Thursday, January 16, 2020

Fake Wax Seals

Wax seals give a great, finished, old-timey look to add to letters, journals, etc.  Here is the first method I did with polymer clay:



This is how to do it with hot glue:



Nik The Booksmith very kindly answered my plea of Polymer clay conundrums!





Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Big Magic: Favourite Quotes from Liz Gilbert

I was writing this book recommendation for Big Magic to a fellow artist and writer and thought I'd include it in a blogpost for my sorely neglected blog.  So, here you go:

The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say YES. She tells a wonderful story about how she got an idea and when she lost interest, it found Ann Patchett. The similarities between the plot lines were astounding!

Whatever you do, try not to dwell too long on your failures. You don't need to conduct autopsies on your disasters.   I think the point is not to wallow and flog oneself.  Take off the hair shirt and do something else.

Done is better than good. (Liz's mother)  VASTLY different from Mum: 

If you cahn't do a proper job, don't do it all! 

So I repeat Liz's mother to myself whenever I think that I don't have time to do something or all the right materials, etc. etc.. Do something; it doesn't need to be perfect or up to "Queen Anne" standards. Growing up, "Proper job" meant perfect, and her way, and it never was. Coupled with the criticism from teachers, it paralyzed me into procrastination for important projects. As an adult, I create deadlines for myself so that I feel a sense of urgency and that it's more important to get it done than to be perfect. It's prolly why I'm such a planner nut. 

Conversely--and in addition:  You might think it's procrastination, but--with the right intention--it isn't; it's motion. And any motion whatsoever beats inertia, because inspiration will always be drawn to motion.  

If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is within you, what you don't bring forth will destroy you. ~Gospel of Thomas

People don't do this kind of thing because they have all kinds of extra time and energy for it; they do this kind of thing because their creativity matters to them enough that they are willing to make all kinds of extra sacrifices for it.

Anyhow, what else are you going to do with your time here on earth--NOT make things? Not do interesting stuff? Not follow your love and curiosity?

OK, off to create . . . something.   :-)