Blog Redesign Update

Good morning blogosphere!

I'm excited to post an update about the redesign of my blog! 

Right now I am working on what content I want to bring you guys and what my brand will be.

Here's a look at my notebook where I am jotting down my ideas:

As you can see, it's a bit messy as I toss around a bunch of ideas... But in the end, I hope to have a great new design with lots of new content.

I am tentatively planning to launch my new design at the beginning of July.

I will have more news to come along with some sneak peaks at future posts in the next few weeks!

-The Informed Artist

Updated: Where have I been?

Update: So in November I said I would have more posts coming soon, and well, that has not happened. However, my blog has not been forgotten!

I am beginning plans for a new design and have a craft post that needs to be written.

So with that said (or should that be "with that written"?), I am signing off to start re-inventing my blog.

--The Informed Artist

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Today is the first time I have logged on since March. I feel really bad about abandoning my blog. So here is a shameless plug for my most recent Craft Break: DIY Hobbit Hole in a Jar.

I am going to make it a goal to get back to posting. But look for a re-design sometime in the coming weeks. I think the reason I abandoned my blog is because I set very lofty goals that I do not have the time to reach (being in college really does absorb a lot of time).

I will be posting some artwork, crafts, and photos!

If you have any suggestions for my new blog design, leave them below!

--The Informed Artist

The Hobbit: DIY Hobbit Hole Jar

With the release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies coming to theaters soon, I decided what more perfect birthday gift to make for my Tolkien-obsessed friend than a hobbit hole in a jar? This artificial terrarium specifically features Bag End, the home of Bilbo Baggins.

Okay, so I will admit, I am not the biggest Hobbit/Lord of the Ring fan. I have read the first and second LOTR books, watched the first movie, and watched the first two Hobbit movies, but that is the extent of my knowledge. However, this is my friend's favorite series and so I knew this would be a meaningful gift.

So here below I have posted a few pictures of the finished product. Unfortunately I don't have pictures for the steps, but if you would like written instructions, I can provide them.

Front view of Bag End. Photo credit: Allison Gens

Close-up view of the front of Bag End. Photo Credit: Allison Gens

So I am a little bit crazy and decided to take this craft to another level: Making the inside of Bag End. Here are a few images of the inside of the house.

Back view of Bag End. Photo credit: Allison Gens

Close-up view of the inside. Photo Credit: Allison Gens

I took this jar a step further, and with the help of my dad, we installed a solar-powered (that works in indoor light too) into the jar lid so that it would illuminate the front at night!

Lit-up jar. Photo Credit: Nick Burch

And here's a look at the lid that I made to put on the jar in case he decides not to light it up anymore. I based it off the original cover of The Hobbit. Since I do not have Photoshop, I had to make this entire image on Powerpoint using basic shapes and editing the points, which took an excessive amount of hours, but was entirely worth it.

The jar lid. Photo Credit: Nick Burch

So there is my Hobbit Hole in a Jar.

--The Informed Artist

Quote of the Week: March 9-15

"Dream big and dare to fail" -Norman Vaughan

Here is a good motivational quote for this week. It reminds me to not give up on my dreams, and that failure is not a setback, but something to overcome.

What does this quote mean to you? How will you live by its message?"

--The Informed Artist

Coffee Shop Thought: Coming Soon!

Happy Thursday everyone! I am getting ready to begin posting Coffee Shop Thought Thursdays. I will post bi-weekly thoughts to reflect on and respond to. My goal is that you will participate with comments and share what you think.


Now for an update on the progress of my blog:
Starting a new blog is a challenge, but I am so ecstatic that I have reached over 500 viewers in my startup month. You are the reason why I want to keep delivering great content, and I am slowly getting my blog on track. It has been difficult with my busy schedule, but I am dedicated to get my blog content up and running.

Right now, I am working on designing logos to make my content identifiable. I will then begin the process of web design to make my blog seem less like a template. My last step will be reaching social media. I plan to create an Instagram and Twitter account for The Informed Artist. You can already find me on Pinterest by clicking here or at the "Follow Me" box in the right-hand column.

--The Informed Artist

Weekly Quote: March 2-8

image: Allison Gens

"I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward"

- Charlotte Brontë

I am starting my very first Weekly Quote with a quote by Charlotte Brontë and one of my favorite pictures I have ever taken (I even submitted it to National Geographic for the Your Shot contest, see that here).

This quote is a really good quote to live by. Looking upward can mean following God, or it could mean keeping your head up, or it could mean living in the moment that you are in now. It truly has an interpretation to whoever reads it.

What does this quote mean to you? Comment below if you want to share!

--The Informed Artist

My Month in a Photo: February 2014

Image: Allison Gens

Here is a view of the Hocking River for my February photo. This was taken toward the end of the month when there was a big heat wave! I took this with my iPhone while I was out biking on the bike path.

I may share some of my photos from my photography class on here soon, I was going to use one of them for this post, but I unfortunately left my external hard drive at school when I left for spring break. So come back later for a post of some of my other February photographs.

--The Informed Artist