So Many Ideas, So Little Time!

I am at the stage in my life that if I didn't have a big notebook with all the things I need to do written down, well, they would probably fall into the sea of forgetfulness!

Which is why I am thankful I have a super thick binder full of pages that I can write down all the ideas I have for my upcoming art characters...I get inspiration at the funniest times... (yes, even while going to church (oops!), cooking, sleeping, and the grocery store, to name a few!)

If you are like me, you must also carry a little notebook in your purse, satchel, briefcase or what have you also...because a 3 inch thick pink and white binder isn't handy to stick in your purse. And for heaven's sake, carry not one, but at minimum 3-4 writing utensils because you know if you don't the first few won't write when you really need them!

This little harlequin was one of my "out of the blue ideas I better write down before forgetting" and so glad I did, he was fun to create!






If you want a quick tip for how to come up with ideas for your craft, this is it.... have a big notebook (or two!) nearby at all times for those little
ideas that fly through your head and just don't settle unless you write them down!

Visiting New Places

My husband talked me into it, going along on an overnight business trip with him. I suspect he needed me with my gift for gab to go along and chatter in his ear to keep him awake at the wheel...but that could have the opposite effect if the truth be told!

I am glad I went along though, he took care of work business and I got to drive around a new town and find all the spots where I could add to my ever growing business supplies stash. I never pass up an opportunity to go in a new place and look for that unusual or different item that will add just the right tweak to my newest creation! It was such a fruitful expedition that I am thinking that even if uninvited, I may just stow away on his next business trip!

Never pass up a chance to go to a new place and go exploring for that spot that may add what you didn't have and should, it can really pay off!

I wanted to also thank the people at Showtime for contacting me this week and purchasing my Clarence the Clown to be used as a prop in a new and upcoming series , what a pleasant surprise! (Just goes to show you that you never know who will stalk your wares!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24765633@N04/3782575708/

Hoard Those Supplies, Write Down Those Ideas!

When I first started out doing my specialty art work, you could have seen all my supplies in a small box. (And then I thought I had so much!)

But it seemed then that someone would always ask me if I could do so and so and I would then have to go out and get the necessary items...which then led me to buying things that I thought may be some day would be used to make this character and that character. And next thing I knew, I had to have better and more numerous places to put all my wonderful little goodies , doodads, fabrics, yarns, threads, and a host of other things!

I moved off of the kitchen table to having a whole room to myself and from one cardboard box to 7 or more triple drawer units, and two multi mini drawer units that hand on the wall. (And I confess to needing twice as many as I type this!)






So, yes, I do hoard supplies, of all kinds,and I have an thick notebook that I keep alphabetized ideas in, sketches and the like for when I need direction. It is the best way I know of for any creative person to avoid having a dry spell in their creativity!

My husband says I have enough things to make 400 dolls...he's probably right, but
it doesn't stop me from seeing that perfect little item or fabric that begs to be taken home and added to my "someday I will need this" stash! One can never have too many supplies...right?

An Inside Look At What I Do

For the curious, I wanted to show a little bit of the process it takes to make my art character dolls.....

I take a basic wooden clothespin-



Holes are drilled, wire threaded through, and clay is used to form the head, arms and shape of doll-



I then paint and design the doll's facial expression and begin the work on designing their costume-



The finishing touches are made on their costumes, sometimes requiring a bit of hand sewing-



Hair styles and finishing touches are added, now for the other character!-



Now the characters are complete, and ready to be displayed!- (Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan)



I hope you enjoyed the little mini tour, and seeing the process of what goes into making my creations!

Stop in again soon!

Just Do It!

Today I was looking over some of my first art doll characters that I made- ugh...you can tell I was learning! But you know, everyone had to start out somewhere, right? So I kind of smile when I see those, and I like to keep them as
a reminder of how far I have come.

I used to only make female dolls because making male dolls scared me since the clothing was much more of a challenge. I couldn't figure out how to do it, so I avoided pushing myself to learn....but that bugged me.
So, I forced myself to get past my apprehensions and do it anyway...I don't know
how many made it to the trash bin, but I am sure there were quite a few that did!



I guess the moral of the story is, it is a good thing to stretch yourself. To try things that sound tricky, or hard. It feels good when you set a challenge and then
realize that if you try hard enough, you will see the reward.




Do I still try things that are new and potentially difficult? Yes indeed I do, and I will always try to do something new if I can- as a matter of fact, I have a book I keep new ideas in for me to try,(if I ever get around to it!).

If you are toying with some ideas to try and are scared to do it, my advice is to
go for it, you just may be surprised at the results!

Coming soon...

I often get asked what my next ideas will be or what will I be creating next....
which is why I am glad I have my "never ending" ideas book. It is a large spiral notebook with dividers and it is full of ideas of characters to do, what I want to add, pictures of how I want to do it, and so forth.

That really helps when you hit a stale wall...trust me. And hitting that wall is something all artists or creators will do sooner or later.

Some of my upcoming designs include Rhett Butler, Tom Sawyer, Tatiana of Shakespeare's play, Mary Pickford, and a lot more.

Just for fun, here are some of my newest creations-

That's Life

Well, this has been quite the month, I must say. I had my twins just graduate high school, my husband has a tentative job change possibility, but the biggest shocker
was our daughter coming home after 3 years of college and telling us she had signed
up to join the Marines...(of course without talking it over with us first). Now I ask, where did THAT idea come from?

( Now I can see why some species are known to eat their young! )

Well, my husband and I are having to learn what we all must, and that is to make the best of what happens, there is no other alternative- (since we tried the kicking and screaming route but it didn't work!)

Times like this are what make me appreciate having an outlet in my creating. It's better to snip and cut fabric, glue and paint, and put my focus on something
that will distract me from the things I don't want to think about... or rather can't do anything about.

While it may not give a resolution to the problems at hand, it does help me realize that life is life and you just have to take it as it comes and deal with it one step at a time- which is all any of us can do!



This rainbow I took a picture of is a good reminder that things can get better after a storm.