Get Inspired at Craftgawker.com

Last week I mentioned the site foodgawker.com . This week I'm featuring a few items from one of their other websites, craftgawker.com. It's not an e-commerce site, but rather a showcase of arts, crafts and photography. Many link to BLOGs where instructions are included.

Take a look at craftgawker.com and get inspired! Here's a few fun links. Just select each image to be directed to the original website.

















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Article about Foodgawker.com

Blog Party - 5 Degrees of Inspiration

Today I'm taking part in a blog party called "5 Degrees of Inspiration" where artists from various places are posting about what inspires them. To see other participants in this fun event, just click on the "5 Degrees of Inspiration" picture on the top right hand side of my blog page. Have fun!




"Inspiration refers to an unconscious burst of creativity in an artistic, musical, or other intellectual endeavor. Literally, the word means "breathed upon," and it has its origins in both Hellenism and Hebraism. So I ask myself, what inspires me to create jewelry?"

These are my five inspirations!

1. Color
There's color all around us and yet sometimes, I think we fail to see it. Sometimes though, I'll look at a color and it will arouse certain emotions in me....love, anger, warmth, energy, creativity to name just a few. I love looking at various color combinations in fabrics, in nature, even in what other people choose to wear. Color not only affects my mood but I think the mood of other people around me also.

2. Nature
I love plants and flowers. I look forward to spring and summer so much, just to see the glorious plants that Mother Nature has to offer. If you look closely at flowers and even leaves, you'll see beautiful textures and color combinations. Even the smell of certain plants can be intoxicating. There's nothing quite as relaxing as taking a stroll around a gorgeous garden and just observing the plants and insects. I take tons of photos during the spring and summer and often refer back to them when I'm making jewelry as they are full of inspiration.

3. My Children
There's something about the innocence and simplicity of the way children look at things that can be very inspirational. Sometimes they comment on or get enjoyment out of those things we find so "everyday" and yet if you really listen closely, it's those details that can be very enlightening provide a different way of looking at things.


4. Music
As much as I love a quiet, silent home at times, most of the time I love to listen to music. I find it very relaxing to work while I listening to certain music. If I had to choose a favourite, I love Cuban music...not too slow that it makes me want to put my feet up and do nothing, and not too loud that I'm prevented from concentrating.


5. Other Artists
I'm constantly awed by the talent displayed by other artists. If I'm ever feeling in a blah mood and not very creative, I just check out some of the wonderful artwork created by others. That's usually all it takes to inspire me to get started on a new project! An example is the lovely applique below made by my mother, Val Garnett.


Lastly (yes, I know it was only five !), my husband inspires me. He's my biggest fan. He's always there to support me and offer words of wisdom and encouragement.

5 Degrees of Inspiration

Theme: "5 Degrees of Inspiration"

Date: August 1st, 2009

What to Do:
*Sign up for the blog party by leaving a comment on Inspiration Avenue's posting - your blog and link will be added to the sidebar list on their blog. (be sure to include a link and the name of your blog in your comment)
*Grab the party images and details, then write about it on your own blog. Be sure to post the smaller badge on your sidebar linking back to the posting. (sidebar badge and link are located below...)
*Join us all on the date of the party by writing your own blog posting about the 5 things that inspire you the most. Feel free to post photos too - they love eye candy!
*Visit the other participating blogs from the list posted on the Inspiration Avenue sidebar and enjoy! It'll be such fun discovering what inspires each of us!

♥Prizes:
They're hosting 2 wonderful prizes!
*The first is a fabulous collection of work from their team members and will be awarded to one of the participating blogs so be sure to sign up before August 1st! (A photo of the prize package is coming soon so keep checking back!)
*The second prize will be awarded to one of the visitors who leaves a comment on their blog posting the day of the party. This will be a $20 gift certificate to their team shop.

This sounds like a lot of fun and I'm getting involved. Why don't you?

Sidebar Blog Badge:

Badge link: http://inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com/2009/07/5-degrees-in-inspiration-blog-party.html