Collected: Tiny Bottles

One of my goals for 2012 was to start a new collection. This goal was quickly accomplished when my grandmother was kind enough to send me some of these beautiful, tiny bottles. They are each so unique and lovely, I adore each one. As far as I know, most of these are vintage perfume bottles. (The big one is filled with a bright pink solution!) I've come across many beautiful bottles such as these, but didn't buy any at the time.

As much as I adore this little collection, I'll have to wait before adding more pieces to it. Unfortunately, there are no thrift or vintage shops in Latin America yet. So, I have to wait until I make a trip up north to find more lovely bottles.

For now I keep my little bottles lined up in my studio so I can admire them while working.

peace & love,

kaylee

Collaged Jewelry Display

I've wanted to make a jewelry display for a long time. I'm lucky enough to have quite a few pieces made by Daniel. I also create some types of jewelry. My jewelry box is literally over-flowing with different kinds of handmade jewelry pieces. So, I decided to whip up a really simple, artsy jewelry display.

This project turned out to be a lot of fun and a pretty quick fix for what I needed. While I have some other ideas for cool jewelry displays, this one was the easiest to start with. I used song lyrics to inspire the theme and feeling for the piece. The lyrics are from "I Know, I Know, I Know" by Tegan & Sara. (Whom are some of my favorite musicians ever. I shared my favorite album earlier this week.)

I took a large foam board, covered in newspapers, painted with the lyrics I love. And I collaged some kraft paper, a pretty photograph, one of my old anatomy drawings, lace, a twig, sequin strings, paint swatches, and a paper doily. I just grabbed a bunch of materials and starting putting them all together.

I love this piece. Right now it adorns the space where I package goodies to send off to people. I find it so inspiring to look at while working.

peace & love,

kaylee

Inspired: The Con

"Buried in my yard, a letter to send to you.

And if I forget, or god forbid die too soon,

Hope that you'll hear me, know that I wrote to you."

(Soil, Soil from The Con by Tegan & Sara)


peace & love,
kaylee

Paint Swatch Mosaic Painting

Paint swatches are one of my favorite materials. They are so effortlessly modern, and simple enough to be applied in all sorts of different projects. This is the second painting that I've made with paint swatches, and it's incredibly addictive to make. While thumbing through a large stash of swatches, it's too easy to become inspiring by a couple colors and have a project take off. My first two paintings have resulted in a very beautiful, modern look.

I'm still getting better at doing arranging the colors. I try to make ombre effects, but I'm missing a ton of shades to create the effect I want. I've realized that I get nervous when I'm taking the paint chips. I always feel like I'm stealing them, as I'm stuffing handfuls into my purse. (I'm so afraid someone is going to come up to me and tell me to put them all back, because I obviously don't need hundreds of paint swatches. Yeah.)

In any case, my other paint swatch projects (the first paint swatch painting and the triangle mobile) have all turned out awesome. And I have more creative and interesting projects using paint swatches planned in the future.

peace & love,

kaylee

Quilled Paper Artwork

"Quilled No.1 (Autumn)" By Kaylee Hinrichs. April 2012. Cardstcok Paper, Glue. 9" x 12"

This project is probably the most time-consuming and maddening project I have ever done.

Well I spent two and a half days, cutting strips of paper by hand. Each spiral, and circle shape was assembled individually by carefully hand-rolling each paper spiral and finishing with a dot of glue. (I actually employed four pairs of tweezers from Daniel's studio to hold each spiral tightly in a fixed position as the glue dried.) Then, each of the paper shapes is delicately and carefully glued onto the canvas, one by one.

Here is a sneak peak of this piece still in progress!



Isn't it lovely? I'm slowly finishing this big project. It's a bit more work, using different shapes and longer strips. (Plus the canvas surface is huge.) But, hopefully I'll be able to complete it soon and hang it on one of the walls in my studio.

peace & love,

kaylee

Inspired: 10 Links

(no source*)

As I've mentioned before, April was a tough month for me. Apparently, it was rough for many other people out there. Many people spoke about desiring to feel connected to a community or not being able to find your "place" in the blogging world, and it feels all too familiar for me. So a week ago, I started making a little list of the posts which have really stuck with me. Some are serious talks, others are pretty photos. But I hope you feel inspired by all of them. Enjoy.

The Dainty Squid | Blogger Notebook

I wish my blogging notebook was as beautiful as this one. I love the bright post-it notes.

A Beautiful Mess | Elise's Travel Journal

I've had the itch to work on more journals and mini-books and Elise's Travel Journal is really awesome. I love the way she uses photographs and memorabilia in such a simple way.

Life As An Artistprenuer | Coffee Cup Chats - Finding You

I loved this. Becka is so consistently inspiring, she doesn't even need to try.

Design Sponge | Constellation Notebooks

These constellation notebooks are really amazing. I want a bunch of these with different constellations on them. If you love stars, you'll probably love these too.

I Just Might Explode | Real Talk

There's nothing I love more than when someone gets really honest about stress, imperfection, and overwhelm.

Delightfully Tacky | The Existential Crisis

When I read this, I felt like Elizabeth was taking the words right out of my mouth. I've been slowly pulling away from social media and blogs because of the negativity that has sprouted in normally positive places. She speaks so tactfully and honestly about this.

My Girl Thursday | A Chronic Quitter Not Quitting

Chantilly speaks truthfully about wanting to quit... and not doing it. Right on.

Life As An Artistprenuer | Coffee Cup Chats - It's Okay

Again, Becka is incredible. This made me feel a lot better about my perspective of comparison and perfection.

Elephantine | Friday Fiction - Burn

Rachel writes the most incredible short stories. I'm so taken by each small story she crafts. They are full of emotion, detail, and meaning. Must read.

I ART U | South Hills

These photographs are really amazing for being phone photos. I love the huge expanse of sky. So lovely.

peace & love,

kaylee

(* = I normally do not post photos unless they have a source to link to. I came across this image in my photo inspiration blog, and it felt so applicable for this collection of links. I simply couldn't pass it up, even though it doesn't have a source. Please forgive me. Also, if you happen to know where this lovely image came from, please let me know, so I can source it properly.)

Hello May

(no source)

April was a tough month. Recently I've been spending more time in my studio, buried in my notebooks and plans. I've been trying to find new direction for my shop and blog. I'm hoping that May will bring some clarity and fresh perspectives. I only have a couple goals and plans for this month, because I want to spend most of my time thinking, dreaming, and scheming.

Cleaning & Organizing the Studio. My studio has been sinking further and further into piles of half-finished projects, the starts of ideas, and things which need to be re-organized. I'm hoping to get my studio fixed up again and even more inspiring than before. I have many plans for my workspaces and I'll be sharing the finished spaces!

Planning Out Ideas. Along with trying to find direction for my blog and shop, I'm also working out some other possibilities. There are a few different ideas floating around in my mind. I don't want to spoil my plans yet, but I'm excited about new opportunities for change and growth.

Starting New Journals. Lately I've been wanting to get back into my art journals. I love having a lot of notebooks. For daily to-do's, designs/sketches, business planning, documenting my year, and mini-books for special events and seasons. I need to get my home printing situation figured out, then I can use more photographs in my journals.

I hope you have a wonderful month of May!

peace & love,

kaylee