Technique Tuesday on ArtDemos.com

If you haven't joined ArtDemos yet, you might want to today. Because TODAY is Technique Tuesday and today I'm sharing how to make your own stay-wet palette for your acrylic paints. I've bought 3 stay wets over the years and they've never worked as well as the one I'll show you how to make today.
Be sure to pop over and see it on ArtDemos

Just one of those days

I find that whenever I'm at a crossroads in life my thinking naturally tends to become dark and depressive. The more I obsess over negativity the more I attract it into my life. I'm addicted to depressive thinking...just think what I MIGHT accomplish if I thought happy thoughts...boggles the mind just to consider it.

I think the majority of us are mired in negativity. How can we not be? All we have to do is turn on the TV or radio. It's rarely the happy news hour. We hear of death, destruction, earthquakes, fires, missing women and abused children. So how do we take that bad news, push it aside and break through to a happier place? I know of only one way that works for me. I immerse myself in a new project. Usually one that centers around creating something new. Doesn't even have to be of an artistic nature. It can be as simple as changing things around on the fireplace mantle to reflect a change of seasons.

When my Dad passed away in May of 1998 I was devastated. He was such a creative thinker and so full of knowledge. Then I read "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground." To memorialize him I started a newsgroup in October of '98. It was dedicated to bringing together polymer clay artisans of all levels of talent. Today, that group is still alive and the oldest polymer clay group on yahoo. While I no longer lead it, the woman I passed the reins to has done an exceptional job of keeping it a positive and sharing place.

I also bought a domain where I intended to teach others to work with polymer clay. It never took off. Mainly a money issue followed quickly by my discovery of a lump in my breast. Breast cancer changed my life in ways I could not even envision at the time. Most of them positive but once again the negativity still abounds at times. It's then that I go into my 'turtle' mode. Friends know when I'm 'turtling' because they won't hear from me for days or weeks on end. Most of the time it because I'm re-evaluating my life or the direction of that life.

Over the holidays I once again turtled for awhile and then something happened that changed my mindset and may in time change my life. I saw an ad on Facebook that was promoting an online classes in mixed media called "Mixed Media Melange". I was fascinated but knew I couldn't budget it. Two Facebook friends took it upon themselves to pay for that class and as I blog this I'm awaiting video class #3 to be uploaded. I'm having a great time creating for creation's sake and not as a way to earn money.

This class has stirred up a lot of unresolved issues. The main one being what I started out thinking I'd be when I grew up. An art teacher or a dress designer were top contenders. I was conflicted about which one to pursue but a collage junior decided for me by asking for my hand in marriage. He gave me two beautiful children and almost 40 years to pursue my love of art. I've done just about everything that a creative person could do. Moving from one creative effort to another; lingering on some for years and others for a week or as long as a month. And during those times I've also spent many years teaching others my "art/craft du jour".

So where is this blog post going? Somewhere positive and creative I think. But I'm going to need your help to get to where I think I'm supposed to be but that post is for another day and time. Thanks for spending a few moments while I emptied my mind out on the page...Writing has always been cathartic for me and today is no different.
I'm feeling much more positive about my tentative decision. Stay tuned for details.

SPRING YARD SALE

It's that time of year again...SPRING!!! And every year I have a yard sale. I don't know how I always manage to find more stuff each year but I do and this year is no different, except...I've got CRAFT ITEMS that I won't just sell to any old passerby. These are items that are from private stash of goodies and I want them to go to the artists who will have the vision to turn them into ART. So I'm announcing that coming soon to my website (see icon above) will be a CRAFT SUPPLY yard sale that will make any crafter's heart go pitter-pat!!!

I haven't chosen a date because there is so much stuff to sort through but in April I'll choose a weekend to list everything and then will be announcing it everywhere on the web. Keep an eye on this blog to find out when you'll be able to find a yard sale deal without leaving your home!

Widgetbox CRAFTS Network

Just joined the Widgetbox Crafts Network. I'm hoping that by doing so I can get my handmade elements out to all cottage style crafters. I spend a lot of time designing just the right pieces that artisans can add to their work that will make that piece UNIQUE. Most of what I do is in limited edition quantities and all can be seen by clicking on the icon above.

LOLLISHOP OPENING

It's been a long time coming but finally my sister and I have opened a shop together. We're selling craft supplies and a few special gifts, etc on LolliShops. We're calling ourselves PrimsyWhimsy and if you click the logo above it will take you to our stash of goodies.

RETURNS

I've got a bunch of returns to make to ACMoore and Michaels. And it all started when one of my Avon customer's bras didn't fit. Is there never a simple story in my life! Anyway a dear friend who fell in love with a particular bra asked if she bought two and they didn't fit could she return them. Absolutely. Because Avon guarantees everything they sell. So she ordered these gorgeous PINK Bali bras and racked up a 45.00 bill.

OK...since I'd had such a great campaign with Avon I decided to buy some cake decorating items from my favorite craft stores. One thing lead to another and I dipped into my 'profits' in my Avon account. When my friend tried on the bras they fit beautifully but were thin enough that her nipples showed through! She called up almost in tears because she loves pink, loves the bras but at 58 isn't interested in people staring at her chest...and she's a public speaker so guaranteed they would be staring and whispering! BTW...she's a GORGEOUS sized 10 redhead so the men would obviously be real keen on her new 'look'.

No problem to return them BUT I have to pay Avon tonight and she needs that 45.00 back and since I'd already spent my profits I figured I better find a way to come up with the money. So I started looking at my craft purchases over the last week and that lead to looking at the ones I made a couple of weeks ago that are still in their packages.......and........I thought...what the heck, I'll return everything and figure out a way to make do without all of this extra stuff!

Actually I'm kinda proud of myself. It's usually difficult for me to part with ANYTHING but especially things that were part of a 'dream' project. So I just have to change the direction of the 'dream' and I'll be fine. :( In the meantime I've got money coming back so I can refund her and have enough to pay for the Christmas gifts I purchased for the family on 'time' from Avon. I think this is why I didn't make it as an Avon lady 30 years ago...way too much temptation to spend, spend, spend! Off to finally eat breakfast, ttyl

ULTIMATE RECYCLE

From tiny acorns, giant oaks grow and my idea for starting a how-to is beginning to evolve into the Go Green-Ultimate Recycle project. There are those of you out there who really don't have the money to purchase craft supplies to start living your dream. In the spirit of going green and recycling all of the extras I've collected and hoarded over the years, I'm inviting anyone with a NEED to post what they are looking for in the comment section below.

If I find it in my studio I'll be happy to send it along to you. And if you've got something that you'd like to move forward, just post it in the comments below as well. Most of us have more than we'll ever use...I know I do so I'll be more than happy to pass it along. Great way to clean house and a better way to go green and recycle!