Potteryyyy!!!

Earlier this week, I got an opportunity to go with a friend to a pottery class she takes at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in DC. I was really excited to try something new, as I like to see just how far my creative juices can take me lol. I've never done anything pottery related...unless Color Me Mine in Adams Morgan counts. I forgot most of the terms but there was some "throwing", "compressing of the rim"...that's all I remember lol. It was fun and pretty messy, which I was prepared for but not my clothes. Anywho, after I completely failed on my first two or three attempts, I started to get a little better. Still sucked lol...but better.

Here's one bowl I failed on and brought back to life lol...

Just gave it a little ripple effect around the rim...never know the difference *sarcasm*. Then, I made this little bowl here. Came out pretty decent...

It was fun!! No doubt the painting/designing will be my favorite part though lol.

We also walked around to some of the different exhibits at Corcoran before starting the pottery. Definitely some interesting works in there and I need to go back when I have more time to look around. I did take a few pics of the exhibits I saw...

The two people standing on the carpet were doing some kind of performance art. The part I saw entailed them walking around on the carpet sipping wine, never being on the same side of the carpet. No, I didn't get it lol. Then, I saw a picture on Instagram of this performance and somehow the guy ended up butt naked with lettuce covering his yeah and he was laying on the ground...then, I got it even less lol. Wish I could've seen the whole thing.

This one is called "Untitled Hole (for their sins)" lol...

She actually gave away some of the bread she made...

Old photos of GoGo bands and old flyers from the Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s exhibit...

Saw the GoGo exhibit in passing, hence the lack of pictures.
Last is the Ill Street Blues exhibit. Floor to ceiling STREET ART!!! I love street art.

The Corcoran Gallery is really cool. Didn't get to take too many pics, but there was a lot of cool stuff in there. Plan a trip! You can get more info on their exhibits and whatever else your heart desires here.

Stay inspired.

Spark!!

Just an FYI!!!...  FIGMENT is a really cool community-based event and they're throwing a shindig to raise some funds. I participated in DC's first FIGMENT event last year, which you can read more about here. I donated a couple of pieces to silent auction which will take place at Spark. Seems like it will be a good time. Click here to check out their event on Facebook. Try to make it out there!!

Stay inspired. 

DIY | Magnetic Chalkboard

I've always wanted a chalkboard in my room. I'm certain my future kids will have a chalkboard wall, but I didn't really want to paint any of my walls with chalkboard paint so I opted for a nicely framed magnetic chalkboard!!

I LOVE it!!!!:) And I'll be making some accessories to go with it, so stay tuned for all that jazz. I have to be honest and say this one is not for the faint of crafters lol...but I'm sure there are easier ways to do some of what I did.

Materials:

• Frame & backing (from Goodwill)
• Sheet metal (from Lowes)
• Tin snips (from Lowes)
• Permanent marker
• Staple gun (from Michaels)
• Spray paint (in color of choice for frame) (from Lowes)
• Black spray paint primer (from Lowes)
• Chalkboard paint (from Lowes)

Instructions:
*Sorry in advance for the lack of photos, I accidentally deleted some. I also wanted to note that they do sell magnetic paint if you wanted to skip the sheet metal part, but that stuff seemed messy, smelly and I read too many reviews that said it didn't hold heavier magnets well.*

1. About the frame. I purchase all frames used for crafting from Goodwill. They're VERY cheap and have a bunch of different sizes. The first step is to disassemble the frame and art. You can save the art if you like it I guess...but I just wanted to the frame. There will likely be staples in the back holding the art in, which I just went in and plucked out with a flathead screwdriver. Remove everything from inside the frame (glass, matting, artwork, backing and whatever else may be there). Keep the backing of the painting. It will be used later. You can avoid this staple business by buying a new picture frame from a craft store.




2. Spray paint the frame in your color of choice. I went with gold since I plan on redoing my bedroom with gold being one of my accent colors. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the spray paint for drying times.

3. Now we can work on the sheet metal. This was my least favorite part lol. If there's a place to go and get sheet metal cut for you...I don't know that place. So, I did it myself with a pair of tin snips. I started by placing the backing that came with the frame onto the sheet metal and traced around it (since the backing is the exact size my chalkboard needs to be to fit in the frame). Then, I cut it out using the tin snips.








4. After cutting out the sheet metal, wipe it down with a rag to remove any lint prior to priming and spray painting. Now, use the the black primer to coat the sheet metal on one side and follow the manufacturer's instructions. After the primer has dried and you've sprayed the appropriate amount of coats, spray on the chalkboard paint.

5. Once your frame and chalkboard paint-covered sheet metal have dried, you can assemble the two along with the backing the came with the frame. Place the frame face down and insert the sheet metal (chalkboard side down) into the frame. Then, place the backing that was originally inside the frame back on top of the sheet metal.

6. If your frame came with artwork stapled in, you're going to have to staple everything back in using a staple gun. You want the staple to go through the backing and into the wood. Be sure to press down as you staple so it's together nice and tight. I probably put about 4 or 5 staples on each side, but staple until you have a tight fit all around. And you're done with the hard part now.








7. You will have to prep your chalkboard for use by rubbing a piece of chalk over the board. These instructions can be found on the chalkboard spray paint can.

Whew....you're done now! Enjoy!

Stay inspired.

DIY | Hot Wheels Magnets

Today, I made Hot Wheels magneeeeets!!! I think this is cool for kids...or anyone that like cars. It's super easy to do. I don't even think I'm going to write out instructions like I normally do lol. 

Materials:

I took pictures of my materials all nice and laid out and then I accidentally deleted it from my phone :(. But I pretty much only used three things...

• Hot Wheels
• E-6000 glue
• 3/4" ceramic magnet discs

I got the Hotwheels from Target for $.97 each. I think you can get them even cheaper from Walmart. You can get E-6000 glue from any craft store like Michaels or A.C. Moore and I believe Target and Walmart also sell this glue. I got mine from Michaels. You can also use a glue gun or any other strong glue you may have. I used 3/4" magnets, which I purchased from Lowes. They were about $3 for a pack of eight.

Instructions:
Simply glue one magnet to the bottom center of the car, following the instructions of the glue manufacturer for application and suggested drying times. My particular glue recommends you let it sit for at least 24 hours before handling. If you use E-6000, I would also recommend applying it with a Q-tip or a toothpick. It's very goopy and you have more control when you use something to apply it versus squeezing it out.   

And there you have it!! Oh and P.S., I went really crazy with making magnets so there are more magnet DIYs to come lol. 

Stay Inspired.

DIY | Crafting Tape Frames

HOLA!!! Happy New Year!!! Every time the new year rolls around, I write out all the things I want to accomplish in that year BUT this year I wanted to do something different. I still made my normal list and printed it out like 10 times so I see it everywhere, but I also wanted to make a visual representation of my goals, in addition to the list. I'm also in need of an inspiration board for my art related ventures, so I threw that in too. Here's what I ended up with so far...

I used SMASH crafting tape (I love that brand) for the frames and some stickers for the words. All came from Michaels. Very simple to do. I already put enough holes in the wall, so I thought tape would be a nice change lol...and cheaper...and I think it's cool. I also bought a bunch of colorful to tape to put up pictures, notes...whatever I decide to fill those blank spaces with. This is also a cool and unique idea for displaying pictures and artwork. Give it a go!!

Materials:

• Level
• Pencil
• Stickers (optional)
• Crafting tape
• Scissors

Instructions:

1) Use the level and a pencil to draw out your frame. If you don't have a level, start with a good horizontal line (eyeball it) and then find something with a right angle to help draw out your frame...and you'll need a ruler or some kind of straight edge. You can also trace around something. That's all the sans-level ideas I have lol.

2) Place the crafting tape you want to use as a frame along your pencil drawings. You can also add stickers if you'd like.

3) Fill er up! ...that's pretty much it. 

I'll post some pics once I have stuff inside the frames.

Stay Inspired.

Time Well Spent??

Source

One of my friends shared an article with me from Relevant Magazine the other day titled "5 Things We Will Wish We'd Done Differently". It was one of those articles that really make you think about the way you're spending your life and it focused specifically on this generation...a look at how we will view our past in the future from a present standpoint...make sense?lol It makes you ponder on things like "Will I regret those many hours of my life that I spent on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, etc., instead of socializing and sharing experiences with my loved ones in person or going out and doing something productive? No doubt, you can be productive on social networks, but most of the time...come on...we are not lol.

I had a similar, but more morbid, scenario placed before me a couple of years. I was at a real estate investment seminar...they really try to tug at your emotions at some of these things lol...and they asked us to write out our obituaries. To ponder on what people will say about you when you die. As a younger 20-something I said, "nah, I'm not about that life" lol, but as I've gotten older, I do think about things like that from time to time. Not necessarily my own funeral, but what I'm doing to touch the lives of others. Am I living a selfish or selfless life? There are SO MANY things out here to distract us from what really matters. It's important to stop and think about things like this and gauge how we're living. Check out the article over at Relevant Magazine here!!!

Are you making the best of the time allotted to you?

Stay Inspired!!

NEW ART!!!

Good morning!!! Thought I'd share one of my latest paintings here...its been a while lol. I've been consumed with the other things of life but I have some cool stuff coming! Anywho, the title of this piece is "Never Scared"...it's all about boldness, confidence and not being afraid to be you. Medium... acrylic on canvas. Size...24" x 30". 

Stay Inspired!!!