Say "Booooooo!" and Vote for Your Favorite Halloween Themed Item

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to vote for your favorite item in the ACT October Contest. Our theme was “Booooooo!” and 4 of our talented artists submitted one of their creations.

First up, is a Devil Ring submitted by the Vermont mother and daughter team at With Our Hands. The size is adjustable.

Second, Coco of ByCoco--Art for Everyday Enjoyment, who hails from Maine, submitted her stained glass Ghost and Bat Duo, which measures approximately 4.5"x2.5".




Next, Haffina Creations from Southern Australia created this polymer clay Evil Tomato Keyring. The eyes and mouth of the tomato are glow in the dark clay, and each side is different.




Finally, Creations With Heart, a Jewelry artisan from Michigan entered these glass bead Ghost Earrings made with sterling silver ear wires.




It’s now up to you to help determine which of these pieces best fits our October theme: "Booooooo!" To find out more about each piece just click on either it's picture or its title. If you'd like to see other works by that artist, click on the name of their studio. Once you've made up your mind, please vote using the poll below.



Each month, members of this Artfire Artisan Guild are challenged to create something that represents a specific theme. The contest is designed to spur their creativity in the spirit of friendly competition. Stay tuned to find out who won the Artfire Cafemom Team's contest this month.

What will our November theme will be? Becoming a follower of this blog is an easy way to keep abreast of future themes. If you're an artist and would like to participate in our monthly contests, join our guild on Artfire.com. We are user friendly and welcome new members.

Vote for "Ret Hot"

Our ACT contest theme for August is "Red Hot" and we have, for your deliberation, eight hot, Hot, HOT, unique handmade works of art from Artfire studios which belong to our members. At first, I was surprised to see that no one entered an artistic rendition of a hot chilli pepper, but then I remembered how creative we all are, and that might have been just too predictable.

After reviewing the submissions below, please vote for your favorite red hot item. Unfortunately, you must pick just one, but feel free to leave comments about the others you liked in the the comment section below. Thanks for helping us to select this months winner.

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Handmade Pink and Red Apple Large Zip Pouch (Applique on Linen)

by djStoreRoom

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Ray-Lee Manta Ray Sock Drawer Refresher

by Eddy G

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Desert Fortress Abstract Watercolor Blazing Red Rocks of Sedona, AZ

by Spirit Essence Art

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Red Sweetheart Coffee Cup Cozy

by SubEarthan Cottage

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Look Hot Hot Hot in Cherry Red Jewelry Set

by The Blue Beadle

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Red Super Soft Scarf with Angel Hair

by With Our Hands

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Chainmaille Necklace Fire and Ice Byzantine

by HaffinaCreations

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For Any Old Red Hat "Hottie"

by ByCoco

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Introducing Arlene from Spirit Essence Art

Next up on the PowerUp list is Arlene from Spirit Essence Art!!

Arlene started working with glass 25 years ago, doing custom stained glass windows for her customers. When she later discover fused glass, she became so passionate about it that she continues working with it until this day. The creative and experimental Arlene first started painting with oils. Now, she does watercolors and has dabbled a little with acrylic paints of late. Arlene even had her own supply and gift shop!! Amazing isnt it?? Who hasnt dreamt of having her very own gift shop?? And, to actually own a Supply & Gift Shop?? Fabulous!!



Arlene work at home in her own studio in western Pennsylvania and have her art pieces listed exclusively on Artfire!! She is also an active Member of Artfire Cafemom Team Guild and also Guild Master of A Passion For Painting Guild. She is an excellent leader and team member who always try to help out whenever she is needed!!



You should definitely check out her store offerings of Watercolor paintings, Oil paintings, Fused Glass Art Pieces and Fused Glass Jewelry!!




Check out Arlene at her
artfire store
blog
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Creative Inspiration

Have you ever thought that you just didn’t have enough time or energy or motivation to create more of your handmade art or craft, like you know you would like to? I have been aware that I needed to be creating more art to list on my Artfire site, so that my store didn’t become stale and boring.

Every time I thought about listing more of the items I already have in my stock (i.e. the oil paintings and fused glass art and jewelry), a lethargy took over me. I got bored and listless, and self-doubt tried to move in. Or, when I thought about creating new artwork, I would just shift stuff around in my art space, without really accomplishing much. It just wasn’t gelling. Has that ever happened to you?

I have been struggling with myself to figure out how to create some new and exciting stuff that would be fresh and enticing to prospective buyers. Not to mention, that it would be exciting to me, too, so I would feel inspired to create more every day. Nothing seemed to work until now.

Today when I thought about a topic for my post, I was happily down in my studio in the middle of creating a painting for a challenge I am participating in. When I signed up for it, I wondered why I was committing to it, when it seemed that I already had too many commitments for my time.

This one is different, however. It has the potential (and it is certainly delivering what I expected and MORE!!) to stir up my creative juices. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. I haven’t felt this inspired for a long, long time. Just what I need, I thought, even if it means that my other projects might have to wait a little while longer, or the house perhaps isn’t as clean as I would like it to be, or dinner gets a little late some nights.

I couldn’t help myself. I joined the 100 in 100 Challenge, which is a commitment only to me, though I am publicly declaring that I am participating. It is something I am doing to get out of my stale mold, to inspire myself to see and try new things, to go beyond where I ever thought possible.

If you ever have felt stalled in your art, or needed new inspiration or ideas, to be able to move beyond your usual stuff that holds you back creatively, I encourage you to take a look. Even though it started a little over a week ago, it’s not too late to join in. You can catch up or extend your hundred days from whenever you start. It doesn’t matter. I started a few days late, too, and I am still able to get a lot out of this. Also, it is totally free to participate. No cost whatsoever!

Here it the first post where it is described. It is being run by Warrior Girl (Rowena) who creates unique “Flying Girl” paintings. What do you think? You can tailor it to whatever you want to create more of in your creative life. What if this is the one thing you can do to get out of your creative rut?

Come join me and others and have some fun!

Arlene
http://www.SpiritEssenceArt.com
http://www.SpiritEssenceArt.artfire.com

Technorati Tags: creative,handmade art,painting,crafts,inspiration,100 in 100 Challenge,Artfire,studio

Another Stress Reducer + Inspiration

I read with interest the last blog post done by Jeanette about using exercise as a great way to relieve the effects of stress in our lives. It reminded me that we do not have to be victims of stress if we just take some positive action in our lives.

Of course, we, as artists also get some stress relief from creating, which is a wonderful way to do it! Sometimes, though, we can be hit so hard by events and pressures in our lives, that it is difficult to focus long enough in our chosen creative media to make a difference.

That's where exercise can come in handy. It is also where another method can help: Meditation! Now, I am not an expert in different forms of meditation. Not by any means. However, I have been a regular meditator for many years and I know it can be a very simple practice.

Research has shown that regular meditation can have very beneficial results on our physical and emotional well-being. I won't bore you with specific research studies - that is not my intent. I know from my own personal experience that even taking 20 minutes to a half an hour once a day can help me get through my day with much more ease and focus.

Another benefit of meditation is to provide a space for new inspiration to enter our awareness. In the process of quieting our minds, our creative "muse" can speak to us and we can hear it! It can be in the form of thoughts, ideas, images, or words. We are each different in how we receive new ideas.

A simple way to meditate is to just find a time (15 minutes to half an hour is fine) and quiet space where you will not be interrupted. Perhaps if you are a stay-at-home mom, when your little ones are napping or after they have gone to bed in the evening. Sit or lie down comfortably and first relax your body, focusing on each area of your body in sequence.

Intend that each part will relax, and it will. You can also visualize yourself in a real or imagined perfect spot in nature. Or just focus on your breathing. Take deep breaths noticing how your body feels as you breathe in and out. Just let go. If you find yourself thinking or worrying about something in your daily life, just notice it and then let it go. This is your time to allow yourself to just "BE". How infrequently we do this for ourselves, so busy are we in "DOING"!

After a few minutes, allow yourself to just gradually come back to waking reality, noticing how you feel. If you have fallen asleep, so be it! At least your body and mind have rested, which is probably what you needed. If you find your fall asleep every time, then make sure you are sitting up rather than lying down.

Try this once a day and see if you don't feel more peaceful, less stressed, and more focused. You may even find that you come out of your meditative state with a great new idea or two. If not, know that the more relaxed you are, the better you will feel and the easier your entire life can be.

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Don't forget our weekly giveaways: the one running currently ( Giveaway # 2: Spirit Essence Art ) is almost done. Enter today before you forget!

Arlene