Same Blank, Three Different Results!

When I first started "crafting" I quickly learned to do three things at once. I would sketch the same design on three identical raw wood birdhouses then start to paint them exactly the same. Only at close inspection you realized they were all slightly different from each other.  

The $5.00 Aldi bargain that
started it all!

Why? The explanation was actually easy. Each hand drawn outline never was the same and often, along the way, I would change an element I thought looked better. I listed them separately so they couldn't be compared.

The other reason, more importantly, was by the time I got back to 1 (1,2,3), it was usually dry and the paint wouldn't smear. I often get over eager and have to touch-up on smears.

I have read that the world's bee population is dwindling and farmers and scientists are getting worried. Just about everything we eat, grains, fruit and vegetables along with flowers need pollination. The heavy lifting is done by bees pollinating our food supply. What's worse, they are not sure why populations are declining. Climate change seems high on the list of causes.

A raw unfinished tear 
shaped Mason Beehive.

One day, cruising the non-food items at Aldi, I spied a six sided beehive for $5.00. Since it had generous spaces to decorate and I wanted to help bees I bought it. I had just started a Zentangle phase of decorating and created simple bees for the sides and back, added Zentangles and inked away. It is shown upper right.

This is a Mason Bee Hive. They are solitary and don't live in large hives but prefer to live alone. So each beehive is filled with small bamboo poles. That's where they go each night after a busy day of pollinating.

Sadly Aldi had no more 6-sided versions but I found a tear shaped, all bamboo version for a bit more on Walmart's web site. I got three. 

For those of you unsure what a Zentangle is, it's usually a 2D drawing using either fine pens and or pencils on thick smooth paper or card stock. Io create variety several patterns are combined to create a harmonious whole. Since I am using a 3D surface, four sides, a top and bottom it's a bit harder to navigate. The wood is hardly paper or card stock smooth either.

Again the sides and backs were blank, another invitation to decorate. While I used common Zentangle designs each one was pointedly different...and time consuming. I went through a bunch of pens and several long audio books. However, I think the effort was quite nice. My daughter picked one for her home in Memphis. I plan on hanging one on my ugly but prolific lemon tree in my patio.

They are all the same shape use many of the same patterns but are distinct
from each other. And, why not?

I think we need to more creative on many everyday items. Hung near a kitchen window, it can be fascinating to watch then at work. I have a bird feeder hanging right outside my living room window and am amazed at how fast birds can go through 8 cups of birdseed. I may try to hang this beehive nearby to watch bee activity.

Never the same even using the same elements.

While I do have a ton of raw unfitted craft and birdhouses, when I buy again, I will try this newfound philosophy. One good ideas often spawns another. You know what? You'll have another to try it on!!!

Thank you for reading my blog! Please be sure to visit on a regular basis or contact me at KrugsStudio@gmail.com. New blogs are added all the time. In conjunction  with my store I feel that “design” is an important part of our lives. Everything we use or live by was designed by someone. Please tell your friends, artists or anyone who appreciates design about my blog.

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