Limbo: Another Ink Blot Illustration

This little blot had a rough beginning. Due to our process, (two people adding shapes to a drawing one after the other), not all blots come out perfectly. We have several pages of "bad day" blots that just took a turn for the worse. This little guy seemed to be headed in that direction, but all of a sudden everything came together. I think all artists have these moments. Sometimes I think the pieces you struggle with the most end up feeling a little more special. Maybe it is because they aren't exactly perfect. Maybe art is a lot like people- it needs a few imperfections to be interesting and memorable.

Fishing For a Flower: A New Ink Blot Drawing

We've been dragging this blot out for a while. It finally seemed finished just the other day. I believe it's a very happy fish, even with those menacing teeth! It has felt like a very unproductive month as far as art goes. Between all of the gift buying, wrapping, and giving (not to mention making those yummy stockings :) we haven't gotten much done in the shop! Yes, the holidays are over. I guess it's time to get back to work, but who could possibly mind with such happy little fish around?

Rockin' the Stockin's

This year, we decided to make our own stockings, so we borrowed a sewing machine, bought some fabric, drew out some wildly sketchy patterns, and went to town. ***Attention. We have never sewn before.*** Several days (and tears) later, we proudly produced these beauties. Not bad for not having a clue! I'm so pleased, I'm starting a sewing machine fund. Michael will eventually put red bells on his points (his is the orange and red stocking), but with it being so close to Christmas, they were a bit difficult to find. We hope wherever you are reading this that it is warm and merry no matter what you celebrate. Best wishes.

Eco-Bow of Death: Merry Christmas.

We sincerely hope that Michael's little sister will be smart and carefully remove this from her present instead of slicing her hand to pieces. We really are optimistic that she won't lose a finger tip permanently. (doctors are great at reattaching things now) Mostly, we are confident that she is up to date on her Tetanus shots... Ok. So maybe we're taking this whole "recycled" thing a bit far, but isn't it totally awesome? Michael spent way too much perfectly good time carefully constructing this little bottle cap saw blade torture trap of doom. But admit it- it is super cool. We'll stick to can bows from now on. They're safer.

Be safe this holiday season :)

Our First Custom Bottle Cap Bracelet

And I'm just tickled over it! This was a local order, so the customer picked out the caps themselves. Michael sharpened the punch with the Dremel and it is working out much better for us. Hopefully this is the start of many more custom orders. We don't make much off of these because they take so much time, but I enjoy them too much to stop. We hope everyone is having a great week!

Brighten Your Packages with a Recycled Surprise

This year, we're giving most traditional wrapping a break and going green. With the exception of some hand-me-down wrapping paper, everything will be reused or recycled. Today we're showing off our snazzy soda can bows. These are fairly easy to make and are a great conversation piece. Take any soda can and using an Exacto knife, cut evenly spaced slits down the face of the can. Once all of your slits are cut, slowly press down on the top of the can to force the sides outward. You may need to help the pieces along with your fingers. (Be careful of course, but I didn't find them to be very sharp) Once the sides are spread out, take some heavy duty tape and slide it into the the center space of the can to join the top and bottom (this will keep the can flattened). Flip it over and tape it to any gift you want to make extra special!

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

I start to feel a little ill the week after Christmas while driving past row upon row of houses with four or five trash bags full of packaging and wrapping paper out by the curb. Next to them, a now sad looking bundle of sticks and needles reluctantly waits for the trash truck. This year, we really wanted a live tree (roots and all) so that we could plant it after the holidays, but it didn't seem practical for our current living space. Instead, we spent a lovely evening making cranberry and popcorn garland to wrap around a wreath for our balcony. (credit to BlackStar for the cranberry idea) We had a lot of fun turning our fingers red with cranberry juice and hopefully the birds will enjoy a holiday snack. I think these activities are so much more rewarding than a trip through the Wally World "made somewhere else" holiday section. As for packaging and wrapping paper, most gifts will be handmade this year with the exception of a few specific requests. We'll be using recycled boxes and bags to make wrapping material and decorate them ourselves. Who needs another throw away bow when you can be crafty?

Domino Ink Blots Are On the Rise!

The Ink Blot Dominos have been doing pretty well, so here is another. This one was completed in the Metro Coffee House in Augusta, GA. We highly recommend the place, if you happen to be in the area. They have live music on Sunday afternoons, and some of the best coffee I've had.
You can find a collection of some of our Ink Blot illustrations here. We are trying to flesh out the album. Keep checking back. There are many more waiting to be added. Have a great week!

A Surfing Blot ( at least that's what I see :)

We recently spent a weekend in Savannah, GA with some of Michael's family. Every time I see the ocean I feel more and more like I belong on the coast. We probably walked a mile along the hemline of the sea with my feet almost as blue as the water I was splashing them in. I didn't mind the cold a bit. I guess we still had that day on our minds when we started this little Ink Blot. I hope to go back soon, and hopefully more Blots will follow. You can find this one in our Etsy store.

Reclaimed Angels Make Lovely Ornaments

These used halogen bulbs have been sitting around for a while. They are really too beautiful to be light bulbs, so today they get to be angel gowns. The bulb makes up the dress and body of the angel while a snap makes a shining head. We used an old brass clock gear for a halo and cut pieces out of an old decorative belt to make little wings. I think she looks just heavenly. Check one out on Etsy
Happy holidays!