Crunch Time!

So, my mom and I are pretty frantic right about now as we prepare for The Finding House! Things are coming together though. I have been driving her crazy with starting new projects when we really should focus on packaging and pricing, but my excuse is that I’m not really good at sales. In the midst of this total craft chaos, we are also beginning to prep and cook things for Thanksgiving! I can’t wait for family to arrive!!! Aside from all of that, I wanted to share some more art (of course). Two years ago I decided to go back to college to get an advanced degree and I was bound and determined to take some art classes as well. Hopefully, one day, I will be able to get a degree in art. I do have a stole from the art department, but no degree yet. Anyway, here are some things I made in my Ceramics and Native American art classes. At first I thought I would stick with the low fire, however, I found the high fire and raku to work better for me. I have tons more ceramic pieces, but I just have to find some time to take the pictures. I had the best time in these classes! I met so many great people and had the best Art History study nights. One friend has gone on to Graduate School in Chicago (he will be famous soon) and the other I know is going to be a famous cake designer!!!

Beautiful Blogs!

Since I posted about Etsy last time, it’s only fair that I post my favorite artsy blogs.

http://www.linnadesigns.com/wordpress

I can’t get enough of this blog! It’s from my dearest friend, Linna, who is a graphic designer!!! She designed my classroom shirts this year and I can’t wait until I can post the outcome. It is the coolest design if I may say. Aside from being a fabulous designer, she is also a very entertaining writer. I love reading about how and where she gets her inspiration. She is “going places” as the saying “goes!”

http://livingthecreativeteenlife.blogspot.com/

So, I have yet to tell how I got to know this artist, but I will explain shortly. It is an awesome story! She is actually my blogging inspiration and I LOVE her art. It is so my style. It’s inspirational, original, colorful, and unique. There is nothing that I don’t love about her work. She is going to be either famous for her art or she going to be a tennis star. Actually, she will more than likely do both! Kayla, say "hi" to RAFA for me please!!!

http://unionstreetpeople.blogspot.com/

Spreading The Word, while sharing a meal! These guys are doing wonderful things for the community! I love reading about their experiences with feeding the homeless. Such a selfless thing to do.

http://surface-gallery.blogspot.com/

http://lizknitsbits.blogspot.com/

http://vikkicruz.blogspot.com/

http://www.yvonnecavanagh.blogspot.com/

http://brentsdrawingboard.blogspot.com/

http://oleanderbicycleclub.blogspot.com/

Okay, this one is a package deal! These artists are so creative, so unique, and so talented! Beautiful, contemporary art fills the space of the Surface Gallery on a daily basis. If you haven’t been downtown yet, please GO! Surface Gallery offers classes and rents out their space for special occasions. It is such a soothing and relaxing environment.

I know I am missing some other wonderful blogs, but as I catch them I’ll post them. I love spreading the word about other people’s endeavors.

“Plastics!”

Oh how I love the movie “The Graduate” and coincidently I was given the movie by my parents when I graduated college. I’d like to think my mom was going for a theme, “The Graduate” for the graduate, rather than this having any other meaning. I think they are pretty satisfied that the one thing I came away with from that movie was “plastics” considering the main plot of the movie was less than admirable! :) With that said...here are some plastic Shrinky Dinks!!! I got the patterns from a Klutz book.

Canvas Bags!

We used fabric pens on these guys! Grab some muslin and fabric pens, sew a simple bag, add a strap, and create your own design...or grab one of ours this weekend! These bags are super simple to make though, so you should give it a try!

Our Art Partner...

is at the beach! The last time I went to the beach with my Aunt and Uncle we spent hours water coloring and watching the funniest episode of Huell Howser ever! Here are some of my finished pieces. They are packaged and ready to sell this weekend!

Oh Boy...

or Girl!!! What’s more fun than giving a custom handmade gift to a sweet little pea? You can get kits at JoAnn’s craft store or piece some scraps together for a one-of-a-kind keepsake. So, if you need some baby gear (quilts, receiving blankets, diaper bundles, tag-a-longs, and so much more) we can help you out! These all make darling gifts and we can make them to coordinate with a theme or hodgepodge it for the eclectic baby to be; and they are super soft (we use minky fabric)!

Excess-orize!

You can never have too many accessories and I am loving all the fun ones that artists are making these days. I just saw the best handmade ceramic pendants at Surface Gallery the other day. They also had a pendant and cuff made out of recycled road signs...how creative!!! The Finding House will have some of Saint Olive’s accessories as well as a Silversmith. Her pieces are amazing and so unique! I always admire her work each year. I love her designs. If I find out she has a link I will share it on here.