Welcome everyone, to Art Sense! Thank you so much for your interest in my blog! I am so excited that I finally get to share my crafty side, especially around this time of year, when crafting can be the most fun!

I enjoy staying indoors during the winter months. I call it my hibernation phase! Inviting friends over for dinner and some creative fun allows us to embrace the holiday spirit together!! So here is my first simple hobby I will share. Every year I go out and buy these cute little ceramic houses. (photos by John Hess)

I find them at Micheals arts and crafts store. There are at least 20 different varieties, with new ones every year. You can paint your model by following the picture that comes with it, or you can choose your own colors. They make great ongoing gifts! My mom looks forward to getting a new one every year!

A few tips I would like to share; don’t hold back, experiment with color! You can always paint over a color if it is not what you envisioned. I like to sometimes use a dark color and then gently brush over that color with a lighter tone. A lighter tone can be created by adding some white to the original color. This technique is especially useful for when I am painting rooftops, stones, bricks, and shrubbery.

Another tip? Paint the snow last! I like to use a white glitter paint. You can buy it this way, or sprinkle the glitter on top. Then, once you have completely finished, paint the entire model with a clear gloss that will protect it from scratching and chipping. Happy crafting!!