Is Snail Mail a Dying Art?

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         When is the last time you got a hand written letter? Better yet.....when is the last time YOU wrote an actually letter to someone? Have some of you never ever wrote a letter?! Thinking about that being a possibility makes me so sad for kids today. Writing and receiving handwritten letters is so satisfying!

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I love to get fun mail. When I pull mail out of the mailbox nowadays I am just expecting to fish through coupon ads and bills. Every so often you get a cute wedding invitation or an artistic dentist appointment reminder that makes me smile! But when I get an actual letter from someone it makes my whole day! It's like a little gift and I get giddy like a kid on Christmas.

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So have I got you interested in writing a letter for someone? You don't have to have a reason to write to someone and actually someone getting a random letter might even be more special! If you were to send someone a random letter who would it be too? A friend, a cousin, an old neighbor? 

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Today the internet and other technologies make it so easy to stay connected to most people anywhere in the world and I understand how mail has mostly fluttered out of the picture. It doesn't mean I have to like it though! There is something different about taking the time to actually write out a letter. 

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If you go above and beyond and decide to decorate the letter in some fun way it just adds that much more love. Plus it is a great way to get crafty and use those rusty artistic muscles you have been putting to the side. Get a fun stamp or stickers (Yes this may seem like a childish thing to do, but it won't seem like it when that person sees all the extra time you put into it. They will feel special!)

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       This past winter my boyfriend's kids kept saying they were bored. So we came up with a great idea to send personal letters to kids with life threatening illnesses. They wrote the letters and decorated them and the envelopes. They had so much fun and I could tell that it made them feel good to do something nice for someone else who might need a pick me up! Here are some pictures I found from that day. :]

I enjoy writing letters and receiving them so much that I had a pen pal :] My beautiful cousin out in California has always lived in other states as me but I know we are blood because we have so much in common. I use to get so anxious waiting for her letters in the mail to hear how she was doing and then I got to decorate and write my letter back to her! Below are a few pictures of the envelopes I created for my snail mail back to her! 

So let's bring snail mail back and let some of our creative juices flow in ways we never thought about! Make someone's day by surprising them with a ways to let them know you are thinking about them. I KNOW you will make them feel amazing and in return you will feel just as good!

Let me know your thoughts! Do you already have a pen pal? What is your favorite part about writing letters? I want to hear from you and your experiences with bringing back the dying art of snail mail!

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

Envelope cookie cutter, 3D printed by - Printmeneer

Song of the Day:

Nat King Cole ::: I'm Gonna Sit Right Down & Write Myself A Letter

Color of the Day:

Delicacy Pink

Artists Talking Art - Meet Up #1 Recap

       Here we are again another day, another blog! Wednesday night we had our very first Artists Talking Art Group meet up! I was very nervous and I really tried to go through my day like normal and really make sure I wasn't distracted at my regular job at the glass gallery. By the time it was time to meet I was so excited I could barely contain myself!

We decided to meet at a local Panera Bread, that I actually worked at just a few years go! (it's crazy to think how much can change in such a short time) There was just a few of us that made it out for the first time but we ended up added two more by chance and I have to say it was so nice just to have a few people for the first time because it really took a lot of pressure off of me. 

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We came up with some really great ideas for future meet ups and I really enjoyed our discussion about why this group is a good idea. I am obviously a big Social Media Gal but you can never put a price tag on how important actual social interaction with others is. Especially others who are like-minded! It was positive and encouraging which is exactly what I was hoping for.

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We decided to meet for the second time at the same place and same time next month. We will be meeting on the first Sunday of the month and I will be just as giddy until then as I have been since I thought up the idea for the group! We talked about how we can play easy quick quirky games to break the ice and do introductions into topics and eventually doing some sort of volunteer work. Let's not forget the networking and self-promoting! AHHH I am so happy everything went well and will be looking forward to even more people coming out next time to chill with fun people and talk about art.

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So we had a great time and I can't wait for next meet up. I can't believe I forgot to take pictures or even just a group photo! I was very nervous and excited don't be too mad! I promise next time I will get it together and have better images for a recap with the blogs. If you have any questions that I didn't answer about the group or you would like more information, please ask in the comment section below! Have a beautiful art-filled day!

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

Shark art, made of recycled fence wood. JAWS, Great White, outdoor art - BY JohnBirdsong

Song of the Day:

Brandi Carlile - The Eye

Color of the Day:

Cobalt Blue

Your ego is not your amigo!

       

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       Today is the day! Our first meet up for Artist's Talking Art. I have been so excited and jotting down ideas and things to cover all morning. I am nervous but in a good way because I know that I will be talking and guiding most of what happens tonight until we establish a flow for the group. I am very outgoing and never had a hard time talking in front of people but I still get butterflies leading up to it.

       I am expecting a handful of people from what the Facebook group event is telling me. We have different types of artists too which I will be interested to see how everyone interacts. I am hoping to get a good introduction of the people who come tonight and with their help hash out some parameters and topics we want to cover.

      But I want to talk about something that happened to me today. This quote really relates to it and pushed me to bring it up in the blogs.

      Someone laughed in my face today. I was so excited about sharing my group and the fact that we are meeting for the first time today. I explained what the group would be about and the name and they laughed very loudly and honestly. I was so hurt. Why would someone laugh and mock me? Even if they did think it was silly it was obvious that I was thrilled about it. Why would someone want to put down my radiating happiness!

       Did I yell? Did I cry? NO. (although I did have to hold back some tears). I held my composure fairly well. I wanted to scream and yell and tell them how rude it was, but I didn't. Everyone is allowed to feel however they want and say whatever they want. I choose how to react to it.

         I know that there will be people along the way who tell me I will fail. There will be people that try and knock my ideas and efforts down. I will not let people change my feelings or love for what I do. For every 1 person who stands in my way I will surround myself with 100 more who support and care for me.

          I am checking my ego at the door. 

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        PHEW! Well I feel a lot better. Thanks for letting me get that out. (Not like you really had a choice haha)  That's all I have for today. It doesn't really cover art but it does cover being true to yourself and never giving up, which is huge for creating art and selling art. There is art in everything we do and everything we do is art.

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

Featured Etsy Item of the Day:

Be Happy Bath Salts Organic Bath Salts Aromatherapy All Natural Organic Bath Salt Energizing Uplifting Bath Salts All Natural Bath Salts - By NaturallyTaylored

Song of the Day:

Janelle Monáe - Tightrope [feat. Big Boi]

Color of the Day:

Golden Honey

Can anyone be an artist?

   
      Thinking about what to write today a thought popped into my head. There are so many people out there who don't use their creativity because they are afraid it won't be amazing. This makes me so angry! I can't tell you how many times I hear, "I wish I could draw I can't even draw a stick figure." That is the stereotypical phrase anyone uses when they appreciate art but think they can't make something themselves.

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      If you think you can't, then you won't. I am a big believer in positive thinking. Yes, I do believe a great deal of my artistic talents have been passed down genetically and reinforced through growing up around art; but why does all art have to be a masterpiece? Why can't you try and make something with stick figures? Who says art has to be realistic and detailed?

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    So many artists throughout time have tried to think out of the box and make art that means something and expresses their feelings and thoughts. Look at most of Picasso's work! Most people would laugh at their paintings if it turned out like his work but he is one of the most famous and idolized artists of all time.

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Ever remember how satisfying coloring as a kid was. Even how great you felt after completing your horrible macaroni necklaces? I want you to feel that way again. Get carried away in something and not be afraid of it's outcome. OKAY, I think you are getting my point. So what should you do?

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Abstract art is a great place to start. Pick a few colors that you are really drawn to. Go to your local craft store and pick up a few bottles of acrylic paint for a dollar or two a piece. Get a canvas, or paper, or wood or whatever you feel you want to paint on! Then just start applying the colors however you want. It may mash together and look like baby poop. Or it may come together and look like a beautiful sea of colors. Either way don't be afraid of the final outcome. Get lost in the process and I grantee you will LOVE IT!

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Recently there has been a great business that has opened up called  "Painting with a Twist."  I am not sure if this is only sprouted in Metro Detroit area so far or if it is nation wide yet, but I am sure it won't be long before it is. It is a place to go with friends and family and have some drinks and learn how to step by step paint a picture of your choice. What a wonderful way to hang with good company in a stress free environment and create something! I am all for it!

So whether you are Van Gogh reincarnated or a regular business salesman, go make something creative! I promise it will really make you feel great.

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

Create Art Necklace in Sterling Silver - By rockmyworldinc

Song of the Day: (One of the most inspiring music videos of all time)

Coldplay - Strawberry Swing

Color of the Day:

Citrus Orange

Do your Dreams influence your Art?

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Good afternoon everyone! I am getting a little bit of a late start today. I didn't sleep in that much but we had breakfast for lunch and I laid around a lot avoiding laundry and other chores. I am very lucky to have Monday's off. It's an extra Sunday for me!

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I want to bring up a topic today that means a lot to me and I know I will only be skimming the surface. DREAMS. I have always been a very lucid dreamer ever since I was a child. I remember very vivid details and even smells and colors of things while I am dreaming. 

At a very young age I started writing down my dreams. I have a bin full of journals packed with dreams. Writing my dreams down has created a stronger muscle for recalling my dreams when I awake.  You might be thinking why am I bringing this up in the Art Blog?

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Dreams are windows inside your subconscious. If you are someone lucky enough to remember your dreams being able to express them through art is a blessing. But WAIT maybe you don't realize you are already creating your art from dream inspiration. Take a look at your recent work and compare them to your last dreams you can recall. Do they seem to connect? 

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My art is very influenced by my dreams at night or even day dreams which I also have plenty of. That's were the idea from my business name comes from. I want all of my artwork to be a refection of my dreams and daydreams. I want them to make you feel so happy and surreal that you could say they take you to cloud nine. Where anything you dream I can create and anything I create I have dreamed.

How do your dreams influence your art? Has this blog opened your eyes to this thought or are you already creating through your subconscious recalls? Do you never remember your dreams and want to learn how to begin to? Let me know your thoughts!

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

Dream Journal made from recycled handmade paper with Moon Tree design by Cliffwatcher

Song of the Day:

          Fleetwood Mac - Dreams

Color of the Day:

Benjamin Moore's Bear Creek

Art with the help of Meditating.

Art with the help of Meditating.

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       Ever feel a lack of focus when trying to make your art? Ever feel a drought of inspiration? Maybe you can't find enough time in the day for the art time you have been craving? I have a secret to change it all. Meditation.

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     I assume some of you have meditated before. You might even be a meditating professional! In case you have never heard of meditating or have always wanted to try and didn't know where to start. Here is a great beginner's video to meditating.

So now that we are all on the same page, how can meditation help with ART?

1. Meditation helps to center yourself and your thoughts, which greatly effect your art. If you are stressed or overwhelmed with daily life, just 5 minutes of meditating can set you back on track and put you in a perfect state of mind for creating.

2. Out of ideas or don't know where to start? I know this one is huge for me. When I don't know what to make or can't seem to organize my ideas I meditate and ask to see what I need to. I always know I have the ideas in there somewhere but sometimes moving all the other junk around first helps me see clearly!

3. Stepping away from your work. I don't do this nearly enough and sometimes it really costs me with time and energy. Ever been so immersed in a piece of artwork that you forget to step back and look at the whole thing? By the time you are done and you do step back you notice things you could have done different or that might be a little off. Taking a few minutes for a silent break can mean a huge difference in the finished quality of your work.

4. Do you want to make more meaningful art but don't know what you want to say? I tend to make a lot of "sell-able work" and sometimes I lose the love for a project because I am too focused on the money value it will bring me. By meditating I can look within myself and see what is on my mind that I want to express. This always helps me feel recharged and inspired to still make sell-able pieces but that say something at the same time.

Meditation is great for so many reasons but since this is an Art Blog I wanted to cover some of the ways it's really helped me and hopefully can help you! Creating comes from a very internal place that's is expressed externally and to ensure everything is in order I think the best and easiest way is through MEDITATION!

         How has meditating helped you in your life? Do you already use it as a tool for your art? Comment some of your thoughts on what this topic has done or might do for you!

Until Tomorrow -Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

I want to start doing something new at the end of every blog. I think would be a great addition to the blogs! Every blog I will have a featured Etsy Item, Random Song & Color of the day! It's just a little extra flavor that I think might be fun!

Featured Etsy Item of the Day:
DIY Cross Stitch Pendant - Wood Pendant Blank - Small Heart (RedGateStitchery)

Song of the Day:

Matt Simons - Catch & Release (Deepend Remix)

Color of the Day: 
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Winter Gray 2117-60

10 Throwback Arts and Crafts from the 90's

Sit back, relax and prepare to feel all types of artistic nostalgia. 

Here is 10 throwback art and crafts from the 90's. Cool Dude...

1. Magic Spin Art

This is a timeless toy that's pretty fun for kids. I never had one and that was probably because it was the so messy but just seeing it still brings back all the feels. Although this didn't take much skill or thought to it, it did the trick for getting kids interested in art. 

2. The Classic Art Starter Kit

Every kid into art in the 90's should recognize this bad boy. It was the stereotypical art kit that was always given at Christmas or birthdays. It wasn't a bad collection of art supplies although the tips of those markers were a tad on the fuzzy side.

3. Kid Pix

If you had computer class and were at all electronically savvy, your free time was with this lovely program. It helped turn anyone into a regular graphic artist. Plus it made some pretty fun sounds when you tried to undo things or use any on of their funky stamps.

4. Gel Pens

I am not going to lie on this one, I wish I still had some gel pens. Even though you spend half of your time shaking them so they would work, when they did work it really jazzed up your homework or notes to your BFF like nothing else could. 

5. Lisa Frank

I think I had a folder just like this activity book. If you had Lisa Frank you were ahead of the game with style points. Plus if you were bored of listening to your teacher the bright neon colors were great to stare at and zone out. 

6. Glitter Glue

What an fabulously messy and never drying product! Try giving these to a child and telling them to go wild, then don't touch their art for pretty much 3 days or it will smear everywhere and never come off. Nothing like finishing a piece of work and barely breathing and having it smudge the whole thing. Plus the air pockets inside would cause it to burst out in big chunks instead of gracefully. Yet I still kept coming back to them. Fun times! 

7. Magnadoodle

These were some of the smartest art tools a kid could have in the 90's. You could draw your masterpiece and then no messy clean up for the parent!  You couldn't lose the pen because it was always attached by a string which I always dragged it around by (I am sure that's not what it was intended for). Be sure not the step on them though or you'll be stuck with a permanent footprint on all of your art!

8. Crayola Stamp Markers

This seriously makes me smile just looking at these. I was obsessed with these wonderful stamp markers. I would draw a house or a dog and the rest of the 75% of the blank paper would be covered in kisses and hearts. You could use them to color too but you really had to smash them hard and risk losing the shape and that was something I really wasn't willing to gamble on. They were my babies.

9. Stacking Stationary Crayon

     I pretty much made that name up but you all know what it's about. It was a 3 in 1 fine tipped crayon and was super fun for multicolored letters. It even came equipped with a handy cap. Make sure you don't lose any of the pieces though or the whole thing is useless. So tell that to a kid. Don't lose any of it. Other than that this was great!

10. Lite Brite

Oh how I envied my best friend and her Lite Brite. I always thought the possibilities were endless and magical but alas I never was fortunate to had one of my own. I do remember her letting me use it once but she wasn't very thrilled because its not a very two person friendly object. But oh how it glows your work to life!

                   Grand Finale: Watch this and really take it back.....I promise you won't regret it.

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios