Wooly Willy

Wooly Willy Reimagined for the iPad

As a child of the 70’s I will never forget this game hanging in store checkouts as an impulse buy. This my friends was the poor mans iPad back in the day. The ever so portable toy that parents could grab on the cheap to entertain the kids in the car on the ride home after a grueling day of shopping. I had several of these, now considered “vintage” toys,  through out my childhood but I was surprised to learn this toy didn’t just appear in the 70’s it actually was born in Smethport, Pennsylvania back in 1955. Constructed of metal shavings housed under a clear plastic covering, one could create silly faces atop the printed face of Willy with the use of a magnetic wand. A total classic. It’s also worth noting that in 2003 Wooly Willy was added to the “Century of Toys List” coming in at #81 based on sales, historical significance and longevity.

Deemed a classic and reading about Wooly Willy got me to thinking back on my childhood and my own experiences with this iconic toy. I remember being rather peeved that the slightest bump would mess up my masterpieces but that only added to the lure.  Plus, being an overachiever it was always fun trying to match the examples displayed on the packaging. And always without fail after a day or so the little red magnetic pen or “magic wand” as they called it, would become lost which usually spelled an end to the fun. Until it got tangled in the beater bar of the vacuum, which in-turn pissed off the parentals and normally ended in a long winded talk about putting things back where they belong. Yada yada yada, you get the gist. Come on! I can’t be the only one who lived this. 

Having had one of these, I wanted to share this classic of a toy with my now 14 year old. After I excitedly explained the toy concept she looked at me stone faced and replied, “That sounds so boring Mom.” Me: Ok, I get it’s not Fortnite but can I at least get a shred of interest here? So I decided Wooly Willy needed to be #reimaginedforipad and brought into the world my daughters know best, the digital world. 

It was a ton of fun to reimagine Willy and even more fun to let my imagination run wild with ideas to try on him. Best of all there’s no fear of the metal pieces moving if your iPad gets bumped. As for my teen, she’s still logging hours with her friends chasing the ever so coveted Fortnite Victory Royale. And that’s ok. I’m just happy I was able to expose her to a simpler, non digital world toy that I was able to reimagine and share with her in a format we can enjoy together.

Did you have one of these growing up?

Download in the shop.

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#reimaginedforipad #iremeberwhensday #irememberwhensdays #retro #classictoys #vintage #woolywilly #handlettering #illustration #handdrawnlettering #creativity #inspiration #vintagetoyshop #the70s #creativetoys #1950sgames #1950s #1970sgames #backintheday #oldiebutgoodies #whatwasoldisnewagain #reimaginedforipad 

Text Scavenger Hunt

I remember playing outside with my cousins until well after dark. Running barefoot in the cool grass chasing lightning bugs until we were exhausted.

Fast forward a few decades. We now have cell phones, our kids have cell phones, video games and we enjoy full access to the outside world from the comforts of our home via the internet.

So when my teen daughter has friends visit we always create something fun we can do outside together which is how this game was born.

I was excited to share the game with the kids but knowing how teens can sometimes be I was also a tad anxious that they wouldn’t like it. Turns out they loved it and I bet your kids will too. Plus, it was a ton of fun for us as parents too.

We chose to do this after sunset because our kids love to play tag at night but you can play it anytime inside or out. Great for rainy days too.

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Here’s what you will need.

SUPPLIES

Cell Phone - Each Person needs one or you can work in teams if every kid doesn’t have one. We had this situation and it worked out perfectly.

Head Lamps (optional) or Cell Phone Flashlight - They will need their hands free. (Walmart has headlamps for $1)

Bug Spray

Prize - We went with a Chick-fila gift card since the kids are always eating there but you can get as creative as you want on this from candy, to cash to ice cream vouchers. Whatever you want as a prize will work. If the prize is bulky like a bag of candy just hide a placeholder.

Map - I created a map so the kids stayed on our property plus it gives them an area to work within. Created to the size of an Instagram or SnapChat story insures it fills the screen perfectly. Being an illustrator, I created our map in the Procreate App on an iPad but you can use whatever you wish. You don’t even have to draw unless you really want and can simply use google maps if you need. Add area names on top of that from your cell phone or iPad and you have a map. I do recommend sticking to the story size of 1080px by 1920px since it will be easy to read on all cell phones with little to no scrolling. So keep that in mind.

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GAME PREP

Hide the prize.

Setup a Group Text. Make sure everyone in the search party is added.

Text the Map out to the group text.

Ready, Set, Go

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GAME PLAY

Set a number of Hints each person can ask. We said one hint per player.

Replying with Hot, Cold ❄️ , Warm, and on Fire 🔥  keeps the game going without giving the game away.

Make sure you only relay hints to the person who asked.

Play fair and have a good time.

TIPS

After all hints had been given we started texting small hints to the group. Which created so much excitement! Imagine hearing 10 cells phones go off at the same time and everyone scrambling to read the hint and figure them out. It was beyond funny to watch and they had a blast.

You can also rev up the game by telling them who has used up their hints or who still has hints left.

Lastly, telling them someone was just on FIRE 🔥 and right next to the prize builds incredible excitement.

Our game lasted for a good 45 minutes with the winner not only winning some grub but also touting bragging rights. After the game was over all the kids asked if we had another prize to hide. So that should tell you how successful the night was.

Cant wait to hear how your game goes. Happy Hunting!

Kimberly Mathews - Studio Tour

I first came across Kimberly Mathews on Instagram and after scrolling through her feed of beautiful watercolors I knew I had to follow her journey. Kim’s ability to showcase fine details within a medium many consider to be uncontrollable is astounding.

Awestruck over her work, I wanted to learn more. So I reached out to Kim, invited her to share more about herself, her work and her drop dead gorgeous studio with us and I’m beyond thrilled she said “Yes”.

On with the interview and studio tour.

What is one thing you love about your space and why?

I love my space for many reasons. The number one, however, being the location of the studio within my home. I like the flexibility of my day and the ease of taking a short break yet getting chores done during that time.  I also appreciate the size and convenience of everything I need in one room. 

In my previous home my studio was in the basement and my desktop computer and printer were located on the second floor office. When my husband and I moved into this home, I had the opportunity to design the space that would be the most user friendly for me. 

The second highlight is the wall of windows. My desk faces the city and although  I spend most of my time looking down at my paper, the sounds of the city traffic motivates me to be productive and the incoming light creates a perfect working environment.  

What inspires you to create?

Beauty inspires me to create, or quite often, the need for beautification inspires me.

When did you get into watercolor? Did you paint with watercolor as a child? Did you start off with a different medium and worked your way to watercolor?

I picked up a watercolor brush for the first time about four years ago.  I was motivated by the desire to challenge myself to loosen up my style. Since I was young I have gravitated toward mediums I felt in control over such as pencils and pastels. I was drawn to the simplistic, delicate beauty of great watercolor paintings and since watercolor has a reputation for its lack of control and is known to be difficult to master, I decided to see what it could teach me.  Something resonated within me from the onset, and although I have a long path to travel in regards to loosening up my style, what I have taken away so far is monumental.   

Your work is amazing. Incredibly realistic and so highly detailed. Could you share a photo of one of your pieces and tell us what was challenging about it. How long it took you to complete. The actual size of the piece and what you love about it?

This piece, entitled "Fortuitous Companions",  is 22"x22" (32"x32" framed.)  It took approximately three weeks to create.  It was a tedious piece due to all the detail in the centers of the peonies, so the biggest challenge was finding my way back into the piece after taking a break.  Because of this, I did not allow myself to step away too often, afraid that it would take much longer than it needed to.  My goal was to add as much variation of color to the center of the flowers while still maintaining a soft, delicate feel. We certainly feel Kim accomplished this.

You stated you spend quite some time on your pieces and that its so relaxing that you often don't realize how long you've been working on them. Do you find you focus like this in other areas of your life or is this the one space that pulls you in like this?

Yes, I tend to get lost in the present moment and thoroughly enjoy whatever is directly before me.  On the downside, I tend to lose sight of the big picture and can easily be too perfectionistic with things that should not hold that much importance.  Over the years I have strove for balance in every aspect of my life, but I am definitely not there, yet!

Organization. 

Do you have a secret tip on organizing your space that you would be willing to share with readers? 

I’m a very organized and neat person. Clutter distracts me and messy spaces often cause mishaps with finished pieces, so my biggest organizational tip is “everything has a home”.

I designed my space with that in mind. It has lots of cabinets, drawers, and a big closet, and since I designed my studio from an intended bedroom, I have the bonus of a connected bathroom with a sink for keeping things clean. 

I mentioned that our condo is on the Mississippi River. The Mississippi is one of the world’s most important commercial waterways and it is captivating and inspiring to watch the numerous daily barges carry their goods up and down the river.  Between the river and the sound of city traffic I am reminded of how everything and everyone needs to work together to produce and create and it inspires me to play a small role in that big picture.  The parallel of working with water as the vehicle for my paint while living in a river condo was completely coincidental, but it seems appropriate.  I’m hoping my progress as a watercolor artist will be as swift and productive as the Mighty Mississippi River.

ADVICE FOR NEW ARTISTS

I was given this advice and only partially adhered to it, causing much frustration and a slower pace to begin with. 

Use the best quality brushes, paints, and paper that you can afford right from the beginning.  The technique and feel is drastically different from one level of supplies to another. The brushes will hold different amounts of water and distribute the paint differently on the paper. The paper will absorb differently and the paints will appear more or less vibrant. I am upgrading my brushes now and in some respects it is like starting all over again. That said, one should definitely experiment with types of paper, brushes, etc., but know that the quality will make a huge impact on the outcome and that there is a big learning curve between beginner and professional supplies. 

Also, I always check the archival properties of my papers and the lightfastness of my paints. These attributes will affect the longevity of the work.  I also frame under museum glass. I paint mostly florals, at present, and my desire is to capture the beauty of the flowers before they fade and wither and I want my paintings to capture that beauty for many more lifetimes.

GOALS

We would love to hear your work goals, travel dreams or inspiring words for someone who may feel like giving up or who is just starting out

Over the years I have taken on a variety of commissioned jobs and volunteer work.  For me it is easy to follow through when there are restrictions and deadlines.  What has not been easy is my childhood dream of becoming a professional fine artist. The self confidence and motivation needed to push through a piece of work that has no outside parameters has been my biggest personal accomplishment.   

It was always my default mode to look at my work and my life in a critical light. And in so doing, I limited my progress.  Yet life and art are made up of a series of colorful layers. Looked at individually, the earliest layers can often be distasteful and unappealing. In my formative years, I tended to linger on the imperfections and define the whole work in light of them.  This created numerous discarded, unfinished, and meaningless sketches. 

Now my perspective has shifted, which has changed everything. I now truly believe that to become a masterpiece, one has to develop the courage to look back, analyze, and embrace all the layers of life and only through continuing to work through another layer does the beauty of life and art begin to emerge.

Your space is so beautiful and we love all your pretty tools and accents. What tools do you use and recommend?

White surgical cloths (huck towels) - These are lint free and super absorbent.  I wipe excess water/paint off my brushes constantly with these towels.  Couldn’t do a painting without them.  (BONUS - the blue huck towels are perfect for washing windows and mirrors. I use the blue so I don’t confuse my cleaning towels with my painting ones.  I never have to use paper towels!)

Paper - Fabriano Artistico Watercolor paper,  300lb hot press. Someday I will experiment more with cold press, but for now, I can achieve the detail and fine lines that I like with the hot press.  I use the heavy weight paper to keep it from buckling as much from the water and stretching isn’t necessary.  My paintings will still buckle some, but I always lightly wet the back side of a painting after it is complete and weight it down over night.

Paints - Sennelier French watercolor  tubes

Brushes - I use a mixture of sable hair and synthetic brushes.  Currently a few of my favorites include

Red Sable Spotters from Jackson’s - https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/brushes/brushes/brushes-for-watercolor/brand/jacksons/hair---type/red-sable,

Black Gold 311 Quills found at https://www.thebrushguys.com/cgi-bin/sc-v4/proddisp.pl?client=firesaleguys&catid=2&PRID=2492

Escoda Prado brushes

Paint Tray - I use flat, porcelain, white trays from Sur La Table -https://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-2584910/Porcelain+Serving+Platter?cat=TCA-258137_Platters+%26+Trays

Shop Kim’s Favorites featured in this article.

Follow Kim’s journey and see more of her extraordinary work.

Instagram: @kimberlymathewsart

Web: www.KimberlyMathews.com

We are always looking for artists to feature. Let’s chat!

email: hello@bloomcreativemag.com 

****Affiliate links are used in this post**

Saying No To Work

We are designers, artists and makers.

We are creative’s, and being such, we are wired to take over ugly problems and create beautiful solutions. Make no apology, that’s who we are. But in order to achieve what we need we have to master the power of No.

Imagine, if you will, Glenda, The Good Witch, from Wizard of Oz has just appeared next to you. You may already be at work. You may have just started your morning cup of coffee or you may even be in bed reading this. Glenda asks “What’s troubling you today?” (I can totally picture her calmly smiling while wearing that pretty pink dress and asking me this question? Can you?)

Now put the pencil down, push away from the desk, turn off the TV, do whatever you need to do and sit quietly in this moment and feel what is troubling you. Say it out loud, if you can, and write it down. We want this to become a real thing we can see and revisit.

 What was your answer?

Don’t switch it out for a new one. Go with the first thing you thought, blurted out and wrote down.

Can managing your time more wisely erase your trouble? Is it someone you wish you could spend more time with but feel too overloaded with work to do so? Keep in mind, that very someone can be your own self. Don’t feel ashamed. Wanting to play and enjoy alone time is needed for everyone including creative’s and isn’t frivolous or time wasted in anyway. We learn through play.

Maybe your troubled thoughts are financial. Whatever troubles you most likely came from a simple three-letter word, Y-E-S.

YES can take a mere second to say, and in some instances a lifetime to recover from. But how can we get where we want to go and feel good about it at the same time?

The secret is, Learning to Say No.

There’s NO place like NO.

There’s NO Place like NO.

There’s NO Place like…okay you get the connection.

But seriously, NO really is our Ruby Slippers.

Glenda said it best when she said, “We’ve had the power all along.” And it’s so true. So let’s use it to our advantage. Let’s think before we say Yes and really look at how saying yes will impact us in every aspect of our life.

 Personally

Professionally

Financially

If it feels good all around then it’s a total Yes!

If it crushes something we want or love then clearly it’s a

Hell No! Always decide with careful thought.

Feeling pressured to answer Yes or No on the spot?

Don’t!

Simply say, I need to check my calendar and Ill get back to you. This gives breathing room to think, weigh the pros and cons and then, and only then, should we reply with an answer.

I know it’s easy to say and hard to live by but I’m seriously making a conscious effort to live it and I invite you to join me.

Let’s use our Ruby Slippers and think before we belt Yes and take back our power!

10 Tips For Successful Coorespondence with Creative Agencies and Potential Clients

Smart correspondence is key when reaching out to clients you would like to work with. Keep the below points in mind and you'll be light years ahead of other applicants.

Steps to follow.

1. Do Your Research. Always address correspondence to an appropriate contact at the agency. I wrote about this in a prior post titled No Thank You's and you can read it here.  I shared emails I had sent and received from agencies I was applying with. If you haven't read it please give it a read so you can at least see how things can go terribly wrong if you don't do your research.

2. Be Selective. Never apply at every agency you find. Do your homework and find agencies you believe your work will stand out with or where you feel you can bring something new and fresh to the table.

3. Subject Line. Use a catchy subject line to pique interest.

4. Be Short and Sweet. Now is not the time to write a novel. Introduce yourself, state your business and get out.

5. Follow Directions. If they give specifics on what they need in order to make a decision on bringing you on board, follow those directions to a T.

6. Be Courteous. Say Thank you and Please. Getting a response is so important that I always reply with a Thank You for getting back to me.

7. Be Professional. Cut the slang and write in complete sentences

8. Keep Logs. Always log when and what you sent an agency. This way you always know where you stand.

9. Show Your Best. Share limited quality pieces over quantity. Share only your best pieces. Leave them hungry for more.

10. Keep Going. It's hard out here but you can't give up. This is your dream so stick with it.

10 Tips to Overcoming Loneliness as a Freelancer

10 Tips to Overcoming Loneliness as a Freelancer

My commute this morning didn’t include a long drive nor did it involve blaring car horns or aggressive drivers weaving in and out of traffic. My commute was a groggy walk to the kitchen for my morning cup of joe and then off to my studio to get started with todays work. I’m a freelancer.

Working as a freelance creative from my home studio, I’m more often than not, isolated from the outside world. Yeah, I enjoy the many perks freelancing offers but occasionally struggle with bouts of feeling alone, forgotten and like I’m orbiting unnoticed outside of the hustle and bustle of everyday corporate life.

Although I work solo, I am not alone in the freelance venture. I help make up the massive workforce of 56 million Americans whose commute is a mere few steps away from where we sleep.

I love my work and flexible schedule but freelancing does come with its hurdles. With loneliness being the biggest struggle. The affects of loneliness is so far reaching it’s been deemed an epidemic. 

Normally used to express the widespread severity of disease, epidemic now classifies the extent of which loneliness grips our society. With freelancing weighing in at a whopping 56.7 million in the US alone in 2018, up from 3.7 million since 2014, loneliness is at an all time high. 

So why should we be concerned about loneliness in the first place? After all isn’t it just a feeling with no real tangible health drawbacks? Hardly so, per Harvard Medical School’s recent study on loneliness. 

Recent research suggests that loneliness carries the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is just as detrimental to your health as obesity and if left unchecked can increase your chance of early death by 30%. 

Unlike other health conditions loneliness can be difficult to diagnose. A simple blood test, X-ray or blood pressure cuff can not reveal if someones suffering from isolation. Sadly, due to the stigma associated with loneliness many suffer in silence, too embarrassed to ask for help. 

If you find yourself missing the comradery of coworkers or simply uninspired by your current grind ask yourself. Am I lonely?

When loneliness creeps in I’ve found a willingness to venture outside my studio helps alleviate my feelings of isolation and makes me feel energized and inspired. I’ve  pushed myself to make connections outside of my industry. Something that’s tough to do but has changed my life for the better. 

How do I do it? 

I joined the APA , American Pool-players Association, where I play competitively one night a week on a league. Pool wasn’t something I thought I would like but I’m thrilled I jumped in and now look forward to league night more than ever. Lesson here, don’t be afraid to try something new. 

I joined my local Astronomy Club, CFAS, where I can dive deeper into my love of the night sky. 

I’m also an active member of AIGA which affords me the opportunity to jump in on workshops, community meetings, and attend the talks of leading members of our creative community. 

Below I’m sharing more tips I’ve found helpful for staving off those lonely vibes and think you will too. 

Tips to Overcome Feelings of Loneliness

1. Reach Out and Connect. This may seem silly but something as simple as a phone call can lift your mood. Don’t be shy. Call a friend. Invite someone to have a cup of coffee and talk shop or just catch up. 

2. Skype, Zoom or FaceTime Lunch. Not in the same city or time zone? Not a problem. Plan a long distance lunch or dinner date. Eating a meal with a familiar face can be just what the doctor ordered.

3. Plan an Outing. Invite someone to hit up the park/mall/gym. Go see a movie.

4. Join a Club. If you are a creative AIGA is a great way to connect with others in your field. Become an active member, make new friends and build network of connections. www.aiga.com

5. Host a Meetup. Find others who share your interests by hosting a meetup in your area. www.meetup.com

6. Teach. What you know others want to learn. Teach your skills to others, make a little money on the side while connecting with others. Most often students from my workshops reach out to connect after class for extra help, advice or just to say hello. Workshops are a great way to keep loneliness in check.

7. Work Remote. Get out the house and work at a coffee shop one day a week. This gets you out of the norm and around others. Being surrounded by others provides a sense of community even if you never utter a word.

8. Get a Pet. It reduces anxiety, high blood pressure and is a great loneliness buster. The Center for Disease Control says having a pet can cure what ails you by decreasing blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels. Not to mention pets are great companions. They increase your opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities and socialization. They also offer schedules and most always come visit while you work.

   Worried about the cost of a pet? Not to fear, there are lots of great options available for pet insurance to help cover routine check-ups and the unforeseen uh oh’s that may occur. Read what the experts over at Money.com have to say. “Knowing whether pet insurance will pay off for you and your pet will depend on your pet’s specific health care needs. Before buying a plan, consider its costs and weigh against potential benefits. Recent monthly averages in the US for pet insurance was $30 - $65 dollars per month. Talking to your local and learning about your pet’s health history will put you on the right track to laying this down correctly.” Explore more at https://money.com/best-pet-insurance/

9. Volunteer. Volunteer opportunities offer purpose. Some volunteer opportunities expose us to those less fortunate and encourages us to look inward and focus on gratitude in our own lives. 

10. Hobbies and Extracurricular Activities. Finding a hobby or participating in extracurricular activities can be a huge boost to your overall mental health. And there are so many fun and exciting options available. Think of leagues and clubs that interest you. They offer socializing, the opportunity to learn something new or the chance to dive deeper into a subject you already love and some even provide the thrill of competition. 

If you or someone you know is suffering don’t ignore the signs. Paying attention to your own self care and/or extending an invite to another could be life changing. 

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Sited Resources

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-power-and-prevalence-of-loneliness-2017011310977

https://www.upwork.com/blog/2018/10/freelancing-in-america-2018/

https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/

https://money.com/best-pet-insurance/