Life Lately in Pictures

Life lately has been great, for the most part I've been squirrelled away working on new designs and projects.  When I'm in design mode I tend to hide away and get completely lost in the moment.  My dear husband is great about it and sneaks into the studio from time to time with food and drink and is rather accustomed to me leaving the bed in the middle of the night because I just need to sketch down an idea that is keeping me awake.  I should have some pieces that I can show you in the next few weeks.

In the meantime this has been some of my life...

I have been continuing with my creative challenge, though can't say that it has actually been "daily".... My mood boards have somehow evolved into a word theme...

I have returned to another semester of silversmithing.  I'm now an "Advanced II" student and really loving the new skills that I'm learning.  To begin with we're working with a technique I've wanted to play with for years called "fold forming".  It's amazing how I can start with a flat piece of metal and by repeatedly heating, folding and hammering...

I can manipulate it into a piece like this..

or with lots more hammering... like this.

I've had a lot of fun running workshops as part of the BrisAsia festival....

I've been playing with some new pieces with fabric, paper and stitching...

My little one also has her own desk in my studio and loves to do her own "work"...

And each and every day, I feel blessed to live where I live and have the life that I have.  It may be a humble and simple life but it's grand.

What's been happening in your life lately?

Most of these images have first appeared on my instagram page.  Are you on instagram?  I'd love to connect on there if we haven't already!

Smartphone Photo Edits & 2:365

I just love taking photos on my iphone, it's so much easier to quickly whip out of my bag or pocket than my DSLR is.  I also love how quick it is to edit your photos with some easy apps, they can really make a difference and help the image look more like what you're actually seeing with the naked eye.

I'm working on a little how-to guide for editing smartphone photos, is there anything you'd like me to add?

Today was Day 2 of my 365 daily creativity challenge.  There were lots of birds around me today including a gorgeous heron that visited my backyard which lead me to the word "Free".  The stunning bird in this photo was made by the terribly talented Sam from Jetta's Nest.

I'll be putting updates of this challenge on the blog every now and then, but aim to upload it daily to instagram.

1:365 Starting Afresh

My first attempt at the 365 this year failed within the first few days.  I started out really excited yet very quickly felt locked in by using the same medium everyday.  It was like my inner toddler stomped her foot and said "But I want to play with silver / resin / paint today"...  I felt that I could only do it if I created something great...  I felt that I needed to go from start to finish all in the time that was available that day... I was embarrassed that I had failed so quickly so went to hide under a rock.

It was an interesting lesson to learn, it really highlighted parts of myself that I had only suspected were there.

Today, I have started to try a new 365 challenge.  A mood board of sorts, a quick (and I am setting myself a time limit) visualisation on my thoughts / plans for the day.  Today's was "Start Afresh".  The basil, rosemary and lavender leaves are freshly picked from my garden and all have aromas that I associate with freshness.

I still want to create something tangible each day, or at least work on a project, so I'm locking myself into a little creative playtime each morning before I turn on my computer.  These pieces I may or may not share so that I don't feel pressure (from myself)

The irony is, the first thing I wanted to play with was the same kimono fabric that I was resisting a couple of weeks ago.  Years ago I used to make "Kimono Bubble" greeting cards and am working at some new originals for these.  They are now waiting for some stitched details.

On instagram today, a number of people said that they find weekly or monthly challenges more manageable.  Have you ever tried a regular challenge like this?  What worked best for you?  

Day 2 : 365

Day 2 of my 365 Creativity Challenge.

One I started earlier (the resin I use takes a few days to cure).  A butterfly wing cut from kimono fabric and encased in resin.