Sometimes inspiration is elusive. 

Sometimes the things you find inspirational are worn out.

Sometimes you need to look with fresh eyes and no expectations.

Sometimes a new view is what you need.

Art is a journey.

Refresh. Enjoy. Look in new directions. 

Words I've been living by this past year.

Inspiration renewed.

Studio Demonstrations: Kristina Logan

Smelling Spring

This week is February break and I'm off from work. My schedule and pace is my own. Yesterday I enjoyed a stroll thru my favorite floral shop, Arena's. I love going there during the winter to smell spring.....flowers, dirt, color and texture are in full bloom there........and of course I can't help but leave with something.

It was cold outside but the sun was shining brightly.......

Always something interesting to see & smell........

I love orchids. The succulents were beautiful too......

My day ended with a short session at the torch too. I made some buttons and will be placing them in my etsy shop later today.

Planning today's exploration: maybe the zoo, the gallery or our lovely conservatory to see more flowers. Who knows what the day will bring.......hope you enjoy yours!

Come Paint with Me

Come fly, Come paint...........

: Paint an awesome Valentine for your sweetie.
: They will be so impressed with your talent.
: Don't worry. Its fun and easy!
: Art is fun
: ARt reduces stress
: There will be no mistakes, just Happy Accidents... I think Bob Ross said that?!
: Its the best way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
: Art is for cool people.
: Art adds years to your life.
: Art makes you beautiful.

Art making makes you fly...........come fly, come paint with me!

Bead Cuisine of the Day

As you can clearly see, my studio needs to be cleaned up a bit. Now, I'm not complaining....I don't mind a mess but it might just be edging towards the REAL messy side right now. BUT, I really want to make beads.....So, yes, cleaning will wait!

My mini personal challenge lately has been to use up the glass rods I currently have in stock. I do have lots but like most of us, I tend to stick with certain colors while others rarely get used. Yesterday I tended to use Dirty Martini, Hephalump, Firecracker Red (I love that color) and Gelly Pink....Red is a go to color for me but I had to use it! Can't show you what I did yet....must clean first and I'm considering etching some.

Today, I'm not certain what colors will be on my menu. Whatever I have a lot of and can work in red with will probably win out.....I need to think Valentine's Day.

Wednesday night a teacher friend and I took a Hearty Winter Soup cooking class at the area culinary center. What a great time we had. It was her first time there but not her last!

Every station made something different and afterwards you could try them all. I've taken a number of classes there and have loved each one.

Today is book club and some more bead making! Hope you do something fun too :)

Mobile Blogging!

Sitting at cam's pizza and writing this post to try the mobile version of blogger!

Now that I'm home.....I see that mobile blogging doesn't work great for photo's! Had to edit this to be a bit smaller. This picture was taken today in my "busy" a.k.a messy studio.

This too was taken today. I call it Death of a Heart.......it was one of those days.

Love Button

These are a few buttons I made yesterday that will soon become pins.....cleverly named Love Buttons :) 

A few hearts too.......what would Valentines Day be without hearts!?

The kiln is warming up and I'll be out in the studio today working on more things....a few off mandrel hearts, more love buttons and some other stuff....

We will be enjoying a weirdly warm winter day here today....close to 60 degrees! Nice but not getting to excited since it will be icy cold by weeks end!

Enjoy your day!

Table Topics...

A few years ago I purchased this "game" called Table Topics to use at family gatherings or parties. It really isn't a game but a conversation starter....you pick a card, ask the question and others respond. It really does get the conversations going. My eldest niece wasn't much of a conversationalist at the time and I figured this might draw her out....she loved the game.

Today I'm pulling a card for all of you. Think about this:

Which animal would you love to be for a day?

I'll share my response later. Lets see if anyone comments here first.

Love Bead Sale & Painted Valentines!

Hi Everyone.....the New Year is just days away and I'm already thinking ahead. The end of one year and the beginning of another is exciting for me. Its a time to begin again, make new plans, and try new things.

To start with, I am planning a Love Bead Sale in my Etsy Shop. Hearts, of course, and an assortment of other colorful beads & buttons will be available for purchase. For those who are local, you are welcome to stop by my home studio on Saturday, February 2nd between 1:00 till 3:00 for the sale. My Etsy Shop Love Bead Sale will begin Friday night, February 1st and continue through February 14th. During my home Love Bead Sale I will also be conducting a Painted Valentine Class. A fun 21/2 hour class where you learn a few easy painting & mixed media techniques while creating a unique 6x6 canvas painting.

Stay tuned.......I will be posting a Painted Valentine of my own as an example of what we will do.