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Everyone Needs A Hobby

I believe that we all need to have at least one hobby in our lives. Many people have told me that they aren’t creative and they are afraid to take up a hobby because they don’t want to waste money on something they may not like or may not be good at.

Some hobbies are not expensive but you do have to purchase the necessary items you need to get started and by doing this, it could get a little costly depending on what it is you choose as  your hobby. When I hear people tell me they aren’t creative I usually ask them if they have ever tried to do anything creative. The answer is usually, “no”. Well, how do you know if you aren’t creative until you try? It’s hard to get motivated sometimes and even harder if you aren’t sure exactly what it is you want to do.

The real thing here is the challenge. That’s what I like. In fact, challenging myself is how I learned to become an artist in the first place and my interest eventually turned into a career as an artist, a faux finisher and a prop fabricator. Many people simply have a God given gift of creativity but many people just don’t know it.

Take my youngest sister for example. When she was younger, she couldn’t even draw a stick person or so she says. She always envied others who could draw so instead of trying to draw, she pretended to ‘teach’ school in her bedroom. My sister didn’t realize she was extremely talented until she was a grown woman. She told me that she got interested in decorative painting and stenciling. She bought magazines and ‘how to’ books on the subject and she ended up teaching herself how to paint. My sister was also interested in sewing but really didn’t know how so she taught herself how to sew. As time went by, she turned a spare bedroom into her craft room and what she taught herself to do turned into a lucrative business. My sister didn’t really have a business but she did murals for home owners, made window treatments and elaborate draperies for home owners and she even taught herself how to uphoster furniture.

About a year and a half ago she showed me photos of many of her creations and I was completely amazed. She had painted some murals inside a church along with a lot of trompe l’oeils (meaning: to fool the eye). She transformed the walls to look like stones, she painted archways, faux windows, etc. The results were simply amazing. I never in my wildest dreams imagined my sister was so creative and so talented.

All the years my sister didn’t think she had any talent proved her wrong. All it took was the ‘want to’ and this is what I tell other people when they say they aren’t creative. All you have to do is want to.

Today, there are many many sites on the Internet that teach almost anything you want to learn from how to make jewelry to playing the guitar. When I got interested in wire jewelry a couple of years ago I found some great tutorials on YouTube. There is one in particular that teaches you everything from the basics to the elaborate step-by-step. I was so interested in this jewelry that I went to my favorite craft store and bought a book and some basic materials including the hand tools which are essential for creating this type of jewelry. I had always kept cans of beads I had collected over the years so I pulled them out and started incorporating the beads with the wire and made some beautiful pieces. One of my favorite pieces is a necklace I made for my sister. I used sterling silver wire and rosary beads that I removed from a rosary that was over a hundred years old. The beads are tiny and white with a bluish tint to them. The necklace took awhile to create because I made many small coiled hearts from the wire, put a bead at the bottom of the ‘V’ and connected them all together with wire. The clasp is a beautiful sterling silver clasp. I was very proud of this necklace as it was my very first attempt and it turned out great. I wanted my sister to have it because she loves jewelry and I knew she would appreciate it as a keepsake from me.

I began creating earrings from my very special beads and my favorite bead colors are cobalt blue, deep red and green. I love beads made of glass. Again, I used sterling silver wire in various gauges and began wrapping the wire around the beads to create a very unique look. Although I don’t wear any of the jewelry I make, I do love to create it. I have my favorite pieces of jewelry I like to wear; pieces given to me from my family.

There is one extremely special necklace I created and I keep it in my safe. From over the years my husband and son have given me beautiful necklaces, most with diamonds and precious stones. Because I can’t possibly wear them all and I don’t want to show any favoritism, I decided to create a very unique, very special necklace to honor ALL the pieces given to me. I purchased a beautiful sterling silver chain that was strong enough and long enough to hold all the pieces. I even added a second piece of chain that I connected sideways. It actually looks like a loop within a loop.

I removed all the pendants from all the chains and earrings and attached them to the sterling silver chains. I balanced them out so the necklace didn’t look odd. I added my own favorite pieces of ocean glass and a few of the old tiny rosary beads that were left over from my sister’s necklace. When the necklace was finally finished, I put it in a beautiful padded necklace holder box. My husband and I went to an engraving shop and had a sterling silver heart engraved. On one side is our names and the other is the day we were married. I never wear this necklace because I wouldn’t want to lose any of the pieces but I will give this to my daughter some day.

One of my other hobbies is painting and this is probably my favorite. Throughout the years I invested in quality easels and have a table top easel, and a large Windsor-Newton ‘H’ frame studio easel. I also invested in a ‘true light’ lamp that is very important to have if you want your colors to be exact. True light is North light and if you don’t have a window that faces North, this lamp is a must to have. I paint in acrylics and oils and have several paintings I am eager to finish. I have in mind some I want to start. I like starting several at once so I can go back and forth and not get bored or burned out on just one.

Another valuable piece of equipment I have and love is a nice piece of tempered glass. Instead of using a regular artist’s palette I like to use the glass. The glass sits on a cabinet that houses some of my materials and is perfect for my use. The great thing about using tempered glass is that the paint can be easily removed and the colors look truer than when paint is sitting on a palette. I don’t have to hold anything in my left hand while I paint, I can just reach over and dip my brush in the color I want. I learned this from a very talented artist who paints portraits.

Painting to me is very calming. I never turn on music. I like to simply focus on what I am painting and nothing else. I learned a few ‘tricks’ to successful painting a long time ago. One is to turn the canvas around away from site when you are finished for the day. This is so you can get a fresh look at it some other time providing the painting is in a location where you don’t walk past it all the time. Another ‘trick’ and this is extremely helpful when painting portaits, is to hold the painting up in front of a mirror. This is has to do with our creative side of our brains and allows our non-creative side of the brain see if the painting is flawed or looks correct. You would be amazed at this experience. Seeing a painting in a mirror is like looking at it with ‘fresh’ eyes. It really helps get a better perspective of the painting.

Don’t ever think you aren’t creative until you try. Even if you fail the first time just remember that trying something new is usually a little difficult at first. If you want to paint and fail the first time at it, remember this: It’s only paint. It can be painted over. The more you paint, the better you get at it. A little advise about any hobby: Don’t invest a lot of money into your hobby until you know for sure that you like it. Also, don’t start too many projects at once. You may end up with many unfinished hobbies.

Just remember that having a hobby is suppose to be fun and that’s what it’s all about!

“General Haig” – Amber Lamps

16 Inch Tall Guitar Wall Lamp Uses Normal Light bulb $12.00

Guitar Amp indicator light lamp Jewel Assembly $7.99

Electric Guitar Lamp Blue with Black Trimmed Shade $36.95 Rock ‘N’ Roll Show your love for rock and roll music with this adorable table lamp. The base features a replica of a black and blue electric guitar. The head of the guitar extends above the top of the lamp shade for an even more realistic effect! Brand NEW but with a vintage flair, this lamp is a wonderfully simple way to give your dresser or nightstand a completely new look! Great for a nursery,…

Electric Guitar Lamp RED with Red Trimmed Shade $36.99 Rock ‘N’ Roll Show your love for rock and roll music with this adorable table lamp. The base features a replica of a red and black electric guitar. The head of the guitar extends above the top of the lamp shade for an even more realistic effect! Brand NEW but with a vintage flair, this lamp is a wonderfully simple way to give your dresser or nightstand a completely new look! Great for a nursery, …

Guitar Collage Table Lamp $29.99 A montage of guitars are pictured on this fun lamp. Sure to be a favorite of all guitar fans. The lamp is 4″ in diameter and 9.5″ high. Uses maximum 60 watt bulb, not included. Easy on/off switch located on the cord….

Neon American Flag Rock Guitar 29 Wide Wall Clock $35.99 Celebrate the stars and stripes with rock and roll style! This wall clock features blue neon which can be switched on and off. Neon tube accents the American flag motif of this guitar wall clock….

MelBay 36605 Childrens Guitar Method Volume One Printed Music $5.13 A popular and creative method for teaching guitar to young children. This approach to learning integrates, from the very beginning, chord playing with note reading. The students start with easy one finger chord forms and strum accompaniments to numerous songs. Note reading is then methodically and carefully introduced. Two subsequent volumes complete this course. The method features Ron Wheeler’s …

NEW! Electric or Acoustic Guardian A FRAME Folding Guitar Instrument Stand $9.80

VTG TELE STYLE BLACK SEMI HOLLOW BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR GOLD BIGSBY TREM – GRT GFT $9.95

UNFINISHED STRAT SKULL BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR BUILDER KIT – DIY PROJECT $9.95

UNFINISIHED BYO THINLINE STYLE SEMI HOLLOW TELE ELECTRIC GUITAR KIT W/ TREM $9.95

CUSTOM MAKE YOUR OWN HOLLOW BODY DIY ELECTRIC GUITAR KIT $2.00

SX Ursa 2 MN VWH Electric Bass Guitar New w/Free Padded Carry Bag & DVD $125.00

Guitar Microphone Amplifier Toys Kids Karaoke Electric Boy Girl Educational NEW $27.95

Yamaha G-5 electric guitar amplifier-a classic-wood, vintage style, sounds great $89.00

SX Ursa 2 MN LPB Electric Bass Guitar New w/Free Padded Carry Bag & DVD $125.00

3 SETS Fender 250R Nickel Plated Steel Electric Guitar Strings 10-46 3 PACK $14.95

VINTAGE VENTURA SEMI-HOLLOW BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR MADE IN JAPAN SUPER NICE!! $495.00

Fender Squier Standard FAT Strat Stratocaster Electric Guitar $187.95

1960′S TELESTAR TEISCO ELECTRIC GUITAR W/2 FOIL PICKUPS JUST PRO SERVICED!! $265.00

Squier Deluxe Strat Electric Guitar Daphne Blue $299.99

SX Ursa 2 MN 3TS Fretless Electric Bass Guitar New w/Free Padded Carry Bag & DVD $129.95

SX Ursa 2 MN 3TS Electric Bass Guitar New w/Free Padded Carry Bag & DVD $125.00

Takamine EG260C Acoustic Electric FXC Guitar Wine Red $349.00

NEW DEAN LESLIE WEST MISSISSIPPI QUEEN ELECTRIC GUITAR $499.00

Bright Blue Electric Guitar by Fender Strat Squier with Soft Case $70.00

Left Handed Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster Electric Guitar Lefty Strat $139.95

In Line Effects Electric Tube Hot Metal Distortion/Overdrive 2 n 1 Guitar Pedal $0.99

Hagstrom Swede Black Electric Guitar Vintage 1970’s $1,000.00

Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Electric Guitar $1,349.00

Vintage 1980’s Peavey T60 T-60 T 60 Thin Natural Electric Guitar Body!! $99.99

Electric Guitar Kids 30″ Black Guitar With Amp + Case + Strap and More New $74.95

~Sale New Crescent WHITE Electric Guitar+Strap+Gigbag and WARRANTY $69.99

6.3mm 1/4″ Male to Male Electric Guitar Cable 3 Meters $9.22

SX Ursa 1 MN 3TS Electric Bass Guitar w/Free Padded Carry Bag & Instruction DVD $115.00

SX Ursa 1 MN 3TS Left Handed Electric Bass Guitar w/Free Padded Bag & DVD $125.00

Takamine 50th Anniversary Acoustic Electric Guitar-Most CollectibleTak Ever $6,992.61

Douglas TL-100 RN NAT Electric Guitar New $129.95

Douglas TL-100 mn 2TS Electric Guitar New $129.95

Douglas TL-100 MN NAT Electric Guitar New $129.95

Douglas Spad Tribal Red Electric Guitar $169.95

SX SST SKY VWH Electric Guitar New Vintage White $99.99

Agile TC-630 MN BK Electric Guitar New $299.99

Electric Guitar New Douglas Shadow Pink $139.95

Electric Guitar New Douglas Shadow CSB Left Handed $139.95

Douglas Shadow Gold Electric Guitar New $139.85

IBANEZ AEL10LE-BK Acoustic-Electric Guitar LEFT HANDED LH LEFTY BLACK FISHMAN $179.99

Douglas Shadow BK Electric Guitar New $139.95

NEW PRO JAY TURSER AUDITORIUM ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR $169.99

B.C. Rich Junior V 7-String Electric Guitar Floyd Rose Trem Transparent Purple $699.99

B.C. Rich Bich Pro X Electric Guitar TonePros Tune-O-Matic Bridge EMGs Shadow $899.99

Ibanez AEB5E-BK Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar JET GLOSSY BLACK $139.99

Douglas Scope 725 Nat Ash Electric Guitar 7 String $189.95

Douglas Scope 725 Black Electric Guitar 7 String $189.95

NEW Fender Squier Affinity Strat Electric Guitar – Blue $20.98

Schecter Guitar Research Hellraiser C-7 7-String Electric Guitar White $849.00

G&L ASAT Classic Electric Guitar Clear Orange Maple Fretboard $1,237.50

SX RST SGN w/GA1065 Electric Guitar Package w/Amp Bag & Instructional DVD $115.00

SX RST VWT w/GA1065 Electric Guitar Package w/Amp Bag & Instructional DVD $115.00

NEW PRO QUALITY JAY TURSER ELECTRIC GUITAR JT300NH $129.50

SX RST MPP w/GA1065 Electric Guitar Package w/Amp Bag & Instructional DVD $119.95

SX RST MPP Left Handed w/GA1065 Electric Guitar Pack w/Amp Bag & Instruct DVD $125.00

SX RST Pure White Electric Guitar Package w/Amp Bag & Instructional DVD $115.00

SX RST CAR w/GA1065 Electric Guitar Pack w/Amp Bag & Instructional DVD $115.00

SX Guitars RST BK Left Handed Electric Guitar Pack w/Amp Bag & Instructional DVD $125.00

HIGH-QUALITY 3-way Gold Box Toggle Switch Cream Cap for Les Paul Electric Guitar $0.99

Musician’s Gear Deluxe Electric Guitar Case $49.99

Rogue RR100 Rocketeer Electric guitar Blue $86.99

Hohner Essential EL-SD PLUS Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Satin Natural $303.63

SX RST BK w/GA1065 Electric Guitar Package w/Amp Bag & Instructional DVD $115.00

SX RST 3TS w/GA1065 Electric Guitar Package w/ amp,dvd $119.95

3 UNIQUE Red Skull Head Crossbones Black Speed Control Knobs for Electric Guitar $0.99

Epiphone Electric Guitar:Made in Korea $0.96

SX RST 3/4 White Left Handed Electric Guitar Pack w/Amp Bag & Instructional DVD $109.95

SX RST 3/4 CAR Left Handed Electric Guitar Package w/Amp, Bag & Instructiona DVD $109.95

SX RST 3/4 MPP Left Handed Electric Guitar Pack w/Amp, Bag & Instructional DVD $109.95

2012 Dean Evo J Mini Electric Guitar, black — Nearly New!!! (6720) $99.95

24pcs Electric Guitar Fret Wire Fretwire Set 2.2mm NEW Ship New $0.99

SX RST 3/4 BK Short Scale Back Electric Guitar Package $99.99

SX RST 3/4 BK Left Handed Electric Guitar Pack w/Free Amp, Carry Bag,Strap & DVD $109.95

SX RST 3/4 CAR Short Scale Electric Guitar Package Red w/Bag Amp & Instruct DVD $99.99

NEW PRO SOLOIST BLACK BEAUTY ELECTRIC GUITAR w/ FLOYD $259.00

SX RST 3/4 3TS Left Handed Electric Guitar Package & AMP Short Scale $109.95

SX RST 3/4 BGMY Short Scale Electric Guitar Package $99.99

SX RST 3/4 3TS Short Scale Electric Guitar Package $99.99

Crescent GREENBURST Electric Guitar+15w AMPLIFIER+Strap+Cord+Gigbag ACC NEW $99.99

Metal Quick Change Trigger Key Capo Clamp for Acoustic Electric Guitar $1.00

Ibanez AEG20E Flamed Sycamore Top Acoustic-Electric Guitar TRANS RED 8868351167 $319.99

Dean Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar $269.00

SX Reso 1 CE FR NA Acoustic Electric RESONATOR GUITAR $195.00

SX Reso CE FR VS Acoustic Electric RESONATOR GUITAR New ! $195.00

HD28V-E Martin HD-28VE Acoustic Electric Guitar Used 1hr Perfect w/Case&Warranty $2,871.43

2012 Martin US D16GT-E Acoustic*ELECTRIC* Guitar Used 1 hr Mint Perfect Warranty $1,148.62

Luna Guitars Woodland Series Spalted Maple Acoustic-Electric Guitar $399.00

Dean V Wing Cutaway Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Black $269.00

SX Reso 3 CE FR BK Resonator Acoustic Electric RESONATOR GUITAR $195.00

Dean V Wing Cutaway Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Black $269.00

Martin 00028EC-E Eric Clapton Signature Model Acoustic *ELECTRIC* Guitar Used1hr $2,996.82

Douglas Peragro Traveler BK Short Scale Electric Guitar $99.99

Shadow SH661 Twinbucker for Electric Guitar made in Germany $25.00

Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro Electric Guitar P-90 Pickups Ebony 886830335310 $1,519.20

Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditional Plus Electric Guitar Desert Brst 8868306222 $1,839.20

Dean Exotica Quilt Ash Acoustic-Electric Guitar w/Aphex Trans Blue $399.00

Dean Exotica Quilt Ash Acoustic-Electric Guitar w/Aphex Trans Blue $399.00

NEW PRO AXL HEADLINER LEFT-HANDED LEFTY ELECTRIC GUITAR $124.99

2011 USA HD28-E Acoustic ELECTRIC Martin Guitar Used1hr Yet Perfect w/Warranty $2,396.71

All Parts Les Paul Electric Guitar Switch Tip Chrome $5.45