Balzer Designs

Adventures in Arting Podcast: Creativation

I recently attended Creativation -- the annual trade show for the craft industry. It used to be called CHA (craft and hobby association) and now it's called Creativation. And the organization, which also used to be called CHA, is now called AFCI. Learn all about it on the podcast: If you do not see the podcast player above, please click on this link. You can listen to a podcast anywhere and at any time. It is a recording that is available to you whenever you'd like to listen. If you'd like to download it to your iTunes library, click here.... Read more →

100 Canvases: Canvas #42: The Giant Tar Paper Face

I have discovered a new material that I looooove working on: Tar Paper -- often called roofing felt. Artist, Ardith Goodwin, is a guest on the upcoming season of Make It Artsy and she demonstrated what a fantastic painting surface it is. I came home from the filming and ordered a roll. I immediately lopped off a big piece and created this painting: I'm hooked! It's a substrate that takes a serious beating and keeps on ticking. It's inexpensive. It comes in HUGE rolls. I am a happy camper! Here are some details from the painting I created: And here... Read more →

Around Here: January 2018

It's 2018! I thought I'd change up the format of my monthly "Around Here" posts this year. Each month I'll be answering 6 simple questions: What are you listening to? What are you wearing? What have you bought? What are you reading? Who are you stalking...er, admiring from afar? Where are you going? What are you listening to? We got an Amazon Echo over the holidays. I pretty much walk into the kitchen every single day and say, "Alexa, play 90s hip hop." It's on All. The. Time. Old faves, like Sir Mix-a-lot, Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop, Salt N' Pepa, etc.... Read more →

Art Journal Every Day: 5 Tips for Finding Your Journal Style

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. 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, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek. Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. I love that people in the world are interested in learning how I... Read more →

A Brief Visit to The British Museum

One of the things that I love about the British Museum? It's FREE! When a museum has free entry, it always makes me feel better about popping in for a quick visit rather than feeling like I need to spend all day there to really "get my money's worth." It's a silly frame of mind, but I can't help it. So, here are some snaps from an afternoon of wandering in a very hot, very un-air conditioned, very crowded, very amazing museum: The building is beautiful! The collection is amazing! But, our visit to The British Museum does bring up... Read more →

#CarveDecember 2017: Some of my Favorites! (part 5)

You know that I love people -- especially faces and eyes! So, I'm wrapping up my #CarveDecember favorites with stamps that feature people (and people parts)! I think that people and people parts will always be a popular choice artists because we can't help but create images of ourselves. Some things I'm taking away from these photos: I want to try a silhouette of a person. I love the idea of carving some of my fantastical faces -- instead of a realistic one. I have no idea why I've never tried that before?! I love love love the notion of... Read more →

Papel Picado Banner with ScanNCut

Now that the Christmas decorations have been put away, January can feel a little bit dreary. Why not brighten it up with a brightly colored paper banner?! I'm super excited about this very very easy way to make your own fabulous papel picado banner! How easy is it? As easy as downloading the FREE cut files I designed and cutting them out with your ScanNCut! Watch the video for the how-to: I love the way it turned out! I hope you'll make your own! If you do, be sure to post it online and share it with me using the... Read more →

#CarveDecember 2017: Some of my Favorites! (part 4)

Today I'm sharing just a few of the amazing patterns that people created during #CarveDecember! Sigh. I could just stare and stare and stare at these patterns all day long. I looooove pattern making! It's fascinating to me how a small image can become so much more when repeated over and over again. Some things I'm taking away from these photos: The impact of color. The impact of the contrast between open and closed space. That patterns can be created from almost any kind of shape. That we *want* to see patterns and see them -- even when things don't... Read more →

Art Journal Every Day: Favorite Art Journal Products

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. 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, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek. Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. I am currently in Phoenix, AZ for the Creativation Show! This is the... Read more →

#CarveDecember 2017: Some of my Favorites! (part 3)

Let's check out some nature images from #CarveDecember today! Unleash the flowers and leaves and clouds and all that good stuff: I think that nature will always be a popular motif. It's all around us and the Biophilia Hypothesis states that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. Many people believe that being in nature improves health, mood, and even happiness. Some things I'm taking away from these photos: Leaves and flowers can be interpretative rather than realistic. Leaves and flowers aren't the only natural elements; waves, clouds, trees, nuts, acorns, and... Read more →