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WHAT INSPIRES ART?

Winter is here, and for those of us who don’t like cold weather, it’s a time to hibernate. Because I live in Texas, the number of really cold days I must endure is minimal. Still, it doesn’t take much to make me want to cozy up next to the woodstove with a good book. Or with an atlas, planning future camping trips. But winter is the perfect time for me to create art. Most of the art shows I participate in are either in the fall or spring, and winter is the time to stockpile inventory for upcoming shows. Some of my favorite art shows require artists to submit applications months ahead, with photographs representing the work they would like to exhibit. I’m currently working on new designs and products and am having a blast! One of the things I like most about my job is the design process. I guess it’s one of the reasons my earring designs have tended to be one-of-a-kind. I recently put together a reel for social media to try to explain, visually, how the nature I see on camping trips...

Favorite Fall East Texas Art Festivals

In June, if you ask me what my favorite time of the year is, I’ll probably say summer. But as the unbearable Texas heat continues, by September I am ready for fall. And art festivals! They herald both spring and fall in my part of the country. Perhaps because they are often outdoors, and more moderate temperatures are perfect for community celebrations of art. But not just visual arts. Music is a big part of many festivals, and although it is less common in my experience, poetry can be found at some of them as well. I have my favorite fall community art festivals, and I’m sure you do too.  I’d love to hear about them, so drop me a note in the comments. Here are a few of my favorite East Texas fall festivals! ·         Edom Art Festival   EdomArts.com   October 11 – 12, 2025 I am fortunate enough to live near the small town of Edom, TX (VERY small - population 367 according to the 2024 U.S. Census). I first discovered this small t...

WELCOME TO MY REIMAGINED WONDERS BLOG

Hi, my name is Linda Ayers, and I’m a mixed-media artist specializing in jewelry made from upcycled materials.  My business and my blog are both named Reimagined Wonders. Coming up with the name wasn’t easy. I wanted something that not only reflected my passion for using upcycled materials but also the way nature inspires my designs. I have dabbled in art in some form or other ever since I was a child, and I can’t imagine life without it. My mother made sure we had basic art supplies, even if those were nothing more than crayons, paper, scissors, glue, and old magazines we were free to cut up. She never gave us patterns to follow, and for that I am very grateful. I got my elementary teaching certificate back in the day when the emphasis was on every aspect of a child’s development, including creativity. One of the lessons that’s always stuck with me was the importance of ‘process not product’.  It’s a lesson that applies equally well to adult learners, and is one of the re...