Indie Crafting in South Florida (Finally)

Only in South Florida will you see women in breezy, funky dresses in flip flops strolling into a gallery in January. But that is why we live here. It was a beautiful weekend and I was happy to finally make it to a Stitch Bird craft workshop. A favorite of mine, Bear and Bird Gallery, located west of Fort Lauderdale, holds craft workshops once a month. Past projects have included decoupage objects, sock monkeys, and Halloween makeup fx, and I have never been able to make it due to one thing or another. This month I signed up and made sure I was able to show up on time and make some cool beaded necklaces. We created bases and wired buttons, beads, and other fun things to create these wearable works of art.
I feel mine are just okay - I didn't put a lot of planning into the pieces - I was just happy to be out crafting in a creative group environment with like minded individuals. The gallery also has a terrific exhibit up this month, titled 'Three of a Kind'.
They have great themed shows with some known artists and wonderful pieces! Such a nice afternoon!

Finally, my little (big) Tankster had a nice afternoon. We had to get out of our house to show it yesterday and for obviious reasons take the dogs with us. Tank came to my boys' soccer game and had a ball. When he got home he went out back to enjoy the Florida sunshine. While he couldn't get the float in the pool, he did the next best thing and used it as a pillow.

Experimentation

A day off does not necessarily mean a day off for ME when the kids are off from school, but my husband goes into the office. It's another day of cooking, cleaning and driving. I did find some time to try something new.
I have been reading about fusing plastic bags in various magazines and how-to's but had yet to try it. This month's Craft magazine has instructions on how to make a tote and bucket hat using fused plastic bags. They look so darned cute (not that I have a need for a plastic bucket hat) I just had to try. I gathered and cut up some plastic bags, protective paper, and the iron and fused away. Yes, it worked. No, I am not thrilled at how the final piece of material looks. As my husband came in and saw me at the ironing board smoothing out Target bags he smiled and called me "one wacky chick". I know he likes my quirkiness. I now have a fused piece of plastic bags and don't know what to do with them. Perhaps I will do some colorful painting and stamping on them inspired by some of my favorite artist bloggers Alisa Burke and Traci Bautista.

I also made a trip to Barnes and Noble for some personal entertainment. I picked up the new House Beautiful magazine to read about Lucite coming back into home fashion. I also picked up Stampington's newest publication Art Journal Inspirations. Eye candy. I have only flipped through it thus far but am always pleased by how people create their journal pages in so many different and personal ways.

Shall I be a proud mommy and show the latest photo of my baby?

I do believe Tank is enjoying his new home. The weather in South Florida has been delightful and he loves to sit in the back yard and sun himself. Awwwwwww.

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe it has been over three months since I touched my blog. Bad me. Not that too many people were reading it. I wasn't writing much of anything too interesting. And then life got in the way and I stopped. Just stopped. But I vow to continue, redirect myself - have a home base in the web world.

Since my last posting, we celebrated the bar mitzvah of my son. He did phenomenal! We were all so proud. Following the service I threw him the most fantastic, music festival themed party. I must say that I missed nothing. It was great. The room, food, theme, music, activities, favors - it all just coordinated and flowed so well. He played guitar and rocked!

My new house was not ready for us to move into over the winter break. It still isn't. Our target is now late February. But it will be a wonderful place. My current home is more formal and is not representative of me. The new place will be filled with color, light, creativity and whimsy. I have lime green paint in the kitchen, orange walls in the office. And a craft room that is going to be a dream! I am in the process of designing the built in shelves. And an island with a cutting surface (need to find where to get one, though). Can't wait!!

One of my new year's resolutions (really the only real one that I admit to) is to create more art - live a more artful life. I have continued to create in my art journal, which I enjoy and is easy to work on wherever I am . I went ahead and registered for the Art and Soul retreat in Virginia in April. I can't wait to go! I can't think of a better treat for myself than spending four days surrounded by like minded individuals who love to create. I signed up for several very different workshops. Counting the days.

Finally, in the midst of everything, we adopted the most wonderful basset hound from the humane society. Pets are another sad result of the sagging economy. We benefited from others hardships, I suppose. We are thrilled to have Tank become part of our family and will give him the best love and care!

My scanner is completely broken and I am having to photograph things with my iphone and send it to email in order to post. Crazy, but I was waiting to move before I purchase new equipment. I will be researching the best scanner/printer/copier to best meet my needs. But now, I am going to cuddle up with Tank and be glad it is not cold in the South.

Lifes Lessons Learned

I created this collage in my art journal for using the Collage With Crowabout weekly images. I was inspired by the jewish holiday this past week.

Sarah Palin in the 'Hood

Sarah Palin is at the end of my street at a hotel as I write this. There are a series of fundraisers around here tonight. I had to pass throught the main intersection six times this evening doing my mom-taxi duties and was entertained by the throngs of signholders at each corner. Some were protesters, some were avid supporters. All had some type of sign, mostly homemade. My son asked my why these people would spend so much time making signs and standing on the street corner for hours while a VP nominee drove by on her way to a reception. He asked if their presence would make a difference and sway and influence people. Hmmmmmm.

Stitchrock - Indie Craft Show

South Florida is not the mecca for indie crafts, but it is slowly getting better. Miami has always had it's own hip and cool scenes but not in the way that I like to see - like the craft fairs in Austin, Boston, Portland, L.A., - you know what I mean. For the second year in a row, however, a group of like minded individuals have come together to put on Stitchrock, an indie craft show that is absolutely wonderful.

Held in a vintage gymnasium in Delray Beach, around 50 vendors or so set up in every available space to sell everything from jewelry and t shirts to pickles and decoupaged furniture. I went with a friend and we had an absolute blast. We arrived early enough to get a little swag bag with candy, promos, a magazine, and more. We found all kids of things that were unique and handmade and we couldn't live without. She bought the most fabulous necklace - a silver chain with an astronaut painstakingly crafty our of clay. I found a cute cap (I love buying hats. I look pretty good in them. Should wear them more.), a cute stuffed creature with the best color scheme that I want to use him as inspiration for my kitchen, and a great skirt with a screen printed koi fish.

Highlights for the day included a indie fashion show (which we missed because we had already been there for a couple of hours) and a live painting by the Miami artist LEBO.
I was so amazed by his work that I bought his book and had him sign it. I want to own one of his mixed media pieces. That would look so awesome in my new house and his artwork is terrific.

My favorite store for cool things in South Florida, Tate's was there once again selling their oh-so-cool things.


I wish the venue was bigger so more vendors could sell. I will be looking forward to next year's show.

Temptation

The collage sheet for the Crowabout weekly collage challenges contained images of a cat, birds, fish, and a bunny. The feline being tempted by her surroundings jumped into my head and this is what was created.

I am excited to attend the only indie craft fair around my area, Stitch Rock. This is it's second year and is held in a vintage gymnasium in Delray Beach. Last year was so much fun - I was so impressed that the first year brought out so much talent. I am always envious of the more craft saturated regions, so any indie events in my neck of the woods is fabulous!