Arts and Wellness Cafe - Stress Free

Welcome to the Arts and Wellness Cafe: Your Destination for Stress-Free Living

It's that time of the week again where we gather in our virtual studio for another session of the Arts and Wellness Cafe. Today, we're diving into the theme of a "Stress Free," creative environment and life.

We can feel frazzled and overwhelmed at the curveballs that can be thrown at us when we least expect them, and we look at different ways we can change our point of view and look at some creative practices that will help you navigate those moments with a bit of ease.  Check out the video above where I will discuss this and share some inspiring activities that you can try out.

I also have 3 additional tips for you to think about:

Tip 1: Art Journaling Joy

Art journaling is a great activity for you to try if you haven't done so yet.  Grab your favorite pens, paints, and take a therapeutic journey of self-expression. Whether you're sketching, doodling, or splashing colors onto the page, let your creativity flow freely as you release your emotions in the journal. You will find an art journal page that I have ready to add doodling and mark making.  Have some pages prepared that you can go back to when you need something quick to get on with.

In my course Filling The Creative Well, we look at ways in which we can develop our creative practice and maintain ways in which we can dip into our creative well and do activities that inspire and encourage us.

More Info HERE

Tip 2: Stitching - Material Musings

I have a number of slow-stitched projects on the go.  I am able to start working on ones depending on how I am feeling,  it is a great mindfulness practice for the busy soul. With each stitch, you are able to let your mind quieten and your worries melt away. I have prepared a Fabric Fragments bag with a selection of hand painted and preprinted fabrics with a series of videos for inspiration.  You also get a mixed media stitched piece as well.  You can check them out HERE or click on the image.

Contents of the kit will vary

Tip 3: Feed Your Soul with Inspiration around you

Find inspiration in the smallest of things.  I share a book called 'Treasured Notions'  which has some really inspiring projects in it.  You can have fun with fabric and paper scraps and use the creative ideas in the books that you have on your shelves.  I made these mini medals with some of my scrap fabric and some cardboard spools for my fabric ribbon and homemade washi tape. 

Learn to make your own stamps and stencils in my FREE course - Creative Habits

I hope you get to watch the video and think about how you can make your creative process stress free, what things do you need to change in your environment or your practice.

Until next time, stay creative, stay mindful, and above all, stay stress-free.

Before You Go

Come and check out over 400 inspiring posts, videos, digital downloads for your creative enjoyment!  Enjoy the 7 day FREE trial.

Unleashing Creative Play in Your Art Journal: Mini Art Journals

Play in Your Art Journal: A Whimsical Journey

When you spend time in your Art Journal, imagination knows no bounds and creativity takes flight, there are so many different materials you can use and techniques to try out. Today, I invite you to join me on a playful adventure within the  pages of my mini art journals. These delightful creations have become the canvas for my artistic expression, and I couldn't resist embellishing them with a selection of paper and fabric ephemera that have been patiently awaiting their moment to shine.

As an collector and creator of ephemera, I'm certain you've amassed a treasure trove yourself over the years. But what do you do with them? How do you store them? As I share my own experiences I look forward to hearing what you do.

Currently, my ephemera reside in see-through bags nestled within plastic containers. However, I'm always on the lookout for fresh ideas to organize and showcase these eclectic pieces. Feel free to share your secrets, for it's in the exchange of knowledge that we can nurture our creative spirits.

The cover of my latest art journal is a selection of smaller fragments, using leather, metal, clay pieces, and even fragments of broken jewelry.  I set up my art journals for future use, I create spaces that can be filled with doodles, patterns, and mark making and allows for future bursts of inspiration.

Whether you're sketching, painting, collaging, or incorporating mixed media elements, let your mini art journal become a sanctuary for self-expression. So, grab your scissors, dust off those forgotten trinkets, and embark on a creative journey within the pages of your art journal. 

I invite you to share your own tales of artistic exploration, storage solutions for ephemera, and any imaginative techniques you've discovered along the way. Let's cultivate a community where creativity thrives, and together, we'll inspire one another to boldly embrace the boundless possibilities that lie within the realm of art journaling. Happy creating!

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Check out:

Get Creative with Texture: How to Make an Inspiring Art Journal Page

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to spice up your art journal? Look no further! In my video, we'll explore a simple yet effective technique to add texture to your journal pages while also providing a source of inspiration and encouragement.

I am part of a team of artists who collaborate every forth Friday of every month and share their videos, you will see the link to their videos in my description.

To begin, gather any leftover letters or words that you may have from previous projects, I am using the stickable letters to create my words. If you don't have any letters, simply write messages to yourself on your page or use words from magazines, newspapers, or even old books.

Once you have your letters or messages, start placing them onto your page in any arrangement that feels aesthetically pleasing to you. You can overlap the letters, vary the sizes, and even add some paint or other mixed media elements to create depth and interest, take some time to think about what encouraging or inspiring phrases you might want to include. Some examples could be "I am worthy," "Today is a new day," or "I am capable of achieving my dreams."

This technique is a fantastic way to create a visual reminder of your positive affirmations. By including them into your art journal, you can revisit them whenever you need a little pick-me-up.

So why not join me in the studio and give it a try? Take a moment to gather your materials and let your creativity flow. Once you're finished, share your artwork with me and let me know how the process felt. Happy journaling!

Art Bundle for Good is BACK!!

Art Bundles For Good Bundle #7 is back up for sale and we're running a giveaway!

 

This is the same bundle that went on sale in November of 2022, so if you’ve already purchased it, you already have it!

 

Three lucky winners will have a chance to win the entire Art Bundles for Good #7 including $5700 worth of art courses and other great resources. There are over 111 art resources from more than 90 of your favorite artists (including one of my courses) this year creating Mixed Media Art Bowls.  You make a series of paper art bowls which can house your encouraging words and inspiration to yourself.  You can check out the course HERE

 Click here to enter the Giveaway

Good luck in the giveaway, Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Artsy Second Sunday - Art Journal Page - Sunshine

 

Feel the Sunshine art journal page for Artsy Second Sunday.  An art collaboration with several artists who share their ideas via monthly prompts, we all really enjoy creating art and using a variety of different art materials.

Join us on Sunday and catch us live and join in the creative chatter.  This page uses a lot of texture and was fun to create.

Check out some of these Courses while you are here, and some of the FREE courses on the course platform.

Art Journal Flip - Mini Art Journal

 

What do you do when you want to work with glitter?  You make a mini art journal that you can create and play in as you check out the video above.

I love creating art journals and finding ways to add all the amazing toppers and papers that I have.  In this journal I have been experimenting with glitter and using stencils, don't think I will ever run out of glitter, but it does get every where - even saw some on the dogs face!

 If you love creating with papers and glitter having a small journal that you can add to on a regular basis can be enjoyable and be part of your artist date!  You also get a sneak peek of an art journal that I went to town with the glitter on lol!

This one had to be created in layers to allow it to dry, but it was a lot of fun.

Check out some FREE Art courses

Recycling a Phone Case - Art Journal

 What do you do when you have a phone case that is too big for your phone?  Make an Art Journal!!

Phone Case waiting for the magic!

Check out the video to see what I did to transform it

Here are the finished details with a lot of pattern and mark making at the front and back

The interior has been created with water color paper cut to size and then glue bound.

It is always great to have a new art journal on the go and this one fits quite tidily in my bag.  I shall be sharing some of the pages in the coming weeks and showing a few processes using both collage material and acrylic paints, so would love you to join me.

Let me know if you have recycled and repurposed an unusual journal.  

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Earlybird Sign up - BADASS Art Journal 2018 - STOP PRESS!!!

Just a reminder that if you wanted to get the early bird price for the course you have until end of play tomorrow Saturday 13th January 2018.  The course starts 5th February 2018.

You can get $10 off the course

sign up HERE

I am really looking forward to welcoming you on the course and I will be sharing tomorrow about the bonuses I will be giving away when you sign up using my link.

31 Studio Essentials - Art Journals

Art Journals

Art Journals are one of my studio essentials, and over the years I have made quite a few.  I recently did a mini tour of 31 Art Journals which you can check out HERE

The great thing about art journals when your stuck is that you can always revisit them and finish off pages that may have been left.  I usually don't finish an art journal in one go, preferring to dip in when the desire takes me.

In those moments of feeling stuck you can choose to do some work on a page, or you can create a background, there is no hard and fast rule, you make your own!

Or you might just want to look over an art journals page to see what you were doing at the time of creating it.  The main thing is that you use your tools to suit your needs, and if you just want to make marks on a page then do that.

Check out the video to see what I get up to on 3 pages and how you can use the supplies you have to take yourself on a mini adventure.  

Until tomorrow, stay blessed and be a blessing.

Resources

You might find some of these resources useful click on the image to find out more

Have fun, stay blessed and be a blessing!

31 Art Journals Weekly Tips No 5 - Recap and Hacking the Color Wheel Session 2

Welcome to the Weekly tips for the 31 Art Journals, here are some more great tips for you to put in practice to further enhance your experience of your art journal. 

1. You can come back to a page, it doesn’t have to be finished in one sitting.

2. Take photographs of the different stages of a page, there can often be much to learn from this as well.

3. If you can’t afford to try out different supplies, see if a friend has ones that you don’t have and have a swap so that you can try them out.

4. Your journal pages may become the source for further work in your journal, or paintings

5. Look at some of the videos created by others working in their journals, pick up tips and ideas that you can use in your own Journal.

6. Remember that everyone has their own style, you will find yours the more you spend time in your journal.

7. I can’t state it enough, but have fun and make your own rules for working in your journal

Video Recaps

Here are the video recaps for the week for those who wanted to binge watch :)

Hacking the Color Wheel Starts today

Are you still trying to decide whether you should sign up for the Online course - Hacking the Color Wheel - Art Journaling for Creative Rebels?  

Over the past month I have been showing you a selection of diverse Art Journals that you can make/buy/alter and more.  You have been given over 30 tips to put into practice and you have been getting a bonus weekly video to help you with your backgrounds.

When you sign up using my link you will get the following for 4 Bonuses FREE to keep

• PDF A4 Art Journal hints and tips with over 30 tips to get you started on your Art Journal Journey

• Four background videos showing you how to create some simple backgrounds in your art journals for you to download and keep FOREVER!

• Five backgrounds that I have created full size for you to download and use in your journals

• How-To booklet of Four Art Journals to make from different materials that I have shared in the 31 Art Journals

Fabric/handmade stitched

poundstore

Cereal bag

Directories journal

It would be great to have you on the course so what you waiting for sign up HERE!  Stay blessed and be a blessing!