Thursday, March 27, 2008
Journal Pages
Here are a couple of older journal pages that I never got around to posting. I have started journaling again--the winter doldrums have finally left me and I feel ready to get back to it. I even made myself a new journal, since I finished my old one. Here are my pages:
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
ETSY
I have finally done it--I've opened an ETSY store. I don't have very much in it right now...I have a couple more pieces that are about half finished, that should be going up sometime soon. It was a lot more work than I thought it would be....mostly figuring out what to charge for shipping and all that. Here are a couple of pictures of pieces I have up for sale. One of them is the piece I showed at the end of my last post all finished in necklace form. The other is a canceled British postage stamp. It was actually difficult for me to list that one, because I wanted to keep it for myself! I am just in love with the heart cancellation mark over her crown.
I have some new journal pages done, I will try to get them posted tommrow. In the meantime, happy Wednesday everyone.
I have some new journal pages done, I will try to get them posted tommrow. In the meantime, happy Wednesday everyone.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
how to colorize UTEE
I know, I've been totally absent the last week. I am a bad, bad blogger. Sigh. But, in my excuse, I've had more work than I know what to do with. It seems like my list keeps getting longer and my days keep getting shorter. So to make-up for my absence, here is a little how-to for you:
HOW TO COLORIZE UTEE
It is no secret that I love UTEE. It has so many wonderful uses--and one of the best things about it is that it can be colorized. Here is what you will need, plain UTEE, alcohol inks, mixing container, Popsicle stick, and pearl-ex (optional.)
I like to use a watchmakers tin for mixing because it has a nice wide mouth and makes stirring easier. Put some UTEE in the tin. I like to use about 2 tablespoons, but you can do as much or as little as you like.
Next put 3 drops of alcohol inks in your UTEE. It will clump and ball up, this is where your pop sickle stick comes in--use it to mash and stir the UTEE dispersing the color.
You know it's ready when the UTEE is dry and stirs easily with no clumps. If you can't get it to this stage add a little more UTEE to help dry it out and keep working. You can, of course play around with color combinations--but I've gotten my best results with mixing the colors into the UTEE in separate batches and then stirring the powder together (for example mixing one batch of red and one of yellow and then combining the powders to make a nice orange) because sometimes mixing them directly makes the color get muddy.
Now, for the last step I like to add a little pear-ex to the mix. It gives the powder a nice shimmer. (Actually, what I do, is take half the powder and put it one container without the powder and mix the pearl-ex into the other half so I have both.) All you really need is one little scoop--a little but of this stuff goes a long way.
Here is a picture of a piece I did using colorized UTEE both with and without the pearl ex powder:
You should note that the colors will always be opaque, unless you mix in some white UTEE. There is just no way around it.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
HOW TO COLORIZE UTEE
It is no secret that I love UTEE. It has so many wonderful uses--and one of the best things about it is that it can be colorized. Here is what you will need, plain UTEE, alcohol inks, mixing container, Popsicle stick, and pearl-ex (optional.)
I like to use a watchmakers tin for mixing because it has a nice wide mouth and makes stirring easier. Put some UTEE in the tin. I like to use about 2 tablespoons, but you can do as much or as little as you like.
Next put 3 drops of alcohol inks in your UTEE. It will clump and ball up, this is where your pop sickle stick comes in--use it to mash and stir the UTEE dispersing the color.
You know it's ready when the UTEE is dry and stirs easily with no clumps. If you can't get it to this stage add a little more UTEE to help dry it out and keep working. You can, of course play around with color combinations--but I've gotten my best results with mixing the colors into the UTEE in separate batches and then stirring the powder together (for example mixing one batch of red and one of yellow and then combining the powders to make a nice orange) because sometimes mixing them directly makes the color get muddy.
Now, for the last step I like to add a little pear-ex to the mix. It gives the powder a nice shimmer. (Actually, what I do, is take half the powder and put it one container without the powder and mix the pearl-ex into the other half so I have both.) All you really need is one little scoop--a little but of this stuff goes a long way.
Here is a picture of a piece I did using colorized UTEE both with and without the pearl ex powder:
You should note that the colors will always be opaque, unless you mix in some white UTEE. There is just no way around it.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Some Work
I haven't gotten a lot done in the past few days--mostly because I started sleeping again and that really cuts into my productivity. There really aren't enough hours in the day.
But I have been working on some necklaces. They're mostly mock-ups for designs I'm, considering. I am hoping to have some stuff up in my Etsy store in the next month or so...but it seems like there are a lot of ducks to get into a row for that to happen.
In the meantime, here are a few of my pieces:
But I have been working on some necklaces. They're mostly mock-ups for designs I'm, considering. I am hoping to have some stuff up in my Etsy store in the next month or so...but it seems like there are a lot of ducks to get into a row for that to happen.
In the meantime, here are a few of my pieces:
Friday, March 14, 2008
Returning to your roots
This week has been very stressful for me. We've had car issues (mechanics, need I say more?) and health insurance issues (trying in to reduce their costs by killing me with paperwork) and I haven't been sleeping...I hit this place yesterday where I thought I could feel my brain trying to explode out of my head. And then to top it off the IAA is meeting on Saturday and we have a record 12 people coming! that's 11 ATCs that I had to get done. Normally, art is a solace for me, but when I sat down at my studio table all I wanted to do was cry at the thought of having to make so many cards.
But then, something wonderful happened; I pulled out my trusty copic markers (have you seen them? They're amazing! Alcohol based, so no nasty cancer causing chemicals, completely refillable with replaceable nibs, so environmentally friendly and beautiful transparent colors) and I started to color. All of a sudden, I remembered when I was little, how much I loved to color. First with crayons and then later, with colored pencils. It was a form of meditation for me, putting color to the world and settling everything inside. And as I sat at my table coloring in my ATCs for this Saturday, I found that same safe place inside of me. Everything relaxed, everything stilled and the world, for once, did not seem such a chaotic place. Instead it was awash in transparent colors reflecting a serenity I'd all but forgotten.
You should try returning to your roots--find that first thing about art that you loved and do it again. See if it doesn't still fill you with wonder.
Here are a sampling of my cards--I couldn't fit them all in one scan since there were so many of them. The name of the stamp I used here is "Anxious Annie," I thought it was fitting. You really have to click on the picture to get a real idea of what the colors look like. Since the cards are so small here, you can't see the detail.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
But then, something wonderful happened; I pulled out my trusty copic markers (have you seen them? They're amazing! Alcohol based, so no nasty cancer causing chemicals, completely refillable with replaceable nibs, so environmentally friendly and beautiful transparent colors) and I started to color. All of a sudden, I remembered when I was little, how much I loved to color. First with crayons and then later, with colored pencils. It was a form of meditation for me, putting color to the world and settling everything inside. And as I sat at my table coloring in my ATCs for this Saturday, I found that same safe place inside of me. Everything relaxed, everything stilled and the world, for once, did not seem such a chaotic place. Instead it was awash in transparent colors reflecting a serenity I'd all but forgotten.
You should try returning to your roots--find that first thing about art that you loved and do it again. See if it doesn't still fill you with wonder.
Here are a sampling of my cards--I couldn't fit them all in one scan since there were so many of them. The name of the stamp I used here is "Anxious Annie," I thought it was fitting. You really have to click on the picture to get a real idea of what the colors look like. Since the cards are so small here, you can't see the detail.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Ft. Harrison Classes
Hi Everyone:
I got the final information about the class retreat in April that I will be teaching at. The complete information is below along with photos for each of the classes. Space in the class has been limited (in some cases as few as 10 or as much as 15 depending on the nature of the projects) so if you want to go signing up sooner rather than later is a good idea. Carol is the other artist teaching and she is REALLY amazing. I think it's going to be a really fun day.
Wishful Thinking Guest Artists Hit the Road! Saturday, April 12, in Indianapolis! We are thrilled to announce that we will be teaching a total of SIX rubber stamp classes in Indianapolis! Classes will be held at the Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th Street (on the NW corner of 59th St & Lee Rd), Indianapolis, IN (on the northeast side of Indianapolis).
We have TWO artists scheduled for a full day of classes! Because we anticipate these classes to fill up quickly, we highly recommend you call us (812-988-7009) or email us (wishful@wishfulthinking-in.com) today if you want to participate in any of these classes. Please note, two classes will be going on at the same time.
Sign up for 2 of these April 12 classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these April 12 classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
8:30-11:00 AM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Creative Collage Paper
Guest Artist: Carol Ponsford
Join Carol in creating some wonderfully vivid papers to use in collage, card making and ATC creations. Starting with Bristol board, we will layer color upon color giving these unique papers great dimension. Using the fabulous Adirondack dimensional paints, you will be amazed at the effects you can achieve when combined with dye and chalk inks, stamps and acrylic paints. Once we create several papers, you will see how easy it is to incorporate them into cards, bookmarks or ATCs. Please bring your toolbox, as well as a juicy dye based rainbow pad and your desire to experiment with color.
Cost: $25.00
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
8:30-11:00 AM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Vintage Ruler Book
Guest Artist: Bianca Mandity
Come and explore the wonderful line of distress products by Ranger--including the amazing new Grunge Board--while creating a mini-ruler book. Learn how to transform your modern supplies by painting, spritzing, inking, crumpling, stamping, hammering and sanding your way to an authentic vintage look. We will explore seven new distress techniques, used by Tim Holtz himself, to get that fabulous vintage feel! Participants are invited to bring a 2x3 copy of a black and white photo to distress and colorize as part of the process. Please bring your toolbox.
Cost: $28.00 (includes blank ruler book, valued at $5.99)
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
12:15-2:45 PM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
With One Stamp
Guest Artist: Carol Ponsford
Create 3-4 cards using an assortment of mediums (Staz-on, Distress Inks, Cat's Eye, Adirondack Inks, etc) with the 6-sided Shore cliff cube stamp from Stampington & Co. Several techniques will be taught that can add flair to your card-making experience. The class fee includes the 6-sided cube stamp, so you can take the stamp home to continue the fun! Please bring your toolbox, plus a craft sheet and black Sharpie ultra fine point permanent marker.
Cost: $37.00 (includes the price of one stamp, valued at $16.99)
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
12:15-2:45 PM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Playing Card Book
Guest Artist: Bianca Mandity
Are you curious about alcohol inks? Come and learn all about these fast-drying, acid free, transparent inks. We will explore their many uses and learn how to use them to transform common crafting supplies, all while creating an accordion style, playing card book! Participants are invited to bring copies of 2x3 photos to incorporate into their books. Please bring your toolbox.
Cost: $25.00
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
3:15-5:45 PM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Simply StazOn
Guest Artist: Carol Ponsford
If you enjoy working with brilliant color, you will be delighted with the results you can achieve using StazOn ink. Each participant will make at least 4 cards and learn some helpful hints on using these vibrant ink pads. Please bring your toolbox, embossing or Versa Watermark ink pad, Archival Black ink pad and any StazOn ink pads you may have.
Cost: $25.00
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
3:15-5:45 PM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Faux Fantastic with Perfect Pearls
Guest Artist: Bianca Mandity
Perfect Pearls are one of the most versatile products on the market! Come explore some advanced techniques and learn how to use them to create all kinds of Faux Fantastics! We will be creating a Faux beach glass pendant using recycled CD plastic, Faux metal accessories (like book corners, tabs and hinges) using nothing more than card stock, faux mosaic tiles with UTEE and faux embossed metal that is perfect for cards or even home decoration! Please bring your toolbox, heat gun, scissors, glue, pencil, craft sheet, water sprayer and tweezers. Class Level: Intermediate
Cost: $28.00
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
I got the final information about the class retreat in April that I will be teaching at. The complete information is below along with photos for each of the classes. Space in the class has been limited (in some cases as few as 10 or as much as 15 depending on the nature of the projects) so if you want to go signing up sooner rather than later is a good idea. Carol is the other artist teaching and she is REALLY amazing. I think it's going to be a really fun day.
Wishful Thinking Guest Artists Hit the Road! Saturday, April 12, in Indianapolis! We are thrilled to announce that we will be teaching a total of SIX rubber stamp classes in Indianapolis! Classes will be held at the Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th Street (on the NW corner of 59th St & Lee Rd), Indianapolis, IN (on the northeast side of Indianapolis).
We have TWO artists scheduled for a full day of classes! Because we anticipate these classes to fill up quickly, we highly recommend you call us (812-988-7009) or email us (wishful@wishfulthinking-in.com) today if you want to participate in any of these classes. Please note, two classes will be going on at the same time.
Sign up for 2 of these April 12 classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these April 12 classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
8:30-11:00 AM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Creative Collage Paper
Guest Artist: Carol Ponsford
Join Carol in creating some wonderfully vivid papers to use in collage, card making and ATC creations. Starting with Bristol board, we will layer color upon color giving these unique papers great dimension. Using the fabulous Adirondack dimensional paints, you will be amazed at the effects you can achieve when combined with dye and chalk inks, stamps and acrylic paints. Once we create several papers, you will see how easy it is to incorporate them into cards, bookmarks or ATCs. Please bring your toolbox, as well as a juicy dye based rainbow pad and your desire to experiment with color.
Cost: $25.00
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
8:30-11:00 AM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Vintage Ruler Book
Guest Artist: Bianca Mandity
Come and explore the wonderful line of distress products by Ranger--including the amazing new Grunge Board--while creating a mini-ruler book. Learn how to transform your modern supplies by painting, spritzing, inking, crumpling, stamping, hammering and sanding your way to an authentic vintage look. We will explore seven new distress techniques, used by Tim Holtz himself, to get that fabulous vintage feel! Participants are invited to bring a 2x3 copy of a black and white photo to distress and colorize as part of the process. Please bring your toolbox.
Cost: $28.00 (includes blank ruler book, valued at $5.99)
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
12:15-2:45 PM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
With One Stamp
Guest Artist: Carol Ponsford
Create 3-4 cards using an assortment of mediums (Staz-on, Distress Inks, Cat's Eye, Adirondack Inks, etc) with the 6-sided Shore cliff cube stamp from Stampington & Co. Several techniques will be taught that can add flair to your card-making experience. The class fee includes the 6-sided cube stamp, so you can take the stamp home to continue the fun! Please bring your toolbox, plus a craft sheet and black Sharpie ultra fine point permanent marker.
Cost: $37.00 (includes the price of one stamp, valued at $16.99)
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
12:15-2:45 PM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Playing Card Book
Guest Artist: Bianca Mandity
Are you curious about alcohol inks? Come and learn all about these fast-drying, acid free, transparent inks. We will explore their many uses and learn how to use them to transform common crafting supplies, all while creating an accordion style, playing card book! Participants are invited to bring copies of 2x3 photos to incorporate into their books. Please bring your toolbox.
Cost: $25.00
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
3:15-5:45 PM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Simply StazOn
Guest Artist: Carol Ponsford
If you enjoy working with brilliant color, you will be delighted with the results you can achieve using StazOn ink. Each participant will make at least 4 cards and learn some helpful hints on using these vibrant ink pads. Please bring your toolbox, embossing or Versa Watermark ink pad, Archival Black ink pad and any StazOn ink pads you may have.
Cost: $25.00
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sat, Apr 12
3:15-5:45 PM
Class to be held at Ft. Harrison Veteran's Center, 9450 E. 59th, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Faux Fantastic with Perfect Pearls
Guest Artist: Bianca Mandity
Perfect Pearls are one of the most versatile products on the market! Come explore some advanced techniques and learn how to use them to create all kinds of Faux Fantastics! We will be creating a Faux beach glass pendant using recycled CD plastic, Faux metal accessories (like book corners, tabs and hinges) using nothing more than card stock, faux mosaic tiles with UTEE and faux embossed metal that is perfect for cards or even home decoration! Please bring your toolbox, heat gun, scissors, glue, pencil, craft sheet, water sprayer and tweezers. Class Level: Intermediate
Cost: $28.00
Sign up for 2 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $5!
Sign up for 3 of these classes before 4/1/08 & save $10!
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Faux Fantastic Part Duex
Here are my other two samples for the Faux Fantastic class I'll be teaching in April over at Ft. Harrison. Tomorrow, I hope to post the full teaching schedule along with the prices. It looks like it's going to be a really fun day. The other two techniques I'll be teaching is faux metal parts (like hinges, book corners etc.) and faux embossed metal, like tin or copper. Everything is made using paper. No chipboard or grunge board--just plain old cardstock!
Here are my images:
Here are my images:
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Faux Fantastic
I taught at the Heirloom festival this weekend--and had an absolute blast! I bought some great new supplies and got to hang out with some amazing other artists.
And then, I came home and promptly got sick. Sore throat, fever, achy, ugh. But I am feeling better today. I spent some time in my studio today creating some samples for a class I'll be teaching at a retreat in April called Faux Fantastic with Perfect Pearls. The samples I got done today were a faux mosaic and a faux beach glass pendant. Here they are:
I am hoping to have the full information for the glass soon--and once I do I'll post it here. In the meantime, I'm going back to my studio to play with my new stuff!
And then, I came home and promptly got sick. Sore throat, fever, achy, ugh. But I am feeling better today. I spent some time in my studio today creating some samples for a class I'll be teaching at a retreat in April called Faux Fantastic with Perfect Pearls. The samples I got done today were a faux mosaic and a faux beach glass pendant. Here they are:
I am hoping to have the full information for the glass soon--and once I do I'll post it here. In the meantime, I'm going back to my studio to play with my new stuff!
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