Your Daily Muse News

Who out there is lucky enough to have an Ikea close by ? If you are then you know what I mean by the DY'selfer's dream place...so many plain bland items begging to be brought to life with a little touch of art !


If you are not one of the lucky ones, we feel for you ! I found this fun tutorial that can be done on any mirror and again the only thing stopping us is our imagination ! Enjoy !

For the full tutorial, pop over to mirror stencils and if you use this tutorial, please send me pictures !


Till tomorrow ..keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

Everyone saw miniature copies of houses, ships or trains in the bottles. But it turns out that this is not the most complex miniature art. Artist Szymon Klimek from Poland creates quite working miniature versions of retro mechanisms in wineglass that are working on solar panels. He’s working with brass and tin sheets to create various old mechanisms, such as steam engine, sailing ship, bicycle or retro automobile. An amazing combination of advanced technical capabilities and unusual hobby.

You can see more of this artist work at http://www.edrobiazg.com.pl/
Till tomorrow ... keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

Marie opened her Etsy store in 10/12/09, she has taken the artistic jump into custom wedding top designs … this is a new type of interview for me so lets get started and learn more about Marie and her art !


DM: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
MY: For my full-time job, I am part of an amazing creative marketing team at Penn State that encourages adults to finish their college degrees. At work, I am surrounded by BLUE & WHITE. So when I get home, I like to use some other colors. I started Young Creative as a way to express myself outside of the restrictions of my day job.

On the home front, I'm married to my high school sweetheart, Rob. We started dating when I was 16. We've been together for more than 20 years now.


DM: What is your artistic medium?
MY: I work in mixed media. I love to put together things that vary in texture such as clay, paper, and fabric. Lately I’ve been jazzed about combining those elements into miniature sculptures for on top of wedding cakes.

DM: Where can your art be seen?
MY: You can see my cake toppers in my storefront at www.etsy.com/shop/youngcreative.

I also have a blog called Creative Sprinkle where I share projects that I’m working on. Those projects range from items for my wedding cake topper business to the 1940s inspired bathroom remodel I’m planning.


DM: When and how did you first become interested in your medium?
MY: My Mom has a love for everything crafty and she instilled that love in my sister and me.


DM: Once you decided to pursue your art, how did you start off, trial and error, books, classes, videos, formal schooling?
MY: Again my Mom is always trying out new techniques. She gets super excited about something and shows my sister and me how to make it. She also buys us a lot of crafting supplies for the holidays so we can afford to try new things. Beyond that I read books, magazines, and lots of blogs to get ideas.


DM: Out of what you tried, was there any particular thing that you would recommend to someone just starting out?
MY: Keep practicing. It takes time to learn something new. You get better each time you try.


DM: What do you enjoy most about working with your medium?
MY: It is really rewarding to start with a blank sheet of paper, or mound of clay, and end up with something beautiful. I get that “wow, I made that” feeling every time.


DM: What do you find the most frustrating?
MY: Sometimes I can see what I want to make so clearly in my head, but I don’t have the skills to create it. I may still create something nice, but it isn’t what I pictured so I am disappointed.


DM: Where do you find your inspirations for what you create?
MY: Craft shows and the web. I love sites like www.creativeeveryday.com and of course Etsy where I can be exposed to the work of lots of amazingly talented people.


DM: Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations:
MY: My favorite piece is a wedding cake topper that I just finished. I love anything old, so when I found a digital collage sheet at rubydoordesigns.com that featured old-time wedding photos, I knew I wanted to use it. I placed a copy of the photo into a hand-stamped clay frame that I created, and then I played off the feel of the black and white photo to carry the vintage feel throughout the piece.


DM: Have you ever experienced artist block and how did you overcome it?
MY: Most of my adult life has been spent in artist block. Growing up, I didn’t go anywhere without a sketchpad. I loved art so much that I majored in art history in college, but studying the work of great artists paralyzed me. I knew I would never be great, so I gave it up for a lot of years. I’ve only recently started to seriously pursue art again.


DM: What is the biggest mistake you have ever made as an artist? What did you learn from it?
MY: For me art is about creative freedom, yet at the same time I want to be able to make some money doing what I love. My biggest mistake is ignoring what I learned in my day job about marketing. I need to find a balance between the freedom I’m seeking and the strategic direction I need to take to be successful.


DM: Would you please tell about your studio set-up?
MY: We are lucky enough to have a finished basement with a private room in the back where I can work. My husband built me a custom workspace. The colors are super cheery: blue carpet and orange creamsicle walls. I also have everything in matching containers made from recycled shoe boxes that I decorated. My cats like the comfy chair in the corner.


DM: When is your favorite time to create?
MY: Saturday mornings. My energy is highest in the morning and that time is dedicated to my Penn State job during the week.


DM: What advise would you give someone starting out in this medium?
MY: Start by mastering the techniques. Take a class, read a book, and start practicing.


DM: Are there any artists that inspire you or that you admire?
MY: Some of my biggest inspiration comes from the graphic designers I work with. They are so talented. Many of the balance full-time work with outside freelance ventures so that gave me the courage to try something on my own. I also have tremendous amount of respect for my Creative Director, Herbert Reininger. He has helped me see that when I stop focusing on the stress of making deadlines or seeking perfection, my mind opens up and the ideas come.


DM: Marie, thank you so much for the look into a new and budding business ! We wish you much success and again enjoyed learning all about your art !

Till tomorrow … keep creating,
Tina aka Daily Muse

First I wanted to say sorry for the missing days posted, I had family in town and am now back to work full time so my days got a little mixed up ... working on getting YDMN up and running so I can get more and more readers ! Please if you like or dislike a post, let me know, it is nice to see your comments -- lets me know everyone is still enjoying my blog !

Now back to your Sunday business tip :

Driving traffic to your online business directory is essential to building a thriving directory. No one will post if they do not know that your directories exist. There are a number of easy ways to increase traffic to your online business directory.

Below are a number proven methods to help you bring traffic to your business directory.

1. Search Engine Indexing of Your Directory: It is essential that you submit your online directories to all of the search engines to be indexed, even the lesser known search engines. As well, have your directories validated so that the major search engines will better index you URL.

2. Create a Favicon: A Favicon is a small icon displayed in your browser next to the URL in the address bar and also on bookmarks. It will distinguish your directory from competitors on the bookmarks' list. You can download an existing Favicon or create your own.

3. Write Business Promotion Articles: Write articles about business and online business directories and submit them to article directories. Make sure that you include your directory URL. The articles should relate to online business marketing.

4. Create a Unique Directory: A unique directory will make your directories stand out from the competitors. General business directories will receive less business listings than if you created specific directories that focused on a particular niche. Do not create category dumps or search engines will categorize your online business directory as duplicated content.

5. Spread the Word: There are many options available to spread the word online about your online business directory. Develop a relationship with other directory owners so you can exchange promotional ideas and strategies. Exchange links with relevant directories, not your competitors. As well, post comments of business blogs and discussion boards. Make sure you use a forum signature that includes your directory URL on forums and blogs where you participate. Answer questions and post questions on sites such as yahoo answers.

6. Create Your Own Blog: If you have your own Blog, you can post relevant comments related to your online directories. As well, you place your directory URL and directory description on your Blog. Promote different categories and subcategories of your online business directory.

7. Social Book Marking: You can increase site traffic to your online directories by making use of social book marking websites. A small widget of the site can also be placed on your site so that visitors can share your content with others. As well, become a social networker. Use your Twitter, Linked In, MySpace, Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster to promote your directories. The more friends and followers you have, the more likely you are to get people to post on your business directories.

8. Make News: Use RSS (Rich Site Summary) technology. Offer RSS subscription to your directory's visitors. Provide newsletters to those who subscribe to your news feed. Regularly provide new content about your directory using this feed.

The key to increasing traffic to your online business directories is implementing strategies that will make your directory appealing as well as getting your name out in the online business community.

Source : Ezinearticles.com

Take care, Tina aka Daily Muse

When I came across this tutorial, I thought more about a way to show off jewelry at a show verses for personal use, I am always looking for new ways to jazz up my show booth designs ! 

I adore shadowboxes, my favorite thing is to buy old ones from markets or garage sales and turn them into something totally new. 

For the full tutorial, pop over to diy-project-jewelry-shadowbox. And as always, if you use this tutorial, please send me pictures !


Till tomorrow ..keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

This appetite set of chocolates was created in 3ds Max and Vray by designer from Australia Rachael Dunk. Each chocolate represents a different event that took place around Sydney for October 2009. For now it’s just a concept but I doubt that I’ll be able to eat such piece of art. And you?

You can see more of this artist work at http://rachaeldunk.com/
Till tomorrow ... keep creating !
Tina aka Daily Muse

Today we want to show you collection of unusual handmade rings created by Sofia from Japan. This collection was inspired by delicious dishes, sweet desserts and various drinks. Very creative, not expensive and with Japanese aura they will make your day brighter. Each of them is existed in single exemplar and can be bought here.

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

I came across Dianne's work when I was looking for a tutorial on wire-wrapping, I loved reading her replies, it has been a while since I picked up my wire-wrapping and needed a swift kick, her interview brought the passion back to me and I hope you will enjoy as much as I did ! Lets get started !


DM :What is your artistic medium?
DKB: I work in wire, primarily precious metal, but also in base metals, like copper.

DM : Where can your art be seen?
DKB: On the internet, my work can be seen on my websites http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/ or http://www.diannekargbaron.com/.
Both pages link to my blog, where the photos of my recent work are posted. I also have photos up on Flickr, and sell through Etsy , my tutorials are available through http://www.wrapturetutorials.com/.

My pieces have been published in a number of books and magazines including "500 Earrings" by Lark Books, "Wire in Design" by Barbara McGuire, "All Wired Up!" by Mark Lareau, as well as "Lapidary Journal" and "The Wire Artist Jeweller".


DM : When and how did you first become interested in your medium?
DKB: I was a committed rockhound - it was a real passion for many years. While walking on the beach near my home in 1995 that I picked up an interesting rock. It turned out to be glass. Disappointed, I was about to throw it back into the lake when I thought "Hey, this would make an interesting piece of jewellery." The only thing I could think of to lay my hands on quickly was sterling silver wire. I made a pendant and then immediately had all kinds of ideas for other pieces, so I just kept going.


DM : Once you decided to pursue your art, how did you start off, trial and error, books, classes, videos, formal schooling?
DKB: I started off with trial and error, and later decided to take formal jewellery and silversmithing classes so I could learn the language of jewellers. Those classes drove home the importance of being precise. As a bonus, I met my husband while taking the classes :-).
DM: How adorable !


DM : Out of what you tried, was there any particular thing that you would recommend to someone just starting out?
DKB: Pay attention to the finishing! File and tuck in the ends of the wire, close your loops tightly, beware the death grip, which can leave plier marks. I often tell my students to remember The Sweater Test: It doesn't matter how beautiful the design is, if your piece catches on a sweater because you haven't paid attention to the details, it's junk.
DM:  Take it from me readers, words to live by !

DM : What do you enjoy most about working with your medium?
DKB: I love the variety of work I can produce, from something wispy and delicate to something substantial and solid.


DM : What do you find the most frustrating?
DKB: It's easy to create a really substantial piece using sheet metal or with casting. It's much more difficult in wire. Depending on what I'm working on, it can take a long time to finish. That has a dramatic impact on the price I have to charge for the piece, which makes it harder to sell.


DM : Where do you find your inspirations for what you create?
DKB: Nature, architecture, historical periods like the Gothic Era, calligraphy, and sometimes I draw inspiration from my personal life.


DM : Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations:
DKB: One of the pieces that is close to my heart is a pendant called "Mother and Child". I made it after suffering a miscarriage in May 2009. At the end of April I was surprised to discover that I was pregnant. I took the pregnancy test on the Monday, and then made a visit to my family doctor on


Wednesday to start the process of finding an OB and to schedule an ultrasound. On Thursday I started bleeding. After spending several hours in Emergency, I was sent home and told to come back if the bleeding got heavier. By Saturday, I was cramping severely, so I went back to the hospital. While waiting for blood tests, I suffered the miscarriage.

My head spun at how fast it all happened: I hardly had time to even get used to the idea of another baby. (My husband and I already have two beautiful children.) What got me the most was the fact that I had originally planned to delay taking the pregnancy test until Thursday. Had I done that, I would never have known I was pregnant.

I believe that every pregnancy is a soul connection between the mother and the child. It's a connection continues regardless if the pregnancy is terminated, miscarried or goes full term. Losing the baby was terrible, but it has helped to think in terms of still being “Mommy” to an angel who didn’t quite make it to Earth.

The pendant is my expression of that soul connection: it clearly shows the baby growing safe and secure in its mother’s belly. The baby is abstract, and looks a little like an angel wing. So for me, it works on two levels: celebrating the ones who join us, and remembering the ones who are growing up on the other side.
DM: I fell in love with this pendant and I found this subject to so touching and close to my heart.....


DM : Have you ever experienced artist block and how did you overcome it?
DKB: Definitely! I deal with artist block by taking a break for a while. I'll change gears completely. For example, a little over a year ago, I was feeling uninspired, so I switched over to doing photography and joining a photography group. As a result, my photographic skills improved immensely. Eventually, I started noticing ideas for jewellery seeping back into my consciousness, so I picked up my pliers again. And, as a bonus, I also started taking better photographs of my jewellery!


DM : What is the biggest mistake you have ever made as an artist? What did you learn from it?
DKB: I should have started selling tutorials much earlier than I did. For years I got emails from people asking me if I had a pattern for such and such design on my website. At the time I found it really frustrating because I wanted people to buy my jewellery, not copy my designs. Instead, I realize now, I was ignoring a target market and that making a living from your artwork can come from multiple streams.


DM: Which I am grateful, I have enjoyed many of your tutorials ! When you do this one, I must have it ! I love caged pendants and make many different designs but always looking for another great tutorial (hint hint)

DM : Would you please tell about your studio set-up?
DKB: At the moment, my studio is set up in a very cluttered space that includes my bench, my computer desk, my filing cabinet, my photography setup, and a couple of bookshelves filled with beads and wire, and reference material. My bench has an area for soldering, my vice and a rolling mill perched on one end. It's currently covered with all kinds of projects, both finished and unfinished. My pickle pot is in the basement. One of my new years resolutions is to clean up and organize the space so I can work more effectively in it.


DM : When is your favorite time to create?
DKB: I create whenever I can. Most of the time now it's during the day while my kids are in school, or after they've gone to bed. It's not unusual for me to work until 12-1 a.m.


DM : What advise would you give someone starting out in this medium?
DKB: Don't be afraid to waste wire - experiment, even if you end up throwing things in your scrap bin. It's the only way to truly get a feel for what it can and can't do. Also, save your early pieces, because that way you'll be able to see how far you've progressed.


DM : Are there any artist that inspire you or that you admire?
DKB: I adore the work of Mary Lee Hu. Her pieces are wonderful, full of symbolism, mystery and texture!

DM : Tell us a bit about yourself.
DKB: As I mentioned before, I met my husband through a jewellery class. We've been married for 7 1/2 years and have two boys. I love watching my kids play: both are very inventive and creative. For the past ten years I've been teaching wireworking through community colleges in Toronto and Haliburton (Ontario, Canada). After years of being asked "Do you have a pattern for this design?" I finally started selling tutorials in 2007. When not working on jewellery or tutorials, or spending time with my family, I volunteer with The Metal Arts Guild of Canada. The Guild publishes a magazine about the Canadian metalworking scene three times a year, and I'm currently serving as the Editor. My life is so busy that I joke about sleep being overrated! LOL


DM :Anything else you wish to share?
DKB: I'm really happy to have found other people who are as passionate about wire as I am. The internet has been a great tool for making connections, and I've been very lucky to meet several fellow wire artists in person. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my work with your readers! Thank you!

DM: Again Dianne, thank you for sharing all that you have with us ! I look forward to more of your wonderful work and tutorials and we hope 2010 brings you all the joy you deserve !

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