How to Talk to Animals

This is fantastic...

Great advice!

Cyber Monday Sale

Gallery Showing Sneak Preview

Here are a few things I have been working on...

Appreciating Fan Appreciation

Touching the lives of clients through paint...

I do a lot of custom paintings and ship them out to places all over the world.  Although I don't usually hear much back from my clients, I enjoy what I do and get a lot of satisfaction from it.  With each order there is always a story behind it.  People get the paintings done as gifts, for loved ones, friends or themselves.  The pets are always very special and close to their heart.  I've painted a rescued pet baboon, a pet frog, birds, as well as countless dogs and plenty of cats.  Often the pets have passed away.  People love to have a painting done to memorialize their dear family member.  I can relate as my pups are very important to me as well.  

Here is a story about a client who ordered a custom pet portrait with a really unique composition.  In the chosen photo the dog is sleeping next to the client's husband.  The choice of composition carries a lot of meaning to the family as he had just had surgery and, amid a project needed to lay down in the back of the van.  The dog, always his loyal companion joined his master in the car.  She placed her order and sent the photo, but before the painting was finished and shipped the dog passed away.  

The client decided to keep her order and was very happy to receive it.  On Thanksgiving, a few weeks later I received an email telling me how happy they were to have the painting and how much it meant to them.  She sent me this photo of the painting matted and framed.  This is a story that really touches my heart and encourages me to continue to do what I do.

Thanksgiving Fun

Grandma always makes Thanksgiving dinner in our family.  From the turkey, to the stuffing, to the amazing walnut pie...and the pumpkin pie!  Grandma's pumpkin pie has become an icon in the Hofacker family.  

When my brother got married, grandma made his bachelor cake...and it wasn't cake at all!  It was her pumpkin pie!  So when my brother had a little boy, I thought what could be better than teaching him about one of the greatest legacies we have.  I made him a stuffed felty pumpkin pie of his own!  A perfect, Hunter sized replica of his Grandma Great's Thanksgiving treat.  His gift came complete with an apron, so that he can help her in the kitchen!

What traditions do you hold sacred in your family?  Find fun and creative ways to put new spins on family favorites.

Zasra

Rescue. Recycle. Repurpose.

Eco cowl neck shirt

Well here is a cute little shop I found on etsy!  I am going to begin featuring artists that work with recycled and repurposed materials on a regular basis starting here.  This comes just in time for the Recycled Art Market Show that I will be at this Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Shabby Chic Patchwork Scarf

Andria of Zasra says she has a "Passion for Fashion."...and that is obvious in her etsy shop.  Her shop consists of a mixture of vintage & upcycled clothing and jewelry.  I am most interested in her upcycled clothing because it is very creative and unique.

Upcycled Tunic Shirt

Boho Eco Skirt

Patchwork halter

This looks like something I would totally wear!

Fun, Unique, Repurposed, Colorful

Zasra's Passion for Fashion is Contagious!

A Healthy Escape from the Winter Blues

As the weather here in North America begins to turn cold, brisk and then eventually just down right frigid, there is a constant subconscious effort to keep one's body warm.  Although I grew up in Michigan, I somehow did not receive that "Look how fun! Snow and Cold!" gene.  I still bask in the hot July weather and cherish it every time it comes around.  For many folks, the cold weather means less exercise. Its hard to voluntarily leave the house to enter the cold, and to workout in room temperature for many means paying lots of money.  But alas...I have found the solution!  The solution to the maddening winter blues!
Enter the Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse.

  Yoga....and YES HOTHOUSE.  This means that classes are always heated at 95º or hotter.  This may sound downright miserable for some, but for me it is a great escape from what I consider to be "nasty" cold weather.  I am motivated to go to class as I sit in my studio with a hat and a scarf on and freeze.  Sure we have heat in our house, but with so many windows, and a natural desire to always have my surroundings be at 70º or warmer, I am often working at trying not to get the chills.

Healthy, Healthy, Healthy!....Inside and out!  The classes focus on your "center."  During class we work on our posture and core strength.  Often I walk in with a back ache and out feeling 8 years old again!

All during this time, the instructor works to pump positive energy into your soul.  Challenging you, daring you to push each move to the next step...but telling you its okay if you can't.  The instructors are focused and energetic, calming and thorough, while at the same time they have a tendency to make you laugh too.

Something else I really love about this place is that there are no mirrors in the classroom.  There is no where for you to judge yourself in your stretchy clothes--nowhere to go but inward.  This allows you to work from the inside out on your self-improvement.  The walls are covered in chalkboard paint and many people have written positive quotes on them.

Become a Funky Buddha Facebook Fan!

This Blog Post was NOT Endorsed by the Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse.  I posted this with my own free will because I am a member there and I truly love what they are about. -Amy Hofacker

Felted Fun

I really love felt...I always have.  When you're a kid, felt is always a great material to work with in textile. It holds very basic qualities that keeps crafting simple.  It is stiff and doesn't fray, making it ideal for beginners of all ages and comes in all different colors.  Here are some great works made from felt that I found on etsy.

Spincushions

Blue and Red Flower Felt Pincushion

Pincushion Boronia Flowers in Fuchsia Pink

Red Flowers with Green Leaves

Shelley, of Victoria, Australia is the artist behind Spincushions.  She really hits the spot for bright colorful felty fun products!  Her delightful little pincushions are fantastic.  They are all hand sewn with embroidery floss.  You can follow her with her blog, facebook and twitter.

MadeinLowell

Pumpkin Vanilla Pincushion Ring

At first glance, I found this pincushion ring by Liz of MadeinLowell cute and convenient for an avid sewer.  Upon further inspection I learned that Liz is very established at her craft, even being featured on Martha Stewart!!  Really though, my favorite thing about Liz is her Profile in her etsy shop.  It is so personable, bubbly and fun.  You really feel like you are getting to know a nice little snippet of the essence of the artist.  I feel instantly connected to her and if we lived in the same area, I'm sure we would be going out for coffee together and probably having really good conversations!

LoftFullofGoodies

Wool Felt Coin Purse Wallet....Hi

Sweet Blossoms-Made-to-order-Wool Felt Coin Purse

Natta of Ireland has a beautiful collection of felted goodies in her store LoftFullofGoodies.  What I love most are these little coin purses with just the right amount of embroidery on them.  I love embroidery because it gives textiles a satisfying texture.  I especially enjoy the "Hi" in red.  You can follow Natta on her blog.

Fairyfolk

Needle Felted Robbins Egg Nest

Robbins Nest Ring

Peas in a Pod

Yellow Peas Christmas Ornament

Felted Woodland Toadstools

Inspired by nature, and very inspiring, Fairyfolk by Donni has a variety of ways that she has applied felt to different ideas.  Originally from South Africa, Donni now lives in California, USA and credits her experiences in different places and being surrounded by nature as her key inspiration.  I find this so inspiring.  Work that stems from nature is very fulfilling to me, as much of mine comes from this source as well.  Donni is not afraid to create little treasures to decorated your house with and enjoy them as they are, simple needle felted sculptures.  Her shop has a dynamic quality by taking those ideas and twisting them into a piece that has a purpose.  The two examples shown above are the Robbin's Egg which she then has as a ring and the Pea pods, which she then lists as a Christmas ornament.  Fantastic and fun work!

Facebook Frenzy

I'm so excited to see all the enthusiastic fans!  My Facebook Fanpage continues to be a hotspot for Funamals.  I love being able to interact with everyone :)

I can't believe my Facbook says that 103 people are talking about Funamals!  That's insane.

Halloween Decorating

My Mother made the ceramic witch and painted it too!  It's at my house now.

laughing pumpkin!

Holiday Potpourri given to my by another artist--handmade!

Vintage Poster...from our childhood

blocks left from when we were kids

I carved this out of styrofoam for our college digs when I was in art school!

lots of cobwebs!

Our vintage film reel covered in spider webs really adds some spice.

we have a very spooky porch!

I got this from a party I was serving at...when I'm not in my studio
I work for a catering company on call.

candy corn candle.

we live in an upper apartment.  The stairwell is dark to begin with so it
really lended itself to spookiness ;)

An old tissue paper pumpkin that came from my boyfriend's childhood
stash.  His dad saved it from a party at the hospital he worked at, probably
some 20 years ago :)

I got the mums from my catering job after a party one night...but they died
soon after...just in time to decorate for halloween!  A few spiderwebs and
hocus pocus...our hallween decor ain't no jokus!

our vintage floor to ceiling lamp also lends itself to spookiness...just a few
spiderwebs and its nice and creepy.

This is hanging over my desk in the studio.  I think of myself as this witch..
brewing up a pot of creativity!

love the vintage decor...we have these all over the house.  They came from
my boyfriend's mother...who decorated their house with them for years.