in the wishstudio i have been working on connecting… gathering, networking, meeting, chatting, putting my vision out there and then being open to what comes.  i feel the importance of creating relationships, expanding social circles, and not simply selling people a product. yes, it is deeply about the community.

i love to light that spark of possibility in others, and the collective excitement that follows in finding the juiciness together is always so rewarding. this alone is a core part of my work.

in the works is a new RAW Studio Collab. i am so happy that Jenica brought the light of her vision to the wishstudio last year, as i believe in it wholeheartedly. a few fabulous creative studios in the Boston North area are connecting to share in hosting Random Art Workshops in hopes to grow community while fostering and supporting creativity.

yay for more opportunities to gather, more fabulous people to meet, more inspiring spaces to inhabit, and more creative messes to make!!!

here are some of the studios in the mix:

Wishstudio :: 21 Middle Street :: Newburyport, MA
Artstream Studio :: 56 North Main Street :: Rochester, NH
Open Studio Groton :: 30B Hollis Street :: Groton, MA
Sparkle Days Studio :: 14 Cedar Street :: Studio 105 :: Amesbury, MA

stay tuned to the RAW facebook page for upcoming dates and times (heads up… the next RAW gathering will be at Artstream on February 24th).  i’m really looking forward to meeting new faces!

{postcard by nina gilbert}

in honor of next month’s LOVE theme, i decided to host another sweet card swap.  these are always so fun and inspiring as i really enjoy getting to see and share your work!  here’s the scoop:

1.  make one Valentine’s Day card (any size/shape) with words of inspiration, encouragement, and Love ~ have fun with it!

2. include a stamped envelope with the correct postage for your card already affixed (don’t forget your return address) and decorate it with whatever inspires you, doodles, stickers, paint…whatever!

3. be sure to include your blog/website info so the recipient can find you. you can enclose a biz/moo card or simply add it to your signature

4. send everything in a separate envelope to me by February 6th, 2012:

Wishstudio
21 Middle Street
Newburyport, Ma 01950

5. on Valentines Day (or very close to then) you will receive  a beautiful piece of mail art l.o.v.e. from another inspiring soul in our community

* anyone wishing to participate from outside of the US can join and simply pay a flat postage fee via paypal… just let me know!

if you would like to participate please leave a comment here on this post and i will add you to our list!  so excited to send and receive a whole lotta LOVE…xo

Do you have glimpses of ideas

Popping up here or there

Slivers of moments shining in

Shooting a quick burst of love and energy into your heart

*

Do you know how to act on these feelings

The steps you have to take

The work you have to do

Bringing that little flicker of light to fruition

*

Do you forge forward

Carving your path

Setting things in motion

Doing what needs to be done

*

Do you let it marinate

Slowly coming to life

Allowing time to do its magical work

While you continue on with your day to day living

*

Do you struggle with what to do

How to get started

Where to go

How to put it all into action

*

Navigating how to begin can be a difficult task

Sometimes you may need a strong push

Or a gentle nudge from a friend

To get you started

*

Put one foot in front of the other

Jot down your ideas and little ways to make them happen

Share your thoughts with a friend and brainstorm together

These little actions is all it takes to begin

jennifer belthoff is a writer and photographer giggling in the rain and dancing through the raindrops… read more about her life and work here on her blog.

in support of our Wishful Year here in the wishstudio i have created for you a companion Wishful Living Workbook. this is an integrative, whole-living tool to inspire and engage you and hold space for your dynamic creative life every single day!

each month there will be new downloads for you, supporting and diving deeper into each months word, color pallet theme, intentions and practices. the workbook is filled with open ended layouts, as well as worksheets, daily and monthly specially designed and intuitive Wish*Create*Plan planner pages, with plenty of creative space for you to personalize, organize and embellish your workbook with your art, ideas and dreams as well.

Download the 2012 cover (with a space for you to personalize it with your name or word of the year) as well as this sample color pallet collage page for free! Co-op members will get these downloads as part of their community benefits, or you can buy the workbook and subscribe to the downloads for just $15 for the whole year!  purchase it here, and start your year of wishful living!

download the Wishful Year Workbook cover here

download the January color pallet inspiration collage page here

{art and photo by christine mason miller}

“If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid
to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.”

~ flavia weedn

Materials (to make one six-yard long garland):

• An 18″-wide roll of waxed paper
• Assorted text-weight paper in shades of white and ivory
• 6 yards of rick-rack
• Assorted craft punches (bird, flowers, leaves, etc.)
• A lacy border punch
• A small hole punch (large enough for your rick-rack to pass through)
• A pair of scissors
• An iron and ironing board
• An old towel to protect your ironing board
• A cotton dish towel

Optional materials:

• Rubber stamps
• Ink pad (designed for stamping on glossy surfaces)
• Other items to press between waxed paper such as: feathers, pressed and dried flowers, bits of lace or ribbon

  

Instructions:

Before you begin, cover your ironing board with an old towel and turn your iron on to the “cotton” setting.

1. Cut a sheet of waxed paper approximately 20” in length. Fold in half vertically, and crease the fold.

2. Punch a handful of birds, flowers, or leaves from your text-weight paper and scatter them between the two layers of waxed paper. (See image A.)

3. Place the waxed paper and punched shapes on your ironing board and cover with your cotton dish towel.

4. Press your layers. Keeping the iron moving, press firmly while the heat fuses the layers together. Every thirty seconds or so, peek under the towel to check the progress. The waxed paper becomes more transparent as it fuses. Once the layers have fused completely, set the waxed paper aside to cool. (See image B.)

5. After the paper has cooled, cut out two 5” x 7” rectangles.

6. Use your border punch to create a decorative edge on the bottom of the rectangle. (See image C.)

7. In the top corners, punch a hole approximately ¼” wide.

8. Repeat and steps 1-7 and create 36 rectangular flags for your garland. Mix it up, and try pressing other shapes or items between the waxed paper. You can use feathers, thread, scraps of paper doilies, stickers, seals, lace, and ribbon bits. You can also stamp images or patterns on the paper using rubber stamps and ink. Allow time for the ink to dry.

9.  Once you’ve created all 36 flags, string them on your rick-rack, spacing them about ½” apart. (See images D and E.)

{images and tutorial by la la laurie via martha stewart}

White is purity, a fresh start, an open expanse, endless possibilities, and a blank page or a clean canvas – everything we associate with a new year and a new beginning.  white is often also thought of as cleanliness, so if you are thinking about clearing and cleansing out your physical space, your body or your mental clutter, channeling white is wonderful.

{my word for 2012}

in-ten-tion (noun)

1 : a determination to act in a certain way : resolve

2 : import, significance

with the idea that setting intentions is a guiding practice that comes from within, a way of being rather than a plan for doing, here are some thoughtful tips to help you as you focus on the “now”…

• Decide who you want to BE
• Ask yourself what do i need to let go of, what do i need to embrace?
• Get clear about something you want and write it down (and repeat it to yourself often)
• Align you actions to how you want to exist in this world
• Keep gathering information and inspiration to fuel your practice daily
• Create a tangible totem for your intentions (a collage, a small alter with your word, a memento to carry)
• Start each day consciously by doing something to demonstrate your commitment to your intention
• Allow for imperfection. it is a practice after all
• Acknowledge and celebrate each step along the way

it is almost that time again… get ready to gather round the creative fire!

February 19 – 26, 2012

last spring we embarked on a wish-filled journey of such wonderful depth and creative breath, joined by uniquely inspiring teachers and so many heart centered, talented campers. we dug deep, got messy, shared and gathered, and created art, community and connections that have lasted since. this winter we will embark once again on something truly magical! come immerse yourself in a week of creative exploration and self discovery.

wishBIG winter 2012 workshops

Connie Hozvicka :: Let It Loose :: Grab some poster board and your paints–we’re gonna Let It Loose with our paintbrush and get FEARLESS™ with our creativity!

every january, i begin the new year and fresh slate with a brand new planner pad. i love the empty pages.  i love the fresh from the printer smell. i love the possibility of what the year will hold. as i begin, the first thing i love to do is collage the cover and personalize my planner since, while i am in love with the layout and design of this product, the cover is less than pretty.

it’s interesting, every year i do this i see themes emerge in my color and image choices even though i always randomly cut and tear. there is a plume if inspiration that already exists in the space around me and it’s like i’m gathering bits and pieces of that energy as i glue things on the page. i love that about this process.

every year, i am also a little sad to let go of the latest cover… i do fall in love with them. it is the one thing i carry with me everywhere i go and use every single day, so it’s very much a part of my life. right before making my new one, there was a moment i thought that i wouldn’t create another that i love as much and had to propel myself a bit to just begin again. this letting go, necessary to step into the space of the next year.

i kind of laugh at the silliness of this, but in this small way i realize now how this relates to all new beginnings… garnering the conviction while grabbing hold of the momentum to move you from one thing to the next. you always have to let go in order to catch what’s coming at you.

so as you embark on new beginnings in your world, big and small, know that they are all significant.  they are all moving you forward.  to begin, all you need is that few seconds of lift off and a place to land your next step.  beginnings aren’t always monumental and earth shattering.  most often they are little earthquakes that shake up your day and give you the space and energy to take on what’s ahead. this movement IS your life, and you’ll find yourself  beginning again and again and again.

as it turns out, i love my newest cover! the adventure it implies, the illustration of the juiciness and rich depths i feel pulled to in this beckoning year. a big swath of nature and green and sea present in my days ahead, intermixed with that savvy urban zest that always energizes me. a beautiful beginning, indeed.

Wishful Living Assignment: create a New Year Collage for yourself.  whether it is for your art journal or planner, or as a vision board to hang in your studio or creative nook, it is a wonderful reminder and ritual to carve out for yourself and honor another 365. this should be an entirely random process, no need to think about intentions or words or color schemes… just see what emerges. be sure to share what you’ve created and leave the link to where you post your piece! i’d love to see your new beginning.

“Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.”
~Goethe

it’s a brand new year! another 365 (well, 366 in 2012) days to move closer towards our dreams and the life we want to live. there is no better time to start than now, and there is no better way to move forward than with others along side you… wanna be adventure buddies?

right here on our blog, the Wishstudio will be hosting A Wishful Year, a year long project to infuse your life with prompts, stories, resources, and of course, inspiration!  every month we will work around a common theme, and build upon this idea throughout the month.  it’s free! all you have to do is follow along, dive as deep as you would like, and become a part of the community and conversation by sharing a little of your journey and thoughts along the way.

the way i formatted the year will walk us along a specific path, in tune to the rhythm and energies of each month, but will unfold in ways only time will tell… the journey is ours to discover!  let it be a grand adventure.

every month will offer:

* a thematic prompt, one word, as a jumping off point to discuss and discover, including ideas for journaling, creating intentions, mini action plans, and best-life practices

* contributions from talented and soul-stirring creative guests, stopping by to share wisdom, insight and creative spark

* a color pallet for you to play in, and visually connect you to the energy of the month

* an art journaling prompt for you to explore, create, and share

* Wishful Living Breadcrumbs, daily tweets @inthewishstudio to ignite and delight

* free for Co-op members {or $15},  monthly Wishful Living Workbook downloads, for you to capture, create, and compile your Wishful Year journey

* new, The Wishing Well monthly feature sharing ways we can give back and give to one another in small, life-changing ways

* our new monthly Wishstudio Wishful Living eNewsletter, with creative living tips, special treats, and updates… sign up here to get our first issue coming out soon!

our Wishful Year prompts…

January ~ Begin
February ~ Love
March ~ Root
April ~ Tend
May ~ Open
June ~ Connect
July ~ Celebrate
August ~ Rest
September ~ Learn
October ~ Gather
November ~ Gratitude
December ~ Release

we will also continue sharing many of our regular features like Wishmamas, The Studio Table, and A Page From My Journal, as well as events and happenings in the Co-op here online and in the local studio.  it’s going to be a beautiful year! grab a button for A Wishful Year and join us on the journey.  are you ready to give your wishes wings?

sit with someone beside you * watch the sun rise * spread warmth and love * be daring * love wildly * forgive again * hug tightly * know you are not alone * listen * walk on the beach * chase adventure * let things unfold * have patience * plant seeds and dreams * be someones safe harbor * eat delicious food * take time to cook and savor * play your favorite music loudly * give yourself permission * gather with others as often as you can * write your heart out * dig into your art stash * wander in the woods * make time for what you love * reach out to someone * support local business * move from your heart center * drink lots of water * wear color * twirl and dance * challenge your body to move in new ways * make love * sip a killer martini * get messy * the laundry will always wait for you * get lost in a book * tell your story one moment at a time * start today * learn something new * only look back as a means to move forward * don’t try to go it alone * give meaning to all you do * breathe * let your true self shine * eat chocolate in bed * take time off * hold your loved ones * remember all the blessings * express your gratitude * wear pony tails * paint your toenails blue * make wishes every day * have a kick ass year! * xoxo *

image by merete

to all of you who have gathered here in 2011, who have shared in this space and helped to make this community such a vibrant and life-sustaining, creative place to be, my whole-heart and gratitude goes out to you for all that you are and all that you do.

thank you for all the breathtaking beauty
thank you for all of your unwavering support
thank you for being a part of something that means so much to me
thank you for reminding me of my purpose, every single day
thank you for helping me to be brave
thank you for sharing your own unique juiciness
thank you for keeping it authentic and real
thank you for showing your vulnerability
thank you for all of your incredible ideas and talents
thank you for all of your stories
thank you for being my fountain of inspiration
thank you for traveling this winding path with me
thank you for all you have given, contributed, and offered
thank you for shining your steadfast light
thank you for getting messy along side me
thank you for so many unforgettable moments together
thank you for being Hope, incarnate
thank you for the delicious feast and richly nourishing my life
thank you for the aching laughter, tears and warm embraces
thank you for believing in me
thank you for giving my wishes wings
thank you for making Wishstudio, and my life, one big happy mess!

{part 2, and my word of the 2012…}

i loved making this fun and functional piece for the Wishstudio as a creative and interesting solution for lighting. the idea popped into my head after i salvaged this sweet little windowpane from the curbside while driving home one night. i knew it would made a perfect light fixture. i also love the feel and symbolism of windows as they always seem to offer peeks into something more.

you will need:

one solid windowpane with glass intact
4 eye hooks screws *
5-6 feet of decorative chain *
6-8 lightweight C-hook screws
2 large S-hooks *
2 medium S-hooks *
2 ceiling hooks*
sturdy wire cutters
1 strand of glass bulb lights
extension chord*
a strand or two of beaded garland
white spray paint
tarp
optional, paint for window if desired

* please be sure all theses hardware items are tested to bear the weight of your window and are the proper fittings for your particular measurements! depending on size and weight and how low you want your window to hang, you may find better options for hanging the window you have.

the first thing i did for this easy project was to prep the strand of lights. because i chose the bigger glass bulb kind, they did not come in strands of white so i wanted to spray paint the green wire. i unscrewed the bulbs and lay the wire on top of the tarp and gave them a coat of spray paint. while it was drying i assembled the window.

next, clean your window (if you want to sand and paint it, now is the time before you add all the hardware. i liked the chippy character of the window as i found it, so i left it unpainted). screw the four eye hooks securely into the backside of the window at the four corners as this will be the side bearing the weight to hang your piece. flip the window over and screw in the lightweight C-hooks around the perimeter and throughout the middle panes. these will be used to hang the beads.

to hang your window, mark the two anchor points in your ceiling  and screw in your hanging hooks making sure they are secure. after you’ve decided how low you want your window to hang (mine is about 9″ below my ceiling), measure and cut your chain to the proper length to fit from each corner of the windowpane to the it’s anchor point. to hang, simply attach the chain to the window using the smaller S-hooks (the eye hooks and back side of the window should be on top, facing the ceiling), then hang both end chains together using one large S-hook to hang from ceiling hooks. having someone help hold the window is a big help as you secure and hand your piece.

decorate your chandelier by adding the lights to the top of the window by simply placing them on top of the glass. finally, using the bead strands (i used clear, iridescent ones to catch the light), loop them from hook to hook around the window in a decorative way. i went around the window and then crossed through the middle in an X leaving some dangling ends for a fun effect. attach the extension chord and plug it in

a beautiful and fun conversation piece for any room!

{a sea of words… work in progress}

“2011, for me, will be about fortifying all of this growth. it feels right to choose a word that represents the care and feeding of all that came to be last year, and the sincerity and clarity of RESPONSIBILITY seems to call to me… taking care of the business of daily living and working, committing to the basic but important tasks of the mundane and maintaining the unsexy parts of my life that support the dazzle and shine of all the good stuff.”

as i start the process again for unearthing my word for 2012, i feel once again a call back to basics. maybe it’s the natural laws of expansion and contraction or maybe it is the deep intuitive knowing that there is still work to be done around last year’s word. as someone who is a bit of a perfectionist, repeating the same word again is stirring up a lot of resistance, but who knows?… it could happen.

long before i adopted the one word practice by the amazing christine kane, words have always been a sort of map for me, a kind of flowing life-force. i love diction and definitionss and origins and always have, so i am doing my research, still digging around and trying different words on. i’m getting closer.

what words are you pondering?

may your homes be filled with love & laughter
and your hearts be full of light,
on this special day of wonder
may you be merry and bright!

{by blue bird vintage}

{by cakies}

{as featured on craftzine}

{by martha stewart}

{as featured on threadbanger.com}

{by three sixty ecotique}

{by designs by vanessa}

{by enviromom}

as a last minute wrapper and in my eternal quest to abolish the purchase of gift wrap in my home, i had so much fun searching for these fun and crafty green ways to re-use and wrap all the holiday gifts.  all you need is recycled grocery store bags, craft scraps and bits and a little imagination …fabulous, and guilt-free holiday packaging.  possibilities are endless.

5:54am ~  “mama! had a good nap!”… “mama?!?”

5:55am ~ the day begins

5:59am ~ “boo!” big brother scares the daylights out of my barely awake self

6:00am ~ morning routine of getting warm milk, taking out the dog, getting breakfast snacks and settling two boys on the couch for their morning lounge time

6:10am ~ scare up some coffee and look at the schedule and to-do’s for the day, peek at email, facebook and website

7:00am ~ text from hubby… “going to Trader Joes today”.  yes! make a list

7:15am ~ light a fire under oldest to finish breakfast (eat some fruit), get dressed, brush teeth, pack backback, find shoes and remember at the last minute to pack his lunch. barely make it to the bus in time

7:51am ~ sigh of relief, oldest successfully launched into his day

8:00am ~ rewarm coffee, set up activity for the little guy and get some work done: blog posts, return emails, etc.

8:45am ~ get myself and the little one dressed. second cup of coffee i’ll forget to drink. put away laundry that is starting to pile up. take dog out again

9:10am ~ run errands. stop by the studio. return calls and listen to fave podcasts in the car. pack snacks a must

12:00pm ~ home for lunch, down time, more work, and cross fingers for a toddler nap.

12:45am ~ “no nap!” playtime, outside if not too frigid

2:00pm ~  much needed sweet quiet time and snuggle time

3:00pm ~ wonder where the day went and think about all that’s left to do. get ready for big brother to come home

3:25pm ~ snack and homework time, downtime and playtime. maybe squeeze in a little work in between

4:00pm ~ think about dinner, peering into fridge to see what i can whip up. play referee between two loud boys

4:30pm ~ dinner prep with the wee on who loves to “cook” and insists on always helping

4:55pm ~ hubby’s home! time to work for a few hours, event in the studio, or not and have dinner round the table together

7:00pm ~ bedtime routine, books or games, and tv time (storage wars, and max and ruby, lately)

8:10pm ~ kids in bed, hopefully sleeping! downtime with husband. intend to do more work, but realize brain is mush

9:00pm ~ probably sound asleep… zzzz