Southern Flourish Magazine » Home and Garden http://southernflourish.com Southern Flourish magazines, southern recipes, southern home tours and southern profiles Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:41:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Friday Love: Wit & Whistle http://southernflourish.com/2011/10/14/friday-love-wit-whistle/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/10/14/friday-love-wit-whistle/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:38:26 +0000 Southern Flourish http://southernflourish.com/?p=2206 Did you love Amanda’s DIY projects in our fall issue as much as we did? The chalk jars…brilliant! Today we’re loving her blog and these fab prints available in her Etsy store.

Happy Friday!

]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/10/14/friday-love-wit-whistle/feed/ 0 Repurpose http://southernflourish.com/2011/08/19/repurpose/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/08/19/repurpose/#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:00:40 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/?p=2069 This copper-pot-turned-light-fixture is a must someday. Resourceful!

]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/08/19/repurpose/feed/ 0 Behind the scenes with Britt Bass! http://southernflourish.com/2011/07/07/behind-the-scenes-with-britt-bass/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/07/07/behind-the-scenes-with-britt-bass/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:35:06 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/?p=2005 Meet Brittany Bass: a UGA grad and an artist to the core. With diploma in hand and a knack for seeing beauty in all of life, this aspiring artist/painter has much to offer the world. Enjoy these thoughts from Britt herself and be sure to check out her website, blog and Etsy shop to see more of her work.

 

When did you first start to paint and draw?

When my mom gave me my yellow plastic “Play School” easel as soon as I could walk. I suppose I’ve been a little hooked since then. My elementary art teacher told me I was going to be a famous artist one day- I took her very seriously you see.

Has painting always been your creative outlet?

Not necessarily painting, but creativity in general has always been my outlet of sorts. I’m not so great at sports or anything of athletic nature and although I can beat anyone I know in a card game I’ve seemed to settle with the arts as my go-to. The art of craft in its many forms has always been very important to me, even at a young age. My mom is a creative and over the years has shared with me her passion in a variety of media. I learned how to sew pillow cases, crochet, make barettes, and tie a perfect bow before I was 8. My mom has passed on her passion for making in other forms as well, cake baking and decorating, faux painting, restoring/recovering furniture, and interior designing. I always thought this was a normal way to spend one’s free time. This sort of upbringing has transformed me into an incessant maker and explorer of new materials and constant potential projects. So back to your question, creativity has always been my creative outlet- and I do love to paint.

What are your top three inspirations?

My inspiration certainly comes from life itself. The idea of creation and God creating intricate and timeless astonishing beauty out of dust, dirt, nothing. What a concept- and a constant and unending source of inspiration. I like to work in layers, to focus on the process, and reflect on the aesthetics of my surroundings. On a more simpler level however, my three current inspirations are Confetti System (they are awesome), rocks and gemstones, and moss.

What is a challenge you face?
 

A constant challenge is the ever persistent battle between the work I currently/desire/dream to make vs. the work that sells/the work people want me to make. On top of this challenge remains the invariable fight of my current work which may be a success or comfortable vs. the necessity to move on, to make more work, better work, and even more daring, different work than before. Along with this struggle is the fear that I have reached my peak, or that my audience may change, or even more dreadful, I won’t have an audience at all.

I hope to hang one of these lovelies in my home someday!
]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/07/07/behind-the-scenes-with-britt-bass/feed/ 0 Paint the Southern states http://southernflourish.com/2011/06/08/paint-the-southern-states/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/06/08/paint-the-southern-states/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:25:27 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/?p=1861 I know we all have a loyal, head-over-heels, butterflies in the stomach kind of love for the South. Now think about the kind of love you feel for your very own state. Something undeniable, isn’t it?! Artists on Etsy feel the same way…

via Mandipidy

via tinyowlstudios

via MursBlanc

via fifidudie

]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/06/08/paint-the-southern-states/feed/ 1 Shelter for the South http://southernflourish.com/2011/05/05/shelter-for-the-south/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/05/05/shelter-for-the-south/#comments Thu, 05 May 2011 15:56:20 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/?p=1733 The love for my beautiful home state and sweet Southern people continues. The tornado that raged through the South may have come and gone quickly but the effects will remain for far too long. Shelter for the South is a group effort to pool together the generosity and resources of able people to come to the aid of those we love. There are more than 700 displaced people and hundreds of people remain unaccounted for. As “south-a-nahs” we are known for the undeniable accent, hospitality, charm and, most importantly today…community. Let’s show the world the true essence of community as we support one another in this time of need.

Thank you for creating and sharing this, Laken!!

]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/05/05/shelter-for-the-south/feed/ 0 Behind the scenes for wedding season! http://southernflourish.com/2011/05/03/behind-the-scenes-for-wedding-season/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/05/03/behind-the-scenes-for-wedding-season/#comments Wed, 04 May 2011 05:27:33 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/?p=1725 You’ve seen her in our Home & Garden section. You’ve seen her own blog, Natty Michelle. Now it’s time we take a behind the scenes look at her Etsy shop right here on the Southern Flourish blog! With hand-painted stationery, prints and wedding maps galore, our very own Natalie has much insight and talent to share! (and we’ve caught her mid-wedding season too…cha ching!)


  • How did your interest in this art form/business begin? My aunt is also an artist who paints with watercolor pencils, and she began a similar business a few years ago. When she showed me how easy it was to transfer artwork to stationery, I started churning out the designs and never looked back! At first I only sold notecards to customers via my etsy shop, but when my friends started getting engaged, they asked me to make their wedding thank you notes, bridal shower invitations and wedding maps for hotel guest bags and invitation suites. When I started offering wedding related products to the etsy community, my business really took off.

  • What are your top sources of inspiration? I am constantly in awe of other bloggers and artists that I find on the Web; there are so many talented, wonderful and inspirational people out there! I am also regularly inspired by my clients. Some of my favorite designs have come from the creative minds of my customers– people are always coming to me with fabulous ideas for an invitation or a piece of art. A great design is usually born after brainstorming with a client, so I try to keep my mind open to every idea, no matter how off-the-wall it may seem!

  • What are your 3 favorite blogs? My Google reader is stuffed with over 125 art and design blogs, but currently my favorites are Oh So Beautiful Paper, Mrs. Lilien and Centsational Girl.

  • Tell us about wedding season! The majority of my paper goods are wedding related, so the months of March – August are super busy for me! Some days I wake up early in the morning and don’t leave my office until late at night, but I would never complain. Working for clients on projects I love is so much better than sitting in a cubicle from 9 – 5, choosing ad layout A, B or C for xyz company in the corporate world. Instead, every day for me is a new, exciting challenge. There is truly nothing more rewarding than seeing your ideas come to life — and getting paid for it, too!

  • What is the best way to promote your store and how do you stay educated on those tactics? Social media works wonders when trying to easily and inexpensively promote your small business. Facebook, Twitter and my blog allow me to easily share my recent projects and ideas to friends, family and clients. I have yet to participate in an outdoor arts festival, but that is on my list of things to do this year!

 

]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/05/03/behind-the-scenes-for-wedding-season/feed/ 0 Watercolors for Mother’s Day! http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/27/watercolors-for-mothers-day/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/27/watercolors-for-mothers-day/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:18:50 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/?p=1718 Well, I’ll be! Here’s a sweet little Mother’s Day gift idea….

Check out this Southern Etsy artist and surprise Mom with a custom print of home sweet home!!

]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/27/watercolors-for-mothers-day/feed/ 0 Weekend :) http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/22/weekend-2/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/22/weekend-2/#comments Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:07:01 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/?p=1701

Hope you have a relaxing and life-giving weekend. (Happy Easter!)

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]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/22/weekend-2/feed/ 0 Behind the scenes at Knack Studios! http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/12/behind-the-scenes-at-knack-studios/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/12/behind-the-scenes-at-knack-studios/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:05:01 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/?p=1665 Boy do we have a treat for you! We get to go behind the scenes today with one of our lovely contributors that has been with us since the very beginning:  Barb Blair of Knack Studios. Barb shows us what the combination of fabulous furniture and found goodness produces through her fine collection of custom furniture pieces. Enjoy!
How did you get into the field?
My art form turned business happened very organically over a period of years. I started off doing two home shows a year and then gradually moved on to my first antique booth, then a second….and finally about three and a half years ago opened the brick and mortar studio! It’s all history after that!

What do you like most about it?
I love that I get to see transformation on a weekly basis, and that I get to work with color for a living. There is nothing like being inspired by how things can be changed and made beautiful with love and attention. This very thought carries over into life as well, and that never gets old. I also love the flexibility of being a designer for myself and setting my own boundaries.
What are your top 3 sources of inspiration?
nature, travel, and photography
What advice would you offer someone interested in the profession?
Be ready to work really hard, make sure that you are in it for the long haul and passionate about what you do. That passion will get you through the hard days. Also, I love the quote by Benjamin Franklin: ” It is better to fail in originality that to succeed in imitation” Dare to be different and original….it will pay off, I promise!

Be sure to check out her blog!

]]> http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/12/behind-the-scenes-at-knack-studios/feed/ 0 Chevron http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/05/chevron/ http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/05/chevron/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:49:49 +0000 Elizabeth http://southernflourish.com/2011/04/05/chevron/ What comes in all colors and sizes and is just the right bold accent for any room in the house? Chevron, of course! The pictures speak for themselves…

Just delightful!

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