Three Videos in Three Days

Hello Love

Hope you're having a fabulous creative weekend, if not here's some kick-starters for you. The last three days I've posted a video a day so here they all are together, enjoy.

The first one I posted is all about 'How I Organize & Store Scrap Papers':

If you want more Ask Jennibellie videos you can get them via signing up to my Monthly Newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/BHv-1. When you do so you’ll also receive a free Creative Ebook, Exclusive Videos, Collage Sheets & other goodies *instantly* as well as the monthly news, articles, videos & other occasional gifts sent direct to your inbox =)

The second was the new monthly art challenge video on Journal Workshops, where we are exploring your relationship with creativity. Check it out here: 

http://journalworkshops.ning.com/group/monthly-challenge 

The Monthly Challenge is a free group I host on my art community Journal Workshops. It is a monthly art date for us to stretch our art/journaling comfort zone. If you are not yet a part of this Group, come & join over 5000 creative comrades plus get new monthly art vids from me here: http://journalworkshops.ning.com/group/monthly-challenge 

The third video is from the Makers Meet-up is all about having yourself a 'Creative Spa Day':

http://journalworkshops.ning.com/group/makersmeetup/

The Maker’s Meet-up is another free group on my art community. A weekly meeting place where you can come and share, find support and be inspired (and where I give little extra creative assignment videos such as this one too) =D

So there you are if you follow all three you'll have an organized studio, be getting your creating groove on while improving your relationship with creativity and having a luxurious Creative Spa Day as you do it all. No excuses for a non-creative weekend around here, though in truth these are all 'regular' videos I create all the time (though obviously they are all on new topics each time) for my newsletter or art community - so just follow the links to get more ;)

Much love

Jennibellie

xoxo

My First Ever Facebook Live

Hello

Wow will this really be my first post for this year? Geez. I need to get better at blogging, but despite my lapse here I have been super busy! Tomorrow I will be holding my first ever facebook live at 1pm GMT time in order to get ready for the Birthday Bash Art Party that is coming up this Saturday. 

In it I’m going to answer the questions that have come up around the Birthday Bash, give you more of an insight into the days events, share a pre-bash giveaway and perhaps even show you a little of my new studio space if it’s not too messy (as that is where I’ll be filming from so fingers crossed for me the internet signal works well enough). 

It will be my first facebook live ever too so I would so appreciate any ‘hellos’ of support if you are on the internet at this time, you know trying not to buy some new art supplies, or shielding your surfin’ screen from your boss lol If you cannot make it at the actual time the facebook live will be on my page afterwards so you can head over there to watch it whenever: https://www.facebook.com/Jennibellie/ 

And if you haven’t already come join the Birthday Bash Group here:

http://journalworkshops.ning.com/group/the-2017-birthday-bash

The Birthday Bash is an annual f*ee event I host on Journal Workshops. 

There will be Art Techniques, a Community Project, Art Swaps, Giveaways, a Facebook Live Journaling Session and a wonderful community to do it all with! 

Join now to ready for our art party on 18th Feb =) 

http://journalworkshops.ning.com/group/the-2017-birthday-bash

Really hope to see you there, it's a pure creative blast!
Much love
Jennibellie

Video Tutorial: DIY Recycled Signage

Hi lovely blog readers

For anyone who does not know I run a Monthly Challenge Group on my art community Journal Workshops, where on the 1st of every month I pick someone's suggestion of a project for us all to do. I post a video of my project making and create a space for all the members of our community to share their projects also. 

Well anyway, this month I really loved making challenge so much that I decided to adapt the video a little and post it to youtube. 

You can see it here: 

https://youtu.be/rixQMhKsh-8

If this group is something you think you might enjoy you can join for free here: http://journalworkshops.ning.com/

All creatives are welcome!

Enjoy & Much love

Jennibellie

xoxo

Portfolio Loose Leaf Art Journal Flip & Christmas Class Craziness!!

Hi! Hope you've had a fabulous Christmas period and are still rolling around from how stuffed you are (she says as she's eating her Christmas choccies =) )

I have a new journal flip today, as I said I would after the last Loose Leaf Art Journal Flip, those of you in the Monthly Challenge Group may recognise some of these pages. 

Hope you enjoy:

I'm a bit late doing this weekly ramble as obviously Friday was Christmas day, though I suppose that doesn't matter much as Christmas Eve (I've no idea what possessed me) I opened the doors to my Brand New Class, 

Creative Goal Journaling:

Though to be honest despite the unfortunate timing it wasn't that much of a crazy decision. It hasn't taken that much to get it prepared and launched, though I'm pretty sure that's because I'm so passionate about it that the work it takes doesn't feel like work - and that's exactly what I can't wait to teach in this class; how to bring your goals into being in the most joyous, easy way possible. 

It is a different kind of 'creation' class. It is my most premium and comprehensive class but right now I am offering it at a Christmas Gift Price of Over 50% off: 

Click here to see all that's included in the class: 

http://journalworkshops.ning.com/page/creative-goal-journaling

Much love and if I don't see you before

************ Happy New Year ************

The projects that take years

For this weeks ramble I want to talk about something I have been feeling a lot of in 2014...frustration. I think I have felt more frustration during my creative process this year than I have ever before, but that isn't to say I haven't learnt a hell of a lot too. For example the majority of this year I have found it *extremely* frustrating that I cannot create things as quickly, get them polished and out into the world as I wish to.

'Fed Up of this Frustration'

I have learnt that they ALL take far longer to do that you not only want, but estimate or expect. As an example my new shop item I just launched, Mystery Mail 2, has been in production for well over 12 months! It has taken so much planning, designing, creating, altering, re-arranging - on *every* item in there, that I wondered why on earth I was doing it all. 

Mystery Mail 2 next to Mystery Mail 1

Why was I putting so much effort into items when no-one would even know about them (as the whole concept of Mystery Mail is that people are able to send themselves an arty goodie surprise), but the reason was because my heart was telling me to. It was a project I really wanted to make, and make it the BESTEST ever. And BESTEST ever things, well, they take time. 

So happy with how this has turned out...even though no-one can see it

And I am learning that, and allowing that, and taking that weight off of my shoulders. I want to stay in a place of joy in my creativity, creating from that calling from the heart, not from a place of pressure, which is what happens when you are wanting to accomplish everything you have planned at once; that's the definition of pressure, and  then of frustration when it doesn't work out. 

And I've realised that this thinking alone has also raised my confidence. I will create. I will create when I want,. And when I do that beautiful things happen. I don't need to churn out 50 things a day because my creative to-do list is as long as santa's present list. 

It has been a hard lesson this year, but I am getting fed up of allowing frustration to have a hold over me. So I will create, and allow, and allow those projects that require years to have them. If my heart is still in them after all that time then they were meant to be given life, if frustration of how long the project's taking overrules my desire to create it then it was never meant to be. It's that simple.

And here is a semi-new video from a project that also took a long time to come alive - my Journal Workshops Art Community, it is from the monthly challenge a couple months ago and I'm sharing it here because...well I mention all that in the video. If you are not a member of my community please enjoy, and consider coming over to join us for more. Much love & Happy Creating =)

How to Get The Perfect Collage/Decoupage

Hi Guys

Following a question posted on Journal Workshops I was prompted into action to make this video below on how I get my perfectly smooth bubble and buckle-free collaging on board (decoupage). Hope it helps anyone who has previously been frustrated by bumps and bubbles in their work, if you have your own tips or tricks for this issue please join in and post it to the discussion:

Glue and Boards

See you soon

Much love

Jennibellie

Video Tutorial: Recycled Paper Towel Reusable Surfaces

Hello lovelies 

I've a quick supply-making tutorial today, which you can make from your scraps and which I posted yesterday as a treat for my Monthly Challenge Group on Journal Workshops

The groups/sites free to join so come do so if you haven't already =)

***Reuse Reduce Recycle Mixed Media Art Booyah!***

Happy Creating

Back in the Rhythm

So the past few days I have not been able to keep my hands clean...like, seriously!

I have been starting at least one new projects every day (...yes, without finishing the old ones lol). In short my creativity has been ON IT!! 

After my last proper vlog, where I basically said I was taking a break from art, that little niggling feeling that comes up when mojo leaves for a while began to creep in. That feeling that you are just too creatively tired & then the worry when you cannot see a foreseeable future when you will have the energy again. Of course I did have it again, and it has come back with avengeance.

I have been doing all kindsa random stuff, completely immersed in glue, paint, plans and joy. I'm trying to show images without actually showing images...because obviously you know these projects will end up being shared as videos or tutorials =)

okay, here's one lil thing (but he is part of a much bigger creation so it's ok)

I think it has all happened since I brought the Jade Buddha back into my indoor studio. The past few years (before I even took to posting online) he has lived on my desk, until I put him in my outdoor studio this autumn - about the time my creative energy started ebbing. A strange thought occurred to me...or perhaps it is not that strange, as the creative flow has suddenly become abundant again now he's back!

look how happy he is; he's home, watching over the processes

So that's it, all I can really share without giving away upcoming stuff (you know I like to keep things a surprise!). I just wanted to do a post as a reminder (to myself as much as anybody else) that though it sometimes beats so quietly we worry that it's stopped, our rhythms of creativity are always still beating... And deep down we know it. We know that it just runs like anything else our life, sometimes so loudly it's hard to handle (without paint flying like a shower anyhow!) and other times it beats softly in order to allow for another rhythm to have the focus it requires. 

Hopefully I should have a video ready in a few days =D 

happy creating

xoxo

Recycled Flat Bead Tutorial

Hello beautiful! Yes I have a new tutorial for you, so grab you recycling and let's go! Here's what we're making:

They're very easy, a little time consuming depending on what design difficulty you go for but I'll talk more about that in the video. Gorgeous aren't they? Soon as I have time I'll be making a whole stash of these. 

Here's the video - let me know what you think about this one and please feel free to share any pics of your own beads on my facebook page, I'd love to see them =)

Much love

Mini Journaling

Hello lovelies

This is a very quick post from me tonight as it’s very late and I’m all but sleep-walking lol

Here is a quick video I did on the concept of multi-page journaling. If you have watched my previous flip videos especially you will probably have seen that in the past I’ve been rather fond of putting a journal within a journal, and creating many pages at once is what I think they are especially good for. You can find ways to make quick n easy mini journals in this particular video playlist here – I used a simple pamphlet stitch; a true journalers staple.

Much love (and goodnight, sleep-tight!)

Making My New Recycled Loose Leaf Journal

I have been making art journal pages since my last journal, but as yet no actual journal so now it's time to make my new journal =)

I haven't got any pictures (it's that new),
but here's a video of me making it:

Hope you enjoy =)

Much love

My *MASSIVE* Fancy Paper Beads Tutorial

Okay so I think I may be a little *too* happy today 

(if there is such a thing!)

My bum won’t stay still, my hands keeping jiving to non-existent music

and generally I’m just a little giddy. 

Why?

Because it’s days like today, when I’ve previously spent ages making something, and the time has finally come to send it out into the world, that I really love doing what I do on my little parts of the interweb. 

So who’s ready for a super *MASSIVE* tutorial?? YAY!

This is my number ONE, most requested video, EVER! 

I haven’t done it before now as I didn't want to do something similar to things that are already out there. But finally, I think I have managed to do what I wanted. It is 45 minutes long but this video has a bunch of separate tutorials smushed into one. Tutorials on different ways to make different shapes and different sized beads. Different techniques for decorating your beads. Tips for what kinds of paper produce what kinds of beads. Information on tools for beading-making. Tips for glazing. Tips on this. Tips on that. It is basically RAMMED with information.

So I know you would rather see it rather than read me ramble, so here it is I hope you enjoy:

Much love

Just Playin'

Hi guys, so I've been a bit awol this week online-wise, which has unfortunately been reflected in my arting too.

Some days, weeks, months it's hard to get a grip on it, and I've had one of those months this July. Just when I think I may have a day or two to get on with something arty I've been hit in the face with something that has stopped it in it's tracks. 

And unfortunately sometimes nothing can be done but an attempt to pick up the glue stick in any scarce moments & just *do*; which means the best laid plans for projects usually get set aside for the 'A-R-G-H I H-A-V-E J-U-S-T G-O-T T-O C-R-E-A-T-E **S-O-M-E-T-H-I-N-G** N-O-W' moments - the outcome of which are usually just a big mess, but messes are important too.

Here is a vlog of me creating a said mess from my particular moment last night, just on a random piece of recycled cardboard stuck with a few scraps (which was from another gluestick moment earlier on it the week!):

Perhaps in the future I may do more 'Just Playin' type videos, may be even turn into a vloggy type series, as this was really freeing for me. It might even be useful for my creativity to actually have an excuse to just create whatever the hell I like at any given time and still provide videos for people who just enjoy watching unplanned creativity unfold (which I can't always do in my 'real' videos as often they, or at least the outline, is planned). Definitely loving the vloggin' for more creative freedom, it 100% helps just let loose on weeks such as this. Hooray for letting loose!!! =D

Wishing you a more creative week than mine here x

Much love

A New Studio And New Girls

New Studio Sneak Peek...

I have a new studio

WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!

No it's not my interior one, my little condensed hub of heaven will still be my main art room, but I will soon be having an outdoor space too which I have missed having a lot. Here's what my new room turned up like:

and here's what it's currently like, or a peek of it anyway.

It's a proper outdoor office space. It's waaaaay more expensive than what I was planning to have after my old little shed croaked it, but in the end with all options weighed it was the most sensible. To be able to use any outdoor space properly it would have to be insulated, sealed yada yada yada and I spent a fortune doing all that on my old shed that still let in bugs, still creaked my neck with drafts and still warped with damp. However much I loved it, it was ultimately a waste of money and would always have a limited amount of available uses.  This one however, well it is a contained unit, my friends even thinking of getting one as a guestroom it is that nice, I'd happily sleep in it =) (well when it's finished anyway). 

So yay! Many people said on my facebook that the loss of my old shed studio was just making way for something bigger and better and I guess they were right =D

In spite of being super excited about that, watching it be built and going out shopping for cheap carpet tiles and blinds to fit it I have managed to do some art today too:

I have been creating with my new(ish) brush pen on floral wallpapers and come up with this little series I'm titling Wall Flowers (gettit?!). They are quite expressive work, done without pencil and created with quick fluid lines.

I'm also doing something I rarely do with my original art and that is putting them up for sale. My etsy sales over the last couple of months have helped me to purchase some bits for my new studio but I'm hoping these pieces will help me furnish it with a little comfort too. Their sale may only help me buy a rug or pillow or two but I have my heart set on some crochet, so any monies I get from it will go straight back into supporting the work of another etsy artist.

If you are interested in purchasing one of these works please visit my shop. There are only four and as I say I rarely sell my originals so if you want it you have to get it when you see it =)

thanks for visiting

much love

DIY Recycled Tortillions

Hi guys, just thought I'd do a quick DIY tut in case you have any of those novelty easter lollies, from which you can make some art supplies, more specifically tortillions (or occasionally known as those 'paper-smudgy-thingie-ma-doo-das'!).

I just have regular lolly-pops, which work fine too, but novelty ones are better as they usually are much bigger & therefore provide nice juicy fat sticks! 

So process is easy-peasy, once the kiddies (or you!) have eaten the lolly, cut the paper stick down to ensure they're clean & free of any yuckiness.

Then use a decent sharpener to create points...

and there you have it, a paper-smudgy-thingie-ma-doo-da ready for smudging your lovely charcoal or graphite creations.

...and remember they can be reused right down the stick, just by cutting and resharpening the point. 

I know paper stumps/tortillions aren't exactly expensive to buy, but they can't be handmade - as to be functional they need to be too tightly rolled for human hands to recreate (I know I've tried it!), so they need to be this kind of machine-rolled paper. Therefore if you have kids in your life (or you're one yourself!) why not get an eco-friendly & free art supply when lollies come your way?

Hope you have an awesome Easter, much love