Art and DIE CUTS

Hi everyone
It's a lovely sunny day but a bit 'breezy'. Feels good with bright blue skies - optimism !

Die Cut Friday again ..... but first I need to give a bit of background to my plans. I think we've moved on from the basics of die cutting - if you are a new reader please look back to Fridays for lots of basic stuff. This post describes how I tend to use die cutting these days. Sometimes, I do have a need for a straightforward die cut item but increasingly Im using die cutting to add or develop creative work. Often, I find myself altering or using die cuts as tools which may not be easily identified as the original die cuts.

Im developing a new piece of work - this will form my June painting, no title as yet (it's very new)but its to do with the 'sea' in some way. To start, Im (currently) combining two smaller canvas shapes to make a single piece, I may develop the idea and introduce more (to provide more space within the piece ? not sure at the moment. My inspiration is following this weeks 'ring (circle) theme and Im making the shape, central to my painting. I've collected a range of elements (for choice) but have not quite developed the 'look' of the piece. I want to modify all the elements in some way and may even change colours. Im looking for 'something' ? to develop the whole 'feel' - I will keep all the bits/elements in my 'eye view' today and fiddle with them.

I do favour this way of working, most of the time. However, there is a down side, I'm often frustrated or 'panicked' by the lack of any real idea of what will happen or what Im doing ! but ....... when I 'get it' - it's a great feeling and Im then committed to finding my 'solutions'. This way of working has evolved for me and sounds rather 'smug-like' or even 'fanciful' on my part, Its based on the idea that the work, eventually, 'tells me' what to do with it.

It occurred to me only yesterday that its quite rare that I throw any work away - completely. Many times, the final piece is not recognisable as the original but I know where Ive been before the final outcome has been reached and mainly it's a learning experience for me.

Getting backdown to earth and to the die cut bit. Today, Im using this die. Im not sure what its called exactly ? Ive thrown away the packaging but its made by ProvoCraft.



The 'rings' produced (8) are versatile and Ive used them in lots of ways. I like the almost 'non precision' of the circles, very different from many other die cut shapes. I could just cut the shapes with scissors but I think the die cuts have great symmetry which work well together. I think this idea of all the rings coming from the whole is a very neat start to my 'seaside' idea. I've chosen simple light card for the cuts, one sample has lines and the other a hammered texture finish. Im going to develop and mix paint to use and hopefully get lots more texture in their with polymer additives - sand and bubble textures. I'd like to get some threads in there too.
The die needs the multiple purpose platform and the big shot - it's just too wide for the tag along machine.












As Ive said, there is no real plan but with the elements Ive chosen (at this stage) Im already thinking of 'bubbles' and underwater ?
The shells and wooden rings were a gift from a friend from the States, only yesterday. Im thrilled to receive them and want to find an unusual way of using them. There were two packs of stuff and are sold as beads.



I will document my progress each day and add how I feel about the process. Im interested to see how I do feel each day about the creative process and how or what prompts me to do what I do. I will add all the mistakes too - if/when they happen ! No 'glossing over' or 'spinning' will be tolerated. On that note .......

Hope you have a great weekend.

Bye for this week.

Coats for insects

Hi everyone
It's rather 'breezy' today - not so cold but looks changeable !

Im sort of 'on track' with my work plans. I've managed to start to work 'smarter' with a new app. I now produce photos and words for my books/publications as they happen. In the past, there have been several drafts written by hand - I do this (handwriting) because thoughts run in and out of my head and Im forever changing points in a graphic style (doodles and arrows etc. - elaborate 'mind mapping') However, Ive found several apps working together can do this too.
Happy Days ! Still, it's early days too.....

Anyway, I worked on my tags (still not complete and nothing to show) and JUST WALKING - I had three little tasks on the paintings and managed all three - minor miracle for me !



Before - photo 1



After photo 2 - Ive given George a bit of a raised body with several layers of painted card, giving a '2d' look. He has an angry eye and I wanted to make him a bit more 'tough' with his armour like 'jacket'. I will add more paint to the jacket but I like the subtle change it gives, especially from a distance.

The second addition is that of a 'metal butterfly' - another symbolic 'strength' thing. There is a hole in the centre - waiting for a bit of bling - to soften the look and also 'show off' the 'power' of the butterfly.
I think the metal gives the painting another detail to catch your eye. Again, when its embedded with the jewel I think it will work well (within the whole piece).



The third element is a bit more tricky. I want to add a polymer clay 'jacket for Cyril ( the other insect character). I did some research on clay finishes and decided to add additional clay elements to the flowers too. Colours are key here and I need to mix some clays to get the right shades of colour. The idea of doing a version of 'millefiori' technique for the clay treatment is appealing. The millefiori technique is a glass making technique that has been adapted to use with polymer clay and is often characterised by flowers.
Im not looking for the look of the flowers (see the photo showing classic millefiori style slices) as such but will aim to use the idea and apply the technique. I will take lots of photos as I go and share my experiments.


Im keen to incorporate the shapes of the flowers (already there) in JUST WALKING. I made these stamps and would like to get the same shape going in the millefiori technique. Im not sure exactly how to do this, so ....... who knows what will happen ? Must get on.

Bye for today.

Rings and circles

Hi to everyone out there
Weather is poor today ! There could be rain ! It's a little 'breezy' too. All a bit disappointing. However, back in ' the Studio' it's all go. Well it's almost going. I've done a review and now have a new list to work. I watched some great tennis last night on TV and reviewed in-between. The tennis was so exciting and all the excitement transferred to my review. At least now, I feel a bit better about what to do with my work. Its obviously part of the 'angst' of being and living 'to be' an artist. My self discipline is at fault here and I need a definite routine in order to stay on track. Often, family life takes over and I tend to 'wander' in many directions. All optimistic stuff, so that's good.

On to practical things - my inspiration idea this week is RINGS. Im still working on the packaging stuff (from last Friday). I need 'the design' rather than the style - when I get this I can adapt new art images to whatever style my stuff demands. I've got my annual list of paintings ready for action - all this years stuff have more elements to add. I know my whole artistic offer starts with my paintings so without them there are no products. It's so long since I had stuff to sell because everything sells (special orders) before I have enough to stock in the shops. However, new plans !! I also need to acknowledge how long my/the book takes up. I think it's a bit like preparing foundations for a building - there's nothing to see for ages and then, all of a sudden ....... It's there. All positive stuff. Hurray for 'reviewing' !!!!!

Today, Im definitely moving on with my packaging. I will also make some additions to JUST WALKING - a quirky painting on wood. Look back for details. This is the 'before' photo



I will do an after photo too?

I also want to make some more polymer stuff today - love doing this.

Wednesdays are usually DOLL DAYS. My week is messed up a bit because of the Bank Holiday on Monday but I couldn't miss an opportunity to get a doll in somewhere. My offer is not quite a doll but it will be inspiration for my next doll. It's an apron (for a doll) - another clay thing but it ties in with my apron making plans. I've seen this idea in a few projects but I particularly like this one. I will get into the detail when I reach the allotted time (in my new list).


Im not sure how I can weave my 'ring' inspiration into this post ? other than saying my artistic journey is like a 'circle' (or a ring) - I go round and round in circles but there is no end. I hope my circle is getting bigger every day. On that note - I must get on.

Bye for now.

Rings and more rings ..........

Hi to everyone out there
We have a lovely morning here - almost 3 days of deep sunshine and very warm(at last). The sky is blue too ! Lovely view from my work table.

Not much 'work work' going on, it's been a 'garden long weekend' at home - hard gardening and a little 'sitting'. Lots more gardening to do - making up for a whole years neglect ! It's a small space so almost manageable. Back to 'normal' now - that means everyone back to work or school and Im (as usual) struggling with getting into my daily routines.

This weeks inspiration is coming from 'rings'. I've mentioned and shared a few of my new experimental rings using polymer clay. I've done some more clay rings and have been looking for new ideas on Pinterest. I've pinned loads of examples and will use them to develop ideas this week. I also found some great ideas in a leaflet from a magazine - ive been looking at the pages for about a week and theres a colour scheme happening as well as some shapes. The jewellery pieces which are inspiring me are in metal but I can see some potential for clay in a number of the pieces. Here is the image of the jewellery. My colours will focus on 'blues' - lots of different shades.



- lets see what comes out? In the meantime, these are a few of my creations. They all need a little more work - polishing and filing etc.



















I hope to develop some more beads to compliment the rings this week and maybe make some different types of jewellery. I have some ideas for incorporating jewellery ideas in to my next paining too. I like the idea of creating a piece and adding the finished item to the painting (with the back flattened for sticking). So, this week is all RINGS. There are some amazing but impractical rings out there, I hope to make my rings wearable - which is much more difficult than it may first appear. The polymer material carves really well so I think I will start adapting some of the examples Ive made (shown here) to be more 'elaborate' finished items. My colour schemes are generally accidental and if honest Im not too keen on the polymer colours available - without lots of blending and fiddling. Im getting into the mixing and blending to understand colour compositions in various makes of clay and also I like the idea of painting beads. Somehow painting feels the best way to go - this will allow me to use clear or transparent clay and maybe more creative colours will emerge for me. Lets see what happens. I need to explore more packaging ideas too. My Fridays packaging (last week) has not moved on (yet) that will be my focus for today.

On that note, bye for today.

Miss Burton's Beads

Hi to everyone out there
Not sure what will happen to the weather today, it's been both sunny and on the edge of showers most of the morning.
Hopes are high for a dry afternoon !

It's Friday and die cuts are back today. Last week, I did intend to develop some packaging for some new clay beads Ive been experimenting with. Time ran out and very little happened last Friday. It's a distant memory and I can't even remember what did take priority ? Let move on.......

I'm 'semi back' on track and have started the packaging ideas (the very same plan from last week). My inspiration is coming from a Miss Burton original. Here she is with the beads - I know the beads are very small in this picture but its just for 'context'. Look back for more detailed stuff on these beads.



My idea is to package little parcels of beads for my customers eg the craft jewellery people or those people that just collect beads - such people do exist ! I know because I am one of them. I have intentions of doing something creative and eventually I usually do ! I just like 'beads' - I will also make up a few jewellery items for ideas and for me (to wear). If they are OK I will put some in the shops. Anyway back to packaging, I'm using the gift pocket idea - in a simple packet form with a tissue wrapped item(s) inside - the packet will be 'glued' or stapled down with a pretty label or gift tag and then packaged for post (in a recycled box).

I've started with the packets and have followed my usual approach (look back to former blogs for more details on 'gift pocket' construction - I have a tutorial). Instead of making a triangle pocket, Ive made a simple bag.




I'm trying two versions - I need to get my brand on there somehow and also need to check the fastening works.
I like simple, effective construction and will thoroughly check out the quality before using. The final bags (will refer to them as 'bags' to distinguish between the pocket construction) will need to be branded with thepapersac and Im unsure about exactly how the strap line should be positioned - bottom or top ?Any opinions welcome.
At the moment I like the top version - looks neater and I can adjust my 'fold' to accommodate package final sizes.

The labels and tags Ive chosen to make are started with a new die to me - its been on the shelf a while but Ive not anything with it. The die is a collection of tickets. Loads of potential. It's a thin die which needs the the Mulipurpose Platform. It's a great die - I love it. It works really well and has cut through quite thick card - often a problem with dies that have lots of stuff on them - for a single cut.




I'm using orange and purple for my colour scheme - to compliment the beads and Miss Burton painting.
I will play around with the labels and see what works best. I need them to look pretty and a bit different but also not too time consuming to make. My plan is to produce a limited edition of these things including the beads etc. so when they are sold that's it. I've decided that the is the point of what I do and mass production is not me. I'm very keen to experiment and move on with all my stuff and I feel the packaging should follow the same principle.



Whatever I do - I think I have pinned it down to using the items in the last photo. I will add bits of other stuff and see what happens. Will report my findings next time.

Must go and see some people about something else, so that it for today.

Have a great Bank Holiday and I'll be back next Tuesday, bye for now.