something that you can use to give you back some productive time.  They come in several sizes and you can either use two per strand, placing one strand in an area or use one clip, and separate the coils, and hold one single necklace end to end.

Happy creating and let me know if you use these when stringing or if you are now considering trying them.  I used to use other methods like larger clips or tape but, there is a difference using something that is made specifically for bead-makers, they the (inventors) were really onto something when they created this simple tool for us. It solves a big problem.

Plastic Painting Project Part l

Daughter’s contribution: acrylic painted background.

Club Creative Studio art has a main focus on bead-making, jewelry making and using hand-made clay and glass beads in interesting ways. But, because creativity is limited only to one’s imagination, it is natural that other materials take center stage from time to time.  This post informs you of a group project using mixed media on a painted canvas.

Exploring the uses of a variety of supplies opens your mind to new techniques and use of materials. Sometimes the most unconventional materials used, make a project extra interesting. There is a growth and a new-found appreciation to be found in using new materials. In our mother/daughter art project we used primed canvas, acrylic paint, permanent markers in black and metallic silver, heavy gel gloss medium, recycled plastic soda bottles, ink and hand-made polymer clay beads.

This post is part one of a two part explaination of what we created as our group project.

Many enjoy the challenges of recycling. There is also the thrill to know that you have not only helped develop a creative mode but, you have used throw-away objects in a new and exciting way.

Recently my daughter and I joined forces to create an inspirational painting for the new studio space of Club Creative Studio. I knew that I wanted to incorporate many texts within our canvas because I love being inspired by creative quotes. And my daughter knew that she could contribute by painting the background of the canvas for me to use as a colorful backdrop for whatever was developed on top.  To begin we set up the easel and let her go with the flow for the painted background portion.

acrylic painting swirls of color help create the feeling of movement.

Next, we added the quotes about creativity throughout the entire canvas, using permanent markers and varied the are thickness and font style of each quote applied.  Glossing over the entire surface, we added protection and a slight sheen to the canvas surface. Adding a gloss seems to also intensify the paint tints too so it is a double pleasure to use it.

Inspired by quotes about CREATIVITY.

Finally, we added some unexpected elements by adding recycled and melted plastic bottle flowers, with a hand-made polymer clay bead for each center bloom on the canvas.

Melted plastic bottle formed to be a flower bloom.

Follow this blog post on Two-Cent Tuesday for Part ll of this Plastic Painting Project. I’ll show the completed creation and explain how we made the recycled plastic bottle blooms.

Related articles

• Breakthrough in mixed plastics recycling as new plant opens – Rebecca Smithers (greenerscience.wordpress.com)

Bring Bling to Bold

Club Creative Studio’s art is one way to add color to the “gloom of winter”. Art can be created to help you bring a dash of bling into your bold color choices of fashion and home. Right now it is considered “hot” to add rich colors and bold patterns to your fashion, and even in your home accessories.

Knot Now? Why Knot?

Artist: Ed Bing Lee/Photo: Ken Yanoviak

Club Creative Studio shares information about the creative process.  Read about a creative Fiber Artist.

Today’s post is an artist’s highlight post of the art of Ed Bing Lee.  He is a creative Fiber Artist who was born in 1933 in San Francisco.  Ed Bing Lee has a love and devotion for knotting fibers into wonderful works of art.  His nimble fingers are spinning golden works to be admired.

If you have ever thought that you were too busy to tend to someone else’s needs and were perhaps asked to share your time, you may have answered: “Not now, I am busy!” Chances are, if Ed Bing Lee were to say that, he could literally mean it.  If he does “knot” now, he is “busy”. His art has a focus on hand-knotting and twisting fibers into art forms.

Artist Ed Bing Lee often uses images of contemporary food found from advertizing art and transforms that into his knotted three dimensionally formed sculptural forms.  He seems to enjoy his creations because they require little specialized equipment to create.  He has dedicated time to his knotted creations since 1970.

To view a video about this artist, see him in his studio, at work on a project and alongside a gallery display please click on the link where you will find out more about his knotted art from the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, Philadelphia. I look at his art as another way to get “good fiber” from his “created food”!

http://vimeo.com/12239498 

Thank you for stopping by to learn about the handiwork of a talented artist. I hope he has motivated you to do something creative with your hands today.

Artist: Ed Bing Lee/Photo: Ken Yanoviak