Finished Product

I am very happy with it.  I think I want to mount it on my wall.  Now hiring someone to do this odd job. I can't help but wonder if the Leviticus Corporation is still in business.  Sigh.

For Anyone Who Cares

This is the piece of pottery I painted (see earlier groupon post).  There you go.

Groupon.

Today was a day I saw coming a mile away.

It was the expiration date of a groupon.  A real race against the clock, if you will.

It was to Glazed Expressions.  In short, one picks a piece of pottery, then paints it.  I had a hard time getting myself to do this one.  It wasn't that I didn't want to do it, but it was hard to come up with an artistic vision.  It's kind of like blogging.  It's hard to do it without a vision.

Anyhow.  I went there.   I picked a piece.  I powered through.  I get it back next week (it'll be on the blog, for sure).  However, at the tail end of said piece, a vision for a really great piece came along.  Sigh.  Of course it works this way.  Isn't this life?

I suppose I will just have to go back there.  Maybe 'Santa' can get me a gift certificate there.  Hmm.

I Guess I Got Stuck on a Color Theme

More Self-Promotion

My bracelet collection.  The should be available for mass marketing around Christmas. 

Not Just Earrings.

Send me to Rehab....

I Purchased Artwork.

I bought this off Etsy.  It combines several things I love.  I am now looking for a complimentary piece that features a caterpillar and a glass of wine (for balance).

This was a 'pay it forward' piece.  The artist only charged me shipping ($2.50) and only asked for a good deed for someone else in return.  I am not sure the going rate for artwork or what one should expect to pay for certain pieces (considering training, supplies, time put in, etc.), but I am confident this was a steal.

However, I will do a brief 'pay it backward' and feature this artist on my blog.  I really like the piece I purchased, and it looks like she has some other very nice pieces on her website.  Alane Holsteen, please note that, with this blog post, your work is being exposed to an audience of an additional five people (one of whom happens to be my own mother). 

I am still looking for a suggestion for my 'good deed' that I should do for another individual.

New Hobbies

So, I, unlike some of my peers, am not:

a)  tending to a baby/chasing a toddler around
b)  planning a wedding
c)  working 14 hour days or
d)  a full-time student

It's not to say that I have some 'time on my hands', but in a way, I kind of do.  Some people might think I am at a point where I should be 'living it up', and I am, for the most part.  However, something is often forgotten - most of my friends might fall into one of the above categories.  A lot of teachers I know make the same comment - everyone envies their 'summers off', but none of their other friends have the same luxury so it sometimes leaves them bored.

Anyhow.

To combat this temporary 'boredom', I'm acquiring some new hobbies/interests/goals/etc.:

(in addition to my current dance class/blogging/facebooking/what have you):

--reading (read 16 books this year - halfway there!)
--doing push-ups
--jewelry making
--painting my coffeetable
--cooking/baking
--random arts & crafts
--buying a piece of art
--learning various google products better (step 1 - blogger)
--becoming certified in said products
--getting a butterfly tattoo on the small of my back
--running 3-5 miles at a time without stopping approximately once every couple weeks
--additional blog - www.friendsoftheprintedword.blogspot.com

I am quite open to further suggestions.  Your thoughts?  Any one else take on some new hobbies?  Looks like it's gonna be busy summer.

Art

So, there is a large blank spot above my television.  Now that I'm such a dignified adult, living on my own, I need some art in my life.

Now, I found some art I like whilst window shopping in Lakeview (www.franklieart.com).  How could I not like a wine bottle with a purple frame and leopard print curtain?  I am still thinking of it, however, it is toward the top of my price range.

Now, quick question - where does one buy art in Chicago?  Where does one buy reasonably priced, not too modern of art?  I am curious.  What have you other young Chicagoans done for art?   Please advise. 

Coffeetables....

So I own the above plain Ikea coffee table.  I believe it cost $20.  I have the matching side table for $12.

Dear reader, I think you can understand why I chose said pieces of furniture.

However, they 'do' for now.

Recently, the 'Martha Stewart' in me thought I might 'do' something to them.  Such a paint or tile them.  Anyone out there know anything about bricolaging (or decoupaging?) a table?  Your thoughts?  Recommendations?  Suggestions?  New hobby ideas for me? 

No Comment

  

 

Today's art project is brought to you by the letter J.

I should be embarrassed. 

Something to Work Toward...

A wine cork chair, courtesy of the Old Town Art Fair.  All righty kiddos - let's grab our Lolita glasses for 'step 1' in this DIY project.

Call Me Martha Freakin' Stewart

I made wine cork coasters.   All the 'ingredients' are pictured above.   It was quite the fun project.  The most fun part of the project is acquiring the wine corks - I recommend doing it the old-fashioned way.

Anyhow. 

Sidenote:  I am not sure how well these coasters WORK.  Like, for their intended purpose.  They are a little wobbly.  Not all wine corks are created equal.  They are not all the same size.  Maybe I did something wrong and could have done something more to balance this out.  I dunno.  Martha would probably yell at me if she were here.  Regardless, I like them.  I might morph them into a wine cork-corkboard instead - time will tell.  Updated to come. 

Weird Dream, Part 893

Ok, so I had a dream last night that I was shopping for art (perhaps for my new apartment). This isn't odd in the least of ways because I was just thinking about the fact that I really have no artwork whatsoever and I'm going to need to put SOMETHING on my wall. So I have been thinking about buying a piece or two. Anyhow.

In the dream, right before I woke up, I was holding a piece that was bright pink and purple and glitterly - highly, highly gaudy. Actually, I personally thought it was pretty, but not appropriate for an adult apartment. It kind of reminded me of something I would like back in high school.

Now, again, the only thing about this dream that really stuck with me was the fact that I remember it very clearly. I decided to do some research on dreams about art. Here's what I found (per google).

Art Gallery

To dream that you are in an art gallery (well, it was a place with multiple pieces of art, so close enough), represents your past experiences. Something in your past is having an impact in your current situation. Alternatively, the dream may be telling you that you need to capture some moment and preserve it.

HMM.

Google

What is the takeaway symbolism and/or message here, Google? I get it that it's for St. Patrick's day. But I've never seen a Shamrock tree. Why use this tree format? What does it mean?