WHAT IS A SILHOUETTE CAMEO?

What is a Silhouette Cameo? It is a life changing craft device that gives you the opportunity to create all those amazing crafts that you wished you were able to do.

For instance, I liked this card design for my sister's birthday card and I was able to create it with the help of my Silhouette Cameo. I scanned the image onto my computer and took a screen shot of the image. Dragged that screen shot into the Silhouette Cameo's programme and then was able to ungroup the image to colour in the different cupcakes in the colours I liked, which I then sent to the printer to print.  After which, I placed the paper onto the sticky mat and sent it to the Silhouette Cameo to cut for me. No more sitting for hours cutting with a craft knife hoping that I don't cut the design buy accident and have to start over!  I was then able to assemble the card hand-made by me and created especially for My Sister.

This is just one of the amazing features on this machine. One is also able to cut stencils, create beautiful vinyl projects, 3D papercrafts just became a whole lot easier, from cutting paper to foam, magnets to card stock, your imagination is your door to a new world of endless possibilities.

MIGHT BE AN ARTIST IF....

I just had to share this as I am sure that many of you can relate....

FACEBOOK ADVERTISING

Well, it seems as though Advertising does pay:  https://www.facebook.com/advertising

Being a New Business, I wanted to increase my FB page likes and I decided that I would try the "Build Your Audience" option.  I took out a 4 day option which basically guarantees you a percentage of Likes per day depending on the amount you can afford and it targets your market.

 I would like to report that it is working.  I am pleasantly surprised by the number of daily likes which means that I must be doing something right :)  Thank you to all my new followers and I hope that I will continue to inspire you x

https://www.facebook.com/theartofcreativity2

SYMPHONY WIDGETS

I'm testing out various Widgets so that my Blog, Facebook page and Pinterest all work seemlessly allowing me more time to create "masterpieces". 

Symphony manages your social media from one place giving businesses the tools to better manage their time.  I'm testing this platform for one month on their trial basis. I have currently linked my Blog posts to Symphony so they should be included in my Facebook feed. 

Read Symphony's Blog to find out more what they can do to save you time:

http://blog.symphonytools.com/about/

CREATIVE BOOKS TO READ

I find that I am constantly hungry to read books and magazines on Painting, Art, Photography and that I feel that I just want to feed my brain with all that everyone wants to share.

I constantly want to broaden my horizons with all that knowledge and information out there to do with Creativity. I subscribe to various Magazines on my Kindle so that I have the resources on hand at any given moment and also so that I don't have to store them. In addition, I love reading books (on my Kindle) and will gladly read to learn new techniques, and try to incorporate that information into my latest artwork.

In the meantime, I will continue to read and share the books I'd like to read and have read on: The Art of Creativity's Pinterest Page: Creative Books/Magazines to Read

40th BIRTHDAY CARD

On the 8th of November, my brother turned 40 a few years younger than my sister and I and the only boy.  We also have a much younger sister. Anyway, I wanted to create a special card for him from me and my sisters as I did not just want to hand him a standard store bought card.

I decided to use my newly acquired Silhouette Cameo to make a unique card representing him.  It took me awhile to do this as I am still playing with the Silhouette Cameo (so many features to play and design with). I cut the stencil "1974 Vintage" on card stock with the SC and copied the wrapping paper for the image which I then used as the insert and typed a verse celebrating his Special Birthday.  I then used the insert as a secret envelope to enclose money which my sister and I gave him as a contribution towards his gift.  (He wants to purchase a Gas BBQ).

He had a really awesome get together with all of his mates at a venue which he hired and amidst the free champagne, we danced the night away.  

FOLLOW MY BLOG ON FACEBOOK

You can now follow my blog on Facebook

Click on the Blog tab and you will be taken to my Blog where I write what I have discovered and create.

WHAT IS RIJKSSTUDIO?

Psst: Have you heard of the Rijksstudio?      https://www.rijksmuseum.nl

What is Rijksstudio?
 http://mw2013.museumsandtheweb.com/paper/rijksstudio-make-your-own-masterpiece/


The Rijksstudio is part of the Rijksmuseum which is situated in Amsterdam.  They have created a website/app that you are able to create your very own Masterpieces from any of their pieces of Art which you are then allowed to reproduce anywhere, anyhow.  Their idea is to create awareness of the Masterpieces.

I have had the fortunate pleasure of visiting the Rijsmuseum (after it's upgrade) and spent the day marvelling at the Majestic pieces of Art.  Unfortunately, it was the Summer holidays in Europe, so the Museum was packed.  I would have loved to be able to visit the Museum again, with less people...maybe one day I will be able to do that.  But, for now, we are able to enjoy these beautiful paintings and other pieces of art in high resolution at our leisure and create our very own pieces from their online collections.

Click on the link above, scroll through the images until you find the Rijksstudio, sign up and start creating.

GET HOOKED ON PINTEREST

Follow The Art of Creativity 2 on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/Creativity2Art/

Be warned though, if you are not familiar with Pinterest it is very Addictive ;-) I have been Pinning for a few years now and once I log onto Pinterest, you can forget anything else to happen for at least a few hours.  Pinterest is a place where you can create visual boards to store all those things that you love, love to do and wish to do, plan for birthdays, weddings, etc, and get ideas for projects amongst others.

Happy Pinning x

NEW CREATIONS

TEXTURE PASTE

With so many interruptions last week, my creative work had to be shelved....I won't go into to detail, suffice to say that Life gets in the way and one's passion takes a back burner.

Even this morning, I was ready to roll and...but, alas, it wasn't meant to be until later in the morning that I was able to finally get my groove on. 

I quite fancy working with texture paste and well, just about any texture to create mixed mediums. This is one of my creations which I begun today, not sure yet what I'm calling it:

And while the texture paste was out and the above one was drying, I thought that I'd start on a project which I learnt at a Tina Schulling Workshop at Itz van Allez, African Sunset

Lets hope that tomorrow allows me the opportunity to continue on my journey of creativity. 

THE ART OF CREATIVITY LIKES YOU

Have a Beautiful Weekend and

 Know that the Art of Creativity 

Likes YOU 

xxx

CHARITY: REACH FOR A DREAM FOUNDATION: CAPE TOWN

I like to do my bit for Charity and have been assisting where I can for the last 20 years with The Reach for a Dream Foundation in Cape Town.  I prefer to work behind the scenes, as although, I love kids, I would not be able to work with the terminally ill kiddies, my heart would just break.  I admire the staff and volunteers for their drive and passion.

Reach for a Dream is just that, an organisation which fulfils the wishes of children with terminal illnesses. The kiddies are assessed and then the work begins for the staff to fulfil that Dream. Much organisation, kind sponsors and donations are part of what make the dreams a reality.

This week, the Cape Town branch tried moving offices, however, not everything always goes according to plan, perhaps next week they will be able to complete the move. In the meanwhile, I've assisted with the packing of the boxes and hopefully by next Tuesday I can help them move into their much awaited new offices, after working in a very confined space for the last 11 years.

On Saturday, Reach for a Dream, Cape Town, will be having their Annual Gala which raises funds to make some of the Dreams come true and I have donated 3 Mixed Media Paintings for their Raffle Prizes, Cosmos, Peacock Feather and Under the Sea as shown below.

If you would like to make a Donation to make a terminally ill kiddies Dream come True, please visit their website:http://www.reachforadream.org.za

STARTING A NEW VENTURE

There is so much that goes into starting a new venture and each day as I research, I discover that I have so much to learn. Luckily, I have had previous experience in starting a new business and this has assisted me in knowing where to look for the relevant information I require to get started, however, there is constantly new information that one must arm yourself with to keep in the market.

Firstly, for me was coming up with a name which represented what I do and how I feel about my work. Developing my logo and all, in the meanwhile working on my creativity and producing the products I ultimately want to sell. Also, thinking about packaging and pricing. Using a courier service and setting up a payment method. 

Next was setting up a Facebook page and this blog.  The next step will be, as I mentioned in my last post, an online store/website to sell my products, which I'm still researching. Obviously a Pinterest account because who isn't addicted to Pinterest and maybe a Linkedin account. 

This week has been frustrating as my internet has been down, and I have not been able to proceed as planned. How we have become so dependent on the Net... So, I'm sitting here using my iPhone to at least keep my blog posts updated. Telkom keep assuring me that my line has been restored when in fact it has not! Time, I think, that I changed my line to my Internet service provider, Afrihost who are extremely helpful and on call 24/7. In addition, for some or other reason I cannot connect to FB on my iPhone either (hair pulling).  

This all to shall pass and hopefully I'll be able to continue on my journey of creating a network for The Art of Creativity of one that I will be proud to be associated with and most importantly one that you my followers and supporters will be part of. 

MY STORY

What excitement as I publish my Blog as "The Art of Creativity" a dream for sometime now. I love creating crafts, mixed media and taking photographs and wanted a platform to display my creations, hence The Art of Creativity was born.

My next step is to set-up "My Shop" to sell my creations, but as Rome was not built in a day, it will have to wait until another day.  I'll keep you posted.

You can follow me on my FB page: 
https://www.facebook.com/theartofcreativity2

I'd love to hear from you, so please comment or drop me an e-mail @: theartofcreativity2@gmail.com

LET'S CREATE