How Many Plates Can You Spin? Hastypearl

How Many Plates Can You Spin?

Hastypearl

Most everyone has been to a circus, or has  

seen someone spinning plates!

Its a race against time, that the spinner doesn't let one fall and break.

It can be Dizzying for sure, but if done well, the spinner can win.

Observers certainly hold their breath and cheer the spinner on!

Have you ever thought about the phrase as an applicable analogy for your life? 

With say Activities being your "spinning plates" ?

There are lots of plate "spinning rules", to consider.

First, are you Inclined to spin or are you more comfortable with an observers amblers pace?

Do you like the thrill of spinning two plates 

or being an Experienced spinner 

do you want Lots of plates to spin?

Do your plates need to spin quickly, 

or do you like the thrill of catching a wobbly plate, 

right before it falls?

Do you see someone with less spinning plates than you

 and judge them for not having as many?

Do you like to have helpers spin With you or 

are you a solitary spinner?

Do you feel guilty if you don't have lots of plates?

Are your plates all one color and size, or are they patterned, 

different sizes and chipped?

I'm pretty sure that I could go on forever with these questions!

Its really fun to think about.

Of course, there are no right or wrong answers but in a way, 

they are pretty revealing, about who we are.

I am in a time in my life, when my kids are grown and gone.

I am through with most of my Required goals.

From here on out, (and I plan on that "out" being quite a ways a way :), 

most of what I do, is really optional pleasures.

For that, I am extremely blessed.

When we are young we think... 

I wish I could just have some quiet time, and maybe sleep late.

Be lazy.

Do nothing for a change.

I guess there's really nothing stopping me from doing just that!

However...I'm finding that how I am choosing to live my life, 

is exactly the Opposite.

I cant WAIT, to get up every morning and see what the day brings.

I am experiencing an EXPLOSION of creativity, 

not only in art made, but also in ideas in general.

Ironically, only ONE thing that has happened to me in the last 5 years, 

was actually something that I imagined doing.

The rest, has just Happened!

(or...Providentially Happened)

Occasionally, I will say...

I don't have a good enough Imagination to have 

Dreamed Up the things that are happening in my life.

And I think that I have a Great imagination!

Its all actually been quite surprising!

So, back to the original questions that I asked and some of my answers...

I don't spin a lot of plates at a time.

Well, I probably spin more than I credit myself, 

but compared to some people...I don't.

I like spinning by myself.

My plates are different sizes and colors,

 and chips are NO problem for me.

I think wobbling is fine. 

I'm OK with restarting a dropped plate.

I'm not competitive about spinning. 

I'm happy for you to have hundreds...or none.

Or, for you to get there long before I do.

I can be hasty(pearl :) about starting to spin a new plate...

I love to try new things.

I mean... 

I Really Love to try new things!

I was thinking about this topic while photographing 

in the garden this morning.

The morning was cooler...our days are brutally hot right now.

There were some clouds.

It was VERY quiet. Which I love.

I have been spinning the photography plate for what seems 

like a very long time now, 

but truthfully, its probably not as long as it seems.

Inch by inch, I have learned Just What I Needed to, 

to keep me coming back for more.

As I was photographing the garden, I would see weeds.

I would question myself and it sounded something like...

Why are you playing (with your camera) 

when you should be pulling these weeds, or pruning?

Apparently, I felt like that the garden plate needed spinning.

The garden plate ALWAYS needs spinning :) 

Happily, the questions weren't so compelling to me, 

that I was in danger of stopping snapping these pictures!

It was time to for me to relax and let the (gardening) plate go, 

so that I could practice shooting in Manual mode, 

like I knew I wanted to.

Maybe you are like me...

when you are doing something that you love, you THINK!

When our minds clear, it seems like we can sort through things easily.

Its good to have daily, monthly, yearly and lifelong goals, 

but we cant let our goals be what Control us.

Sometimes, we have to grab and stop some of those required plates 

and instead, do some things that Feed us.

That bring creative growth to our lives.

I think its actually those special things that we love, 

that refuel us and energize us to grab a stick and start those 

necessary plates back up again!

I hope that you have wonderful, beautiful, gently spinning plates, 

in your life... 

that Feed you!

I would love to know what they are!

Thanks for stopping by for a while...

I Hope to see you again, soon.

Laura aka hastypearl 

p.s.....if you are in the Redstone/Aspen Colorado area, Sept. 4-7, 

I would love to meet you at the Redstone Labor Day Art Show 

at the Redstone Inn.

I've heard that the art coming is fantastic!

Its not too early to start filling your gift lists.

Say Ahhhh....and Breathe! Hastypearl

Say Ahhhh...and Breathe!

Hastypearl

I love my life.

For the most part, I have weeks, that are equally divided with 

part required events and part fulfilling events.

Even most of my 'have to's', are nice.

Like, I have to garden...

Or, I have to grocery...

This week was a heavy on the 'have to' list, but all of it was for things that I love.

And, early in the week, two unexpected deadlines appeared, but for totally wonderful things.

So, when you already have a full week, what should you do?

Why, throw on a monster boiling pot and dye fabric, of course!

Yes, I turned the pieces into runners that I can sell at an upcoming Art Show, 

or on Hastypearl Etsy, 

but I already had plenty of pieces that were ready for both.

:)

But the gathering and fragrances, the ins and outs of the needle, 

made it all worthwhile and reminds me of my theory that says 

that everything basically always gets done.

Maybe one day, I will tip the scales to where its impossible to 

finish and it wont get done, but until then, 

I will keep living my lot of easy weeks and full weeks.

So, in case you are wondering...

the recipe was....

Alkaline water

Two iron spikes

Two black walnuts

Cotton fabric wrapped around copper pipes

Vinegar

Rose, eucalyptus, red bud, red oak, artemesia, purple potato vine, 

and Mexican plum leaves. 

I Hope that you will Ahhhh...and Breathe, through a wonderful weekend :)

xo Laura

Photography Learning Curve

Hastypearl

Understanding Exposure

How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera 

by Bryan Peterson

If you had ever told me, that the hardest part of opening an Etsy shop was going to be the photography, I'm not sure I would have even been educated enough to argue with you.

Now, I know better:)

Anyway, I march on.

I wanted to share with you, a book that Anne Christian Lory's

suggested to me.

I've read it through, thoroughly and now, am going back through

it and taking notes.

I'm guessing that I will do that a number of times.

As another bold step, I've taken the first part of a beginner photography class at the Camera Exchange, in San Antonio.

(also a suggestion of Anne's. I don't know what I would do without you, Angel Anne :)  

I was VERY thankful, that I had read this book first.

To practice what I had learned to date,

I made myself shoot only in Manual Mode,

while we were just in Colorado.

Shooting the same scene, over and over,

while changing the settings helped immensely.

There is Nothing like repetition to bury something inside us.

Anyway, I just thought that for those of you

struggling with your photography,

I would share.

Plus, I JUST now figured out how to blog on my IPad,

which is another thing that has baffled me.

I ask you one final question...

Why do our children grow into wonderful adults and

contribute to our society and yet leave us at home,

to figure all of these things out for ourselves:)

Just listed some terrifically massive vintage scissors over at hastypearl etsy,

HTTPS://www.etsy.com/shop/hastypearl

(Curious to see if that will be a link when I publish...if it doesn't, pop over to Etsy.com and type in Hastypearl...until I figure out how to make a link on my IPad :)

Or, you can see a button on the right side column that will take you there!

Hope you will head over and see what you think:)

Thanks as always, for stopping by to visit.

It makes me so happy that you do!!

Best...Laura aka hastypearl

Marbleizing on Paper Step By Step Hastypearl

Marbleizing on Paper

Step By Step

Hastypearl

I have always been fascinated by old books.

It seems like the details and care taken in illustrating them, are so exceptional.

The end pages are often marbleized and it mesmerizes me to see them.

I happened upon a video of the technique of marbleizing one day 

and thought that only someone with years of mastering could do it.

Then, this past year, Crystal Neubauer came to my home to teach a workshop, 

and as a part of her mark making, she taught us a very simple technique 

that made me think that even someone like novice me...and maybe you...

could enjoy marbleizing. 

Crystal taught us using ink, but while walking around the workshop room, 

I saw that one of the students had used a Pebeo product, 

and I knew that I would order some to try for myself.

It has its Advantages and its Disadvantages.

Disadvantage...its not water soluble, 

so what you use to drop it, is pretty much useless afterwards.

Advantages...it comes in a lot of amazing colors that to me, 

resemble those in the great vintage books that I love seeing.

So, you decide what you want to use.

I found these paint boxes on Amazon and they were each affordable.

I think it could take a lifetime to use all of the paint.

I opened all of the bottles and gathered a flat plastic tray, 

that would accommodate the size of paper that I used.

Choose something that is disposable.

I decided to try using toothpicks.

You will need to stir the paint with one, anyway.

Let a drop of paint fall to the water.

It will sit on the surface of the water.

Drop as many as you want, and as many colors as you want.

Gently stir the stick through the water, or, you can gently blow 

on the surface of the water 

so that the colors move around.

If you decide to use water soluble ink, you can purchase plastic 

transfer pipettes on Amazon.

They are also very affordable and useful to have for lots of other projects. 

The ink or paint, will make interesting shapes.

That is what you will capture with your paper.  

I gathered strips of leftover 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Crystal also used old book pages.

Thinner paper didn't work so great.

Just play with what you have and see what you like.

Gently, lay each strip on top of the water.

When you lift the paper, the paint will have transferred to the paper.

Lay them out to dry.

I used my heat gun, to speed the drying process some.

If you don't feel like you have enough paint on your paper, dip again!

Its fun to see the individuality of each piece.

No two could possibly be alike :)

These were some of my finished strips!

I had planned on making some new journal covers 

and was happy to have some new strips of marbleized papers 

to incorporate into the compositions!

Can you find them? :)

This technique is so easy.

Yes, there are people that have serious skills and you Should Google 

and watch some of the videos.

Most of us don't need to start with such complicated processes.

Its fun!

I think that you will be happy if you invest in either inks Or paints.

* 

We just returned from a trip to the cool Colorado mountains where we 

played as a family with polymer clay's.

I'm thinking, that we may give marbleizing a try, 

next time we get together :)  

Let me know how it goes for you, if you give it a try!

I'm so glad that you stopped by for a visit.

I hope that you are all enjoying your days.

It's the Dog Days of Summer in Texas.

Working in the garden, happens only in the earliest hours...then 

its back inside where its cool.

It really makes me thoughtful for those men and women 

whose jobs are outside, year around.

Best to all...Laura

5 Steps to Mounting Art on Wood Panels Hastypearl

5 Steps to Mounting Art on Wood Panels

Hastypearl

I was recently invited, to show my work at the Redstone Labor Day Art Show.

I was Thrilled, by the invitation!

The tiny trouble of it is, I don't Live in Redstone, Colorado...yet!

One fine day we will, but for now, it is just a 4 times a year, visit.

Framing and shipping 4 days worth of art, was going to be quite cost prohibitive, 

so I decided to mount my art on wood panels, instead.

Its really a great way to display, anyway.

Its still quite possible for a buyer to frame, should they decide to.

I also think it gives a nice cohesive look to the installation. 

So, I thought that it might be helpful for you to see the process.

I am thankful, that right at the perfect time, 

I saw Jane Davies do the same on her blog.

Thanks, Jane !

There are a number of places that you can buy 

lightweight wood panels, or sometimes called, cradle boards.

Cheap Joe's, is an excellent resource and by far, 

the least expensive for this particular product.

I had to WAIT for weeks, for one of the sizes to arrive, so make sure you check that part.

I wasn't in emergency mode yet, but I had to be Extremely Patient.

Determine what sizes you need.

I did my collages in pretty standard sizes...5 " x 7 ", 8 " x 10 ", etc, 

but you will be amazed at all of the sizes that are available.

Even still, I left a little extra paper, on each collage, 

so that after gluing, I could simply remove it.

Here's how you do it :

Step 1. 

I first painted the outer edges of the panels, with a 

color that would compliment my art.

I even painted a little of the front edge, so there wouldn't be any chance 

that you would see the raw wood. 

(you can see that in the second to the last image)

It would be next to impossible to touch up AFTER the art is adhered. 

I was Really glad that I thought to do this step.

  

Step 2.

Its also time to add whatever kind of hanging hardware that you want. 

I like to use saw tooth hangers. Everyone has their favorite. 

I cant tell you how many times, in my excitement, I forget the hanger, 

and then, I run the risk of damaging the face of the art, pounding in a hanger!

Don't do as I do, rather do as I say ;)

Step 3. 

I am a Weldbond"aholic".

No, there is not a 12 Step Program for such ;)

I buy it online from a place called Grady's Hardware.

(I'm guessing, that I have probably sent at least one of "Mr. Grady's" kids 

through college, for all of the glue that I have bought from him ;)

Whatever your favorite glue is, paint a thin layer on the wood.

You wont have a long time before it starts adhering, 

so get busy with your ruler and make sure that you have it evenly placed.

Step 4. 

After you are happy with the placement, find some heavy books 

and place them on top of the glued art. 

I leave mine overnight. 

If there is any chance that the cover of the books will stain your art, 

place something in between them and your work, just to be safe.

Of course, its like Christmas the next morning! 

I'm like a kid to see what it looks like, dry.

Stillllllll, there is One more step before completion.

Step 5. 

Use an X-Acto Knife/Blade, whatever you have, 

and simply trace next to the edge of the frame to remove the excess paper.

I was a bit nervous the first time, but it is Really Easy.

Depending on the thickness of your paper, you may need to make a couple of passes.

Keep going around the four sides of your frame...and You Are Done!

It really is amazing how Finished your art will look.

I bought multiple boxes of each size and see myself using 

them for many more projects.

With Cheap Joe's, there is a multiples discount.

I hope that this helps You and that You use it with your Art.

Let me know how it goes for You, if You do!

Its really going to make my shipping, much easier 

and I cant wait to see it all on display!

Ill be sure to take pictures of the Art Show and post them here :)

So glad, as always, that You stopped by.

I hope that You are enjoying these Wonder filled days, wherever You are!

Please stop back by, very soon!

: ) Laura aka Hastypearl

Signing Your Dimensional Art Hastypearl

Signing Your Dimensional Art

Hastypearl

Some artists, create on surfaces, besides a flat piece of paper or canvas.

I am pretty addicted to building, engineering on just about anything that I can.

Its pretty much decided where you will sign your name on flat surfaces, 

but where do you do it on something dimensional or assembled?

I came up with this method for the little cottages that I make.

You can probably use it or at least adapt it for your art.

Its really easy, and I think actually adds a little character to my cottages.

I have bags and bags of ribbons in my studio.

I really love crinkle ribbon, because it coordinates with my art, which usually leans vintage.

I bought this ribbon from Joni Russell.

You can contact her and tell her what you are looking for and she will ship it to you.

Her stashes of ribbons and yarns, are THE BEST!

Because I needed to write on the ribbon, ironically, in this case, the crinkle won't work, 

so I gave the ribbon a quick press.

Then, I cut small segments, that would fit on the bottoms of my little cottages.

Are you impressed that I've labeled my scissors?

Scissors are destined to destruction in my tomboy world, 

so I really am glad to have scissors that Actually Cut fabric when needed :)

Writing on ribbon, isn't that easy, so I first pressed it to some painters tape.

I always have pieces stuck to my table from previous projects.

I know that the frayed edges would make some of you crazy, 

but it happened when I took the ribbon off of the tape, and I liked it so I didn't remove.

Of course, you could always freshen them a bit if you wanted to.

The ribbons, were ready to stitch to the bottoms of my cottages.

Okay.

So my jeans are a little frayed, too!

I Told you that I was a tomboy.

Those frays have been hard earned in the garden and are a badge of honor :)

So, there we are!

The finished product.

Sure, you can buy name tapes, but I really like how the hand signed ribbon looks.

I hope that this technique, will be helpful to you in your work somewhere:)

How do you sign your dimensional art?

Thanks as always for stopping by....Laura aka hastypearl

Crystal Marie Neubauer Comes To Texas ! Hastypearl

Crystal Marie Neubauer Comes To Texas !

Hastypearl

I've talked about it before.

That special to me, concept of Community.

While I wouldn't consider myself a person that needs to be surrounded by people, 

I DO crave moments of Community.

Times, when people that you couldn't imagine come together,  

from different dogmas and mindedness, 

setting all of that behind and just stepping together in a remarkable rhythm,

even if just for a couple of days!

I have to believe that there is Providence involved.

There has to be.

Mankind, women couldn't themselves, generate the sacredness, of such times :)

Well, just one of Those times happened in my home, in May 2015.

Crystal and my paths crossed about the subject of a 

Mark Making and Collage workshop, on FB.

It was one of those right place, right moment times where...

I offered.

and She accepted.

I don't think that there was more than a nano seconds time, 

for that whole transaction to take place.

It was meant to be!

We set the plans in motion and waited.

...and Women filled the slots almost immediately... and they came!

...From all across the country and from all across my city!

All with one common goal...to be taught by Crystal.

No one would argue, that if you placed 100 pieces of art on a wall,

that You WOULDN'T identify Crystals.

There wouldnt be any "hmmmm...I think this one might be hers".

You would KNOW, that it was hers.

I hadn't thought about it, hadn't anticipated the rest.

We weren't just going to be taught art techniques by Crystal, 

but rather, we had discovered a woman, with a perception, a wit, 

and an ability to generously translate to each of us, 

what it meant to her, to tell a personal story, 

by making Marks On Paper...

It was as if we were in a museum, with headsets on, 

and she was translating to Each of us in our Own languages.

We were captivated!

I sat in the back of the room, with a perfect vantage, 

to watch the women's faces as she shared, 

and there were many times, when 100% of the faces with dropped jaws, 

were leaning in...listening to her!

We dove right in.

The abundant rains in my South Central Texas garden, 

afforded us with lots of mark making materials,

 with which we made our own "brushes".

Long before the familiarity between strangers had arrived, 

Crystal threw us into a vulnerable mark making exercise, on my front lawn.

We used long armed sticks with brushes attached, 

to express our marks on papers.

There's a certain confidence that we all rely on in our abilities, 

but take that away with a long stick...something that takes away your control, 

and all you can then rely on, is intuition.

It was a great exercise and one that we should constantly

 invite into our art...AND lives, 

in order to grow.

These papers cut up, became central to our collages, later in the workshop.

I KNOW that I will use this and morphed techniques, again.

Little by little, the bonding of Friendships, began.

It was as QUIET a group, as I have ever been with, 

and certainly one of the most talented.

You will see what I mean as I later share the art, that was made.

Crystal would teach.

Then we would work  play.

More teaching.

More playing.

I'm always the girl in a workshop, that loves to walk around and see what everyone else is doing. You get a chance to meet each person, and see Who they are. Amazing things can happen, when abandon and experimenting, is on board.

I saw Color combinations that I would never think of.
Its one of the ways, that our unique fingerprints, show up.

These papers on the left and below, were made from a little side teaching that Crystal did on marbleizing. I would take a WHOLE workshop on that subject, alone. 

 Themes began to emerge, sending us straight into the arms of composition.

* 

Finally, after two days, the enjoyable time came, 

where we all threw our shyness out the window garage doors, 

and brought our creations, to the Common Table.

Crystal had a run for her talented money, with this little Gallery!

The pieces were Every One, Astounding!

Was it the excellent formulaic teaching of an artist?

Was it the skill of women from the four corners?

YES!

Its amazing when these two collide, 

and we each gain enough trust and confidence in the moment, 

to take the risk... and exceptional things can Happen! 

But waaaaaay better than that, 

is what happened between People.

Community had happened!

Cherishable and singular to THOSE TWO DAYS.

I am so Thankful to have been Blessed to be a part of it...

...and I cant WAIT to see where and when it will happen, again!

So, here is my Thank You, to YOU Crystal, 

for schlepping those monster paper and supplies filled suitcases,

 across America for all of us.

For sharing a Talent/Gift, that you understandably could be keeping for yourself  and career. 

You, were the reason that these ladies crossed the country to be together.

Your generous Message was loud and clear!

We EACH have a valuable story and we have unending ways to tell it, 

with our own Mark Making.

Thank You, 

for turning over our fertile ground and showing us new ways to do it.

So, thank you Dear Hastypearl blog Readers, 

for stopping back in to visit with me for a while.

I know that these workshop reviews, are many in blogland, 

but they are necessary at the very least, 

for those that attend.

They are like little photo albums of times that we cherish.

Thanks for indulging us a moment to go back in time, 

to refresh the happy times that we shared together!

I hope that you will stop in again...soon!

Laura :) 

PS...Crystals book, : The Art of Expressive Collage:Techniques for Creating with Paper and Glue,

 will be released August 26, 

and can be preordered on Amazon.!