Sunday, April 07, 2013

Creative juices?!?

Getting a little artsy-fartsy with a photo from Friday
The crown of my latest FO, Secretive Storms
Dozer wears a crown well.  :-)
Gotland singles finally plyed (there was a bit more white than grey)

I've often said that all my creative juices were used up in making a baby. BB (Before Brian) I drew (charcoal, pencil, pastels, colored pencils), painted (oils and watercolors), scratched (scratchboard), cut/foiled/soldered (stained glass), clicked/developed (photography), and even enjoyed dipping/slapping/shaping (paper maché sculpture and pottery) long ago. SB (Since Brian), my artistic endeavors have dwindled to photography and more recently, spinning and knitting, which I enjoy but don't consider artistic per se, since they are both utilitarian skills and I don't create 'art yarn' or knitting patterns. Sometimes I wonder if the artistic urge is just slumbering, and will return when my time and energy are no longer dedicated to raising and homeschooling my son. (I've kept all my tools and supplies, just in case!) Or has my muse up and left, departing for greener pastures where she is used and appreciated?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Knitting with beads has given me reason to occasionally visit the local bead shop. I even dabbled in making a few shawl pins, but wasn't satisfied with my work and dropped that.

One day I noticed some pieces with descriptions in a display case highlighting results of some classes offered at the shop. I was fascinated by the wire wrapping – not for jewelry, as I don't wear any, but as a way to utilize found treasures for decoration. So I wrote down the number of the teacher, but didn't know when/IF I would have the time and money to indulge in a class.

Whenever my guys take a trip without me, I make a list of all I need/want to get done while they are gone. Of course, I'm always ridiculously unrealistic about how much I think I can do. Still, a girl can dream. This time, I thought about that class I wanted to take – and promptly got excited about doing something artistic! So I called the bead shop and arranged to meet the owner Thursday evening for a one-on-one class on wire wrapping.

By the time I drove my guys to the airport, ran some errands, and headed back towards McMinnville, I was feeling bushed and almost bailed out. But then I reminded myself how exciting this opportunity was, and myself went, "Oh, yeah!" – and off we went to class.

The teacher had told me to bring some things to wrap, so I grabbed what I could put my hands on – small beach-combing treasures. She introduced the tools, taught me some basic concepts and put me to work. I came home with these,

tools, a half-pound of 24-gauge copper wire, and the URGE to do more! Whoopee!

The creative juices are flowing again at . . .

13 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Raising a child (and trying to do a good job of it!) takes more energy than anyone imagines. (Even those of us who are doing it or have done it!) That alone leaves little time for "creativity." Add in all the other things we women try to do and I think it's a wonder we don't become dullards and let folding laundry qualify as an art form. There was a time when our daughter was young and we had just moved up here to very primitive circumstances when I didn't do any handwork or feed my creative soul for SEVEN YEARS! (Not good for me and I paid the price for it.) Hang in there, Michelle. As your son grows, even home schooling will not be as intensive or time consuming and, in general, he won't want or need the one-on-one relationship with you. Do hang on to your artsy equipment and tools. You'll use them again.

Mama Pea said...

P.S. That picture of the gorgeous gold had on Dozer is priceless!

Tombstone Livestock said...

Don't give up, AB you will find time on your hands, you just need a "studio" set up and ready for when inspiration strikes.

Anonymous said...

It's great you took the class and now have another creative outlet. Wheee. Especially nice that wire doesn't take much space or many tools and projects can be quickly completed.

Michelle said...

Mama Pea, you don't know how encouraging your words are; thank-you so much!

Michelle said...

I have an "office" where I stash most of my fiber stuff, but it's not set up for any 'wet' projects....

Michelle said...

That's a good point, Wanda, and I didn't even think of it! Plus, wire wrapping gives me something to DO with the pretties I am compelled to collect on the beach. :-) I can see an entire Christmas tree decorated with tiny lights and wire-wrapped sea treasures....

Mary Ann said...

Those are BEAUTIFUL, Michelle!

Rose Fern said...

Beutiful jewllery! It's so nice making things for oneself!

A :-) said...

Love those!!

thecrazysheeplady said...

I love these!!!

farmlady said...

Wow! I love this kind of jewelry that's wrapped with wire. You did this after one class? Good for you. Your creativity is laying in wait for a time when you can do more artwork. For now learn the techniques and keep taking pictures... and knitting. Life moves fast and one day soon that boy will be all grown up and you will be free to fly.
I love all the photos. That first one is amazing. What a macro shot that is! Beautiful!

Suzan said...

WOW!! You are an artist!! Lovely work and pieces!!