art challenge design process

Owl or No Owl?*

Several weeks ago I made a necklace with an owl pendant for a friend. Because the package of owl pendants I bought contained four pendants, I decided to try my hand at another. Here is the result. While buying the owl pendants, I purchased the pink glass beads (2 tones of pink beads in the package) specifically to use with this owl pendant. There were only 8 pink beads in the package, so I had…

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art design

Another Necklace Made

Once I’m on a creative roll with something, I tend to keep it going for a little while until I’m on to something new. I made three new necklaces within the past few weeks. After seeing them posted here on my blog, a friend expressed an interest in having one, so I made one for them this week. It was a great excuse to go bead shopping and spend time picking out a nice arrangement…

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art design museums projects

In the Flow Making Necklaces

In the midst of sorting and packing household items in order to prepare for a move, I took some time to engage in a creative project. Not that sorting and packing can’t be creative … they’re just not creative in quite the same way as making something new. I spent about four hours making three new bead necklaces. While I was making these necklaces, I listened to music and podcasts, though I was only half-listening…

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design ideas tips

Improving My Office with New Glasses & a Creative Desk Solution

Over the course of the pandemic, when I’ve been working from home or working at the museum with very few visitors drawing me away from the computer, I’ve noticed a significant amount of neck and shoulder tension. My shoulders seem to be spending more time up near my ears because I forget to take breaks from staring at my computer screen. Another issue with my posture was pointed out to me after a Zoom meeting.…

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design family ideas observations

Designing Buildings with Space for the Practical & Messy

Erik and I spent the last few days helping our son Ian, his fiancĂ©, and their roommate move to a new townhouse apartment. They had lived in their old apartment for about 10 years, so there was quite an accumulation of stuff to move. When you’ve got furniture, loads of boxes of heavy books, and other household paraphernalia to move in a short period of time, finding efficient ways to move it without killing everyone’s…

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