RedBubble.com

I came across RedBubble.com at least a year ago, thought it was a great idea, mentioned it to some people, and then promptly forgot about it. WELL. This week, I have not been able to keep my crafty little mitts off of it! I ordered some cards/prints of works by sadeyedartist (great artist!) through them, and got SUCKED in. It's a little hard to search there for anything in particular, but that has just led to me spending more time exploring the site and finding artists and pieces that I love!

Not to mention inspiration. I can definitely feel some inspiration coming on, and I hope that after the baby comes I will find at least a little time in my life while I'm on maternity leave to toy around in Photoshop and get back into the swing of things. Luckily, it's something I can do one-handed! Maybe open a RedBubble shop of my own... and maybe, just maybe, finally get around to joining the local art league... maybe. Baby steps. Right now, let's just think about making art for art's sake.

Pardon Me, Have You Seen My Mojo?

Been a while since I've felt the creative juices flowing through my blood. But... the first step is recognizing you have a problem, right? And the second step is feeling the envy, the admiration, the twinges of motivation when you see work by artists you admire. I'm starting to feel those twinges, and that's a very good thing.

Right now I'm almost 8 months pregnant and seeing some time at home looming ahead. Maybe I can coordinate baby naptime and Pollyhyper getting her creative groove back on. In the meantime, I'm going to try to start posting here again, for now about other artists I'm diggin'...

Lauren Lemon
I came across this lovely lady's photography yesterday after a mutual friend posted some pix she took of him and his family.
To say she has a way with color is an understatement. And she exudes whimsy!

Ryan Schude
Came across Ryan Schude through admiring Lauren Lemon's work. I believe she is the model for this pic.
Ryan, your work is amazing. So theatrical - I want to see the films that these stills are not actually part of. I believe he is using HDR techniques, if I am not mistaken, in a way that I am trying to learn to emulate - this is a technique which has been way overdone, but when used correctly and sparingly, makes for images that will knock one's socks off. I highly recommend taking a look at the rest of the images on his site.

Note: I hope both photographers are ok with me posting my admiration of their work! I'd love to talk to both or either of you if you ever have the time! Great job, people!

Valentines Day is Fast Approaching!

Every year my Cabana-Boy and I make each other valentines. I honestly would be so disappointed if he were to buy me a card, even if it was dripping with gold and diamonds, because I treasure the cards he makes for me and the ones I make for him. Love is put into them.

This year I'm running a little late and low on creative inspiration. I've done so many variations - traditional doily-laden cards, 3-d mobiles, baked good shaped like hearts... what to do this year?

These are from last year:
From me to CB. The back reads I ♥ you with all my heart, J + H


From CB to me: tri-fold with pic of 2 parrots kissing in the moonlight.
Inside reads "Mated for Life. Happy Valentines to my Lovely Wife."

Luckily, I came across this website recently with patterns for cut paper pop-up cards. I'll be attempting this one:
Valentine Kiss

If I Only Had the Time

I've had to learn recently to just say "no". To invitations, to things I want to buy, to responsibilities I want to volunteer for and participate in. I always want to be a part of EVERYTHING, and the problem with that is, I wear myself too thin. I get tired, I get cranky, but more than that, with so much on my plate, I can't give any one thing my all - there simply are not enough hours in the day. And when I do things, I like to do them right, and all the way.

In the past few months I have parted with a lot of craft supplies. Piles and piles of fabric (which went to good, creative homes), beads I'll never use. I have some of those colored sheets of foam and about 5,000 stray crayons all set to donate to my church's youth group/religious ed room. I've stepped down from some administrative duties.

For the most part, I have decided to focus on and only on my photography, photo restoration, house restorating/decorating, and my polymer clay. Oh, and crochet, but that's something I do when I'm not really doing anything, like when watching a movie, so that doesn't really count, IMO. I need to learn to leave all those other fun projects to others. I need to remember that it's not only ok but REALLY good to buy handmade from others instead of looking at something and saying, "cool - I could make that!"

In the spirit of buying handmade, and/or letting others have the fun, I present to you a few cute projects, links, and general things I have fallen in love with lately. Maybe you'll find a project here you can make for someone for a holiday gift, or buy for someone knowing that it was handmade from the heart.


How About Orange: Tiny pincushion tutorial

(made from plastic bottlecaps, which aren't recyclable - but they ARE reusable!)

I'm also in love with lots of the fabrics and products in this blogger's shop:
howaboutorange.etsy.com

While we're at it, here's an awesome idea for making a wreath from those same bottlecaps, courtesy of monkeydogstudio.etsy.com,

These earrings are made of wire and thread - big, but not heavy!
Treehouse Earrings by FunkyLobez

Wild Aqua Mushroom Plini by magicbeanbuyer.etsy.com

Hand-felted pea pod brooch by vaivanat.etsy.com

A fellow member of the PCAGOE and an amazing artist, OrganicOdysseys.etsy.com uses textures found in nature - leaves, seeds, etc. - to texture her polymer clay pieces - AMAZING!

Bok Choy Switch Plate by OrganicOdysseys.etsy.com

Where Have I Been?

Where Have I Been? Good question! I've been around, but obviously not blogging. Sincere apologies to my five readers. ;p

First order of business: Time to vote for the PCAGOE Challenge! This month's theme is, of course, "Winter," and there are MAD PRIZES to be won this month, so don't miss your chance to vote and be entered to win!


Visit www.pcagoe.com between now and midnight (EST) on Thursday, December 4, 2008 to vote, and be automatically entered to win one of SEVEN prizes!


Next up, a small request - instead of buying the same old stuff this year from your local big-box retailer, consider buying handmade, or buying local, or visiting your own town's mom'n'pop-owned stores. Or... DIY!






And third, something funny I received in my email this morning. I'm on Lee Silber's mailing list (an author who everyone should check out - he writes about organization, management, etc. for the creative person and he's GREAT!) and his newsletter included a link to this list:

The 10 Dimensions of Creative Complexity (or, "10 Reasons that Creative People Drive Us Crazy")

1. Creative individuals have great physical energy, but they become extremely quiet when they are at rest. This restful period can lead others to think that they are not feeling well or that they are unhappy, when the truth is they are fine.

2. Creative folks tend to be both highly intelligent and naive at the same time.

3. Creative people are disciplined and playful simultaneously. In some creative people, this can mean that they are responsible and irresponsible at the same time as well.

4. Creative minds move between a spectrum of fantasy and imagination and a firm grounding in reality. They understand the present and need to keep in touch with the past.

5. Creative individuals seem to be both introverted and extroverted, expressing both traits at once. An image to explain this might be that they are shy showoffs, if you can picture that.

6. Creative people are sincerely humble and extremely proud in a childlike way. It requires ego to have a risky, fresh idea. It takes self-doubt to hammer it out to a workable form.

7. Creative folks don’t feel as tied to gender roles. They feel distinctly individual. They don’t feel the barriers of authority or the rules of what they are “supposed to do.”

8. Creative individuals are thought to be rebellious. Yet, in order to be creative one has to understand and have internalized the traditional culture. Therefore creativity comes from deep roots in tradition. Creative people are traditional and cutting edge.

9. Creative people are deeply passionate about their work, yet can be extremely detached and objective when discussing it.

10. Creative people are highly open and sensitive, which exposes them to pain and suffering, but also allows them to feel higher values of joy and happiness.

PCAGOE Monthly Challenge - Dia De Los Muertos

PCAGOE MONTHLY CHALLENGE!

It's that time of the month! ;) No, not THAT time of the month - it's time for the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy (PCAGOE) Monthly Challenge!

This month's theme was "Day of the Dead," or "Dia De Los Muertos," a Mexican holiday that focuses on remembrance of friends and relatives who have died. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Yours truly actually got her act together in time to enter this month!

Please take a minute to vote on your favorite entry (you don't have to vote for mine!) and be automatically entered to win a great prize package featuring work from PCAGOE members.

You can vote once between now and midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday, October 3. Winners will be announced on October 4th. To view the entries close-up, visit the pcagoe siteand click on the mosaic to see it larger or click on the slide show below the mosaic to see the entries individually and read the artists’ descriptions. To purchase an item, or to see what else the artists have to offer, click on the shop names listed below the entry photos. Thanks for voting, and good luck!

Hey, and be sure to pass it on to friends!

Today Only! Last Chance!

I need these books OUT OF HERE! Today only, then they're gone.
Priced to sell - make me an offer if you're interested in more than one.

Shipping via Media Mail unless otherwise requested. Please comment here or email me ASAP at pollyhyper@gmail.com if you are interested.




The Practical Encylopedia of Good Decorating and Home Improvement, v. 1 (A to AME)
$3 + shipping

The Practical Encylopedia of Good Decorating and Home Improvement, v. 4 (BOO to CEN)
$3 + shipping







Creating a Look (Hardcover) - Inspiring DIY interior design ideas. $4 + shipping


c. 1989, 96 pages. Lots of instructions for different techniques/stitches with color photos.
$3 + shipping


Greystone's Creative Hands - The Complete Knitting, Dressmaking, and Needlecraft Guide,
Vol. 3, c.1975 $3 + shipping
Crochet
Dressmaking
Embroidery
Embroidery on Tulle
Fashion Flair
Home Sewing
Knitting
Machine Knitting
Needlepoint
Cross-stitch
Pattern Library
Care of Fabrics & Fibers
Tatting
Toymaking


How To Profit From Flower and Herb Crafts
by Ellen Spector Platt
c.1996 $3+ shipping

- finding your niche
- selling at shows
- setting up your own shop
- effective advertising and promotion
- pricing
- professional attitude









The Arts and Crafts Marketing Book
Mark Publishing "Be Your Own Boss" Series
by Steve and Cindy Long
c.1988 $3 + shipping

"YOU CAN MAKE MONEY FROM YOUR ARTS AND CRAFTS!" - Steve & Cindy Long

From the front cover:
"You Can...
- learn Steve & Cindy's Money-Making Secrets
- turn your hobby into cash
- start from your own home for a few dollars
- make extra cash or have a full-time business

216 pages.




Also:

• The Encyclopedia of Household Hints & Dollar Stretchers by Michael Gore, hardcover (missing sleeve, otherwise good condition), c. 1977, 472 pages. $2 + shipping

• This Old House Kitchens: A Guide to Design and Renovation (Paperback) $3 + shipping