Everybody uses recycled materials to make marks in art, it is a lot of fun figuring out ways to reuse what was once considered garbage.

I keep a lot of these items in a plastic candy bucket which I pull out for classes and although I kinda like saying “Don’t forget to use some of my garbage on your pages” I decided that it was time for a more trendy word,  So I am now going to use the term Street Tools.

I will start using the hashtag #streettools in social media.  So remember when it becomes a very popular term, you heard it from me first, lol

On the shuttle bus going to the Airport in Utah last week, there was a flight attendant and myself.  (apparently flights at midnight are not popular in Utah)

We struck up a conversation and she asked me if I was an Artist.

I don’t know what made her ask me, maybe it was the paint on my arm or my artisan crafted bag (love this bag, it is a razor bag made in Nepal) that gave it away. anyway,  I answered her with a “NO” and I wondered why I did that.

It made me think .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  when I think of the word “Artist”  I think of fine artists who paint sweeping scenery or stunning realistic portraits and I don’t do that.

Am I a Crafter ?  Well the answer is both Yes and No.  Do I do Art?  Again the answer is both Yes and No so I decided to come up with a term that describes how I think of myself

and I came up with Craftist.  I am both a Crafter and an Artist combined.  So next time someone answers me I will be able to answer them.  I am a Craftist!!

and for those of you interested here is a photo of my lovely bag. The bags are made in Nepal by skilled women who work with community based Fair Trade organizations.

I am here in Utah for a trade show and to teach a mixed media art journaling class to other store owners.  I flew in the day before so got to visit Salt Lake City and visit the area.

I did a lot of walking around, it so different to see mountains or even hills for that matter, Florida is just so, well flat. The temperature was over 100 degrees but was definitely not as humid as Florida and it was fun to see something different  than the route to the store, lol

here are some random photos from my walk.

Here is the Courthouse in Salt Lake City.  I was suprised at the amount of homeless people sleeping on the benches and on the grass.

Lovely spring flowers and of course the grass itself is so different than Florida, softer more like the grass I am used to in England.

The reflecting pond in front of the temple. It was just like looking in a mirror.

Statues are located through the grounds

I love the bark on this tree, I think it would make a beautiful stencil.

tomorrow I teach my class and then on Tuesday I am taking a bus tour organized through Crafters Home to visit some of the manufacturers in my industry.

this was for last weeks art journal class.

Love that mask from Dina Wakley