I've been doing some experimenting with some different ways to make books this summer. Here's one I just completed!

Beads with some nice big holes are out of the tumbler and will be available at market on Saturday!

Sometimes, I have people tell me, "Oh I could never do anything like that!" or "I just don't have any artistic ability like you do!" or just "Oh, I'm just not creative." Well, here's the secret. Twenty years ago? Ten years ago? I would probably not believe I could eventually make the work that I make now. We all start somewhere, and guess what? With time and practice, we can all get better at what we do, and learn how to do something new. From left to right, the first turtle printing block I ever carved, and on the right the printing block of Aggie the Tortoise I carved this summer. Give yourself permission to make things that are ugly and awkward, but if you want to make something? GO FOR IT! 

https://creativemovescreations.zibbet.com

Finally here! A new online shop! I will be adding new items over the next several weeks! Things like this Rhinoceros Beetle Box, and more!

     this has been something I've been putting off a decision on, and am still a bit reluctant to post, because I want art to be accessible and affordable for lots of people. I like seeing the joy my creations can bring.

     However, I also want this business to be sustainable for me, financially and also mentally/physically. And (I know this is shocking!) I am not a factory, but one solitary person. I don't really want to try to be a factory, either. (And I've come close to feeling like one when trying to make enough inventory for a show a time or two in the past.)

     So, at the end of this Farmer's Market season, I will be raising some of my prices. As always I will strive to have items at different price points so you can hopefully find something that delights you and that fits into your budget. With this change, I will also have more flexibility to (very) occasionally have sales or specials.

     I wanted to let my customers know of this upcoming change, so if there was something you've had your eye on you could snag it before prices go up.

I've had several people request elephant journals, so I spent some time working on elephant printing blocks today.

Scanned this one into photo shop and flipped it horizontally, because I decided I wanted the finished block to print with the trunk the other way.

Transferred to carving material (I'm liking Speedball's Speedy-Carve these days. NOT to be confused with Speedy-Cut which is frankly crumbly and awful.) Carved and carved and carved until I could do a test print!

As you may or may not know, etsy has decided to require all sellers to use their payment platform or have their shop shut down. In the past, use of their platform was optional., with the added incentive that using it would enable your shop to be the recipient of etsy gift cards.  I have been with etsy for a long time (even longer than the Creative Moves shop would suggest) and I have had my disagreements with the choices they have made in the past. But Honestly, I do not trust them to handle money, (I was around when their auto payment of fees debacle happened,) or with my bank account information, and I have seen many reports of problems with their payment system in the forums. So the etsy shops will be closed starting on May 15. I am currently looking into and researching other options for online shops.

     I'm going to be displaying artwork in February for a local theatre's February show. It's a mystery/thriller, and here's what I was working on today. A bit different than my usual subject matter, but it should be an interesting challenge. 

Took a trip to the Idaho Museum of Natural History this afternoon. They currently have an exhibit on the history and science of wildfires in Idaho, which includes displays and information on the stagebrush steppe. While going through the exhibit, we came upon an old friend of mine:

A burying beetle! I carved a printing block and made a journal featuring this beetle for a custom order, and I have another one in my etsy shop:

Made a Mini Zine Coloring book this afternoon! (There's going to be trick or Treat for the last day of Farmer's MArket, so I wanted to have something for any kiddos who might have food allergies. When I do coloring books, I tend to do two unfashionable things. ONE: Aim them towards Kids (Hey, I got no problem if grown ups wanna color too, I just don't tend to brand coloring books or pages as "for adults") and TWO: I like to leave white space. For doodling and drawing. (It seems as of late the trend is to have super intricate, dense coloring books.) I think everyone should choose the whatever kind makes them happy, for me this is it! :)