Everyone once in awhile a new artist comes on the scene who inspires me to try different things. Nicole, at Studio 46:10, is one of those artists. I just love her creativity with her Embroidery Hoop Art and her Calligraphy style.

Nicole loved to paint and throw pots.

When she was younger she would paint the most amazing things. At the age of 8 she copied a Van Gogh that looked like the original. She took pottery classes. Made a ton of tiny bowls and cups. (She told me that getting tall things is hard and takes a lot of practice). Her hand molded vases are beautiful. When she graduated high school she wanted to pursue a career in art. But instead, she decided to become an Exercise Science Major with the ultimate goal of becoming a Physical Assistant.

Last year, Nicole was all set to go to Grad School to be a Physician Assistant. But, God closed all those doors and opened up many new ones. Personally find her story fascinating. Fascinating because she was able to discern a closed door from a door that was just stuck and needed pushed a bit more. I tend to be more of a ‘pusher’. Her husband finds this all fascinating because he had NO idea she even liked art. Haha.blog

Studio 46:10 began with calligraphy

Nicole and her husband, Zach, have recently moved from Rochester to Asheville. She was also used to working 50 hours a week, and as a result, she had a lot of extra time on her hands. She began with Calligraphy. I quote, from her blog, ‘After years of fascination with letters and the art of written words, I taught myself calligraphy and quickly fell in love with the skill.’ She has practiced and perfected that skill.

Why Embroidery?

Nicole is new to embroidery. She knew nothing about embroidery before she started her 1st hoop. Actually, she knew NOTHING about crafting at all – which is so weird because her mother is so ‘crafty’ and has been doing needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, sewing, etc. for years. Nicole was never interested in any of that. But, one day she was hanging out on Etsy (a very fun place to hang out) and found Embroidery Hoop Art that someone had made. She found one of her own pictures she liked and used her artistic interpretation to make her 1st hoop. It was so fun and she was hooked!

The inspiration –

Now me?…..I have always used a pattern. Followed the directions. Stayed in the lines. Always a follower (in the art world that is) never a leader. Nicole has inspired me to step outside of my own box and try something new. I have an imagination and I should put it to good use! I have moved from ‘copy’ mode to my own interpretation of what others have made. I must say, it is so much more fun this way!

What about you?

So…. you think you aren’t creative? Have you tired? Maybe you just haven’t found your niche yet. Or maybe your instructor wasn’t very good. I would like to encourage you to try new things – see if you like it. Painting? Card making (my personal jam – check out my Craft Room Organization and Tour here)? Knitting? Any type of paper art? Take a class – don’t worry if it’s difficult – practice makes perfect (do you remember the 1st time you had to blow dry your hair or even learn to cook – holy moly they were hard skills to learn!) And, if you don’t like it then move on. Find something new.

I had a friend who once told me she did not have one creative bone in her body. Since then, she has become an amazing knitter, big time paper crafter, artist and much much more. Who knew? Certainly not her – until she tried that is! Her 1st knitting project had so many holes and dropped stitches it wasn’t even funny! But, she kept on practicing and practicing and practicing……did I mention practice?

I hope you are inspired by Nicole and her willingness to step outside of her own box and comfort zone and try something new. Look how amazing her Embroidery Hoop Art is. You never know what you will find out about yourself. You just need to try!