A daily dose of niksen will help you combat the stresses of daily life - according to research by Habitat, it's just one way of creating a happy home
Where all of the ideas come from I design and construct one-of-a-kind sculptures and produce all the clothing and hats with vintage or antique fabrics, trims, and embellishments. I begin with a general design in mind, sometimes with a thumbnail sketch, but most of the time I see the finished work in my mind, and then build it allowing the sculptures to evolve as I work. I create props, such as fireworks or lanterns from scratch or adapt items from my collections. Available materials often decide the final outcome, an entire personality or sculpture developing from one item. A glimpse at one part of my studio. I love holiday celebrations and the decorations that go along with them. My inspiration comes from my collections of vintage and antique holiday decorations, vintage fabric, antique laces, trims, and miniature props that I buy at the thrift stores or make to have on hand. Interior design and fashion, the paraphernalia of magic tricks, as well as the designs and graphics on fireworks are a great source of inspiration. Ideas for new characters and items drop into my brain continuously; the hard part is finding the time to make them. Here is a close-up of my desk. This is what is called a glamour shot, it is sort of tidy. I usually work on several sculptures at a time consequently it is a horrendous mess when I am at work. My journey as an artist - from art school to now I was born and raised in Victoria BC, Canada and have lived in Victoria for most of my life. I attended the Vancouver School of Art and have worked as an artist and designer for over 35 years. In art school I produced mixed media sculptures and worked in set design and construction, receiving a scholarship at the end of the first year. After leaving art school I pursued off-loom weaving and basketry techniques for sculptural forms. I received a Canada Council Explorations Grant to explore woven sculptural forms using the basketry and off loom weaving techniques and had a summer installation at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Two pieces of my work were exhibited in the 1980, "International Miniature Textile Show", in London, England, Europe and North America. I also had work appear in “American Craft” magazine. Me a few years ago painting Jack-O-Lantern heads and Black Cat heads for ornaments that I was producing. Despite these successes, I felt frustrated with contemporary art. In 1985 I came across Margaret Schiffer's Book, "Holidays - Toys and Decorations", bought a copy and was amazed at the quality and detail in the German candy containers and toys. My immediate reaction was, “These are the items that I want to make!” I began to create sculptural toys and figures, candy containers, feather trees, pull toys, jack-o-lanterns, marottes and decorations inspired by the turn of the century holiday ornaments. I bought several old hand turned spindles and used one for the handle of this extravagant party rattle. This giant portrait rattle, Jack as the Autumn jester, is 22 1/2 inches from the base of the handle to the tip of the autumn leaves About ten years ago, I realized why I had felt so frustrated creating contemporary sculptures using the basketry and off-loom weaving techniques, I was trying to be a serious contemporary artist but at the sacrifice of my sense of humour. I get bored very easily working in one medium; I need a variety of creative outlets. Working in paper, cloth, metal, composition, or whatever is required to complete a sculpture suits me perfectly. I created this garden scene on our kitchen table to display five Spring shoe sculptures. The flowers and grass are fake but the marble is real. I also produced props for parties, malls and shops. The prop making and the holiday inspired sculptures fueled one another giving me wonderful ideas. I love working on a very large scale for a large prop, as well as on meticulous detail for a small sculpture. The 8 foot tall stork candy container, the wing lifted to reveal all of the small cabbage candy containers inside. The rest of the cabbage candy containers that didn't fit are at the base of the stork. Over the years I have created props for private parties: an enormous caterpillar sitting on a five foot tall mushroom, nine foot crayons, an eight foot free standing stork candy container, filled with 6” cabbage candy containers intended as party favours for a baby shower, and for a local shopping mall, a family of four articulated pumpkin headed scarecrows, a mother, father, brother and sister, that hung from the high ceilings in the mall’s centre court. The parents were sixteen feet tall and the children were ten feet tall. This scarecrow family inspired my first Hallowe’en candy containers.
paolo_abate
Retro wood paneling never looked so good.
I had quite a response with my "face house" that I posted on Sunday, so I went looking for more examples. Boy, did I find them! I love the sense of humor that both the architect and the home owner must have. This first one is in Kyoto, Japan. I would definitely seek it out, if I were to visit. I don't know where this house is. But I read that it has a different face on each facade. I think one face is enough, personally. I can just picture little kids getting a bit creeped out, like they do with clowns. This is my favorite. It's subtle and just keeping an eye on the neighborhood. And in my very understated way, (ha ha) I could add more decorations temporarily, if the whim hits. Of course, I love this one. It looks like a potentially unloved, drab building has a sense of humor and life. I can just picture kids daring each other to step inside through the mouth.
Designed in 1979 and completed in 1983, this house embodies Enrico Taglietti’s skill in setting the building in its specific landscape.
If your summer holiday has been cancelled or you're planning a relaxing staycation this summer, create the escapism you need with the perfect book and accompanying recipe.
happy loves rosie
Just north of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Tim Sullivan has built Timmyland, inspired by the work of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, Spain. What started as a sleeping porch and a storage room has evolved into a rambling, otherworldly folly that has to be seen to be believed.
Books are our never failing friends. Our worldly friends desert us but they never desert us. They are our best friends, philosophers and guides. Friends
Discover 26 brilliant, creative and thoughtful DIY items to handcraft to donate to your local nursing home.
Explore KarlGercens.com GARDEN LECTURES' 190881 photos on Flickr!
From baking with heirloom recipes to dressing in soft, floral patterns, spring is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy the pretty, simple things of life. Here's how to incorporate grandmacore spring vibes in your home for the prettiest season ever. Changing things for the season is one of the most fun elements of
Stop buying fuzzy things and putting candles everywhere. Here are the REAL things that give a home that warm and inviting feel.
Sharing 10 simple ways to create a cozy home. Make your home a beautiful and restful space with these easy tips.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been a glass half full kind of girl. If a situation is negative, I immediately think of 5 positive scenarios. Always turning a negative situation into a positive is kind of my specialty. As I’ve gotten older, I have figured out there is actually a bit of a process I use to find the sunshine in my everyday. Sunshine to me means a few different things! For one, I love the color yellow and that’s know for happiness! It also means joy, fun, not taking yourself to seriously (aka being silly) and shining your inner light that I believe we all have! It’s my goal for of you guys to see that we can all spread endless sunshine everywhere we go! Wake Up Grateful and Practice It All Day, Every Day Have you ever just woke up on the wrong side of the bed? It’s like from the moment you roll out of bed, your whole day is terrible. All you want to do is head home, put on comfy pajamas and never feel that misery again? #guilty After waking up to many times cranky, I decided to make sure …
Step in to this colorful farmhouse style home tour and it will instantly bring joy! See how this 100 year old home has been transformed with...
Every year, that day comes in March when the sky looks just a little different, and the birds are chirping just a little louder. You look around your house and suddenly get the urge to change...everything. Spring fever has hit you hard, and you need to know how to make your home reflect the bright
Here are powerful tips to help you learn how to live a simple life and be happy. Try these tips now and live simply and be happier!
Tour a quaint lakeside Summer cottage on Honeoye Lake NY. Watch this tired fixer upper transform with loads of color, patterns, DIY & nautical inspiration.
Hello friends! I thought I'd share a few pictures of Spring decor around our home that I've captured over the last few weeks. We've been doing some cleaning both inside and outside our home as we prepare for the warmer months. The last couple of years I have enjoyed planting spring bulbs in planters to enjoy inside our home to get a jumpstart on the season. They really do bring that spring feel and scent into the house. I planted some pansies in the window box outside the kitchen windows and they add so much to both the inside and outside. They will probably only last about a month or so but I will begin to trade them out for geraniums as the weather warms up. I found the vintage paint-by-numbers with a yellow covered bridge a couple of months ago and knew it would be perfect in our spring/summer kitchen. I also brought out this colorful runner for the season. We added some DIY panels made from a block print fabric in our dining room. Up in our primary bathroom and bedroom I added in lots of color too. Can you believe it's been 10 years since we finished this bathroom? I think many of the choices we made have stood the test of time and held up really well. Finally, a Dax smile to thank you for stopping by our home today for a visit. Happy Spring!
Your home is a place that feels comforting and familiar. You can relax and be yourself without worry. These lovely home quotes all help put that into words.
Do you need some help and encouragement to be happy at home? At www.moreradiance.com you will find a helpful guide for homemakers and young ladies to help YOU find joy at home.
Stop buying fuzzy things and putting candles everywhere. Here are the REAL things that give a home that warm and inviting feel.
Dopamine decor is a mood-boosting trend which is all about filling your home with vibrant colour palettes, playful textures and decor that brings joy.
Your home is a place that feels comforting and familiar. You can relax and be yourself without worry. These lovely home quotes all help put that into words.
We all want our homes to be warm and cozy. Here are 20 tips to create a cozy home. These tips are sure to warm your space.
Inside: How to love your home all over again by bonding with it emotionally. Sounds weird. Changes your life anyway. I used to love running errands. Not because I liked the aisles of the grocery store, but because I wanted to get out of the house, a house that felt strangely boring and stressful all
The grandma core aesthetic is all about comfort and timeless charm. Think cozy quilts, floral wallpaper, and vintage teacups. This style celebrates the simple pleasures in life, like reading a good book or sipping tea on a porch. It's perfect for those who appreciate the warmth and wisdom that comes with age.
Here are some simple ways to make your home feel extra warm and cozy during the long winter months or any time of year!
Shut your front door and forget the outside world I have said it before and I’ll say it again, your home is a sanctuary. I believe that taking care of your home is taking care of yourself. You have the opportunity to set up your house in a way that benefits your lifestyle and is a reflection of you
