Join Me In July for A 30 Day Art Challenge 2016

So, there are several different types of Art:  Painting, Drawing, Music, Writing, Crochet, Knitting, Jewelry Making, Photography etc.  Below I have compiled a 30 Day Art Challenge of things I would like to do, or specific things   I  really want to improve on.  I won't be doing this until July, because then we will be done homeschooling, but you can start anytime.  I may use any of the artistic ways I mentioned above.  I will be posting my items, here on this blog.  If you have a blog, and would like to feature each other, message me in the comments, and a way to get a hold of you.  I finished up some new art projects today, that I am working on perfecting, but until July I will not be doing anymore new painting projects.  Here is my perfect 30 day art challenge:

Day 1:  Clouds
Day 2:  Dragonflies
Day 3:  Lightning Bugs
Day 4:  Freedom
Day 5:  Flowers in a vase
Day 6:  Ladybugs and zentangle flower
Day 7:  The Wild
Day 8:  Violence      This one will be a real challenge for me
Day 9:  Someplace you would love to visit
Day 10:  Fear
Day 11:  Change the world and be happy
Day 12:  Upcycling
Day 13:  Dreams
Day 14:  Two tone palette    This one will also be a real challenge for me
Day 15:  Holy being
Day 16:  Hot
Day 17:  Cold
Day 18:  Rain
Day 19:  Snow
Day 20:  Cityscape
Day 21:  Music
Day 22:  Superhero
Day 23:  Quotes
Day 24:  Fantasy/Dragons/Fairy/Mermaid
Day 25:  Gothic        Another challenging one for me
Day 26:  Dancer or Gymnast
Day 27:  Broken
Day 28:  Education
Day 29:  Historical Event
Day 30:  Trees
Day 31:  Relax and breathe

I Love Hummingbirds!

I have said before that painting nature is one of my most favorite things to paint. It is also one of my most frustrating things to paint, since I want my painting to look exactly like whatever it is I am painting. This is sometimes very difficult. I did one hummingbird painting, a few years back, that I love, but now I have drawn out two matching hummingbirds, on two separate canvas. They will be sold together, in my Etsy shop, once I get them painted. We have a hummingbird feeder, and I think the most I have had at once is three. They are so much fun to watch, and if they get used to you they will just stay there and let you watch. Some people even get the privilege to feed them from their hand. I would love that! I probably won't get a chance to paint them until next week, but that is ok. In the mean time I will watch videos to get their colors embedded in my brain.

 I also drew out two new wood burning projects. One for Mother's Day, that will be here before we know it, and another tree of love, that I absolutely love because the flowers look like Shamrocks. I didn't get it done in time for St Patrick's Day, but if you are Irish, or love Irish symbols, this piece of work will be special. Be sure to check back to see it, should have them done tomorrow.

Are You Ready for New Years 2016?

So, are you ready for the new year?  Have you thought about resolutions, and such?  I don't really do resolutions.  Nothing like setting yourself up for failure, lol.  But, I do try to set small, attainable goals, or make progress on goals already started.

For this blog, my crafting blog, I have the following short term goals:

1-  Continue to improve my drawing and painting.  Maybe expand to other mediums, such as watercolors.

2-  Make more wood burned items.  I have only had time to do a few of wood burned items, and I do so enjoy learning how to do it.

3-  Continue making jewelry, and maybe add some new gemstones to my personal collection.  I have expanded a lot in my wire wrapping, beading is still not a favorite, but maybe as I learn more that will change.  I have sold almost all my inventory of my traditional setting jewelry pieces.  So, I would like to replenish my inventory a little bit.  I still have a ton of gemstones that need setting. 

4-  Probably not in 2016, but eventually, I would love to be able to melt my own metals, and make my own jewelry settings.  That has been a long term goal for a while now, lol.

5- I want to learn some new crochet topics.  Though, no matter how many sweaters I begin, or big afghans, those big projects are not the ones I enjoy doing.  I mostly love items that have to do with holiday decor. 

6-  Expand my promoting skills for my Etsy store, and my brand new Society 6 store.  Be sure to check them both out, by clicking on the widgets in the left hand column of this blog. 

7-  Last but not least, continue to learn and improve my photography skills. 

So, what are your goals for 2016?

Make Your Art Work For You with Society 6

For any of you who read this blog, you know that a while back, quite a while back, I wanted to take some of the hundreds of digital photos our family has taken over the years, and turn them into high quality prints and other fun items. Well, I also wanted to do it for my original paintings, and drawings. Etsy is a pain in the behind for this process. So, I decided to search for other options to suit my needs. There were some very complicated ways that I could achieve my goals, but then I found Society 6. What a wonderful website. I am brand new there, only uploaded a few things so far, and it is time consuming to get all the different products set. Some photos, can not be put on all products, but the paintings seem to work quite well. The tshirt below, is by far my favorite item created so far. My momma and baby panda bear, on a tshirt. So cute! Their prices are reasonable, and they have a sale going on right now, and they ship world wide. I of course read reviews, before I signed up, and customers love the customer service. The one thing I did read, is that if you live over seas the shipping is quite high, because you end up paying fees in your own country to have it delivered to you. So, be prepared for that, before you order. Check out the item I shared below, and then check out all my other items currently available. I suppose you could browse the other artists too. There are some super artists on there. For now, I will not be selling my original art work on Etsy, or Ebay.  They will be uploaded to Society 6 instead, where prints, tshirts, mugs, blankets, skins, phone cases, and other great items can be made.

Wood Burning Project #2 Wedding Picture Frame Keepsake

Last night I sat down to do my second wood burning project. I purchased a basic wooden frame, at my local craft store. Then I hand drew all the items onto the wood. Then of course I burned the design onto the wood. You can see the results. You must have some good hand strength, and a steady hand too, to do wood burning. I wear a sock, or glove, when I wood burn, because the instrument gets so hot it is hard to hold for long periods of time. My son, and daughter both want to give wood burning a try. I think it is fine for my son, not sure about my daughter. This is available to purchase in my store, Melissas Menagerie of Stuff, on Etsy. It can be stained, painted, and personalized with name and date. I think I like the frames better than the plaque, which I did last time. It just seems to be more usable than a plaque. But, I will do those too. Custom orders are always welcome. I am using a new photo editor, and getting use to it,  so if some of the edges look funny that is why. 

My New Crafty Love: Wood Burning

At our last 4H meeting, one family of kids was giving a talk on how they learned to do wood burning. The parents were there, supervising, and I asked some questions. I thought it would be something affordable, and fun, that maybe myself, and DJ could get into. Caitlin said she wanted to try it too, but it gets really hot, and you have to have a strong, steady hand. I might let her give it a whirl. So, I bought a simple wood burner, at my local Walmart and a wood plaque. DJ only tried on one small part, just to see if he would like it. He said yes. Anyway, I hand drew the deer head onto the wooden plaque. I wanted something for Father's Day, but not too difficult to start with. I wrote in pencil Happy Father's Day 2015. I figured the words would be the hardest, so I started with them. They weren't that hard, just had to go slow. The antlers were way more difficult. Now, that could be because my hand was tired, and hot. I am not sure, but I did the antlers last, and that was a killer. Of course I want to do more intricate designs. So, the next time I head off to Wally World, I will buy three pieces of wood, or maybe a wooden box for me to dabble with. Anyway the Father's Day deer head plaque, is available in my Etsy shop, click here. I left it natural, but it can be stained, painted, and even personalized.

Ooh, and don't forget I have a Christmas in July coupon available.  Read the details in the listing.  

Unique Elephant Head with Ancient Plants Tangle Doodle Abstract Art

The whole past month, has been super busy, culminating with our homeschool evaluations yesterday. I say ours, because I am evaluated as much as my children are. It is done now, and we all did wonderful, so now I can relax a bit, for a while, lol.

 Monday is the day that I traditionally paint or draw. I have been drawing more, and I am finding I really like to draw. I did my first portrait the other day, and then painted it. I think I liked it better as a pencil drawing, but I will share that soon. The Ancient Tangle Facebook Group, posts a monthly challenge. I think this is the third one I have done using the Ancient plants. I really love the Ancient plants more than any of the other designs we have done so far. Anyway, I drew out a simple elephant head, and then lightly drew on the tangles. Then I used my paint pens to paint in the tangles. You can see the results. I am very pleased with this one. I love it as a matter of fact. You can purchase this piece of art by visiting my Etsy store. I offer free USA shipping, combined shipping and a free layaway service.

Wire Wrapping And Beaded Techniques, And Tutorials,Free Jewelry Contest Update

This website, has some very lovely designs, to learn to make. The necklace, on the page I picked, is a dangle necklace, and is quite lovely. It incorporates, both some wire technique, and beading technique. If you go to their homepage, you will find tons more, using both techniques. I have not personally tried any of these yet, but they are on my long list of things to try. I will get to everything, eventually LOL. Happy jewelry making. Go to http://www.how-to-make-beaded-jewelry.com/crystal-necklace.html If you want to learn to make your own jewelry, this website is a good place to start.

Here are the Contest updates, for the free Star Diopside Ring, or Free Text Link:

betchai: 4 entries

for keeps: 1 entry

Penny: 3 entries

the beaded tail: 1 entry

TC: 2 entries

Dashery: 1 entry

Three fates: 1 entry

michelle gartner: 2 entries

rkdsign88: 1 entry

To get more entries, see the rules at the very top of the blog. You still have plenty of time to get in your entries. If anyone has buzzed up an article, please notify me, as they count as entries too, and I can not seem to see who buzzed me. At the end of the contest, all the entries will be put in a pumpkin, and my 8 yr old son, will draw out a winner. If you have posted about this contest on your blog, that is an entry as well. You have to drop me back a comment, here so I can check it. Have a great Saturday, everyone