Artistic Endeavors Archives | Miss Mustard Seed

Artistic Endeavors

Creativity

telling stories

I’ve been telling stories here on this blog since 2009, but they’ve mostly been stories about furniture, about my business, my work, and my creative endeavors. About refinishing floors as a novice, about my first magazine feature, about the exciting firsts for my business that unfolded as I shared online. As this blog continues to morph and I continue to evolve as an artist and a person, I have decided to start sharing some of my personal stories here. These are the stories I tell when sitting around a table with friends, ones that Jeff has heard repeatedly through our 27 years of marriage, ones I revisit because they are funny, memorable, or a part of what has shaped me to be the human I am. While I do hope the stories entertain, encourage, and offer something to those who still visit long-form blogs like mine, I think I’m doing

July 8, 2026 14 Comments

Gardening

Move Slow & Make Things | Giveaway No. 3

Welcome to giveaway number three leading up to the September 1 launch of my new book, Move Slow & Make Things. This giveaway is in collaboration with Erin Callahan of Garden & Guild. I’ve been following Erin on Instagram and have purchased several heirloom garden tools and classic gardening books from her since learning about her small shop. Since I reference many gardening stories, analogies, and parallels in the book, it seemed fitting to have a giveaway centered around gardening – a creative endeavor that requires both moving slow and making things. In addition to managing her shop, Erin tends a garden with her family in their 1949 cottage, Plot 49. “I think the best part about what we are doing here is the simple fact that we are doing it together. From digging holes, to planting new flowers and shrubs, and everything in between. The whole process is a

July 7, 2026 1 Comment

Art Supplies

Peg & Awl | Small Business Spotlight

There are times when I have fleeting thoughts of quitting the online space. I think about how much time is sucked into the rabbit hole of Instagram or YouTube when I could be doing something more meaningful and productive… But then I think about the beautiful people I’ve met, dear friends I have made, and endless encouragement and inspiration I have found from like-minded creatives and all-around awesome people. I know I would miss that community, and leaving social media would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. (It’s also a pretty key part of my business, so there is that aspect as well!) One of those people I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with on Instagram is Margaux Kent of Peg & Awl. I have followed her business and account for a long time. I don’t even know how many years. What she shares has always

July 1, 2026 3 Comments

a slice of life

proof of life & productivity

One of the little tidbits I jotted down in my phone and then in my commonplace notebook (a place where I collect quotes, lyrics, words, poems, thoughts, and such) recently was this: “A clean barn has no oxen.” I am going to confess that, as a pastor’s wife, I didn’t know that little nugget of wisdom was directly from the Bible. Well, it is. It’s from Proverbs 14:4. When I heard it, though, it resonated with me right away. I have gone through various seasons on the neatness scale in the span of my 48 years. I was pretty messy as a young kid, and my mom would have to bribe me to organize my room instead of shoving everything under the bed and calling it clean. Somewhere along the way, though, my picky, fastidious nature came to the forefront, and I embraced the satisfaction that came with being

June 30, 2026 16 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

Move Slow & Make Things | Giveaway No. 2

Welcome to giveaway number two leading up to the September 1 launch of my new book, Move Slow & Make Things. For this giveaway, I’ve partnered with Luxury Brands of America, a US distributor for fountain pens, inks, notebooks, and other fine writing supplies. They carry some of my favorite fountain pen brands, such as Platinum, Waldmann, and Benu. One of the themes I write about in Move Slow and Make Things is buying and using tools and materials that honor your creativity. This doesn’t mean you have to buy everything top-of-the-line, but it means you buy and use things that make your heart sing. You not only buy those things, but you actually use them. I know it sounds idealistic and romantic, but I will own that when it comes to creative supplies. I will admit that even just a few years ago, I didn’t understand the appeal of

June 23, 2026 13 Comments

Art

antique-inspired color charts

I’ve been making and selling color charts on linen for a few years. My first one was inspired by color charts found at an artist’s estate sale. I was so smitten with them when I first spotted them online – the colorful squares in oil framed by age-stained fabric – that I decided to make some of my own. I made small color studies on antique linen and hemp scraps, testing different ways to tape off the squares and apply the paint. As I was working on a new batch for my original art sale earlier this year, I had an idea. What if I could stamp a color chart template onto paper and/or fabric and then apply the colors? Would that work? Would it look good? I tested out stamps I already had to label the back of my paintings to see how well the ink would transfer to

June 16, 2026 15 Comments

Art

Live Painting at Lucketts

This post has been sitting in my drafts for weeks! I know some of you must have been losing sleep because I left you hanging about the Lucketts Spring Market. I will not torture you any longer. Here’s how the afternoon of painting went back in May… After my triumphant antique find and a morning of scurrying from shopping the Lucketts Spring Market to selling paintings, I settled into my space to do some live painting. I decided to do a still life, since it’s a subject that would come together pretty quickly, and I would be okay starting and stopping. Animal portraits require a bit more focus. I printed out the reference photo ahead of time and made a loose sketch, so I wouldn’t totally choke on the spot! I set up my tripod and travel easel in the shade under a tree among the tables of the wine

June 15, 2026 5 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

Move Slow & Make Things | Giveaway No. 1

Welcome to the first of several Move Slow & Make Things giveaways! To celebrate the book and introduce the themes explored in these pages, we’re going to give away products and gift cards that highlight small creative businesses and showcase analog tools and materials that perfectly complement living a delightfully fulfilling creative life. We’re talking fountain pens, inks, journals, heirloom gardening tools, antique-inspired small-quantity clothing, handmade pottery, and more. I’m excited to partner with some of my favorite makers to offer up some beautiful products while also championing people who live out moving slow and making things. If you’ve missed it, you can read about the book and preorder it HERE. You can also sign up to receive preorder bonuses, like a podcast-style series on creativity, a fine art print download, and a few other goodies. For this giveaway, I’m highlighting the maker Susan Dunn of Dunn by Designs. Susan

June 9, 2026 8 Comments

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.