artsy inspiration

dogblogtv.com

I know I've shared this on my Dare to Dream blog before...but just tonight received and email from dogblogtv.com letting me know they have added a new mini movie of their sweet and funny yorkies!  This time, they shared their youtube access so that we can share the actual clips!  If you've never visited dogblogtv.com, you can see all the movies which are wonderful!  oxox

Crazy about Pink

 

I'm crazy about the color PINK!  What's not to love?  I know that when deciding if I should purchase something, if whatever I'm eyeing is PINK, chances are, I won't be able to resist it.  Etsy has come up with something fun....it's called the Etsy Treasury.  I just made a pink list for fun.  Wanna see? oxox

Simply Charming

I just happened upon an awesome blog dedicated to a charm swap hosted by Ruth Rae.  You've just go to see it.  Many of the artists give step by step instructions on how to make their charm.  Wonderful!  oxox

New Collage Sheets and Fun Sites to See!

Here's a little peek at my new collage sheet "for the birds"....actually, I don't remember if I named it that. :)  but if you like it, you can get one for yourself right HERE!  Alpha Stamps is such an incredible site with so many goodies...I'm so thankful that they've decided to relieve me of the job of printing, shipping, emailing of orders...I'm just so dang bad at it!  I've been making some fun new sheets such as "seashells", "school days", "the witching hour".... if you can think of anything specific you're wanting in vintage ephemera, let me know and I'll do my best to make something for you!

Here are some fun sites to peek into.....I just LOVE The Star City Sound  I'm dying for this vintage necklace she has.... I'm also in love with her wonderful little broach bouquets... you'll have to go see her treasures and tell her I said HI!

oxox

I've Gone Amazon Shopping Today...

oh mama, I've been saving up some amazon gift certificates and went on this HUGE FUN and FREEE spending spree.  How could I not share the goods with you....or at least make you just a teensy bit green with envy??

First on my list was a preorder....I'm very excited! Sally Jean's new book!

Next on the list....I bought the most YUMMY
lotions, all are "buttercream frosting" and yes, it totally smells like it, this is better than the yankee candles and those are good. 

I got some more books....
Country Living Easy Transformations: Small Spaces and Cozy Corners

Carolyn Westbrook Home

Artists' Houses

Finally, my BIG purchase was for a metal punch set.  I'd purchased a cheap on on ebay and it was just that...cheap.  I guess you get what you pay for...but hey, I didn't pay for this one...i used my gift certificate.  :P

Ok, enough excitement...it's time for bed.  oxox

Posy

I've stumbled upon the most beautiful journal.  It's called Posy. 

Tools that Make Art Easier!

There are so many tools around that make life easier. I'd love to share a few of my favorites. These are things that I wouldn't want to live without. Most can be found online or at your local art store! One of my favorite new beading tools for making a wire loop is something called wire looping pliers  or coupling pliers.  I'm constantly amazed at how few people know of this tool...even bead store owners!  When learning the basics of jewelry making, one of the things that drove me nuts was trying to make that perfect wire loop. You're supposed to make a bend in one direction in the wire using one type of pliers then re-grasp the wire in another place with a different type of pliers, wrapping the wire around the cone shape.  With the Wire Looping Pliers, you can forget the above.  One side is concave, the other side is rounded...the two fit together like a puzzle piece.  You simply squeeze your wire with these pliers and presto, an automatic bend....you grasp the lower portion of wire and pull down and grasp the top part of the wire and begin looping around the round part of the pliers.  Perfect loop every time!  Do you see that the cone or round side of the pliers have different gradations?  This way, you can make specific sized loops that are exactly the same every time.  I'd never do wire work/beading without them. 

Another AWESOME tool is the Fiskars hand drill.  I first saw this in use while taking a class from Keith Lo Bue.  Up to that point, whenever I needed to do any drilling, I would use my dremel, which can be time consuming....locating an empty outlet, fighting the cord, etc. (don't get me wrong,  I LOVE my dremel when I have a million scrabble tiles that need holes...very quick.  The Fiskars drill is perfect when you need to make one or two holes...it's easy for traveling (artfest or classes).  The Fiskars hand drill is a total dream and like the pliers, very inexpensive.  I have used this drill to make holes in metal, wood, walnuts, coins, scrabble tiles and even to drill holes in the wall needed to fit screw anchors for hanging shelves.  It uses the average drill bits and comes with some of its own.  I recommend buying some small bits if you want to use this for jewelry making, etc.
You'll not be sorry for getting some Irwin Quick Grips either.  I bought a package of 2 at Lowes before the LoBue class per his recommendation, and use them anytime I drill.  They're tiny, easy to use and perfect for small projects!  Let me know if you have any favorite gadgets!  oxox

Artsy Inspiration

   

Hi and welcome to my new blog!  I'm going to share tips, review products and books, share projects I'm working on, how tos, inspirational places to go online, and whatever else comes to mind.

If you have questions or comments, don't be afraid to contribute, the more the merrier!  oxox, tracy