A Huge Undertaking

So, I have my new sewing machine. And I am crazy. These to facts add up to me undertaking my first quilt! It is an easy enough pattern as far as I can tell, but it's a quilt all the same! I got a free pattern off of Amy Butler's website, and intended to make it out of her fabrics, but while I was at the store choosing the fabrics, I realized that I might want my boyfriend to enjoy the quilt too! So, I went a different direction, and picked out some designs that were, um, less pink. Here is a picture of all the rectangles that I carefully cut out. (Also included- my toes and my Jason Bear). I see a lot of stitching in my future!

Pandora's Box

So, I got a new sewing machine last week- my first! I spent lots of time over the weekend figuring out how to work the thing, and here is my first successful project! I got the pattern from Amy Karol's "Bend the Rules Sewing." A great book!

This new sewing mahcine is quite the pandora's box. I see much crafting in my future...

Featured Creator- Meowstro

This week, I chose Ruth from Cape Cod- a painter, bookbinder, and all-around artist. I instantly adored the whimsy, color, and quality of her work. Check out her etsy shop at http://www.meowstro.etsy.com/.

Bookbinding is a craft that I think most people are unfamiliar with. How did you get into bookbinding?

I've always had an interest in books, fostered by my mom who is a librarian. When I went to college I discovered a class called "Artist's Books" which explored a variety of alternative and traditional binding methods, including accordion books, Coptic binding, altered books and different printmaking techniques. I was most drawn to traditional case-binding techniques (basically this is how all commercial books are made) and ended up doing two semesters of independent study on case binding after the Artist's Books class. I was fortunate enough to be invited back this past March as a "visiting artist" for the class and I taught everyone how to make miniature books.

What is generally the inspiration for your artwork? I love how your pieces are colorful and simple at the same time- how did you arrive at your personal style?

I have a difficult time with the concept of "Style" - when I was in my art thesis class I worried that I didn't have a very definitive style unlike some of my classmates, whose work you could identify simply by looking at the colors or ways they made brush strokes. Working on my own, however, I have started to see a style emerge on it's own. For my journals I'm inspired by the materials I work with - I have more Japanese Washi paper than I know what to do with at the moment! For my miniature books I was initially inspired by visiting an exhibition on miniature books (they were very popular in the late 1800s in particular) and thinking "could I do that?". My latest drawings are very whimsical - I'll admit I love fantasy novels with dragons and unicorns and drawing fantasy scenes is kind of like being a little kid again (only I am better at drawing). I like to keep everything cheerful and upbeat - some might call it art for art's sake, but I'm ok with that.

Do you have a "day job"?

My day job is working as a barista full time at a local indie coffee shop. I really love it - I've gotten to meet a lot of cool people there, I hear the talk of the town and let's not forget the free drinks! I've gotten good at latte art too - working at a coffee shop has always been something I secretly wanted to try and it's just as much fun as I imagined. Plus, I go to work at six but that means I'm out of work at one, and have the whole afternoon to work on art.

Describe your creative environment- sounds, smells, times, etc.

I can't stress enough the importance of having your own space to create in. You don't need to have a dedicated room, although that's nice - right now I have a large worktable with a shop lamp attached and on it are projects in various stages. Having a space you don't have to clean up every time you aren't using it, or share with anyone means that anytime you're struck with the urge to make something you can just sit down and do it! I tend to work on art in the afternoon, and I like to have music playing - particularly the album Sandinista by the Clash.

sewing machines...

I am in the market for a sewing machine! This will be my first. I have read so many reviews and so much advice, and for every great review of a machine, there is a horible one! I am going on a sewing machine quest to some local shops tomorrow, so perhaps I'll get more answers...If you have any advice, let me know!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH FRONT PAGE!!!

WAHOOOOOO! I just got my first treasury, and it's ON THE FRONT PAGE OF ETSY! *I am quite excited* Happy happy joy joy!

My First Treasury!

Yea! I got my first treasury today on Treasury West. Here is the link! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=5703

If you aren't down with etsy-land goings on, a treasury is a page where you can pick some of your favorite items from other people's shops and post them for other people to see. They generally have a theme- color, shape, material, subject matter, etc. My theme is FELT! I had a really great time looking through lots of shops in getting ready for the treasury. Enjoy!

Featured Creator- art2theextreme

Today's featured creator is art2theextreme! Nicole is an elementary art teacher and creator extrodinare from Indianapolis. Check out her etsy shop at http://art2theextreme.etsy.com/.

You have a variety of things in your shop- crayons, woodblocks, screenprints, plushies, purses...which is your favorite? How did you come to all of these creative venues?

I have always been creating art and constantly finding new things to try out and create. Thoughout college, I focused mainly on ceramics and printmaking, which are my favorite types of art to create! I also discovered a love for sewing. I make a large variety of handbags from up-cycled clothing and ties (although none are really in my shop at the moment). My tie purses are a popular item when I have them in stock (which should be in the next two months or so when school calms down). I am constantly finding fun and creative things for my elementary art students to create and they inspire me so much. That is why I have recently turned to creating things for kids. Most popular have been my Rainbow Crayons and Jumbo Rainbow crayons.My boyfriend’s mother creates the plushies and doll cloths that can be found in my shop. At first, her items were selling more than mine!! I do sell a wide variety of things and some say that I should have separate shops, but I do not see an issue and I have a little “Something for Everyone…”

At your "day job" you are an elementary art teacher. How do you find time to run an etsy shop, blog, advertise, and still teach your kiddos?

Wow.. what a question! I do not know where the time even comes from because I am constantly working! I come straight home from school (I am a FIRST YEAR elementary art teacher) and immediately begin working on my Etsy, blog, and the ACEO book I am publishing. It keeps me very busy. I am even working for a company in NY right now as well. What keeps me going and keeps me sane is my very supportive boyfriend (who is not currently friends with my computer or Etsy right now) and wonderful family. My dad owns his own business, which is where I assume I get my drive and want to put myself and my art out there in the first place. Organization is key for me. I have to do lists and try not to think of EVERYTHING that I have to get done or it gets too overwhelming. It took me a while to learn how to stop, breathe, and let everything go when I reach the point where I need a break and time to relax.

I remember getting in trouble when I was little for trying to melt crayons in the microwave. Your crayons put a huge smile on my face! Do you recycle the crayons from your classroom? If not, where do you find the crayons?!

I know a few kids who tried to do that as well (cough cough). Thank you for your kind comments and I am glad they make you happy. They are my most sold item right now and I have even taken a few wholesale orders recently. Those butterfly crayons drive me insane when I wholesaled those. They are so much fun to use though. The idea came from my texture unit I was doing with my kindergarten classes. They were excited to “make their own crayons” (at that point I was melting them in the oven with Dixie cups) We used glue on manila file folder rectangles to make patterns and shapes. When the glue dried, each student got their own rainbow crayon and used them for a texture rubbing. We made a huge mural for the hallway using the crayons and patterns the students made. I do used recycled crayons. Over the past year, many teachers have given me boxes of old crayons that are not as good to use with art projects. I have TONS from over the years and a few local preschools have donated them to me (I even traded for some of my shaped crayons). I have been trying to contact Crayola and Rose-Art to see if they will sell me a bulk supply of crayons without wrappers, but cannot get anyone yet.

Describe your creative environment.

Since I am a first year teacher, I have a smaller apartment (I have purple walls since this is the only time in my life I can really paint something purple), so I create everywhere and anywhere. My kitchen is not very functional as a kitchen at the moment since the crayon factory took over. My dining room table has been turned into a pendant making station, my bedroom has turned into my office, and various projects I am working on can be found all over my apartment. I am normally a very organized person, but you would not know it by the looks of my creative mess. When I move to a house, I am hoping to have a HUGE studio!

Why do you create? (I know that's a broad question, so answer however you like!)

Creating art is a stress reliever for me. I love the idea of being able to make things for people or being able to sell my work at affordable prices. I believe that art should be affordable and I love teaching others how to create the things I love to make. I always have something new I want to try. The only problem is finding the time to make it or having too many projects going at once.

I love community and collaborative projects! I have recently put together an ACEO art book that I am publishing that features Etsy artists and my elementary school student ATC art. All the proceeds from the book go to ACEO education and buying the students books to help them create the Artist Trading Cards. More about this project can be found on my second blog:http://createcollecttrade.blogspot.com/of in the listing for Create. Collect. Trade. In my shop!