Glue Gun Stencils - My 31 Art Studio Essentials

I am glad that you could join me in my studio for the Art Studio Essentials Daily Series today to help you kick start your creativity and to check out some supplies.  Today I will be playing about with my glue gun stencils which I created in a wide range of sizes and shapes.

What Art Supplies have you neglected?  I had these stencils in a box hidden away, and it isn't until you get them out do you realize how much you enjoy using them. Today I will show you how you can deal with those times that you feel stuck by using your Glue gun stencils.

You don't need to spend a whole day in your supplies and can find the odd 5 minutes or so that we can give to creative play, this is what I did to create the stencils. 

Using a Teflon sheet I created the glue stencils in a variety of shapes, making sure that the ends joined together.

Create your favorite shapes

You can create whatever you like and this is great cause you then don't have to worry about using other peoples designs, and you never know where creating your own designs will take you.

Create unique designs

This is a face stencil that I created and a square shaped stencil and I used spray paint with these stencils as they are thicker than the norm.  What you can then do is to go in and define some of the shapes with additional materials.

Check out the video to see how I used them in my Art Journal.

The Video

Glue Gun Stencils

About This Video: In this video I cover how to spend more time being creative

with your glue gun stencils

If you are researching how to be more creative on YouTube then check out the tips and advice on ways to be Creative and regaining your Creative spark, sign up to my Mailing list and receive the publication 25 Ways to fit Art and Creativity into your day!

I'm Teaching on the BADASS Art Journal Course and will be giving away this Bonus when you sign up - Check it out HERE

Art Supplies - Check out some discounts with the following:

Adorn it - http://bit.ly/AdorAT18

Dollar Tree - http://bit.ly/DolAT18

Craftsy Kits - http://bit.ly/CrafAT18

BADASS Art Journal and Bonus - http://bit.ly/BONUSJ18

My 31 Art Studio Essentials - Stencils

I am so glad you could join me in my studio for the Art Studio Essentials Daily Series that will help you to kick start your creativity and to check out some supplies.  

Today I will be playing about with my stencils which come in all shapes and sizes, you can make your own or re-purpose other equipment.

Check out the Video Below

I have collected a wide variety of stencils over the years and first started out with the stencils you use to decorate your walls, and initially used the Dover Stencils on card that you cut out.  This then led me on the journey to find out more and get different designs.

 Do you have neglected art supplies hanging around waiting to be used, you don't want your stencils to come to the same fate.  

Check out what you can recycle and create your own stencils! 

I found ways to create some of my own stencils and these ones are from the humidifiers you can buy with a plastic lid, the lid with its patterns makes a great stencil.  

You can create some yummy texture from homemade stencils

In the video above I will show you how I use some recycled examples to make stencils.  Being creative and thinking outside the box will help you to deal with those times that you feel stuck by using your supplies in different ways.

These stencils below are using the sink mats that you can get in different shapes and sizes, the patterns are great and can create some lovely effects.

You can also create a cheap stencil from a Sink Mat!

Sometimes all we need is 5 minutes for some creative play, and you will feel so much better once you have done something, there are so many ways in which you can fit creativity into your every day!

I do hope that you get out your supplies and have some fun!

Dover Books Has over 80 Books on stencils for you to choose from

Stampington have a selection of my Favorite Magazines

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Jewelry Tools - My 31 Art Studio Essentials

Thank you for joining me in my studio for the Art Studio Essentials Daily Series in January to kick start your creativity and to check out some supplies. Today I will be sharing some of my jewelry tools that I have in my supply.

Tools in the Studio

Go and have a rummage around and look at any tools that you may have neglected, and are crying out for you to use them alongside your art supplies that are hanging around.

 We all have those times where we feel less like creating and what I hope to show you is that we can look at our supplies in so many different ways there is something to fit any mood you may be in. 

I keep saying it but you need to find time to be creative and there are so many ways in which you can do so.

Check out the video below to see some of the tools I have in my stash, there are more that didn't make it out today but they are no longer forgotten.

What is your favorite tools in you stash, I would love to hear about them.

Thank you for the support! Now go out there and do some creating. Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Check out some of these Resources that have a range of tools, supplies, & tutorials that might interest you:



Dollar Tree





Stay blessed and be a blessing.

My 31 Art Studio Essentials - Books

I love books always have and always will, despite my love for my Kindle, though as an artist I find there are some books that have to be felt, poured over and pages flipped.

I wanted to share a few with you and encourage you to use the great resource which they give you for ideas, inspiration, and will get you out of any slump that you may be in as you question your ''Why' as an artist.

Check out the video which goes into more details about each book and I do a mini flip through and tell you why I like these particular books.  I will at a later date be doing a video to review the books but you will get a good idea as to how these particular books can help you.

Also check out these places for more books some at a discounted price and ones that have some of my favorite magazines as well.

Check out these resources for discounted art books

Book Outlet

Dover Books

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Creative Bug

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Stampington Magazine

I hope that you have been finding the sessions useful in the 31 Art Studio Essentials.  By going through the videos and your supplies you will be more than ready when the BADASS ART Journal Course comes up, and you will be well versed in your supplies, and additional ideas that you can use.

BADASS Art Journal Course

Stay blessed and be a blessing!!

My 31 Art Studio Essentials - Pro-Marker Pens

The Video

Pro-Marker Pens

My Promarker pen set has grown,  I started out with the small set either 6 or 12 and then added to them over the years.  This comes under my list of essentials as I use them when I want a change from using paint and other supplies.

You get a smooth finish when using them and they also come with a blender that you can use between colors.  The downside that I found is cosmetic, they didn't come with the colors on the lid, and I have had to make my own, or purchase the stickers.

They also came with these stands which I didn't find very convenient as they took up studio space so I created a pen holder for myself from recycled materials.

You can check out the holder that I created out of recycled materials, and also take a look at the resources below.

Check out how I created this Promarker Pen Holder from recycled materials HERE

Art Resources to Check out

Letraset Promarkers

Neon Markers

31 Art Studio Essentials - Gesso

Firstly 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that this year sees you extend from your comfort zone and really see the treasures that you hold within you.

This is the beginning of a 31 day adventure through my art supplies and tools to share with you some of my favorites and how I use them when I am short of time or feeling stuck.

All about Gesso

If you have seen some of my other videos you will see that Gesso has a special place in my heart.  It comes in clear, black and white and you can mix acrylic with it to give you another color.  It provides a tooth for the surface that you might be working on, especially the thinner kind that you get with some altered books.

You might decide as an activity to sort out your supplies, and You can also spend time preparing pages as an activity, especially when you are short of time, adding color to the pages or using stencils to create texture.

Gesso can also be used on fabric, I especially like to create my own painted fabric, creating designs, and using a range of supplies to decorate.

I like the creaminess of the Gesso and I have a black one that is so thick and creamy it looks good enough to eat!! lol

But you have to see it to get what I mean. Take a look at my video so see how creamy it is, and also check out the resources that I mentioned in the video.

Resources

Click on the supplies below to find out more

I find this acrylic gesso slightly runny even though they are made by the same company but it is worth a try depending on how you want to use it

I hope that this has given you some ideas to play with your gesso and see what different effects you will be able to get.  Come back tomorrow for another supply and see where it can take you!

Stay blessed and be a blessing

What about the VLOG? Episodes 1 and 2

Alright, so I dived right in and have started to VLOG!

Yes I have started small, and hope to do a hourly, daily, weekly ok at the moment a sometime vlog talking about the things that are coming up at the moment, and more.  When I started I wanted to do it daily, but life, time, and over promising myself got the better of me, so I totally stopped. The desire to do it was still there, so I decided to break it down a bit, take the self imposed pressure off and do it as a weekly-ish Realityarts Vlog

I moved home had to do the packing and unpacking - I am on my 4th studio space, will share more soon.  I had courses and exhibitions to deal with and lots of other things that seem to be vying for time, and I want to share some of it on video, but I really underestimated just how long it would take.

Join me anyway on my YouTube channel, are you on your own creative journey and want some inspiration, or want to break-in, don't quite know where to start?  Well over time I will be providing some of the answers (from my perspective). I will be sharing what excites and motivates me, and inspiration from other artists - you accompany me on a creative tropical adventure. 

I will also cover in my VLOG the highs and lows of relocating that we found and how we adjusted to a new way of life, answer questions, tell you about new techniques and courses that I am involved with and so much more.

Episode 2 Series 1

Episode 1, Series 1

The third episode which is well over due should be with you this week and perhaps that will be the regular viewing date, I am trying to keep myself to a schedule - (a work in progress), rather than like sniper fire.

Anyway I hope you enjoy, and join me on the creative journey, we only have one life, why not live it to the full and step out and do the things that bless you and can inspire others in some way.  Go on, I dare you!  High Five..... I'm daring myself so you can't leave me hanging!

Do check out some of my other social sites, that seem to take up so much time....

Instagram

Facebook
Website

Pinterest - don't you just love all the different boards, no more piles of magazines with circles around things that inspire you or that you just like..

Anyway, thanks for getting this far, stay blessed and be a blessing

Amanda

Not another Challenge - Welcome to the Overflow - Tips for overload

Do you want to take part in a challenge, 

course or webinar?? 

How many resolutions have you made?

I think most of us do at some point or another, and in January everyone wants to get set to make the most of the ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ and see changes in their life. By February, we are a bit shocked at how quickly the time has passed and now that we are in the middle of March how many courses have you signed up for now??

  

How many challenges, courses and webinars can you really do?  We take on them on because we want to progress, there can be some great teaching that comes out of a challenge or course your insights and perspectives can be changed, if only you could keep up and stick to the end.  

10 Day Challenge in your own time

I recently created a 10 day Challenge, where you take 10 minutes each day for 10 days and I give you a creative prompt to try.  You may or may not have been able to keep up as finding the time for ourselves can be hard.  The great thing about the challenge that I created is that you can get the prompts all in one booklet for you to go at your own pace and it is entirely free when you sign up to my mailing list.  I had to really discipline myself to stick to the challenge.

Old Habits ......

Mixed Media Art - Amanda Trought, Realityarts

Are you one of those people that like to sign up for a lot of challenges, courses or webinars and then don't follow through.  It is very easy to do, we sign up for a challenge and then do not complete it, we feel guilty, can you relate to this dilemma?  It is the dreaded signup for 'lots of different things' and then the realization that you really can't see them all to the end.

You start out with the best of intentions but you totally over estimate how much time you actually have, whether you have the tools for the job and even if you are in the right frame of mind to stick to it.  You can also end up confirming the thoughts that 'I can never stick to anything' or 'why am I always giving up on things' syndrome, or hearing the critic who says (see I told you!  You never finish anything do you????)

If you can relate I want you to stop now and think about the following things:

• Take stock of where you are in this very moment;
• Think about what you have on your plate;
• Can you really fit another thing in or should you be letting something go? and 
• What would it need to look like for you to manage the additional tasks?

You are worth it!

You have to decide what you are worth and the things that you need to say yes to.  You have to recognize how you work best and what your creative style is like - Do you thrive in having multiple balls up in the air, or pieces of art unfinished around you, or does it send you in a spin and then immobilize you like a dear in headlights?

Solutions - There are some key points

When you work out how much you are worth to yourself, (and that’s a whole different post) you will also start to consider what it would take to make the things you have committed to happen.

Don't try and overload yourself with courses, there is only so much you can do.  It is better to finish one and then start another one than to have two half finished courses given up because you found another one you really like.  You should think about what you want to achieve at the end and the rewards may outweigh the sacrifice and hard work.  You need to get some perspective and when you really take a step back, you can objectively see what needs to be done and start taking the steps to see things move along.

Ultimately you have to be realistic about the time you do have and what you’re going to do to get the jobs done, or whether you have to walk away from the challenge. My advice if you are like me is to keep it simple.  I love getting involved with different challenges, sharing and knowing that something I enjoy can help someone else.   

Mixed Media Art

So the long and short of it is to go for it but take these points into consideration: 

Conclusion

In a nutshell here are the main pointers for you:

1. Take stock of where you are;

2. Ask yourself what you need to manage the additional tasks;

3. Decide your worth, how much do you value your time;

4. What is your creative working style like – (lots of things on the go or one at a time);

5. What it would take to make it all happen and complete the journey;

6. What do you want to achieve at the end, does rewards outweigh the sacrifice and hard work;

7. How much time do you really have - Be realistic - do you need to take on this additional challenge/course now?  Are you willing to walk away, or reschedule for a later date?

8. Keep it simple, break it down into doable chunks and don't feel guilty! 

  

I hope you continue to join me on this creative journey, and where I can share creative hints and tips I will be more than happy.
. 
Think about the things that take up your time and how you can change things to work better for you – there’s a challenge for you!!

Let me know how you get on, what are you working on at the moment, what do you find challenging?

Embrace Your Art - 2016 Your Favorite Book and Non Dominant Hand

It is great to be one of the guest artists for the Embrace Your Art 2016 - Journal About Me .  My challenge was to think about my favorite book and use my non dominant hand to create my page.

One of my favorite books is called Sassafrass, Cypress and Indigo by Ntozake Shange, about 3 sisters, all 3 creative in their own way.  

The book is a lovely read, and captures so well the creative gifts of the sisters, which is what I felt I wanted to capture on my page, and Ntozake Shange is a very talented writer.

The other challenge I had was to use my non dominant hand which for me is my left.  I love challenging myself especially using my left hand to create, and need to do it more as it enables you to see your work in a different way.

I used Inktense blocks and Art bars for the background, just getting some color down and then blended it with gesso, which muted some of the colors.

I then sketched a loose image, not being left handed the emphasis was on loose and focused on the impression of a figure standing rather than having to be an accurate representation of a figure

I then started to add some color using the inktense blocks and refine the image a bit more.

As I painted the background just came on its own, she was standing with her back to the ocean, and it was as if she was in that place where she refueled and got her creative perspective.

When drawing with your non dominant hand, don't try and be exact, continue to play, and focus on just having fun with the piece.

I imagined myself by the waters, just feeling the breeze blow about me and shutting my eyes to sensations and the sounds

I then added the finishing touches that nurture me in that creative space, the sun, the birds

Check out the full process in the video below and see the full art journal page done in the round.  Thanks for watching and remember to have fun!

Embrace Your Art 2016 runs every Friday for a whole year. Check out some of the challenges, and see some of the other guest artists and it is totally free to join!