Lakeside Selection: Our Choice of Favorite Items for the Week

This week, we’d like to celebrate all the artists who add a little more beauty to the world in so many ways. Some artists work with pencils and paper while others prefer canvas and paint, but they aren’t the only artists who deserve the spotlight. Sculptors, writers, carvers, musicians, woodworkers and chefs also merit praise for their creativity. If you do anything that’s just a little more beautiful, decorative or delicious than it absolutely has to be, then you’re expressing yourself artistically. Take a look at some of these tools you can use to develop your art and find new ways to be creative.

Everyone from aspiring artists to professionals will find something to love in this huge Deluxe Sketching and Drawing Set in its own sleek carrying case. Colored pencils, graphite pencils, charcoal sticks, chalk pastels and blending stumps inspire creativity and exploration. Learn how to use new artistic media, hone your skills with familiar tools or discover mixed-media art with this comprehensive kit. With an artist’s wooden mannequin for help with figure drawing, a guidebook for novices and enough compartments for any artist to work “en plein air”, this set is an outstanding value.

While some artists use pens and pencils to create, others use tools to shape wood and metal. With this Hand Tool Set, artists and artisans will have all the basics for creating art as well as doing more mundane tasks such as hanging a painting or repairing a wall. Plenty of art forms start with hard work and the right tools to make that effort easier. An assortment of pliers are perfect for everything from creating wire armatures to attaching jewelry findings, and the set’s utility knife works beautifully for carving or collage. Wrenches, screwdrivers and a compact hammer make the kit a great choice for practical tasks too. Even an artist needs to perform the occasional plumbing repair or hang a shelf, and this kit has just the right tool for the job.

If you’re not sure a chef counts as an artist, one bite of a truly amazing dish will change your mind. A chef’s art is one you can appreciate with every sense, and a great cook can create art every night at dinner. Home cooks and professional chefs alike need an array of tools to craft their culinary creations; this Hors D’Oeuvres Baking Set is a great place to start. This kit contains a big baking tray that holds up to 24 miniature pies, quiches, tartlets or cakes and a wooden press that forms perfect pastry shells every time. The non-stick pan is sturdy enough for professional use and easy enough for a home kitchen. Let your imagination go and use this great set to make everything from savory hors d’oueuvres to sweet desserts. Serve bite-sized delights at your next cocktail party or dinner and show your guests a delicious sample of your artistry.You don’t have to be Rembrandt to be an artist; you just need a little ingenuity, a desire to make something lovely and a good set of tools to unleash your creativity. Get in touch with your inner artist and see where your imagination leads you!