Christmas is just around the corner…
Let the CHAOS ensue!
I’ve been having some difficulty budgeting gifts this year. There are entirely too many people on my list, and I don’t feel like eliminating anyone. I feel each is deserving of some Holiday love and cheer.
Meaning, …I’ve resorted to my artistic abilities to pull me through the season!
These particular pieces are based around styles from artists I admire.
First - Birds of a feather, flock...solo??
Second - Thing #1...or #2, depending on who you ask
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Crayon melt 2.0
My current project is an expansion from my last tutorial on the melting of Crayons.
I enjoyed it so much that I included my own artwork to give it a personal touch.
Outcome: MUCH more than I expected. I will def be creating variations in the future!!.
FYI - Those are REAL lashes glued on!
I enjoyed it so much that I included my own artwork to give it a personal touch.
Outcome: MUCH more than I expected. I will def be creating variations in the future!!.
FYI - Those are REAL lashes glued on!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Crayons are for adults!
For my next project, I attempted the ever popular crayon melt.
So very Jackson Pollack!!
My directional tutorial link - http://unsimpleliving.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/melted-crayon-art
Conclusion: Honestly, tutorials for this can be found any and everywhere on the web; however, I recommend unwrapping each crayon individually so as to expose heat for an even melt.
So very Jackson Pollack!!
My directional tutorial link - http://unsimpleliving.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/melted-crayon-art
Conclusion: Honestly, tutorials for this can be found any and everywhere on the web; however, I recommend unwrapping each crayon individually so as to expose heat for an even melt.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Baby, it's COLD outside!!
Now that the weather has cooled off, sea-beans aren’t as easy to come by. So to fill my extracurricular time, I’ve turned to indoor recreational activities.
Which means, …DIY crafts!! (Don’t lie! The Martha Stuart in you is quivering with excitement!)
With the Holidays fast approaching, what better solution for an inexpensive gift or themed home décor than a DO IT YOURSELF project that won’t break the bank?!
For the winter months into spring, I have decided I will use my blog to feature several of my own DIY ventures based on links I have found through the web.
Some of my favorite stalking grounds will include Craftgawker.com, Pinterest.com, and good old Youtube. (all of which I highly recommend joining!)
Never fear, I will post all links featuring directions, including my own successes and failures.
-------
My first project to feature is a simple scarf made from an old tee-shirt. Link for the video tutorial is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agZ6PSrwXy4
My version in a pic collage:
Which means, …DIY crafts!! (Don’t lie! The Martha Stuart in you is quivering with excitement!)
With the Holidays fast approaching, what better solution for an inexpensive gift or themed home décor than a DO IT YOURSELF project that won’t break the bank?!
For the winter months into spring, I have decided I will use my blog to feature several of my own DIY ventures based on links I have found through the web.
Some of my favorite stalking grounds will include Craftgawker.com, Pinterest.com, and good old Youtube. (all of which I highly recommend joining!)
Never fear, I will post all links featuring directions, including my own successes and failures.
-------
My first project to feature is a simple scarf made from an old tee-shirt. Link for the video tutorial is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agZ6PSrwXy4
My version in a pic collage:
Conclusion: This is a pretty simple and uninvolved project. It took me a total of 20 minutes, and my materials consisted of my BF’s old t-shirt he was going to donate and a pair of scissors I already own. If you’re a beginner in the DIY world, this is an excellent start.
CUT AWAY, and DO enjoy!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
St. Mary is the new 'fall fashion'
As promised…many, MANY moons ago! This is my homemade sea-bean jewelry post.
The particular piece featured is a Saint Mary’s Cross, wrapped in wire (a variation on a barrel loop), and strung on a silver chain.
My 'favorite' actually concocted the piece; however, I did find the bean ;-)
The actual St. Mary's necklace
Myself wearing the necklace!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
I spy with my little brown eye...!
I’ve been so wrapped up sharing my collection of sea-beans; I haven’t even given an explanation as to what exactly they are! More importantly, why would I or anyone want to collect them?
Based on its name and appearance, one could objectively assume a sea-bean is in fact an actual bean; however, this is false. These treasured beach treats are seeds that can be found hanging from tropical vines, fruits, and trees along coastal regions and fresh water banks.
When high winds, storms, or good ole gravity get involved, they fall from their original homes into waterways like the Amazon and Mississippi river that carry them out with the tide. After days to years of drifting, they bank on foreign shores waiting to be found by hungry beach-combers like myself.
Due to the nature of ocean currents, some sea-beans can drift from Jamaica to the Gulf, Florida to the East Coast, the Atlantic, and all the way to the United Kingdom. Like true world traveling bums, they traverse the ocean’s interstate, enjoying the view and hitching rides on whatever free wave they can catch!
The semi-precious beans (Hamburgers, Sea-hearts, St. Mary’s Cross, Horse Eye, etc.) are particularly favored for their hard outer shells that can be polished and turned into ornamental jewelry. ((I’ll feature jewelry I’ve had done or made for me in later entries))
To those of you who live close to or plan on visiting a coastal area with a beach, I recommend devoting an hour or two of your weekend to hunting down sea-beans. It’ll make for a great day at the beach and satisfy the kid in you who still likes to play “I Spy!”
LINKS:
For further details, I suggest visiting these sites:
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/mucuna.htm
http://www.seabean.com/
http://beachbeans.blogspot.com/
Based on its name and appearance, one could objectively assume a sea-bean is in fact an actual bean; however, this is false. These treasured beach treats are seeds that can be found hanging from tropical vines, fruits, and trees along coastal regions and fresh water banks.
When high winds, storms, or good ole gravity get involved, they fall from their original homes into waterways like the Amazon and Mississippi river that carry them out with the tide. After days to years of drifting, they bank on foreign shores waiting to be found by hungry beach-combers like myself.
Due to the nature of ocean currents, some sea-beans can drift from Jamaica to the Gulf, Florida to the East Coast, the Atlantic, and all the way to the United Kingdom. Like true world traveling bums, they traverse the ocean’s interstate, enjoying the view and hitching rides on whatever free wave they can catch!
The semi-precious beans (Hamburgers, Sea-hearts, St. Mary’s Cross, Horse Eye, etc.) are particularly favored for their hard outer shells that can be polished and turned into ornamental jewelry. ((I’ll feature jewelry I’ve had done or made for me in later entries))
To those of you who live close to or plan on visiting a coastal area with a beach, I recommend devoting an hour or two of your weekend to hunting down sea-beans. It’ll make for a great day at the beach and satisfy the kid in you who still likes to play “I Spy!”
LINKS:
For further details, I suggest visiting these sites:
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/mucuna.htm
http://www.seabean.com/
http://beachbeans.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Sea-bean Hunt Is On!
This year is turning out to be a very lucrative one for sea-beaning, thanks in large part to the heavy deposits of sargassum on shore. Just today, ‘the favorite’ and I hit Galveston State Beach for some long overdue sea-bean hunting. As you can see by the pics below, we were incredibly successful!
Among the catch: 5 sea hearts, 8 horse eyes, 25 hamburgers, 17 star palms, 2 St. Mary’s Crosses (thanks to Matt!), 1 Jamaican Navel Spurge, 1 Jamaican walnut, 1 Nickarbean brown, 3 Nickarbeans grey or ‘sea pearls’, 1 porcupine seed, 4 almonds, several sea coconuts (much of which we didn’t pick up), anthracite (which is NOT a sea-bean but a form of coal that washes up from shipwrecks offshore leftover from civil war blockade runners), cork (also, NOT a sea-bean), and an assortment of other goodies.
Among the catch: 5 sea hearts, 8 horse eyes, 25 hamburgers, 17 star palms, 2 St. Mary’s Crosses (thanks to Matt!), 1 Jamaican Navel Spurge, 1 Jamaican walnut, 1 Nickarbean brown, 3 Nickarbeans grey or ‘sea pearls’, 1 porcupine seed, 4 almonds, several sea coconuts (much of which we didn’t pick up), anthracite (which is NOT a sea-bean but a form of coal that washes up from shipwrecks offshore leftover from civil war blockade runners), cork (also, NOT a sea-bean), and an assortment of other goodies.
The Broad Overview: Today's Find
Hamburger Bean Up Close
Horse Eye Sea-bean
St. Mary Cross Sea-Beans
Brown and Grey Nickarnut Sea-beans
Anthracite (NOT a sea-bean)
Assortment: Fishy overbite, cork, fishy vertebrae, and some sort of shell
Stay tuned! Fossils on the way and an update on where to find information regarding sea-beans!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Summer is here!
Despite fishy winds and the increased chance of being decimated by a hurricane, living next to the beach is a pretty neat experience.
Here recently, I finally got a couple days off to actually enjoy it and relish in some overdue ‘Adventure Time’ with my partner in crime and favorite. We combed the beaches for sea treasures, explored the abandoned military forts on east end, and Geocached our way from one end of the island to the other.
It was glorious.
Sand, sun, water, surf, marine life, sea beans, pirates, tall ships, the history of sea power, etc… I will definitely have to update more! Pictures and all.
Here recently, I finally got a couple days off to actually enjoy it and relish in some overdue ‘Adventure Time’ with my partner in crime and favorite. We combed the beaches for sea treasures, explored the abandoned military forts on east end, and Geocached our way from one end of the island to the other.
It was glorious.
Sand, sun, water, surf, marine life, sea beans, pirates, tall ships, the history of sea power, etc… I will definitely have to update more! Pictures and all.
'Manoware Jelly Fish, West End'
'All Signs Point to You'
Monday, January 3, 2011
A resolution to resolve the psyche
How very interesting 1/1/11…almost could pass for binary.
The New Year always manages to peak my interest and taunt me with its prospect for improvement and self-revelation through the ever popular New Year’s Resolution. And, sadly, my resolution really hasn’t changed in the past two years - nor will it start now.
Why do you ask? Well, my dear journal, because it’s YOU that I have resoluted to keep. The only difference is this time I will make it the most brutally honest of journals I have ever written.
I do this not because I’ve lied or embellished; rather, I’ve held back a lot. Most of it is in fear that someone will find it and crucify me. But after two beers, I have thought about it and can't find a solid reason as to why anyone’s opinion would even matter. I mean, granted, it could definitely ruin intimate relationships I’ve established (both friendship and lover); however, should that influence me?
Well, my friend, in the long run it does and it doesn’t. I believe in true journalism – uncut, nitty-gritty, in your face, piss off, but you can’t stop reading because it’s the truth… And, everyone should respect the truth. Having a filter is so limiting and SUPER lame. Plus, this is my life I’m documenting.
Oh, and the journal I keep will not be broadcast here. If parts of it are, there will be a lot of heavy editing....sigh, such the hypocrite. The intimacy established in the journal is for my eyes only!
The New Year always manages to peak my interest and taunt me with its prospect for improvement and self-revelation through the ever popular New Year’s Resolution. And, sadly, my resolution really hasn’t changed in the past two years - nor will it start now.
Why do you ask? Well, my dear journal, because it’s YOU that I have resoluted to keep. The only difference is this time I will make it the most brutally honest of journals I have ever written.
I do this not because I’ve lied or embellished; rather, I’ve held back a lot. Most of it is in fear that someone will find it and crucify me. But after two beers, I have thought about it and can't find a solid reason as to why anyone’s opinion would even matter. I mean, granted, it could definitely ruin intimate relationships I’ve established (both friendship and lover); however, should that influence me?
Well, my friend, in the long run it does and it doesn’t. I believe in true journalism – uncut, nitty-gritty, in your face, piss off, but you can’t stop reading because it’s the truth… And, everyone should respect the truth. Having a filter is so limiting and SUPER lame. Plus, this is my life I’m documenting.
Oh, and the journal I keep will not be broadcast here. If parts of it are, there will be a lot of heavy editing....sigh, such the hypocrite. The intimacy established in the journal is for my eyes only!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)