Sharon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

It’s December - the time of year when we’re bombarded with holidays and the expectation that we will be festive and joyous. But the truth is that the holidays can be an overwhelming, depressing time for women who’ve reached midlife.

Let's look at the Noel Paint Inlay because I guarantee you that you will want to try these with your own hands! 

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with the golden idea of finally what to do with that piece you have been stuck on forever? 

I learned this year that the perfectionist in me should start Christmas décor in October. Not November and certainly not December. But I am not a perfectionist! I am a working Mom with not much time on my hands. I mess up, have accidents, and ROLL WITH IT. With my art, my kids, and (don’t tell my manager) my work.

Here is a 6 minute video in time-lapse showing how I used Iron Orchid Design Moulds, Transfers, and a Stamp to create 3 homes for Christmas. It took me about an hour (not including drying time) per each main efforts:

1. Moulds for each home
2. Paint and stamps
3. Aged glaze and acrylic paint

Materials used:
- IOD Figgy Pudding Transfer
- IOD Merry and Bright Stamp
- IOD Moulds: Trimmings 2, Classic Elements
- Chalk Paint
- Antique Glaze
- Top Coat
- Clear glue
- Patience
- Wooden blank homes from Target (HMU if you can’t find them, I have EXTRA)

You can find these on my website:

https://accidentalartmaker.com/collections/artist-supplies/products/finnabair-double-sided-brush-set-of-7

https://accidentalartmaker.com/collections/iod-moulds/products/trimmings-2-decor-moulds%E2%84%A2

https://accidentalartmaker.com/collections/iod-transfers/products/figgy-pudding-iod-transfer-12x16-pad-iron-orchid-designs

https://accidentalartmaker.com/collections/iod-decor-stamps/products/bright-and-merry-iod-stamp%E2%84%A2-iron-orchid-designs

https://accidentalartmaker.com/collections/iod-moulds/products/classic-element-decor-moulds

https://accidentalartmaker.com/products/iod-air-dry-clay

It’s hard to believe I was introduced to Iron Orchid Designs a little over 2 years ago. My art has come a long way since my first transfer, “Entomology IOD Paintable Decor Transfer”. You can see in the “How it Started” pictures I used the butterflies and bugs sparingly, relying on stencils heavily. I had not tried my hand at any IOD Stamps. Or moulds yet. Or at blending. Or custom mixes. Or at…

There are so many wonderful IOD products that have evolved my artistry skills the last couple of years. It’s more then just the products though, it is what happens during the process of using them. I want to introduce you to one of the mantras from the IOD Sisters’ Manifesto that has been a huge part of my growth as an artist:

Failure is a lovely part of the process, embrace it and look for happy accidents.

Failure has been the biggest part of my evolving as an artist. I cannot tell you how many times I mess up as I am working on a piece and get so angry with myself for ruining whatever I am working on so passionately. When I look at these pictures of my first scroll top desk, I distinctly remember all the things I did wrong. At one point, it looked like butchered butterflies had bled out on the bottom half of the desk. How pissed off I was! Two years ago, I stewed on that anger for a while and figured out how to fix my hot mess up.

“How it’s Going” is a whole different kind of hot mess. I have learned to embrace the mistakes and absorb them into my art intentionally. It is not failure, but truly a happy accident. When I look at my most recent roll top desk, all I see are the things I learned along the way and a beautiful place for a person to enjoy writing their first book or studying for their big test.

Kindest Regards,

The Accidental ArtMaker

I got a few new stamps in today that have been on back order with Iron Orchid Design. One of them is my favorites, Bohemia Decor Stamp by IOD. (Trying to pick a favorite IOD stamp is like trying to pick a favorite child.) I have used this stamp 
so
many
times
and I love it!

This stamp is so versatile, it's a must have in your artist repertoire.