Get a Creative Kick-start...
at the Hardware Store
So,
you're stuck. You have some ideas for new
projects - a new color scheme in the kitchen, a
new pallette for your personal wardrobe, your
next art project - but can't seem to find the
right color combination? My answer to this sticky
conundrum? PAINT CHIPS!!
 
Take a little trip to the home improvement store
and ransack the color chips and free brochures in
the paint department. Grab everything that
strikes your fancy. Hold them up next to each
other. See how the colors play together. Mix and
match to your heart's delight! When you are done,
you will have in your hot little hands the most
wonderful tools for color inspiration
imagineable! I figure if it's a color I'm not
particularly attracted to, it won't be in the
pile. Pastels are rarely in my stack unless I
think they go too well with another to pass up.
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There's Still Time!!
The beaded art of Cindy Caraway (that's me!) is
currently on display at the Quad City Arts
gallery space at the Quad City Airport in Moline,
IL. Twenty pieces of my jewelry are on display.
The exhibit runs through February 28th so be sure
to stop by if you get the chance!
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The
Learning Curve - More about Kumihimo
 As some of you already know, I
have recently taken up Kumihimo which is the art
of Japanese braiding. This traditional craft form
originates in Japan and was practiced by the
Samurai for making strong laces to secure their
armour. In the nineteenth century it gained
popularity as a craft for the fashion industry.
The braids are not only strong but are quite
decorative. They can be made from any kind of
fiber you like but are historically made from
thread of brightly colored silk.
While
I do my kumihimo work on a disc made from dense
foam (like the one at the lower right in the
photo above), the traditional tools are a madurai
and wooden bobbins. These looms are stiking in
appearance and look to be works of art in
themselves. Fashioned from close-grained wood and
often varnished to a beautiful sheen, they
consist of a rounded "donut" (called
the kagami or mirror) supported by four
legs on a base plate.
Visit
this website to see photos and find out more
about this ancient craft:
http://www.artisanart.biz/clairecassan/Kumihimo.html
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February
Give-away at
"Artful Living on the Bluff"
Anouncing "Grandma's
Attic" - the February give-away on my blog
"Artful Living on the Bluff".
So... any comment left on my blog in the month of
February will be put into the pot for a drawing
at the end of the month. The more you comment,
the better your chances!! The winner will recieve
this sweet kit.
Make a visit to www.artfullivingonthebluff.blogspot.com
and leave a comment on any post to be entered!
The winner of last month's give-away was Veroque!
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