My Necklace Revealed

This is for all those who were keen to see the entire piece I created for the Use the Muse 3 contest, as recently revealed on Scarlet Lanson's blog The Beader's Muse. So, here's a close up of the part you couldn't see before with the muse revealed. I hope you enjoy:



Heather
Photo is my own
Click here to visit Planet SARK.

What is it about a Challenge?

I'm not sure if you're a creative type, other than using your journal, but I have always been into some kind of creative expression. Be it painting, drawing, making stuff or jewellery. Over the last few years creating jewellery has been the most satisfying expression of my creativity yet.

I have found, though, that I respond really well to a challenge. I'm not sure what it is. Something about a deadline, a theme, or limited choice of materials, just gets my brain churning over and my fingers working. I love it. There's always a new skill to acquire, a way of looking at something from a fresh point of view, or just the joy of creating something I will wear, no matter how it might place in any contest.

Recently I entered the Use the Muse 3 contest sponsored by Artbeads.com and TierraCast. Scarlet Lanson created the idea on her Beader's Muse blog, and it's been a hit with beaders and creative types the world over. I've only managed to participate in the last contest, but check out her blog for the other two.

Right now we're waiting for the Big Reveal, where we finally get to see what the 'muse' was and all the entries in the competition.

In reply to the question on Scarlet's blog today: "What is your favorite part about the USE THE MUSE Contest experience?" I would have to say, the challenge, reasons given above. There's just something about a challenge that brings out the best in even the very new beader. Challenges push you out of the excuses, the doldrums and the can't dos. You create because you must. Someone is waiting to see your piece. You've spent money and time thinking and working this piece. You can't back out.

Challenges always inspire me. I enter them, but win very few. And that really doesn't bother me. I am always a winner because I have a beautiful piece of jewellery to wear, sell or give away. What else could I want?

How do you feel about challenges? Do you join in to further your own creativity, skills or simply to take part? Do you set journal writing challenges for yourself? We could discuss such a challenge in the comments section if you're interested. Leave a comment and let me know.

Anyway, to inspire you, I hope, here's a sneak peak of my entry into the Use the Muse 3 contest:



Heather
Photo is my own

Click here to visit Planet SARK.

Don't Forget the Christmas Download Countdown

Don't forget about the fab free Christmas downloads you can print off from Ten Two Studios. All you need to do is link to your blog or website so you can download the art journal goodies for free. Of course, you can use them for almost anything. Spread the word.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng
Click here to visit Planet SARK.

SARK Getting into the Holiday Spirit

If you're a fan of SARK you may already know about her fun holiday offer, but just in case you don't go check it out here:



Sounds like a fun way to greet your friends over the holiday period. Make sure you check out the other cool things SARK has on offer, which are bound to make great gifts for your journal loving friends, or just for yourself. I hope you enjoy learning more about this wonderfully creative woman.

Heather
Click here to visit Planet SARK.

Christmas Printables Countdown Starts Soon

If you're looking for cool Christmas images to download and print for free, you simply must take a look at this link at Ten Two Studios. As usual, they will be hosting some cool printables for you to use in your journals and art, but you must link to the countdown page, once it goes live. Sounds fair enough to me. I hope you enjoy the printables and share on your blogs and websites the cool news.

Heather
Image used with permission from stockx.chng

Win a Writing Book

So, I had to share this little contest to win a book called Will Write for Shoes by Cathy Yardley. You can win just by leaving a comment on the ewritelife blog entry. Couldn't be any easier. Good luck.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Yeah, I've been quiet

If you are following this blog then you'll have noticed I've been very quiet lately. I suppose all the pressures at home have built up. I needed some downtime and I've been grabbing that, just for me. It's not like I've got much time to myself at home these days. When I get online, for the most part, the family leave me alone, but I haven't had much online time of late. I've been just reading things, learning stuff, designing & creating jewellery, thinking, signing up for a course, journalling, and doing all the other things I have to do around here.

It gets tiring, being the one who everyone relies on. What I really need is a holiday, but that's not about to happen any time soon, so I've pulled back from things a little. I hope you don't mind. I will get back into full swing, especially as I am finally on broadband internet.

As far as journal writing goes, I am digging through my stashed gear to find the journal I feel like writing in next. This morning I made my last entry in the black covered one hubby gave me for my birthday this year. Do you like to find journals that inspire you to write in them, or don't you mind what it is you write on? I'm still looking, right now.

Heather