Balzer Designs

Insane Doodles from My Past

When I first moved to NYC and had the urge to create, I didn't have a lot of supplies or space. But I did have a notebook, a pen, and some colored pencils. I have notebooks full of crazy insane doodles like these ones: I haven't looked at these in years, but I see versions of some of the stencils I've designed in them. Isn't that funny? You know, when I teach I always talk about embracing your authentic self. I tell my students that no one else holds a brush like you or think the way that you do.... Read more →

5 Ways to Wear Alisa's "Heart to Art Remix" Infinity Scarf

Alisa Burke is one of the nicest and most talented people that I have the pleasure of knowing. She recently teamed up with licensing giant Demdaco to release a line of bags, cuffs, and scarves featuring her beautiful painted artwork. It's called "Heart to Art Remix." She was kind enough to send me the Purple Pattern Infinity Scarf from her line and so I decided to embrace my inner fashion blogger and share 5 ways to wear that infinity scarf! It's an easy way to dress up jeans and a t-shirt into something much more fashionable. Just double loop it... Read more →

Art Journal Every Day: January 2014 Dailies

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week and you've blogged about it, or put it on flickr, please leave a link in the linky list at the end of this post. Thanks! I'm sharing the rest of my January pages today. All in all, it... Read more →

Project Life: It's 2014!

Yes, I am still doing Project Life! I got a little behind and so I didn't blog about it for a long time. But now I'm all caught up and excited to share! Contrary to what I see all over the internet, I create my cover pages at the end of each year rather than the beginning. You can see 2012 and 2013 cover pages below. I've also liked to include the flotsam and jetsam of life in my album... ...but I've never been enough of a planner to do it in the actual pockets. Until now! One of my... Read more →

Random Love

Like the rest of the world I sometimes find myself wandering through the internet. Today I wanted to share a few of my recent favorite discoveries. This video is super cool. Watch the eyes! Art Abandonment -- such an interesting idea from Michael deMeng. And now there's even a book about it coming out! I love the idea of finding random art from some generous stranger. I'm going to keep my eyes open for it! We'll see if I manage to become brave enough to leave some somewhere.... One of my favorite infographics I've ever seen: I found it here.... Read more →

Stenciling Live: Questions & Answers

Is anybody else exhausted?! What a wonderful week of Stenciling Live broadcasts it has been! And last night was no exception.... Watch the video below: Or check it out on the Spreecast site and read along with the archived chat. Last night's winner is... Congratulations, Robin! E-mail with your mailing address and I"ll get your prize out to you! Thank you so much to everyone who made the entire Stenciling Live experience, such a fun one. You can find all of the lessons archived HERE for future reference! Now go and play with your stencils! (And share the photos of... Read more →

Stenciling Live: Other Mediums

Glitter, embossing powder, Super Heavy Gesso, and Pan Pastels...oh my!! Watch the messy fun below: Or view the video on the site and read the archived chat as you watch! Here are links to the products I used during the class: Avery Tag 6.25 x 3.125 Pan Pastels Retractable Eraser Crossed Stencil 6x6 Sofft Tools Black Gesso Palms Stencil 12x12 Art Deco Leaves 6x6 Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso Palette Knife Stones Divided Stencil 6x6 Xyron 500 Deli Paper Doodlebug Glitter Four Faces Stencil 6x6 Zing Embossing Powder Versamark Ink Pad Cube 1x1 Versamark Ink Pad Ranger Heat Gun InLinkz.com And... Read more →

Stenciling Live: Stendoodling

Thank you for joining me for the cleanest stenciling I've ever done! No paint or ink in sight! (I kept doodling after the class, so these samples are a bit further along than they got in the video. Couldn't help myself!) Learn all about stendoodling by watching the video below (Please note that there is a long gap during the period in which I first switched cameras, due to technical difficulties on my end. Please fast forward that part.): Or watch on the Spreecast site and read along with the archived chat! Here's a quick breakdown of the pens I... Read more →

Stenciling Live: Balzer Bits

There is no Art Journal Every Day post today. AJED will be back next week. :) Hooray for Balzer Bits!! We had so much fun in class last night! Thank you to everyone who joined me for the live broadcast! I hope you had fun too! Watch all the shenanigans below: Or watch the video on the site, and read along with the chat. Here are all of the Balzer Bits with links to buy them: Balzer Bits: Butterfly Balzer Bits: Burlap Balzer Bits: Tree Balzer Bits: Rose Balzer Bits: All My Heart Balzer Bits: Here Arrow Balzer Bits: Celtic... Read more →

Stenciling Live: Faces

Yesterday's Stenciling Live was lots of fun! Check out the video below: Or go ahead and view the video on the site, where you can also read the archived chat! Here are the stencils I used, with links to buy them: Edith & Maude 12x12 stencil Edith & Maude 6x6 12x12 Summer Face Stencil 6x6 Summer Face Stencil Ava Stencil 12x12 6x6 Ava Stencil 12x12 Silhouette Script Stencil 6x6 Silhouette Script Stencil 12x12 Profile Stencil 6x6 Profile Stencil 12x12 Three Quarter Stencil 6x6 Three Quarter Stencil Four Faces Stencil 12x12 Four Faces Stencil 6x6 InLinkz.com And yesterday's winner is... Congratulations,... Read more →