Option Brown

Sorry I didn't realize I wasn't allowing comments for the Brown Category! Eeeek! I have fixed the problem and you are now able to vote!

Now for the Brown category!

Option1:


Option 2:


Option 3:


Option 4:


Option 5:

Option Red

Here are the fabric patterns I'm considering for the "red" category of my new "build a shade" option for my etsy site. Please help me decide which one of these to include by leaving your vote in the comments area. Thanks!

Option 1:


Option 2:


Option 3:


Option 4:


Option 5:

Announcement!

I know today is usually the day for an artist profile but I'm doing something different this week and I need your help!

I have decided to offer up a way for customers to "build" their own lampshades on my etsy site. I will be providing 5 fabric options and 3 different shade sizes (small, medium and large) for people to choose from for their own customized handmade lampshade.

I need your help deciding which 5 colorfully printed fabrics to offer! I have organized the options into 5 color oriented categories: red, blue, green, black and brown. I will be posting one to two categories per day . Stop by tomorrow to view the "red" category options and vote on your favorite!

Craft Show Take 2: Second Verse Same As The First

A couple of weeks ago my cousin Trish and I decided to share a booth in a craft show here in Twin Falls. I had high hopes that this show would be more profitable than the one in Jerome a few weeks ago. Much to my dismay, this show was even slower! How that would even be possible I cannot say. The vendors were much the same as the last show with a couple additions. There was the woman who sold fleece items and another vendor who sold hand crafted kitty scratch posts.

On Friday I sold a couple of coffee sleeves and Trish sold nothing. Saturday brought a few sales for Trish and only one single, solitary purchase from a friend of mine. In my mind this lack of success is NOT okay. I am currently working part time in my father's advertising agency which he started from nothing and has slowly built up. I see him work in creative ways to make the business a success. Call me snobby but I know how to advertise an event! It doesn't take a lot of money but it does take a little effort. Unfortunately the woman (who shall remain nameless) running this particular craft fair was either too uninformed or to lazy to make this show as success. When approached by another crafter who participated last year and was experiencing the same frustration, I was informed that she had tried to gently tell the woman that she was frustrated with the lack of advertising. Her comments were met with, "Well, but it's this fun?" Fun???? I came here to do business to me that would be "fun". Selling some items I worked hard at making would be "fun".

Suffice to say I now refuse to participate in any show that that I don't know for a fact will be well advertised. Lesson learned...poorly ran shows make me feel like this:

As a side note: Remember how (in the post I did about my last show) I referenced feeling like the only way I'd be successful in local shows is if I started making lamps out of old stinky cowboy boots? Well I actually got some feedback from a woman at the show who told me I should quite literally make lamps out of old stinky cowboy boots! Yeesh!

Thanks for reading my rant.

Artist Profile: Penelope Reedy, Weaver

Today's artist comes to us from Pocatello, Idaho. While I affectionately refer to her as "Aunt Penny" (yes she is my real aunt) to the rest of the world she is Penelope Reedy - professor, poet, weaver and all around creative soul. Without further adieu, I give you Aunt Penny.

1. Where are you from originally?

I'm from western Washington State, Lake Stevens.

2. Where do you get your creative inspiration?

Nature, books about ethnic clothing or art movements, the Back to the Land Movement of the 1970s , Whole Earth Catalog, etc. I love the idea of making something from "scratch" -- it's like magic, and makes me feel less dependent . . .

3. How long have you been weaving?

I've been weaving since the 1970s on a handmade loom -- had to let weaving go in the 1990s because of divorce, returning to university, work, moving 12 times, general fatigue and hysteria.

4. Do you have a favorite type material, yarn, etc. you enjoy working with?

I like working with cotton, wool and rayon. I'm making much finer warps than I used to -- 20 ends per inch compared to 8 and 10 in the "old days" of lovely coarse weavings when the idea was to make sure it didn't look like it was machine made, then machines started making fabrics that mimicked handmade, go figure!

5. Who are your creative mentors?

Artist Lenore Tawney, Iron Age weavers, King Arthur stories, Sleeping Beauty who pricked her finger on a spindle, Rumpelstiltskin turning straw into gold. . .

6. What do you enjoy doing when you're not weaving?

When I'm not weaving, I'm thinking about weaving -- but I love hanging out with my grand kids. And then there's my job, teaching English at ISU.

7. What does your creative process entail?

Process . . .hmm. I'll get an idea from a book or memory, then I'll sit in my house and look at all the cones of yarn and imagine what colors and textures will make interesting cloth. I like having lots of yarns on hand, like having a box of paint tubes ready to be mixed.

8. Would you say your environment (where you live, work, play) influences your creative process? If so, how?

Yes, my environment influences my work. For local sales, I know I have to stay within a certain price limit, and although my customers like unique things, this is a pretty conservative (in terms of dress) area. But living with easy access to mountains, trees, sagebrush, farm ground, etc., gives me ideas for colors and textures. Also, being out of the rat race of urban environments provides a pleasant working pace. However, I would like to visit museums in large cities at least annually, and some day I would really love to attend a Paris Fashion Couture runway show.

9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I don't like to think that far ahead at my age . . .

For more information on how to purchase Penelope's weavings, please visit her website: waitingforodyssiusweavings.com

DIY: Painted Shoes

If you're like me you have a pair of shoes lying around that you simply don't wear anymore. I've had such a pair lying around in the back of my closet for over a year now. Instead of throwing them out I decided to give them a new life. For the longest time I've wanted a pair of bright green shoes (to wear with jeans mostly). Here's how I created them.


The Supplies:

1. An old pair of shoes
2. Acrylic paint
3. Textile paint medium (converts acrylics to fabric paint)
4. A rag
5. A paintbrush of some sort


The Instructions:
Make sure your shoes are clean and free of greasy spots and dust. Mix your paint with the fabric paint medium as directed on the bottle. This gives the paint some give to avoid cracking.

Apply paint mixture one layer at a time. Make sure to let the paint dry between layers.



You can apply as many layers of paint to fit your fancy. I wasn't going for perfect paint coverage with my shoes. I think the "imperfect" paint job makes them more interesting. I also chose to embellish my shoes with buttons. If you choose to use embellishments make sure you place them on a part of the shoe that doesn't move or crease when you walk so they won't fall off.


Voila!


A practical side note: I haven't worn these shoes in the rain or snow and would venture a guess that the paint probably won't hold up to the elements. Just keep this in mind when you wear your "new" shoes.

Tomorrow...

Just wanted to let you all know that tomorrow will be the first ever DIY post on this blog. Stop by and check it out...especially if you are a shoe lover like me!

Artist Profile: Valerie Waters, Actress

I first met today's artist when we were both students in the University of Iowa Theatre Department. Though she considers herself an actress first and foremost, she is well versed in every area of theatre production, working in such venues as The Public Theatre in NYC. It is an honor to call Val one of my closest friends, she is truly an inspiring and prolific artist. Enjoy!






1. Where are you from originally?

I consider my hometown to be St. Louis, MO, though I was born in Florida and spent about a third of my childhood in the suburbs outside Tampa. But St. Louis is where I learned long division, where I performed in my first play, where I had my first kiss, and where much of my family still lives, so this city will always be "home" to me.


2. Where do you get your creative inspiration?

An easier question to answer would be "where DON'T I get creative inspiration?" As an actor my art is based in the human experience, so there is no part of my life that cannot be tapped for artistic stimulus. That said, though, theatre is typically centered around the most important moments of a person's life, so the inspiration for a role usually has to come from something other than my most recent trip to the grocery store. Like most actors I draw on powerful moments from my own life, but something else I find extremely helpful is the art of others. Since art is so often the distillation of an experience into its most visceral parts, I find a wealth of creative energy in music, poetry, paintings, photography, novels, and other works of art. I can infuse my own emotional history with the power of a heart-wrenching song and the transcendent imagery of an epic poem and have an arsenal of inspiration to draw from onstage.


3. How long have you been acting?

My very first performance took place when i was in fourth grade and I played "Mrs. Brown" in my class's production of Paddington Bear. But I was an actor long before I ever took the stage. My mother is a brilliant performer and she was constantly acting when I was little, so I was virtually raised in the theatre. In fact, it was also in fourth grade that my teacher called home to report that I was using foul language in the classroom, but in a most unusual manner: I was singing it. My mother was in rehearsals for Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at the time, and I had picked up the lyrics from hearing her practice. I wasn't punished for my transgression, but I was asked not to sing any more songs from my mother's shows - at least not until she was in something more wholesome.


4. Do you have a favorite type of theatre you enjoy doing?

I adore musical theatre, and it would be accurate to call it my "first love" in the theatrical realm. However, my tastes have matured since I first discovered the stage, and now I am never more happy than when performing Shakespeare. As any actor will tell you, there is something unique about Shakespeare: the language is liquid and hypnotic, and so pervasive that it seeps into your everyday life until you find yourself thinking in verse. Recently, while in rehearsal for a Shakespearean production, I was plagued by a stressful project at my day-job, and at one point I actually caught myself uttering curses such as "ancient damnation" and vowing to let "fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!" Shakespeare's ability to bring beauty and lyric to even the most mundane aspects of my life is a large part of why the Bard's plays are my favorite to perform.


5. Who are your creative mentors?

I had a professor in college who changed the way I see theatre, the way I see acting, even the way I see myself. Carol MacVey introduced me to so many different theories of acting, and gave me so many practical tools that I could never list them all. But more important than the methods she taught was the method in which she taught: she encouraged all forms of discovery, celebrated the most meager triumphs, and most importantly she gave herself fully and passionately to every moment, and by doing so not only made each of her students feel nurtured and valued, but also taught us an invaluable lesson in how to live, both on and off stage.

In addition to Carol there is Jonna, my counselor. I am a great advocate for therapy for all people, but especially for actors, whose job requires tremendous self-awareness. Jonna has helped me work through so many artistic blocks, to develop a sense of self-worth and an enduring confidence in my abilities and my goals. At the same time she has shared with me the trials and triumphs of her own artistic journey as a musician. She has helped me to trust in the creative process, and to trust myself.

Of course, I cannot discuss creative mentors without mentioning you, Annie. Your creative drive, determination, and strength are an inspiration to me. Your ability to move so easily among mediums - from light to fabric to paint to dance and beyond - gives me hope that I might increase the spread of my own artistic endeavors. And you have been a rock for me: a voice of reason, of encouragement, of love, and a source of unwavering faith. You have been both a model of the artist's process and a partner to share it with, and without you I would not be an artist worthy of the name.

6. What do you enjoy doing when you're not creating?

Sleeping. I love sleeping. It may not seem so but acting can be exhausting, especially when those four hours of rehearsal come immediately after eight hours of work. So I have a slightly over-developed affinity for my bed. Oh, and I also like eating. And I enjoy cooking but I despise doing the dishes, and so since the first almost always necessitates the second, I often abstain from culinary pursuits. In all seriousness, though, usually when I'm not acting or singing I can be found reading, listening to music, going to the theatre, watching movies, and watching tv series on DVD. So, essentially, when I'm not creating I like to spend my time enjoying other people's creations.


7. Would you say your environment (where you live, work, play) influences your creative
process? If so, how?

Absolutely. I feel that in order to function properly, both as a human being and an artist, I have to have balance in my life. The most difficult balance for me to find is one between work and rest, and an environment can dictate how much of each I get in a day. I am a person who needs a lot of rest - lots of peaceful quiet time to myself for reflection and relaxation - or else I become frazzled and frustrated and unable to accomplish anything. So it almost goes without saying that when I lived in New York I had a very difficult time getting anything done: there is nothing restful about New York City, and at the time I had not yet learned how to create peaceful space for myself at home, or how to find rest on a crowded train. Here, in St. Louis, the problem still exists, though to a lesser degree. I have my quiet time in my car during my commute every day while I listen to NPR or opera and relax my mind while focusing my thoughts. At home I am careful to keep my bedroom in a semblance of order because I know that I don't sleep well when lying amidst chaos. My current day-job is a perfect fit for my lifestyle, as it requires just enough energy and commitment to be psychologically satisfying, but not so much that I leave exhausted at the end of the day. I am always adjusting my life to fit my environment - either adding projects and commitments when things are too slow, or finding new methods and times for meditation and relaxation when life becomes too frenetic - and it is only when I achieve a careful balance between the energy surrounding me and the energy within me that I feel most creatively enabled.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years I see myself as a successful actor. And by successful I mean doing theatrical work that is meaningful to me and paying the bills with it. I also see myself branching out into directing, and possibly attending graduate school to further that goal. Another dream of mine is to obtain a degree in psychology and expand the field of drama therapy. Of course, in ten years I might also have children, in which case I see myself pursuing my career goals in a city with a good balance between cultural opportunity and domestic comfort, such as Seattle or Minneapolis. There are any number of scenarios I can dream up for a future ten years down the road which are equally plausible and exciting, and I don't presume to know, or even want to know, which path my life will take. I have long-term goals and long-held desires towards which I will work, but I am most happy to simply enjoy the journey.

9. What does your creative process entail?

My creative process as a whole would be difficult to outline since I am trying to make it more a way of life than prescribed procedure. However, if I limit the question to how I approach any one particular role there is a certain method to which I tend to adhere. First I read the play several times, trying mightily not to pay too much attention to my character at the expense of discovering the others. Then I like to research the play's period and environment and circumstances. I study any relevant historical events or movements of the era, as well as the more mundane details of clothing and food and housing and weather. For example, a play I did last June was set in St. Louis in 1917, so I visited the Missouri Historical Society and spent hours wandering among displays of dresses and fans and purses, taking an audio tour which detailed racial relations of the time, and studying the women's suffrage movement. After I feel comfortable with the circumstances of the play as a whole I dive into my own character's background, researching topics specific to her history, which for the above play included turn of the [20th] century childbirth practices, the New York modeling industry in the early teens, and the etiquette and societal customs of New England socialites of that era. After I have a strong historical and environmental background then I get to my favorite part of the process, which is the dissection of the scenes. I examine every word I say, every word someone else says to or about me, I try to determine what my relationship is to each of the other characters in the play, not only the ones who appear onstage but also those merely mentioned in the script. Sometimes I use a free-form style of writing to explore a scene, writing in first person about the events and my [character's] reactions to them. Sometimes I like to try to transpose a scene to fit my own life and circumstances to get a more honest perspective. By far the most useful tool, though, is rehearsal. No amount of writing or research can substitute the energy and life received from another actor. This is where the background becomes just that, background, and the human interactions of the play and the needs and desires and loves become the focus of the work. Every rehearsal reveals a new aspect of a relationship, a new way to fight for my goal in a scene, a new obstacle to battle through. And the process of discovery continues, all throughout rehearsals and through all performances, which is truly one of the most marvelous things about theatre: it is a living art form. You may see a play in June and go back to see it again in November - the same play with the same cast - and have a totally different experience. The creative process never ends, there is never a finished product, and I am always trying something new (often failing), exploring different tactics, and making surprising discoveries. And so the work continues, and I could not be more grateful for that work.

Artist Profile: Peter Bierma, Bassist

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1. Where are you from originally?

Milwaukee, WI, but I grew up in Houston, TX.

2. What do you do for a living?

I am a Kids Pastor at a local church. So, you know, a natural progression from music college.


3. What kind of music do you like to play?
If I enjoy the people I play with, I'll play pretty much anything from jazz to R&B to country. There's so much I can learn from various styles of music. That's one of my goals as a musician and just as a person: never stop learning.


4. How long have you been playing?
Since I was 14. A friend of mine called me up on the phone one day and said, "Hey Peter, I'm starting a band. Want to play bass?" I said, "Sure! What's a bass?"

5. Where do you get your creative inspiration?

I guess music is too easy an answer. Right now I get a ton of inspiration from the kids I work with. My experience is they tend to ask fantastically broad questions that many adults don't/can't answer. For example, a 9 year old girl came up to me one day and asked, "Peter, are you a real kids pastor?" I had no clue how to answer. I mean, I couldn't say (to her satisfaction), "Well, um, I guess I'm a real pastor; I mean, it's my job, and I was selected from many different people, so yeah this is what I do. But I don't derive my identity from my job, so I'd have to say, um, it depends how you look at it." Instead I came up with some brilliant response like, "Yes." But you get my point: there's a profundity in the questions I'm asked, and it always keeps me thinking and wondering and in awe.

There's something inspiring to me about someone who has mastered a skill or, in my case, an instrument. A friend once asked me, "So, Peter, you play bass, so the bass must 'speak' to you more than other instruments, yes?" The more I thought about her question, I quickly realized I have a deep love for many different instruments. When I hear a piano solo from one of the greats, my heart skips a beat. There's video game music (!), of all things, that I often find imaginative, which pushes me to that end. Or when I hear a terrific drummer, there's joy that seems to "bubble up" in me, and I can't control the smile on my face! Of course, that's come after an ungodly amount of hours of listening to bass players! It must take a special (twisted?) soul to love good bass lines more now than when I first started playing.

Last, I'm continually drawn to anyone who improvises anything with skill. Whether it be an actor, musician, sculptor, or even a debater, I'm always amazed at someone who can operate at such a high level of functioning. I've also noticed my favorite improvisers (whatever their trade) tend to have years of experience and depth in their craft; that is, their words or music don't "come from nowhere." There's typically a breadth of knowledge and routine and study and practice that's beneath it.

6. Who are your creative mentors?

Dave Buda in Boston, MA comes to mind immediately. He was my private teacher in college for about three years, and he always pushed me to excel at whatever I did. My parents were/are creative folks; Mom plays several instruments and Dad is a savvy businessman//entrepreneur (a different type of creativity). So our house was a safe place to "try" art, about which I feel very fortunate! Also, I've always been blessed with creative friends.


7. What do you enjoy doing when you're not playing?
Listening. To words, books, movies, music, people.... I LOVE my time with other people. I live for good conversations :).

8. Would you say your environment (where you live, work, play) influences your creative process (or creativity)? If so, how?

Absolutely - I strongly believe a person's heritage, upbringing, and current environment all (over the long run) heavily influence a person. A tragic loss, a competitive school, or a close group of friends could all shape a person's work. Or at least they have for me!

9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Right hand on my heart, left hand in the air: I have no clue. Something I'm trying to work on is being a better friend, so I hope in 10 years I can say I've taken some steps forward in that area, for example. I guess my "goal", if you want to call it that, is to grow in all areas: as a musician, kids pastor, husband, and friend.


10. What do your bass lines entail?
My bass lines entail, hopefully, all of my influences which work towards helping me find my unique "voice" on the bass, or my unique sound.

11. Tell us about the one project you are most proud of.

This is kind of an unlikely story, and won't earn me any "wow, this guy is really good" points with readers. About my 2nd year in college, I still stunk pretty badly on the bass. Nonetheless, my bass teacher saw my passion and dedication on the bass (I have to guess), and he invited me to perform alongside him for a song in front of a bunch of other bassists, and in the middle of a music store, to top it off. You can imagine my excitement! I got up there, and to say "I blew it" would be a grievous understatement. A good bass player should make the lead musician sound better, and, well, I did the exact opposite. Mid-performance, my teacher looked at me with confusion and disbelief, along with the crowd, who were all of course other musicians! I was so embarrassed. I'm pretty sure I went home that day and cried. And not surprisingly, that was the first and last time my teacher asked me to play publicly with him.

Why is this the story I'm most proud of? Because I kept playing! Such a blow to my ego might be a deal-breaker for some, but for some reason I kept on playing. And I'm glad I did, because I love the bass more than I ever have, and I now know my success on the instrument doesn't depend on how many good performances I have.

Handmade Product Review: Coffee Sleeve

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Anyone who has known me for any amount of time knows that I really enjoy coffee...especially my lattes. Try as I may to remember my own mug (go green!) I have not been very successful, especially since my coffee shop stops are mostly spontaneous.

The last time or two I've gone for coffee I've noticed when I get back into the car that there are many a wasted coffee sleeve lying around...in fact I found a whole morgue of these things under my seat. This set in motion my own brilliant solution to cut down on waste and adopt another accessibly green habit. Why not make my own reusable coffee sleeve?! Now I did a little research and found some brighter minds out there who had already thought of this genius solution, however I did not let this deter me from my own creative spin.

Check it out!




I've used this for about a week now and I LOVE it! I love it so much that I've made several and am pondering carrying them on my etsy site (though I still haven't decided). What's more is that this little item has made its home in my purse so I never have to worry about forgetting it.

Beat 'Em or Join 'Em: Cowboy Hats

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Due to my recent move back to Twin Falls, Idaho I am faced with style choices that would not otherwise be on my radar. One among many is the classic cowboy hat. Now, having grown up here I am no stranger to this accessory. I even occasionally donned such a hat when I went fishing with Dad as a kid.


When I left Idaho to go to college I assumed I was leaving all cowboy culture behind me. Much to my surprise I found many a college student sporting cowboy hats. Now the hats I saw in college had a different spin, many sported alcoholic beverages and animal prints but the shape and overall style was the same.


The big question is whether or not you are going to beat 'em or join em'? I know we all have different tastes but would you wear one? Leave a comment to let us know!


Stop by tomorrow for our first Handmade Product Review. Coffee lovers, tomorrow's post is for you!

Artist Profile - Camille Darrington of FinnFancies

Every Tuesday on D&L Day 2 Day will be profiling a creative soul.

Today's profile comes to us from Jerome, ID. I first met this fellow creative Idahoan through a friend and quickly learned the she is a fellow etsian (handmade artist on etsy.com)! Our connection grew when we decided to be booth buddies at a recent show.

It is with great joy and excitement that I present to you our first artist on profile, Camille Darrington of FinnFancies!

1. Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Rigby, Idaho. I lived there for quite a while until I moved away to get married! Eventually we plan to move back.


2. Where do you get your creative inspiration?

I have a habit of looking at everyone's purse everywhere I go. If I'm out shopping and standing in a check out line...you can bet I am eye-balling the purse of the lady standing in front of me.

Sometimes the different fabrics really start getting my wheels turning. I'm always thinking of a way to appropriately place them in the design of the bag.

I don't like patterns, so just setting down and drawing a picture of what I want a bag to look like works best for me. Then I have a bad habit of setting around for an hour or two deciding the best way to put it together. So far this method has worked out wonderfully for me!

3. How long have you been sewing?

I have been sewing since I was a young girl. I've gone from blankets, to pillows, to quilts, to raggedy anns, and now onto bags. My bag lady career just started this last spring.


4. What are your favorite materials to work with?

My favorite materials are definitely designer fabrics. I'm addicted... I would also be a lost cause without fusible fleece and interfacing. Some other favorites are ribbons and zippers. Ribbons seem to add that special touch and who doesn't love a good zipper pocket to hide things in!!


5.Who are your creative mentors?

My Father, Mother and Sister have always been good mentors for me creatively. I grew up making wooden crafts and painting with my father for hours on the weekends. My mother taught me the key...which was to sew... without that talent I would be so lost. My sister is also a very good resource for me. She makes her own crochet patterns and is always designing/creating something.


6. What do you enjoy doing when you're not creating?

When I'm not creating something, I enjoy just spending time with my husband and our little dog. Taking time out from sewing and just relaxing is such a nice thing to do, especially when you have pricked your fingers a thousand times that day, or sliced the end of your finger off with the rotary cutter.


7. Would you say your environment (where you live, work, play) influences your creative
process? If so, how?

I truly believe that the environment I live and work in really influences my creativity. You never know when a good friend will suggest an amazing idea that you never though of.

Once again I must reference the checkout line and checking out everyone’s purses. Seeing what different people carry around, and the style and functionality of different bags is really an inspiration to me. It really helps me draw up perfect designs for my bags.


8. What's the best way to purchase your items?

The best way to purchase a bag of your own is online through my website, finnfancies.etsy.com. I do a lot of custom orders, and the easiest way to contact me for a custom bag is to e-mail me, finnfancies@live.com, so we can go over all the details. Its really very simple, and you are guaranteed get your bag exactly how you want it!

This concludes our first Artist Profile. Check back Thursday for our first ever "Beat 'Em or Join 'Em" post, where you the reader will vote on whether a certain style or design choice is hot or not.