We recently took a trip to Kauai Hawaii. Here are some photographs of the gorgeous landscape there.

Spouting Horn Blowhole

Spouting Horn Blowhole

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon View

Hanalei Valley Overlook

Kauai Sunset

Pictures from Kauai Hawaii

If you are a writer, you’ve probably thought about joining a writers group. A writers group can be a great place to receive feedback, connect with other writers and hone your skills. However, choosing the right one can take time and a lot of patience.

Some things you might want to consider:

Genre
While the writers in your group do not have to write the same types of novels you write or are interested in, it helps if they have some knowledge or experience with your genre. Different genres can sometimes follow different formats. You might not get the best advice from a romance novelist if you are writing a crime thriller.

Experience
If you are just starting out, odds are a well established group of writers won’t invite you into their writing group. You need to find a balance of writers that are at or slightly above your writing level. If too many in your group are below your writing level, you won’t grow. However, if you are the weakest link; others in the group may feel impatient having to teach you all that they know. Try to find a group that has members that match where you are in your writing career.

Connection
A writers group will never work if you don’t have a connection with your fellow members. They could be the greatest writers, but if you don’t get along as a group or you don’t enjoy spending time with the group members; you likely won’t get much out of it. However, that doesn’t mean that you want a group where every member is too afraid to state his or her true opinion. You want a group of people who are honest and respectful. Who will give you valuable feedback, but not for a pedestal.

Writers groups can be a huge help to writers and can be a great way to meet other writers and learn new things. If you are thinking about joining one, give it a try. If you aren’t in one, don’t feel as though you are missing out. The best way to grow as a writer is to just continue to write.

Writers Groups

Photo by: http://www.anna-OM-line.com

Do you have a website or a blog? If you are an artist, writer or designer; you should.

A website is the easiest way to showcase your work and connect with others. It’s also easier than ever to set up.

There are many free blogging platforms. However, my favorite is WordPress. You can easily set up a site with or without the purchase of a domain name. There are numerous theme templates available. There is support via a community and numerous articles. The list goes on and on.

One of my most favorite aspects of WordPress is that you can have a blog OR a website (or both). For those of you that don’t need or want a blog, you can find a theme that makes your site look like any other professional website – no code needed.

I’ve been using WordPress for three years now and it’s what I use for all of my sites. While you don’t need to learn code, I’ve learned enough to take my sites to the next level so that I can customize already existing themes. I also use a variety of plugins to keep my sites running smoothly.

If you are thinking about starting your own blog or professional site, but are worried that you need a website designer or have to know a whole lot of code; check out wordpress.com and wordpress.org.

Stay tuned for more wordpress related posts to help you with your website.

Why WordPress

Searching for the perfect gift? Create your own with Spoonflower.

Spoonflower offers a unique opportunity for artists and crafters to create one of a kind pieces with fabric. Their website lets you upload a photograph or design to print on a variety of fabrics. Now you can make pillows (and other creations) out of your kids artwork, photos of your pets and more.

Prices start at a reasonable $16.20 per yard with no minimum order. The site even hosts a weekly fabric design contest. If you prefer, you can also purchase ready made fabric from other artists and designers.

Visit Spoonflower.com for more information.

Create Your Own Fabric with Spoonflower

It seems that every time I am cleaning I find a stray button. Sometimes I can find what garment the button goes with and other times I am completely stumped. Since I hate to throw anything away, I have a jar specifically for stray buttons.

Some of the buttons in my collection are boring. However, some are quite interesting. Whether vintage or new, buttons can be used for a variety of projects including button jewelry. All you need are your buttons, leather cording and/or sterling silver wire and clasps. You might want to add beads as well.

If you don’t have the time to make your own button jewelry, check out Bumpy Beeler.

Artist Sarah Matias makes nifty necklaces, earrings and rings from vintage buttons.

Some of her creations can be seen below.

DIY Project: Button Jewelry

If you are thinking about repainting the interior of your home or a piece of furniture, you might want to look at some of the many new paints that are available.

Paints contain VOCs also known as Volatile Organic Compounds – organic chemical compounds which have significant vapor pressures and which can affect the environment and human health.

Now you can find no and zero VOC paints at a variety of paint shops and home improvement stores.

Following is a list of some of the most popular brands:

AFM (American Formulating and Manufacturing)
www.afmsafecoat.com

Benjamin Moore & Co. (Pristine® Eco-Spec® )
www.benjaminmoore.com

BioShield Paints
www.bioshieldpaint.com

Devoe Paint
www.devoe.com

Duron Paints and Wallcoverings (Genesis Odor-Free products)
www.duron.com

ICI Dulux Paints
www.iciduluxpaints.com

Kelly Moore
www.kellymoore.com

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
www.milkpaint.com

Sherwin-Williams (HealthSpec® paints)
www.sherwin.com

One of our favorites for all around color choice, dry time and low odor is Aura by Benjamin Moore.

Low VOC Paints

The Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts Organization is holding its second
“A Chair to Sit On” art auction on April 29, 2011 at Powers Gallery in Acton, MA.

I participated as an artist in 2009 and am participating again this year.

Below you can see the before and after photos of the 2 kids chairs I refinished.

For more information on this event, click on HGRM.

HGRM – A Chair to Sit On Art Auction

Welcome to RuthLovettSmith.com!

This website is my personal blog of all things art, design and everything else I’m interested in and working on.

From web and design tips – to photography, mixed media and writing projects; this website covers all things art, design, writing and more.

Visit the headings at the top of the page to be directed to your category of choice.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ruth LovettSmith

Welcome!