Your Daily Muse News

Thought I would start October out with a spoooooky tutorial...okay it may not be that scary but it is one for the books...or is that one for the blog ????

You can find the full tutorial at http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/10/diy-project-evitas-spooky-silhouette-candleholders.html

Till tomorrow .. keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

Here in Texas the summer heat is already moving the temps up and we are at a point where you can no longer open your windows unless you want everything to have that soupy wet feeling to it. I may have told you all that we moved from Iowa to Texas 10 years ago, and one of the things I miss is the true season changes ...I love being able to have my windows open even in the dead of winter to get fresh air in the house.

Today's recipes are my way of freshening up the house without a lot of commercial sprays.

Spray Vanilla and Cloves Air Freshener Spray
Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup household vinegar
1 TBS vanilla extract
1 tsp cloves

Directions
Bring all ingredients to a boil then simmer over medium heat for two minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Strain cloves then pour liquid into spray bottle, shake and use as needed.
Note: You can increase/decrease the vanilla & cloves amounts to your preference.

Lemon Air Freshener Spray
Ingredients
2 cups hot water
1/8 cup baking soda
1/2 cup lemon juice

Directions
First dissolve the baking soda in hot water then add the lemon juice. You can use ReaLemon for this (expired is fine).

Quick Tip: Easy Homemade Deodorizer Sprays:
You can also whip up some good, fresh smelling spray with just two ingredients: water or vinegar and essential oils.

Simply fill a spray bottle with water or vinegar, add a dozen or so drops of your favorite essential oils and spray away!

Salt Packed Citrus Shells: DIY Air Freshener
 
I just love the smell of grapefruit:
 
Cut an grapfruit in half and remove the pulp;
Fill the empty shell with some salt;
Put in the back of your fridge as a fridge freshener;
Keep the grapefruit shell in a small bowl so it won’t tip over and spill the salt.

The salt absorbs stale and nasty odors while the shell releases a fresh, orange smell. I also tuck one of these behind the toilet in our bathroom.

This would also work for other citrus fruits like lemons and oranges.

Another way you can do this is cut an orange in half and coat the exposed flesh liberally with salt. Since we love eating oranges I always remove the pulp first.

Till tomorrow ... keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

I just love the grace and feel of a wonderully wood carving... Dick has has an amazing talent .. let's begin getting to know this artist and his work !

DM: What is your artistic medium?
DK: I carve entirely in wood, primarily Basswood but some others.

DM: Where can your art be seen?
DK: The best place to see my work is on my ETSY website ...

DM: When did you become interested in your medium?
DK: I have carved off and on for about 8 years but never with regularity. Before starting to carve, I built and sold pine furniture both as a hobby and to sell in local gift shops.


DM: Once you decided to pursue your art, how did you start off, trial and error, books, classes, videos, formal schooling?
DK: Although I have taken a couple of 2-3 day courses, I have learned most of my skill through good old trial and error. Some of my first carvings weren't too good.


DM: Out of what you tried, was there any particular thing that you would recommend to someone just starting out?
DK: Basswood is about the best to start with. It is reasonably inexpensive and carves pretty easily. Don't buy junk wood, buy good wood, it is so much easier to work with.


DM: What do you enjoy most about working with your medium?
DK: The creativity and challenge, especially when carving a custom item for a client.

DM: What do you find the most frustrating?
DK: Usually, that I don't get enough time to carve.


DM: Where do you find your inspirations for what you create?
DK: Since I do mostly custom work, my clients tell me what they want. Otherwise, I just carve something I see or imagine that I like. It may be a picture, a nature scene, sometimes a carving by some other artist. I never copy someone else's work but I do use them to generate ideas of my own.


DM: Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations:
DK: My favorite creation was of a pair of brown bears wrestling. I did it as a surprise for my son. I also like to create custom walking sticks, with a theme that reflects the users interests. Although I have not placed any in my shop at this time, I would be happy to create some for my clients.


DM: Have you ever experienced artist block and how did you overcome it?
DK: No, I haven't had this problem, probably because I carve for clients, and they give me the theme of whatever they desire.

DM: What is the biggest mistake you have ever made as an artist? What did you learn from it?
DK: Under-estimate the time it will take to produce a piece of work. I've gotten better at this.


DM: Would you please tell about your studio set-up?
DK: Today, I work out of my attached garage, where I have an area set aside for my work area. As my sales grow, my dream is to build a separate shop on my property.

DM: When is your favorite time to create?
DK: I enjoy carving about any time, day or night, as long as I'm not physically worn out from some other activity.

DM: What advise would you give someone starting out in this medium?
DK: Buy good, sharp tools and keep them sharp. Also, use good wood. Nothing is as frustrating as trying to carve with a dull tool, unless it's trying to carve a bad piece of wood with a dull tool.

DM: Are there any artist that inspire you or that you admire?
DK:Not in particular. I enjoy about anyone's work. Just being able to use God given gifts to create is beauty in itself.

DM: Tell us a bit about yourself.
DK: I have been retired for about two years and still carve on an as-time-permits basis. Of course, I have to schedule my time a little better when I'm working on a clients piece but I still try to maintain a "retired" life style. My wife and I enjoy traveling and I often work while traveling, so a piece of work may have been done in multiple locations.


DM: Anything else you wish to share?
DK: Only that anyone with a creative gift should make every effort to use it.

Thank you Kent for sharing more about your passion and your art ! We wish you the best in 2010 !

Until tomorrow... keep creating !
Tina

Hello dear reader, I know that you'll be expecting to hear from Tina, however, there are problems in blogland and all is not well! At the moment, Tina cannot get in to create new posts, but hopefully the difficulties will be resolved soon.

At this point I should probably introduce myself! I am Alita and I am going to be helping Tina with "Your Daily Muse News". Please bear with me while I familiarise myself with the blog, I just hope that I can be as entertaining as she is.

Being a practising artist, I am, like most of you are I imagine, fascinated with the work of other artists, which is what led me to find "Your Daily Muse News". What a great idea, I thought, to showcase such diverse artistic disciplines and thereby give inspiration to others.

When Tina announced that she would like some help with the blog, I jumped at the chance to be involved with such a worthwhile site.

Till tomorrow ... keep creating ! Alita on behalf of Tina aka Your Daily Muse News

Got back to Texas around 1 am Monday morning... needless to say slept till noon but WOW WHAT a WONDERFUL class, my mind is on overdrive with everything I learned this weekend !

I was laying out on the hammock enjoying some great Texas sunshine (let me tell you, I LOVE my hammock) and every time I would see a flower or a little lizard my mind would start whizzing with color schemes ... I have a new outlook thanks to Julie and her take on colors !

I must say Julie Picarello is just as sweet and fun in person as everyone had said she would be AND her teaching skills are AMAZING !!

I walked away with 3 or 4 newly made pendants and yes I promise to do a better write up later this week sharing even more about my wonderful time and some great pictures, but I am exhausted and planning an early night.... then the day job take over and I may not get a chance to post again for a couple day ... but rest assured, YDMN will soon be back on track !

I also want to put a huge thank you to the CMSPCG (MS PC Guild) for being so welcoming, talk about southern hospitality, I never felt so at home ! I will be writing more about this outstanding group also !

For now... off to bed and till later this week ... keep creating !
Tina aka Your Daily Muse News

Yosi works with such passion and grace with each wood sculpture, it was a pleasure to interview him... let's begin !

DM: What is your artistic medium?
YP: I work with wood, natural olive, cherry, oke, mahogany and others. My material is mostly trees that ended their lives. I work with them and give them a new life. I sometimes combine glass, mirror, metal or stone materials in my works.

DM: Where can your art be seen?
YP: At my home studio and in olivetreeart.etsy.com and I'm also working on a website.

DM: When and how did you first become interested in your medium?
YP: Since I was a small kid in the "Kibbutz", I used to spend hours in the local wood workshop.
I've been working with wood all my life.

DM: Once you decided to pursue your art, how did you start off, trial and error, books, classes, videos, formal schooling?
YP: Many trials and errors, watching skilled craftsmen at work, and a continuous self-exploration of various materials such as wood, metal, glass and stone.


DM: Out of what you tried, was there any particular thing that you would recommend to someone just starting out?
YP: Combine your own personal originality with the endless experience of others. Be open to absorb, and give your heart the freedom to create.


DM: What do you enjoy most about working with your medium?
YP: The most magical feeling I experience when working with the natural wood, is when two points meet together: The original tree's expression, enhanced by my inspiration and touch.


DM: What do you find the most frustrating?
YP: When reaching this "meeting point" is delayed...


DM: Where do you find your inspirations for what you create?
YP: Most of my inspiration comes from daily-life experiences, and when I come in contact with the "right" tree or wood material. In many cases the tree itself is the trigger to the creation.



DM: Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations:
YP: My favorite creation is my last creation - a 2.5 meter high Olive tree mirror. This work is a combination of wonderful raw material and all my gained experience up to this point.


DM: Have you ever experienced artist block and how did you overcome it?
YP: Yes. Frustration is sometimes a part of the creationism process. I try to get the most out of it, by using the energy of those pressure points to the benefit of the work.


DM: What is the biggest mistake you have ever made as an artist? What did you learn from it?
YP: It's really hard to choose one example. Mistakes take place many times and make grate contribution to my artistic progress.

DM: Would you please tell about your studio set-up?
YP: The studio set-up is defined by the specific project I'm working on. My studio contains professional machinery. I have a large collection of hand tools, since most of the work is done by hand.


DM: When is your favorite time to create?
YP:In the evening.

DM: What advise would you give someone starting out in this medium?
YP:Don't let the fear of frustration hold you back – if you keep trying and follow your truth – you will succeed.


DM: Are there any artists that inspire you or that you admire?
YP: I deeply respect Salvador Dally and Auguste Rodin.


DM: Tell us a bit about yourself.
YP: Born 1959 and the father of two sons. I grew-up in Kibbutz Ein-Gedi in Israel.
I spent about 10 years living in the United States and Canada, learning to work with different types of wood and carpentry techniques. Today I live and create in Israel.


DM: Anything else you wish to share?
YP: Thank you Tina and Your Daily Muse News for the platform.
I would love to get replies and questions to my email: yosi265@bezeqint.net

Take care and keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

I am so excited, I am off on a four day road trip to MS to take a class with Polymer Clay artist Julie Picarello, this is one of her last guild teaching for 2010. If you are not familiar with Julie's work, I have grabbed a few pictures from google to show you what I am looking forward to learning. Please take some time to enjoy Julie's website, I think her work is just amazing (yes I am a little star star struck) !

Julie won the second place award at last year’s Bead & Button Show Bead Dreams competition. She has put her own twist on on a polymer version of Mokume Gane. I also love that she incorporates metal work into her finished pieces.

With any luck, I will come back with some great pictures from my road trip and some new mad skills I can share with you all !

Found this wonderful page at my all time favorite site DeviantArt --- pages and pages of tutorials.... and we all know how much YDMN loves her some tutorials !

They have Jewelry, Origami, Woodwork, Sculptures & Glass, Metal Work, Leather Work, Custom Dolls, Culinary Arts, Pumpkin Carving ( now who does not need to know this skill I ask you? ) , Textile, Tsumami Kanzashi (not sure what it is but I do love acquiring new skills!) , Plushies, How to Drape the Basic Bodice, and the always fun to browse Miscellaneous !

You can loose hours and hours and remember, I want to see pictures of the items you make !
♥ DeviantArt: http://artisancraft.deviantart.com/blog/8282003/


Till tomorrow ... keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

Artist Information or Bio:

Stephenie Lynch of Arcadia Rose Jewellery Design has had a fascination for the Alchemy and beauty of Mokume-Gane.This is a mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns, historically originating from Japan. Mokume-Gane - meaning: "wood-grain metal". These beautiful patterns are reminiscent of the patterns found in nature. It is in this way, we are reminded of and appreciate nature and perhaps our existence in it.

When I came across this artist, my jaw just dropped to the floor, I was blown away by this lady's talent ! I am sure you will enjoy not only the eye candy but the answers to my interview questions ! Lets begin ….

DM: What is your artistic medium?
MO: My mediums are paint and clay. It depends on what I have in mind for the piece whether I use polymer clay or air dry clay, and I always use acrylic paint.


DM: Where can your art be seen?
MO: On the computer my art can be seen on "My Space"... I also have a couple Blogs...http://realitysuckspeanutbutter.blogspot.com/ (DM: LOVE the name of that one ! ) and http://artgeckostudio.blogspot.com/. You can also find me on ETSY.
I belong to various guilds...and groups which present my style of art,http://www.elfwood.com/~mysty1 and last but not least...I have a Barber Shop called Sweeney's in Tucson, Arizona (DM" how cute of a name for a barber shop !) and I fill my walls with my art that I create in the studio area of my shop!


DM: When and how did you first become interested in your medium?
MO: This is a little weird, I have always had to draw, paint or sculpt, but I've had a busy life. I didn't always have the time to create art. In the year 2000 I promised I would make myself happy and concentrate on my art. One day I had a gentleman in my barber chair and I couldn't help but look at the catalog he was thumbing through. It was a taxidermist's catalog. I never knew what was under a deer skin when it was up on the wall, but there it was, a foam deer form. I thought they looked like baby dragons. I was thinking...if I cover one with air dry clay I could sculpt a dragon! So that's what I did! I haven't stopped yet. Then I paint them with acrylics and I use taxidermy glass eyes, they sometimes look as if they need to be fed!


DM: Once you decided to pursue your art, how did you start off, trial and error, books, classes, videos, formal schooling?
MO: I think everything in art is trial and error, you just know you have to make stuff. Sometimes you like it...other times you throw it in the trash before anyone sees it. I'm a mood artist, when I really am in the mood to create, I don't worry about the time or whether I'm hungry I just have to keep going.
Love the great books on polymer clay they have in the bookstores, I have just always had to do art. My dad was a newspaper man and when I was in preschool he'd bring home stakes of unprinted newsprint paper and I'd fill them full of everything I could think of! Looking back... he was probably trying to keep my from filling up the walls! No formal schooling, self taught, I paint and sculpt things I am obsessed with!


DM: Out of what you tried, was there any particular thing that you would recommend to someone just starting out?
MO: If I had to pick something for a beginner, I say try air dry clay. It's nice to have the 3D and feel it in your hands. But that's really where the trial and error comes in... try different things until you find the thing that fits YOU!

DM: What do you enjoy most about working with your medium?
MO: With my clay dragons, I like how they effect the viewer, they often don't know it's clay...that's nice!


DM: What do you find the most frustrating?
MO: How long my dragons take to finish. There are a bunch of steps...but I always know when one is done!

DM: Where do you find your inspirations for what you create?
MO: I find inspiration in other artists work, I get sparks from other artists, not to copy but to create something beautiful of my own. I fell in love with Boris' work many years ago. I have his books and calenders you name it. Fantasy art...reality is too real... I find it very depressing!


DM: Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations:
MO: I have a large blue dragon I made. It's a female and she is turning her head and licking her shoulder. When I put her on the wall she was turning to the wall. It was just looked wrong...all her energy was stopped at the wall. So I cut out a renaissance shaped window from ply wood. I put screen around the outside and sculpted the stones of a castle window. I had professional glass cutters install a mirror and then mounted my "Looking Glass Dragon" in front of it! Now her energy is reflected in the never ending window! She's my favorite.


DM: Have you ever experienced artist block and how did you overcome it?
MO: Oh yes, it's awful. I try to stay away from my art until my mood changes or I'll mess something up. I watch a great movie, read a book, go on the web and see what other artist are doing...that makes me want to create! Or it will rain!

DM: What is the biggest mistake you have ever made as an artist? What did you learn from it?
MO: Maybe it wasn't the biggest but costly and time consuming...I was trying to cut corners by not using a primmer before painting. With out primer your paint will then soak into the clay, the texture will be different and your colors won't be true. It's just not worth it. Don't rush your art, do it right the first time then your end product will be something you can be proud of!


DM: Would you please tell about your studio set-up?
MO: My studio is the back room in my barber shop, if I'm at work. if I'm home it's on the floor in front of my TV. I paint and sculpt between haircuts, and I carry my paint to and from work everyday because if I don't I will be in the mood and all my stuff will be in the other place...it will drive me crazy(er).


DM: When is your favorite time to create?
MO: There is no favorite time, when ever the mood strikes!


DM: What advise would you give someone starting out in this medium?
MO: Just get your hands dirty, if you don't like it... tear it up. Make something else, until you like it. As long as YOU like it, that's all that matters, then someone else will!


DM: Are there any artist that inspire you or that you admire?
MO: I mentioned Boris, several of the masters of course. but there is also Linda Smith, she's a fairy artist, she does tutorials and has a blog and so on...wow she makes the most beautiful fairies.


DM: Tell us a bit about yourself.
MO: I have always loved doing art. I married young had children and step children. I became a barber because my husband needed a barber, I became a musician because he needed a bass player. I worked two jobs night and day for over 20 years. Now I only work one, I retired as a musician, I now have time for my art...DO NOT WAIT TO DO YOUR ART! Do what makes you happy...follow your BLISS!


DM: Anything else you wish to share?
MO: I'd like to share my sincere Thanks to Muse News for thinking of me for their interview. I'm honored.
Bless you and thank you again,
Misty Oakley

DM: Believe me, it has been a please looking over your art and learning about you !

Till tomorrow.... keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

I am looking for someone that wants to share their interest of all the great arts and crafts around the net --- if you are interested, please contact me museoftheday(at) gmail.com

It really is a fun gig, we will share the duties, and I promise you, it will not take too much of your time. I will help you with some great short cuts that make each post wonderful !

Hope to hear from someone !
Till tomorrow ... keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

Artist Information or Bio: 
I am a goldsmith who has been working in the jewelry industry for 20 years. I went to North Bennett Street School in Boston in 1994 to train to be a goldsmith. I have worked in repairing, renovating and custom design in my work shop for the last 15 years. Most of my jewelry is hand fabricated resulting in each piece being unique.

You can see more of this artist work at
♥ Artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/creativegoldsmith
♥ Blog:
♥ Facebook:
♥ Twitter:
♥ Webpage:
Till tomorrow ... keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse