Sketch #4

Now this one was interesting....

Sketch Prompt #4

"Create a stain on a clean sketchbook page using anything!
Use the stain to create a image with your pencil!"

The first thing I thought of was coffee!

So I took some coffee grounds, spread them on the page and rubbed them in a bit to make a good stain.

Well what do you know, I came up with a tree haha!

I just love trees and apparently so does my subconscious.

Sketch #2

Here's the prompt for sketch challenge #2!

Rest your pencil to a fresh sketchbook page, close your eyes and begin to move your pencil all over the page for 15 seconds. open your eyes. spend the next 15 mins turning your scribble into a recognizable image!

What a weird drawing I came up with haha!  I call it

"Two Little Bean-Like Aliens Riding a Chameleon-Rabbit-Cow-Ostrich-Dinosaur"

  Here it is for your viewing pleasure, enjoy!

Run2TheWild's Sketchbook Workshop!

Miss Courtney from Run2TheWild has began a Sketchbook Workshop!

And I decided to join in.

I haven't drawn -ANYTHING- in so long!  In fact, I don't think I've had a legitimate sketchbook for over 10 years now.  Sad, isn't it?  Well this is just the kick in the creative pants I needed!

The first assignment was thusly:

"Draw a self portrait without using words, without a mirror and without actually drawing yourself realistically. Use this sketch to describe who you are on the inside, not who we see on the outside."

Here is my entry:

I gave myself a half hour time limit.  Granted, I didn't get much done, but I like it.

I've always been one to take my time with drawing anything, so half an hour is nothing compared to how long I could have spent on it!

Thanks Courtney for the inspiration!  Can't wait to see what the next ones are going to be.

New Setup

This might be really late, what with the show being back in August,

but here it is ladies and gentlemen; my new setup for my craft show booth!

Here's what's new:

• I incorporated the canopy again (after fixing it) instead of umbrellas.

• I removed the ugly green cover and used a favorite vintage blanket of mine.  More color, more light!

• New handmade banner.

• New display pieces.  The shelves and little bench, painted up a pretty white.

• And for the first time, a payment center! (On the right, in the back.)

Out of everything I think the payment center was my favorite part.  The table and little cabinet held, hid and kept organized everything I needed; cash in the drawers, iPhone with square card swiper in the top cubby with my tea, mailing list on the table, "Credit Cards Accepted" sign on the back of the cabinet, "toolbox" hidden underneath.  It made a specified place for payments to be taken instead of me and the customer just standing in the middle of my booth for everyone to see.  It made me feel better and I noticed it made customers feel better too, made their purchase more of a private affair.

I always get to share my space with my best friend Ana who runs Pretty Bizarre on Etsy, which makes any craft show a blast!

This particular show takes place every year in a big driveway of a very good friends home.

It's small, as far as craft shows go, only about fifteen vendors all known by each other.

It's well attended by friends, family and the public.

Every show is an affirmation of friendship, artistry, laughter and love.

I never miss it.  :D

Here are a few more photos from the show:

This is Chris, the lady behind the show.  She specializes in homemade jams and soaps.

The show seen from the beginning of the driveway.

Maggie and Valerie with hand painted art and homemade treats, delicious!

Jamie and her recycled coffee bag pillows and totes.

Jen peeking from the back with all her unique handmade jewelry.

Some of Jen's bracelets.  You can find her on Etsy as TheBeeArchitect.

Until next time, have a splendiferous day!

Paper Mache

I've always heard those words, I've seen the aftermath of paste and paper, but never ever have I experienced it myself.  Until today, that is.  The paper mache inspiration bug bit me and I suddenly -had- to cover some surface with sticky paper!  Knowing that my parents wouldn't be too happy if it was our kitchen table, or some other such piece of furniture, I chanced upon a styrofoam head in the garage with my crafting stuff that I had previously painted blue thinking it would make it look better.  Turns out the blue paint made it a bit (ok a lot) creepy.  So the head it would have to be!

The creepy blue head, ready for plastering.

My choice of paper, natural white and brown construction.

Work area all set.

Finished!  Er...kinda..

The process was quite fun, getting all sticky and paste covered.  However I believe the head turned out just as much, if not more so, creepy as it began.  Maybe these things are just creepy no matter what you do.  The paper is now all dry and I'm considering doing another layer.  Perhaps this time using just the brown paper or newspaper.  What do you think?  And on a side note, have you ever done paper mache and if so what have you made?