May the sun shine on your life throughout the year. Make this the year of experimenting with color, texture and everything new.
Heavily beaded pin brooch with patriotic colors with sun, flower buttons and cheery vine.
Birch bark tree pin brooch
It seems that change comes quicker with every passing year. With technology, apps are changed quite often with the goal of “improving your experience.” Perhaps that is true, but my experience of these “Improvements” is the need to once again learn something new.
I find that there is a fatigue or frustration that sets in having to learn all the new various apps, create yet another password, and learn a new process. It is very much like learning a new language.
Well I’m having one of those days where I want to runaway from all technology. It’s too much stimulation. I don’t want to learn anything new today. Can’t things stay the same for one little old week?
Its time to get into that creative zone and produce some art! What inspires you to have an art kind of day?
Pretty flowers pin brooch
Tree of life pin brooch
I love to find treasures that I can use in my art. You can shop the usual places such as craft and fabric stores, but there are other places where finding hidden treasures not only provides objects to make art, it does so at bargain basement prices and inspires you at the same time.
1. Nature’s playground: Look around you! Among the items that can be used for art include: pebbles, pine cones, pine needles, bark, leaves, grasses, seed pods, feathers, sand, shells, sea glass. What else can you think of?
2. Thrift stores: I find beads, thread, fur, batting, yarns, fibers, buttons, tools, fabric, paint, fabric dye, craft kits, raffia and many other items that can be expensive when purchased new. I have found designer buttons and expensive threads still in the original packaging for penny’s on the dollar. I also find finished items that can be repurposed. Find an old frame and paint it to suit your latest drawing or photograph. Or what about a wooden box that can be decorated and made into a trinket box?
3. Rummage sales: You’ll never know what’s out there until you look. People often destash their crafting supplies. If you are an artist or crafter, you know that half the fun is building your stash, at least until your stash takes over your studio and you need to clear things out. Someone else’s extra can become your find of the season!
4. eBay, etsy and other online shopping sites have treasures also. You can find anything you can think of, but that’s the obvious point of these markets. Something that might not be so obvious is looking for “lots.” This is an inexpensive way to purchase a large group of items. People will sell a “lot” of leather scraps, wood slices, antlers, yarn, fabric remnants etc. This is a good way to get a variety of things to add to your stash. I frequently make “lots” of mixed crafting items, beads or fabric remnants and sell them on either eBay or Etsy. I’ve also purchased “lots” of various kinds from others. Euthymic Threads shop
So, use your imagination and have fun. There are art supplies every where you look! It’s up to you to recognize the potential of objects all around you.
Photos of craft “lots” available on EBay or Etsy.
Funny things happen sometimes that change the direction of one’s life. As a psychologist working in a medical hospital setting, I meet many people who have unexpected illnesses that change the course of life. I’m not talking about those kinds of major life changes. I’m talking about the little changes in perceptions, inspired possibilities, sudden open-minded thinking that leads a person to see something in a whole new way. How is it that something can be in front of a person all her life, but she doesn’t see the possibility until a little spark of thought opens a door. It’s an odd little thing, really, but fascinating at the same time. I have a cabin in the woods that has been in my family for approximately 60 years. It had one major renovation in the 70’s, but otherwise little had changed. There didn’t seem to be a need to change anything since everything functioned (more or less), but the place was uninspiring. Over one evening (yes, this involved alcohol and good friends) we went from “no more home improvement projects!” To a complete turn around which embarked us on a remodeling odyssey. The mind was opened and the inspiration hit. Check out the before and after photos! This blog primarily focuses on inspirations in fiber art. On this journey of remodeling, came inspirations for quilts and art pieces. Follow along with me as these items come to life.
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What a rough winter year here in southeastern Wisconsin! Snow, snow, cold and more snow and cold. I hope that is finally over for the year, but we did have snow again a few days ago. Flowers are starting to poke their delicate little heads up and the birds are returning! This is the time of year of new beginnings. Everything has a cycle and this is the cycle of growth and renewal. As a person, where can you grow? What can you renew? Take stock of where you currently are and decide what changes you want to make. You are in control whether it feels that way or not. What old, dead habits and behaviors can you shed while you create newer more realistic ideas and goals? Art can symbolize the changes we make within ourselves.
This is a season of beauty, memories and unfortunately stress. Remember to take deep breaths and find time to relax, Don’t sweat the small stuff. Take time to look around and really absorb the beauty of the season.
Have a safe and peaceful holiday!
Dori
A little sweetness in your life
A fun little piece of art to wear to your holiday get togethers.
Beaded Christmas Tree Art
My Favorite Christmas Brooch
Cute ornament to add color to your tree
It’s cold and frosty in most parts of the United States. In Wisconsin, it is cold and snowy. This is the perfect time to curl up in front of the fire with a warm quilt. Quilts are more than mere blankets; yes they keep us warm, but they also surround us with love, tradition, history and creativity. Each hand-made quilt reflects the unique personality of the maker. Yes, it may be made from a pattern written by somebody else, but no two quilters, following the same pattern will create the same quilt. Each selects colors and patterns that are unique. Each has a sewing style that differs from the other. “Mistakes” are part of the beauty of each creation. Each quilt is a process of growth and letting go. A successful quilter see’s a mistake as a process of learning and improving. I often leave minor mistakes because this is what makes each quilt unique and fun to explore. Oops, a little bit of the salvage is showing by a seam. Oops, one little fabric block is upside down or wrong side out. Shouldn’t a quilt have a little mystery? Wouldn’t it be fun to sit by the fire and find these hidden mysteries? Sort of like finding Waldo. So, perhaps some of my “mistakes” weren’t really mistakes. What is a mistake, really; a flaw, a creative interpretation, divine intervention? Did I do it on purpose or did I let the powers that be guide me into something different and creative? That too is a mystery that can be explored in each quilt. So, I will keep creating my quilts, mistakes and all. I will continue to grow and explore. I invite you to find the mysteries in each of the quilts you make and/or own. The mysteries are there, waiting to be found. Good luck and have fun!
Dori
Here are a few of my icy, but warm quilts.
Pretty little ornament for the ice skater in all of us
I heart my tree for you
Tiny 2 inch heart from the icy blue collection
white on white with a touch of blue heart pin brooch
To see more: EuthymicThreads.com
At least I hope spring is coming. It is hard to tell in Wisconsin. I’ve been busy blogging for my professional organization and have neglected this blog. I continue to keep art in my life and make brooches and other art pieces. I have enjoyed Etsy.com and view the site daily. I’m inspired by the amazing art created around the world. It inspires me to think of new creations and ideas for my own art. I run a team on Etsy.com called “unpinned.” This team is for artists who primarily make and sell pin/brooches. It is amazing to see all the different styles that are available. Come and check out our team “unpinned” on etsy.com. We welcome new pin/brooch artists.
Keep sewing, quilting, beading and including art in your life!
New Spring Additions:
Cute little purple lady bugs on spring-like fabric base
Bunny flowers sprouting from the earth
Hippity Hop, Spring is on its way
Delicate embroidery and beading.
Dori
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