Happy Thanksgiving from Artful Unity! Hillary had some new thoughts on an age old question and wanted to share:
While eating my breakfast of turkey and pumpkin pie, I began to contemplate the age old question: is pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable? I did a lot of research and came up with the answer: It doesn't matter. Pumpkin is tasty pie and delicious art!
Here are a few of the awesome and yummy arts and crafts that we found on etsy:
Pumpkin earrings
Pumpkin eye shimmer
Pumpkin vine card
Pumpkin souffle melting tarts
Pumpkin apple autter
Pumpkin laser cut box
We hope everyone enjoyed our tasty post and had an awesome thanksgiving!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
How jewelry can make a statement
Hillary had some thoughts on jewelry and making statements with it.:
I constantly struggle with the conundrum of whether I should just make something pretty or really work on making a strong statement with my pieces. My journey with making pieces that are personal has come slowly and, despite my best efforts, the statements aren't always clear to the naked eye, which is why I was amazed when I saw this. Burcu Buyukunal, a turkish jewelry designer, has designed face distorting jewelry. I have never seen anything make a statement more strongly and, at the same time, more abstractly than this.
When asked about the jewelry, he said that there's nothing sexier than a woman who doesn't want to look sexy. I really feel like it also makes a statement about women who are willing to distort their face or themselves to follow fashion or society much like I intended my piece, Exactly, to be. Everyone who has written an article about Burcu's new jewelry has either simply reported it, seemed to be confused by it or seemed to dislike it. I love it. I think it's bold and amazing and says so many things so clearly. The fact is, jewelry designers always create to make some statement--be it "I'm sparkly", "green is a pretty color" or "my heart is broken and I feel things you couldn't even imagine"--and Burcu's design makes a statement like no other. Wow.
I constantly struggle with the conundrum of whether I should just make something pretty or really work on making a strong statement with my pieces. My journey with making pieces that are personal has come slowly and, despite my best efforts, the statements aren't always clear to the naked eye, which is why I was amazed when I saw this. Burcu Buyukunal, a turkish jewelry designer, has designed face distorting jewelry. I have never seen anything make a statement more strongly and, at the same time, more abstractly than this.
When asked about the jewelry, he said that there's nothing sexier than a woman who doesn't want to look sexy. I really feel like it also makes a statement about women who are willing to distort their face or themselves to follow fashion or society much like I intended my piece, Exactly, to be. Everyone who has written an article about Burcu's new jewelry has either simply reported it, seemed to be confused by it or seemed to dislike it. I love it. I think it's bold and amazing and says so many things so clearly. The fact is, jewelry designers always create to make some statement--be it "I'm sparkly", "green is a pretty color" or "my heart is broken and I feel things you couldn't even imagine"--and Burcu's design makes a statement like no other. Wow.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Using Beads to Promote Peace and Harmony
Hillary saw a great news article on a company an India that hires workers of all faiths to create beautiful beads and wanted to share it with all of you.
We think it's amazing that they are using artistry to come together and overcome discriminatory societal standards. We hope you enjoyed this piece. Check back soon for more news, projects and fun!
We think it's amazing that they are using artistry to come together and overcome discriminatory societal standards. We hope you enjoyed this piece. Check back soon for more news, projects and fun!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
sketch for arty party
As you may have seen in a previous post, Hillary has taken up sketching again. She came up with an idea and wanted to submit it for Arty Party, a fundraiser for Birmingham AIDS Outreach. The idea was to have a stylized, bare human form with an artery running through it's heart that was in the shape of an HIV ribbon. It was not meant to carry a specific, concrete message, but rather just make an abstract visual statement and represent the individuals that BAO helps. Here is the progression of sketches.
The above is the final sketch which was donated to arty party. We hope you enjoyed it and look forward to showing you new artistry soon!
The above is the final sketch which was donated to arty party. We hope you enjoyed it and look forward to showing you new artistry soon!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Mother's Day Beauty
On our sister blog, Hillary recently posted about rings she created from steel, copper and brass. Her mother fell in love with the blue one below.
Sadly, it was not her size, and the material it was made from tarnishes and patinas which is no good unless you want an ugly ring and a green finger. So, Hillary chose to re-make it in recycled argentium silver and here are the results:
We hope you like the ring. Look for a great post soon on argentium and why Hillary has ventured into using this metal instead of sterling on some of her pieces. Thanks for visiting and we'll see you next week!
Sadly, it was not her size, and the material it was made from tarnishes and patinas which is no good unless you want an ugly ring and a green finger. So, Hillary chose to re-make it in recycled argentium silver and here are the results:
Sunday, May 30, 2010
On art and perfectionism
Last year, Hillary picked up her pencil and paper again to start sketching out ideas for jewelry. Shortly thereafter, she started picking it up just to draw for the joy of drawing, and she wanted to share some thoughts on this with you:
Recently, I started drawing again, and the original goal was to be good. I worked meticulously to get things perfect and, of course, they never come out that way because no one's perfect, and I haven't drawn much of anything since I was 13. However, the more I worked, the more interesting and more recognizable things became. One day I was working on a face grunting and groaning because I couldn't get it to look quite right. Hearing the grumbling next to him, my husband looked at it and said "her eyes are too far apart" and I immediately put down the drawing pad and refused to pick it back up. He looked confused and said "you were frustrated with it, so I was trying to help." I said, almost crying, "you criticized the ONLY thing I was okay with."
You see I have a problem, I am a perfectionist. I am a Rank 1 supreme insane perfectionist with standards for my own work that no one could ever meet. While this is a good thing in that it means that I am always striving to be better, it can also be a very bad thing. When it is 3 in the morning and I refuse to go to bed because a necklace won't turn out the way I want it to, or I am in tears in my office at work because I missed something minor, or I put a huge X through a sketch that I have been working on for the last half hour because it isn't quite right, the perfectionism becomes destructive and harmful.
With sketching, I have learned to try to accept my imperfections for a few reasons. First, drawing and other forms of art are subjective--imperfections can actually give character to a piece or become a signature stylization. Second, I draw for fun and relaxation, not to become famous, make a living or even have sketches shown to anyone outside of my immediate family. Sketching is an outlet for me: it's meditative, it's calming if I let it be, it's creative, and it's a way to express my intense feelings and crazy ideas like no other. Sure, jewelry and dance are lovely, but there are certain things that are just easier to express through drawing.
After I drew whatever odd thing came to mind a few times, I started getting a standard reaction from my husband. Now instead of being good, my new goal is to get that same reaction from my husband every time: "that's disturbing." The new goal is fairly easy and makes the drawing almost secondary. My skills only have to be good enough to convey an idea that bothers my husband. I know it's an odd goal, but it has removed stress from my drawing time almost completely.
Sure, it's still frustrating when I don't have the skills to quite do what I want, but I know they will come in time and I can work on a specific idea later when they do. For right now, all I have to do is barely eek the idea out and I get the reward I'm looking for. Why "that's disturbing" and not "that's interesting" or "that's pretty" or "that's perfect"? Because, a dog doing tricks can be interesting, a thousand flowers in a thousand vases can be pretty, and a pebble can be perfect, but only a person with swirls for eyes, a tiefling under a christmas tree and a face with cracks through it--my ideas--can be disturbing. It's lovely: through silliness and self-expression, I have learned to start embracing who I am, imperfect, offbeat, and a little disturbing.
Oh, and that face with the eyes that were too far apart? I picked her back up a few weeks later and am proud to say that she is definitely disturbing.
Recently, I started drawing again, and the original goal was to be good. I worked meticulously to get things perfect and, of course, they never come out that way because no one's perfect, and I haven't drawn much of anything since I was 13. However, the more I worked, the more interesting and more recognizable things became. One day I was working on a face grunting and groaning because I couldn't get it to look quite right. Hearing the grumbling next to him, my husband looked at it and said "her eyes are too far apart" and I immediately put down the drawing pad and refused to pick it back up. He looked confused and said "you were frustrated with it, so I was trying to help." I said, almost crying, "you criticized the ONLY thing I was okay with."
You see I have a problem, I am a perfectionist. I am a Rank 1 supreme insane perfectionist with standards for my own work that no one could ever meet. While this is a good thing in that it means that I am always striving to be better, it can also be a very bad thing. When it is 3 in the morning and I refuse to go to bed because a necklace won't turn out the way I want it to, or I am in tears in my office at work because I missed something minor, or I put a huge X through a sketch that I have been working on for the last half hour because it isn't quite right, the perfectionism becomes destructive and harmful.
With sketching, I have learned to try to accept my imperfections for a few reasons. First, drawing and other forms of art are subjective--imperfections can actually give character to a piece or become a signature stylization. Second, I draw for fun and relaxation, not to become famous, make a living or even have sketches shown to anyone outside of my immediate family. Sketching is an outlet for me: it's meditative, it's calming if I let it be, it's creative, and it's a way to express my intense feelings and crazy ideas like no other. Sure, jewelry and dance are lovely, but there are certain things that are just easier to express through drawing.
After I drew whatever odd thing came to mind a few times, I started getting a standard reaction from my husband. Now instead of being good, my new goal is to get that same reaction from my husband every time: "that's disturbing." The new goal is fairly easy and makes the drawing almost secondary. My skills only have to be good enough to convey an idea that bothers my husband. I know it's an odd goal, but it has removed stress from my drawing time almost completely.
Sure, it's still frustrating when I don't have the skills to quite do what I want, but I know they will come in time and I can work on a specific idea later when they do. For right now, all I have to do is barely eek the idea out and I get the reward I'm looking for. Why "that's disturbing" and not "that's interesting" or "that's pretty" or "that's perfect"? Because, a dog doing tricks can be interesting, a thousand flowers in a thousand vases can be pretty, and a pebble can be perfect, but only a person with swirls for eyes, a tiefling under a christmas tree and a face with cracks through it--my ideas--can be disturbing. It's lovely: through silliness and self-expression, I have learned to start embracing who I am, imperfect, offbeat, and a little disturbing.
Oh, and that face with the eyes that were too far apart? I picked her back up a few weeks later and am proud to say that she is definitely disturbing.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Interview with PoetessWug2 of Wuglyees
You provide a fairly thorough introduction of yourself in your etsy profile.
In there, you said you taught yourself to crochet because you wanted to learn but no one would take the time to teach you. Do you remember what it was about crochet that seemed so attractive?
I don't remember exactly what it was that drew me to crochet, other than seeing little doilies and lace-looking tablecloths all over my relative's houses. I asked a lot of questions about them and always saw people crocheting...and wallah!...it bit me like a bug! My reasons for wanting to become more creative with it came many years down the road, inspired by my becoming better at it!
Did it live up to your expectations?
Crochet absolutely lived up to my expectations...and then some! I find that there is nothing that I can't do with crocheting if I put my mind...and a little elbow grease...to it! With the right materials I could keep myself busy year round, even though crochet is considered more of a cold weather endeavor.
Are there other crafts you have tried?
The other crafts that I have endeavored to do are many. I knit ALMOST as well as I crochet, but I find knitting to be more tedious and less challenging to my creativity. I marvel at people who love both. (I marry the two in some projects though.)...I also latch hook, sew, cross stitch and write poetry. Poetry and crochet are the two things I find that I can do tirelessly, and I share the most of who I am with those who receive the finished products of.!
Are there other crafts or forms of art you would like to try and why?
The other crafts that I have endeavored to do are many. I knit ALMOST as well as I crochet, but I find knitting to be more tedious and less challenging to my creativity. I marvel at people who love both. (I marry the two in some projects though.)...I also latch hook, sew, cross stitch and write poetry. Poetry and crochet are the two things I find that I can do tirelessly, and I share the most of who I am with those who receive the finished products of.! I would love to try painting some day. It is among those things that I love to look at. I love to see how different artists express themselves. With my infinite love of color, I'd love to one day dabble in canvas brush strokes...maybe even to music! (Music is another love of mine!)
Your shop slogan is "Where nothing is wasted, even the ugly" and you feature items with leftover yarn; How did this idea come about?
I had so much yarn just building up in my house, yarn that had been given to me or was leftover from other projects that I'd bought too much yarn for. So I started making scarves with it. I didn't focus on making them to be perfect initially...I just wanted to use up the yarn so that it wouldn't be wasted! Then my friends and relatives started to say "Why are you making those ugly scarves?!" LOL I didn't pay one bit of attention to them because I thought they were beautiful!...Then I remembered that they had said the same thing about the bear that I had made, my "Wuglyee"! That's where my slogan came from for my shop! "Where nothing is wasted, not even the ugly". And since I had grown to love my ugly little bear, I figured someone would grow to love my crocheted scarves...and other items now! The name of my shop, "Wuglyees" stands for 'WARM, BUT UGLY', which is how I came to feel about my bear who came out soooo ugly, but who warms my heart when I look at him and remember how much work I put into him. That's why I named him "Wuglyee". He's "W" for warm, "ugly" in the middle, and "ee" (or eezy) to love!
What is your favorite thing you've ever made and why?
Naming one favorite thing I've ever made is hard. My Wuglyee bear is a definite favorite, although he's a one of a kind and I am no longer in the crocheted animal business. One of him was enough for me to know that there IS a limit to what I like to do!...This shawl is a favorite and themed blankets (Cats, wedding, Mickey Mouse cross-stitched over a crochet pattern, etc) that I have specifically made or created for friends and family have been favorites. I guess anything I've made where my creative juices were flowing could be considered a favorite! :-))
I've noticed a theme in many forms of art and creation of wanting to be in another world. What is your ideal world and how does you art interact with that?
There are many things about this world that can be frustrating and discouraging, but while I await a world filled with people who only want the best for each other, and who spend their life in service to each other, I will enjoy this one! I work on my own self daily and crocheting helps me to be more patient, open and loving...there is love in every stitch!
What would you say to people trying to find their world?
To all those trying to find out what they are good at, or what they can make money at, I say find out what you love to do! If you do that you'll never be disappointed with your choice, and you'll be happy with yourself no matter what! That's what I have done!
What about others who wish to create? Anything to tell us?
Intellectually, I know that my shop is a business, but I also know that If you focus all your energy on profit it'll be a long, slow journey! So every day I find try to think about something else I'd like to create, or someone else I'd like to share what I've created with! It's making the journey a very happy one for me!
And, Last but not least, where can we find you and your work?
You can find my shop at www.wuglyees.etsy.com . Come by and check out all of my "Ugly" creations! LOL And if you like, leave me a message in the "Contact Wuglyee" section of my home page to let me know what you think! I'd love the feedback, even if you're not buying anything this time around...Also, come and tweet with me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/PoetessWug2
A big thank you goes out to PoetessWug2 for sharing her time and thoughts with us.
If you would like to be interviewed as well, post it in comments, find Hillary on twitter or facebook, or convo us on etsy. I'd love to see what you're crocheting, knitting,...creating!
In there, you said you taught yourself to crochet because you wanted to learn but no one would take the time to teach you. Do you remember what it was about crochet that seemed so attractive?
I don't remember exactly what it was that drew me to crochet, other than seeing little doilies and lace-looking tablecloths all over my relative's houses. I asked a lot of questions about them and always saw people crocheting...and wallah!...it bit me like a bug! My reasons for wanting to become more creative with it came many years down the road, inspired by my becoming better at it!
Did it live up to your expectations?
Crochet absolutely lived up to my expectations...and then some! I find that there is nothing that I can't do with crocheting if I put my mind...and a little elbow grease...to it! With the right materials I could keep myself busy year round, even though crochet is considered more of a cold weather endeavor.
Are there other crafts you have tried?
The other crafts that I have endeavored to do are many. I knit ALMOST as well as I crochet, but I find knitting to be more tedious and less challenging to my creativity. I marvel at people who love both. (I marry the two in some projects though.)...I also latch hook, sew, cross stitch and write poetry. Poetry and crochet are the two things I find that I can do tirelessly, and I share the most of who I am with those who receive the finished products of.!
Are there other crafts or forms of art you would like to try and why?
The other crafts that I have endeavored to do are many. I knit ALMOST as well as I crochet, but I find knitting to be more tedious and less challenging to my creativity. I marvel at people who love both. (I marry the two in some projects though.)...I also latch hook, sew, cross stitch and write poetry. Poetry and crochet are the two things I find that I can do tirelessly, and I share the most of who I am with those who receive the finished products of.! I would love to try painting some day. It is among those things that I love to look at. I love to see how different artists express themselves. With my infinite love of color, I'd love to one day dabble in canvas brush strokes...maybe even to music! (Music is another love of mine!)
Your shop slogan is "Where nothing is wasted, even the ugly" and you feature items with leftover yarn; How did this idea come about?
I had so much yarn just building up in my house, yarn that had been given to me or was leftover from other projects that I'd bought too much yarn for. So I started making scarves with it. I didn't focus on making them to be perfect initially...I just wanted to use up the yarn so that it wouldn't be wasted! Then my friends and relatives started to say "Why are you making those ugly scarves?!" LOL I didn't pay one bit of attention to them because I thought they were beautiful!...Then I remembered that they had said the same thing about the bear that I had made, my "Wuglyee"! That's where my slogan came from for my shop! "Where nothing is wasted, not even the ugly". And since I had grown to love my ugly little bear, I figured someone would grow to love my crocheted scarves...and other items now! The name of my shop, "Wuglyees" stands for 'WARM, BUT UGLY', which is how I came to feel about my bear who came out soooo ugly, but who warms my heart when I look at him and remember how much work I put into him. That's why I named him "Wuglyee". He's "W" for warm, "ugly" in the middle, and "ee" (or eezy) to love!
What is your favorite thing you've ever made and why?
Naming one favorite thing I've ever made is hard. My Wuglyee bear is a definite favorite, although he's a one of a kind and I am no longer in the crocheted animal business. One of him was enough for me to know that there IS a limit to what I like to do!...This shawl is a favorite and themed blankets (Cats, wedding, Mickey Mouse cross-stitched over a crochet pattern, etc) that I have specifically made or created for friends and family have been favorites. I guess anything I've made where my creative juices were flowing could be considered a favorite! :-))
I've noticed a theme in many forms of art and creation of wanting to be in another world. What is your ideal world and how does you art interact with that?
There are many things about this world that can be frustrating and discouraging, but while I await a world filled with people who only want the best for each other, and who spend their life in service to each other, I will enjoy this one! I work on my own self daily and crocheting helps me to be more patient, open and loving...there is love in every stitch!
What would you say to people trying to find their world?
To all those trying to find out what they are good at, or what they can make money at, I say find out what you love to do! If you do that you'll never be disappointed with your choice, and you'll be happy with yourself no matter what! That's what I have done!
What about others who wish to create? Anything to tell us?
Intellectually, I know that my shop is a business, but I also know that If you focus all your energy on profit it'll be a long, slow journey! So every day I find try to think about something else I'd like to create, or someone else I'd like to share what I've created with! It's making the journey a very happy one for me!
And, Last but not least, where can we find you and your work?
You can find my shop at www.wuglyees.etsy.com . Come by and check out all of my "Ugly" creations! LOL And if you like, leave me a message in the "Contact Wuglyee" section of my home page to let me know what you think! I'd love the feedback, even if you're not buying anything this time around...Also, come and tweet with me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/PoetessWug2
A big thank you goes out to PoetessWug2 for sharing her time and thoughts with us.
If you would like to be interviewed as well, post it in comments, find Hillary on twitter or facebook, or convo us on etsy. I'd love to see what you're crocheting, knitting,...creating!
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