[calixfornia]

Hello!
If you're creative and a little bit strange say hello!

I'm a fashion designer and illustrator heading to NZ in Aug/Sept with my hubby, who is also an artist. I love to wear moccasins, and I hug trees. Fabric is my medium of choice.
Your turn.

[dilanium]

Heh. I paint when I'm inspired to do so. I'm not good enough to make anything great though.

:)

[calixfornia]

Painting is theraputic, even if the end product doesn't make any sense at all. You don't have to be an "artist" to enjoy it, as long as you have fun!

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Hello and welcome.

Apparently I'm a little strange, but I reckon it's everybody else that's weird.

I can't sing or play any instruments at all, but have been in two bands in my early 20's primarily as a bloke who jumps about and shouts/growls a lot (Fudge and Gro-Bags, a Cro-Mags tribute band) and appeared once, briefly, as a solo artiste named The Crimson Lizard 'singing' about my housemate leaving his used condoms floating in the toilet (I was vey very drunk!). I once wrote a song based on a real life experience about being trapped in a concrete car park with Johnny Ball (UK kids TV presenter).

Johnny used to host a kids maths show called Think Of Number, which bacame the title of the song. The chorus went:

Think of a number
Count one to three
Trapped under a concrete beam
Johnny Ball's behind me

I can't remember the rest - it was a log time ago and chemical enhancement was involved. My mates band (Simmer) recorded it on their demo and called it Cheesy Metal Song Number 2.

It's the taking part that counts I feel.

Our ten year old is turning into a very good artist and enjoys painting cartoon style characters with oil pastels on canvas. He can recreate a pretty good representation of cartoon characters from memory - no copying involved.

He wants to be an artist for a living when he's older.

[Hackswell]

I used to be a poet... a loooonng time ago...

Lie
-----

A Lie
Is just a tool
Created by
Mankind,
To achieve
His own end.

A Lie grows
Upon itself,
Exponentially,
Engulfing all.
Until the Lie
Is Truth.

When the Lie
Becomes real,
Is it only an illusion,
Or actually there?
But we'll never know
Because it is all a lie.

Copyright 1993 by
The Immortal Soul
All Rights Reserved

[Pookeko]

Hello :)
I appreciate artisticness and creativity and I sure wish I was talented in that direction! I like visual art. I like to paint and hand sew (just starting out on that one).

I am looking forward to the Affordable Art Show (http://www.affordableart.co.nz/) in Welly later on in the year. :)

[Pookeko]

Cheesy Metal Song Number 2.


:D :laugh

(I love metal :D )

[calixfornia]

Beardybloke, I am dying of laughter on your band names. I could tell from your other posts that you were a clever fellow... sounding witty and also quite like a literary affectionado (your writing style in any case is amusing if not wholly British) that you have some kind of crazy creative force behind you.

Hackswell! A poet! Is your poem about American policy? :P

What a band of interesting travellers we have here.

[KerryS]

Hmm - I have the artistic ability of an ant, but I do enjoy splashing paint around, taking hundreds of photos, and (when I get the chance) playing with clay!

[calixfornia]

Pookeko thanks for posting the link to the show! Too bad we won't be in Wellington till after it, bummer. I hope you have fun!

Yay for sewing! Which reminds me, when I did a search for 'fabric stores' on Google maps almost all of them seem to be in Wellington :) That makes me feel good.

KerryS, good for you! I think painting is the 2nd best thing one could possible splash around, second of course to New Zealand oceanwater (though I've yet to try that bodily medium).
Do you have an online photo album with beautiful NZ pics?

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

think painting is the 2nd best thing one could possible splash around, second of course to New Zealand oceanwater

You seem to be forgetting beer :)

Often the prelude to untapped talent, at least in the mind of the consumer

Exploring the unknown is much easier once the inhibitions are dealt a decent blow.

If only I could work out how to do it sober.....if you see what I mean <blush>

[calixfornia]

I'll have what he's having!! :cheers

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Forgot to mention our other son (11) may just be a burgeoning poet. He recently had this haiku published in his school newsletter. Titled Ducks:

The ducks are sitting
Waiting for some food to come
They all love swimming

Brilliant. Although I suppose I am slightly biased!

[JandM]

ALL the best people are weird!:)

I write, presently concentrating on short stories in the magazines (as they're in buying mood, it seems), though I've done a lot of work for live performance, and intend to again. I'm currently also doing drama and music workshops with children, and special needs adults.

I can sew and tailor, but I prefer yarn-based crafts - knitting and crochet. I like the tactile experience. I think it must be like worry-beads!

[Hackswell]

You seem to be forgetting beer :)

Often the prelude to untapped talent, at least in the mind of the consumer

Exploring the unknown is much easier once the inhibitions are dealt a decent blow.

If only I could work out how to do it sober.....if you see what I mean <blush>

Beer is a form of art, too! I used to brew my own beer, too. And wine... and mead! =yum!=

[Hackswell]

...

Hackswell! A poet! Is your poem about American policy? :P

What a band of interesting travellers we have here.

Just in general. America, Germany, you name it... it's human nature.





ENtrOpY
~~~~~
~~

EmotionS
all miXed up insIde
mY soul
is cHAos

Confusion!

I loSE myself agAin
and looK ARouNd
and find Someone eLse
To love 4 a dAy

Confusion!
D i f f u s i o n.

i looK for Some meanIng
2 liFE
I find moRE QUestions
I can'T unDERstand

Confusion!
D i f f u s i o n.
<<Evolution>>

I follOW the GREAt lighT
SeaRcHinG
For myself?
4 someThing...

Confusion!
D i f f u s i o n.
<<Evolution>>
lonliness

WhaT iS ther in life
That KeepS me bOuNd
To thiS worlD?
NothingneSS...

Confusion!
D i f f u s i o n.
<<Evolution>>
lonliness
|ndE<is!Ve

I pray to thE liGht
To SEt mE free
To fEEl lovE agaIn
To FeEl ALIVE!

Confusion!
D i f f u s i o n.
<<Evolution>>
lonliness
|ndE<is!Ve
CRAVING!!

I thINk i FEEl
BuT THEn it DiSSaPEArs
LIke a cANDle's HeAt
In Mid-feBRuaRY

Confusion!
D i f f u s i o n.
<<Evolution>>
lonliness
|ndE<is!Ve
CRAVING!!
=cold=

All must obey
Laws of Physics

**** * * *** *** ** *** * *
* ** * * * * * * * * * *
*** * * * * *** * * *** *
* * ** * * * * * * *
**** * * * * * ** * *
*********************************

Copyright 8-29-1993 by
Immortal Soul
All Rights Reserved

[cpgrant]

One of my favorite quotes:

"The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well"

[JandM]

One of my favorite quotes:

"The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well"

That's a good one!:)

[calixfornia]

Hackswell -That's one of the most unique poems I've ever experienced!

JansM, that is quite fascinating, it looks like you have many skills. I have utmost respect for the fiber arts, as I can't wrap my head around them! Or my hook as it were. I absolutely love knitworks and needlepoint, and so on. Just amazing stuff!

There's a 'craft revolution' going on and many people are finding that they are creative in their own unique way, and running with it.

[JandM]

I absolutely love knitworks and needlepoint, and so on. Just amazing stuff!

There's a 'craft revolution' going on and many people are finding that they are creative in their own unique way, and running with it.About two years ago, a big resurgence of knitting among actors in the UK began - you now find people knitting in breaks in filming, or while waiting for their next entrance on stage. A friend of mine who has a craft shop says the press interviews that mention this have brought her an increase in business from people willing to try what the stars they're interested in are doing.

So, do any of your designs involve knitting or crochet, or would you only use what you can make yourself?

[migratory birds]

On the topic of knitting...

I was knitting on an Air NZ commuter flight from Auck to Welly and the fellow next to me watched for a few minutes and then said, "That's a dying craft" He never saw anyone knit in recent years.

It's made a huge resurgence in the US; sounds like the UK as well. Books like "Stitch and Bitch" and how-to knit your own fishnet stockings can only advance the art in the 20-30 something crowd!

Me? I knit functional wool socks, felted mittens/slippers. Watercolour paint. Craft abundant, lovely, magical gardens. Raising a kid is an adventure in creativity, too!

[calixfornia]

Gardening is certainly an art! As is raising kids, what a tiring art that would be though I've not tried that one yet. Cooking is an art that is over my head but but boy do I appreciate it!

The craft movement is quite hip thanks in part to clever books like the one you mentioned, and the "DIY" movement which was a throwback to original punk style of chopping up clothing. Then http://www.Etsy.com (like amazon.com of handmade) came into play and now people are turning their hobbies into businesses (including myself). I think it's great and I'm happy to be part of the resurgence.
My mom, who is the youngest member of a homemaker's club, [and sadly they have had older members pass away] was trying to figure out how to get the younger crafters to join the groups. Their craft is different than the newer generation's but not by much. We're trying to preserve the history of traditional arts and crafts but it is evolving with the younger demographic. But regardless, infatuation with grannies' impeccable craft is the inspiration for the hip generation. In other words, granny was COOL!

[mgbridges]

Completely un-arty me and incredibly jealous of my Kiwi friend who is an avid patchworker, she seems to get so much joy out of doing it and the stuff she creates is gorgeous. She's recently done a bunch of kids patchwork blankets for Starship Hospital to either use or auction off for fund raising and they were brilliant. She also knits, not overly complicated stuff but again she seems to get a great deal of joy out of doing it. Oh yeah and she does great baked goods too, plus her own bread.

We were discussing the other day how she got into all the above and basically she 'learnt at her mother's knee'. It does seem that if your Mum/Grandma/Aunt is into any of the traditional crafts you're quite likely to pick it up. I kinda feel like I missed out as my mum gave up sewing (was working 3 jobs) before I was really old enough to learn. Also despite my Nan being a fantastic baker we simply didn't see her enough (lived too far apart) for me to pick it up.

Ah well, more power to those of you reviving these dying arts & crafts. :clap
Anneliese

[KerryS]

Oh - I've tried my hand at patchwork as well. Tried being the operative word. Without a machine it's actually quite difficult to keep the tensions between patches even, and mine ended up a little on the wrinkled side.
Still, the cat appreciates my efforts, as he has it as his bed.

[JandM]

My grandmother started teaching me to knit when I was three, because I was interested in what she was doing. She and my mother made sure I could do that and basic sewing because, for them, that was part of what you did to equip a girl. This was a fairly old-fashioned attitude even then, though, but I appreciated it.

I had a bad accident with a long recovery when I was 8 - 9 years old, and did a lot of craft things while I didn't have the option to move around much. This was when I started teaching myself crochet, and also some of the fancier varieties of knitting, out of books, and you never stop learning if you're interested.

I'm knitting winter jackets for my NZ grandchildren. Last time we were on the webcam, I showed my grandson (he's 4) the patterns on the front of his, and my son said, 'He doesn't understand how you're making it. Can you show him the wool and needles? He's never seen anybody knit.' With luck some day he and his sister will sit by me and see what I'm up to, like I did with my Gran.

[calixfornia]

Cats are good for that - here's Thimble "helping" me at the cutting table:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2310300467_fb5114e4c4.jpg

[KerryS]

I learnt from my Mum and Granny as well. My Mum taught me to knit - but with a very curious cat around, there is no way I can do that at the moment. I'm also only a scarf or very lumpy sock level knitter.
I was also very lucky in that I learnt loads of craft activities at school. I remember learning to do macrame (how very 70s!) and crochet. And learnt to embroider - starting with the strange fabric with the big holes, and progressing to following printed patterns on linen, and then freehand embroidery. I've never done any of this since though!

[Moorf]

I write to stay sane and to empty my uberbusy mind....

[nippa&pippa]

I am, what other people who knew me since child have said, all-rounder that I am willing to try and learn anything that threw at me....so I have done all type of craft! My favourite is cross-stitch as very therapic :yes
Also I love cooking with kids very much, I don't care if we all get dirty or house get mess as long as kids is having fun!!
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb175/nippa101/090208039Small.jpg

[Familyofmonkeys]

I love doing arty craft things...not that i'm particularly good at any one thing, but it is fun and relaxing.

Taken up knitting again in the last couple of years...my nan taught me when I was about 4, but my dad didn't approve and snapped my knitting needles and threw them away :mad: (i'm not bitter....honest :D ). I could still remember the basics so asked my MIL for some tips (she is an absolutely fantastic knitter) and she very generously gave me a full set of needles and a big bag of all her ends of wool to practice with. I started by makings some hand puppets for kids and am now making OH a basic arran scarf.

Also tinkering with a bit of crochet and planning at having a go at some patchwork. Am OK at sewing and basic embroidery, but learnt by trial and error as no-one ever taught me. Also do loads of baking, make all our own bread etc...again self taught......my dad and sister used to live on microwave dinners and jacket potatos when we were kids, but I was the freaky veggie so I actually learnt to cook.

And then there is painting.....I absolutely love decorating kids bedrooms with wall murals etc. In UK we had a nautical bathrioom complete with lighthouse on wall, a night sky downstairs loo and a jungle bedroom for older son, and daughter had an underwater bedroom with loads of tropical fish on her walls...brilliant fun. Spend quite alot of time doing sticky, glittery, gluey, painty stuff with kids too as they love it so much.

OH just likes to fiddle with bits of wood :laugh

[JandM]

Cats are good for that - here's Thimble "helping" me at the cutting table:



Ah - cat-hair, THE ingredient for all the best home craft! Not to mention contributions to writing, as one of mine used to like to lie alongside my arms when I was at my desk, and I'd have to watch out that he didn't roll over onto the keyboard.

[cani]

Hi, I'm a seamer by trade, starting by making dolls and their clothes when I was little. As a teen I designed and sewed my own clothes, then life happened. Did alot of crafting with other peoples children and later when my son came along, always good to teach them to make home-made gifts and fun to pass along ideas and methods. Now I'll try pretty much any craft that comes along. Agree that cats are a major ingredient and have several projects with cat 'signatures' on.:laugh