Other Pendants I've been working on...

Glass Beads, Antique Silver Charm, Silver Wire

Pewter Base with antique silver beads & Findings

Beach Rocks & Sea Glass

Beach Rock with Vintage Dictionary paper

Beach Rock with Tree of  Life

More Recycled Brass Bullet Casing Pendants

I'm still trying to perfect my wire wrapping skills and get my pendants looking sharper before I put them up for sale, but here are a few pendants that will soon be available either on my Art Play Today Shop website  or my Art Play Today Etsy Shop.  I'm still playing around with these, and contemplating whether or not they are worthy of selling or not.... let me know what you think, I would love some constructive criticism and honest feedback!

Glam Girl: Last Lesson of the Doodles Unleashed Class...

Well, I have to say I'm sad to end this class, but have come away with a new bag of tricks!  In this lesson, it was suggested to use glitter glue (like stickles), but while I was in the dollar store yesterday I was admiring all the metalic and sparkly nail polishes and immediately thought how great they would look in a painting.  I don't wear nail polish, but I bought several colors and used a few in this painting.  I will be using them in my paintings from now on!  They give a great effect!

Hope everyone's week is going smoothly and that you can make time for creativity!

Don't Resist! Just Roll with It....the Unique You in all your Splendor and Imperfections!

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I often struggle with procrastination, impulsivity, racing thoughts, disorganization, chaotic lifestyle and wondering why I have to be the way I am.  These characteristics to the "normal" people out there are considered a negative, but I say, at least for me in most ways, they are a positive.

Now I'm not saying that I don't WISH I had a more organized set of thought processes, or that I was one of those people who can get everything on their agenda done in a timely manner.  I REALLY admire people who can work full time, be involved with their children and family, and maintain their sanity all at the same time!  I find it stressful just getting dinner on the table, keeping my house semi-organized (that's the best I can do!), getting the laundry done....etc...you get the picture I'm sure, because even if you are not like me, I'll bet you know someone who is!

“It’s like being super-charged all the time. You get one idea and you have to act on it, and then, what do you know, but you’ve got another idea before you’ve finished up with the first one, and so you go for that one, but of course a third idea intercepts the second, and you just have to follow that one, and pretty soon people are calling you disorganized and impulsive and all sorts of impolite words that miss the point completely.

Edward M. Hallowell [author of the bookDriven To Distraction] 

And let me tell you, at least from my own experience, people like me feel guilty for not being able to "keep it all together", like everyone else.  This "guilt complex" is the downside, because it creates all kinds of anxiety inside and I worry WAY TOO MUCH about what other people think and how they might judge me, before they really know me.

But the struggles aside, I think to myself...the people who really matter will get to know me, will love me for who I am, and will admire me for what I do well.  And I do MANY things well.

I read an article today that really spoke to me, and I think could help other's, so that's why I'm sharing this link

Celebrate and Embrace your ADHD

I am a classic ADHDer, and whether you are or you aren't, if you suffer from any of the issues above, this brief article will give you more of a positive way of seeing yourself.

I thrive on creativity, my brain can spew ideas all over the place and when I finally pick one of those ideas, I can "hyper" focus on it and accomplish some really unique and creative outcomes.  I happen to like this about myself!  I have an enthusiasm for learning, doing and creating!  I never get bored because there is so much to do!  I can be an inspiration to others, and I have a lot to share and offer!

Sometimes I think that I need to find my niche or a specific "style" that defines my art, so that my art will be recognized as "me".  But I have to tell myself that there is nothing wrong with trying it all!  Experimentation, and ART PLAY will eventually lead me and I just need to go with it.  I might feel like making jewelry out of bullet casings one day, mixed media painting another, playing with clay the next etcetera....I want to try it all...AND I WILL!  And the best part is......IT'S OKAY!  Just roll with it....and embrace who you are in all your splendor AND imperfections!

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get!"  Love that quote from the movie Forrest Gump.  It's the perfect description for my day to day existence.  No wonder I am a chocolate lover, especially the really chewy kind!  You get to chew and chew and savor the flavor! (don't know if that makes sense to anyone, but it does to me!)

A Few More Doodle Assignments and Play

I've Gone Doodle Crazy!

I'm loving Traci Bautista's Doodles Unleashed class over at Strathmore.  I've gone a little doodle crazy...
Here are a few of my doodle pages!

If you haven't all ready, go to Strathmore and check it out.  They are offering 3 free workshops.  Doodles Unleashed is the first one and we are starting week 3 tomorrow!  I'm thinking you can still sign up, but I'm not positive on that.  Anyway,  I'm having a lot of fun can you tell?

Have a Happy and Creative week!!!

Kristen

Is My Art "Good Enough" ? Have you ever asked yourself this question?

If your answer is yes, than this little gem is a "MUST" see.  I discovered it at just the right time in my journey.  This question "Am I good enough to be an "Artist"?" has been pestering my brain for a while now.  When I first started to create, I was excited and so inspired...but  as I have continued to create, I find myself having a lot of self doubt and questioning whether I deserve to call myself an artist.  My message to anyone who experiences the same bullying from their inner critic, is to WATCH THIS VIDEO and continue pushing forward and doing what you love to do!!!!

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

YOU and your art are more than "Good Enough".  You are an inspiration to those around you and following your passion is what you must do!  I hope in sharing this video you will find the courage to continue on your quest, squash that inner critic and if you found this post to be helpful... pass this message on!

Playing around with Spent Brass Bullet Shells...

I have a whole bunch of brass bullet shells (all ready been shot, no danger involved) that I'm dying to use in my art jewelry.  I am wondering if anyone can tell me how to cut through them?  I've tried a dremel, but it doesn't give me enough control.  I've also tried a jewelers saw, but I keep breaking the blades.  If anyone out there has any advice or ideas on how I can cut these babies, please...let me know.  They have so much potential.

Here are a few more photos of what I've done with them so far.  I have many more ideas and would love to hear your ideas as well!  What do you think?

Doodles Unleashed: A Free Class with Traci Bautista

If you like to take online workshops and you have the time...this is a great workshop to sign up for and it's absolutely free!

(NOTE:  If you can't see the whole video, double click on it and you can see it full screen.  To exit the full screen video just click your escape button.)



You can go to StrathmoreArtist.Com and scroll down until you see the Strathmore 2012 Online Workshop Series box.  Click on it and you can register for 3 different workshops that Strathmore is putting on for free.  I can't tell you enough how great these workshops are.  Each instructor puts together a series of video lessons, downloadable PDF's and different discussions and forums to share your work, ask questions and meet other students.

Don't be shy!  These workshops are for all levels!

Last night I completed the first weeks lessons.  Here are the results...and for the most part I'm fairly happy with what  came up with, but I think when I have time I'll probably give it another go and try to be a little bit more original.

Step One:  Using found objects for background stencil patterns

Step Two:  Use Acrylic paints to further the development of  shapes

Step Three:  Use pens, india inks and oil pastels to doodle ...

Step Four: Final embellishing with white correction fluid pen!