Archive for the ‘do it yourself’ Category
‘Cuz Going It Alone… is No Fun
Monday, October 19th, 2009
Meet my talented tribe: Claudia, Lisa, Kendra, Susan and Suzanne. Once a month we get together to scheme, celebrate and occasionally kvetch. We gathered almost three years ago as an artist support group: like-minded women in need of support as we balance family, business and art. We root each others’ attempts, share success stories, and try to encourage each other to make and reach goals. We share technology trials, kid-friendly recipes, resources of every kind, but mostly our fears and hopes. They keep me focused and inspire me to reach a little higher, every time we meet. I find great comfort in their company and along with being talented and creative individuals, they bring excellent snacks. I’m so very grateful to have them in my life.
Posted in Uncategorized, do it yourself, just for fun | 3 Comments »
Do they come with sound? No. Oh good.
Friday, October 16th, 2009
I have never really been one for video games, but check out these tiles. They’re based on the popular, time-killing video game Tetris.
Brilliant, colorful and so very fun, unless you’re the do-it-yourself installer who gets to put this giant puzzle together. Hmmm, at least they don’t come with the endless loop of beeps and blips.
Tags: tetris, tiles
Posted in Uncategorized, do it yourself, product design | No Comments »
Beauty in a Handicraft Hyperbolic Reef
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
"Crochet Coral and Anemone Garden" with sea slug by Marianne Midelburg. Photos © The IFF by Alyssa Gorelick.
Math. It’s pretty cool. Okay well, I have to admit it was not the favorite subject of my youth, but I have come to appreciate math for what it is… the language of the universe. Margaret Wertheim is one of the reasons why math now sings to me instead of screams. She has been leading a quiet movement that incorporates high math, shrinking reef worlds and a humble woman’s handicraft.
The Crochet Coral Reef Project attempts to explain hyperbolic geometry via the creation of an undulating choral reef using an army of crochet-hook wielding crafters. Gallery installations and news articles of the project serve to bring these shrinking worlds (the actual underwater variety) to the awareness of thousands.
Video:
Margaret Wertheim explains The Crochet Coral Reef Project on TED.com
If you’ve got 15 minutes and are still wondering what hyperbolic math is you should link to the TED.com video above. Margaret does a way better job of explaining it than I ever could.
Intrigued by the possibilities of math? Check out The Insitute for Figuring. The site will stretch your brain… fractals, vectors and planes, oh my!
Tags: crochet coral reef, hyperbolic geometry, iff, institute for figuring, margaret wertheim
Posted in do it yourself, just for fun, on design | 2 Comments »
Design Mosaics? Yes You Can!
Friday, March 27th, 2009
One of my favorite things to do is lead others through a creative process. Adults are especially delightful to teach because they enter my classroom in anticipation and completely voluntarily! They are curious and excited to learn. I’ve been teaching mosaics at Artascope Studio for four years and love it when students surprise themselves with how incredibly talented they are. You see, the nice thing about mosaics is its accessibility to every level of comfort, expense, style, color sense, etc. You don’t have to know how to draw or sculpt. It doesn’t hurt that you can incorporate just about any material and our studio is packed with shards, stone, glass, tile, shells, marbles, pottery and more, just waiting to become part of someone’s objet d’art.
Student work: Table tops and mirrors
Student work: Exterior plaques
Become a mosaic artist? Yes you can. Three ways to start, depending on your comfort level:
Right the First Time Method Scour local and internet listings for mosaic workshops. Get hands on experience and advice from someone who has already learned things the hard way… so you don’t have to.
Do Your Homework Method There are so many wonderful websites all willing to walk you through the various mosaic techniques and they often supply books, materials and tools as well. A few to try: Mosaic Tile Guide Mosaic Art Supply Inland Craft
Cowabunga Method Collect old plates (flatter-the-better) from a resale store and smash ‘em up. Go to your local hardware store and purchase ceramic tile adhesive, grout and disposable gloves. Glue your shards to that ugly coffee table your aunt gave you, let the adhesive dry, fill in with grout, clean, and Voila! It’s Art.
Tags: art, artascope, design, direct method, do it yourself, glass tile, mosaic, mosaics, tile, workshop
Posted in do it yourself | No Comments »
About the Designer
Tile design is a functional aesthetic. It's that place between art and
order where I am most happy to be. I'm a graphic designer by training,
a painter in practice. Painting appeals to the artist in me, while I
rely on the grid and functionality of tile to bring order and utility
to environments. Welcome to my site and that place where art meets
utility.
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- laurie spugnardi design
- portland maine usa :: 207 318 3064
- lauriespugnardi@gmail.com
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