Choosing a word of the year is a popular practice that involves selecting a single word or phrase to focus on and reflect upon for the coming year. People do this for a variety of reasons, including setting specific goals and intentions, creating a personal theme or guiding principle, and reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the future. It can be a meaningful and rewarding way to start the new year, and can help people feel more motivated and inspired as they move forward.
In the coming year, my focus is on the feeling of "yummy." I recently had a conversation with a friend about how we can boil down our feelings to their most basic ingredients: do things make us feel "icky" or "yummy?" As I strive to better follow my gut instincts, these two words really help define those feelings for me. So in 2023, I'm seeking out experiences and situations that bring me joy and make me feel "yummy," while also being mindful of the things that make me feel negative and navigating them with thoughtfulness. I hope this focus on "yummy" will help me create a sense of balance and well-being as I move forward.
I've created a word cloud to help you find your own word of the year! The word cloud is a visual representation of words related to feelings and emotions, and is meant to help you identify the words that resonate most with you. To use the word cloud, simply take a few moments to focus on your intentions and goals for the coming year, and then scan the word cloud for the words that jump out at you or seem most meaningful. You might find that one word in particular stands out, or you might be drawn to a combination of words. Whatever word or words you choose, make sure they reflect your values, goals, and aspirations, and use them as a guiding principle for the coming year.
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I spent this past weekend vending at the Firefly Handmade Holiday Market!
Having only participated as a vendor in two markets, the experience is completely new and exhilarating. It’s so thrilling to see the real time connection people make as they see the kits. A typical reaction usually goes something like this: “Is that food? I’m hungry”… “Oh no, it’s not food. They’re paintings” … “OH! They’re paint by number kits, on wood! Neat!”
It’s such a learning experience, I’m clinging to every word of every conversation for ways to tweak and perfect my products. There was such a cute, unedited moment that stuck with me from Sunday. A lovely woman was deep in thought, comparing the kits on the table. Her husband pointed to the ice cream cone as a suggestion. Without hesitation she replied, “No it’s so dull.” To be fair, the Ice Cream Cone was nestled to the side of all the colorful cupcakes, which were next to the rainbow sprinkled donuts, which were next to the vibrant Tiki drinks. Compared to some of the other kits, the ice creams are definitely more subdued and lean towards realistic.
I woke up Monday morning, still ruminating on the ice cream cone. How could I give it a more vibrant option? By the end of the day my craft table was covered in a rainbow of paint bottles. I’d lay some colors down, step back, and find another way to brighten up the cone! It may not be practical, but it is absolutely the opposite of subdued. Adding it as a special option on the site.
Additionally, let’s knock $5 off the Ice Cream Cone Kits for this week only!
]]>The newest collection features some of my favorite things... TIKI DRINKS!
First of all, I want to pause and say the Tiki community is one of the most colorful, sweet, welcoming group of people out there! What more would you expect from a clan that put flowers in their hair, rock hawaiian shirts, and sip on liquid sunshine. Visiting tiki bars across the world is one of my favorite niche hobbies. It's something that brings me an incredible amount of joy.
So why not make a whole paint by number series based on my love of aloha? Let me introduce you to the four designs.
THE PAINKILLER:
The Painkiller in the real world is a mix of rum, pineapple and orange juice, coconut cream and sprinkled with nutmeg. In Oh Gnome world, it's a complex design with the highest color count I've reached on a single design yet! The design has a pineapple as the mug, a hit of the creamy drink inside and garnished with all the fantastic toppings including an orange slice, a cherry, and a paper umbrella!
If you're up for a challenge, THIS is your design!
THE BLUE HAWAIIAN:
Just like the real drink, this design gives you the chance to loose yourself in swirls of teals and blues! Standing tall in a hurricane glass, this design towers over the others in its slender way. It's a great mix of large, relaxing shapes and smaller detailed areas. Perfect for a crafternoon project.
THE MAI TAI:
When you search Yelp for Tiki Bars, you'll often be bombarded with all sorts of non-tiki establishments solely because hidden somewhere in their menu is a Mai Tai! It's an inescapable tiki cocktail, loved by all, for good reason... It's delicious!!!
I like to think my design is just as delicious. It captures the layers of juice and rum in another piece of classic glassware, the two-faced mug. Had to feature the smiling side because who wouldn't be happy with a Mai Tai in front of them? Much like the Blue Hawaiian paint by number kit, there's a great balance of small details and larger areas. And like all the other designs, there's a hook on the back so you can display them in your tiki bar!
THE PINA COLADA:
Technically speaking, the Pina Colada is not a tiki drink! I want you to know that I know that you know that it's actually classified as a tropical drink. Please don't hold it against me for lumping it in with my favorite tiki classics. It has all the fixings of my favorites... rum, pineapple, lime, coconut cream! IT COUNTS!
Look how beautiful it looks! The design will make you double take from far away, is it actually a coconut?! No, but it sure looks like one! The flower pops against the natural tones of the brown husk and the white beverage. You're sure to find it a refreshing project.
]]>My hobbies include sewing, painting, gardening, making music… but we’ll get back to that in a minute. Let’s talk about the wonderful things that distract me from my little maker kingdom; loud noises, airplanes and buses, and spotlights, video walls, and MUSIC! That’s the more interesting way of saying the very simple fact, I am a roadie. I work in production for a variety of incredibly talented musical groups and artists. I love my job. It’s difficult work, it’s time consuming, it keeps me away from home, and distracts me from healthy habits like rest and creativity.
For weeks, sometimes months at a time, I leave home and give all my energy into caring for my artists, but more specifically their crew. My whole heart and being goes into making their jobs and lives a little easier. When I do get time at home, I have found the fastest way to revive my energy and purpose is to shift my focus into creative projects. That is very much how Oh Gnome Girl came to be!
Oh Gnome Girl is my outlet! It’s the projects that bring me joy and fulfillment. I put them out into the world hoping they do the same for YOU!
WHAT’S NEXT?
As the world has been opening back up, it has allowed me to go back on the road for work again. I’ve been forced to reassess the best way to keep producing happiness for both myself and others. One of the reasons my Instagram posts are so sparse, and my shop is only open from time to time is because I’m just not home to ship the kits. BUT I think I’ve found a way to keep the happiness flowing!!!!
Kits will now ALWAYS be available for preorder. As soon as I'm home from the road I'll assemble kits and ship them out. Kits will still be made to order, as they always have been, handmade and packaged with love. Working with preorders will also help with chipping away at reducing Oh Gnome Girls carbon footprint, something I try very hard to stay conscious of.
I also am working on building up the arsenal of fun designs! I have set a personal goal of one new release per quarter! Perhaps as a collection or maybe single, very special designs. Added to the site is a page called WISHLIST so that you can tell me what you'd like to see in the shop.
Always feel free to reach out either on the site, email, or social media.
FOLLOW ALONG!
It would mean so much to me if you would follow along with my adventures.
Follow @Ohgnomegirl on Instagram to see where I am and where I'm going.
Sign up for Newsletter, for updates on product releases, sales, things that make me happy, and travel reports.
Get yourself something to look forward to!
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Partnering multi-sensory things together also partners the memories! The same way that scents can help us time travel to fond memories, so can a melody. I've put together some "SWEET TUNES" on Spotify that partner perfectly with the Sweet Art Kits. Build strong memories with your family over a fun art project!
May I also suggest upping the game by throwing some cookies in the oven before you paint? The smell of cookies will REALLY put you in the mood to paint. After they cool, you have a perfect snack to celebrate your craft time. It also would add two more senses to the plate, therefore incorporating ALL senses and making this the ultimate memory making moment.
The link below will lead you to some classic and family friendly tunes. What sounds would you add?
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When it comes to difficulty, there are plenty of options to provide all levels with fun. THE DONUT provides larger areas for younger artists to practice their dexterity. Take your pick of Chocolate or Strawberry frosting! This kit features a fun and bright unnumbered set of colors to give the artist the freedom to go wild on the sprinkles. Let loose and make your own rainbow!
On the opposite end of the spectrum you’ll find the most detailed of designs, THE CUPCAKE. The cupcake provides any home pastry artist with a color puzzle for the mind! This one is probably the most exciting to watch come together. The swirls unfold as each color hits the canvas. When it comes to color choices, you have MANY!
For the swirl, the premier color ways are the TROPICAL STORM, featuring teals and blues or the DRAGON FRUTTI TUTTI, featuring pinks and purples.
If a solid color flavor is more your style, I’m serving up a number of options.
TOTALLY TEAL, PERFECTLY PINK, CLASSIC COCOA, PLEASANTLY PURPLE, BREEZY BLUE
Lastly, and just as excitingly, meet the ICE CREAM SWIRL! This design resides directly in the middle when it comes to difficulty. While your brush will casually dance around the chocolate and vanilla swirl, you’ll hone your finer skills as your work your way down the sugar cone.
BUT WAIT! I’ve got a surprise… A GIANT SURPRISE.
Yes, the ICE CREAM CONE also comes SUPER SIZED! This one is great for ALL LEVELS. Paint areas are, you guessed it, LARGER. Since it’s larger, you can count on this paint by number entertaining you for LONGER!
Just like the savory designs, like the Pizza and Cheeseburger, you will get everything you need to get started in your kit. Laser cut wooden canvas, paint, and brushes, along with a surprise only to be opened upon completion of your painting. Take your time or rush through, it’s up to you so long as you have fun!
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