12 Craft Kits By Independent Makers You Can Get Online

12 Craft Kits By Independent Makers You Can Get Online

I’m a sucker for a good DIY and have always been a fan of craft projects that keep me busy, teach me something new, and give me something to enjoy or gift when I’m done. During the kitchen renovation and the pandemic, when things feel out of control and I crave the satisfaction of a job well done, so crafting is something I’m itching to do. Perhaps you are, too?

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A Free Downloadable Coloring Page or Paint-By-Numbers of My Tree Mural

A Free Downloadable Coloring Page or Paint-By-Numbers of My Tree Mural

I’ve converted my tree mural into a paint-by-numbers coloring page, just for you! It’s totally free, of course. You can color it with markers, paint, colored pencils, or just a plain old pencil. You do you.

Every once in a while we crave a mind-numbing activity. And I’d vote that during a pandemic is one of those times. Some folks are sittin’ around looking for things to do and others are working five jobs instead of one. So, may I interest you in some brain-less coloring to take your mind off the stress for even a minute or two?

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My Tree Mural is Now Available as an Art Print (and as Wallpaper, Cards, and More!)

My Tree Mural is Now Available as an Art Print (and as Wallpaper, Cards, and More!)

Big news!! You can now have my office tree mural for yourself! The design is now available as an art print, a poster, a pillow, a clock and even as your own wall mural!

I've received many kind requests for my hand-painted mural to be made available for all to enjoy in their homes, so now you can enjoy the design without the 100+ painstaking hours I spent painting it.

Even better news, the entire shop is 25% off through midnight on Saturday, 12/7! Now is a perfect time to buy it for yourself or as a gift for a loved one.

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My Favorite Online Art Resources + My Personal Art Collection

My Favorite Online Art Resources + My Personal Art Collection

I love having lots of artwork throughout our home. It’s probably because of my years of art school and working in art museums. Yeah, that’s probably why. I enjoy having pieces I find beautiful, ones that make me think, those that make me laugh, and the ones that are nostalgic. Bad art is my biggest deign pet peeve, simply because I hate when people fill their home with nothingness just for the sake of having decor. It makes me sad to see junk hung on the walls of people’s homes just to fill the space.

In this post I round up my favorite online art retailers, list framing options, and share each and every piece of artwork in my personal collection. Take a look!

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Article Holiday Decor Two Ways

Article Holiday Decor Two Ways

Sometimes I get really into holiday decor, and sometimes I shy away from it opting for more minimal seasonal touches. This year, we aren’t doing a tree so I’m decorating the house in new ways to bring some holiday vibes without feeling like I’m drowning in over-the top holiday decor. Today I’m sharing two looks I’m experimenting with for the holidays.

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Super Subtle Halloween Decor with Items from Around the House

Super Subtle Halloween Decor with Items from Around the House

I don’t go big for many holidays, but I do like that Halloween is an excuse to gravitate towards dark hues and eerie decor. I don’t do inflatable skeletons, glittery pumpkins, cartoony ghoulish figurines, nor over-the-top gore scenes. I like a classic and simple halloween look that’s really just an extension of my every-day style. This year, I didn’t want to buy anything, so I made a few spooky scenes with 99% decor I already have and use on the daily, and 2% last year’s halloween decor.

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My Favorite Kind of Souvenir: Local Art

I am the WORST at collecting souvenirs on vacation. I hate cheap touristy figurines, love vintage pieces that are too big for my suitcase, or spend too much time eating in restaurants to shop for reminders of the trip. I always come home empty handed. Well, I take that back, following a recent trip, I did come back with electrical tape that I bought at a gas station to tape up the hole in my shoe. Horrah!

But, I have a solution for bad travel shoppers: Artwork created by locals in the vacation destinations. The first thought may be to buy artwork OF the vacation destination like paintings of sweeping vistas or photographs of the city. However, by purchasing artwork made by people FROM the region, you can find pieces that speak to you more than the scenery of your locale - even though I'm a sucker for landscapes!

The Gold Hive art collection by New Zealand and Australian Artists.jpg

While not all artists exhibit in shops and since I may not even stumble into galleries, I like to look for artwork after-the-fact on the world wide web. I've rounded up pieces created by Australian and New Zealand artists following my recent vacation to these two fine lands.

Each of the below images is artwork by an individual artist. Click through to get the piece in your home, learn more about them, and see the rest of their collections.

We've already been to Phoenix and Boston since NZ and Aus, then we have Chicago, Pittsburg, Ojai, and several more trips coming up this year. So, should I make this a regular blog series by featuring artists from the locations I go to?

Get Your Own Tree Mural As A Print + Still We Rise Auction!

Big news!

The tree mural I painted on the wall of my home office is now a print!

I've received many kind requests for the painting to be made available as wallpaper and/or as an art print, so your wish is my command. I'm pleased to make my design available for folks to hang on their walls without the 100+ painstaking hours I spent painting it. 

The Gold Hive Tree Mural Print

The tree mural photographic print will be available in a variety of sizes and printing options. However, before I release it to the public, I'm making a single print available for a great cause.

Still We Rise

A community-supported auction is benefiting the non-profits EverytownMoms Demand Action, and Emily's List. Artists, brands, and makers have donated goods and services to raise money for these organizations that aim to end gun violence and elect women into government. I'm so proud to be participating in the auction by making the first ever tree print available to bidders with 100% of the sale benefiting these organizations.

The auction is running March 19-26 and bidding is as easy as leaving an Instagram comment - literally. Over 200 other items are all available to bid on over at the @_stillwerise Instagram feed. Auction rules and FAQs can be found here.

You can bid on the tree print and all of the other items through Monday! Then, come back next week to purchase a print in the size of your choosing.

Happy bidding!

P.S. How would you prefer to purchase the tree painting? a digital download? an art print? a custom framed print? or even on a pillow, mug, or notebook?

The Gold Hive Tree Mural Print Framed
The Gold Hive Home Office Murals

Valentine's Day Art That Isn't Cheesy

Ross and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, but if we did, I'd probably use it as a reason to buy more artwork. The new piece would be a gift for him, but I'd get to enjoy admiring it on the walls. A win-win! I've rounded up my favorite artworks that aren't super mushy, overly romantic, nor too cutesy. Any would be great to gift or to decorate with during the love holiday - or even throughout the rest of the year.

valentines day art that isn't cheesy.jpg

Click the thumbnails below to shop 'em!

If you want to go for a customized sweet and sentimental gift, here are a few faves. There's Framebridges' Heartstagram which mattes a photo of a loved one in the shape of a heart (get $100 off four of them with code HEARTYOU). They will also frame notes, cards, shirts, buttons, photo strips - you name it! Minted has some custom gift options like maps of a meaningful city and graphic ways to display a special date. One of my favorites is a print of what the sky looked like on an important day.