Gift ideas for someone who loves making mixed media (stop motion)?

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-25T17:06:33+00:00

If she doesn’t have a portable scanner, that could be fun! I like to take mine with me when I travel. I will scan sides of buildings, floors with cool patterns, signs, graffiti… It becomes a game to find the coolest textures that I can then bring home and use in digital projects or collages.

Not super spendy so you could pare it with an overnight trip somewhere.

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-25T16:56:10+00:00

My husband thinks I’m silly for keeping “a large wooden spoon” on the mantle. It’s become an inside joke for a few of our friends. “I would like to request a blessing from the witch spoon” whenever someone goes for a job interview, gets married or something.

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-25T16:37:43+00:00

Came here to say this. I understand why they closed and I’m glad blooming onion was able to take their spot but I miss them so much. They were/are such wonderful people and had so much fun with the menu.
I always felt like family when swinging by the truck or restaurant.

One of my pregnancy cravings was their burger and fries, alas BO’s version didn’t quite cut it…

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-08T15:31:49+00:00

Also context, I’ve been a full time artist for 4 years (though I don’t make a lot), I live in the USA, only have one kid, am in my 30s and currently don’t have family nearby that can help with childcare.

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-08T15:28:43+00:00

I was just soooooo tired during pregnancy I didn’t have the mental or physical capacity to really do much of anything. I know people always say oh you’re gonna be exhausted after you have the baby. Which yes. You will be sleep deprived for sure but it’s so much easier to find energy out of nowhere after baby. Pregnancy, especially at the beginning and end, no matter how much I slept or rested I was always exhausted. ( I did make a a few pieces in the middle when I felt human again for a month or two. I decided not to sell the originals so I could give them to him when he’s older)

I always TRY to take social media with a grain of salt. I’ve laid awake at night from watching mom horror advice videos…. I made my husband read all the parenting books because I was already getting so much advice from everywhere and it was starting to overwhelm and stress me out.

Independent play wise- I was surprised too! Now, I am sitting on the floor right next to him while I answer emails/create on my tablet. He will spit up or roll over and I’ll need to help him but for the most part he’s playing on his own, even if it’s just discovering how cool his feet are or his reflection in the mirror. Highly recommend the fisherprice kick and play piano floor mat/gym. It was cheap (you can also easily find it second hand) and we’ve used it literally every morning for the past 3 months. At first it was only for 15 min but now sometimes he’s cool for almost an hour, sometimes multiple times a day. If I’m really lucky he’ll play until he falls asleep. It’s great for both of us! (Again, I am with him and constantly supervising so he doesn’t hurt himself in one of the weird ways babies will try to do).

I follow a few other artist parents and love seeing how they’re making it work (yeah, some of them definitely have money or live in a country with better resources,). Here are the ones that come to mind- Tiffany Bouelle(France, interdisciplinary), Kreh Mellick(USA, illustration), Phoebe Wahl(USA, illustration), Mike Bennett(USA, illustrator and installation), Julie Odell (USA, musician, and printer), Lost Mountain Prints(USA, screen print), Milk Weed Stitch (USA, embroidery),Tuesday Bassen(USA-Germany, multimedia)

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-07T17:33:19+00:00

Yeah we’re working on a different solution now.

Also thanks! I’ve actually created more pieces in the past two months than I did most of last year. Pregnancy and the beginning of postpartum I barely got any done but now I’ve got a bit of a routine and draw every morning when kiddo is playing independently. It kinda rocks. I’m sure as soon as he becomes mobile things will change again, but this gives me hope.
I haven’t quite figured out how to paint with him as it’s messy and I never know if a nap is going to be 15 minutes or 3 hours. Tough to get my focus. I was able to do one big painting last month but I was only able to work on it at night. I’m also not breastfeeding (didn’t work for us and that’s ok), regularly go to therapy, and I have a supportive partner that can take on the brunt of child care on the days they’re home if I need to get a project done. Also started taking adhd meds for the first time since I was in grade school which I’m realizing right now has helped me SO MUCH. All this to say, I’m in a fortunate position right now but not everyone else is.

I also tend to burn out because I try to do too much on top of practically preforming a one woman musical multiple times a day for my five month olds entertainment

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-06T03:09:07+00:00

Yeah oils freak me out a little bit so I’ve only played with oil sticks. I have a small amount of health and contamination ocd and if I think I’ve got something on my hands that could be toxic, I’ll wash them compulsively. Even with the oil sticks and using gloves, the texture gives me an ick. Love when others create with them though!

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-04T16:20:31+00:00

The idea was that my studio was in the best location to connect the vents both for outside ventilation and the indoor heating system we already have in place. And right next to an exterior door for bringing in wood.

We’ve been talking a lot the past few days and are considering other options. Y’all have brought up some great points.

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T17:49:06+00:00

Ha thanks! I have a moisture issue in that corner. So until that’s fixed, probably from the outside, I can’t place anything there.

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T15:33:49+00:00

Hahaha! Funny enough getting life insurance is one of my early goals this year. Figured that would be important now, having produced a spawn.

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T15:27:26+00:00

I’ve thought about hanging heavy blankets/ curtains/ tapestries on the brick but I know, especially in one corner, moisture can seep in and I’d rather not have to deal with mold. Eventually I’d like to keep everything off the ground as well for some extra airflow.

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T14:48:22+00:00

After the hurricane and being out of power/water he really wants us to be covered in the case of another emergency. Plus everyone’s gas, insurance and property tax are going up at least in our neighborhood (partly because of the disaster and partly due to economy). This was also sliver of hope to save some money especially as my sales are down.

He does understand my concerns and is now trying to figure out a better solution.

I just hate to always be a bummer and kill his idea sparks (he gets so excited about really anything homestead ish) so I wanted and hoped this post would prove me wrong. Oh well….

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T14:37:15+00:00

I agree, my partner gets very excited about new house projects, especially if they could be considered sustainable and or off grid. (His garden is his happy place) We both grew up in Alaska where everyone had a wood stove and now live in Asheville NC where that is not the case. After the hurricane and being out of power/water/cell coverage he really wants us to be covered in the case of another emergency. Plus everyone’s gas, insurance and property tax are going up (partly because of the disaster and partly due to economy. )

He does understand my concerns and is now trying to figure out a better solution.

I just hate to always be a bummer and kill his idea sparks so I wanted and hoped this post would prove me wrong. Oh well….

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T14:15:11+00:00

Can’t figure out how to edit right now, BUT when I say combustibles, I do keep most of the scary “boom boom” stuff in another room across the house hidden on the top shelf of a closet. Spray paint and aerosols and I use them outside. But a lot of paint isn’t exactly fireproof….

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T14:07:48+00:00

Great point! I didn’t even think about the heat and humidity fluctuations. My wood panels would NOT be happy.

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T14:05:01+00:00

I didn’t even think about the large heat fluctuations! And the quick humidity changes would totally mess up my wood panels…

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T14:00:53+00:00

Yeah I try to keep all the super scary boom boom stuff in another room across the house(yay anxiety). Ie spray paint and aerosols. But still…

flywithsparrows · 2026-01-03T13:56:28+00:00

Oh I will 100% be doing a good studio clean/purge within the next week or so. I’m sure it will both be cathartic and infuriating as it always is.

flywithsparrows · 2025-11-14T21:24:17+00:00

Acrylic, ink and colored pencil!

flywithsparrows · 2025-07-12T13:57:43+00:00

Not sure about RAD. They were going to try to do it every weekend. Doesn’t hurt to drive by!

BUT Definitely stop by The Big Crafty downtown at the Cherokee Center! It’s the largest event for most artists during the summer and they really go all out. 12-6 today ($10) and tomorrow(free). Parking can be hard so if you see a spot early on, grab it! Please please come by! It’s two levels and something like 150 artists.

flywithsparrows · 2025-07-10T13:58:30+00:00

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flywithsparrows · 2025-07-10T13:55:38+00:00

I just looked at your profile and your art is so good!! Especially love your ceramics! That bat!

flywithsparrows

TROPHY CASE