All Prepared For Christmas!

I'm all ready for the Christmas Holiday season... what?  Christmas presents?  Nah, I don't mean those (but yeah, I bought all those and they're all wrapped under the tree ready to be ripped open on the day better known as 'The Orgy of Greed' to my family).  What I'm talking about is my craft supplies.

This week, I've spent that little bit more money on my supplies to make sure I don't have go anywhere to buy any supplies... and I mean, if I do, it'll only to get dolly pegs and that's it (Yep, they haven't arrived from the UK yet... that idjit hasn't heard of air mail... he sea mailed the damned things!).  
So, yesterday, I was up Garden City doing some last minute Christmas shopping and I needed to get some dolly pegs and bought myself a tub of gold paint.  Okay, sure, I have 3 tubes of gold paint, but they're on the lighter side now I've used a good lot of them... so I've decided to get myself a tub of the paint to cover all my bases.

Today, I was off to check the mail, put money onto my load&go card and then check on Mum and Dad's house for mail, any parcels that might show up and then off to the chiropractors.  However, on my way to those places, I went to the FDB's and scored myself 30 magnets - at $2.00 for 10 that's a great deal - and a roll of cellophane - which was also $2.00 a roll.  So for under $10, I have enough supplies to see myself through until the markets next February... yay!  I can't wait until I have it all sorted.

So, what are you getting up to this holiday season to prepare and keep yourself creating until the school holidays are over?  Do tell!  Until my next post, keep creating!

Queen Beez Craft Group Breaks Up for Christmas

Today was my last day at my craft group.  So, instead of taking along my craft gear, dressing in my paint-stained outfit and smock and taking along something to share, I dressed in a lovely outfit and took along something to share and left my painting gear at home.

Yes! I went there today to socialise, not to paint. 

And everyone noticed what I was wearing.  One lady complimented me on my lovely skirt and top; and I said I wanted to have a good day off and just hang out for the last day... and she smiled saying that it's good I do keep my good clothes separate from the clothes I use for my paintings and artwork.

But we all brought along a plate and there was so much food we all went back for seconds and had a lovely time just sitting around and chatting about what we were going to do for Christmas, what the Christmas Party was like for the craft group and how our weekend was too.  
Before we knew it, two hours has passed and we all packed up and left to go home one by one... not to see each other until next February.  Coral and some of the other ladies bid me farewell and told me to take care of myself until next year; and I told them that Mum might be joining us next year too.  Coral smiled saying 'the more the merrier'... and I really do hope Mum does, she'd love the social arena of it.

This arvo when I arrived home, I got changed into my painting clothes and sat down at my craft table and worked on a few things before dinner.  Then, I worked for an hour and half after dinner until the semi-final of 'Supernatural' came on.  Tomorrow, I'll be out for a good part of the day to lunch, but for the rest of the week, I'll get my butt into the craft chair and working hard at my Crafty Pegs.

So, what are your plans for the holidays?  Working at your craft like me?  Or are you going to take a well-earned break?  Until my next post, keep creating!

The Creative Markets!

5:45am:

I was woken by my alarm.  I didn't want to get up, but I did.  The morning was nice and cool.  It had been raining only about a half hour before, and it looked like it was going to be a rainy day.

6:40am:

I had eaten breakfast, put on make-up, loaded up the car with my goodies, packed my lunch, bought a litre of milk (yeah, I drink that much in a day) and then bought a paper and was off to the Springwood State School. 
The roads were clear.  It was such an easy drive... and I forgot to buy some tissues, so I went to the 7/11 down the road from the school and bought a travel pack.  Ironically, I didn't need them.

By the time I arrived at the school, it was just on 7am.

7:30am:

I was set up, put all my boxes, excess stock to the back of my stall and opened my green chair.  I had an hour to kill before the Creative Markets actually opened.  So, I took some business cards and walked around to some of the other people's stalls to see what they were selling.  There's some very talented people out there... 

8:45am:

People started coming in dribs and drabs.  By 9am, the place was filled with stall owners and customers.  I had a few people walking and looking at my stuff, but not buying yet... then they'd come back with their kids and they'd buy something.  When the kids didn't like the prices of the pencils, I made them a deal and made a quick sale... they walked away happy.  So did their folks.

10am:

Kellie Smith came to my stall and had a quick look-see.  She loves my work!  She picked out some pegs and sprung pegs too and was my first sale of the day!  She was amazed at the detail work that went into the designs!  

11:30am: 

My feet were killing me.  I was on my second home-made ice coffee (and boy did I need it!) and Vivienne Treagus showed up with Little Miss Zoe in tow... they were wonderful to see!  Vivienne bought some pencils and a couple of magnets and then went away to give Zoe some lunch.  But they returned to sit with me for the rest of the time until 1pm.

12:20pm:

The crowds came in waves - I found.  So there were rest times of around 5 - 10 minutes at a time... this is good.  But I was told by some of the stall owners that sometimes, it's more hectic... while other times, there's no sales at all.  
Then, my folks come through the crowd that was there.  Dad first, then Mum.  They had driven up from Brunswick Heads to collect the boat and take it back down there.  They were so proud of me and Dad said I looked tired; but it must be fun doing this kinda thing.  

12:56pm:  I pack up in 3 minutes... seriously!  So did everyone else.  Mum had walked away 6 minutes ago, came back and I was packed up!  She was stunned!  Dad was a great help with carrying a few things out to the car for me, so I didn't have to carry them out in two trips.

Summary of the Creative Markets:

I had a great time.  It was under cover, so we didn't have to worry about getting sunburnt or the weather.  But it was very humid as the multi-purpose shelter we were using wasn't designed to let in much air.

I made enough money to cover my $55 rent on my spot.  Otherwise, I made $3.00 profit after that... which isn't bad seeing it's my first time.  

I've decided to have another go there at Springwood in February when the Creative Markets come back next year... I'll have more stock, more variety and more designs to choose from.  

Work Progress

I've decided to work hard on getting as many pegs done as possible... and it's working out well.

Yesterday, I got:

Sprung Pegs:  2
Dolly Pegs:  4
Magna Pegs:  3

I have enough 'Cool Pencils' for the market so I'm only concentrating on pegs right now to get the numbers up.

Today, I got:

Sprung Pegs:  3
Dolly Pegs:  3
Magna Pegs:  1

So, I'm getting a fair bit done in 3 hours each time.  This afternoon, in about an hour's time I'll be back at it until later tonight... then tomorrow I'll record how much I got done all day (as I won't be going to my Craft Day with the ladies at the community centre).  I'll spend the whole day at home working on my pegs.  Then, on Tuesday, I'll varnish and wrap up the pegs I painted up and finished.  Let's just hope the parcel arrives from the UK of Dolly Pegs so I have more to paint tomorrow... if not, I'll report to e-bay what has happened and get them to talk to the retailer I bought them off.
Well, I hope you're being as creative as I am right now.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Only A Week and a Half To Go!

I don't have long to go until the Creative Markets at Springwood State School are going to be on!  And I'm working nearly every day and night to get my stock up and ready for that big day of selling.  I'm looking forward to it all as it's going to be fun and exciting - as well as a little scary - for me as I've never done a markets before.

So far, I've got plenty of stock, but I'm looking at working on more.  Here's what I have so far:

Sprung Pegs: 7 dozen (yeah, I need more)
Cool Pencils:  33
Dolly Pegs:  7 sets
Magna-Pegs:  21

My lots are coming up and I'm looking at working harder at making more Sprung Peg lots and Dolly Peg lots as well as more Magna-Pegs... seeing I have more than enough Cool Pencils right now.

Today, I set up the market stall in my car port and timed myself and found it only took me around 10 minutes to get the initial table and main stuff set up.  Otherwise, it'll take me another 10 minutes or so to get the rest of it finished with the decorating, pricing and other bits attached to it, hiding the boxes under the table and then sit down to have a drink... yeah, I'll be set up within around half an hour.  But then, I'll have to move the car.  So, it looks like I'll have to have somebody mind my stall while I'm gone for those few minutes... maybe a relative.  I'll have to organise that.  
You know, I don't have that much to organise now... it's mainly just details that are to be done up... you know, pricing and working out how much of a discount I can give if things aren't selling (which I don't think will be a problem, really).  

So, what are you getting into at the moment?  What's been your creative element you've been getting into?  Until my next post, keep creating.

Work Update...

Since my last update only last week, I've been burning the midnight oil.  I've been working around 6 hours a day - off and on - and making sure I have more than enough stock to work the markets.

It's been hard, and yet a lot of fun to get these things done.  But I've been almost burning myself out - which isn't good.

So, I took a few days off this week and have been happy about doing that.  One of those days was to watch over the Melbourne Cup... where I won in a sweepstakes and at the TAB; both places I won $48!  Sweet!

However, since the last time you were updated, I have gotten a lot more done:

Sprung Pegs:  7 dozen
Dolly Pegs:  3 lots
Cool Pencils:  13
Magna-Pegs:  13

Over the last 24 - 48 hours, I've managed to get in do more work:

Sprung Pegs:  4
Dolly Pegs:  7
Cool Pencils:  7
Manga-Pegs:  5

So, I'm getting a good lot of stock up in just over a week since I last wrote here.  With only 2 1/2 weeks to go, I wonder how much more I'll get done before I go off to the Creative Markets on 24th, November?  With the amount of work I'm doing, plenty I'm guessing.

What work are you doing at the moment?  Are you progressing with it well?  Or is it going slow?  Until my next post, keep creating.

Working, working, working!

As you all know, I'm at The Creative Markets on the southside of Brisbane - in Logan City actually - and I'm looking forward to it!

So far, I've done a lot of work - more than I normally would have; and I'm proud of myself:

2 dozen Sprung pegs
10 Cool Pencils
12 Dolly Pegs
13 Magna-Pegs

And this is all in the last week or so... it's taken me a long time to get it all done, but I am thankful that I've had my Crafty Pegs work station all set up.  And I've also bought a Load&Go card from the post office (this is where I can load money onto it and use it online safely without accumulating debt - even though it's through VISA).  

Well, I'm going to hopefully keep myself busy throughout tomorrow and have this weekend off (as there's a party to go to of my brother's) then keep myself working on everything more!

And to make it more real, I've just paid the rent on my stall at the Creative Markets at Springwood... it's my first markets and I'm kind of excited and scared at the same time!  Woot!  I'm enjoying the fun and games of learning all of this as it comes along.  So, have you done anything like this?  If you have, let me know anything I should know... until my next post, keep creating!

One Busy Month!

It's been one busy time with Crafty Pegs, and I haven't had much time to do anything but paint them up and organise and try and find Dolly Pegs (which are becoming more and more like Hens' Teeth than anything I've ever come across!).

But!  I'm working this out really well.

Since I've completed my Crafty Pegs Work Station, created my Crafty Pegs Facebook Page and organised the business card and - just recently - bought myself a Load&Go Card at the post office, I'm well and truly on the road to getting my butt into this fun and intensely tiring life of my hobby business.  

I've begun buying paint in tubs as they're $6.99 each and will last longer than the tubs - which are $4.99 each.  I've bought myself my first lot of Dolly Pegs off a supplier in the UK for under $20 and they'll be here next week!  Yay!  I've bought myself a roll of sandpaper for when I need to sand down any rough edges.  And what I do is just cut off a small strip and use that until it's worn out and then toss it out and cut off another strip and keep going; and at $11.99 a roll, that roll will be worth it.

The best news I have right now, though, is that I've put my name down at The Creative Markets for next month!  My market stall will be at the Springwood State School Creative Markets on 24th, November - which is a Sunday.  The markets start at 9am and finish at 1pm.  I can't wait!  It's going to be an exhausting day, but I'm hoping it'll work out for me.  Wish me luck!  And if you're in the Brisbane area, come by and have a look at my stall - as well as the other people's stalls! - it's all under cover and out of the weather.  

Well, that's what I've been up to lately.  Very busy, very tiring and working very hard on my pegs, pencils and magna-pegs too.  I just hope I have enough stock by next month!  Until my next post, keep creating!

Modelling Gig on My Birthday

Last Saturday, I had my first serious modelling gig; it was also my 40th Birthday.  However, it didn't go off without a couple of hitches... but once they were out of the way, my friends and I got into it.  By this time, it was around 5pm and we had music going, the place closed up and I was posing for 20 minutes at a time.  

I did 4 poses for 20 minutes each with a break in the middle and then my birthday cake was brought out.  It was made by one of my art guests.  Candles were lit, and photos taken, then we shared the cake between us.  Before long, we were all back at it with the art and drawing; and soon afterwards, we looked at the time and found it was going onto 9pm!  What a great session.  Coffee was made, served up and we all chatted about the session after I put the furniture back into place (and made my house look like a home again and gave them somewhere to sit down and chill out).  By 10pm, my art friends paid me for my time and I had had a wonderful birthday!  

My family couldn't be here for my birthday, so I did this on my birthday... lots of fun, art and cake!  What a great day!  Until my next post, keep creating.

Busy Working

I haven't been in here very much; and I apologise.  I've been so busy with the Crafty Pegs business that I have had barely any time to do much else but paint pegs, talk about my small business to anyone who'll listen and hand out business cards to everyone and anyone who will take them.  

And now, it's coming up to the time of when everyone is looking for Christmas gifts, I'm working twice as hard to get some of my gift packs together.  I want to be able to pack them up and send them out and make a bit of money without having to keep too many people waiting for too long.

I've also made up a collection of new things that people are loving, such at my Magna-Pegs these are cute and I sell these for $5.00 each.  I also sell Cool Pencils... these are usually sold in twos so I can personalise one and put a nice design on the other and can be sold singularly for $4.50; but $7.00 for two.  

I'm looking forward to having a few things sold when people want me to painted up and sent.  And I'm looking forward to making a bit of money soon.  It's early days yet, and I've been getting into the work.  My workstation is working out well as it's all organised and I love how everything's all just there for me to grab.  Now it's a matter of getting a customer base to work from.

What project have you been working on lately which is going from strength to strength?  Is is working out for you?  Or do you feel as though you're stuck?  Until my next post, keep creating!

Creatively Thinking

Creative thinking is a process - as a good percentage of us know.  However, have you ever felt as though when people ask if you're introverted or extroverted, you really can't answer the question?  Or that you really don't fit into the 'typical' stereotype of what people think you should fit (not that you should as an artist)?  Well, I was looking at Facebook and found a blog posted on there where being an artist shows that we have best of both worlds in a lot of cases.  Read on and find out how!

10 Paradoxical Traits of Creative People

My Crafty Pegs, Now On Facebook!

Yep!  I've gone and put Crafty Pegs onto Facebook as a business.  It's slow to start with, but I know it's going to be fun and I'm hoping it'll take off as something to make a little money out of for me to save up with.  

Mozette's Crafty Pegs 

So, go and have a look at the site... I hope you enjoy the photos and please do leave a comment, and I'll answer you when I'm next in.

Until my next post, keep creating!

Reg Gregor Passes Away

This tribute is very difficult for me to write, as I knew Reg Gregor as a friend.  Even though I hadn't seen him in a long time, I remember meeting him when I was around 15 years old, and watching him paint during Christmas Holidays at Brunswick Heads.  He'd set up his canvas tent on the grounds of the Hotel Brunswick and sit and paint all day; living in the moment, forgetting to eat or drink anything all day.  People would buy him drinks and lunch so he'd be able to keep going until sunset.  Me?  I'd be there watching him for a few hours as those beautiful paintings emerged from his imagination through his brush and onto the blank canvas; through the oil paint.

The work was beautiful!

Reg would work all week and on the Saturday, he'd play auctioneer and sell off each painting to a massive crowd of people who'd show up almost throwing money at him for his pieces.  I often attended these to see who'd buy which ones; and he'd remember some people who bought one of his paintings at a time - as they'd not have the money for a set of two or three and have to save up for the rest.  They keep coming back for the next ones each time.

I remember seeing him over the Christmas school holidays until I started working and he was still working there at the pub at Brunswick.  Each year, he'd remember me (and with bright red hair and fair complexion, who would forget me?).  He and I would chat and he'd ask how I was going at school or work, one day asked if I painted.  He was a little sad to find that I didn't but wished I could, that I didn't know how to find my way to a paintbrush; as it just wasn't in me yet.  He said to keep going at it and it'll probably find me.
One year, I found Reg at the Brunswick Markets after he had major heart surgery.  The doctors had ordered him to stop smoking and to back off on the drinking and to take a holiday; the problem was he didn't know how to, as art and making art was his life.  So, he stopped painting for a year and made windchimes out of shells and lovely hangers too - one of which I bought and still have around here but I don't have anywhere to hang it right now.  But I used to hang it off my rear vision mirror in my car (and from behind it look phallic... hilariously nobody realised until they sat in my car!  But I knew what I was buying).  

Unfortunately, I lost touch with Reg when my health declined and I had to concentrate on getting better.  And it's only been a couple of months since I found him on Facebook and friended him again, joining his 'Mad Artist' Facebook page, seeing his beautiful paintings he still painted up until a few months ago.  And it's with great sadness that I found out while surfing the net just yesterday that he passed away while in palliative care in Lismore hospital.  Reg had been very sick - and in and out of hospital a number of times - before the doctors told him that he couldn't go home only a week or so ago.  
So, you know my own personal tribute to this great artist - and friend of mine.  I thought to attach the news report about him I found for you all.  He was a real character and his service was today - something I couldn't attend unfortunately, but I didn't forget was on and I paused to remember him and say goodbye in my own way.  

Tribute to Reg Gregor 

I hope you all find an artist in your life as mad, as gifted, as wonderful and friendly as this man was to me.  And you know, he was right... I didn't find art, art found me.  I just wish I could have shown him how much I love the art world now; as I was going to visit him at Christmas to catch up with him. 

Extreme Painting

Since I hurt my right arm, I've been taking it easy; but I haven't been lazy.  I've been working on my garden out the front; and built a wall, but it took a week.  And believe me, I'd rather slow down and take a week to build something than stop work all together.
I also potted a lovely Draceana plant in a large pot too.  This has made my front garden look just lovely - so far - as it's just the first quarter of my garden being fixed up.

Then, I've been working on that painting you've read about below.  Now, it's been going really well!  I can't wait to finish it, but I can't rush the writing part of it.  So, I have to make sure I don't hurry it along too much or I'll end up smudging the pencil or the paint.  But it's looking good.  I still have to fix up the face so it looks good; and edges will stay rough so the hair looks like it's moving and isn't fixed in place.  I love where it's going too... I've added even more books and authors to the hair tonight (which I'll take a photo of it tomorrow and update it here to show you all, so you see what I mean).  So, what have you been doing lately which has kept your creativity going?  Love to know about your projects.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Updated Photo1 

Updated Photo2

Updated Photo3 

As promised, I've taken some photos this morning and above are the updates of the painting from a couple of days ago. Enjoy!

Recovery a Month On

It's been a month and I'm going well.  I'm knitting and painting pegs again; and have been sleeping getting back into photography again too.  

However, Mum and Dad are overseas and I've begun working on my front garden to make it look gorgeous.  And it's something that I've been meaning to get into as well.  So, what happens when I jump into a project I want to get done?  I injure myself; that's what!  A few days ago, I found my right fore arm began to hurt... and so off to the doctors I go only to find I have Tennis Elbow.  So, with the strap on my arm, my garden project has been slowed down markedly and I'm resting my arm as much as I can.
This means, I've begun a painting to keep my right arm from moving too much.  I'm also reading more too.  So, that's the main thing... to get my arm fixed up and myself back on track.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Apologies From Me

First of all, I must apologise for not being here.  I've been off to hospital just last week for day surgery; and am currently recovering.  It's slow-going, but I'm a hell-of-a-lot better than I was last week when I couldn't move, let alone take any stairs.

This doesn't mean I haven't been crafty or arty.  I packed up all my painting gear for a bit and pulled out my knitting and sat back did some serious knitting of a new brown, fluffy scarf I'm hoping to get finished over the next few days for myself.  It's just lovely and I'll take progress photos of it, and a finished product photo too.  However, I'll update what I've been up to next week sometime when I get home as - you see - I'm at my brother's house at Brighton, and I don't have access to my Photobucket account here, whereas I do at home.

This means, I'll be updating my photos of what the paintings look like in my now-finished bedroom.  And instead of putting them all in the bedroom, I've spread them into the hall and the bathroom... to make the feel of them change the feel of the house.  My Mum loves how they just change the entire feeling of the room completely and softens the whole look totally.

Have you ever done this to accomplish a feel or a look to a room, a hallway or any part of your own place or another place?  Have you place a piece of art somewhere and the entire feel of the place has changed completely and made it just feel good, or different, or just so totally wonderful you wondered why you never thought of it before?  I knew I could get anything happening in my house with a change over of paintings... but when I looked around, the paintings I wanted weren't in any of the shops.  So, I created my own (as you can see) and they turned out lovely.

Well, that's about all from me for now.  I have to take a rest.  I've been going for some time now and it's time to kick back rest.  Until my next post, keep creating!

All Finished!

Over the last few weeks, I've been working hard on getting some new artworks done for my bedroom and its new furnishings.  And just last night, I finished up the last two paintings!  

I'm so stoked that these two are done as there were six paintings and I painted them from photographs - which is something very new to me.  So, here's a photo of them all finished up.

Six Flower Paintings  

I'm Home!

Yay!  I'm home... and now, you can all see the paintings and photos I've been working from too.  But first, I must apologise for how long it's taken me to do this.  Normally, I would have jumped on here and done it immediately, however, I had to deal with a pet fish dying, clean out the tank and make it clean enough for the other fish to live in - but I don't think he's going to survive either; poor thing.

Anyway... on with the photos!

Stripey Daisy 

Yellow Daisies
Yellow Daisies2 
Yellow Daisies3 

Red Flower 
Red Flower2 

A Pair 

Orange Daisies 

So, there you have it.  All the photos, one of the paintings is finished, another is almost done and then there's a few to be done... it looks like a lot of work, but it's not really.  What have you been working on lately?  Until my next post, keep creating!

Blooming Beautiful Paintings

Over the last few weeks, I've been working on some new paintings.  However, they're not of my usual stuff.  I've been taking photos of flowers around my old stomping grounds of where I used to live here at Springwood and then printed out 6 of the photos and bought 6 differently-sized canvas' at Sam's Warehouse and drew the flowers onto them.

Now, I've almost finished the first 3 of them and have the other three drawn up ready to paint.  I'm going to get in and work on the them this afternoon and tonight.  I can't wait to finish them, hook them up and then hang them in my bedroom to make it look wonderful!
However, not all of the paintings will be for the walls.  I've decided two of them will be used for the beside tables; to move the art from the walls to the new bedroom suite I'm hoping to buy before I have an operation done next month.  I can't wait to get these smaller ones framed up and looking lovely.  When I get home, I'll update this post with photo links to photobucket and you can all see what I've been up to lately.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Turning Your Hobby Into A Business

I've been busy lately.  Busy with my Crafty Pegs, busy with my house and busy painting bigger things too.  And on Saturday, I was busy at the Logan Art Gallery doing volunteer work - well, trying to, as I was rostered on, but I was also invited to attend a workshop about turning my hobby into a business.  This is something I'm definitely interested in!

There were three or four guest speakers from different areas of the business world.  John Kenny was a lawyer who worked in the music industry to begin with and is now in the arts and other industries.  Then, there were two ladies who had begun a business named 'Made of Australia' which was begun with almost no money, but they've gotten it off the ground.  Then, the last speaker was Brian Tucker who is an artist and art collector, but is an accountant by trade.  He gave us all the information we'd need about ABN's (Australian Business Numbers), tax returns and what to claim on them and what can't be claimed.  All our speakers made the change from our love of art - and making arty things - from a hobby into a business where we make money from it.
Brian made the line between a hobby and a business very clear.  He told us that if we enjoyed making our arty things but gave them away freely, it was just a hobby, nothing more.  However, if we are forever trying to sell it, trying to get people to buy them from us at any cost, we are seeing a bottom line and have turned that corner from being a hobbiest to being a person who wants our art to start making money for us.  
When he mentioned this, I knew that for a long time, I've been trying to sell my artworks; for over 10 years in fact.  Each time somebody looks at my paintings, I'm always trying to figure out a price for them to pay me and how much I'd be prepared to go down in price; even if we didn't talk money, I'd still have the prices  go through my head for about a minute.  

After the hour and half workshop, we all got to talk about our arts and how we wanted to work on making them a business with the people who talked.  It was wonderful.  I totally enjoyed being there; but knew that I also had to be at the front desk too.   

This was a great insight to seeing what goes into a business and how easy it was to know when people are ready to get their arts and craft turned into a business.  And honestly, I think I'm ready.  I've got my pegs and my ideas and really, all I need is a business plan a little help in marketing.  Well, until my next post, keep creating!  

I've Done Something Impulsive!

Yes!  Me!  Well... okay, I'm Little Miss Impulsive at the worst of times, but this time, I really don't know if I've stuck my foot in it or not.  

Okay, okay... I'll explain.

I'm a big daggy fan of 'Neighbours'.  Yep, Australia's longest running soap opera.  I've been watching it since it began - and given I missed a few years of it while I worked and was away living it up, but I caught up again within a few weeks.  I know the storyline and remember a lot of the cast right back to the beginning.  I even have the cards from the time of the original cast members when 'Neighbours' put out their cards with the cast on them.  I found them amongst a memory box Mum had put together of mine in high school; along with all my World Expo '88 stuff.
So, last week, as I watched my usual half-hour dose of it, I wondered if it would be really awful of me to send them a couple of dozen of my Crafty Pegs.  Would it be so bad to have my pegs used on their set?  No, I don't think so... actually it would be a lot of fun to see my art on their clothes line or used in one of the houses in the background.  Lots of fun actually.

This week, I looked up the address to post off something to the 'Neighbours' set and posted off two dozen of my pegs with instructions on how to care for them and a short letter on why I thought they'd like them.  
You see, the 'Neighbours' set has undergone a facelift and this is the perfect time for somebody like me to add a little something new to it, don't you think?  Now, I've posted them off, I can't wait to see how it all goes down at the set.  Well, I hope it goes well... 

The worse they can do is not use them and have somebody else take them home instead, right?  Until my next post, keep creating!     

Redilicious Designs!

I have found a wonderful jewellery designer who really needs to be plugged here as she has a brilliant gift to make gorgeous jewellery.
Kellie Smith is a lovely woman I went to high school with.  We were in the same form group and she was very cool then; and is still very cool now.  We lost touch over the years and it wasn't until our 20 year class reunion that we caught up and I found out she was designing jewellery.  Then, we became Facebook friends and I saw some of her work.  But I wanted to get my hands on it first and enjoy it before I let anyone in on her stuff.
And now, I have a piece of hers, I want everyone to know of her great work.  Kellie shows and sells her work at a stall at markets around Brisbane and at a shop as well.  She's also on Facebook.  You can purchase her works of wearable art - of any kind - through using your credit card or a bank transfer and she can post it off to you anywhere.  Kellie is most definitely an artist to watch as she has a great talent in this field. Until my next post, keep creating!    

A Work In Progress

I've been working a black'n'white painting here at Brighton; and it's been a great success.  I thought to share the progression with you all.  I'll begin with the oldest first and then work down until the most recent; and you can see how well it's gone.

First attempt

Second Sitting - 2 hours

Third Sitting - 2 hours

Forth Sitting - 1 1/2 hours

I used an easel outside with natural light.  This was a first for me to be outside and on my own for long periods of time; and I loved it.  What a great opportunity for me to get right into my art and painting and not be disturbed!  I'll be doing it again today too.  Until my next post, keep creating.

Gerhard Richter's Work

Today, I'm watching a program about the brilliant artist, Gerhard Richter. I found this program by accident on my Zeebox app on my iPod and have found it a very interesting insight to a seasoned artist of is calibre.

During this hour and a half program the cameras have been permitted into his studios, his life and into his mind to show the true artist who has lived a lifetime through the paintbrush. I have noticed he's a very candid person who is direct in his interviews (which take place during this showin his large studio in Germany) as he sorts through old photographs on a large table. Every now and then, she camera shows a photo up close and you find it's of his family and himself.

This is a very in depth show of a wonderful Euopean artist. There are so many great ones out there we tend to miss them in the hubbub of everyday life. This particular show is two years old but I still enjoyed watching it.

Oh My Beads

I'm back here in Brighton minding my brother's house for a week or two while he and his partner are in New Zealand on holidays.  So, yesterday, I thought to take off and have a wander around the local area to see what shops were up the road as I had spotted a bead store not far from here; and wanted to see what it was like.

My Beads is a lovely little shop situated on Nathan Street in a gorgeous old-style building.  The doors are the first thing I noticed.  They are old-fashioned French-style doors with large, metal handles on them.  And, but once inside, the old-fashioned feeling stays with you.  There are beads in every isle in their own little individual bowls so your choice is easier.  The walls are covered in them, the owner has lined the walls with strings of crystals and chains - depending on what you'd like to make.  
I found a massive selection of glass pendants and silver and pewter charms and pendants as well; all in their own area and bottles all waiting for the right person to put them with the right necklaces.  There were also ready-made pieces there as well at very reasonable prices - much cheaper than you'd find in jewellery stores or art galleries, by far!  

The owner of the store is wonderful and very helpful as well.  She knows what the names of all the crystals are, what's in stock, what is coming in as well if they'll be able to get what you're looking for and when; so you're not left hanging for something you may not be able to find.

My Beads is a wonderful little source for all your beading and jewellery needs.  They not only sell the chains, links and joinery for your necklaces, but they also sell the tools you need to get your hobby off the ground as well.  This is a wonderful store to get yourself to.  It's here at Brighton and is well worth a look at; or if you can't get here, they have a website where you can win prizes and gifts if you spend over a  certain amount of money.  I even bought a piece there and put it together for under $10!  It's this wonderful necklace and I love it.  Until my next post, keep creating!

My First Sale of Crafty Pegs

Two big things happened to me this week!  I found a cute name for my painted pegs - besides what I've been calling them - and I made my first big sale!  Yay!  

I posted my first photo of my Crafty Pegs on 365 Project and found the response fantastic.  People loved them; and one lady asked about price and postage.  So, through e-mail, we organised a sale.  And today, I posted 3 dozen off to her.  I do hope they arrive safely as they are for a house-warming party this weekend.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Bob Godfrey Passes Away

On Friday, one of the great, animators of our time passed away aged 91.  Bob Godfrey was the creator of Henry's Cat and Noah and Nelly as well as the much-loved cartoon 'Roobarb' with Custard the Cat. 

I only just found out online today, but his family informed the art community on Friday of his passing.  I've thought to dig up some articles about this great artist and animator for you all.

Bob Godfrey Dies 

Celebrated Animator Bob Godfrey Dies 

British Cartoonist Dies 

Bob Godfrey - from somebody who knew him 

I hate when headlines say 'dies'... it's so final and sounds rude and harsh.  There are other ways to say somebody died than that word.  This is why I don't use it in my post titles.  The link titles are taken from the titles of the articles (that's why I used them).  I thought to find good links for you all; and one from somebody who worked with him.