Friday, December 7, 2018

Inside My Studio: What Have I Been Working On Lately...

I just created the video below for my Etsy shop blog. It is about what I have been creating lately. Since what I create and trying to sell those creations intermingles so tightly with Heartfully Creating, I am sharing this on both blog sites. It's meant to reach as many people as possible!
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A Few Ramblings About Creating...
It has been a busy few months artistically speaking. It seems that once I find a technique or process I like, I want to make some in every colour. It is much different than when I was working only in two dimensions. A canvas in front of me and a palette of brightly pigmented paints, crying out to be smooshed, combined, and swiped into what would become a beautiful work of art. Well, hopefully it would.

My paintings were usually at least 16" x 20" inches or more and could take days and days to weeks and weeks. It all depended on what it was, how I wanted it to look and if it was turning out how I wanted. Some artists like to meticulously plan out their masterpiece, methodically, critically and succinctly. Not me, I try to but it just doesn't happen. A speck of an idea may spontaneously plunk into my mind, fuelling what would become my next artistic creation. But planning and agonizing over how it will be played out just doesn't feel natural. In three dimensional land, sculpting in polymer clay,  making jewellery, needle felting, and such can be done in the same manner.
Watch Below about What I Have Been Working On Lately...
If you don't want to read my rambling about my creative process, dive in and watch the newest video compilation below.

Open A Bank Account!
However, I am trying to bank ideas into what Christi Friesen once recommended for me to do, write down my ideas into a notebook, keeping them in an idea "savings" account. Then, wen I want to create, (daily for me) I just go through my idea bank and make a withdrawal. I am totally paraphrasing, but it's the gist of what she said. The banking of ideas is a great idea. Just like Christi, a
The time I won a Christi Friesen polymer clay 

original heart. Such a Happy moment!
great lady! You might want to try it. In fact, I even made a handmade note book using index cards, a hole punch and some heavy wire. As for the discipline of banking my ideas, still too impulsive and I forget to look at my bank. That's my fault. Not giving up. It really could work if I followed it through. It doesn't help that I stink at actual banking, spending what I don't have - impulsively!

Any way, thank you for stopping by. Hope you like what you see, are a wee bit inspired to create in whatever method you wish. You may even want to look at my Etsy shop here.  
And I hope you know how much I value any and all likes, shares and subscribes to any or all of my online activities because it encourages me on those days when my body feels too tired to create but my always mind longs to do it. It also helps bit by bit to earn a few cents a day trying to earn money to cover my creative projects through google adsense and such. And of course I also am super appreciative for my 1200 plus or so jewellery shop customers. So happy you want to wear what I enjoy creating!

If you want to help out feel free to check out these links and share em!
Love you all.
Anita

Friday, November 23, 2018

Polymer Clay Journey: More About My Wee Sweet Tweetees Bird Dangles

A while back I was creating little Tweetees. If you follow H/C then you know I seem to get addicted to making the beads which means,  it takes a while before I get the pieces turned into wearable art to sell in my shop. (I need to try to cover the cost of my art making supplies some way!) 
Tweetees, The name reflects the cuteness of these little bird dangle drops. Pretty sure Tweet and Tweety might be copyright hence the spelling deviation. My beads are created to design earrings, bracelets, necklaces and such. Today after much work on a variety of bead styles slowed down, I finally got to post my first Tweetee earrings in my Etsy shop A Bergie Creation. 

A cane is transformed into cute Tweetee Birds


Here We  Are Cute Little Earrings

Some More "In Process And Soon To Come Photos"

















Thanks for stopping by. 

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Needle Felting Journey: Thinking Warm Thoughts

Is it winter where you are? Well here in Thunder Bay Canada, it isn't official but it is cold enough to make me nose cold, causing me to consider carrying on with the Needle Felting Journey I began a year or two ago. Makes sense then to wan to sin my fingers into soft and cuddly Merino wool. Thought I would share the few videos that I made in the beginning. It just might spur me on to begin using the plethora of roving that I purchased back then. It is worth learning about if you like learning new art making skills.
Maybe I will have some new needle felt pieces or learn with me videos soon.  Oh right, once I get those new jewellery pieces created for my Etsy Shop and the rest of the beads and mini figurines that I was thinking of creating.

For Now /here are some links to my earlier needle felt video posts.
 PurrrrFect Kitty Click here

Making A wee turtle click here

Warming your heart click here.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Friday, November 16, 2018

Polymer Clay Journey: Tutorial And Review - A Cheap, Fast Easy Way, To File & Drill Holes into Polymer Clay

See What I Discovered This Week!
So excited to share this discovery with you. Just as I keep finding, that nail art tools are very compatible with polymer clay, I found another handy and better still, cheap tool to help us with polymer clay! So watch the video about it and how you can drill holes and file polymer clay for under $3! (no, not sponsored)
Watch Now!...
Where Can I Buy This?
I don't  have the exact shop link on Ebay, but click here to go to the exact cordless nail file drill that I am using. Always check out the sellers feedback before buying from them.

You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Polymer Clay Journey: Alcohol Inks and Translucent Clay Beads


 Happy Thursday guys! If you have been following ABERGIECREATION on Instagram (ABC is my main name for social media and my Etsy shop), then you’ll know I have been working on making beads and dangle drops with alcohol inks and translucent clay. My plan was to create a tutorial as well as talk about using alcohol ink refill ink and not just Adirondack and Piñata inks. Well, haven’t stopped long enough to edit the video and I am still creating more and more beads. Thought I would share some pictures from the last weeks until I get the tutorial made (Should be up by Wednesday or sooner).

It is So fun mixing colours and incorporating glitters, powders and glow in the dark powders too. Hope you try it. Talk to you soon. Thanks for stopping by!
















Thanks for stopping by. 

Some Thoughts and A Video: On Patreon And Earning A Living


one of my first  hand drawn tutorials for my blog!

Being an artist I have always wanted to earn a living making art.  After much contemplation and initially struggling wi
th the idea of Patreon and after wanting to become a patron of other creators, I finally decided it was okay to set up a Patreon account, just to present it as an option to anyone interested. Yes, It feels weird even to talk about the idea of anyone giving any amount of money to support my creativity. Heck, I'm Not even comfortable telling people prices for my art work or setting prices in my Etsy shop. So please know that in no way do I expect anyone to make a pledge or sponsor what I do.  No matter how this adventure goes, as long as the Good Lord puts breath in my lungs, I will continue to create and share in whatever way possible.
What made me jump in?
I have concluded that if I enjoy learning from or like what other creators do, even though it's their choice to produce what they do, that to support what the do not just by giving them a thumbs up or positive comment, along with sharing their link -  by offering a dollar a month (or however much), then it helps encourage them even a wee bit to create more great content. Or it just helps to say thank you for what you do, I am watching/reading your stuff. 
Earning A Living
For many these days, creating you tube videos, tutorials and/or blogging is how they want to earn a living, hoping to leave their day job. Definitely, I can relate to that.
As an artist myself, I know the time and energy that can go into planning, filming, writing, editing, producing, and not to mention the equipment and software costs needed to provide quality visuals with good audio. (Obviously, that's not my content- yet! :0) So when I sign up to be a patron, I am simply trying to encourage them to keep doing what they do. That it may mean they can devote more time doing what they are so good at instead of having to stop creating or producing, to work at a job they don't love, to pay daily living expenses. Most folks are creating in their spare time for fun, which is great. For me, I started sharing on the internet what I do for fun, because I love talking and I really love teaching what I know, especially art making.


Me at age 13 at Sick  Children's Hospital after scoliosis 

surgery (and yay, my aunty Cleo!)
Not to mention, because of my life experience - living with a physical disability, and becoming a Christian, my heart feels lead to share what I have learned to hopefully encourage and help others. Makes sense since the lives of others encourages me.  Then ways became available to earn a little (for some, a lot) extra money doing what I love as a bonus. That's how I see earning platforms like, Google Adsense (it took me about 4 years to earn $100) and Patreon (brand new to that one). Even though it works  out to .068 cents a day, it was still a rush receiving that deposit for doing what I enjoy. It definitely helps to encourage me to try harder and work even more. 


 
What If... When people Like, share and subscribe, as well as leaving positive comments on our pages and channels, that is a huge way to show support that I am thankful for. And these days, now having the possibility of receiving financial support to do what I love, is an added bonus making it possible to earn a living for some. 

If it is meant to be, and I am blessed with any support, depending on what happens, my hope aside to help contribute to our living expenses, but also (my dream list)  to obtain better equipment to record quality video tutorials and vlogs as well as editing software and such. Having a means to record videos and photos in a better way, have lighting, and a microphone, proper editing software and such would mean it would be possible to create a more enjoyable viewing and listening experience. Not to mention improving our internet speed/equipment for uploading the videos for our channel. If it didn't get so frustrating trying to upload, I would post more of them. In fact, the video for this post took about 4 attempts and a total of 5-6 hours to finally get it uploaded properly. Not sure why but on average, it takes about 2-3 hours or more to upload a 10-25 minute video and we are unable to use the laptop or our smart tv while it loads.

 As well if support is received, it could fulfill my life long dream, which is to earn money on my own, working at what I love and can do, being an artist. You may already know the progressive neuromuscular disorder I was born with, Spinal Muscular Atrophy 3, has meant depending on the help of others physically and financially (like my husband's retirement pension supporting us). I shared my thoughts and experiences on that topic in the video below.
Watch the video below.
💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
So if you want, please Watch the video right here below

The Rennaisance
Strawberries by me, Anita Berglund
The whole Patreon thing reminds me of the Renaissance period.

Once, about twelve years ago, I was blessed with an Ontario Arts Council new works grant. It was an incredible encouragement to actually receive government funding to earn a living (for that period of time), painting! They not only provided funds for art supplies but ask you to place a value on your time. That way the council encourages art forms by basically paying an artist to make art. Otherwise most artists have to work at non-art jobs to eat and pay for shelter and expenses, meaning not much, if any time to create. It kind of mirrors the Patron days back when Michelangelo Buonarroti and Da Vinci had Patrons like the wealthy Medici banking family who wouls sponsor them to create their art. The artists had patrons. I assume that is what Patreon has modelled itself after. Thankfully, even a dollar a month helps an artist or creator. We don't have to own banks to support the arts! Once I realized all of that I began to conclude it would be ethically okay to to join Patreon. 

Either way, I look forward to continuing creating!
Take care everyone!

If you want head Straight to my Patreon? click here.

Thanks for stopping by. 


Thursday, October 18, 2018

Digital Drawing Talk: Tablets To Drawing Software on A Budget

One of my earl digital drawings on Wacomb Bamboo Fun
For about 7  years I have been illustrating using a Wacomb Bamboo Fun Tablet with primarily Sketchbook Pro6. But for over four decades I drew and painted with actual physical art materials...paint, paper, pencils, markers and canvas. For me the reasons to try digital art making is because it helps me to overcome the physical barriers that arise as my muscles deteriorate due to my SMA. All I now need is a tablet, my computer and my creativity. No easels, heavy equipment, messy clean up. Don't get me wrong, all of that is great if you can create what you want and have the ability to manage all that goes with it. I am just trying to say that thanks to technology, those who want to create but have limited arm/hand/finger mobility and strength, not to give up. That digital drawing devices and software make virtual painting and drawing a possibility.

A page I drew by hand, scanned and completed digitally
Based on my experience so far in digital world, I have say what I have learned to help anyone else like me. Make sure you get a drawing tablet that has PRESSURE SENSITIVITY. This has been my biggest frustration. When I started out, it was as if I was a three year old using a pencil for the first time. Turns out there are drawing programs and devices that can help your experience be as real as using an actual pen or brush. If you don't have the right specs, the stylus is beyond hyper sensitive, flailing about with every tremor or even every breath you take...Hmmm....a song just popped into my head!

 Well because I have been crazily creating beads and such in polymer clay, I haven't used my Wacomb Bamboo Fiun tablet in a while. I was shocked when my laptop said it wasn't compatible. When in doubt unplug and re-plug devices. That worked part way but, the software drivers were gone. Reinstalling them, I can now get back to drawing!

However, as this was happening, I assumed it had finally broke down and I would need a new tablet. Not wasting a minute, I hit  up Amazon and started searching sites for the best affordable tablets. That lead to also researching Digital art application reviews. Wanting to avoid spending mega dollars, I was interested in a fun/great online YouTube Artist named JAZZA!  I am not comfortable with all of his content and advise parental supervision if browsing his channel. But I really enjoy his great personality and artistic talent. Since he is a modern young artist, he can help me update my old traditional ways. The video I am posting here is definitely "Suitable for All Ages." I recommend watching this if you are interested in finding a free to under twenty dollars digital art making program. I am going with his first choice. You will have to watch to find out which one!
JAZZA

Here is another great video giving great advice on becoming a digital artist, the first video is about purchasing a drawing tablet as well as some suggestions on drawing software/apps as well.
Nadiaxl

Nothing digital made this. I used coloured pencils and markers.
Thanks for stopping by. 

Friday, October 5, 2018

Finally Friday!: See My Dad's New Art Work!

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas 
Childhood Inspiration
Yay, it's Finally Friday! When you grow up in a creative family, you definitely are more likely to be creative yourself. It doesn't mean you won't be an artist if your parents didn't create, it just really helps. My parents always kept me well supplied with art making supplies. I remember before I fell in love with illustrating and painting, I really enjoyed all the craft making kits they would give me. Forgive me if I mentioned this before, but it is how much I loved getting to play around. Everything from wood burning kits, "Dip- It" liquid plastic, rug hooking, Spirograph, Coloured pencils, pints, pastels, plaster of paris, string art, macrame, weaving loom (Dad made me one and a spool knitting spool)...to even a paint by number set! Yes it is a sin now for anyone who paints, but hey it's great fun when you are a kid. So parents, encourage your child's creativity by providing them with art making supplies or anything that can be created with. Heck, I remember enjoying hours at my Grandma Harris' house cutting up styrofoam egg cartons to create teeny ashes and cutlery. Not to mention getting to create crafts with kits she would give me when I hung out there!
And then there's my Mom who taught me about crocheting, embroidery, and sewing. Creativity can be expressed in endless ways!

Dad Share
My Dad!
Wanted to share my Dad's newest painting that he shared wit us! He is an epic landscape painter who prefers oil paint. I like his detailed, layered brushwork. For those of you who don't know oil paint is the coloured pigments combined with oil mediums that make it oil paint. I tried it once and found it difficult because it takes much much longer to dry. The good thing that I liked, that you can re-work areas after. Unlike Acrylic (Water based, plastic like paint) that dries crazy fast. Fine if you know how to keep it wet with a spray bottle but frustrating if you don't.
It is worth buying a small Reeves oil paint set just to try them out. If you haven't decided what you like, you may fall in love with them.
Historically,  many of the famous artists we know of like Monet, Picasso, VanGogh, Kandinsky, Keefe and the Group of Seven, painted with oils. It is fun to learn and try the different paints that exist.
Paint Talk
Water colour and Gouache are the only paints that I know of and have worked with, that can be re-wet once dry. For instance once they dry in your palette, you can spray them with water and rehydrate them to use them some more. Whereas Acrylic, is tricky to keep from drying and then being useless. I and my husband keep them on a plastic plate for a palette, continuously moistened with water spray and stored in a sealed zip type bag. Oil Paints can be set aside during the day, with pretty much no worries about your palette drying out. To store, laying plastic wrap or sealing in a plastic container works too. Give them a try.
See Some More Of My Dad's Paintings!
Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas 
Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas 
Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Close up


close-up

close-up





Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

close up

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Painting by R. J. "Bob" Harris, oil on canvas

Thanks for stopping by.