This week’s creative prompt: Crackle. Not just the sound. Not just the fire. But the moment something fractures open. - Is it the first spark before something ignites? - The sharp break of something old giving way? - The textural crackle of dried paint, leaves underfoot, or a fading radio signal? - Maybe it’s something inside you~ finally splitting open to let light in? 🎨 Writers, artists, makers~ what does crackle stir up for you? This prompt can be taken literally, metaphorically, emotionally, or sensorially. However, your creative mind wants to wander, run with it~! You can respond with: - A sketch, WIP, or finished piece - A journal entry or poem - A photo, sound clip, or short video - Even just a note about where your mind went 🔥 Bonus: Try blending crackle with another idea~ like silence, static, rebirth, or memory.

Started the new year plugging away making some things but also trying out new things! Wooden Mallets in Maple and Red Oak, Pen Nib Holders in Red Oak, Black Walnut, Black and White Ebony, and Padauk, Nostepinnes in Padauk, Cherry, and Ash, Boxes for Crochet Hook Handles with interchangeable hooks, and of course bowls and bottle stoppers

The Lunar New Year is a time of renewal, intention, and forward movement. A moment to release what no longer serves us and step into the energy of what we’re ready to create next. The Fire Horse carries themes of courage, passion, transformation, and momentum~ which feels deeply aligned with the creative journey. Art asks us to take risks, to trust our instincts, and to keep moving even when the path isn’t perfectly clear. As we enter this new year together, I hope you give yourself permission to explore boldly, create freely, and grow at your own pace. Every step counts. Every mark matters. If you celebrate, feel free to share your traditions with us~ and if you don’t, you’re still welcome to set an intention for what you want to create or cultivate this year. What energy are you bringing into your creative practice this year? ✨ 🧧🔥🐎

Happy midpoint~!!! 💫 It’s that time of week again~ Work In Progress Wednesday~ where we celebrate the mess, the magic, and the in-betweens of creative life. Whether you’re: - Wrangling watercolor clouds ☁️ - Layering texture in Procreate 🎨 - Firing up the kiln 🔥 - Hooking the 99th row of yard 🧵 - Or just finally picking up that piece that’s been glaring at you from across the room 👀 …today’s a great day to show what you’re working on, no matter what stage it’s in. Drop your WIPs in the comments below! Photos, sketches, videos, ramblings~we love it all and want to see. 🖼️📸✍️ And if you’re stuck or spiraling, let the community know~ we're here for encouragement, feedback, or just to say “same~!” Let’s keep showing up, one mark, one movement, one idea at a time. 🖌️ What are you creating today?

Today marks three years since The Art Collective International~ became an entity~ and what a wild, beautiful, transformative journey it's been. From pop-ups and sticker tables to our own community and launches, and a growing family of creatives, every single step has been powered by heart, vision, and collective energy. We’ve grown from a spark of an idea into a thriving studio ecosystem: 🌱 Lee Hansheng Studios – the roots and story 🌸 Chris Foster Design – the details and texture ⛈️ Storm Garden Studio – the power and the wild 🧵 Dazzle & Daggers Design – the play and the precision 🫖 And all our tea, toffee, zines, tutorials, collabs, and conversations in between. Three years of art, grit, laughter, grief, purpose, rebellion, healing, and joy. And we're just getting started. To everyone who’s been here~ whether since Day 1 or Day 1095~ Thank you. 謝謝你。ありがとう。Grazie. You’ve helped us prove that art does matter. That community does matter. And that building a kinder, creative future is absolutely worth fighting for. 🧡 Drop a memory, photo, or favorite piece we made in the comments. 🧡 Tell us how you found us, or how art has changed your path. 🧡 Or just leave a 🎉 so we know you’re celebrating with us. Here’s to 3 years down~ and decades to go. With love from the studios, ~ Hansheng & the ACI team