Dragonfly

Copper Dragonfly on hand tooled copper chain with turquoise beads by Dolly Paul
at Low Country Studios

Pouring My Heart Out

Etched copper with argentium wires, by Dolly Paul at Low Country Studios

How To Measure Original Art

How do I list the measurements of my artwork? This is a common question that I am asked, by students and, by other artists. It is also an important question that needs to be answered for the collector who is looking for a piece to add to their home, office, or private collection gallery. 

The confusion we encounter in measuring original art comes to us because common measurements - of hardware products, general store items, and yes, even frames that we purchase for our prints - are all listed in the standard US form of length x width x height. 

Art is listed by its: Height x Width x Depth (HxWxD). 

Liquid Detergent

I have been getting emails asking about a liquid detergent instead of powdered. I don't like the mess of liquid but some folks believe it does a better job of dissolving and washing cold water loads. So here it is. I would love your feedback.

LIQUID DETERGENT

2 gallons of hot water
1 bar of soap (I prefer Ivory)
2 cups baking soda

Directions:

1. Melt bar soap in a pan with just enough boiling water to cover. Stir until the soap is completely melted. Do this on a low setting.

2. In a large pail or bucket pour in 2 gallons of hot water. Add the melted soap to this and gently stir.

3. Add in the baking soda and stir well.

Use 1/2 cup per average load. Use more of your detergent mix for over average or heavily soiled loads of laundry.

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Make-It-Yourself: Laundry Detergent

I have already had four people ask me how I make my own laundry soap this year, and we are still in January. So "Making It Yourself" entries are going to find a place in this blog. Low Country Studios is about making lives better with the arts and natural approaches to daily life - so, a "make-it-yourself" addition  makes sense.  

This laundry soap recipe is easy to make. I find that it works wonderfully - especially for my massage linens. You can customize the scent yourself, and it is less expensive than major brands. Also, if you don't like my recipe, there are many, many other sites on the Internet that offer liquid recipes and other dry combination recipes.

Step One: Gathering

1 box of Borax (I use 20 mule Team Borax because that's what my mother used.)

1 box of Washing Soap (I like Arm & Hammer - again the brand doesn't matter.)

1 cake of Soap (I find that Ivory works best for me because of scent sensitivities.)

1 good size, Close-able Container in glass or plastic (A large Shedd's Spread butter container or large sour cream container will work well. I happened to have had this large rectangle container around the house and chose it for this purpose.)

Wooden Spoon or Plastic/Rubber Spatula for stirring (From too many chemistry classes I have learned to avoid metal spoons when I am mixing anything other than food. Metal can act as a catalyst and alter, mostly weakening, your products.)

Grater If you don't have a grater, you can use a mandoline and then chop the thin slices with a knife.

Large Mixing Bowl

Step Two:

Carefully grate your soap into your mixing bowl or, if this is your first batch, your container.

Step Three:

Add in one (1) cup of Borax. Sometimes my Borax is clumpy. I use the end of my wooden spoon to de-clump it before pouring it out of the box.

Step Four: Add one (1) cup of Wash Soda

Step Five: Stir, a lot, until you have an even dry mixture.

Step Five: If you want to add another batch to your laundry wash container, make the new batch in a separate bowl before adding it to previously made batches.

Step Six:  Label what you have made clearly. This is especially important for make-it-yourself products because you are recycling already used containers.

To Use: I add one (1) to two (two) tablespoons, of my homemade dry laundry detergent, to the wash tub as it is filling with water. It is important to know that this is not a high suds product that you have made. And, that it will rinse more easily because of its low suds action. I have been told, by high efficiency machine sales persons at Sears, that this homemade product is safe to use in their high efficiency washers because of it's low suds action.

I like to add a couple drops of essential oil to my laundry. For extra sanitizing I use tea tree essential oil. I always add tea tree essential oil to my massage linens. It is also nice to add if someone has been sick, or has a skin concern within the family. For a nice feminine scent, you can add a drop or two of lavender essential oil - which also acts as a disinfectant. There are other essential oils that you can select from your local health food store.  Remember, a drop goes a very long way with essential oils! Experiment and have fun with your homemade laundry detergent. 

Your comments are welcome. Thank you.

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Thank you Golf Digest and Matt Ginella!

It is always nice to be recognized for one's work. Imagine my surprise when a colleague told me that I had been acknowledged for my massage skills in Golf Digest!

In Detroit my clientele included members of the Detroit Tigers, Pistons, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Michigan Opera Theater.  After moving to Charleston my focus has been on expanding my work to Golf and Tennis Pros.  Finding my name in Golf Digest made my day.  My thanks to Matt Ginella who mentioned my work at the Sanctuary Spa in Golf Digest July 2011.

What a nice surprise to be recognized for my work by Matt Ginella in Golf Digest July 2011. Thank you Matt! You made my day!

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/golf-travel/buddies/2011-07/away-game-kiawah-south-carolina?currentPage=2

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Making Monotypes at Redux

I use oil on glass or plexiglass for my mono prints and monotypes. I also etch copper plates. Here I am creating monoprints at Redux on the French Etching Press. 

me working the french etching press

Welcome to the Low Country Studios Blog

When I arrived in Charleston I received a greeting from a utility man who said, "Welcome to the Low Country, Miss Dolly." I remember saying to myself, "Low Country Studios. That would be a nice name for an arts focused business." (Why plural? I hope to open a number of studios for others to show, perform, teach, and create on the Southeastern shoreline.) The Charleston studio was born that day in 2004! 

A special thank-you goes out to Louise, from the Charleston City office. She patiently walked me through the steps I needed to get my City Market license and to open a business in Charleston and the State of South Carolina.  Low Country Studios is a Ltd. Co. within the State of South Carolina. 

Along with Music and Arts postings, I will also be sharing information on folk healing methods and body therapy information, which has been an interest for over 20 years. I have incorporated body awareness tools for visual and performing artists in private studio lessons since 1983.

I hope you find encouragement here and will feel welcome to share your thoughts on my posts. Thank you for visiting!