Showing posts with label simple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label simple. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Building A Fire Pit: Having Fun During Coronavirus

Building A Fire Pit: Having Fun During Coronavirus



With all the concerns and anxiety about Coronavirus (COVID-19), we need to find ways to slow down, relax, and enjoy the time we have to ourselves.  To stay safe if we have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.  Take a break from the numbers about infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.  

Staying healthy also means time for relaxation.  The benefits of unwinding are: slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, slowing your breathing rate, improving digestion, maintaining normal blood sugar levels, reducing activity of stress hormones, increasing blood flow to major muscles, reducing muscle tension and chronic pain, improving concentration and mood, improving sleep quality, lowering fatigue, reducing anger and frustration, boosting confidence to handle problems (Mayo Clinic Stress Management).  And what can be more relaxing than a night talking by the fire?


1) Dig a hole the size you'd like for a fire pit.  This is about 40 inches x 40 inches with a depth of about 9 inches.  (Call 811 or your local utility provider before digging)


2) Once dug out, tamp or pack the soil tight and level (Not really seen in this photo).


3) Lay out the cinder blocks in a level square.  Fill in with some of the soil that you've dug out.


4) Next, lay some decorative bricks on top.  Once in place, dump soil or sand on top of the bricks and try to rub it into the seams.


 

Remember to follow local and state guidelines before burning.  And just so we don't add unnecessary stress, here's a link for building a fire: https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Fire.  Once completed, you'll have a simple, cheap fire pit that is easy to maintain, quick to fix, and simple to remove.  

DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!
And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!


Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) No indoor activities
2) No sharing bathrooms
3) Wash hands before and after gathering.  Don't touch your face.
4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
8) Limit attendance.  Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.
9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels.  Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Mister Ed

Mister Ed
Pencil on paper
4" x 6"  
© copyright Mike Kraus 

For more information or custom order, please visit:


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Purple Elephant

The Purple Elephant
acrylic on canvas
5" x 7"  
© copyright Mike Kraus 

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Raised Platform Art Frame

Raised Platform Art Frame
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/222775460/raised-platform-art-frame-11-14-x-12-by

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

These rustic, hand painted raised platform frames are perfect for shabby chic and rustic decor.  The frame is solid pine wood 11 1/4" x 12" (28.6 cm x 30.5 cm), can be hung in both directions, has many flexible hanging options that can easily be changed.  It designed to hang flat against the wall and showcase pieces that have depth.

*PAINTING/DRAWING NOT INCLUDED

For more information, please visit:

Friday, February 6, 2015

The Blue Elephant

The Blue Elephant, 2015
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/221592767/the-blue-elephant-original-acrylic

FREE SHIPPING ON HIGH QUALITY PRINTS AT: http://society6.com/mikekraus?promo=8F6CKKCJD83Z Promotion expires February 8, 2015 at Midnight Pacific Time. *Free Shipping offer excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases, Wall Clocks and Rugs

This little elephant is happy sauntering around the Savannah looking for foliage to eat.  It takes a lot of leaves to fill his stomach.  And many gallons of water to wash it all down.  But, it's his playful nature that is endearing.  How can an elephant be so humorous?

This piece would work in a space that is red, burnt orange, yellow, green, navy blue, purple, or a neutral beige

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

How To Build a Simple Fire Pit

Updated by popular demand.  I've decided to put up a quick post because there has been a lot of interest in how I built this fire pit.  So, here we go.

First, dig a hole the size you'd like for a fire pit.  This is about 40 inches x 40 inches with a depth of about 9 inches.

Once dug out, tamp or pack the soil tight and level (Not really seen in this photo).

Lay out the cinderblocks in a square and level.  Fill in with some of the soil that you dug out.

Next, lay some decorative bricks on top.  Once in place, dump soil or sand on top of the bricks and try to rub it into the seams.


 
TA DA!  You have a simple, cheap fire pit that is easy to maintain, easy to fix, and easy to remove.  


THANKS and please let me know if you need anything or have any questions!

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