Goodbye April Showers...

As I type this, it is pouring rain. So much for April Showers going away... However, as it is the last day of April and the last day I can use part of a saying that starts: "April Showers brings..." I would like to feature a few items in my slowly building gift shop. Each item is inspired by the rainy weather we have received the past few weeks and have been created as a mood booster for the cloudy times.

See my shop for more items too: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PerceptiveDesigns

Thanks for looking and I'm looking forward to "May Flowers" creations!

Creative Upcycling- Toilet Paper Holder

I'm a little late on my "Earth Day" post due to being so busy the past couple of days... but here goes!

Our family project for Earth Day was to upcycle some materials into something useful. As you can see from the pictures below- my kiddos had a blast in the goo!

I started off by hot gluing 2 plastic coffee cans together- one on top of the other. Then we mixed up some flour and water to begin the paper mache' process.

Then we took some of last week's newspapers and ads and ripped them into strips before dipping them in the gooey flour and water mix. Then we coated the coffee cans and let it all dry.

Add some nice paint to match our guest bathroom and voila! A toilet paper holder to store the extra toilet paper for easy access when the rolls run low!

Please share any ideas you've had for upcycling this Earth Day! I'd love to see other examples!

Beginning Business- Back To Basics

It has been a while since I've devoted any time to my creative side. I had to indulge myself around the holidays, of course, to make some thoughtful gifts for family and friends. But after all the wrapping was off and everything cleaned up, I have since been feeling a little drab. I've had so many ideas swimming through my mind, and I have been longing to work on creating items that others would see as great gifts for their loved ones too. Still- time is so stretched.

Although I am currently working full time, helping manage my husband's business, raising two children, studying to be a medical transcription editor from home, and working on keeping my house and garden up to snuff- I am dedicating myself to slowly build up my business of a gift shop with my handmade and craft items. I want to get back to the basics of the creative person I am. Please watch me grow!

I'll be posting more in the future on items I've made, great little pieces of news I've read, quotes I find inspiring, and features other amazing handmade artists too.

I would appreciate any support!

Visit my shop setup on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PerceptiveDesigns
Follow me on Twitter @DelightPercept.
Connect with me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nicole-halstead/36/898/a13
Like my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Delightfully-Perceptive-Designs/431768840182185

Have a great day!