Tag Archives: #artist

Etsy Shop Update

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Recently I have reopened my Etsy shop and I will be listing items for sale on a regular basis. I am a mixed media artist and I have so much planned for my shop. To stay up to date with what is new in my shop, please like my shop.

I have new decorating bowl kits listed on my Etsy shop. Instructions on how to decorate the bowl are included in each kit. The shells come flexible to make them easy to work with and they harden as you add more fabrics and decorate them. Free tutorials on my YouTube channel will be uploaded on a regular basis for each set of kits I list for sale. You can find my YouTube channel by searching on there, “Stephanie’s Art Studio” or by clinking on this link. This is a great project and these bowls make great gifts and has many uses including decor, and storage.

The bowl (shell) included was handcrafted with care and strong adhesive and muslin and linen fabric used for the structure and durability. This bowl hardens with a little flex. The bowl stands well and balance on a hard surface. This bowl is perfect for home decor and to hold items.

I also have handcrafted completely made bowls and a box listed in my shop as well. They are reasonable priced and the shipping is free.

Below are other items in my shop currently for sale.

Stephanie

Night Sky

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“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor

I hand stitched this landscape with wool yarn. A pattern was not used, just my imagination. Love how it turned out! I must make a new one!

by Stephanie Hopkins

Reader’s Log 020: Cover Crush

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It has been ages since I’ve posted a cover crush. I spotted this one (see below) on NetGalley and had to share. Wouldn’t it be lovely to take a stroll down that street? The colors, sky and dome of the building is what first caught my attention.

Have you ever thought about when the piano was invented? Though I love the piano, I had not really thought about its invented in-depth. According to my brief research, the piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) of Italy. According to Yamaha, the instrument’s ancestor can be traced back through various instruments such as the clavichord, harpsichord, and dulcimer.

The creation of Music sounds like a fascinating story.

Stephanie

The Creation of Music by Britian Bell

Pub Date Nov 13 2024 by Candor Publishing Group

General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Romance

Description:

Bart dreams of being an inventor, of building something that matters. When a famous composer asks him to make an instrument that doesn’t exist, an opportunity exceeding his imagination presents itself, along with it, struggle and heartache of overwhelming proportions.

When life throws its worst at him, and his decade-long vision is destroyed by his own hands, everything seems lost. But with the help of friends closer than family, his wife, Adele, and a mountain of grit, an idea becomes a reality.

Take a trip to Florence, Italy, and journey back in time to witness firsthand the creation of the most influential instrument on earth. The invention that changed the landscape of music forever. The king of all instruments. The piano.

Be sure to listen to The Creation of Music (Original Soundtrack) available everywhere you listen to music on January 31st, 2025!

Reader’s Log 003: Weekend of Events

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I must say, I didn’t expect my weekend to be so full. Nonetheless, it was good and a lot accomplished. Friday started with a book review I posted here. The book is one of those that are so good if is often hard to find the right words to tell how much you enjoyed the story or how much the story impacted you without giving spoilers. Funny thing is that after I turned in the reviews to the publishers, more thoughts came to me about what I could have written. Oftentimes I will sit on a review in cases such as this but decided to just turn the review in and pray the review inspires someone to read the book when it comes out. The important thing is that I got my point across that I really love the story. It certainly impacted me on an emotional level.

Saturday was stitch book day on my YouTube channel and we are exploring leaves and dots this month while combining previous prompts and themes to stitch books. This month we are also making a stitch book cover for our fall prompts. Fun stuff!

The day carried on with watering the plants, cleaning house and dog sitting for my brother. Charlie is my brother’s dog’s name and he is a cutie. After that, the day ended with reading, “Two Times Murder”

by Adam Oyebanji. This story includes a bit of themes that have captured our modern society’s attention and has impacted us greatly. That is all I am going to say on the matter for now. As far as the mystery aspect goes, I’m finding it intriguing. I have not read this author’s work before and I believe this is Oyebanji’s second book? He has an interesting writing style but I’m adjusting and enjoying the story so far. I’m also reading, “A Feast of Folklore” by Ben Gazur. Wow, I have so much to say about this book!

Sunday, I met with a dear friend for coffee and stitch time. She is teaching me to knit. A few years ago, she started to teach me and other distractions happened. This time I am sticking to it and I’m really enjoying the endeavor. Knitting is so calming and I can totally see this activity being habit forming to say the least. Luckily, I have a stash of yarn already and will be making myself get through most of the stash before purchasing anymore yarn. At least that is what I’m telling myself.

How much reading did I get in this weekend? Well, not as much as I would have liked but a fair amount. I did expect to finish a book and start drafting a review from the notes I took. Hoping to be able to have time to do that tomorrow. I’m working towards turning at least two book reviews in a week. That is the plan anyway. How was your weekend? Did you get any reading time in? How is the weather your way? The season is starting to change!

Stephanie Hopkins

Mending Heart

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This month on my YouTube channel we’ve been exploring weave stitching and creating various applications of the stitch. Despite only scratching the surface of this medium, we’ve covered a lot of ground and the ideas are flowing. Today, I’m sharing the image of a weaved piece I’ve started exploring this weekend. I’ve called it “Mending Heart” and this heart has different meanings. Most importantly the mending by weaving and stitching bringing the heart to completion or rather wholeness, gives a sense of spiritual healing-if you will.

The YouTube link to Part I of Mending Heart is HERE

Stephanie Hopkins

Fabric Yarn Snippet Roll Bowl: Part I

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I am thrilled to be sharing pictures of this bowl I made for a dear friend. Her yarn looks great in the bowl! This is the first fabric bowl of the year I’ve finished and have quite a few more coming up. I share free tutorials on my YouTube channel on how to make fabric snippet bowls. They are a blast to make and you can get really creative with how to make the bowls. I hope you check it out!

Last year, I made quite a few scrappy ones with raw edges. This particular bowl does have raw edges but they are sewn a bit closer together. I have also explored with using yarn by couching the yarn to the bowl and creating a design. My journey is hand stitching so except that method in the tutorials. I do give tips on what part of the bowls you can machine sew.

Sometime this week, I will be sharing an intro video to the next bowl. Each tutorial includes tips and ideas in how to make them. This year, I’m exploring new designs with the bowls. A must watch because they will be unique and I will be expanding on a few methods I’ve already taught.

Stephanie

The name of my YouTube Channel is, “Stephanie’s Art Studio” or you can click on the link provided above to go straight to the channel. I hope you grab your fabric scraps, needle, threads, yarn-optional-and join me on this journey! You’ll love it!

In the Presence of Slow Stitching

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The act of slow stitching quiets the noise and brings stillness to the mind

Stephanie Hopkins

Exploring the Outdoors

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This past Sunday the weather was cool, sunny and windy! Despite the wind, it was a beautiful day for a walk in the neighborhood. I went a little father this time around and enjoyed the leisurely stroll.  Everyone’s yards were beautiful and the sun was reflecting off the pond. Even the chipmunks were busy exploring and enjoying the fresh air. It has been a rainy season this winter and spring. It hasn’t been easy to get out and enjoy the outdoors. You have to catch the sun when you can.

I was able to collect quite a few wood things for my mixed media projects and I’m thrilled with what I found. I’m drying them out on the back porch a but before drying them out in the oven. I recommend doing that before crafting with them.

Instructions on How I Dry Them Out:

Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Supplies:

Baking sheet(s)

Parchment Paper 

Old Paint Brush

Brush your wood findings off really good with an old dry paint brush or tooth brush. I like the bristles to be a bit tough. Not too tough mind you. Put them on a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread them out.

Bake for 20 minutes and then allow them to cool down completely being using them or storing them. Be sure to keep an eye on them while they are in the oven.

Once dried, they are ready to craft with!

This particular process is not for children. Adult super vision is needed.  

 I hope you enjoyed this post and if you haven’t subscribed to my blog yet, please do so!

Stephanie Hopkins

Winter Musings and Spring Projects

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It is hard to believe that December 6, 2022 was the last postdate! I had decided to take a much-needed break but wow! Time flies! I have missed blogging exceedingly and I am delighted to be back at it. What have I been doing meanwhile? Well, there is so much. I have been story writing a bit, crafting a lot, creating art, reading some and writing in my journals quite a bit. Needless to say, I have been hunkered down this winter. Not that the south sees extreme cold winters mind you. I just use that as an excuse. Ha!

Lately, I’ve been making miniature wood houses, dioramas and dollhouse accessories. I’m having a blast! Back in the mid to late 1990’s I collected miniature tea sets and whatnot. I must confess, I miss those days of collecting miniatures. The combination of that past love and seeing people’s new works of dioramas sparked a fire in me to start creating miniatures. Was it a couple years ago or maybe it was last year, I had worked on a few miniature wood houses but nothing really came of it until now? Yes, indeed.

I’ve got so many ideas and I’m just getting my feet wet. Recently, I’ve made quite a few and I do have many of them available in my Instagram shop for sale. Plus, I have five Book Nook’s I’m creating for family this year. Excited! You should see my list of everything I want to create and the list keeps getting longer. There is simply not enough time on the day! I look forward to sharing more with you all and if you haven’t already, please follow my blog and stop by on Instagram to say hello or you may do so in the comment area below! Blessings to you and yours!

Stephanie Hopkins

Personal Instagram link

Shop Instagram link

The Ugly Stitch Club on Instagram Link

I will be restocking my Ebay shop this coming Monday!

This Weeks Inspirational Journey

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“The starting point of discovering who you are, your gifts, your talents, your dreams, is being comfortable with yourself. Spend time alone. Write in a journal.”

— Robin Sharma

This week I have been busy making YouTube craft videos, writing, painting and reading! I’ve enjoyed every step of the way in these pursuits. My videos are geared towards paper crafting and the art of journaling.  

The images shown are just a few of what I’ve been creating this week. I’ve recently had a thought about how interesting it is when I’m crafting, the journey inspires new pieces. That in itself is rewarding to find inspiration within your own endeavors. What are a few of the ways you find inspiration in your own creations? If this something you’ve thought about before?

Please like, subscribe and hit the notification bell to my channel to get the latest videos when they are posted. Thank you!

YouTube Recent Craft Links:

Tag Tuesday | How to a Make Mini Pocket Bellyband 

Journal Cards Made Easy

Vintage Haul Unboxing | For Crafting and Journal Making 

Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.

Instagram Shop

Ebay Shop

Etsy Shop – Shop is currently on vacation mode.

At this time, I ship in the US only.

I offer discount shipping and a free gift with all purchases.

(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)