Some bling and a skull

Halloween, don't you just love Halloween?

I do because I can go all out spooky with the Powertex and my artwork.

So without further ado, here is my Halloween project for this month.

I have had this skull for eons and knew that at some point I would be able to use it.

I started by painting the skull with IVORY POWERTEX as I had an idea in my head.

I gathered some embellishments and bits of lace type material and started applying to the skull.

After I was happy with what I had added to the skull I painted the whole thing with some more Ivory Powertex and then added one of my favorite products from Powertex, some STONE ART.

I waited for it to dry a bit and then rubbed the stone art to add to the texture.

Now my finished result was not what I had in mind to create, I was going for a ivory and beige/faux bone type but this is what evolved.

I ended up getting out the new MICA POWDERS from the Secret Art Loft and added some gems, this is a bit lighter and colorful to my usual style but it is pretty... for a skull  :) 

The STONE ART helped the embellishments to blend in with the skull. I repainted the eye and nose sockets and added shadow to the teeth area

I dare say I may make some more spooky Powertex projects before Christmas gets here, oops did I say the C word, sorry!! 

You can see more of my projects at Mums Shed  and if I or any of the other Powertex Design Team have inspired you, go on over to Powertex.co.uk 

You can always get inspired via POWERTEX STUDIO on Facebook

Until the next time, 

LIVE

LAUGH

LOVE 

~Jinny~

Improving Mental Well Being the Arty Way

Whether you feel you have any artistic talent or not, we were all born with the need to express ourselves in whatever form that may take. I believe that creative expression benefits our brains and our mental health, making us happier, healthier people. Read these 5 ways art makes a difference: 

---

1. Stress Relief

Creating artwork provides a distraction that gives our brain a break from the norm. Activities like painting, sculpting and drawing are relaxing and rewarding – lowering stress levels and leaving us feeling mentally clearer and calmer.

We’ve all been in ‘the zone’ when we get totally immersed in a creative project? This focuses our mind and pushes aside all worries, we’re concentrating on the art and don’t have time to think about the bills, it acts like meditation.

2. Creative Thinking

Art enhances our problem-solving skills, encouraging creative thinking so that we come up with our own solutions. This alternative thinking also stimulates our brain to grow new neurons. We can use art to stimulate the brain, like exercises that use our senses in new and novel ways.

3. Boost Self-Esteem

We all proudly display our children’s artwork on the fridge and we should do the same for our own artwork too! The ‘happy hormone’ dopamine has been shown to stimulate the creation of new neurons and prepare our brain for learning. Craft hobbies like knitting, quilting, sewing, drawing, photography, sculpture, woodwork, gardening and even home DIY all increase our levels of dopamine, ward off depression and protect our brain from aging.

4. Quality of Life for Dementia Patients

I’m a firm believer that music and art can enhance cognitive abilities and memory for people with dementia. Dementia is not just about memory loss, patients also experience agitation, aggression, anxiety, depression and insomnia. When dementia patients are encouraged to create visual art, sing or make music, their pleasure is clear to see and it can improve their social behaviour and reduce their symptoms.

5. Chronic Health Conditions

Millions of people deal with chronic health conditions, along with the stress and anxiety that accompanies them. Studies have found that music and visual arts have a positive effect on chronic illnesses:

• It lets patients forget about their illness for a while, focussing on a positive experience
• It enables people to rediscover their identity from before their illness took over
• It gives sufferers a sense of achievement
• It helps people to express their feelings
• It reduces stress by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol

So if you’re suffering from stress, anxiety or depression, there are many ways that art can help. Whether it’s picking up a colouring book in your lunch hour or joining a week-long sculpture retreat, you can express your emotions and overcome some of those negative feelings.