Stuff and More Stuff!

Administrator — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:32:22 +0000

Kim Swearingen’s Gypsy Tour blog has inspired me to clear out some clutter. Some of it gets in my husband’s way. A lot of it has been getting in my way. I feel much more creative when I have lots of materials at my fingertips. I found that to be true during the many years that sewing was my passion (lots of fabric, threads, buttons, patterns, and tools). Also true with my beadwork (can never have too many beads and findings). Throw in the many other art endeavors in which I have dabbled and soon there’s tons of fun stuff to store. Many items cross over so it’s difficult to clear things out of the studio because “you never know….” The hanging on is reinforced each time you discover that a gadget stashed waaaaaay in the back has a new or unexpected use (sure glad I didn’t get rid of THAT!). But there’s a fine line between lots of good stuff and a goat explosion.

My “treasure chests” are little hardware cabinets that are jammed full of lovely vintage findings, old clasps, single fabulous earrings waiting for new lives, cabochons, bits of chain, game pieces, etc, etc, etc. Many treasures have been forgotten because they’re drowning in stuff I’m likely never to use.

220 little drawers. My husband has been challenging me to dive in, pull something out, and be inspired to create some new work. So, every few days I plan to randomly open a drawer and find something to either be rid of or to incorporate into a piece of jewelry or other art. Tomorrow will be Day One!

Maureen

OUTSIDE THE BOX Exhibit at Placer Arts

Administrator — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:34:20 +0000

Yesterday was “box day” at PlacerArts in Auburn. This is the third year (but the first for me) that area artists have been invited to reserve a box and turn it into a work of art in two months. Yesterday, we picked up the boxes. This year, they are beautifully constructed 9″ square wooden boxes. We can leave as is or deconstruct them as long as all of the pieces are used. The final work can be any size as long as it fits through the door of the PlacerArts Building!
This is a big fundraiser for the local arts. During the Exhibit from April 8 to May 22 people can make silent bids, with the highest bids being the opening bids at the live auction on May 22.

I won’t have time to actually work on my project until I return from the Synergy2 Polymer Clay Conference in Baltimore at the end of February. Meanwhile, I’ll have something to think about as I fall asleep at night. It helps to actually see the box; I’ve already crossed a few ideas off my mental list.

If you live in the area, please come to the “Outside the Box” exhibit and support the arts! For everyone else, I’ll post some pictures again when my project is finished. Wish me luck!

Maureen

maureenthomasdesigns.com blog » challenge

Stuff and More Stuff!

OUTSIDE THE BOX Exhibit at Placer Arts