I came across a pile of old faucets at the flea market last year, the kind that turn a garden hose on and off. I like to find things in quantity for jewelry making, and decided they would make some interesting pieces of spigot jewelry.
I took pictures of this necklace and a few other pieces back in December (hence, the Christmas décor in the background) and am just now getting it added to my website.
On another creative note, I would like to show you my new logo. I have a little problem sometimes being dis-satisfied with what I create, no matter how happy I am with it while working on it. I think this is due to a combination of being tired of looking at it, and being pretty self-critical. I have worked on my logo off and on for several months. You may remember me sharing some of my process in this post. I really wasn’t happy with it, so I put it on the shelf for a while. I wanted something cleaner, and came up with this simplified version.
I really am happy with it now, and it will work well for a watermark on my photos, as well as business cards, labels, etc.
Here it is in watermark form. The bowl of Spanish moss is a glimpse of what my next post will be about.
Welcome to the first Phrase Art Phriday of 2015! I started this series last year because it allows me to play with two things I love: photography and graphic design.
I took this photo a few years ago when we received a good snow dump. I think we got about a foot before it was all said and done. The swan planter sat in our back yard next to an old park bench.
I have since sold that swan during one of my major clutter purges. Getting rid of 2 sheds full of junk was a major undertaking. The thought of it felt overwhelming. But the vision of a clutter free space motivated me to take that first step. If your spirit is drooping and you feel snowed under, know that better days are ahead. Look beyond your circumstances and envision something better. Then do one thing to move toward that scenario. I’m rooting for you, you can do it!
I’m happy I have this photo to remember her and that hard winter.
I have one more graphic to show you. I created it to share with you an upcoming series here on my blog.
The first installment will be this Monday. I hope you have a lovely weekend and will come back then!
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my blog and what direction I would like to take it. I have decided that this year I will put more time and effort into it than I ever have. I’m going to consider it a “real job”. That decision will require more commitment and consistency from me and I am ready for the challenge. While soul-searching, I came up with some definitive characteristics I want my blog to possess. And now I give you…
8 Things I Want My Blog To Be in 2015
1) REAL, down-to-earth, transparent I value sincerity and fear being phony. Being transparent is sometimes difficult, it means I have nothing to hide. Or rather, that I am hiding nothing. If we were to meet in real life I wouldn’t want you to walk away disappointed, having experienced a different person than the one my blog portrays. I have faults ~ a lot of them. I give you my promise to share not only the good, but occasionally the bad and the ugly as well.
2) PRACTICAL, useful, tangible I promise to take a hands-on approach to give my readers tips and thoughts to help in their everyday life in varied and specific ways. I certainly don’t have it all together, but I can share what has worked for me as well as what hasn’t in fashion, decor and DIY. My hope is that I can be a tiny catalyst for positive change in the lives of my readers. Someone who does this very well is Miss Mustard Seed. Although I don’t like to paint furniture, I truly appreciate her spirit and many of her posts.
3) FANCIFUL, whimsical, romantic If I can help readers expand their vision for what could be, I will have fulfilled part of my mission. We all get stuck in ruts from time to time. Sometimes we need to shake off the dust of the limits we have created in our own mind and think with an eye to the infinite. With God, nothing is impossible. There are times to be practical and there are times to leave logic behind and explore the possibilities that beckon us away from the mundane. “The garden of the world has no limits, except in your mind.” -Rumi
4) HUMOROUS, light, sometimes sarcastic I like to think that I have a quick wit. Unfortunately I often find myself thinking of the perfect comeback a few moments too late. My desire is to develop my ability to translate my witty thoughts into written form that is enjoyable to read. I love to laugh but don’t do it nearly enough. Do you? It’s so good for one’s health! When we laugh we experience increased oxygen to the brain, which in turn releases more endorphins ~ like exercise only much more fun! Distressed Donna Down Home is smart and funny and her posts often cause me to laugh. Some of my best memories in life are of times I have laughed so hard I’ve almost peed my pants. “A merry heart does good, like medicine.” Proverbs 17:22
5) SERIOUS, thought-provoking, deep Because life is not all fluff. It is important to me to keep a positive tone throughout my blog. Although I am passionate about design, I, like you, have strong emotions and opinions about all sorts of other meaningful things. I will occasionally part from the world of design and get into the nitty gritty things of life. My writing may sometimes get deep because that’s how I sometimes think.
6) VISUAL, artistic, picturesque To inspire. Of all the places I draw inspiration from, beauty in whatever visual form it may take is that which causes me to use my creative abilities the most. It causes me to think outside the box, dream bigger and try harder. And sometimes it just soothes the soul. Particularly the beauty of God’s creation. … “To enjoy beauty in the company of myself
….is to experience beauty bound by the limits
………….. of the sole person that I am.
But, to experience beauty in the company of God
……………….is to experience beauty
……..bound by the limits of Who God is,
which is to experience beauty without limits.” ………………………….–Craig D. Lounsbrough
There are many sources I go to for visual inspiration. One such blog that never disappoints visually is Chateau Chic.
7) HELPFUL, nurturing, supportive So readers will feel safe here. Because sometimes you want to go…
I can’t offer you a drink, but I can offer the part of myself that is warm and caring, and can hopefully help lift your load if you’re down.
8) ORIGINAL, inventive, unique Because I gotta be me! “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” ……………………………………………………………………………………….–Judy Garland
I have given you a list of eight qualities that I would like my blog to possess. Does it feel like a tall order? Yes! I will keep this list in front of me and refer to it often in this new year to see if I’m on track. I will do my best to live up to it and I give you permission to hold me accountable!
In my next post I will show you part 2 of our wine cellar renovation. Cheers!
Hey readers and friends! I love to do graphic design, so today I would like to share my passion with someone out there who needs a new look! I have yet to put together a page for my services, but two of my specialties are logos and buttons.
Yep, that’s what I’m offering at Swap & Tell this week. Your very own button or logo design in exchange for whatever your specialty is!
Here are some of the other things I’ve designed.
The linky party goes live tonight at 7 PM central.
Hey readers, friends, passers-by! I hope you’re having a great week. Mine so far has consisted of creating, grocery shopping, visiting my brother-in-law in the hospital, eating fresh tomatoes, fighting the urge to eat sweets (not always successfully) and bike riding, with a little bit of tv watching and reading thrown in. My creative time has been spent mostly on graphic design, which I adore! Along with design for a client or two, I have been working on a new logo for myself. I have it narrowed to 3 variations and I would really like your help!
Here they are, in no particular order:
There are reasons why I like each of them, but I think I’m leaning toward one in particular. Do you like one better than the other two? Why? Give me your opinion (pretty please)!
While we’re on the topic of logo design, I’ll be giving one away! Read this post to find out when/where/why!
To inspire. Of all the places I draw inspiration from, beauty in whatever visual form it may take is that which causes me to use my creative abilities the most. It causes me to think outside the box, dream bigger and try harder. And sometimes it just soothes the soul. Particularly the beauty of God’s creation.
