It's good to do: soap making

At this time of year, I often do some soap.  Often, I will give them as a gift.  This year, I just made some soap just for the fun of it.  If someone need some, they will be ready to give.  What I liked the must is the colours I got from this year batch.  I used mauve and red colorant.  I also used an honey soap base for the mauve ones.  For the red ones, I used my usual soap base.

It is nice to have some dark colored soap.  I am pleased with the result.  It also smelled good as I was heating the honey soap base.  I usually use an honey soap base once a year, to give luxurious soap as a gift.  I just haven't done it last year.  Maybe I should use that soap base a bit more often.  I haven't try them myself.  I guess would be time to test drive a few, just to see if quality control is good (-;

Soap making is relaxing.  The most boring part is to heat the base.  It is the longest part of the process.  The other little bit boring part is to let it cool, before unmolding the soap.  What I like the most is having a helper with me.  It help with the whole process.

Finding application with unused items

I have some string/crochet yarn that I have.  I have a few rolls of them, in black and blue.  It is unused. It look like this:

I was thinking of using with my dyi loom.

As seen on the photo, the end result on the loom was not what I wanted.  It was fine.  I would end up with a fine cloth but I was not ready to do it.  So, I was left with the thread/yarn and no project.  Now, I have decided to use what I get for embroidery.  I think it will do the trick.  I like to take an item and used it for another purpose.  Well, I am ready to try.  If it doesn't work, I will try something else.  If I use the two together in a embroidery project, the end result will look great, I think.  I won't need to purchase embroidery floss for a long time, at least, if I don't need particuliar colour for a project.  I have a good stack of embroidery floss too, so, I don't have to worry for a while.

Embarrasing ring

My very first attempt at a beaded ring making, well before I even took classes:

It is not a really successful attempt.  It is a total failure.  No redemption possible.  A big no no.  At the time, I really knew nothing about it.  I took a project in a book, knowing nothing about what was needed.  While I was doing it, I didn't understood why I didn't having the result on the picture and I found it was hard to do.  I took metal wire.  I think I didn't have all the correct material.  I was in a clean slate state.

It is my most embarassing result I ever had.  The bigest blunder.  It is the deepest failure I ever had.  Nothing worst can be done now.  I am happy to have learned what I learned in my jewelry classes.  Since that ring, my proeject were much better.  I did have some projects that didn't come out as I wanted but they were way much better than that.  I could come up with something presentable with the other unsatisfying projects.  This one is totally waisted.  I have kept it as a reminder of what should not be done.

I am doing much better than that now.

My searhead--forgotten and found

I found this project not long ago.  I haven't thought of that spearhead in a long time.  It was a spearhead out of metal that I made while I was taken my jewelry classed near my workplace.  I made this spearhead from the lost wax technique.  I made it in wax and send it to get it in the end result, as seen above.  I show both side of the spearhead.  On one side, there is an hole and on the otherside, there is two holes.  They are small and are a bit difficult to see on the photo.  I think it was hard for the one in charge of my wax mold.  I took that spearhead as it was.  I think that the small holes give it  a certain charm.

It does not show the drilled holes on the site, on the right side.  I intend to put that spearhead on a chain.  I will have to find a chain small enough to go through the hoes but strong enough to hold the weight of the spearhead.  Or I put a heavy dury thick wire in a wire warpping way or do some eyelets.  I would put a chain in the eyelets.

It was nice to find that spearhead.  It is mainly finish, as a project.  Not much is needed to finish it.  It is the kind of project that I like to make.  It wasn't that easy to make it, especially the finish, the pattern on the spearhead.  It wasn't my idea but it was a good one, as I look at the result.

Making earring on the go

It was nice to make those earring.  Not much material eaither.  Some french hooks, chains, beads that look like cristal balls and some pins.  With varying the lenght of the chains, it makes various earrings.  There is one pairs where I didn't put any chains on them,

The first photo is the material I took to make the earrings.  The second photo are the beads are on the pins.  The beads are ready to be put on the hooks.  The last photo are the end result of the whole project.  There is one last bead that I haven't put on the photo.  I think to make an necklace with the last bead.  I haven't decided on the look of that necklace yet.  I am tempted to put that bead with other transparent beads that I have but I wonder if it will be too much transparent beads on the same necklace.

I will have to think further on the necklace.I will probably have to go throught my bead collection.  Maybe I will end up finding the perfect match for the last bead.

Soap from honey baw soap

 I made some soaps from an honey soap base.  I like the colour I got.  It is those from the photo above
On the photo below, I took the usual clear base.  I also like the colour.  But I prfer the shape.

It feel good doing all those soaps.  It also smelled goo while I was doing the ones with the honey.  Maybe I should do them more often.  Now, I have some reserve soap to give if I am asked aboiut it.  Could give some too.

I have also made two big bar of soap that I will cut up in smaller bars.  They are red as on the secon photo.  I kind of forgot how it was relaxing to do.  The most boring part is to melt the base.  The most fun is to put the essentiual oils and the colour.  Waiting for the soaps to cool is another wait to have.  Doing soaps in the afternoon is the best time to do it.  Starting after eating and early is the best.  It give the time to melt the base and the soap in the mold to cool down.  If is not cooled enough before nightime, it can be change from one place to another to finish cooling.

It nice to be inspired

I like it when I see a piece of jewelry and a few instant or hours later, I get an idea.  I am not into reproducting exactly the piece.  I like to put my own spin to it.  Sometimes, I put what I saw to a different piece completely.  It is a nice sensation.  I find it fascinating that only by looking, it start a process that end in something concrete.

Lately, I had been mainly inspired by jewelry.  Maybe because I put more attention to them.  I had a period, before that where I got inspiration for characters, for their physical attribute.  It was my focus then.  I guess the area of focus will change again on a later date.  I am not affraid of those changes.  It only show where I put the most of my attention.

I wonder what happened in the time of prehistory.  I wonder what was the process of getting an idea.  They had to invent everything.  They didn't have anything to look upon for ideas.  At first, there was no jewelry.  Where did they got that idea first?  It is just an example.  It can be apply to other areas of life.  It is easy to say that need is the mother of invention.  Jewelry is not really a need.  Not an essential one.  If basic needs aren't filled, the jewelry need is not existing.  It is a need that is linked with how we show ourselves.  Of course, it show our individuality.  It is more easu to be an individual when we are well fed, have a roof over our head, a sense of security.  After the basic is met, the individual self kick in more easily.

I am not an expert in inspiration and the whole need thing. I am just curious how the first human start the process of creating and inventing.  How did they got their inspiration without having the crutch I have.  I would like to try the inspiration channel they had.

Reflecting on past projects

There are some times where I like to look at past projects.  It happen out of the blue.  Nothing is attached to those moments, not even the nearing the present year.  I don't really feel nostalgic while looking at those projects.  It is more a down to earth process.  I like to remember the original idea, the steps of fabrication, the modification and improvements I had to make, what I learned from the project, if I had comments on the results, etc...

I like to trace my evolution throught time.  I can see where I started and what to explore next.  It is all in my head right now.  I had done a few sketches on paper.  Those sketches are really basic.  Makes me think that a portfolio or a projects journal on my progress would be a good thing.  Everything would be assembled all into one notebook.  Cool idea when thinking of it.

I do this tour of my past projects on an irregular basis.  It is not something that I need to do often.  I do have a positive vibe when I do it.  It is not vital in my life.  It show my creative evolution.

I miss doing that!

I learned a lot in the past years.  I took a lot of classes.  I've learned a lot of interesting facts.  There are well defrined periods that I miss.  They were intersting for a particuliar reason: a book, a craft, classes, some people I was with.

Nostalgia is in the air.  It is trendy lately.  Some people makes money out of this.  Nostalgia is nice for a short period of time.  «I miss this and that!»  I just don't like when people are constantly in it.  It had become «glitterly good», as if there was a paradise.  It is better to remember the good part only, it seems.

I do have fond memories.  I would have liked those memories to last longer.  At the same time, I remember that those time were not perfect.  There where some flaws in it, as if it was there to make me feel a tiny bit incomforable.

It is not lost time.  It is not perfect time.  It is just periods of time that where pwerful and meaningful. Those moments had an impact on me.  They may become useful one day, as an inspiration.  They are part of my source material that fuel my creativity.

Packaging products can be an artwork

Well, I think the images are saying all:

This one is a wooden box containing The Mythical Creature tarot.  There was a card on it:

I don't know if it will be a trendsetting but right now, it look original.  Of course, it may lead to a more expensive product.  There are other examples that are greatly done.

If I would create an product, I would put great effort in the pruduct itself, of course but I wish to have a original idea for the packaging.  Sometimes, we judge a book by it's cover.

Space travel

There are times where I would like to do a space travel.  As for earth destinations, there are place in the vastness of space that have a certain appeal.  Of course, I would start with our own solar system.  Each planets of our solar system have interesting attraction.  For example Sarturn's rings, Jupiter red spot, etc.  What I would like to see are Phobos and Deimos (Mars' two moons) from the surface of Mars.

There are also sightseeting the new discovered planets.  Also, to see if there is some habitable planets.  On the other hand, doing the travel should be something awesome too.  I would like to travel on an Entreprise-like ship, with the uniforms.  Would also be fun to become friends with some individuals of alien species.  It is a bit an fantasy that I have.  It would be my wish space bucket.

I wonder if this desire is due to our earth bound state.  It is not possible for the majority of us to go into space right now.  It is a new possibility we have but it is not fully developped.  It is not to the Star Trek or Star Wars level.  I still wish right now even if I don't know if it will be possible one day...

Inspired by spiders

I found this video on new speacies of spiders:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ncuLLy-g4
Those spiders are really stunning.  I find their pattern, on them, to be inspiring.

I know that spiders are not everyones cups of tea.  The same goes for snakes.  Both are in the unloved animal category.  On the other hand, they are great for inspiration, for design, at least, as seen in the video on spiders.

Nature really have something great, we just have to look at the right place at the right moment to get inspired.

I quite forgot about it

I forgot that I had stones.  Remember that makes me want to work with them.  I also have great stones in my possession.

They are not expensive but I would like to do something with them.

Black and White photos

Black and white photoes are usually great.  Well, it is what I think.

Often, those photos are outdated and their ages shows.  It is what makes their charm.  Photographers had to be more careful and more knowledgeable.  It was truely an artform.  I don't think I would be able to be in their places.  It was also time and money consuming.  It wasn't as easy as today for making some correction to the photos.

One thing I would like to learn how to do: sepia tone photos.  I would like to know how to do it.  I am sure it is easy to do now with all the programs that exist today.  I like the retro look it gives to the photos.

Creative Bucket Wish List

Recently, someone asked me what I wanted back in my life.  It makes me think that I don't have a creative bucket wish list.  I'll throw a few things I wish to have without considering the cost.  It is a first brainstorm I am getting on this.

The first thing on the list is having a more creative environment.  What I mean by that is about my deserted creative area.  Getting a variety of crafty stores would be a good start.  After that, getting some classes could favor creativity.  It is one thing to live in a creative wasteland, having a basis of the possible can lead far. Opening the possibilities lead to good opportunities.  It can also be a possitive in my area.  I find that many buildings are a bit sad.  I don't say to put murals on every buildings but putting colours on precise area that are visible.  Not all at the same concentrated area too.  I don't want to concentrate all in one place.

The second big thing would be connecting with other creators.  It would be great to see other creations from other peoples.  It may trigger new ideas.  I know about a place where I can see other people creation.  I guess I could also go there to show my pieces of art.  The problem is that place is a bit far from where I live and the place is so small.  In addition, there is a long waiting list to be in the showroom.  It would be better to have more little exhibition rooms, even if they are a bit far about.  One exhibition could visit all those exhibition room for a set period of time in each time.  I would visit the nearest one fore sure if that was available.

The last thing would be about the formation.  I would like to have a nearby place where I can go and learn about a new craft or if I get a question that I could ask a knowledgeable person.  It woud be great to have a place like that.  It could take an associative form or an cooperative form.  I always say that getting an experienced person in an area of expertise is always entlightening.  An honest exchange can spin into a brainstorming or lead to a unexpected project.

It is what I find the most important for now.  I don't know if it will change.  It is nice to put it down anyway. It is amazing to see one question can lead to another.

Remebering good things. music

Just stumble on this video, on youtube.  It is Roxette--It just happen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf0ehfmyz6A
They seems to have a new album and this song is a release from it.  I didn't knew they were still together and still making album and music.

Last song I heard from them was Joyride:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCorJG9mubk
I like the video.  It suit the song perfectly.  I would compare it to the Born to be Wild song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UWRypqz5-o
I must admit that Born to be Wild is a true hymn to the motorized industry and I mainly think of bikes and cars

The frist song I heard from them was The Look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlVI7ZNiFlI
When I first seen this video, I found that the song was really interesting.  I think I like when two people sing

It makes me feel nostalgic.  There were good music up to the 90's even if each era had a personal touch that didn't always stood the test of time.  On the other hand, I envy a little bit musicians and singers.  Especially those who come on with songs that become intemporal.  It is a craft that I haven't mastered.  Don't know if I could.

My most important tool

My most important tool are my hands.  At this time of year, it is time to take care of them more intensively.  Good hand cream and gloves are the must haves in the cold.  I am doing good for the application of the cream.  Less good with the gloves.  I didn't get around the idea of putting gloves in the cold.  I know that putting them protect my skin from the cold.  I need to work on that.

My hands are essential when I am crafting.  I must then take good care of them.  They are not always good looking.  I may have crayon marks, cuts, traces of dye, they can be dried up with some paper cut like crevices.  By the end of the day, my hands had served me well.  When all do as I want, I feel really happy by the result,.

There are times where I would like to have more fingers or more hands.  It happen when I do a complicated work like a tight knots or a complicated design with rings, a small detail in a tight place.  It demand dexterity.  I don't wish to have smaller hand or smaller fingers.  I am happy by the shape of my hands and fingers.  I won't change them.  I have patience when needed even if it does not goes totally as I like.  I do have the motivation to try delicate procedure.  At worst, I stop, take a break and return later on.

My hands are my best tool.  I use them while handling other tools.  Without my hands, I would be unhappy and I would not be able to do jewelry, knitting, cross stitching, etc.

Strangeness in communication

Yesterday, I had a short but strange conversation with someone.  Usually, I feel ackward while I speak with other people.  I don't always get some wit on time.  It is not my area of expertise.  Yesterday, I felt, for a rare time, that the role where reverse.  The other person seemed to justified himself.  On my side, I was understanding of his stance and ready to move on.

Feeling at ease talking, be it in front of a group or on a one on one level, it is an artform.  I would like to be a bit more quicker in my thinking.  What discourage me is that only practice can be helping to get better.  I don't always have the energy or time to do it.  What I found interesting, yesterday, was that I felt confident, even if I knew I could be better in my reply.   It was a good day on that side.

Talking is not my strong point.  I don't master that artform.  I would like to be better in conversation and be witty.  My creative strenght are elsewhere.  It was just interesting to be in a situation where I didn't drag on in the conversation.  It was more the other person that was dragging a bit.  What I get from yesterday is to not interact with that person again because it isn't with him that I will get better in conversation.

Creating a dialogue is way easier for me.  I feel more spontaneous while I am writing it.  I don't know why it is easier that way.  Maybe there is less stress because the dialogue on paper is part of a piece of fiction.

means of deeper expression, not into superficial.

I knew about a song that Ozzy Osborne made a good while ago.  I found it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AsLRPzqdpc
I am happy to found it out.  It is one song among a few ones that express something deeper than mainstream songs.  There are a few lyrics lines that are particuliar striking.  «I'm not the kind of person you think I am» get really into me the most.  I find it true that sometimes the face we show is disconnected from what we are in the inside.  I admit that myself, I keep some part of myself from the world.  Song as Get it Through have a powerful vibe to it.  I think it may be because of the truthfulness of the lyric and powerful riff in the music.

Songs that stay relevant through time are songs like Get it Through.  It is not about pleasing pleople or using the big theme of the moment.  Getting to a core or getting into murky water   Of course, having a lighter song once in a while is good.  It can brighten the day.  It just let me in the same state the whole time. 

So, I enjoy myself when comes a song have a twist in it.  It doesn't mean the song had to be depressing lyrics with an heavy instrumentation.  It can have darker lyrics with a lighter music counterpart.  An artist like Gowan had a few song done that way.  There is Criminal Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIjddye2JSA), Lost Brotherhood (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swW_B_RxGQw) and Moonlight Desire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iypXh0_mo0) that fit that category.  Of course, the videos are not up to the songs.  That kind of songs have a primitive feel to it.  It is what attract me.  Removing the 80's pop feel and it would be even better and dark fairy tale like.

Talking of deeply powerful music, I can't pass the best of them all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miGUnKWcYeo
It is called Self Control by Laura Branigan.  It have a tinghe of the 80's pop instrumentation but it is on the level of the Eurythmics (who also had made great meaningful music in the 80ties)

I have nothing against superficial music.  They had their purpose for those who like that genre.  It just that I don't always like big short sensation of the moment, they are spark like.  Here today and gone tomorrow, it it what I feel with those cases.  This is why I hope and want my creations to carry something meaningful. 

Garly, my love!

 Why do I discover the great stuff indirectly?  I do like garlic, a lot.  Don't mind eating it raw.  It help with the blood stream.  I always find myself better after eating garlic.  I wonder if there is a creature that is the opposite of vampires?   Garlic is like coffee.  Not everyones like it.  I hate the smell of coffee but I love the smell of garlic.  I may be on the garlicky side of life.  It repell easily those who doesn't like it.

I guess I am good at finding uneeded stuff.  Here one about garlic:
http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodstorage/a/garlicstorage.htm
Not much in it but there is a link in there that goes to Amazon.  There is a cookbook with garlic.  Don't know if it's good.  There even a number 2 of that book.  It is done by a Garlic Festival in California.  Why that kind of good stuff is always on the unknown side of like?  Why California is so far away from where I live?  My love of garlic and onion goes deep.  Beside, an Garlic Festival is really more interesting than other agrarian festival (like those on farm animals).  In addition, all the participants don't mind having garlic breath.  I am sure they don't mind smelling the sweet aroma of garlic everywhere even in another person breath.  It would be a good place for me once in a while.

Garlic have a fun power.  I would like to see a superhero who could use garlic in his arsenal of superpower.  The garlic of doom would be a nice attack name! (-:

Sweet decadence

Making meal can be considered an art form.  I never doubed that decadence in food as a fact.  Why I think so?  Well, Sundae, brownies and Heavenly Hash ice cream are totally out of this world.  All three are among my weak points in the food world.

Of course, I am aware that not everyones agree with my own choices:
http://foodtravel.about.com/od/foodiedestinations/ss/The-10-Most-Decadent-Foods-in-the-United-States.htm
Thye milkshakes would br worth a try, even if they are really tower like.  I am sure those who had those milkshakes had the biggest suggar rush of their lives!

The rest is not even on my radar.  It seems more gourmet food like the one with the fois gras.  Which lead me to think that the definition of «decadence» can vary from person to person.  I don't mind because I can have a mega binge moment with a sundae, a homemade brownie and a big bucket of Heavenly Hash ice cream.

In a creative rush

I feel an urgency to create.  I am in a period where ideas of stories comes to my mind.  I like those periods.  It makes me feel alive.  I feel close to the creative tap and everything seems easy.  Somethimes, I will get ideas on other areas too.  I would like to feel that way all the time.  Everything seems easier in those times.

Getting so much ideas lead me to sit down and write my ideas.  When it comes in a picture, for a jewelry piece, I may draw it the best I can.  Usually, I am putting in a concrete form directly from my mind.  It goes faster that way.  It is also great if there is unexpected problem that I haven't foreseen in my head.  It is always easier to do the troubleshooting when in a vortex of creative juice.

I try to max out this period of intense brainstorming.  It is therapeutic and it feel good.  It is a lifeboat.  It is urging me to sit down and find time to let it all out.  When a slower time will come, I will have a lot of material to get my hand on.  It is a bit taunting that the writing process takes so much time.  Getting ideas is the easiest part.

Clickbait or just a wrong title...

I just look at this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjeui7mxE5k
The title is «Real live location that should be supervillain lairs»
There is many like the Svalbard Seed Vault that doesn't fit the bill except to keep quiet between two action movie, reincarnation or jail time.

My vision for a supervillain lair is more akin to his one seen on this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP_TDjcsiPA
It is a recent volcanic island near Japan.  It would be a great place for a supervillain lair.  Peace, quiet, not much of a wildlife or an ecosystem, a few scientist that are not always present and a lot of geotermanl power to the next project.  It is the perfect place to put all the concentration of evil plan without the problems of day to day life in a regular place like a city.  It is a place where living really off the grid would put priorities in the right place.

Of course, there are many place in the list of location are isolated.  The Svalbard Seed Vault is among them.  It does seems that not all apply to the isolation criteria.  Beside that, I still believe that an volcanic island is the best place for a supervillain lair.  Being new is an asset.  Not everyones are aware of all the places where an volcanic island pop up.  Another good point is the plants and animals have not colonized the place except a few individuals.  It gives a window of time where a supervillain can really be alone in a place.  Scientists have to find founding and get the material for any expedition they makes.  It is another check in the list of advantages.

So, for a short period of time, volcanic island are the perfect lair for supervaillain.  They are buzy people anyway, so it is a win win situation.  They goes against the heroes, manage the survive the end of the movie, goes to a volcanic island to regroup their thoughts, assemble the materials for their next plan and they are good to go.  Ii is quickly done and everyones are happy.

I miss the trees

There is some advantanges in living in the city.  There is also advantages in living in a more rural area.  I do have time where I wish to be surrounded by trees.  It is what I feel right now.  Maybe I have a wild side instead of a frosty side.

Not an hibernating time

Winter is commonly synonymus with hibernation.  I go against this tate of mind.  For me, it is the perfect time to be creative.  The frest cold air seems beneficial for the mind.  Ideas comes more easily when temperature goes down, it seems.  The brain may fonction better with good ventilation.

Another beneficial elements: time seems to be more available in winter.  Partly because people spend more time inside.  Another reasion may be the concentration, going for the essential.  The most important reason, I think woube be the lenght of the day.  It is shorter in winter.  It gives an extra excuse to stay inside when the sun goes down.

For sure, I feel more productive in winter.  Winter is coming in my part of the world.  Time to be crafty.  I am also realizing it would be a very good idea to take advantages of this situation.  I should keep an eye to see if I am really doing more in the winter.  I amy be under a false impression.

Not a professional yet

I am not a professional crafter, not yet.  I have some hesitation about becoming one.  There are days where I say to myself: «It would be great to have my own business and maybe have an creative empire a la Martha Stewart».  Other days, I feel the opposite.  I don't know if it is a healthy questioning in the creative world.

There is also certain periods of the year that have a special theme (as yesterday's Halloween).  If I become a professional, I would have to cater to those periods.  Not all hollydays are equals.  I feel some are more inspiring than other.  In addition, coming back to those themes year after year makes me wonder if I could keep fresh content and items.

Another problem is to target an audience or potential customers.  What could happen if I don't target the right demographics.  I may have a perception of an audience but it may be appealing to another groups of people.  It is important not be delusional.  If I have a business, I want it to be successful based on reality.

Finally, my final question is the most important.  Do I really wish to be on a professional level,  do I have to go on that  road to feel fufilled?  It is the most delicate one because no one will answer that question for me.  I hate when I feel to be on a fence.  There are times that I want to makes decisions but I can't make it.  In those times, I usually don't see any advantages or disavantages on either side.  So, I think I need to think more about this big decision.

Growth of knowledge

As I gain experience and confidence, I start to feel abilitated to give advice or guidance.  Of course, I do it withing the limit of my knowledge.  It feel empowering.  There are a few area where I feel confortable to give advice.

In creativity, there is no recipe.  Nothing is certain.  Each person have a personal process for reating.  Advice is not essential but it can help.  It can gives us a different angle in seeing the creation.  It can open up a possibility for experimenting something new.  It can trigger an idea for a a project that is stuck.

Creative and advice are based on something intangible.  They start as a concept and can end on a physical support.  This is why I find them well suited together.  They don't need to be always together.  It's when questions or problems arise that they are a powerful team.

It is a new role for me.  it start to grow on a personal level.  I am more self taught, learning everything the hard way most of the time.  I feel knowledgeable now, more than before.  Probably it is the same for everybody but not in the same area.   As I gives advice and talk about my experience, I sense a feeling of power.  This feeling is not really negative.  I don't give order, it is more what I got for what I lived through.

In Residence

Artists in residence are quite popular.  I just learned there is one in a library nearby.  I don't really get this popular trends.  The person have time in the library but she also goes around in sme group and makes writing project with them.  I feel artsy but I don't want to be in residence.  It sound a little bit show off.  I guess it is all about getting known.  Maybe I am old school.

I thought it was only limited to the parliment, for example.  There is a poet in the Canadian parliement.  From what I heard of it, that person in residence can write poems for events.  I am not sure if they can write on people.  I know that the person receive requests..  I don't think I could do that on every requests.  I just hope they upgraded that residence or I haven't seen every thing done by the poet in residence.

I feel less ignorant but I think it is not for every artists.  I don't feel at ease to look at others art and comment on it.  My craft have to come first because I feel already limited in my free time for creating.  I just wonder if it pays well.  I wouldn't sell off easily.  I am curious.  Does it depends on the artists portfolio?  The writer in residence that I meet only published one book.  It seems to be a popular book.  It makes me questioned why she had been choosen to be an artist in residence.  She had noe explained that., only what she could do with the group I was in.  I guess I will have to ask with some tack.

Labyrinth like place

There are places that are labyrinth like.  I consider myself having a good sense of direction.  Well, a decent one.  It is rare that I become lost.  When it happen, there is usually a reason.  Maybe it is becoming dark and I don't see as well as daylight.  There is also the unfamiliarity of the location.

There is one place that puzzle me right now.  It is the first time I feel really lost.  The place is where one of my child take swimming classes.  The locker room is like a box.  So, there should not be a problem, theorically.  It is the rows of lockers inaddition of the two floors of the locker room that bugs me.  Adding under identification sighs.  It makes me feel totally incompetent.

What I find dumbfounding: swimming class is in the same buidling place than the summer camp.  During summer camp, the indications were ultra clear.  There were also helpful people every step of the way, in clear view.  In the end of the swimming class, I hope to have a satisfaction's survey.  It will be a good place to put my concern.  I just hope I am not the only one in that situation.  I am sure they can put the signs a bit more visible.  Putting one or two persons in the beginning of the sessions for directing people would be nice too.

Thinking of labyrinth gives me a few ideas for labyrinth theme projects.  It will just take times because it involve a lot to do.  It is in the list that contain long time projects.

Good night,. good idea

Night is great to solve problems and get ideas.  I just had a dilemma  It is cross-stitches related.  In the kit that I have, there is a starting point.  That starting point is usually on the middle of the piece of fabric.  Well, it was for the ladybug and the duck.

It is different for the pinguin.  It was a little bit off centered.  It kind of bugs me.  I could place the starting point in the centre of the cloth.  It lead to be unsure if the picture would have enough place on the fabric.

I finally slept on it.  In the early morning, I got the answer.  I will start with a white thread and fill the belly of the penguin.  It will resolve my dilemma.  In addition, there won't be small holes there, well the holes of the fabrics.

It isn't in the design and there isn't any white threads in the kit.  I just put my own twist to  make the project easier to me.  The end result is nice and not out of shape.

Creatively working ouside the house.

I am starting to consider working outside the house, at least creatively.  Lately, I have lot of waiting room time.  It is during that time that I feel more productive.  I guess if I had all my time in a waiting room, the productivity would decrease.  Anyway, I consider at laest experimenting on this.

So, right now, I have the right amount of time outside the home to creatively working on my projects.  I just want to vary in the places I am in.  There is no other distractions, only work.  Now, I will have to find the place to do it.  Library aren't always open.  Their hours are a bit too restrictive or too weird to my taste.  Going to a business like a coffee shop isn't better.  I would have to buy something to justivfy my presence.

I also would like to find a place near my place.  I don't want to go far away, just enough to fee outside the home.  It won't be easy to find the perfect spot.  Better start the search right now.  I hope to have a bright idea.  Waiting room isn't always enough and I am not always there.  Renting a place isn't an opting either right now.  I have to keep my eye open for the perfect creative free place.

Inspired by a first draft

Last Nanowrimo (nanowrimo.org), I wrote a story on werewolves.  It was the last part in a trilogy of military experiment.  it was nice to end that trilogy.  It is taking more than expected to do the correction.  Usually, at this time of the year, the text had gone through a full revision.  So, I am late in doing it.  I really feel a bit late on my schedule.

On the other haned, there is a positive note.  It makes me feel the urge to write again.  There is no big idea for this year nanowrimo.  Nothing planned either.  I don't know if I will go free in the writing or if I will take a project that I already started.

I remember when I started writing.  I was not able to make a revision.  My first try at a revision was brutal and horrible.  It resulted in a long period where I was unable to work on my writng.  There was no improvement in that area.  Now, I have more knowledge.  The first step I took in my revision was grammar errors.  After that, it was the phrases.  I am not perfect but I am now able to improve my first drafts.

Doing revision is making me better.   The process also make it easier to do.  NOw, I have to work on writing a bit faster.  I know I have big projects.  I may be very ambitious.  It may be my weak point.  This is why there is a need, for me, to write faster.

More than finger paints

I found this painting:

I never had the idea to use hands and feets prints in a painting.  It gives me an idea.  Of course, I will give it my own twist.  Instead of using ink, I will use finger paints.  It will open up the colours option.

Another change: I won't repeat the same painting.  I am thinking to make flowers with the finger's tips or the toes.  I will also use adult's hands and feet.  So, I don't think to use my hands in totality.  I think to use only part of my hand, part of my feet.  My canvas will also be bigger.

I just got another idea: I could use finger print to do jewelry.  Like a pendant.  The finger print would be on a piece of paper.  The piece of paper would be glued to a bezel.  On top of it, transparent resin would be placed as a protection.  It could be a modern version of the lock of hair in a medallion.

I think I will have fun with the finger art!

Ode to the forest

The forest is an inspiration for me.  The forest is the spring of my creativity.  I must admit it.  It is a big influence.  In my writing, there a lot of scenes set in the forest.  In cross stiches, I had bought a lot of kit with animals' drawing.  There is a few jewelry pieces that are linked with the forest.  I am also attracted to leaves in jewelry components.

What surround us shape us.  The forest was surrounding me as a child.  People can go to the city but they can't leave the forest.  It is what I realize as time goes by.  I never had expected that when I was younger.  Maybe I was a little bit naive.  I like writing scene set in a forest, I like shaping pieces that are related to part of a tree.  It is a major theme in my life.  I may have other ones but this one is the one that come back the most.

Handmade on a different scale

Soap, drawing, jewelry.  There are many objects that can be handmade.  One thing hit me recently: houses are handmade.  It can be personzlized.  It is handmade on a larger scale.  There are people that work manually on them.  People nail woods beams together, raising walls, putting all the necessities  like plumbing and electricity.  There isn't machines able to rise a house from the earth.  Not yet.  Tools and some machines are used to help.  Excavator dig the ground, booms lift heavy materials to the roof, cement can be mixed in a big drum.

The best is in some details.  Foyer, real ones, are really an work of art.

The same can be said of the landscape, as seen on the first photo.

Flowers in a pot

I never guessed that flowers could grow as much as the flowers on the picture.  Those flowery plants could have stunning effects.  It could do a nice transition on each side of a garage and it's entrance.  It could have a great punch against a grey wall.

I never been interested in flowers and plants.  I don't really have a green thumb.  I don't have the knowledge to take care of the organic green world.  While looking at the flowers on the photo, I feel inspired of what I could do with them than taking care of them.  Never  guessed that I could be inspired by flowers, one day.

It seems that my mind sees more and more creative possibilities around me.  The expansion of source of inspiration is nice even if I don't think I can't apply every ideas I get. Maybe this could be useful as a descriptive in a scene...

I feel ackward

It is the time where I am in a waiting room.  The conditions are optimal.  No othertalking parents.  No children playing in the waiting room.  Peace and quiet.  Great time to be productive and concentrate fully on some tasks.

I can work on any project I want.  It is perfect for experimenting.  Time to do cross stitches.  I find it hard to start the duck.  I start to see all the bad sides of this place.  Motivation to start a project is the hardest.  I feel a barrier even if there are no witnesses.  There is also the time I am in the waiting room for a set period of time,  It bother me a little.  I am a bit affraid in having to stop when I feel the most absorbed in the project.  It is not something big but it is an annoying situation.  It broke the momentum I have.

The problem that bug me the most and that I haven't foreseen: not much space to put the equipment.  I don,t need much space.  A small space will do to put the thread, scissors and needles down.  This time, I am lucky to be able to have all the space I want.  I can take chair and a small table.  It won't always be the case.  There will be time where people will be on chairs or on the table will be used.  In that case, it will be harder to do cross stitches.

Next time, I will try to come with a project that is already started.  Maybe it will help me do it more easily.  Now, I see that not all waiting room are created equal.  The one I am in is not that big, so I can concentrate when it is calm, quiet and with a minimal presence of parents.  I guess it would be even better in other waiting room.

I did end up with a few stitches.  Writing about my discomfort help me.  I had time to do the beak of the duck.

Panic for nothing, advice for free

 I freak out too quickly for the ladybug project (https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2758842815612261477#editor/target=post;postID=5283872035441078434;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=1;src=postname).  When I opened the kit, it looked very frightening.  It seems impossible to do.  The task seems huge.

 Once knowing what to do, it was easy to reproduce the ladybug.  Here is what I came up to:

It was just a case of knowing what to do.  I also had chosen wisely.  The ladybug was easy to make because of the two colours.  The trick was to find the center of the fabric and start from there.  It is a matter to go line by line and count the Xs.  The other 2 projects (duck and penguin) have more colours than the ladybug.

I am ready to tackle the duck and the penguin.  As those two projects have more colours, I am thinking to use as many needles as there is colours.  I want to see if it will be easier to make each line with the correct colours instead than one colour at one time.

I feel a bit more confident.  I will see where it lead me in the future.

Can I panic?

I decided to try cross stitches.  I found nice and simple projects to start my experimentation.  In addition it says 8 years old and above on the package.  Sound reassuring.  If a child can do it, I will too.

Three of them seems to be beginner's projects (the ladybug, the duck and the penguin).  I will start with them.  The last one (with the wolves) is the last one I planned to do, when I feel more confident and have experience.  It is my plan because the one with the wolves is more elaborate, so I'll see if I can do it eventually.

I decided to start with the ladybug one.  It seems to be the most easy.  I hope si, was my first thought when looking at them.  I may be mistaken but I  won't know if I don't try.  So, I opened the ladybug package.  There was everything I needed even instruction.  It is where the panic set in.  The instruction were a bit difficult to understand (especially when there isn't much experience on my part) but the worst was the white canvas/fabric.  There wasn't any design on it.  It made me feel stuck.  I am not good at reproducing picture free handed.  I need some guidance on the fabric.  Well, it would have been nice to have some help on the fabric.

For the rest of the day, I was a bit depressed and very moody.  I surestimated my capacities and didn't expected to stumble on this unexpected discovery.  This show my point each time I say that classes have it's usefulness.  Having access to someone knowledgeable is always a good thing.  I am lucky enough to know someone that can help me.  I will bring the kit to her and ask for her advice.  The panic had subsided since the opening of the kit but I may be wiser the next time I see a nice kit that I wanted to try.

the Pool and Swimming Lessons

I know it isn't really artsy but I think the pool and swimming lessons can have a link with the art.  I had the occasion to go to the pool and be an observer of a swimming lesson.  I found that swimming lessons have evolved for the better.  Or it is a different approach from pool to pool.

There was various class in the pool.  It was some groups that seems to be at the same level while others were at other levels.  I was able to see all that with one sweapt from side to side.  I also could see all that could be done while in swimming classes.  There was an certain order what I was seeing.  It would be nice to see what I see on a painting.  Could be great to see that on a big canvas.  It would lead to a great subject.

I am not a water person.  Seeing people who feel at ease in the water is reassuring for me.  At least some people are like fishes in the water, being useful as a lifeguard.  Not all people are alike, so being a complement of one another is great.  Beyong the basic of swimming, I was able to see an art form.  Those who where in the deeper part were pacticing a for m of swim.  To me, it was zen like, an moving art form.  They where extening their arms outside the water and below it, doing it very slowly.  It was calming.

It was a nice time but I don't think I will do it every week.  One sight for almost a hour is fine with me.  I may stay away from pools for a while before needing to go near one again.

DYI Loom Kit + Extension Part 2

Yesterday, it was about generalitys.  (Here the link for yesterday: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2758842815612261477#editor/target=post;postID=6198156006343694189).  Today, we enter into the heart of the project.

Then, I started to weave.  What I discovered would have been worth mentionning in the instruction.  This kit is not like the beading loom.  With the beading loom, it is better to weave thightly.  It is not the case with the DYI loom.  It started well but it rapidly goes awry.  It is what happned with my first try:

It did not get better with the evolution of the weaving.  I tried to repair my mistake, to no avail.  Finishing was a bit tricky even if the instruction explained the process.  Once trying it, it wasn't too bad but it wasn't perfect.  It only demanded some patience.  I lack it once threading the loose end on the side.  I only made knots and cut the excess.  What I should have done is to put it aside and return to the project later on.

It is not perfect.  I do have the excuse it was my first try.  I will give another try later on to see if I can make a better one.

DYI Loom Kit + Extension Part 1

Trying a new product can be a learning experience.  It happened when I tried the DYI loom kit.  I also bought one extension.  This is the extension kit:

Here is the basic kit:

Looking at the loom and it's components, it is an ingenious system.  With the extensions part, projects can be longer and larger.  I like products that have a capacity to adapt to the projects.  Putting the base with the extension was easy.

I put the threads but was unsatisfied with the result.

I removed the threads and put some yarn instead.

It look better with the yarn.  The thread was looking too fine on the loom, as if twas too fragile.

Update on the Jury duty experience

I did not completed the process up to be a jury.  What I experienced was worthy of the trip.  It is not every day that I am invited to the courthouse.  I can't talk about the sase itself but I think the outline of what happened could be told.  I want to show that going inside of the courthouse isn't a curse. 

First, there is the security point.  My backpack with the content of my pockets did go through the scanner.  Would had been nice to see how my bag and pocket content showed under the x-rays.  I am curious by nature, so it would had been nice to see that.  Otherwise, it was very fast to go throught this part.  It was early in the morning.  I probably had avoided the big rush.

I hit a closed door when going to the assigned room.  After some wait, the doors unlocked.  We enter and had to receive a paper with some information on it.  There was some identification on it and I could use it to be reimbursed for my way there.  Inside the room, time to sit and wait.  There was a lot of people coming in.  It took a long time to get every ones inside the room.  The room was filled up, except the sides near the lawyers and the judge.  The lawyers came too, for both side.  Other personal of the courthouse came in.

After every ones was in and some further wait, the judge came in.   She explained a few things and elaborated a bit more on some others.  She also explained the case, aaming the accused ones and on what they had been charged.  The witnesses and other people mandated to testified were enumerated.  I knew none of them.  If I knew someone on that list, I would had been excluded.

Finally, people were separated in two groups: those who could do jury duty and those who needed an excemption.  Those whou could be on jury duty left their names and had to return the next day for the next step in the process..  Those who couldn't made it had to pass in front of the judge.  It was done in a rectangular room, for privacy.  The judge and lawyers where hearing the reasons why the person couldn't atted the trial.  The judge was making the decision if the reasons were valid or not on the spot.

As I exited the courthouse, I found it a bit like a maze.  I kind of lost track of my position even if the inside was more like a big box.  Definitively not used to that place.  I exited a bit before noon.  This is not a place to be afraid of.  The sicurity gaurd s were nice and helpful.  I had a nice talk with a few others that were called too.  The only downfall was the waiting, a lot of waiting.  Maybe that next time, I will go a bit further on the process.

Waiting Room

I think it is time to reevaluate what I am doing in a waiting room.  I expect a return to some time in a waiting room.  Also, it will be for good chunk of time in there.  It will become a good part of what I will do from now on.  It can be boring or I can use that time to be productive.

I want to add more creativity to my waiting time.  Reading and writing are fine but after a certain amount of time, I need to change my mind.  In addition, it is not always easy to read when a child is playing or talking out loud.  Adults can also chat and it can be distracting too.  What I can bring is a bit limited. I could try small projecgts of embroidery.  It would be a perfect place for a test.  I am just affraid to be distured by people  asking questions.  People are curious by nature, most of the time.  I will try embroidery at least once and see what happen.  There will be time to adapt after one try.

I will look in my creative material boxes and see what could be brought.  Is is time to get smart ideas to pass time.  I am sure  I will come up with some good ideas.  I will have a lot of time to experiment.  I will have time to see what works and what didn't.  A learning experience and I am happy with experimenting outside the home.

Jury Duty

Today, I have been called at the courthouse for jury duty.  I don't know anything else.  I don't know if I will be taken or what is the cause I will be in.  It is totally unexpected.  That kind of thing always happen in the most busiest moment for me.  I am able to go for today.  Beside that, I don't know if I will able to get help for my responsibilities.

It is a new experience for me.  I never expected to be called for that.  It would had been easier to go when I was childless.  I will find a way to go anyway.  It is really early to say if I will be taken.  I will try to comde a little before the appointed hour.  I am crossing my fingers to be the first to get questionned.  I know that lawyers are selective whem it comes to choosing the jury.  They want the best canditates, so the jury would be impartial.

I don't know if I will be able to ask questions or be able to express a few important things that are happening in my life.  I will take some notes.  Maybe it will be useful later on.,  It is an experience with a lot of uncertainty,  Whatever the outcome, I hope it will be a pleasant experience to live.  I know that some murder cases can be hard, expecially for the crucial proof elements.  If choosen, I will try to put everything in order before getting into the discussion for the sentencing.

A guide about my children

With some recent events, I thought about writing a guide about my 2 children.  I never really wrote a non fiction before.  It will be a first.  Why writing a guide about my children?  Because I often have to describe what they have and how it manifest in each of them.  It is a bit tiring to repeat myself each time I have to.

I don't know why I haven't thought about it sooner.  Maybe I had to reach a certain limit to feel I got a tired tape recorder.  I got the idea in the past weekend.  My children where at one activity and I had to talk about them to two new persons.  They didn't knew about my children before.  As I was talking, I thought it would be nice to give an document to these two peoples.  They would be able to read it and feel enlightened.  Their basic questions would be answere.  I wouldn't had minded to answer a few more advanced questions after that.

I think this idea is a good one.  Once written, I will have to keep it up to date.  Written it would be the hardest.  In it, would explain what my children have, what they have in common and their difference.  There will have all the information needed to makes my children better known.  I think it will a time saver.  Of course, I will use that guide only when necessary.  It is sensible information after all.  I will kept that guide under key and lock.

Being at the library

The library is good for creativity.  It is a place where I can relax and think.  It is no longer a place of total silence reinforced by an old maid librarian type of person.  Where I go, there are areas where customers can have a low voice conversation.  Where I am in the library, it is in the evening and the low conversation corner is not really used.  Strangely enough, in a library, I prefer it on the quiet side.  While at home, I need some music or be watching tv.  The home seems livelier than the library.  I may be used to have a really quiet library.  The library seems more conductive to concentration when it is on the quiet side.

While in the library, I can concentrate deeper than anywhere else.  It is fun for some creative projects.  I can plan for some stories and for nanowrimo ()nannowrimo.org).  In fact, I enjoy doing my planning for stories is a library.  Most of my plannings for Nanowrimo had been done in a library, well, those I am the most proud of.  A plus: I can do some quick research in the library, if the need arise.  I like searching in books for some informations.  While searching, I do some browsing.  I can discover an unconnected fact that can be a starting point for another creative project.

Even if the wifi is available, I don't bring a laptop or any other technological device.  It allow me to be totally dedicated to my pen and paper.  I can't achieve that at home with all it's distraction (tv, computer, children,...)  In the library, I am not disturbed by doing research on the computer and watching youtube (youtube.com).  I am absorbed by thinking and writing.  It is a mind changer.  My brain feel like being on a deserted island.  No distraction, all concentration.  No sense oftime, a peaceful and creative mind.  It is what I  need when I am at the library.

Return to painting

It is official, I have done my return to painting.  Nothing fancy.  I didn't done what I had done as a child.  I just wanted to be playful.  At the same time, I didn't used a lot of colour.  It is a departure of what I was making as a child.

Here is the result:

I did a drawing only for the first one.  For the rest, I did what had come to my mind while doing them.  I may do somethng more elaborate next time.  I will have to buy other canvas.  I have used those I had.  For sure, I am ready to do it again in the near future.  I may do something different mext time.

Unexpected surprise, an accidental failure

I got a little surprise when I opened a box containing some candles' material.  Something happened to one bottle of candles' scent.  Here is the bottle, the part for the drop is completely useless:

I don't know how it happened.  It is pretty ripped out. Here is the result in the box:

It is what happen when it's too much time since the last time I look inside my boxed stuff.  A periodical safety look could solve this problem, I guess.  I am learning by experience, after all.

Where is some materials?

I had tried many techniques in the creative field.  For sure, I haven't tried them all.  It is always great to learn something new even if I do it occasionally or have a period of intense using.  Some crafts I do more often than others.  I have more occasions to do soap and less for candles.  It is fine by me.  Maybe, one day, it will be the other way around.  I can't guess when a crafts whill be more popular than the other.  In both cases (candle making and soap making), I can find easily the materials for both.  I do them enough for not missing doing them.  In addition, there are many places where to find the materials.  It is the same with fimo, I can find it in many places, even if I am taking a break from it.  I do have a lot of beads made out of fimo.  I may return to it to empty my small remaining stock pile, even if it can be a bit labor intensive.  I like to do the whole process with fimo: from the bead making to the oven part.

What I start to miss doing is using bases for liquid soap for the shower, the ones for moisturing creams and the other one for washing the face.  I like buying those bases and add essential oils.  I was buying theses at one place.  The place no longer carry those products.  I don't have any ideas about other places where it is possible to buy those bases.  I haven't seen any other store who carry those items.  My other problems is that I don't feel confident enough to makes those bases by myself.  I have enough problems doing soap from scratches, I don't want to see the disastrous results in doing bases for creams.

I don't have other choice for now.  If I want to use those bases again, I will have to find them elsewhere, mainly the internet.  I don't know if I will find those items again.  Another brand could do the trick.  It is not a fun situation.  I feel a bit blocked.  I hope to be successful in what I am searching for. 

The art of creative travelling

A few times in the year, I like to go outside of my living area.  When I do it, I like to bring some creative items.  I mainly bring pens, pencils , papers and some tarot deck.  I use those basic tools to takes notes.  The tarot decks are for some inspirations when the scenery fails.

I haven't tested bringing other crafts with me.  There are two reasons: one of them is too many items and the other is the messiness of some crafts.  I don't want to have travelling bags too heavy and leave an dirty living room behind me.  So, my hesitatiopn to bring some crafting elsewhere are justified.  It include tye dye, fimo, candle making and soap making.  I think I could do tye dye and soap making but only if being ask to by the host or hostess.  In addition, it would be in an emergency situation or if they have an interest in seeing how to do it.

On the other hand, there would be some craft that I would like to try outside my place like embroidery, cross stitches and jewelry making with beads.  Those wouldn't be too much dirty while doing them.  The threads could be contained in a small container.  I don't have all the colours for embroidery and I could only bring what I need.  I would do the same for jewelry making with beads: only the necessary tools.  My deedles are in a small tin box.  I won't bring big projects.  I think to do it on t-shirts and small pieces of fabrics.  It would worth the try.  I only need to find the msall container for my threads.  I know where to find it.

Soap from scratch, another try

Last summer, I had made a few batches of soap.  I didn't used any soap bases for them.  All from scratch and using ingredients.  I used a recipe.  My very first try was not terrible.  The others were a bit better.  I know those tries were not selleable.  My main problem was to weight the ingredients correctly and the color of the result.  It was my first tries, so, I guess that kind of result was to be expected.  I used them as hand soap. It was quite effective.  I didn't used it any other way and it was doing a good work keeping hands clean.

I decided to try again.  I needed to do some more anyway, just to replenish the small stockpile I had.
Here is the result and what I made of it:

I didn't used any recipie but I noted what I used with the quantities.  It is creamy.  At first, when mixing everything together, I tought it would make a liquid soap.  I put it in molds anyway.  Of course, an expert could have done better than I had.  I am still learning from making soap from scratch.  It is where having a class on that specific way of making soap would be useful.

I know I want to master this more quickly.  I also am terrible at measuring and weghting ingredients.  It get all messed up.  I will use this soap as last year batches  and think if I will do other soap like that.  For sure, it seems so easy on videos and books!

Mosaique

I don't know if this happened to other people.  There is some times where I kind of wake up and want to badly learn something.  It is happening to me right now.  I want to try my had at mosaique.  I don't know why I want to try it.  It kind of appeared out of nowhere.  Of course, I like to look at old mosique.  I find admirable the patience people can have to do intricate floor or wall designs.  It seems much intricte when it is geometrical.  I also wonder how they could do draw with small tiles.  I guess there must be a technique to it.  I am unfamiliar with mosaique, so it is a bit obscure to me.  I vaguely know how it is done.

This is why I would like to take a class or something.  It is always more interesting to have a knowledgeable person beside me to answer my questions when they arise.  Some times, a easy craft can put many questions in my head.    Even if the answer is dumb, it is nice to have an explanation.  There is also some pitfall that can be avoided.  I like listening to the errors that other peoples made.  I am less likely to make them.  At least, it will make me think twice before doing the mistake.

I am looking around for mosaique class.  I also thinking to have a try with a mosaique kit, if it exist.  So, if I end up having a class, I would have some practical question to ask for.  When started something new, the questions arise while doing or when on my own after that.  I am ready to try mosaique to see if I will like it.