Paper Beads

Today I have had a go at making paper beads for a swap I am entering.

I couldn't get a photo in daylight - so these look slightly darker than they do in 'real life'




Because they are all made by hand - no two are exactly the same, which I think adds to their charm.

They are made with a strip of paper - these were 1" x 9" which I then cut diagonally.

Next I glued the reverse of the paper, and rolled each one up onto a cocktail stick, starting with the widest end first which gave them their shape

Then I rolled each one on a clear ink pad and then dipped it in a little pot of UTEE, used a heat gun to melt it, and repeated that at least four times, turning the bead as I went.



I had a play with glass beads and wire too. One bead (which I have set aside on the right) I made using a left over straight strip and it looks just like some Japanese beads I have. So I am going to experiment making some of those - as they cost a fortune to buy!

Altered Box

I altered this cardboard domino box which you can see if you click the link, and turned it into this...............for a lovely lady.

(As usual, click any image for an enlarged photo)



It took three coats of Gesso to hide all the pictures, and I painted all of it inside and out and underneath. Left it to dry overnight. The next task was to swipe over some ink - to make it look grainy. That took all morning the next day to soak in and dry.

It was then that I stamped onto tissue paper, in black ink, the image, and once dry glued it onto the lid of the box.




The next day, I painstakingly painted it all with a tiny paintbrush - some places took several coats to get the depth of colour. The creamy white background along the outer edges is the 'woodgrain' effect I made with the Gesso and ink (it's not all hidden under the dark paint)



I then used UTEE to cover the image - to protect it - that took four coats of melting and maneuvering to get it to flow over the butterfly panel.



The next day I gave it two coats of acrylic paint - in burnt sienna to cover the creamy stained sides and edges.


The next day I embossed the top edges with copper embossing powder.




And lastly rubbed over all the burnt sienna paintwork with a copper rub and buff metal paint - waited for it dry and shined it all up to give it a nice sheen and to make it look solid. Which sadly these photos do not show!

I took the photos in a rush on Sunday morning as we were going away to the coast for the night - but I wanted to finish it and wrap it up and get it in the post the next day on the way back.



Lastly I wrapped in tissue a few little surprises, and used petals and leaves from a spray of artificial flowers which I pulled apart.

What it lacks in 'talent', I think is made up for with effort LOL, and I had great pleasure in making it for a particular person - to fit in with their 'other life' apart from their art work.

It felt like a wooden box when I had finished with it - and I have to admit to feeling rather chuffed that for a few pennies, and lots of patience, you can create your own little work of art without a huge amount of materials.

And yesterday, it arrived at it's destination hundreds of miles away!

Luke's online workshop - Octopus and bird - taking bookings somewhere near you!

I am glad that my three year old grandson has inherited at least some of my genes LOL


Look at that concentration.




He's a dab hand with the glue stick




And is not messy with the PVA like I am. He is so dainty using cotton buds to put the glue on and to stick on the feathers




Voila - I hope that it is for me!

Altered Bottle Caps

I had a go at altering some bottle caps. I see one of them has a bit of black on the side - didn't notice it when I made - I must wipe that off!





Why is it that the smallest of things seem to take the longest time to do. I spent several hours over two days. This little one has a photo in it and I have 'bashed' the rim to make a frame. The 'pearl' looks lovely in real life. It came from a necklace that I bought in a charity shop this week. I have looked for months and never found anything suitable. This one had lots of little charms on it - too me ages to get this one off - but finishes it off nicely.




This is another vintage photo - the lady is collaged on to script.

And yes - this is the one I need to wipe off the little bit of black paint. I painted the backs of them black to hide the brand name.

Stained Glass Window

Over on Time for Crafting Sara has made a beautiful stained glass window aperture card - so today's inspiration came from her.

As per usual I didn't have a card with an aperture and am not the worlds best at cutting them out (understatement) so I improvised.


Ever the optimist on a dreadful snowy, sleety, rainy, then snowy dark day. I decided to make a sunshine catcher.

I am making excuses now as Sara's is stunning - and this isn't a patch on hers - but I had FUN so I am happy to have tried it. And next time I will make a better job of it.

I don't have broadband in my studio - so just have to try and remember the procedures when I am working out there.



That said - it's best to look at Sara's card as it is beautiful - photographed superbly and doesn't have brickwork, mould, and a stump of wood as a background LOL


Mine seemed to change colour with the light - roll on the sunshine!

The start of my challenge piece for Objet D'Art

Jennie over on Objet D'Art has created the most amazing altered book from her stash from her The Artistic Stamper Shop and Site

Now I do try and join in a few Challenge Sites - this being one of them - but the task has utterly defeated and deflated me!

I bought a child's chipboard book - as Jennie did.

As I don't have 'all the gear' papers and whatnot I have to improvise - which has taken me not only hours and hours, but days and days, and it still looks rubbish compared to Jennies.

It has got a long way to go before it is finished - so I am not comparing like with like. So when it is finished which will be weeks rather than days, it will look much better. I want to get it done my May, for my son's birthday.

So here is what I did. I peeled off all the glossy pages from the book to get back to a surface that I could use.

Gesso'd all the pagers - of which there are many more than are shown here.





I covered both sides of each with paper - then got inking and stamping -taking inspiration from cards that Paula makes


Each page - apart from the long drying time inbetween - has taken literally hours to do. Gradually building up layers of colour, onto which I stamped text, then used sequin waste and swiped over more colour.



Stamped Japanese storks - because my grandson is dual nationality - English and Japanese, and this book will be filled with photos of him and my son. I also used a Tim Holtz mask. The blue above is the true colour of the book pages - goodness know how they all photographed differently - must be the photographer.

I made some 'glimmer' mist with mica powder and spritzed it on - which does actually look nice in daylight.

I have only managed to do four pages so far - that is 8 sides - so quite a lot work wise. These are just the 'background' of the pages.






Does anyone have problems with embossing and gluing Grunge Board - I don't seem to have the knack. The embossing comes off - and I find them really hard to stick on - and stay stuck (excuse the grammer).

So, apologies Jennie - this will take me a very long time to finish - but at least I tried LOL

So bring on the next challenge please! But not such a hard one LOL

Copy Cat?

Do you ever get days when everything you touch turns to rubbish - art wise - or is it just me.

Yesterday I braved the snow and blizzard to get to the end of my garden to do some crafting in the 'studio'.

I spent quite a few hours trying out new techniques - then trying to rescue them - only for them to end up worse - and in the bin.

Today the snow has gone, the sun was shining, and after walking into the village to post some letters and get some milk, I intended to spend time again 'playing' and see if today would be more productive.

I posted the letters - the village shop still had no milk and no idea of when they would get some, and on the way back I slipped on black ice (no warning or icy puddles) and crashed to the ground. Phew it knocked the wind out of me - but no bones broken, lots of bruises, and now I am stiffening up.

BUT

After lunch I decided to pay a visit to Jo Capper-Sandon - to see if she could inspire me to make something.

Not in real life silly - but in February's Craft Stamper - yes I am still reading it. Over and Over.

I wanted to make some ATCs - but instead I had a go at this.

I had to do a heck of a lot of improvising of course, as I didn't have the stamps or other bits and pieces.

So I started out with one of these

I painted it with thick white Gesso - which gave it some texture. Then I tried to get similar colouring with some little ink pads.
My tree stamp came from here and is a different size from Jo's by the look of it.

I didn't have a bird stamp, so drew those on, neither did I have the lovely butterfly stamp - so I found one in a magazine, cut it out, added pink ink, and embossed it - it looks paler and pinkier in daylight.

No Sentiments stamp - so I typed up something relevant as I looked out of the window, on my computer and cut it out.

No gauze ribbon so that will have to wait until I go into a town -that might or might not have a haberdashery shop - ditto the lace. So I have improvised for now with a bit of fibre - but it is too heavy I know.

I want to make one tag a month - and on the reverse put an 'Inspirational Quote' or even two from here where there are 65 of people's favourites.

The idea is to force myself to try something 'new' to me, and also to have a collection to hand of lovely quotes too.

Once it is finished I will add some pretty ribbons and fibres to hide the O wires.

Sometimes when ideas just won't come, or you are feeling a bit 'down' perhaps - it is nice to get out the magazines and have a go at something I think. Far better to feel good at achieving something, than feeling fed up because you can't.

So am I being a Copy Cat? I like to think the magazines are there to inspire us to do something we might not have tried otherwise. Well the inexperienced people like me!

Then, having produced something half decent - it kinda spurs you on to try other things and give you ideas. Well it does me. Or else I might give up altogether if I don't improve bit by bit.

This month's magazine is out again Friday - and my village shop has mine on order each month - I can't wait!