Moving On Now...

Okay... this sounds ominous and dreadful, but really it's not. I'm closing down a part of Crafty Pegs and it's just taken me awhile to do it - and I didn't want to drag it along with you guys being bored and buried in the details of it all over the past few months.

Last weekend, I attended my very last market at the Logan Artists Association and sold as much of my stock as I could... it was great! I had so many people wonder why I was closing down my hand-stitched works and the retailing part of my works as well. But really, it's me. It's time to move on and into the next phase and next area of my art world.

Crafty Pegs will be still going as a hobby business and I will still be working on new things I've been learning at art school at the Logan Artists Association. I still have some of my stock leftover, and it's all packed away for now, or until somebody wants me to sell it to them... or if somebody wants me to make them a particular type of pin cushion or a knitted dish cloth, I'll do it; but I'll be making things on commission instead of making a huge lot of things and then trying to sell it all.

It's more cost efficient and easier to store. 

Otherwise, I've bought myself some shelving from Stratco (a company here in Australia which usually builds garages and pergolas) and put them together and now they're in my hallway holding all my art gear - and other things from around the house; helping me make space where needs be. I've found it's all been great so far.

Art school is going really great. 

I'm continuing with the series of paintings about Brunswick Heads and have decided to include the surrounding areas - like Stokers Siding and Mullumbimby - to make it more interesting. And seeing I'm enjoying this so much, I thought if it takes off, I'll paint towns which are photographed more and paint them and their quirkier sides so people see how much of a difference a painting is compared to a photo. 

Sounds like fun, right? Well, until my next post, which will be filled with even more info than this one, I promise, keep creating!

It's been a While

I have been busy... yep, the creative block melted away and i got busy with learning more needlepoint. 

i also got busy with creating more ideas for the markets next year... yeah my idea factory in my head never seems to run out. just when i think i haven't thought of a new thing, bang! i get a new idea for something...

so, i started collecting metal bottle caps and i asked friends to send me some too from across the world. then, i had my sun cancers removed from my arms and hands - and i got stuck with a bandaged up hand; causing me to not only be brought to the coast for a week, but to be away from my craft table too.

but the ideas have kept on flowing. i'm glad about that... and i can't wait to get home to make my ideas go from just that into things to sell next year. until my next post, keep creating!

Creatively Blocked

I've been creatively blocked - and not in just my writing - it's been in every aspect of my life, from painting to my craft work, and I hate it!

When I get creatively blocked, it affects everything around me - not just my craft work and my writing. It affects my reading habits, the way I sleep (if I sleep) and how I run my life as well. It's really annoying.

This has been going on for about three months or so and over the last week, I've had the opportunity to go to a bookstore and peruse its shelves. Just doing that is relaxing to me; and it gets me out of the house too; and I love it more if it's a second-hand bookstore. The best thing is that I found a great book to read which snapped me out of my creative block and now I'm creating more than ever!

This is a great thing and I can't wait until tomorrow to get myself to my work bench and creating again... I'll be focused to keep working on my next lot of gear for the markets; and it's all new gear too! 

Until my next post, keep creating!

Another New Creation In Progress

Being an artist really does change one's life, and the way you look at things.

Like housework for example. I just don't get the point in my house being totally and completely tidy... because in my mind, the more clutter there is, the more likely I'll be able to create something very cool to work with.

Last week, I started a new painting at a friend's house at Thorneside. I did this because it's a messy process and usually I get paint absolutely everywhere!  So, I used their garage to start it off. Well, I worked from 11am Thursday morning until 11pm that night and I got further in a messy garage than I ever would have in my own place; mainly because of a few good reasons:

1. I live in a unit complex. There's kids everywhere who just wouldn't leave me alone, other kids who would steal things from my carport and then say they didn't do it. And while I've gone and left my piece of work alone in my carport to go to get a drink or to go to the toilet, they'd do something to the painting or poke a hole in the canvas, and well, ... goodbye $40 I spent on a canvas... I may as well throw it out.

2. I simply don't have the space to flick paint all over my house, carpet and I don't think my Dad would like seeing paint all over the wall of the carport (which would also bring down the selling price of my place). 

Anyway, since Thursday, I've really gotten in and worked on this piece. It's gone from nothing to something, and each night, I do work on it more and more to make it better.  

The Beginning

The Framework

So Far, So Good

The Devil's in the Details

Today I went out and bought the last two boxes that I'll be using to pack away things when the time comes to move all my gear out and install the new work bench in.  

The time will fly by when we build it, and it won't take long to get it all done and it'll be at my place.  So, I have to be prepared to have it moved in and all my stuff moved out; along with the bookcase for my neighbours.  

This is going to be so good once it's all done and installed.  My work will look amazing, I'll have more room to be creative and there'll be better storage space for my craft items too.  I'm keeping money aside to buy shelving for the walls too, not just buy timber for the bench... and I think I've impressed Dad in this aspect that I have the money to do this, and will work on it too with him.

Well, tell us all what kinds of projects you're getting into this year - big or small - and keep us updated about them.  Until my next post, keep creating.

The New Art Area

Today, I really started in on the new art area.  I went out and bought a box that is big enough for all the small stuff and will be used for the coat hangers later on when the bench is finished.  Most of the gear I have boxed up already is ready to be moved out and cleared out, but there's little things that need to be put away.  I also need to have probably two more boxes with lids for rags for cleaning brushes and another to hold all my other bits; but I'll see what I really need first.

I will be looking for a new chair next week and so will be searching the charity stores to see what's available.  It's gotta be a nice bar stool with a gas-lift style chair so I can sit on it when I really need to.  Otherwise, I'm ready to start in on this piece of work once the money is pulled together.  

I'm really looking forward to doing this bench.  I hope Dad is... it'll be fun to do.  This weekend, I'll be working on cleaning out the drawers in the wardrobe in the guest room and taking them outside to sand down and paint them up with a couple of coats of colour.  It should look good... or maybe just leave it the way it is after I clean it out and let the spots of paint I drop on it give it character.

I did some new work tonight, and really ran out of space fast... I am looking forward to getting this new work bench put together and here at my place before March.  It ought to be a good thing to have here.  Until my next post, keep creating!

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!

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.

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.

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!

Arty Pegs for Chrissy Pressies

I've got about three weeks until Christmas Day; and I have finished all of my present shopping.  Yep, I'm that organised!  But I'm taking my time with one lot of the family presents; and for a good reason too... it needs a lot of patience and detail.  Fortunately, I have that in spades.
I'm painting up a set of clothes pegs for my brother and his partner so they always have enough to use.
I thought of making them some - personalised ones - while I was minding their place at Brighton in October.  Thought it would be a fun thing to have on their clothes line... and a very arty thing to add to their house if they use them on their clothes horse too.  I've taken a few pictures of the ones I've gotten done so far... nice don't you think?

Personalised Pegs1 

Personalised Pegs2  

Well, Until my next post, keep creating!

I'm Being Interviewed!

I've got a big interview coming up next Wednesday and it's going to be with the editor of the South City Bulletin which covers Logan City.  The editor, Wendy Johnson, has asked me to write a piece about what other hobbies I do besides writing and I thought to tell her about my painting and interests in the arts.  Well, writing the article took about two days and half a day of editing.
Today, she read it and asked if I had any photos of myself and my art.  I didn't think I'd make the cut for the Bulletin; so I didn't put in any photos initially.  So, this afternoon, I spent about an hour looking for photos of my works that I had spent the last year on; then looked for my first painting I had done when I was 24 and photographed that and sent that along with the others.  
Well!  Wendy e-mailed me back and said we should get together for a coffee and she wants to see my other pieces I've been working on too.  This will be a good boost to my portfolio and profile online too.  I can't wait!  I'll keep you all posted about what happens.

Designing Things

Have you ever thought of designing something that you've never seen anywhere else?  Of course you have... you're an artist. 
Over the last week or so, I've been clearing out my duchess and tidying up my jewellery boxes and finding lots of necklaces that I'd love to wear if I only had them out to see.  So, what I'm going to do is design a hanger for them.  

Tomorrow, I'm going out to Riot Art at Garden City to buy a canvas to paint a lovely design of flowers on it.  At the centre of each flower is going to be a hook so that my necklaces hang off them.  Then, I'll be hanging this art piece off the wall.

All my necklaces will be out on display for me to look at and decide upon and not cluttering up my jewellery boxes or the duchess itself; making cleaner and easier to keep tidy.  I'll be able to dust it better too.

Have you designed something that has worked for you that you've never seen anywhere else?  If so, tell us about it by leaving a comment.  I'll keep you guys up-to-date about how mine is going.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Art Opening At A Hair Saloon!

How cool does this sound?  Yep, I went out to a very cool art opening at Retrograde Hair Saloon at Holland Park tonight; and the artist was Sandra Hosking with her 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' exhibition opening!  And what a success it was!

There was so much food and drinks and great people there I loved it.  Mum and I totally enjoyed ourselves as we took numerous photos of the large paintings that were hung around the main front room, the wash room and out the back.  There was even a back area for the smokers - or for people to get away from the crowds - where there were braziers all lit up and hot to keep us warm while outside in the safety of a fenced off yard.

The atmosphere of the opening reflected the style and feel of the mixed media of the paintings which have been put together with feathers, hats, false eyelashes, buttons, paint, resin, lacquer and glitter... as well as other things I've missed, but Sandra has used a lot of things to express how much girls love to dance, shop, dress up, party and have long soaks in bubble baths as well as flirt with guys.  One artist who is most definitely worth looking out for!  

Girls Just Want To Have Fun Exhibition  

Finishing Touches

Over the weekend and the last day or so, I've been working on the Altered Book like a crazy person.  I have gotten off here and been sitting at the kitchen table for 2 and 3 hours at a time without a break just to get it finished before the deadline.  How exhausting!

But as of today, it will be finished!  I have just one more page to finish gluing up and then I can paint up the rest of it!  How cool is that?

Right now, I've glued up the last lot of pages together and organised the last piece of paper to write on to go into it.  The paint plate is in the fridge ready to be used and I'm going to paint all afternoon today.

However, I'm so happy I've gotten as much done as I have over the last week.  Here's some links to the work so far:

Altered Book Cover 1 

Altered Book Cover 2

Over the next day or so, I'll upload more photos and show you all how it finished up before I send it off to the Logan Art Gallery to be dropped off for the Collector's Exhibition.  I have uploaded other photos into the album on the side bar; however as usual, Photobucket isn't behaving itself.  So, I'll upload some links here as well.

Progress Report

I've been busy with the Altered Book and I thought to show you guys some photos of it.  But some apologies about the album.  It's not organising as it should; so I've put in the numbers of the photos to look for.  Just put your mouse over the photo until you find it and it should have the number already on it... Photobucket can have its problems.

Anyway, I have come to the last stretch of my Altered Book.  It's almost finished and I've been painting a rainbow through it - to keep the people who pick it up reading it, following the colours through it and the children's eyes occupied as well with pretty colours.  Otherwise, there have been some setbacks; such as the weather.  It's been wet and cold here, which means it's been taking longer for the glue to dry.  Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.

Photos for this post:

Altered Book Thus Far

 

Clean-Up Time!

Today, it was time to start cleaning up the house - as it's a long weekend with two public holidays and plenty of time to myself.  So,I got in and cleaned out my art area.  It looks a lot better don't you think? 

So, what are you doing this long weekend?  Cleaning up your art area, painting, photography?  Love to know. Until my next post, keep creating!