New Year to Try New Things

It's been some time since I last wrote and it's all the crazy season's fault.  However, despite all the madness, we spent a wonderful day at my sister's place who put on an amazing lunch and we all left with full bellies and warmed hearts. We were able to have a few days off work to unwind and just be.  To switch off from the world and not adhere to a schedule. Much needed rest was had to heal, reset and recharge.  

I spent most of my time in the garden working on our vegetable patch. Tending to plants is something I find great joy in and as it was also my birthday, we added my favourite berry fruits to our collection, growing it to 42 different varieties of food.  I had intended on building a beehive, however, I feel my knowledge of keeping bees is not enough so I wish to research more until I feel I can handle any issue that may occur.

I did spare enough time to finish my mixed media wall art piece that I started in the September.  For me to have completed 15 projects since moving to the farm is a massive accomplishment and honestly, I'm so proud of what I've achieved.  This mixed media wall hanging was inspired by the way I make my vessels.  I had wanted to try an inlaid coloured shape on a flat surface and I also wanted to see how a larger piece would hold together when done flat.

Embellishing it with shell, wood, sea glass and seed gave the piece more depth and I really love how it turned out, especially being my last completed piece for 2016.  It now hangs in our lounge room

So with the beginning of each year, I like to think about all the new skills I want to build on and new ideas I want to try out, in my growth as an artist.  As I've mentioned so many times before, the list will always be never-ending.  But one thing I enjoy doing is expanding on my ideas using different mediums. 

Continuing with the theme of my style of basket-weaving (btw, it is in no way a traditional method lol), I recently became inspired by another vessel I'm currently making.  I had just finished the base and thought it would look so cool as a pendant.  So I ran with it.

I had visions of it being the first in a new "Dream Weaver" series but I'm unsure if it's on the wrong side of too different. I like stepping out of the box but have I gone too far??  I've had some feedback from family and friends who say they really like it but I dunno.  We'll see.  I'm going to attempt another in a different colour scheme so stay tuned.

Enjoy your week!

Bring On What's In Store For 2016

Happy New Year to you all!  I've spent the last couple of days chilling out after the aftermath of back-to-back celebrations as we'll be going back to work tomorrow.  I dislike this time of year where the temperature is high and the grass is dry, so I'm keeping fingers crossed for some rain again soon.

I used to be one who set New Years resolutions of things I "had" to achieve in the coming year, but I often found I didn't fulfill them all as it felt like a pressure of my past self.  I now like to look at the new year of starting a new page of life.  Learn from mistakes of the past year and always try to be the best version of yourself.  My husband and I now live a very balanced life.  We unfortunately aren't blessed with a family of our own and therefore our time is spread across work, hobbies, family and friends.  We work, play and socialise as much as we can, but also remember to rest when we can as our full-time job is quite laborious and as you get older, the body takes that little bit longer to recover hahaha

One thing Heath and I both agreed on for the coming year was to try and spend more time doing what we love instead of spending that extra half hour watching TV or staring at the iPad of a nighttime.  Doing what you love in life is so important for your soul and we often find that we feel more rested than if we laid back in the recliner zoning out on Facebook or a show, for example.

As well as working through my never ending list of creative ideas and work in progress pieces, I'm really going to try this year to put myself out there more with my work.  Do more markets. Share more online.  Learn new skills.  Be more creatively brave.  I love what I make, I connect with what I make, but I struggle to validate myself and my work.  That is definitely something I'll be working on this year.

The first step is to start sharing my jewellery, handmade components, polymer clay pendants/dangles and handicrafts available for purchase here on my blog and then on-sharing it to my Facebook page, as well as looking at local seasonal markets.  

Each week, I intend to share what I have available and if anyone is interested, they can PM me directly on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/HighlyStrungCreations/ ) or send me an email ( highlystrung0@gmail.com ). I'm definitely not a hard seller and I hate being hard sold to also, so you'll never find repetitive "in your face" advertising from me.  

I posted last week on my Facebook page (a little earlier than planned) my handpainted bookmarks with beaded tassels as I've had a lot of interest which has been so lovely, but I completely forgot to post here also.

These are the ones currently available:

They are AUD$21.00 including worldwide standard shipping (please use www.xe.com for current conversion rates).   If at all interested, please send me a PM or email with the number bookmark, together with your PayPal address so I can send you an invoice.  Combined shipping is also available.  They are so sweet and I can't wait to have a bit more time to work on some new designs.

This coming Wednesday, I'll be starting to post up the available pieces left over from my market stall, all with new pics.  I got this nifty camera for my birthday which connects to your iPad.  Geez, it's saved me a heck of a lot of time with editing pics!

Last year was mostly great save for a few shitty experiences and quite a few shed tears but hardships only make you stronger.  I'm ready for whatever 2016 has in store for me.  What are you hoping for?

Enjoy the week ahead :)