I'm Back :)

Well, would you believe, my mojo has finally returned! It's been a long time coming, but I knew it wouldn't desert me for good. I'm in a much better place these days, partly because of my creativity, but I needed to get back into my creative groove in order to get me out of a bad rut I'd fallen into, and getting my hands dirty whilst using my creative energy seemed like a good way, as it occupied my time and my mind. So here I am with a quick catch up of what I've been up to.

 I did an art course a couple of years back. I absolutely loved it! It was designed to make me face my fear of art, a fear that had its roots in a cruel act of ridicule my primary school teacher dished out in front of the whole class, about a piece of art I'd done. He was really cross because he said I'd wasted an old net curtain his wife had kindly donated to the craft supplies. I had been really chuffed with my bright yellow net curtain daffodil collage, but he said his 3 year old daughter could have done better. Why oh why do some people enter teaching?!! Anyway, his critique of my creativity completely killed my confidence, and I grew up with a fear of painting and drawing.

The art course was brilliant, it gave me a chance to experiment with lots of different media and techniques, and the tutor was so encouraging and had a cracking sense of humour.  The whole group had a blast!

But once the year long weekly course was over, I completely stopped. My mojo deserted me. I hadn't a clue what to do, what kind of art I wanted to pursue or what mediums I wanted to work with. My personal life was also pretty crap at this point, so my confidence was low, and I couldn't muster the enthusiasm to do anything remotely arty.

Then a couple of months back I started watching Youtube videos on art journaling and mixed media. I fell in love! I had found what I wanted to do, and as for which mediums to use... well, the world was my pallette!

I'm slowly building up my supply of materials as and when funds allow, and experimenting by making some basic homemade supplies. I think it helps my creativity and helps me to think outside of the box, utilising stuff I readily have around the house, and it gives me a buzz knowing I've saved money. I haven't development my own personal style... I reckon that's quite a way off yet. I'm just enjoying the process of learning for now, and I've joined a couple of online mixed media/journaling groups for inspiration and advice.

Here are some pieces I've recently completed:

 Mixed Media Tag

 Mixed Media Canvas

Mixed Media Polymer Clay

 Background Paper - oil pastels and ink

My art journal started out pretty basic, but as I've progressed I'm learning more about layers and textures and applying them to my art.

Journal Cover

Journal Pages

Poppies

I've neglected my polymer clay making of late, and as I adore Poppies I thought I'd try my hand at making one. I'm pleased with the way it turned out, but undecided if it will be a pendant suspended from a black suede thong, or made into a brooch. I made a slightly different one for myself which is on a fine silver chain.

Poppy

I've just remembered I bought a pack of silver precious metal clay about a year ago and still haven't made anything with it. It's a very different material to polymer clay, but I'll have fun experimenting with it!

Beautiful Memory

Decided to introduce a few memory bracelets to my shop this week. I like the simplicity of them, the fact they are easy to wear with no fiddly clasps, and one size fits all. But I absolutely hate the way they devour all my lovely beads!

I'm a typical magpie, I hoard my little beauties, take them out, play with them, gaze at them lovingly, then put them all away again. Well that's not strictly true, of course I do use them in my designs, but I'm not used to depleting my entire stock of my absolute favourites all in one sitting!

Simple to make they may be, but it's definitely not a case of less is more where the memory bracelet is concerned, in fact the more the merrier! I adore the deeper cuff style of at least 3 or 4 wraps or more, so looks like I'm going to have to go on a bead buying binge... again!

Mulberry:



Cool Water:



Autumn Berries:



Misty Ocean:


But I haven't given up on my polymer clay roses, and here is my latest....

Purple Passion:

Midweek Catch Up

I've been experimenting with some new ideas, and one design in particular, in polymer clay this past week. But my creative muse seems to have abandoned me. I've worked the same design over and over and still I'm not happy with the end result. No matter, I know my muse is only away temporarily and will return. I've learnt to ignore it's absence rather than push for it to return before it's ready... far less frustrating!

In the meantime I've purchased some Mica pigment powders in gorgeous shades and will bide my time playing with them by incorporating them into the clay for some subtle effects. It'll be fun, even if nothing much comes of it. Who knows, a little bit of sparkle might just tempt my muse to return from its sojourn.

While I wait, I'll show you a couple of designs that I have recently made, the results of which I am very happy with.

Bow Belle Necklace:


Calypso Bracelet: