Author name: emily

The Artful Life: 10 Crafty Tips to Boost a Child’s Self-Confidence and Improve Academic Performance: #2

Categories: family, The Artful Life

As parents, we strive to help our children grow up to be healthy, productive adults. Times are changing faster than ever, and parents are working harder to make ends meet. With constant introduction to new technology, as individuals and as a family, we have more choices than we’ve ever had before. So how do we stay focused and ensure we give our children the best upbringing possible? In this series we will share some tips we have found that help children develop a positive self image, and encourage success in the classroom.

#2: Family Movie/Game Night

image by Chris Blakeley via Flickr

How about revisiting all the classic games you played as a kid: “Monopoly” ,”Clue” ,”Operation” ,”Scrabble” “Chess”? Each one teaches great lessons in math, language, strategy, cooperation and competition! Invite friends and family over to join in the fun! It’s amazing the bonds that form when you laugh, discuss and rub in a victory!  We love “Farkle” and also recommend the new series of Lego games, especially “Harry Potter.”  Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a family “Rock Band” jam session or round of Wii Bowling, either!
What are your favorite family movies and games?

Stay tuned for tip #3 tomorrow!

Did you miss the first tips? Start here

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Happy Holidays from Elysian Studios!

I’m excited to be a part of the Art Bead Scene Blog Hop!

See the list of participants below, and click on their links to see their wonderful ornaments!

To spread some Holiday Cheer, we are giving away one of these ornaments, so leave a comment and a winner will be chosen at random on December 10th!

My ornaments for this year were inspired by my character, “Little Zen” (and who doesn’t need a little of that this time of year?)  Visually, these are incredibly simple, the construction process was a bit more involved.  The birds are sculpted from white polymer clay, and drilled for beading.  Each one is then adorned with red peppermint-inspired accents at their neck.. One has a flowing red scarf with a peppermint swirl brooch, one has a sparkling necklace made with peppermint skinner blend discs, and the third boasts a ring of delicious peppermint candies, all made with polymer clay.  A handmade red and white holiday bead hangs below each bird, who is nested in a hand-cut and assembled two-tone bayleaf wreath.  All have been strung for hanging with additional red glass and gold metal beads, with a gold clasp used for the top hanger and a bottom “branch.”  Handmade tags from Polyshrink film were inscribed with our logo and the date to commemorate this holiday season!

Art Bead Scene 

Creative Impressions in Clay

Diva Designs

Elysian Studios – you are here!

Fab Fibers

For the Love of Beads

Humblebeads

Island Girl’s Insights

Jangles

Jeannie’s Blog

Lampwork Diva/Cindy Gimbrone

Mary Harding

Michelle Mach

Spirit Rattles

Wondrous Strange Designs

Much thanks to Art Bead Scene and Humblebeads for organizing this fun event!

Merry Christmas: The Nativity in Art History

Categories: Art History, Christmas, Holidays, painting

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ ” – Luke 2:11-14

“Geburt Christi” by Bernardo Daddi, oil on wood, c.1325-1350

From the Proto-Renaissance, or “Quattrocento” period in Italy.  Bernardo Daddi was influenced towards realism by the paintings of Giotto.

Pierre Bladelin Triptych central panel, by Rogier van der Weyden

In this nativity by Rogier van der Weyden the usual simple shed, customary since Late Antiquity, developed into an elaborate ruined temple, initially Romanesque in style, which represented the dilapidated state of the Old Covenant of the Jewish law.

“Worship of the Shepherds” by Bronzino, oil on wood, c 1534-1540



Bronzino was an Italian Mannerist Painter from Florence. Mannerism is notable for its intellectual sophistication as well as its artificial (as opposed to naturalistic) qualities.

“Adoration of the Shepherds” by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622 Showing the use of Caravaggio inspired chiaroscuro, nighttime and candlelit scenes were a signature of Dutch painter Gerard van Honthorst and characteristic of the Baroque period.

Modern stained glass from the Taufkapelle, Koblenz-Arenberg

These traditional images from centuries ago are still breathtaking to behold.  Their inspirational subject matter and distinct influential styles still captivate us.

Elysian Studios wishes you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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