Offbeat Update: 2024's Color of the Year + Pumpkin Art Galore
Your weekly update for 10/19/24: Content for creatives!
Welcome to the Offbeat Update published by Souls Like Wheels: a newsletter for makers — featuring all things creative, adventurous, and quirky. 🤓
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Hello, readers! This is my last update for the next few weeks as I prepare for a cross-country move. Goodbye Colorado and hello rural Virginia! This is a big move but I’ll be back better than ever — more crafts (yay, woodworking!), more ideas, and the return of artist interviews.
Enjoy this week’s read and talk soon!
Good reads (and videos) for Makers
Valspar’s Color of the Year
Valspar announced its 2024 Color Of the Year: Renew Blue. They describe it as: “A nourishing, green-influenced blue that creates a sense of peace wherever you place it.”
This greenish-blue is a bit retro, a bit nautical, and oddly comforting! Personally, I’m loving this color and would love to create a monochrome scene as shown above.
Read more HERE
Craftsmanship in music: watch “Miracle in a Box”
I grew up playing the piano. I loved it dearly and remember the local piano tuner visiting every few years to reign in the out-of-tune pitches and fix the few keys I tended to break with my aggressive attempts to master Rachmaninoff pieces.
Miracle in the Box pays respect to the craft of piano building and tuning:
As the music world continues on its accelerating shift to electronic sound, and mass-produced instruments, the traditional piano—with its myriad strings, felt hammers, and long line of black and white keys (88 in all)—the piano stands apart as an instrument that has held its own for centuries.
Watch the documentary below:
Watch the art of Chinese Sugar Painting
Sugar Painting is a traditional Chinese folk art. In its most basic form, sugar painting is done by drizzling liquid sugar onto a marble surface to create intricate designs.
Take a moment from your hectic day and watch these amazing artists. You can thank me for introducing you to this YouTube rabbit hole next week!
Cool things to make this week
It wouldn’t be Fall without pumpkin decor, right? If you’re looking for incorporation before starting your annual pumpkin crafts, I’ve got you covered.
The Minnesota Zoo that’s going all out for pumpkins
Check out the fine folks who are taking pumpkin art to new heights at a Minnesota Zoo. Apple Valley Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is in its 5th year of pumpkin art:
“At any one time, 5,000 pumpkins are on the zoo’s wooded trails. However, over the span of the event, Sept. 30-Nov 4., around 8,000 pumpkins are lit in total. Several hundred of those are masterpieces, carved by about 30 local artists, in a workshop that is open seven days a week.”
See more pumpkin pictures HERE
Get to know artist Yayoi Kusama
Yayoi Kusama has become famous for her mind-blowing art that is centered around pumpkins. The artist has made a career out of her pumpkin art (among other things!):
“I love pumpkins," the artist explained in a 2015 interview, "because of their humorous form, warm feeling, and a human-like quality and form. My desire to create works of pumpkins still continues. I have enthusiasm as if I were still a child.”
See more of her work HERE
Pumpkin Decor that lasts year-round
Looking for pumpkin crafts without the “guts”? Me too! With a big move coming up I think I’ll stick to non-perishable decor.
These yarn pumpkins over at Heart Filled Spaces are gorgeous and I hope to try them once I have my craft room back!
Action Steps:
🧵What is your current craft or project? Share your progress with me!
🔗Have an interesting find to share? Let me know in the comments!
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