ART THAT SETS YOU APART- Club Creative Studio

My Video

2011-02-21T19:43:00.000-05:00

NEW POST: A Creative Exercise- Begin Here

2011-02-10T15:22:00.000-05:00

Learn a quick method to exercise your creativity growth. This is an "exercise" but there is no "pain" associated with it.
http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com/

Going to Bead...or Bust!

2011-02-08T09:16:00.000-05:00

THIS IS A MUST SEE AND A MUST READ!http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com/

The A-B-C's of My Online Emporium

2011-02-06T18:59:00.000-05:00

Visit this link to learn more about Club Creative Studio and the blog that shares information about CREATIVITY!

http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com/

Club Creative Studio Showcase of Art- May 2011

2011-02-02T08:02:00.001-05:00

CLUB CREATIVE STUDIO ART will be on exhibit at the following location in May 2011. Mark your calenders to view and purchase great items with hand-made beads incorporated into fun and functional products. You will also want to make sure to view and donate to the "BRAS For A CAUSE" which I have submitted an very unique art piece to be on display and help raise funds for cancer.

Additional information about me and this event can also be found at : http://www.ccacguild.org I look forward to seeing you there!

Got a Minute?

2011-01-30T22:10:00.000-05:00

Time and time again we stop to analyze where our time goes. Do we waste it away? Do we need more of it? How can we get more by making changes and using it differently? If you have a minute, or two... read on.

image;www.jesterarts.com

There are many "two-minute" tasks that we can do in a day and have the satisfaction of knowing that we were productive in a short amount of time in a day. You may not think of two minutes as large chunks of time to do much of anything. But, learning to identify tasks that do not require too much effort can lead to more time management habits.

By doing small tasks in a day, you do feel productive. You utilize your time that can easily be wasted otherwise, and the purpose is to handle short actions immediately. Freeing time can add more time into your day to do what you love. And I know that I need more time in my day to do what I love- create art. I have a list of a few suggestions that can be done within a two minute time frame. Maybe it will help you look at your day and check off simple tasks within it.

Try these time tested tasks:

Clean the kitchen sink
Write a few thank you notes
Change bed sheets
Make a Keurig brand beverage
Reply to an e-mail
Make a journal entry
Make a brief phone or text message
Load the dishwasher
Sweep the floor
Water the plants
Feed the animals
Balance a page in a checkbook
Clean out your purse or wallet
Make a short errand list
Run computer backup program
Check air pressure in your car tires
Order flowers for a friend
Say a prayer
Think of the topic of your next blog!

The whole point is to discriminate between actions that are too short to put on a list and ones that are too long to start without becoming side tracked from higher priorities.

My Daughter Made a Bad Thing Great

2011-01-29T22:32:00.000-05:00

My high school daughter has decided very willingly to make a bad thing great. She has suffered a knee injury in a sport. Being very active in several competitive sports like, year-round soccer, cross-country, basketball and even football (she was the kicker this year), you can see that it is hard to keep someone with this level of drive down.

As it turns out, surgery is needed and that is the "bad" thing. There are aspects of good to this whole situation however. Good... that she can be fixed. Good... that she has a great surgeon. Good- that she is in good spirits. What makes this whole ordeal "great" is her attitude. As soon as she received her brace which she will be wearing for a long while, she immediately asked if it was hers to keep.

The reason for her question was because she had to wear the same type of brace once before and it is honestly intrusive and ugly. She looked like a robot wearing it since it practically covered the entire length of her leg. So, when she heard that she was going to be allowed to keep this brace, her face lit up. Being her mom, I instantly knew why.

Daughter's artistic additions to her intrusive knee brace. Bring On The Bling.

My daughter could not wait to get home. What was the first thing she did? She reached for her collection of cool stickers. She was planning on "blinging that baby out"! Who wouldn't want to show a little more creativity in transforming her "bad" looking brace into something with more personality? You have certainly seen neon colored casts by now and there are also designs pre-printed on casts as well. Recall the first thing that people do when they see their friend in an arm cast. They ask if they can sign it. Doesn't that make the whole ugly wrapping somehow more appealing and maybe even tolerable? Use your creativity to make your particular situation more fun and it may just prove to adjust your attitude at the same time.

It's Not Easy Being White

2011-01-27T01:51:00.003-05:00

Call it white, grey, or silver, however you described it, if you are getting older- you are noticing it in your hair. It's not easy seeing yourself become white-haired, grey-headed, or silver-sprayed. So, what is a person to do if it bothers them? That's right...add some color to your life! What is life like at the end of a rainbow? These models may know.

I won't name the name of my source or disclose who they are speaking about but, a friend of mine once told me about someone close to her that did not like to see the appearance of her grey hairs popping up from time to time. So, her solution was to use a black sharpie marker to touch up her stray hairs and bring them back to the correct natural color of black! Now, you can't beat that for creative thinking can you? It had never crossed my mind to do such a thing. I've got those type markers all over the place and I include many shades of swharpie brand markers to include metallic. Well, all I can say is that the markers are deemed "permanent" so, maybe, just maybe that suggestion is a great alternative to denying grey hair appearances. It is so very economical at the same time! I wonder if my purple and red markers could create the look in the photo image here?

Although I have never gone to that extreme, I was told by someone that "highlights" or "low lights" are cheating as it is actually considered coloring your hair. And up until recently, I was proudly able to state that I have not colored my hair to cover up grey yet. It got me thinking that covering up silver strands can be done in more creative ways. Obviously, I was not alone in this thought, as there are many who have investigated the more creative side of hair colorants. A few quick Internet searches can prove that.

If you want to bring a little more color into your look, get colorful rainbow hairstyles, highlights in lots of neon colors. Although I have not seen people walking around with this display in my neighborhood, it does not mean that these colors are not out there. It is eye-catching, unique, and creative. What more can we ask? Would you consider adding rainbow colors to cover up your white, brown, black, blond or auburn locks? It is an option! Is it easier than being "white"? It certainly is more creative.

For these photo examples I turned to the site: becomegeorgous.com. These images seemed to illustrate exactly what I am trying to convey- that you have the option to color your world and you can look like a beautiful and rare rainbow if you want to instead of bland old white.

Are you inspired to reach for the rainbow?

Lejeune resident builds business on ‘art that sets you apart' | apart, studio, jewelry - Jacksonville Daily News

2011-01-24T20:30:00.000-05:00

Lejeune resident builds business on ‘art that sets you apart' apart, studio, jewelry - Jacksonville Daily News

Split Decision- Color Theory Lesson

2011-01-24T09:07:00.001-05:00

I love bright, dominate and bold color combinations. It is often reflected in the hues of the beads I create. The use of split-complementary color combinations in my color palette offers a bit of "pop" to the overall look of my beads.

image:hover.k12.al.com

If you are trying to decide on the color combinations to use in your creations using fabric, paint, thread, clay or the like, then consider a mix of an analogous and a complimentary color palette. I don't usually stop to plan out what colors I will mix my clays into. But, sometimes when I refer to the color wheel. I find inspiration in a split complementary combination.

To create a split-complementary color palate, you look to the color wheel and start with one color and then add the colors that are equally spaced on each side of its complement. For example, if you start with violet, the complement color is yellow (color directly across from the first color)...you will be adding the colors of yellow-green and yellow orange as additional colors to your working palette.

Matching a cool dominate with warm complements, using bright colors, giving unequal weight to color tones will emphasize the main color and provide contrast in your color choices. Experiment with it, and see where it leads you.

My Short List For An Expo

2011-01-23T19:37:00.001-05:00

image: nhpoai.wordpress.com

May I suggest items to keep on your "short list" the next time you are preparing for an Art Fair, Art Sale, Art Exhibit or Art Display Trade Show. My suggestions are based on a few basic observations, some obvious some perhaps overlooked. We can all forget one on the list no matter how seasoned we are in participating in any of the above forms of public art display. I'd like to share what I try to do to make the experience more pleasurable for myself and for my customers during an expo.

1. Arrive in enough time to set up your area. This is not the time to be rushed in putting your items on display. You want your best foot forward at all times and you want to leave yourself extra time for the unexpected delays that you might encounter. You may opt to arrive in comfortable work clothes and then change after you are set up.

2. Dress professionally. Many visitors to your booth do not know you and are getting an important "first impression". Make sure that you pass along the message that you want, and dressing appropriately is a good place to start.

3. Be sure to use table coverings that are draped down to floor length and are well ironed. Some events ask this as a requirement. It keeps tables neat, uniform and will also help hide your supplies under the table. Tuck the ends at the table legs so that they are not easily tripped on from excess material flow.

4. You should have a name tag on identifying you or your company. Also, make sure your name tag is visible. It associates you with your space. If you happen to step away from your booth area, the customer will not mistake another person standing in your place as the artist , owner or wrong employee, if you have your name tag on.

5. For safety sake, if you are using electrical outlets, make sure you comply with the recommended standards and tape down the cord as to not trip or walk over it repeatedly. Also, keep walkways clear and display heights at safe levels.

6. Hide your "junk". If you have extra space under your table that you are storing your supplies or extra storage boxes, make sure that everything is tucked away and not showing as part of your display. You do not want to confuse or convey the wrong items that you are selling. You want to stay organized in your small space and be able to find what you need.

7. In your display- look at it from the customer's view. Is it interesting to look at? Do you have various levels that make the display space appealing? Do you have a variety of items to look at to hold their interest? Are prices marked clearly? Do you have appropriate signage that explains details that you wish not to repeat often throughout the day?

8. Have enough change, tell the customer up front if tax is included in the price, decide in advance your accepted payment options. Never count your monies in front of customers or other vendors. ( really, I have seen this too). Keep your funds in a locked money box for safe keeping. Decide in advance how you will include your receipt if you are providing one.

9. Include significant items at your booth that are not for sale but, may be of use for a shopper. For example, a mirror, ruler, calculator, pencil, pen, paper, tape, extra chair, clock, Kleenex, hand sanitizer. For yourself: include water, snack, and mints.

10. Be prepared to have business cards on hand. Another form of information such as a postcard, brochure, coupon or promotional item is also helpful to engage your customer and have them take away your contact information if they are not leaving with your actual product at that time. A mailing list or raffle ticket info can be important for both you and customer.

11. Be the expert you are. Inform curious shoppers of your craft, and the process involved. This is your chance to be the expert and spread word about your passion. Education is the key to letting others know first hand exactly what you want them to remember about you. Remember, there are many other booths at the same event and you want to stand out.

12. Talk to your booth neighbors. Encourage them and learn from them as well. Making a connection of support will bring about a friendship that may last way beyond the day or two of being a side-by-side booth buddy. Always wear a smile too.

Good luck in your next exhibit. I hope these tips will allow you to become more comfortable with your next display experience.

Please Pass the Passion

2011-01-23T16:54:00.000-05:00

Take time to let others know that you have a creative passion. http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com/
SERVE IT UP...

image: blazingthyme.com

I Steal It For a Reason

2011-01-22T09:40:00.001-05:00

I admit it. I steal things...from my own kitchen that is and from around my own house. Sometimes I return them, really.

In a world filled with gadgets and goodies, the kitchen tools I have appear to be more useful in my art studio than in my kitchen (where I do not like to spend much time). I can find a double use for many items that are found objects right inside my own home. They often end up staying in the studio for my use instead of what they are really intended for in purpose.

If you are an artist or creative person you already have a natural tendency to look around and imagine items to be of multiple uses. Your imagination never seems to stop and your ideas become helpful in producing your art. These adaptions can make your work more appealing, produced more effectively, or even created more uniquely.

A creative person naturally has many supplies on hand based on their art form or certain pet projects. When specific supplies are not readily available, too expensive or just not worth it to own...imagination kicks into high gear. Creative people are inventive people. They often ask themselves how they can get a specific job done in a more interesting way. They wonder, how they can put a spin on a project at hand and make it unique.

One way that I obtain unique tools, and resources needed for a project is by raiding garage, kitchen and other more unexpected places around my own home. There are treasures I have found and tools yet to be discovered that could have a double use in the art studio. I have discovered useful supplies in storage containers, children's toy boxes, junk drawers, husband's tool box, or in plain sight.

Food processor- for chopping up dry clay!

The large knitting needle for example is a tool that I stole from myself (another project) but, it serves me better as a clay smoother . I just need a different one now as the tool I need to knit with yarn. I use bamboo skewer sticks from kebabs for piercing holes into my raw beads for a stringing hole. The recent gem acquired from the kitchen was the food processor. I have now confiscated that for use in conditioning dry clay to bring it back to pliable standards. The cutting board was long gone once I discovered I used it more in the studio than the kitchen anyway. The pasta machine- although it is a staple item for the clay artist to use on a daily basis, was first taken from a kitchen and now we all use it to remove air bubbles from clay. These type adaptions are making my life easier.

At the moment, I am in the process of gathering items of use with great textures. Because I will be starting a new item line and will be exploring and incorporating many different types of textures in my upcoming projects, the hunt around my home is becoming more intense. So far, I have gathered many small treasures. I think I will start a "texture box" for all of my little found treasures. Are you ready to look around for double duty objects that can help your creativity grow?

Dreaming, Discovering, Doing

2011-01-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

Three words to foster creativity: dream, discover, do.

Where might one start if you need creative ideas? Start with your visions. Your daydreams and night dreams are extensions of your inner thoughts. Learn to appreciate and analyze them to work for you. Take advantage of cues that may help you in developing your imagination. How can they become more vivid? Can you make those great dreams come true?

"To dream anything that you want to dream. That's the beauty of the human mind. To do anything that you want to do. That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed." -Bernard Edmonds

Accidental discoveries should be valued because they are learning tools. They are useful if they worked for you and they are useful if they don't work for you. Whatever you happen to discover, the learning opportunity you can take away from each insight helps you in taking steps in developments. When you discover a better way of doing a task for example, you know that you have improved upon and bettered the situation. You have made strides in the level of development and skill at hand. Your efforts will take shape into productivity or product.

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and your discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” -Patanjali

Do it. Are you ready to take steps forward, complete a task and accomplish goals? Are you doing what you want and need to do? After you dream, discover what you can do and then do it...foster your creativity!

"Everybody keeps telling me how surprised they are with what I've done. But I'm telling you honestly that it doesn't surprise me. I knew I could do it.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist)

Creative Cooks- Don't Reach Their Boiling Points

2011-01-20T19:14:00.000-05:00

Enjoy this blog that will inform you of the basic tools you may need in your kitchen to be a more creative cook.
http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com/

Image: pub.international,LLC

Take It From Trump

2011-01-20T10:08:00.001-05:00

New Blog Post: This suggests taking to heart a few quotes from Donald Trump. What can you take away from him?
http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com/

Image: NBC news: Virginia Snippes

Cheap Creativity-Getcha Some

2011-01-18T21:02:00.001-05:00

This blog post suggests a few inexpensive ideas to have some creative fun with little ones. Please visit:
http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com/

photo: fabandfru.com

Color Me Happy

2011-01-18T17:01:00.000-05:00

Visit: Club Creative Studio's Blog post at http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com/

Learn a bit about the color wheel and color theory,
and how I mix my colors into my clay.

Out of the Box- Out of this World

2011-01-15T14:23:00.001-05:00

Awesome! What word do you think of when you discover someone who has produced an "out of the box" idea or product? Are you amazed at what prompts people to be so creative? Those out-of-the-box creative thoughts and actions can be so inspirational.

Several months ago I came across a few examples of inventive art. Artists were using unconventional mediums and both had unique items because of that fact. The artist Tom Waites has a series of art that is produced using the innard tape of a cassette tape. It is a great visual produced from a recycled item. A creative use of what is not normally considered to be an art supply. Judge for yourself the level of creative thinking his art represents in the following images.

Artist, Erika Iris Simmons created: Albert Einstein – Space-time cowboy. Recycled 8mm film on canvas with reel and clock parts. 2009

Bob Marley in progress – Sometimes the process

is as beautiful as the outcome.

Bob Marley – Great start to the year! The cassette case is painted very lightly, so you can still read

“Bob Marley and the Wailers : Birth of a Legend” on the case. Cassette tape on canvas, 2010

The Dude Abides. – VHS tape on canvas, 2009

Fernando Valenzuela made entirely out of the innards of a single baseball actually used in a game. http://ubersuper.com/fernando/

You can't help but be inspired to want to do something creative with an item that has little or no use to you now right? What item might you think of using to recycle into art of another fashion? Get the creative spark from these examples and start your creation today!

Where's Your "A" List?

2011-01-14T23:19:00.000-05:00

image:annettebeasley.girlshoppe.com

We all want to be more organized so we can spend more time in our creative adventures. There are ways that you can create a list of tasks that give you more focus, and leads to more time to be productive . Take time out to know if you have a real plan. Do you have an "A" list? An "A" list is your first list that has your time management issues addressed and prioritized. It is different from a "to do" list because a "to do" list simply can not include all of the aspects of your life. If you have a complex life, then a simple to-do list is not an effective system. You need something with more sophistication, or maybe a combination of different types of lists.

What makes a to-do list so challenging? Do you have a list of to-dos that include a bunch of other stuff such as: items you don't need to do anything with right now but may have to step aside and wait on someone else, items that you want to do later but don't really have time for right now, and also larger projects that are not a simple one-step task, but instead a project that has lots of to-dos as part of it.

You'll need to separate these lists because your mind finds it difficult to focus. As you look at your to-do list, and are already overwhelmed, or stressed it may be because many items on the list are really things that should not be on that to-do list in the first place. Many different types of lists are helpful to have. Your "A" list should be the list that contains the daily priority items and should have a small number of items on the list (usually less than eight).

Your second list should be the general to-do list. If you are really busy and have lots of items on your list you might want to separate this into important to-dos and less important items. Another type of list could be the "hold" list. On that list are items you don't want to do right now but might want to turn into action in the near future. You may even want to separate this list into “on hold for a short time” and “someday maybe”, with the distinction being that the first list is stuff that you don't want to do now but will want to do in the next few weeks and the someday maybe list is stuff that you might want to do some time, but have no intention of doing in the near term future.

Lists are important because they each have a purpose and are a landing pad for your ideas that enable to you to be more realistic about the fact that you can't accomplish everything in your life right now. You can however, accomplish items one at a time, at the right time, and in due time.

Just when you think that I am finished reporting on the types of lists you can have...I add a few more to this blog. Another type of list is a list of items that you are waiting to follow up on. This is where you are waiting on someone to take action or get back to you. And the list that is most popular at the beginning of a new year in particular is a list of goals. This is the medium and longer term stuff that you want to achieve in your life. Goal setting is a very powerful process and if you don't have written goals this is something that you definitely should do and review often as well.

Projects and next actions are also types of lists that you can make that take into account all items that will take multiple action steps to achieve. Working on projects always involves steps to work through and knowing how you will work out what the next action step is, pushes your actions into forward motion. With any type of list you are working with at any given time, there may or may not be an imposed time frame for the completion of the listed items. That is fine. Even though joy comes from making a check-in-the-box, it is also just as satisfying to have a list in the first place made to visualize your goals and watch your progressions unfold.

Creative Waste of Time

2011-01-13T09:13:00.003-05:00

Image created at designhergals.com

Don't feel guilty if sometimes you feel like you may be "wasting time" while you create. Enjoy both types of creative opportunities: productive creative time and experimental creative time. Learn to enjoy your unplanned time creating just as much as the times that you sit down with specific creative goals.

I "lost" track of time by messing around on the computer.
I invite you do happily do the same by visiting this site:

DesignHerGals http://www.designhergals.com/. This site was brought to my attention from a friend who had used this site to change her Facebook profile picture. This site is for both males and females so don't let the name of the website sway you in direction of not checking them if you are a dude. Creating an image in this site is easy, fun, and free. There is a cost, however in using that image for other great items like stationery for example. Those type services are also easily ordered online at the site. I experienced alot of creative unplanned fun by use of the options provided in the site to create a cartoon image based loosely on my physical appearance as well as my interests. Try it out for fun but be warned that you may loose track of time while creating!

Both planned and unplanned creative times can be productive in their own way. Any time you have the chance to be creative, you have the fuel to flame your fire to be expressive. Enjoy your opportunities and the creative "wasted time".

Seek, Foster, Encourage,Embrace Art

2011-01-12T11:40:00.001-05:00

Creativity is a great motivator because it makes people interested in what they are doing. Creativity gives hope that there can be a worthwhile idea. Creativity gives the possibility of some sort of achievement to everyone. Creativity makes life more fun and more interesting.- Edward de Bono

Creativity is such a great subject to blog about because there are so many aspects one can focus on. In this post, the above quote is a great place to springboard from. You can read this with yourself in mind or with someone else in mind. If you plan to implement some ideas for yourself, it should easily be easy to adapt the suggestions to fit an individual. I do however have in mind the particulars of development of a child's creative mind.

If you have children, or are associated with them- you should consider having the goal of helping a child become more creative. Don't rely or wait for them to have a classroom art teacher in the traditional sense of the word. Although there are many great art teachers, YOU as a primary force in their life must be the first line of education. It begins at home. YOU have the power to be the generating "spark" to creative thoughts or suggestion of a child in their artistic encounters. If you need guidance or reason on how to do this please, read on...

Providing hands-on activities and opportunities for making creative decisions is a great start to fostering a creative mind. Art, (particulary visual arts) IS a great motivator. To be able to seek and discover creativity IS great for everyone. To be "hands-on" you have got to keep your hands moving. To be moving...you have to be willing to experiment.

Start by always having supplies on hand for your creative experience. Having access to supplies is fuel for the fire. A single pencil and paper are always standard and inexpensive stand-by items. If you have limited funds, be creative in obtaining those supplies. Find free stuff: discarded magazines, wall paper sample books, empty cartons/containers, scrap materials like yarn/fabric/papers, etc. Create a "craft drawer" with a mixture of any discarded items that can be used in a project. May I suggest adding to the draw from time to time as to encourage new discoveries. Items to include should be age appropriate and be sure to include a vast array of items like perhaps a lost sock, buttons, milk jug lids, plastic bag ties, safe but broken toy parts, stickers, glue sticks, roll of tape, safety scissors, beads, etc., etc., etc.

Collaborate with others to gain more inventory choices or access to supplies. If your neighbor is a scrapbooker- she's got rubber stamps, and cool scissors right? Can you work out a swap situation or loan locker arrangements of sort? If you have a pal that likes to sew, there's your source for a mirage of scrap supplies. Do you know someone with another creative hobby? Do you know a woodworker, a cake decorator or a dancer with specific talents who is willing to demonstrate their skill for inspiration? With money tight all around, don't forget to frequent the shelves of a local thrift shop or dollar store for low cost items that can also be safely used for all types of art projects as well.

Take advantage of free or reduced priced introductory classes at a hobby store, craft store, art studio, ceramic warehouse, workshop or workspace near you. Look for retail stores that offer child-friendly (easy and appealing) suggestions for projects or lessons to help facilitate creativity with their pre-made kits (which are less costly than buying all of the suggested supplies yourself). Consider that some larger more expensive supplies can be rented like a kiln or wood working tools/saws, if there is a need to explore those options.

Art is a subject matter that requires involvement at the start. Any allowance of freedom or expression can open the doors to all sorts of approvals and acceptance situations. It is for this reason that being involved in an artistic project at any stage provides encouragement and hope that anything is worth a try, anything is possible, and anything can be a successful experience.

Explore creative possibilities, or teach someone else to do the same. Seek to be creative. Foster creativity of yourself and in others Encourage creative thoughts and actions. Love art and the creative process. Good luck and I hope you become Creative Everyday!"

Hungry? Feed Your Artistic Tummy

2011-01-11T21:19:00.002-05:00

Are you hungry? Have the need to feed your creativity? Tired of being a starving artist? Crave a fast, satisfying way to curb your appetite and thirst for creating? Time to fuel up, gain energy and become mobile with finding inspirations.

TN_04-09-09_83RBSandwichclipart

The best visual cafe is located right around any corner. It's a place where you go to get "soul food"; the nourishment for your creative tummy. Inspiration is virtually everywhere. You do not have to go far to find it. Look around. Soul seek in obvious places and find and consider the over-looked settings where you can go to for inpiration or work space.

Some obvious choices for inspiration:

magazines
art/craft books
craft store
websites, message boards, forums

Other places of inspiration:

museums
galleries
historic places
public gardens (nature)
blogs, groups, clubs, networking events, school, workshops

Overlooked inspirations:

flea markets
antique stores
thrift shops
old books, library
fabric store
art/craft fair
listening to music
attend an art retreat-creative vacation
your dreams

Join forces with the community in which you live. Feed your ideas. A new outlook equals a new vision- now that's food for thought!

Dream On...Creative Dreaming

2011-01-11T09:50:00.002-05:00

My secret to getting many things done in a single day- I do not sleep many hours. When I do experience a really deep sleep however, it is sure to be accompanied by great or strange dream, all in color, of course! I try to dream possible, not impossible. This meaning that I plan to use my dreams in a creative way later, making my dream a possible useful element in my creative endeavors. I try to incorporate my dreams from my "sleep life" into my "awake life", it helps me create.

Dreams are a great source of information about yourself and what you're doing in your world, as well as a stimulus for creativity. Their vocabulary is everything you have ever done, seen, thought, and felt, etc. --in other words, an ever-changing palette totally unique to you. Dreams may reveal inspirations, give you motivation or spark a new notion or solution. Learn to pay attention to them, even if in part so that your dreams can become as possible as you want them to be, in helping you become more creative.

As I attempt to discover links between any of my waking and dreaming minds (which are totally separate ideals) it becomes a highway with an increasing amount of traffic of creative ideas. This also gives me the feeling of being more connected and complete. Recreating something out of my dreams or out of my norm is a whole creative journey upon itself. Your brain is brilliant. Dreaming for possibilities gives you drive and focus.

I have created from time to time items based on an image, or a thought, from a dream. As an example, I recall one dream including a group of many women, each wearing large and decorative hats. Each lady showing off unique, strange and colorful creations- all atop their heads. The ideas stimulated by that dream were easy to replicate in clay even if they were not exact because the whole idea from the dream-like image, was out-of-the- norm for me and I knew just how I wanted to be inspired from it. To make it work for me- the completed art was turned into a series of Club Creative Studio brooch pins.

The techniques I used in the above art were color mixing my own shades, sculpting as relief, stamping, carving, caning, and mixed media (added wire and beads). This creation ended up becoming an accessory piece of jewelry as a brooch pin.

While the image above was symbolic of the images I saw in my mind as a random dream there is also a term that can be used to describe a different type of dream, "intentional dreaming".

To induce intentional dreaming try the following:

1. Write, read, or think about a topic you're interested in just before going to sleep (writing seems to work best)
This serves to bring your brain's attention to the subject and put it on notice that you're serious about whatever the topic.

2. When you first wake up, or in that beginning stage of waking/drifting:
Notice the first image or scene that comes to you even if it seems unrelated, and if you write down what you "see" you will remember the image longer. Analyzing dreams and decoding them is a science and I can't give you answers on deciphering them or interpreting them but number three point may help you understand more.

3. I can tell you that if you ask yourself specific questions before sleep, you may awake to hold some insight into the requested answers you seek. The information you sift through may not seem to be anything that you asked for but you have to associate and relate your images to understand what it "means" to you. How do the dream images fit back in to the story of your dream?

4. Another way to begin getting the outer and inner parts of your brain closer together is to draw (and/or write) a scene(s) from your dream. This seems to put your brain more firmly in the track of documenting and integrating your symbolic experiences. Call it a "dream book". Use a notebook, decorate it and review it to see how you can incorporate your dreams and visions in to your daily creative life. Dream on! Dream Possible! Dream with a creative purpose!

Oodles of Doodles

2011-01-11T00:26:00.000-05:00

Do you spend time making oodles of doodles? It is not just a waste of time. Actually, they are a terrific exercise to help you become more creative and remain more creative. Your thoughts become more imaginative. It becomes easier for you to brainstorm new ideas and the exercise of doodling unlocks your creative mind to be free to explore creative fun.
Doodles are very simple lines that become drawings that eventually evolve into other images. They may start out as a few meaningless lines but, after adding your own lines - and color if you like - your drawing becomes anything you like. The point of a doodle is not to create art, simply to use your creative vision. This vision is often unplanned but it can have great outcomes. They are fun to do and you can see yourself evolve and your thoughts unfold almost before your eyes, as you create doodles.

When I was younger I used to play a game that involved doodles. It was mainly a "car game" but, it was adaptable whenever two or more gathered. Low cost, you only need paper and a writing instrument. A simple line is drawn on the sheet of paper by one person, then the pencil and paper is passed to another. The second person adds an additional single line to the original line drawn and then passes it back. The image that is a transformation from the first line drawn is part of a collaborative creative process. The "players" feed off of each others vision. It is fun to see what the final outcome turns out to be. It may be a totally nonsense image or it may end up being a recognizable image that together you both build upon with combined doodles. As an example, if a few lines turn into the outline of a house, each of you may recognize that and your additional lines become details of that house. It may end up having detailed shingles on its roof, curtains in the windows, a mailbox in the front yard and so on and so on. The outcome will show creativity in all aspects.

When you become creative with visual brainstorming activities like this you are collaboratively generating ideas without using the spoken or written word. It's a fantastic exercise. To spice up the game, you may add colored markers and find that a sort of masterpiece is created in the end after all. Create oodles of doodles and see where your creativity takes you!

Club Creative Studio Art- Changes Like Weather

2011-01-10T11:26:00.001-05:00

Club Creative Studio art changes like the weather. Is there a connection?

SNOW ON THE BEACH! There is a whole lot ta whoop la going on today in my world about getting to see snow along the east coast. It doesn't happen very often. The sheer anticipation has been building for a few days. I am looking out the window at a beautiful and steady snowfall, as I write this blog. Today is not the first time for snow in our area but still, in my neighborhood some do not have shovels, an ice scrapper, hand-warmers in the glove box or the notion of how to build a snowman in their front yard. We are simply not as prepared as we could be. Most of us were lucky enough to get information about this in a timely manner and we experienced anticipation until it actually became part of our life early this morning. It's a time to really pay attention to happenings around us.

I especially took note of this predicted snowfall because I knew it was going to have a direct impact on my plans for the day and maybe the whole week. I subconsciously also had the idea of making an analogy comparing this weather and my business efforts. I started to think of the correlations, and decided to blog about my thoughts and comparisons.

For days now, the weather updates have been trying to prepare us of what we may encounter. The anticipation has been building. The first aspect that came to mind as a business connection was the Club Creative Studio Facebook page. On that page, I too share information about what fans can look forward to seeing as they prepare to visit the website. I often post "sneak peeks" of art not yet posted online, in the same sense that the weather anchor gives us a picture in our mind as to what is heading in our direction. I provide images of what to look forward to seeing and perhaps even purchasing. My special feature section recently added a spot where I can highlight an item and expand on a bit more detail about it.

Snow in NC- 1-10-2011

Once the predicted weather is actually part of our day, the reports switch to looking around and noticing what needs to be done to insure that a situation gets better. I too like to look around and try to figure out how I can share art with those who are both familiar and new to our creations. After all, I am trying to make the fashion and home decor situation better as well, visually better! I strive to be creative everyday.

Continued updates and newsflashes give us more information on the weather at hand. I'd like to think that I can be like the scrolling inclement weather advisory at the bottom of the television screen. I too can inform and update quick notes via the phone, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and by using photos and video. I can prompt you to visit the online store, take note of the special feature section on the website, read a new blog, or meet me as I display art in a specific venue.

Once the weather condition has passed, we look around and reflect on how it made an impact on us. As a comparison, it is like seeing the beautiful photos that people send in of the scenic beauty in their own backyard after a snowfall. They use their camera or words to describe their personal experiences and desire to share their image with the public. For me, a similar reflection comes when a customer shares a testimonial with me. They are valued testament of satisfaction in product and service. Written or verbal, the approval reactions are valued and contribute to the whole story.

Like the weather, my art is ever-changing. The one-of-a-kind status of each item lends itself to a inventory that is updated frequently. You've got to keep up if you want to see how we are evolving, and what is available. Those qualities are what keep us challenged to be creative everyday and we enjoy the opportunity to keep in touch with you with any news. How can your business relate to the weather report- are you open to change? Do you bend with the wind? Are you prepared to weather each storm? Make sure you have a sunny outlook and take each day as it is given to you.

In closing, I think one main difference between me and the weather reporter is that sometimes the final outcome is not accurate to what was first reported. I thought of how I do provide accuracy. I provide detailed descriptions about my art on the website and I provide the best photos I can in natural lighting conditions. These factors along with continual truthful communication give me an edge to remaining accurate in what I report: Our Art Sets You Apart!

Up-Cycle with Recycled Materials

2011-01-09T00:02:00.000-05:00

"Up-Cycling"- it's a term that I like to use to describe a new or up-scale version of an item that is being recycled. If something is recycled in part or in whole, the entire green concept of recycling is smart for our environment, our mind-set and our wallets. I have been asked and entrusted to stretch my imagination and up-cycle many projects for customers. A new level of aesthetics can be produced and appreciated at the same time any memories or ideas associated with the original item are recognized in the new creation.

Whenever I embark on an up-cycle project, I am sure to take a before and after photograph of the original item. By doing so, I am documenting the historical importance of the original item design and provide evidence of a new design with new age functions or style.

Photo A. Initial necklace to deconstruct.

An example of an up-cycled project I took on that was especially interesting and meaningful was one that involved a necklace that was also a family heirloom. It belonged to the great-grandmother of a customer's husband. The assignment was to take apart the necklace and recycle the components to create four new items from the initial single item. To make that possible, I had to add additional beads and findings and I needed to match up closely anything that I wanted to add for the sake of cohesion. Photo A. is the initial heirloom necklace. I completed the task by designing two necklaces, a bracelet and a pair of earrings, all of which included some part of the original item.

Photo B, up-cycle necklace & bracelet.

I happened to be able to match the up almost perfectly the smaller white marble effect beads to add as spacer beads. Because the original beads were marble, they were very heavy and this necklace weighed a lot for something that was to be around your neck at any given time. Never-the-less, the filler beads that I matched up were more light weight and still had the same look and feel as the marble beads so they mixed well with them and coordinated the entire style. In photo B you see one up cycled necklace creation and a bracelet.

After the completion of the project, I learned more details about the original necklace by way of a thank you note. It seems that the necklace had particular

sediments associated with it for numerous family members. Apparently, once a year, as the family would spend time at a cabin with Great-Grandma, she would lend this necklace to the little girls who were in the family and they would take turns and proudly walk around and model it during their playtime visits. When their beloved passed away, the necklace was then brought to me to deconstruct and then reconstruct to be shared with all of the girls in the family that had the chance to wear the necklace during those special cabin visits from their childhood.

Photo C. up-cycled necklace & earrings.

It was an added plus to learn so many details and sediments associated with this project. One of the gifts was given for a specific birthday, a daughter's twenty first birthday. I think that was the most memorable experiences I have had so far in a reconstruction project. Everyone was happy with the results and everyone was left with a great tangible memory of their relative and time spent with them. Can art make a difference in your life? YOU BET! This is proof!

Rummage through your jewelry box and find something that is broken or no longer worn. Up-cycle it into something new and pleasing to wear once again.

If that is not possible for you to do- contact me, I may be able to help you!

veronica@clubcreativestudio.com

Building Blocks To Creativity

2011-01-08T19:44:00.000-05:00

Building Blocks to C r E a T i v I t y

Please believe it- we are constantly being creative. A three year old is being creative using crayons on paper. We are creative when we paint on a canvas. However, creativity doesn't have to focus on the visual arts. You are creative when you exchange garlic salt for cayenne in your latest recipe.

All you have to do to be creative is forget about being ordinary. - Veronica Campos-Hallstrom

The general public tends to think of creativity as an unplugged talent that strikes only a few gifted people. Maybe famous people are the ones that come to mind even before others who are creative around them. Creativity is studied by researchers. They find evidence that creativity levels are determined by how a individual knowledge combines with concepts to create new perspectives.

Creativity does not come without thought. A deep well of information must be sorted in order to be open to ideas and gain a desired result. You can always develop your creative skills and knowledge for creativity. Ideas away from the ordinary can become almost automatic and available whenever we need them if we practice looking at the project at hand differently.

Using a relaxed focus or what is referred to as "moodling" becomes an important part of the creative process as well. We have all had the experience of forgetting the name of someone or item we were planning to add to a shopping list. The interesting thing about long term memory is that when we practice in a creative and relaxed way, we are triggered to remember it a few minutes later. To be creative means to combine ideas, focused effort and synthesis of knowledge. Creativity may be a joyous experience, in the creative state we are open to suggestion and risk. Fostering creativity brings productivity toward goals and satisfaction with accomplishments. Let's use the image of a child playing with wooden blocks. How are they being creative? They are focused, relaxed and not afraid of failure. Once they have completed their construction or project at hand, they are satisfied or they start being creative once again. It can be endless creativity! Your kids can make just about anything he dreams up. And instead of asking your child, “What did you make?”, say “Tell me what you made,” you’ll be surprised with their answers. I know, I had those children myself and I taught them in a school setting as well. Children are born creative- we need to regain it as adults.

If we practice and remain creative, there will be less barriers, no frustrations and more successes. It will allow you to reach deep inside yourself and challenge you. Creativity is a process of transformation. When you seek a creative life- there is no looking backward. You live life forward. Hip-Hip-Hooray to being known as a "Forward Thinker" from now on!

Out of Your Mind Not to Outsource?

2011-01-07T19:36:00.001-05:00

I was recently asked to ponder what aspect of my business I would wish to outsource if given the chance. Giving up
(in part) responsibility in management or allowing the flexibility of change in any capacity of control needs time for consideration and planning. It got me thinking: Am I out of my mind if I do not outsource?

Club Creative Studio Protective Pouches.
Outsourced for creation from my Mother.

I think, however that you need to know yourself well enough to know if you are overwhelmed, over worked or are even open to the idea of taking on help from others in order to free your time for other aspects of your business. Sometimes growth is the main reason for interest in outsourcing some of your tasks, sometimes it might be the idea of just being able to focus that extra time on an aspect that needs more of your attention. And for me an even better reason is that someone else can simply do the job better than myself. Enter...stage right- My Mother!

My Mom- creative seamstress.

I do already happily outsource one aspect of my business. My fantastic Mother helps me by contributing her creative sewing skills. She hand-sews each of the protective pouches that Club Creative Studio includes with each purchase. She also designed our special tags.

She loves helping me, it gives her something to do in her day, she can definitely do it better and quicker, than I could. She can be trusted, and she has the level of creativity and quality that I expect. I know I have found at least one great helper that lightens my load and also provides something that I need in my everyday art transactions. Cheers to my great Mother!

If you are able to mega-task and do your things effectively then I do not see any immediate need to pass on your chores to anyone else. If you are that type A that can manage time, health, and wealth then I say; keep up the good work and share with others how you do that. For me, the timing has to be right for me to welcome an extra hand. It seems that at certain times, the business needs extra help in preparations. Any major gift-giving holiday for example requires me to be extra prepared with inventory. I know that I also like to have items on hand for future use. The stock-pile is important for me to maintain too. I appreciate knowing that I have enough of our hand-made fabric pouches to coordinate with hand-made art.

I also have to determine the need level . If I get to the point when I am not happy with spreading myself so thin- that would be at a point to consider outsourcing. It is true that one person can not be in two places at the same time. For that reason, you may want to keep the idea of outsourcing in the back of your mind or at the forefront as well.

And of course you have to deal with the issue of trust. Can you locate a person or have faith in the system or work ethic of someone else to do the job just as you would or even better? I know finding those characteristics are hard. That is why I have people who might fit the short list that are qualified and willing to help as outside helpers if needed seasonally. The other aspect to consider is funding. How would you fund the services someone provides to you? What would you offer as adequate or satisfactory payment? Could you offer a trade of services? It is sure an option that I have offered, swapping art for help.

Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting. Elizabeth Bibesco

Don't Expect the Expected- Take the Unbeaten Path

2011-01-06T21:45:00.002-05:00

It is my continuous hope that our world's youth continues to have inspiring art teachers and creative influences in their developing artistic lives. Sometimes, I miss the structured days I had as an art education teacher where I knew daily that I had the unique and direct opportunity to guide and influence my students to connect with their inner creative thoughts.

When I ran across a comical and out-of-the-box read today, I immediately thought of a past lesson plan I implemented that brought about similar creative and humorous results. My assignment had a focus to redesign a cereal box and put a "religious spin" on the new product, since I worked at a Catholic school at that time. When their boxes were complete we set the stage for display on tables with bowls and such to blend with the breakfast theme. The students not only created unique products but, also had fun with the play on words for captions and ingredient listings on their packaging. Projects that allow our minds to expand from the norm or what is expected as ordinary help us develop more creatively in our thoughts. Changing outcomes from the expected to the unexpected are what give us expression and shows imagination.

Here's an online example I found crediting: CreativeThink. It presents what might have been an unexpected commercial with a focus for Michael Phelps in mind. Could this have really ever been on television? Well... if the price was right?

What new off-beat product endorsement ideas do you have for

Michael? How can you help him cash in? Feel free to add a fun tag-line in as well.

"Hi folks, Michael Phelps here. I swam so fast at the Beijing Olympics that it was a real pain in the butt for a lot of my competitors. But I don't want them mad at me. No, I want them to like me. That's why I recommend Preparation H to them. Quick and soothing. You should give it a try too. It'll put a gold-medal smile on your face."

What off-beat product endorsement ideas do you have for Michael?

Growing Up Artistic

2011-01-05T09:02:00.000-05:00

I appreciate being raised in an environment that was not suffocating of my imagination. I grew up loving art. I might not of had every supply on hand, but, I did have exposure to creativity of others and continual educational direction and guidance on how to keep it in my life as a form of self expression.

Not all persons are as fortunate to have a great jump start in loving the arts. It is for that reason I hope everyone and anyone can change that or make it possible for change in their life or their child's life. Art and creative thinkers are valuable to our society and we need evident creativity factors in our lives now and in the future.

The wonderment of how a person gains interest in creativity can be a science. It triggered my own curiosities in learning what the reasons were behind why I went on to gain a more focused education in that subject matter? Why did I specifically seek out to teach within the visual arts field after college? Why do I continue to use creative expressions in my everyday living? Was it because of the positive experiences? Was it because of the support in using and developing creative energy?   Was it just genetic? Was it because my education at the Catholic schools I attended which developed the whole child and focused on the learning experiences that fostered and introduced every part of my being?   Perhaps, a fantastic combination of all aspects contributed to the creative person that I am today. Whatever started, fostered or continues it, I consider creativity to be part of my life today. My personal mantra in my art business: Be Creative Everyday is where I strive to remain day after day...creative. It is pure joy to have the opportunity to live and share creativity, and express the creative process that I encounter each day of my life.

The gift of human imagination is valuable.   Consider it priceless. I feel confident that I was the best art teacher I could be when I spent time in my classrooms throughout the years. I take pride in knowing that as an art committee member, I contributed ideals that are now considered part of the art curriculum for the Archdiocese that I taught in. I made sure that my art students had fun while they learned history, technique and discovered their capacities. I am thrilled to know that many of my former students have continued their educations to include art as part of their focus as well. Daily, I continue to look for inspiration, creativity and imagination around me and I smile when I encounter or discover it.

The embedded video below is interesting, funny and informative. It features the views of Sir Ken Robinson of England. I first saw it on the post of blogger Digna Whitehall, PA, United States on her blog: Autumn Blues Reviews. I had a very different experience with private school and art from what she writes. I did not experience the same "hollow feelings" she mentions from school growing up. I viewed the video as a great learning tool for awakening education of the arts into more importance. I do not personally hold an educational institution responsible in whole or in part for the lack of educational experiences one received.  I credit instead, the outside factors of a supportive family, learning environment, attitude and encouragement of creativity set in place before the years of formal education began as success to my creativity cravings.

It's Not Funny...But It Is

2011-01-04T18:18:00.002-05:00

My mother is just getting a taste of computer technology by today's standards. She has finally gotten a facebook page, has learned how to navigate to my business website and has cute animated graphics attached to her personal e-mails. She really thinks she is hot stuff. And...she is... compared to some. But, if you ask me there is more for her to learn. Way more.

image by OCAl

A few months back she called and asked some odd questions. She spoke very quickly giving me no chance to interrupt. At first I could not figure out what she was talking about and could not figure out why she was asking such strange things. She was ranting on about wanting to offer help to my son. She wanted to buy him paint and nails. She asked if she could help with some chores. She raved about the things she was reading on his facebook posts. She had asked me questions like: why didn't anyone tell her that her grandson bought a farm? What kind of shape was his land in that he needed to make so many repairs? She didn't think he knew how to care for horses let alone paint their barns, so she wondered who else was helping him. Silly questions to her. To me too- until I realized that she was seeing the FARMVILLE posts and did not know it was a sort of online game!

Technology is a blessing and a curse. There is always something to learn and something to explain. Good luck to you with the learning aspects, better luck to you in the explaining. I try to focus on how technology has helped me and how it continues to help grow awareness of my business. Utilizing it is a great way to express creativity.

My Round Table is Actually Rectangular

2011-01-03T23:38:00.000-05:00

How do you suppose I consider my round table to also be rectangular?

Actually, I have a weekly encounter with my Round Table Discussion Group and we gather at a rectangular shaped table.

The group is made up of local business owners with an array of experiences and backgrounds. The professionals gather to discuss business concerns, share insights and give valued opinions to each other on the topic at hand.

The time that I invest in the Round Table each week has served as an invaluable resource of usable knowledge, encouragement, support, connections and friendships.

I highly recommend that you consider taking steps to make connections with fellow local business owners. You will attain a sense of pride and loyalty in the efforts of your community to include merchants within it.

During the meetings, I can pull information from a conversation and note an aspect that may apply to my specific needs. Other times, I am just able to learn from what another business has had to encounter in their field giving me an opportunity to be more sensitive. No matter what the topic at hand is, I have come to enjoy spending time at my Round Table.

The tone set by our moderator is a mix of seriousness and light-hearted. Everyone seems to feel comfortable to speak out, share, question and debate. I have learned something each time I have participated in a meeting and I look forward to each Tuesday morning. Although I do not consider myself to be a "morning person", I make an effort once a week for this.

OH... Now, I See

2011-01-03T19:43:00.000-05:00

Several years ago when I had my eyes checked, I was so excited to possibly get the news that I needed glasses. I very much wanted to be able to wear a fun and funky accessory and take on a new style that was seemingly more "artsy". I was going to be so cool!

Oh... the visions I had of modeling colorful styles, a sleek frame, any welcome of a look that I could call attention to an artistic personality. I was so prepared and willing to add the fashion statement to my wardrobe. I was ready to transform myself. I could hardly wait.

To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Much to my surprise- the doctor pretty much informed me that maybe I would be in need of glasses in five years but, not then. I could not believe the results and practically begged for reconsideration. I was insistent in my mind that I should be able to see more clearly than I was at the time. I was shocked and then disappointed. I felt no relief at all from the fact that I had healthy vision. I just wanted to wear glasses for goodness sakes!

Several years passing from that initial vision test and now being much older, I have a new concern. I actually need glasses and I do not want them! I have felt the sting from the realization that I now require vision aid! This time in my life, I just feel plain old! I could care less if I look any more "artsy" than I already am. Admitting I can see better now just means that I am old and my vision is the first sign of going down hill from here on out. It is depressing, really.
Well, while the need for real glasses is limited (at this point in time) I do appreciate that my improved vision is a huge help in my creative day. My bead-making takes less time, I am more focused and my product details are more clear to me as I create for hours at a time. As it turns out...I now see much better.

OH...I see the whole picture much better now. I see that change is good in any form and most times for the better.

The best vision is insight. -Malcolm Forbes

Myth Buster- "I Am Not Creative"

2011-01-03T08:19:00.000-05:00

Have you identified yourself as not being creative? It's a myth! It's not obvious to all so, let's bust it this very second. If you have said, heard or believe that you are not creative, please read on to realize that you are mistakenly WRONG. I have had my share of hearing this sad statement from all ages of students and adults alike. Over the years, especially in the years I have spent in classrooms as an art educator, I have heard a lot of people say a lot of things about creativity. Some of those things, I hear again and again. Many of those complaints – or myths – about creativity are contributions to this negative attitude towards the creative process.

“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” — Edward de Bono

“I am not creative”. I wish that we could erase those combination of words and the statement from world language.

When I hear someone precisely say those words, I cringe. The truth, of course, is that we are all creative. And while some people are naturally more creative than others, we can all have very creative ideas. The problem is, as we grow older, most of us learn to inhibit our creativity for reasons relating to work, acceptable behavior and just the notion of being a grown-up. Pablo Picasso, Spanish Cubist painter (1881 - 1973), made an epic statement and observation when he said: "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." The child-like, no fear attitude is inhibited somewhere along the line as we grow older and the notions that we are no longer or were never ever creative in any way take over our being. When we lose that, we have to fight harder to be free to express our creativity.

Image:brainzooming.com

“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” — John Steinbeck

Some think that “Creative people always have great ideas”, That is certainly not true but we still think that creative people always have ideas. Well, newsflash... we all have ideas. Maybe creative people tend to share or act on their ideas and that is one reason why they seem to always have them in the first place. Over time, we may then tend to forget creative people's weak ideas and remember their great ideas because they have made points to express them or act on them.

People say they are not creative to colleagues, family and even to themselves. Indeed, this is one reason why people believe they are not creative: they have got into such a habit of censoring their creative ideas, by telling themselves that their ideas are stupid, that they no longer feel creative. Next time you have an idea you think is stupid, don't censor it. Rather, ask yourself how you could improve on the creative idea that you do have.

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” — Albert Einstein

Club Creative Studio has adopted a working motto that serves as inspiration. As we continue to do things to: Be Creative Everyday", we are less likely to set aside ideas that we may think are not "creative" and it is an ongoing process to not sensor the ideas but test them out and proclaim the results to others. We are creative everyday, and you can be too. Be creative in thought or action. Challenge yourself to recognize when you're creative and continue those contributions.

What If...Ask the Q's and Get the A's

2011-01-02T21:03:00.000-05:00

Curiosity is good and questions take courage. Ask questions to learn and share your new-found knowledge with others.

Ask yourself this question: "What if...?" What if you could own something that no one in the entire world would ever have, wouldn't you feel special? Wouldn't you value that item for the worth it contains? What if the one-of-a-kind item could also be on display for people to admire and comment on, could you share the details of your discovery with excitement? What if your item was so affordable that you could easily begin a unique collection or share in gift-giving to others, would that make you happy? What if these situations were real, wouldn't that be cool? Final answer: YES! I have created ways to make this possible for you! Everyday, I am taking creative steps to produce: Art That Sets You Apart!

This situation IS real. Anyone that gets or gives a hand-made item from Club Creative Studio can answer all of the above questions with a resounding YES! You can own something that no one in the entire world will ever own because each hand-made item is one-of-a-kind, hand-made and never duplicated. You can value the artistic characteristics by knowing that each hand-rolled clay bead or hand-torched Italian glass bead incorporated is unique and created by a talented artist just for you. You can be excited about sharing the details of how your art was created and the steps it took to expedite into existence. You can afford to treat yourself to art that will set you apart from the normal mass produced artistic items around in the local stores. Club Creative Studio art is accessible online with secure and easy payment options available. Please, visit the site often as inventory changes because each item has a one-of-a-kind limited status.

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com/

Jump Start Your Creativity or Look Stupid Trying

2011-01-01T23:45:00.015-05:00

I found these tips on how to increase creativity recently and I wanted to share them with you. They are ideas with a bit of a twist to gain more creativity in your everyday life. First of all, it suggests you to try an activity or two that is sort of out of the ordinary. And secondly, they are free to try. Good luck!

How to Increase your Creative Mind: By Rodney Stevens, eHow Member

With the world expanding everyday with new ideas, we need to learn how to keep up the creativity of the world. Ideas start from a thought, and that thought comes from a creative mind. Use these tips to improve your creativity.

Things You'll Need:
Yourself
A quiet place to think

1. Learn how to be ambidextrous. This causes you to use both sides of your brain. One side for logic and reason and the other side for creativity. If you can activate both sides of your brain frequently then creative ideas will flow to you much easier. Try doing many things that involve using both hands and switch hands often.

2. Move your eyes back and forth for thirty seconds. This activates both sides of the brain quickly for some quick creative thinking.

3.Daydreaming is an effective way to boost your creativity. Just letting your mind wander gives your subconscious mind time to wander and come up with new ideas.

4. Try walking backwards when visualizing or problem solving. This stimulates the brain in a sense of being in an unfamiliar situation which cause you to think differently.

Let me know what works best for you and your creative work situations. Please feel free to laugh at me if you see me in my neighborhood walking around backwards. I will be doing that while holding my jewelry making tools in both hands, with my eyes dashing side to side from ear to ear and looking like I am in a deep relaxed stare in a subconscious state of mind!

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Sweet Serendipity

2011-01-01T18:05:00.000-05:00

Sweet Serendipity! The word means to "dip" into life with serenity. Serendipity is closely related to creativity in that often you may set out to create one way and in the process accidentally discover a different way that works better for you or your art. It can end up being a meaningful part of your whole creative thought process or progress.

Serendipitous connections with people or your creative projects can open up your eyes to lead you to a whole set of circumstances.

Club Creative Studio's 3-D pendants.

Sometimes, when not expected, you will naturally bend in a direction that may first seem accidental. It is a discovery in growth and your creative spirit being set free.

It took me nearly a year to reach "sweet serendipity" on a recent project I had been involved in creatively. This is what sparked me to write about it here in this blog. I want this short story to inspire you to step back or take time to creatively work through challenges or roadblocks, even if it may take a year or more! I first formulated what I refer to as my "square beads". They are small one inch by one inch creations that start out on a flat base and then are built up with layered art clays, textures and finally paints and a finishing gloss. When I first started making them I envisioned each square to be linked to another, completing a bracelet. It seemed like a really cool vision and possible to do on top of that. What I soon learned after having a sizable pile of these small squared art sections stocked up was that it did not work the way I thought it would. I did not throw away the small squares because I knew deep down that I would find something to do with them at some point. As I mentioned before, it took almost a year to pass before the new idea came to me on how to better utilize the creations.

After I took the time I needed to reassess the art and it's function for me, the revisit to it was an awesome 'aha' moment. About the same time that I discovered a new medium on the market, I immediately knew how I was going to incorporate my 'new' square beads. By also combining my time-tested methods to this new project, I gave birth to the successful results of Club Creative Studio's 3-D hand-made bezel pendants. Looking back, it is a far cry from the bracelets I initially set out to create. I love creating these one-of-a-kind necklaces now. Give yourself the gift of time that may be needed for critical analysis to overcome your obstacles and gain the sweet feelings of sweet, sweet, serendipity.

Measure Up to New Heights

2011-01-01T11:19:00.002-05:00

My physical stature may be a mere five foot tall frame but, my creativity height makes me a giant! How can I grow even taller in creativity? It is not only a talent...it is a skill. Around this time of year we all think of the visions of sticking to a routine that will make us grow into a better person. Maybe it is to eat healthier, maybe it is to act in a more favorable manner. Whatever the goal, we have to make adjustments to get that growth. Creativity is both inborn and learned. What does not come naturally to you may need to be practicticed. We feel the need to grow in creativity when life around us is flat in flavor and we feel that our actions can step things up one notch higher. Do you want to become a creative giant?

Do you have a creative buddy? Sometimes artists are known for being a "different breed" and for those reasons, we don't seem to always see things the way the norm does. I have found it extremely helpful to seek out other "artist types" or highly creative people in guilds, groups and businesses. Being in contact with others with creative minds are helpful to fuel and stimulate my own creative ways of thought. Gather with like-minded folks to grow and develop your creative ideas. You will not regret having that support system to bounce your creative ideas off of from time to time.

My cat Nymbus is sometimes a fixture in my creative zone work area.

Do you have a creative zone? Do you have a special place to visualize your goal? It doesn't have to be a rented studio loft or store front on main street. You may utilize an end of a small table, find a quiet nook, or use your outdoor patio or garage. A nice space or separate room will allow you to focus and routinely spread your creative wings in thought. Your creative zone is the space where you know you can expect great creative thoughts, actions, and productive products. I have a cute wooden plaque that reads: "Mom is crafting...go ask Dad!" It serves a a fair warning that when I am in my designated creative zone- I may want to be alone with my creative thoughts and project at hand. It's ME time!

Consistent creativity tests will make you automatically and painlessly used to the challenges of looking outside of the box. When your mindset has no boundaries, there is no limit to the creative endeavors you will want to both discover and develop. As a rule of thumb- if there has to be any level of rules here- use tactics for your benchmarks. In other words, if you feel like trying out a new product or technique take your time to learn a bit first. Maybe, you want to experiment with a new medium - let's say oil paints instead of acrylics. You surely do not want to invest your hard earned money or time jumping into getting the needed supplies and then later find that you do not care for the medium. Take small steps when you are creatively trying something new. Take time to research a product or technique before you decide to jump into a new venture with your whole heart. This does not mean that you are starving your creativity. This does mean that you can be just as creative taking small bites of new information so that you can properly digest and successfully enjoy what you are learning in your new creative experience.

Seek out "creative buddies", spread out your supplies in your "creative zone", and be prepared to challenge yourself with use of your creative bursts of energy. You are sure to sprout in a higher degree of creativity if you allow yourself to grow!

Breaking Down the Greeting

2011-01-01T03:19:00.000-05:00

Happy ~ New ~ Year! As we welcome 2011 into our lives, let's take a minute to break down the greeting. Blog readers: I wish you a very HAPPY/ NEW/ YEAR. We have heard those three words, we have proclaimed the saying to others, we've seen it in print in many different places. Now we are left to live it. Live the meaning for an entire year. Break it down into more than a greeting. Break down the greeting into an obtainable goal- a lesson to live for, three words to live by in 2011.

HAPPY- Take to heart the words "Don't Worry, Be Happy". That is also the title and principal lyric of a song by musician Bobby McFerrin. Released in September 1988. We are going to have problems this year. Reality will dictate that fact. In our personal and business life, we will have times of challenge. We might as well work on lowering our blood pressures this year and practice being happier at the same time. Tell yourself to be happy, or better yet... make someone else happy.

NEW- If you are alive and well this very second and you are reading this...you have been given the gift of new. It is up to us what we do with this day and the newness it brings. An Oprah Winfrey quote can sum up what I mean when I ask to celebrate the word new: "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

YEAR- O.k. friends, many things can happen in a years time. Right now we think that we have plenty of time to hit those resolutions, obtain those goals and strive to be a better person with a better life. It will flash before us like the rest of the years have done. If we get distracted along the way- and we will...keep these three words in the forefront of your mind to help you keep on track to remaining happy and new during this year. All and all G.K Chesterton sums this up nicely in saying that "The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul."
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !

Happy New Year wishes from Club Creative Studio. I wish you happiness, a new beginning, and a great year in 2011.

What Do We Stand For?

2010-12-31T20:27:00.003-05:00

If you are new to the creations of Club Creative Studio, this is an inventive written introduction of who we are and what we believe we stand for. If you are already familiar with our art, by reading this blog post we hope you find an accurate summary of what our art represents. I have selected words from each initial letter in Club Creative Studio, our business name. From this abbreviation, it is my hope that you learn and appreciate what the acronym means to us and what we stand for. Thank you for your interest in our fun and functional hand-crafted items. We love to share our artful creations.

Creative Lovely Unique Bold

Clay Real Cool Economical Available Online Transcendent Imaginative Vibrant Expressive

Sets You Apart Torched-Glass Unequaled Desirable Impressive One-of-a-Kind

Our Compliments to Complementary Colors

2010-12-29T15:32:00.002-05:00

Contrasting complementary colors are what liven up our work. It's elementary to Club Creative Studio. It's natural and second nature to mix our art clays in contrasting colors within our hand-rolled clay beads and within our hand-torched glass beads. Complementary colors are what brings the eye forward to reveal the "pop" of brilliance when presented together. Complementary colors are the colors that appear directly opposite one another on the color wheel. It is found in the dynamic contrast in hues within our art clay color mixing sessions, and glass application choices in our glass beads.

I have taken this visual test and recall sharing this art test of sorts to my art students and it works: stare at a single color for a few minutes and then close your eyes, its complement may appear in your mind as an after image. It is because the human mind craves the balance that the complementary color provides. When our art clay colors are being mixed, it is never from a "recipe" of adding a specific measurement of this color and a specific measurement of this color to end up with said color. I guess that is where the word natural comes into play to describe my color mixing technique. I feel that I must have a natural skill to combine colors together in correct proportions to be able to come out with strong color schemes, usually on the first try. After mixing the color combinations I then begin with the layering of the clays into my workable canes of colors and designs. The color wheel reference is used from time to time to try different combinations.

Mixing colors with my art clay is a balance of using contrasting colors, determining the amount of each color I want to use and considerations of the values and intensity of each color I want to use in the entire bead design. If I am satisfied with one batch or swatch, I can set it aside to use a pinch of it in other combinations. By mixing a lighter or darker version I can change the complements. I am also able to enjoy experimenting with different saturation for intensity changes.

The colors of choice for my hand-torched glass beads are a bit more straight forward since I rely on the initial glass rod color interactions and some of the combinations are beyond my control. I am in control however, of the color combinations to use together. When I begin, I keep in mind contrasting color areas for the contrasts I desire by partnering vivid colors with low-intensity tones of their complement. It is a carefully planned yet and instinctual calculation of proportioned color schemes combined to liven up and reflect on the color wheel.

If you are stuck for finding inspiration with complementary colors...look toward nature and the colors you will enjoy there in a flower garden. Notice purple flowers with yellow centers, reds and pink hues against green foliage, and a backdrop of blue sky behind brown and orange tinted rocks or pebbles.

Tame Talisman

2010-12-28T19:07:00.002-05:00

A new year beginning is almost always full of hopes, resolutions, goals and over-all growth. In line with a new age of self-discovery, finding the powers within ourselves, proclaiming our beliefs, our religion and the growing awareness of the many energies that can be both generated and found in our life and around us- we can all now know that it can be expressed in an artistic manner.

Adding/owning/giving/wearing something special to your everyday life that is also artistic in nature as well as meaningful to you can become a gift of luck, happiness, wealth, love, prosperity, and protection. These spiritual elements can be categorized as mysterious symbols in Christian, evil eye, feng shui, gemstone, Hamsa, hearts, horseshoe, Jewish, Kabbalah, peace sign, other religions, zodiac signs, and Solomon seal charms. Objects are thought of as a charm of sorts.

The word Talisman is a Greek word that means "to initiate into the mysteries". The amulet creation or other object is considered to possess supernatural or magical powers. Whether it is thought of as spiritual, superstitious or simply a creative use of charms is of personal interpretation. I have photographed and provided two rather tame creations on the variation of the talisman theme. A random charm necklace with mixed metal loops and hoops made to maybe convey the power of nature. And the green hand-linked Catholic rosary with a focal hand-rolled clay bead, used for the power of prayer. Good luck with your creations of gifts that add something special to everyday life with special meanings attached.

Remember To Breathe

2010-12-28T10:35:00.001-05:00

It has been a great year of creative growth and there are new ideas in store for the upcoming year. Creating Art That Sets You Apart continues to be the main focus of Club Creative Studio art. What is your mantra for the new creative year?

As the creative year of 2010 ends, remember to breathe a sigh of relief. Do you remember the relief you felt as you made it through creative road blocks? Recall the relief you felt when you worked through a specific creative problem.

Just breathe!

For me, whenever a creative problem arises, my first gut reaction is fear. I am afraid that the problem may not be able to be solved. Then, the tables quickly turn to the natural reaction of thinking of the problem as a challenge. Steps in solving the problem become the next chain of event process. The problems may be due to technique or individual circumstances dealing with your art. For example, there may have had a communication breakdown with a customer, or a missed deadline. Perhaps you promised too much in producing a custom piece of art or you made a costly miscalculation in material needs. Have you ever tried a new product or technique and failed at the first attempt to gain the level of success you expected? Whatever road block you encountered in your creative endeavor, the adrenaline rush of fear may have halted your speed reaction to solve that problem. What can you get in the habit of doing to make the alarm sound less blarring? Answer: Breathe!

You may have heard that "counting to ten" when angry gives you the needed time to refocus your thoughts and actions. The same can be said of stopping to take a deep breath. This method can be a useful ( FREE) tool in your creative toolbox. The shift will guide you from the threat and into the new focus challenge. Just five to six deep breaths should make a difference. You will find yourself becoming more creative and more effective. You will find that your focus will change over from fear and threat of failure to the rush of excitement of getting back in charge of your creative situation.

Remember to breathe...

Thich Nhat Hanh has a lovely meditation to use while concentrating on your breathing: ”Breathing in, I dwell deeply in the present moment; Breathing out, I know this is a wonderful moment.”

Make a promise to yourself in this new creative year to see your problems and take the needed pause. Figure out how to solve or work around your creative road blocking circumstances. Vow to not get too overwhelmed. In 2011, I have decided to find other ways to move toward the goals that have intimidating solutions. I will remember to breathe. Will you join me?

My Most Important Tools Aren't In A Box

2010-12-22T09:03:00.001-05:00

My most important tools aren't in a box. An artist's toolbox can consist of state-of-the-art equipment but, when the day is done, the reality is that the tools on the workbench need to be time-tested, efficient, and ready to use at any second for any stage of your creative project.

An artist relies on imagination and creativity in the production of their art but, they also need to have a system that is productive to their method and incorporates their skills and special techniques. They have to have the right tools available for a given task. They don't have to be high-tech. They do have to be useful. They should be proven by you that they have stood the test of time and will always work for you in your situation.

As an artist, you take yourself from idea to reality on a daily basis. To travel from creative points "A" to "Z" which means that you are aware that many steps are involved in your entire production process. The steps may include trial and error situations as well. The important tools that you have to use to make it through your process are the stepping stones to the manufacturing of your artful item. These tools have to be effective to you or they are rendered useless. They need to be efficient tools. They need to be safe, sharp, and they need to do the job easily that you intend for them to do- always.

I don't have a "tool box" full of equipment accumulated that is kept out of sight in storage. I do however, have tools "on display" of sorts, that are in immediate sight for me to use. My most important tools aren't stuck in a box waiting for me to pull them out for use. They are readily available on my design tables. All of the main tools that I need are placed close at hand for use. I have cute mugs with inspirational quotes on them holding various paint brushes. I have a few beaded decorated jars that hold items like small clay tools. I have rotating shelves and containers of items that I need for almost every task. I also have a few zipper shut travel size tool pouches that hold and organize my hand tools that I need. Most items in use also have identical "back-ups" for the times when one is misplaced or needs to be replaced due to over-use. It is always good to keep tabs on the tools that you have and replace them as needed.

Remember, vital instruments need to be close at hand so that they are utilized and found quickly. Evaluate your tools often for wear and tear for better efficient use of them. Make sure that you have plenty of tools so that you are never without and have to compromise for the tools that you heavily rely on as "must haves". Lastly, don't just collect tools in a tool box. Use your most important tools for your most important projects- your daily creative outlets!

Terms In My Trade

2010-12-01T16:45:00.000-05:00

I use techniques in my art that are included in a wide range of traditional and contemporary methods, with varying degrees of skill level difficulty. When I create, I am not tied to a certain method but, I do demonstrate what works best for me during a process. The most important ingredient needed for any project you do is enthusiasm and patience. Skill is also essential but, that can be learned.

A general rule for being dedicated to a project from start to finish would be to first take time to visualize the steps you need to take in order to get to an outcome in the end. Once you have visualized your goal, you can prepare with research, and then experiment. I experiment daily especially with design concepts and hand color mixing of my clays. Sometimes the simplest color combinations convey the most complex contrasts, it does not always happen automatically or naturally.

I have many samples, drawings, design boards and memo boards that serve as part of my planning stage. I feel that I have learned to work confidently because of my past experiences and my own intuitive love and application of color and self assurance of my talents and skills.

Another aspect of great importance are environmental issues. How do you tackle concerns and bi-products of making your artful item or incorporating it into your method of creation? Are you able to find products and materials that are biodegradable, or low-waste items? Some of my freely available tools are multipurpose. Reusing old spray bottles for spritzing water, recycled spice containers for storage, a few thrift store knitting needles or other unique items for clay working tools, broken common household kitchen items for textured effects are just a few that I have to mention in my studio.

Realize that everyone has a different style in taste and a different creative style. Allow yourself to appreciate the basic concept of imagination. Your personal interpretation will flow in as part of that creative process. Have fun creating!

Club Creative Studio

2010-11-30T00:37:00.001-05:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Club Creative Studio

View more presentations from Veronica Campos-Hallstrom.

Finding the Perfect Hand-made Gift

2010-11-27T09:12:00.000-05:00

Need to find a gift for someone special that has it all or is just plain hard to buy for? Consider a hand-made item. Giving hand-made items is not a sign of extreme frugality. In fact, it is actually a thought provoking action. It takes much more effort to seek out a hand-made item and it also definitely takes much more time and thought into creating it.

Club Creative Studio offers cost-efficient items both online and at craft fairs. The convince of finding unique one-of-a-kind gift items online are at your finger tips by viewing and ordering from the online store: www.clubcreativestudio.com

We have expanded our jewelry line to include many price points and have also ventured into making several new items that incorporate the hand-rolled clay beads and the hand-torched glass beads. I strive to create focal points for your everyday wardrobe, and now have created many items to be used and appreciated in your home decor efforts.

Our hand-made art is an excellent way to make a statement about your unique personality, interests, and lifestyle. To obtain a hand-crafted item shows that you have an eye and an appreciation for art and the artists you have purchased from. As you avoid the normal preference to shop and give gifts that are mass-produced, know that you are supporting the creative efforts of artists and own the sophistication of sharing enchanting expressive art.

Remember, when you bequest an artful item, you give gifts filled with imagination, distinctiveness, aptitude, substance, enterprise, zeal, style, and merit from your exemplary acquisition. Your efforts are appreciated for finding a great gift!

Color My World- With Paint Chip Samples

2010-11-09T15:01:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons why I loved being an Art Teacher in the past was because I had a range of freedom on lesson plans and how I wanted to introduce a topic and engage the students. Sometimes I miss that interaction time of instruction and inspiration of others on a daily basis. It is however, still a joy to get or give ideas based on a seemingly everyday or normal occurrence and turn it into a teachable or inventive moment.

Author, Keri Smith has a creative book out that I am experiencing called: How To Be An Explorer Of The World - Portable Art/Life Museum. It is a hands-on book, ready for fill-in-the-blanks, self-discoveries, and assignments. On page 41, there is a fantastic exercise that reminded me of a lesson plan that I made for my art students in the past. My lesson included the normal box of crayons and an additional larger box of a larger count and variety. The task was to investigate the names of the crayons and rename them or mix a new color and name that hue. Based on the student's life experiences, the color name choices ranged from personal (Dawson's dirty baby diaper) to inventive (kitty's fur ball gray) for example. The exploration in this book deals with paint chip samples. And, if I were still teaching I would use this as an exercise in creativity. It's really along the same line of thinking that I challenged my art students with several years ago. For example: in the book, a few paint chip samples are named: ladybug red, you are my sunshine, golden vista and calypso blue. The examples of what came to mind as an association were: ladybug red= my red shoes, you are my sunshine=Nana's House, golden vista=sunset on 01/09/08, and calypso blue=the mailbox. It would be fun to see how creative a class could be with this.

Storage for the Storage

2010-11-06T10:29:00.000-04:00

There are times that your storage system takes room and then you have to make room for your storage system plus the items you need to store. What do you look for in storage? It may be important to have a system look good, fit properly, take up as little space as possible, be portable, be stackable, and of course, hold the things you need to store securely.

I found, by accident a great system for adding to my storage and organization. It fits many characteristics that are favorable for holding many items close at hand. At Target, near the stationery aisle, there is often times a discounted area. This is where i found these collapsible boxes. They snap together and stack well. The available colors were bright and bold colors and the snaps on the sides make for portable storage as you need it. I paid only $2.00 per box. the original price was still manageable at $3.00 per box.

If you are looking for new storage, look in this section of a store from time to time, as well as in the home ware section where plastic bins or other containers are. You may find a great fit for the size items you normally work with. It feels great to have things stored attractively as well as easily. Best wishes for finding what works the best for your crafts.

This system was offered in bright colors and included a window for adding identifying content. It has silver tone details.

The flat box is pre-folded. It is easy to form by folding upward and pushing snaps.

The box snaps are fashionable and the finished boxes stack well for display purposes.

When not in use or for waiting use, the box can easily collapse again...great find!

Dreaming for a Reality

2010-10-08T07:49:00.000-04:00

If you have a creative mind you already know that it does not come with an "off switch". The right-brain users are commonly also lacking of sleep because of it. I am one of those, and I try to find ways to help me control the streaming information and ideas that come into my mind.

I keep notebooks around. I have one for the home and one for the car. I jot down ideas when they pop into my head and I cut and paste visuals if I do not have the time to process or act on them at the time. It frees my memory and it also is a sort of documentation for reference later.

When you have dreams, ideas, inspirations, goals and eventually projects in the works, you have a constant flow of information that needs to be sorted. When your dreams are finally your reality, you can look back on the notes taken and appreciate the creative steps the journey has taken you through.

Take time to save your best thoughts and keep them in the forefront to more readily help put your dreams into real time.

Mini Canvas Series

2010-10-03T18:03:00.003-04:00

The mini canvas series is a new category addition to the Club Creative Studio online items that incorporate hand-made beads and other elements. They are small stretched and primed canvas creations measuring two and one half inches by two and one half inches. Each item is one-of-a-kind and has various artful techniques used to complete the whimsical style or theme. They are available for quick and easy display because they arrive with a simple wood display easel that perfectly fits the canvas size. They are considered a mixed media item and are one-of-a-kind designs perfect for gift giving.

If you are wondering where one may place such an item, there are many suggestions to consider. It provides a perfect splash of color for any small spot. Any nook or cranny can be transformed by a focal point with art added to it. Create a special place where art is displayed and appreciated. Highlight a bare spot on a shelf, use as a decorative detail in a office waiting room or business space. It will provide charm to a desk in a dorm, and brighten up the decor of your recreational camper. Your art may contain and is not limited to containing hand-rolled polymer clay elements, office and craft supplies,torn papers, hand-painted and hand-stamped areas, charms, vintage jewels and other miscellaneous objects. Unique and petite. All canvas creations are priced afforably at $22.00 USD each. Each canvas is signed by the artist on the back as well. You have the option of also hanging this mini canvas on a flat surface such as a wall or attach a small magnet to the back side to adhere to a metal surface of your choice such as a refrigerator or a file cabnet.

Working With Distractions

2010-10-03T08:27:00.004-04:00

It is difficult at times to juggle the many elements of any given day that you would ideally like to be more controlled. It is difficult in today's life to remain focused. Everyday, we are challenged to work with the distractions around us and to work with the distractions we create for ourselves. To make a few suggestions and allow for the possibility of helpful considerations, I offer a few ideas. I do not have a ton of answers for how to remain on task or not be overly distracted for too long but, it is a process that can be put into practice.

I have a friend, Kristen of KRDesign, which is a Strategic Marketing firm that has a system that may also work for others. Her day is organized and blocked out in specific work times (task oriented times) which she expects herself to adhere to when possible. This chart is placed in a book that is seen often. There is no real difference between this list and having a calendar with the same information placed in it but, it is a written routine that is pre-printed out. It reminds me of my high school class schedule. We had a "block schedule" that included the same classes on a rotation in the week. Taking time to plan the day will be a less likely excuse to veer from it. The main reason that it is a great idea to plan a day is so you have that "vision" of productivity seed planted early when you awake. We know that the mere start of a "bad day" can turn your entire day upside down. Knowing what is in store (to a degree) can be controlled and anticipated with producing a day of satisfying progress.

Here he is, the reason why I am posting this particular blog. I introduce my kitten, Adidas. What an added joy to my life and...what an added pain to my day as well. First off...who can resist a cute ball of fur like this? I use our kitten to some extent, as a well deserved "break". He becomes too overwhelmingly adorable at times that I have to actually stop work in the studio to take time to cuddle. I would not do this in the day if it weren't for it's existence. I might think that without him, I might be more productive. It takes time out of my day and diverts me from the task at hand. However, it is my responsibility to care for and love the pet that we have taken into our family. It turns out though, that he is a type of therapy for me and my work day. Instead, I am finding myself taking and using the down time as a time to recharge- even if it is just for ten minutes. That gives me returned focus and a bit of urgency to get back to work at the same time. It works for me...to a point. The only added distraction is when the kitten discovers that he wants to be my assistant. His attempts are usually not appreciated by me. Hopping on top of a half way completed design or scattering beads to the floor is not progress to me. It takes a bit of time to redirect him or pick up the disorganized mess made. I deal with it altohough at times I feel like a have an active and spirited two year old child in the house working along side of me. the kitten will not be a kitten for long, so I will appreciate him and wait patiently for the day that he becomes a friendly lap cat and will do nothing but sit on my lap as a welcome distraction. Find your focus prompts, recognize them and adjust to grow from them. Best of luck for progress!
-Club Creative Studio.

The meaning of METROCHIC

2010-09-15T12:08:00.000-04:00

In an attempt to describe the term that you may have heard and are seeing on the streets today: the "Metro chic" look, I will tell you how I see it: "corporate-girl-gone-wild" look. And, I love it because once again Club Creative Studio offers items that fit into that category of style. The trend is energetic and experimental, with a bold dash of color. "Urban Cool" is the look that is inspired by the sights and sounds of a city that never sleeps. Jewelry trends now are imaginative and beautifully daring as they are fun, ultra feminine and have a slight edge as a twist.

High on the visual appeal in clothing for this trend which is predicted to carry over into 2011 is the pairing of silks and denim, and pearls and leopard print. With that visual in your mind, you can now add the ideas of combining the metro chic jewelry characteristics. Faux gemstones, opulent and transparent stones, edgy motifs which are ideal for turning heads and textured designs which create unique and polished looks.

Metro chic combines resin and acrylic faux gemstones mixed with semi precious or precious gemstones. You will also notice big singular bauble clusters of faux gemstones used to dress up an outfit and add a touch of elegance. Collar necklaces, link bracelets and chandelier earrings are included in this mixture of urban cool.

Celebrities in particular appear to be indulging in motif jewelry. The specific trends spotted are of snakes, flowers and birds. The theatrical piece that you will spot quickly is a grown-up accessory with a child-like name: Bib Necklace. The bib necklace is an instant style of color and material. The over-all design is bold, large and has texture with eye-popping appeal. Theatrical necklaces are created using multiple strands with large clustered beads, pearls, semi precious, or precious stones. The major presence in this season's shows. For those of you who enjoy a subtler style with a daintier and less dramatic look, a small but no less intricate and stylish appeal is also great and less super sized than a runway version.

When you think Soho, Madison Avenue, Broadway, 5th Avenue and Central Park, you are thinking of metrochic. Remember that Metro chic is the bold clash of color, shapes, and modern details- the vibe that is city-inspired but can have a focus on snakes, flowers and birds as spotted on many celebrities.

Full Steampunk Ahead

2010-08-15T10:28:00.003-04:00

The new jewelry trend that you have surely noticed by now is referred to as " SteamPunk" or "Industrial Chic". If you do not think that you know what this style is, you will... once you know the components found in the steampunk designs.

The parts and pieces that make up this style are just that: sections and elements of other items. Steampunk has characteristics of being industrial, quirky, uncommon, unusual, mysterious and interesting to the point of curious and comical. This style surprises viewers of the unexpected elements and highlights a diversity of "vintage charm".

The style includes but is not limited to the inclusion of items such as gears, springs, watch innards, old typewriter keys, buttons, rhinestones, hardware nuts, bolts, washers, wire, old photos, partial watch plate connectors, collectible odds and ends. Miscellaneous items that are found in a junk drawer or old tool box can be used in this art for example; old keys, charms, toy parts, dice, pottery shards, shells, lucite beads, antique tone beads, bottle caps, and loops. Basically, anything that has a vintage or antique feel to it is suitable for an authentic steampunk creation.

Steampunk style should relay a thought-provoking attitude, and a concept capturing essence of age and history. The color scheme is usually from the variety of metals used. It is an over-all eclectic look that embodies funk and mechanics.

Although the look may seem to be a little rough around the edges, that is the draw of this style. The main concerns from the artist in creating a steampunk design is obtaining a pleasing arrangement that is balanced in color and visual weight.

So, tackle your junk drawer(s) to unveil some miscellaneous treasures to be used as elements in your next creation in the steampunk fashion and popular-culture phenomenon. Some artists, like Club Creative Studio will gladly consider using your collection of "junk" to create a unique custom signature piece for you. Although this is not a "new" idea, as the steampunk movement has been around since 1987, you can place your own personal twists in the designs you create, or allow others to create for you in this wonderful style we call steampunk.

Tools of My Trade

2010-08-14T10:53:00.005-04:00

There are tools to my trade. Some tools are specific to the jewelry making profession, others are just items that I have found to be helpful and may seem odd to use. The photo above is a range of hand held tools that I use everyday. They are color coded and I usually know which one I need to pick up by either the color of the handle or the location of the tool as I place and replace it onto the work table surface. I'd like to share what each tool is for and comment on them as well.

Starting from left to right:

Wire Cutter (green handle). A wire cutter can be purchased in many different types of stores, a jewelry/bead store, a floral supply store, a "do- it-yourself" home improvement store, a craft store, a tool store, even a dollar store. They are not very expensive and so they can be resharpened or replaced as needed. I cut wire often and the gage of wire is not always the same. My cutters go dull quickly but, it is a must to have one on hand to cut any type of wire, nylon string from packaging, or even cut the end of a metal charm off. It is the number one tool that I use and need often.

Flush Cutter (bright green handle). This is a type of wire cutter but, the cutting jaws are angled for a more accurate cut. This cutter gets "flush" to the wire you are cutting and it is easy to place and see exactly where you want to cut.

Chain Nose Pliers (red handle). The pliers' jaws are flat on the inside and rounded on the outside. The flat surface creates right angle bends in wire. The rounded outside makes rounded bends. Their tapered point allows me to work in tight places. Pliers' tips are strong and solid foundation to twist or hold wire on one end.

Crimp Pliers (blue handle). Crimping pliers are specialty pliers that have two grooves machined into the jaws and are made to crush and close (fold over) very small crimp beads or tubes. Crimp pliers come in a few different sizes based on the size of crimp beads or tubes used. The one above is a "micro crimper" that crimps or secures smaller crimp beads.

Round Nose Pliers ( lavender handle). The name refers to the shape of the pliers' jaws. I use the round nose to create loops and creative curves in the wire. Most of the round nose pliers have a tapered point. That allows me to vary the size of any loop or bend, also making them consistent in size if looped or bent in the same location of the tip.

Round Nose Pliers (pink handle) is a smaller version of the lavender handle tool. The loops and curves formed with this are much more tight and smaller. Both tools are used interchangeably but they can also be used for a specific bend.

The tools that are not marketed specifically for the jewelry profession and are merely "invented" will be the topic of another post but, for now I did include one item (pictured) that I use on a regular basis that is not common on shelves of beads shops as a tool. I discovered it by playing a board game!

The board game of a jewelry artist's choice should be SCRABBLE. Well...until there are a few missing wooden letter docks, that is! The length of the grooved wooden plank that usually holds the Scrabble game letters (first item left to right in photo) happens to also be the average length of a person's wrist, for a bracelet. Thus, making for a great design shelf for planning and creating a bracelet. The beads can be placed in the desired order to be strung and it will end up measuring seven inches. You can adjust the length by ending the clasp at the end or just before it reaches the end of the mini shelf.

An Awl (second item left to right above) is used for making sure a hole in a bead is uniform and able to allow a wire or string to move completely through the entire bead. For snug fits, the awl makes sure that the pointed end helps ribbons and string move through a bead hole with out snags and smoothly.

Ruler The ruler is used at the beginning and at the end of my creations. In the beginning, I have an idea of the length I want the creation to end up being. Especially if it is a custom piece, the length is very important to get correct. It is always important to allow for extra wire in the beginning so that there is adequate wire for folding over at the ends. When I use links for a connection, it is sometimes good to incorporate extra or expendable options at the ends as well.

Needle Tool This is a tool with a very sharp metal end and the shaft is like a file. It is used to smooth out the inside of a bead hole and can also be used to poke a rough spot out of a metal charm, or make a hole bigger in a metal charm.

Flat Nose Pliers This is used like bent chain nose pliers (not pictured). The bent nose pliers have an end like a hook that grip wire and material in hard-to-reach-places. The flat nose pliers can also do that but, the jaws are entirely flat and smooth and can be sued to grip, bend, and flatten wire without marking it.

Determining your level of projects considers basic knowledge of some tools, materials and beads. The intermediate level person has skills that are working knowledge of basic techniques, tools, and materials. An advanced skill level has experience in technique or medium being used. An advanced skill level person accepts challenges and are looking to push beyond existing skills. Club Creative Studio finds that growth is evident and the moto: Be Creative Everyday is key.

I'd Like Some Cheese With My Whine!

2010-08-06T12:25:00.011-04:00

I love a good creative challenge. I also love when others help me to overcome a task that is ridden with questions. Recently, a friend (Jennifer) collected wine bottle corks and presented me with the challenge at hand. I did not whine for long.

How would I approach this magic trick? My mind is racing with a few ideas on how to tackle the first steps. I have found that the pure corks work best for cutting and I was able to smooth the edges with an ordinary finger nail file.

After a few trials and errors and after I was able to decide the best method/tool to use to poke a hole in the center of a cork, so that it broke as smoothly as possible. I was able to celebrate knowing it would all come together nicely. The necklace strand is made with simple wooden beads and spaced with a single seed bead.

The pendant section is a portion of one cork that is flanked with glass round beads and wooden disks dyed in the color green. I used silver and green tone wire as wrapped accents around the cork to add a touch of flair and funk. Since this is the first attempt, I am excited to see what else I can create. I would like to use the remaining pure cork stops for jewelry and then suggest that a cork wreath be made with the plastic coated corks, as to not waste them but, use to further her wine theme in the home as a decorative item- something different to appreciate with wine and cheese!

The second project also features a portion of a cork as well for the focal bead. I placed a brass spacer disk on top to make it look a bit industrial and rugged. The flowers are decorative brads that I often use in the packaging of Club Creative Studio earrings and it is also represented in our logo design. The brads are secured into the side of the cork with the metal point and a dot of jewelry adhesive. Metal butterfly charms and the hand-torched glass dot beads along with the peach colored ceramic beads finish out the entire look and feel of this necklace. It is unique and as always one-of-a-kind.

Thanks for the challenge and I will keep working on improvements and using ideas that are both fun and functional.

Artists...might be strange after-all

2010-07-30T15:59:00.003-04:00

You know you are an artist when...you go out and you are always stopping to notice the things around you.

I hate taking a dog out for a walk. Any type dog, on any length of a walk. I like the outdoors, I don't mind a stroll around the block. I HATE a constant stop and go motion of walking a dog though. If a dog likes to take one step, then stops, then takes another step, stop, sniff, take another step, stop, sniff, look around, go, stop etc. I go crazy! Get the picture?

However, if someone does not know me and watches me walk with my family...anywhere...I act like that same dog that I hate. I am the one that has to always take a small step, look around, take a photo, go in closer for another look, stop to feel, appreciate the composition of an object and tag way behind. No one likes to wait for me. Everyone is embarrassed to see me take a photo of something that is seemingly so ordinary. My family is sort of used to me after all of these years. What I might find interesting will never hold the same interest to them. So, they chalk it up to the "Artist" in me and leave it at that. Even if I explain why something has caught my eye, the experience is in the eye of the beholder.

Artists have a different mind-set. And I think that instead of explaining that fact, I will just continue to be me and have others continue to wonder what it is that makes me think that things like taking photos in the car while going through the car wash is so darn visually interesting because of the patterns the water and soap combine to make on the windows!

Giving A Hand-Made Gift

2010-07-30T11:22:00.006-04:00

Club Creative Studio offers solutions to a person who is looking to give a gift that has hand-made and unique qualities.

It is a tradition for some to recognize a certain time of the year for a majority of their gift-giving ventures to occur. But, I am writing to tell you something that you may or may not know...gift-giving has more than a season. Everyday in itself is a reason to give someone a gift. The gift can be given to yourself as well as other important persons in your life. We generally give gifts to people who have value to us.

When I sit down to design beads or jewelry, I really like to plan and I think of what someone may like. I plan the colors and the designs with the general public in mind. I may also have a specific custom request desires in mind or I may have a general look in mind that I create to appeal to an established fan or someone not familiar with our work yet.

The main reason of TRADITION is what we may be most familiar with in terms of why we buy something for someone.

It may be your tradition to give a gift for other reasons or to give a gift for no apparent reason. Both great habits to have.

Gift giving and giving something that is hand-made in particular provides an opportunity for one to creatively affirm personal bonds to their special friends or to people who appreciate the value of owning something unique. For me as an artist, it is a way of sharing my skills with others. I love to give gifts of my designs and I love when others do so as well. When you give a hand-made gift, you indicate that you are willing to put in the time and efforts for that person. If you give art as a gift that was created by an artist, you share support of that artist that created the unique item for your gift-giving occasion.

You may have been on the receiving end of being a customer who has been gifted a token of appreciation. Maybe you have received a promotional gift from a business in appreciation of your support. Companies share with employees for valuable contributions at the workplace. It is a great reason to share in the gift-giving spirit, especially if not expected.

Gifts also mark milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, special calender holidays, religiously recognized days, and other such occasions like special events including graduations, retirements, promotions, etc. Gifts are given for accomplishments. Winning the spelling bee, breaking a personal best record or reaching a long fought after goal. A gift is a great way to reward behavior. An additional opportunity for gift-giving is to give a gift as A CAUSE. We may be fortunate to have all we need and a comfortable life but, what about those who are not as fortunate? We can use the gift- giving occasion to bring ease to someone in a difficult situation.

Continue to have the gift-giving spirit. Your actions do not need to be extravagant or costly. Online shopping makes this option very convenient now-a-days because the payment options are easy, and the delivery can be done quickly for you. Club Creative Studio also considers the importance of their product presentation. We supply the added special touch by including a hand made, one-of-a-kind, protective fabric pouch for the safe-keeping of your purchased art. The gift bags that hold your treasured hand-made beaded item is also color coordinated for your completed visual gift.

The photo attached to this article is an illustration of a recent gift I made for a friend moving away from my neighborhood. The sea glass used was a valuable item I used to in turn make her a beautiful gift by which she may recall her times spent living by the east coast. Farewell and following seas to my friend and her family Keep in touch!

I Make it, You Love It, You Wear It

2010-07-30T10:12:00.005-04:00

This is a great example of a necklace made from Club Creative Studio that would look gorgeous with a lacy, white top for instance. Because it is dotted with a splash of colorful beads and sparkle sequins, it gives punch to a simple over-all look.

Wearing "theme jewelry" (as pictured below) gives one a festive and purposeful feeling to their fashion statement. Here, there is no question in your mind that the person wearing this appreciates ocean critters and they want you to know that!

To accent a top like a flowing tunic, there is a matching style that seems to compliment very well; anything with length.
When you look at jewelry, you get an instant reaction. Most of the time you decide right away if something fits your taste or does not. When I created this piece, I should have noted my personal mood. To me, this is reflective of a playful style and feel. It would look great wearing something casual, funky and fun with a go-with -the-flow evoked feeling.
A big-bead necklace may add an extra dose of color to a patterned wrap top. The accent color often blends with a pattern even it it is a "busy look" in your mind. The chunk-style necklace is always fun to wear because it shows a bit of boldness.

There are many opinions in the fashion world. We all draw upon what the experts suggest on the run-way and from what we end up seeing in the department stores we frequent. The fact remains that we buy what we LOVE. Generally speaking, we LOVE what is comfortable and eye-pleasing. Use the few ideas I mentioned with each of our photo examples. You will allow yourself to test if a certain style works for you, and agrees with your own personal taste in wearing or sharing our jewelry.

Thank you for wearing and sharing our Art That Sets You Apart!

Store It... Don't Stuff It

2010-06-17T15:02:00.007-04:00

It is really easy for those who frequent craft stores to get home after their purchase and be nothing but discouraged. It is not that they are unhappy with the treasures they have purchased, it is in the realization that they do not have the same great display shelves or storage capacity a store has. Wouldn't we love aisles, bins, baskets, shelves, rotating displays, hooks, etc. in our home craft areas? The problem for many is that we "stuff" our stuff, and don't "store" what we got from the store. To be productive, you need your supplies readily available.

IT TAKES TIME TO MAKE TIME:
Taking initial time to be organized in your work space will save you time for your creations later. If you are organized at the start of a project, you will have quick access to your items. You will then not waste time trying to remember where certain items are. Color codes, or file and label systems can work for just about any type of craft you need to manage. Once, instead of labeling many mini drawers with individual stickers, I thought that I would just memorize where items were. That was possible for me to do but, when I was tired, the memory wasn't as sharp. I ended up wasting more time trying to recall because it was not a consistent quick process.

BE CAREFUL TO CARE:
If you take time to be organized in your workspace, your items will have a greater chance of staying in a new or working condition longer. Take time to care for items by storing them in a proper manner. Correct storage and containers allow you to potentially avoid situations dealing with broken, torn, dulling, drying, fading, misplaced, or hazardous materials. It is a safe practice to safeguard your investment in your supplies.

RECYCLED REMEDIES:
It is a fact that if you have a passion for a particular creative outlet...you want supplies, need supplies, have supplies, collect supplies, hoard supplies and store supplies. Once we buy supplies, we are not really in the mood to spend additional funds on storage containers. We would much rather spend that money saved on more supplies! I have invested in a few inexpensive methods for my bead storage system. Some of my storage containers are also recycled and that saves on the environment as well. I have taken a few photos to share some of my easy solutions. Maybe it will work for you as well to adopt or adapt the same methods for your storage challenges.

MY METHODS-MY MADNESS:
1. After the spice rack was empty, I converted it into a revolving caddy for the items that I use on a regular basis an need close at hand. The clear containers allow me to see exactly what I need. The revolution of the stand allows me to grab a container quickly. The label is also on the top so I can read what is on the outer side of the caddy with ease.

2. Speaking of spices...I often use whole cloves in my wreath crafts and in home-made potpourri, so when I buy that supply and use it up, I wash the container it came in and take the label off. The one ounce container is great for small items with a low count. The BEST part of it is when I open the lids, I can usually still get a slight scent of cloves! I label the top to identify.

3. The initial idea with the small round favor tins was to hot glue the magnetic strips on the back of that container and then secure the see-through lid on and place it upon a metal sheet directly on my wall. The only problem with that idea was that my items were generally heavier than what the container could hold and it slipped down or fell often. Plan "B" is what I still use today instead. The same bead-filled magnetic bottom tins grasp onto an old cookie sheet. Each sheet holds 40 containers and they stack.

4. Many times I use zip-lock baggies. The snack size are great to grab onto if the content amount is small or if you want to group something by colors quickly. Large quart sized baggies are great for protecting larger items and the larger sizes can even protect papers from liquids.

5. The image that you see with the strung beads is a pipe cleaner with beads on a small section, the ends curled inward. This is my way of organizing my groups of hand-rolled clay beads. I can grab any strand quickly, compare it next to a different bead, remove and replace it easily and best of all see at a glance how many I have to work with. This is important for me since my beads are in limited quantities and I have to plan for the amount I can use.

Maybe you or someone you know uses or stores beads or other small objects. Share this site with them for the tips. I challenge you to adopt, adapt, or announce your storage solutions in a comment to this post. Happy housekeeping!

"What's New" News

2010-06-09T07:24:00.003-04:00

Happily, I announce that there will be a new section associated with the Club Creative Studio website. A "What's New" page will allow me to post a few highlighted photos and write about them in a special feature format. This will be a quick and easy way for you to learn more about a specific item, or a special event that is coming up, it may even include photos or quotes of revolving model customers wearing our art!

I am excited for this page to be added because I would like to be able to share more background information with you about inspiration, creativity or the steps that lead me to creating something new. While my designer Raundi, from Epic Web Design works her magic, the site may be temporarily shut down but, rest assured that the time will be brief and the improvements will be warranted.

Another improvement to your shopping experience will be the addition of a few more photo close-up options of each piece offered in the online shop. Currently two photos are provided along with a detailed description of each art piece available. The ability to supply you with an option of viewing a total of up to four images of each item may further bring the piece to life.

With customer suggestions and your needs in mind, I hope to further develop products and presentation to your valued approvals. Thanks for your patience and I hope that you continue to visit the site and online store knowing that you have improved information available!

Special Delivery- Our New Product

2010-06-03T15:32:00.007-04:00

Announcing: Club Creative Studio's new line item:

KEEPSAKE RIM TRIM Featuring: Club Creative Studio's, one-of-a-kind, hand-rolled clay beads.Enhance your floral arrangement and transform a common vase into a reusable keepsake. Colors of beads will vary. The beads will compliment flowers used in the initial designed arrangement.

This item is available exclusively as an "add on" item to a floral arrangement designed by Special Arrangements Floral & Gift Shop, Jacksonville, NC, by way of their teleflora services/website.

It is exciting to share this new item line with you! It is both a decorative and functional item for the home. It will compliment your floral arrangement and add an additional splash of color!

Thank you for your interest in Art That Sets You Apart!

FANTASTIC FAN!

2010-06-02T01:58:00.003-04:00

AND THE WINNER IS...

Club Creative Studio has recognized a particular "fantastic fan" as being the 110th person to support the arts on our facebook page! More details to come as KAMEEKA has been officially notified by e-mail. I hope that she will share a photo with us in the future.

I appreciate all of those who have spread the word about our art and especially thank Kameeka for joining the crowd.

Keepin' It Fresh

2010-05-21T19:31:00.007-04:00

A creative person for the most part... feels the need to create on many different levels. Creating the same type of art or craft in the same way may make for an "master of technique" but, that isn't always enough. Speaking for myself and perhaps others, the additional challenge comes by way of how something can be created differently. Using your trial, errors, and successes to create a new product or different method of creation all together is challenging but rewarding.

Providing yourself with opportunities to "keep it fresh" challenges you to explore your own limitations and scope of imagination. Remember the phases of Picasso, for example in the Rose Period or Blue Period? If an artist does not try something new from time to time, their art may become routine to them and show in their expressive work. I even find that I am more productive if I allow myself to move around my work station, to work on several tasks at one session. If I get frustrated or distracted, I simply move to a different focus area and carry on. My productivity is not interrupted, it is merely switched in tasks. This is not always my consistent method or usual work ethic but, I allow myself the option of moving on from a project if I need a fresh view of something else. It's a "re-focus" time so to speak.

For the sake of keeping products fresh, developing new line items is also an important expansion effort. I am on a continuous hunt for a variety of ways that I can possibly incorporate my hand made beads. Club Creative Studio is about to launch a few new concepts. Each new line item is planned and perfected to showcase the hand-made beads we create. We strive to provide a festive decorative item as well as a uniquely functional object of art. Also, our mantra/motto: "Art That Sets You Apart" is a constant reminder that our art must continue to hit the mark in originality. And it is great to have a goal to work toward on a daily basis.
It is that particular challenge that is also a rewarding aspect of creating in the first place.

Club Creative Studio

2010-05-17T19:16:00.003-04:00

Something Similar

2010-05-16T08:01:00.006-04:00

How do you stand apart from the crowd when you purchase items in the same market place as everyone else? Easy...the solution lies in choosing something that "Sets You Apart" and is never duplicated. The unique qualities of Club Creative Studio's creations are ALWAYS one-of-a-kind.

Value knowing that no one else will ever have the same item!

Many do have similar tastes about a particular color, style, theme or design that we already have produced. In these cases, we strive to create something similar but never in duplicate. How do we keep track of that? Easy... after each creation, we document each piece with photos. Your creation is copyrighted upon completion. Exact duplication is not a issue because our beads and designs are completely original. With our hand-made items, there is no risk of anyone else making the same beads. They simply can not do the same just as we can not do the same after our beads are gone.

One reason why our beads are created in limited quantities, is that we do not want to allow ourselves to create items that have the same components, look, or feel. It is essential to remember that variety is key. It is the reason why we say that our Club Creative Studio has Art That Sets You Apart! It does not matter if we speak of one of our jewelry items, or something else that incorporates our beads...it is always unique, festive, and hand-crafted.

A few words about custom-made pieces: Isn't it a pampered feeling to know that something was created specifically with you in mind? Basically, everything from Club Creative Studio is already created with you in mind but, if you have a specific request or need, we welcome new challenges. On most occasions, we can also make a change to an existing product. Sometimes, we are asked to make something similar to what may have been sold from the website. That is an easy request to fulfill. There are also times when we are asked to create something "new" from something that is "old". We are often given broken jewelry and asked to use the components in a new creation. And, we have taken family heirlooms and created several different items from the single original item. All situations lend variety to our day and we love taking our service to the next step. It is all part of the experience of creating and sharing what we create. And it is why we always like to say: "Thank you for wearing and sharing our art".

A Cause For Creativity

2010-05-06T22:21:00.002-04:00

It is a cause for creativity and creativity for a cause. By a "happy accident", I discovered and started following an interesting site via Twitter. The organization has introduced me to a grand creative opportunity to further "share the love" of beading and share the colorful and original hand-made beads that Club Creative Studio creates. Check out the website for more details on what has inspired me to consider making regular donations.

Beads of Courage found at: http://www.beadsofcourage.org

I will be thrilled and proud to become a regular participant in this wonderful cause and call for putting creativity to work for other's symbolic hopes. I hope to also bring smiles to those who need it, because making beads always brings a smile to me!

Top Ten Reasons Why I Enjoyed The Craft Fair

2010-05-01T22:42:00.002-04:00

There are many good reasons for attending a craft fair, or participating in one.

1. Meeting New People- I have the opportunity to speak with art lovers!

2. Informing Others of Our Art- I enjoy sharing the informational details of the artistic process just about as much as sharing and selling the final product.

3. Supporting the Arts- It is always a thrill to learn that an artist's time and talents are admired. Appreciating the efforts of an artist gives support to their craft and expressions.

4. Learning Experience- I use craft fair time to speak with customers about the colors they like, the styles they are drawn to and also what they desire me to create in the future.

5. Provided Services- There are many venues to interact with Club Creative Studio and I am able to pass along the information about face book fan page, updated blog, purchase methods, where to find our art, website updates and special features, and the twitter account.

6. Special Features- For the promotion of a new item line, I take advantage of this time to introduce and point out the details surrounding the particular product. It is fun to share my excitement with others about a new or ongoing project.

7. The View- Often times, I suggest to a customer to try on and view in a mirror how certain jewelry looks on them. The desired length of a necklace, for example is a personal choice and so taking the time to ensure a desired fit is important. I am especially thrilled when a "try-on" turns into an instant "model" and the customer decides to wear it on the spot!

8. Outdoor Experience- Although the weather conditions are unpredictable, having an art show outdoors seems to bring about a "fun festival feeling". And, because the atmosphere is so different from a normal day in the studio where most functions are indoors, I appreciate the change in scenery.

9. Creative Display- Although sometimes space is limited and there are other display challenges, it remains fun (despite time-consuming) to arrange our art so that it is pleasing and functional for you to view when you visit our booth or display area.

10. Natural Lighting- The convenient opportunity of having jewelry seen in natural lighting is a plus for color accuracy against your skin tone or clothing fabrics. When you visit the website, the photos that I supply are not taken with a flash so that the colors appear as true as possible through the lens. The best situation is to be in great natural light and an outdoor craft fair setting lends itself to that great situation.

Those were my top ten reasons why I enjoy participating in craft fairs. Thank you to Coastal Carolina Artists & Crafters Guild for sponsoring two annual events that I gladly always chose to participate in.
-Club Creative Studio

Craft Fair & Car Show

2010-04-30T15:45:00.002-04:00

I am an active member of the Coastal Carolina Artist & Crafters (CCAC) guild, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. If you are in the area of 421 Court Street, we are having the annual Spring Craft Fair & Car Show in downtown Jacksonville at the historic River Walk Park. From 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. Club Creative Studio would love to see you and we welcome your interest!

We are celebrating the arts and the 275th Birthday of Onslow County.

It is free event to attend and admire and purchase from over 35 artists represented. There will be a special area for the children and food is provided by the area Onslow Shriners organization. Portion of the proceeds benefit the Shriners. Day long raffle from CCAC guild member's contributions. Car show trophies awarded at 2:00 P.M. Scavenger hunt for you to participate in, painted umbrella contest public display, birthday cake cutting ceremony and cake served at 3:00 P.M. while supplies last, umbrella winner announcements. made at that time as well. Scavenger Hunt winner announced at 3:30 P.M. Hope to see you there!

Motivation from the Mountains

2010-04-23T03:06:00.005-04:00

Everything around you and any place you go can serve as a source for creativity. The Club Creative Studio artists strive to be aware and open to their surroundings and the creative possibilities that can come out of a seemingly "ordinary day".

Aspects that can make the world a better place, are right in front of you. Start by being aware of the next sight that inspires you to be creative. It is your creativity that will make the world a better place! A recent visit to a local shop filled with prom gowns for example, was an overwhelming yet satisfying few hours of gathering mental visions of color combinations both popular and unexpected. I was inspired by the prints and sequins, and thought those ideas would make beautiful beads. An upcoming trip to the mountain regions of western North Carolina will serve as inspiration for me as well. I plan to take many photos and incorporate the colors that I notice there, into Club Creative Studio's upcoming beads. I hope to be motivated by the mountains.

I hope the mountains are further inspiration for me to incorporate a bit of natural or raw look to some future beads. Usually, I love creating using bright and bold color combinations. The "back-to-nature" ruggedness will become yet another different style offered to chose from.

The color combinations found in Club Creative Studio beads are not mixed by accident. They are deliberate reflections of inspirations drawn from my surroundings on a daily basis. I will share upcoming examples on how the gown shop and the mountains directly influenced how a series of beads turned out. It may further illustrate how the motivation went from a molehill to a mountain and the final product will reflect the sights and surroundings I experienced.

To be continued...
-Club Creative Studio

Hand-made with Heart-strings

2010-04-22T07:27:00.008-04:00

Hand-made items contain heart, soul, and emotion from the artist. Those qualities could be reflected in your reasons why you are drawn to hand-made art items as well. Club Creative Studio invests time and talent into the creation of hand-crafted beads. Insuring that an item is created with care and originality is a proud point in knowing that item is truly unique. It is one reason why persons prefer to purchase handmade items. It is the main reason why we say that our beads are works of Art That Set You Apart.

When you find an item that is hand-made, you should automatically realize that someone has dedicated their creative energy and time into the final product. Some may assume that because a person has "creative talent" it is easy for them to whip something up quickly and not spend time on a plan for the outcome. For me, the plan may be in my mind already but, it may have been inspired directly from something preplanned like a sketch, a prototype sample item or even something designed that did not work out well for some reason. A plan is involved.

The new item line that will be announced soon, has been in my mind for the market for almost a year. The inspiration was to find a functional and fun way to display Club Creative Studio beads...and this is it! This product will have combined heart-strings as it includes the artistic endeavors of another profession. This item will become a reusable keepsake as well. Continue to check this blog site and the Club Creative Studio fan page for more hints and information about this new item. I continue to be excited for the debut and the launch of a very creative and eye-catching item to enhance your home.

-Club Creative Studio

NEW PRODUCT LINE ANNOUNCED SOON!

2010-04-17T19:50:00.004-04:00

I am extremely thrilled to announce a new item in our product line. It is a unique, creative and functional item that incorporates Club Creative Studio's hand-rolled clay beads. Hint: It is NOT jewelry.

It will be available very soon, in an exclusive shop. Keep checking the Club Creative Studio fan page, the Club Creative Studio blog and a "special feature" section on the Club Creative Studio website.

New Items to the Club Creative Studio Website

2010-04-14T14:29:00.003-04:00

Visit the Club Creative Studio online store often, you will see two photos of each item posted.

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com/

Offering several items, updated often with new designs available.

My Imagination Station

2010-04-13T07:23:00.000-04:00

Inspired by the goal of "Being Creative Everyday", Club Creative Studio completes the challenge on a daily basis, without fail. The work space may be small but, the production and demand is growing. It is a continued thrill to create everyday!

There are a variety of steps in designing jewelry. Because many of Club Creative Studio beads are also hand-made, there are additional stages of creation to consider. Making just one bead may take twenty or more minutes depending on the technique used. Time well spent. It is why we say that Club Creative Studio Art Sets You Apart!

My creative work space is not limited to four walls and a table. Sometimes, I need to be outdoors. Sometimes, I work while I travel in the car on the computer. Sometimes, I work while I sleep... dreaming of color combinations or designs! All of those methods are constructive.

The starting point of creation is IMAGINATION. It is the stem of what is rooted in technique and our distinct styles. Completed beads, environmental surrounding, visuals from stores, inspirational photos, art magazine articles, online research or plain old "people watching" may also dictate where the next starting point will be in creating a piece of wearable art. Not everything has to come from an natural talent or skill. Sometimes well thought out plans work best to organize the outcome or specific look of a piece. Both need to be interchangeable aspects. It is important to balance the effective use of creativity and work in a productive space. My "imagination station" has had to become a flexible studio to accommodate the places I go and the space that I need to utilize my creative outlets. So, in a way...my imagination takes me where I need to go. And, it is a welcome surprise to stumble across a new destination by way of my imagination station!

Spring fever, fresh colors and bright beginnings.

2010-04-10T09:09:00.000-04:00

I am taking the gentle turn into the season by adding lighter shades into the clays, in an attempt to welcome spring. I hope to mimic the color combinations around me. My outdoor adventures help me take note of the color changes. By admiring the budding trees and taking notice of the trends, you will see fresh and lighter color combinations all around you.

I will be making a special point to add white clay to my color mixing so that the pastel shades emerge. Some of the colors you can look forward to are happily "accidental". I do not measure or mix colors in bulk. I just add a pinch here and here until the result is pleasing and cohesive with another tint. I other words, with my hand-mixing...there is no set recipe, the tints are made by having the confidence in mixing without ending up with "mud". Some colors that I plan to incorporate already have assigned names because of their inspirations. Among those named are: sea foam, sand, gull cream, azalea pink, lily pad and Augusta green, coral, furn gully, spring rain, blue grass, mum fest, asiatics, rose petals, daffodil, and blue bird.

It may be billed as a time for new beginnings but, that doesn't mean that you need to abandon those darker colors that you may like or are drawn to wear. If you label yourself as being an "autumn" person for example...you may like knowing that those gem tones look great on you. However, you might be wondering if you should take those colors into spring. Fashion is funny, personal and trendy at times. It may depend on your clothing choices and it may depend on your moods. It may also depend on your activities. The carefree days of summer, for example tend to call for a simple look or theme for the day. Club Creative Studio creates one-of-a-kind, hand-torched Italian glass beads on a simple cord that lend to this non-complex fashion feel and look. You can mix it up in the evenings, wearing something more substantial or with a piece with a specific theme like nautical or floral. The trends turn from colors to textures of the season as well. Sometimes, a highlighted stone or rock, a simple chain or knot, or a faucet cut crystal gives a different outlook of simplicity around your neck, wrist, or a dangle in earrings. If you want to follow trends, just "window shop" and see what is predicted or out there now. This doesn't mean that you have to follow those trends. If anything, you will know what to work against, right?

Whatever your style, personality, or personal taste dictates...that is what you like...that is what you buy...that is what you wear.

Creative Ideas from your own "Artist Eyes"

2010-04-05T16:53:00.000-04:00

If you are looking to be inspired by art or just want to see it more readily... try to look around you with an "artist's eye". Let me elaborate:

I went into a local quilt shop to pass time as I waited for someone else in a hair salon nearby. I was warmly greeted by the quilt shop owner and because they were busy, I was also left to have browse time without interruptions. It was great to look around freely at all of the vibrant fabrics. There was such variety in bright and vivid colors and patterns. Many prints reminded me of the beads that I already create but, I was inspired by different color combinations. Time passed by and I had apparently been in the quilt store for about twenty minutes. By this time, the crowd had died down and the owner had time to approach me. She asked me if I was a quilter. I replied "No, I do not even sew." To her surprise, I should not have even had that much interest in looking around, let alone stay for the amount of time I had. I explained that I was an artist merely admiring the prints and patterns, she then understood that my focus was going to be an appreciation of the store's visual merchandise. I did end up buying some items though.

What would I buy at a quilt shop if I am not a quilter? The items that I did purchase were items for quilter's needs specifically but, I saw them in a different light. I saw the items with an "artist's eye". The buttons there, I saw as potential beads and connector shapes in my jewelry. The pattern for a purse, I saw as another way to incorporate my beads into the handle of a finished project. Within the mini wall hanging display, I imagined it being a great backdrop for a jewelry display with a beaded hanging string. There were other ideas that flowed into and out of my mind, so the notebook that I keep in the car was useful when I left the store. I'd store those ideas for later use.

When you are looking around, try to think of other ways that you can use your jewelry in a different manner. Why hide your necklaces in a jewelry box? We hang our earrings on a screen window hung on the wall. The screen holes are perfect to keep the earrings with their match. They are on display like a framed piece of art. We also hang glass necklaces around a lamp shade and the colors "light up" when the shade is lit. Bracelets and necklaces are on hooks and wooden plaques as well as on behind-the-door clothing hooks so that the art can be seen once the door is closed. I am looking for a large screen door to prop up in a corner to add even more earrings, bracelets and necklaces from. It will all be in one place and also serve as a central spot for color and artistic display. I use my bracelets and necklaces for curtain tie backs, to decorate a candle holder base and to wrap around bows for gifts. What ideas do you have?

Gift Giving- Sharing the Talent

2010-04-03T13:21:00.000-04:00

Gift giving is easy for me to help you with. If you know you are giving to someone who is into festive jewelry or beads at all, you may find something online to give from the items offered in the online store Club Creative Studio collection. Even if they are not into wearing jewelry, they can still use a gift for someone else. Once one learns that Club Creative Studio's products are hand made it becomes special merely knowing that there is nothing else like it in the world. Not only are the designs exclusive but, the hand-made beads are made in limited quantities when created. The Italian glass beads are one -of-a-kind as well. This appeal offers one to consider finding someone to give to, even if it is for themselves!

I consider myself pretty lucky to be able to make my own gifts and sometimes even give it to myself! If I feel like it, I can make a new necklace, earrings and matching bracelet to wear today, or the next day. I can very easily pick up my spirits by creating for myself. But, that is really not what I am about. I enjoy the fact that I am also able to spread my talent and share with others. This is what really gives me the most joy... sharing my talent.

It is very rewarding to me as a creative person to know that what I produce is an artistic value to others. It is important to me to have the opportunities to share my craft. That is the main reason why I have published an online store. I wanted my art to be accessible to many people who can appreciate wearable art and other hand-made items. I wanted people to be able to look at a collection and find what they want in their own time. I wanted it to be easy for someone to order and pay for a purchase. I have all of those aspects in the Club Creative Studio website. I am thankful for those who are inspired by the creations they see on the site and for those who purchase gifts...for others or for themselves.

Thanks for wearing and sharing Club Creative Studio Art!

Spreading the Word about Club Creative Studio

2010-03-31T10:42:00.000-04:00

I am VERY appreciative of support from family, friends and friends of friends (whom I personally do not know) who have listed themselves as Club Creative Studio fans on the face book fan page to date. I love that a good thing can spread like a wild fire if the word is passed along to someone who either likes jewelry in general, has an obsession with beads, or maintains the valued concept of merely looking at or owning an art item that is a one-of-a-kind, handmade creation. I have a grin from ear to ear on this subject.

Thank you for your continued efforts to spread the word about our art!

Spreading the word about Club Creative Studio by word of mouth, face book, or from reading this blog is an easy task for you to help me with. In today's society, most of us are lucky enough to have or know someone who has the capabilities to make a connection almost instantanious with another person or a group of people who might be standing right in front of them. Also, we can quickly touch base with so many who actually live across the globe. That helps me know that I can more readily share the resulting product of my passions, and continue to be creative for my own satisfactions and for others to admire and purchase.

I look forward to sharing a slice of myself as part of the creative process of making Art that Sets You Apart!

-Club Creative Studio

Local Craft Fair Participant

2010-03-28T17:53:00.000-04:00

I just wrapped up another two day craft fair weekend. It was a successful indoor event.
Taking part in a local craft fair is entertaining and exhausting at times. It takes time to prepare and set up an appealing and functional display area. That is the main challenge. Your space allotment is limited and you are concerned with lighting and traffic flow as well. But, it can also be a very rewarding experience. For me, it is a great time to introduce new art lovers to my craft. Those that are familiar with what I produce, look specifically for my Club Creative Studio logo to locate me. They are the fantastic returning customers that enjoy coming around to see what is new at the tables.

It is a valuable opportunity to be able to speak and meet with people who are interested in you. I love informing others of the process that goes into making my beads. I especially enjoy seeing a reaction of wonderment and disbelief, as I elaborate on the fact that I actually CREATE the individual beads that are incorporated in a completed necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings. Many are amazed too, of the amount of time put into the production of the final products.

The next time you are in attendance of a craft fair, stop to appreciate the vast amount of talent that is exhibited in one central area. It is empowering to learn how many artistic or crafty people use their time and talents to make this world a more beautiful place for us all! Also, know that they all work hard to present to you and that they are probably exhausted at the end of their day(s) just like you are by the time you walk into each and every vendor booth.

Thank you for supporting the Arts by attending and purchasing from local craft fairs and thank you for taking time to get to know an artist in your community.

Color Combos

2010-03-26T12:01:00.000-04:00

This is a new endeavor for me to set up and then maintain a business blog. I hope that it is useful for us to share the creative process with you as we create our art.

I am in constant observance of my surroundings for possible color combinations to mix from my clays for our beads. Inspiration is abound, and I make visual and mental notes every day on that topic.

I welcome your help by giving suggestions for color trends that you notice, like or just find interesting. Share your opinions on what catches your eye or a color scheme you are drawn to over and over again. Even informing me of your personal favorite color helps me decide what type of bead I will create!