Fresh Squeezed - Twine is coming...

I haven't blogged in ages due to the fact that I work 24/7 running two businesses... Yes, I said 2!  Jessica and I are starting a web-based Interior Design business called Twine!  It will have DIY room designs and unique furnishings for sale.  We are hard at work, nose to the grind, preparing for the launch which will happen in the next month or two (fingers crossed and lots of prayers).  We decided to start another blog on a temporary site until the website goes live.  We thought it would be fun for our cheerleaders to follow our progress and get a sneak peek on what we are up to!

So here is all the social links to the the 411 on Twine!

Our website is www.twineinteriors.com (be sure and check it periodically!)

Meanwhile, for insight on the new business and more of the same great topics as Creative Juice check our our temporary blog  www.twineinteriors.blogspot.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/TwineInteriors

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/twineinteriors/

We are launching soon so this is a little teaser video we posted to our new youtube channel...stay tuned! ~Brandy

http://www.youtube.com/user/TwineInteriors?feature=watch

The Pulp - The Tortured Artist

I googled (of course) and this is such a common way to describe an Artists that it is in wikipedia...The tortured artist is a stock character and real-life stereotype who is in constant torment due to frustrations with art and other people.  They are often mocked in popular culture for "thinking too much," being quixotic, or coming across as pretentiously adverse to happiness and fun.

"The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh.  

He committed suicide and struggled with depression and illness throughout his life.

Artist is an all encompassing term not just for painters or sculptors but also writers, singers, architects, actors and interior designers.  I believe it is anyone who is creative and who puts their work out into the world and opens themselves to criticism. This is the website designer, graphic designer, crafter, photographer, wedding planner, director, poet, etc. 

Some think that artists long for and even cause themselves pain in order to produce their work, thinking that the pain produces their work.  I disagree.  I have a need to create ever since I was a little girl.  I made clothes for my dolls, rearranged my room a million times, built things, demolished things, made beautiful mud pies and tried every craft I could.  I took painting lessons when I was 12 and have been in art ever since.  If I am not creating then I am frustrated and frustration leads to anxiety and depression (in my case).  And if I am creating, then I am open to criticism.  It's a double edge sword.  Not everyone will be happy with everything you create.  I logically know this and I try to be confident and just say to myself that they don't know any better but in reality it's a kick in the stomach.  My head knows you can't please everyone and not everyone agrees with what is beautiful but my heart says "I put this out in the world and the world doesn't appreciate it".  It's hard to balance this.  Not only the criticism is hard to deal with but to having your creativity be given parameters by the commissioner or client.  Parameters are good and necessary but it's a struggle for the creative person to have this beautiful design be hacked away at by budget, poor workmanship, the client selecting something on their own, etc.  What was beautiful in your mind is a far cry from what actually is produced and not by your own doing.  Frustrating to no end!  

I believe the pain that artists feel (at least for me) is based on the frustration of not being able to create, the criticism that comes with creativity that is almost impossible to divorce yourself from, and the frustration of not being able to make what is in your head a reality.  It's not the pain that produces the art it's the art that produces the pain, the not being able to create it or the backlash from the world.  If you know an artist, which I imagine most of you do, try to tell them how you love their creativity (even if you don't like their work), pat them on the back for putting themselves out there.  Creative people need time to daydream, brainstorm or imagine.  I know I need to explore new things and new places to renew my creativity so vacations are a big deal for me.  Support that or whatever renews your spouse, friend or relative.  

Let me know if you agree or disagree~ Brandy

Vitamin B Boost: Fresh start to 2012

Wow!  It's hard to believe it's 2012!  I always feel the need for a new beginning, clear out the old and freshen up at this time of year.  Of course, I watched a marathon of the show "Hoarders" over the holidays which always makes me want to throw out stuff even more.  I feel the need to focus on going through each room in my house and organizing this January and February.  I will blog about products I find, ideas I have, how-tos and inspiration!

This looks like something I would do!!

Let's start the new year by getting rid of old linens- sheets, towels, stained napkins.

It feels great to sleep in fresh linens so it's great motivation to keep going!  I always gravitate toward white or cream linens just because face creams can bleach out colored linens.  I like Egyptian cotton sheets but bamboo has intrigue me.  I have bamboo towels and would love to try the sheets.  Something to consider is the higher the thread count the softer the sheets as well as the type of cotton.  The softer the sheets the more wrinkled they are.  So it's a preference on what type you prefer.

There are many types of linens, just to name a few...

Linen- is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant.  Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.  It Wrinkles.
Cotton- The higher the thread count the more expensive and softer the sheets.
Bamboo- Types

1. Bamboo / Cotton Blend: Usually somewhere around 60% bamboo and 40% cotton, these sheets attempt to provide the comfort of bamboo with the familiarity of cotton.  The cotton helps these sheets retain their color while the bamboo provides the softness, comfort, and anti-microbial properties you're looking for.
2. Rayon Derived From Bamboo: There are so many chemicals in these that they aren't considered organic.
3. 100% Bamboo:  Usually available in more limited colors, 100% bamboo sheets can be hard to come by.

Cotton Sateen-Sateen is usually applied to cotton.  Better qualities are mercerized to give a higher sheen.  Sateen produces the sheen and softer feel through the use of a different structure in the weaving process.
Organic Cotton -Organic cotton is generally understood as cotton and is grown in subtropical countries such as America and India, from non genetically modified plants, that is to be grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides.
Egyptian Cotton- is usually applied to the extra long staple cotton produced in Egypt and used by luxury and upmarket brands worldwide.
Silk
Flannel-Flannel is a soft woven fabric, of various fineness. Flannel was originally made from cardedwool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fibre. Flannel may be brushed to create extra softness or remain unbrushed.

Some good brands are Anichini, SDH, Sferra, Ann Gish, John Robshaw and Peacock Alley.

Athena by Yves Derlorme -100% Egyptian Combed Cotton Percale
500 Thread Count - Queen set $650.00

John Robshaw- 300 count, Queen Set $490.00

Catherine by Anichini -500 count, Queen Set $795.00

Bamboo Dreams by Yala - 100% Viscose from Bamboo, Queen set $238

So much to choose from ~Brandy