Making Tyvek and Paper Beads

Hi everyone
Today it very dull (here) - there is much talk on the radio about fantastic sunshine and high temperatures ! Fingers crossed for later.
I've managed to make my work wish list for this week - better late than never ! I talked, yesterday, about this weeks inspiration ie Hilary Bravo,Artist and making some jewellery using 'new techniques' (new to me). 'The list' is up on the Butterfly Board - so it will happen !

I like to make all my BB notes 'pretty' but I didn't manage that yesterday - I will do more to make my note 'prettier' today. Somehow, my thinking is that if the notes look good, they become more important. It's a state of mind (mine) but it works for me. I think it's to do with spending time and thoughts on the note and 'giving' the note centre stage for a while.
Getting back to my point, I spent ages (last night)watching Hilary Bravos little YouTube videos on the techniques she uses (check out yesterday's blog for links). I thought, I had all the materials and bits to get going, however, I find I don't have any metal leaf - I have flakes of metal which could work but I want to try out the sheets, so have ordered some this morning. In the meantime, I will use the flakes - the whole thing is an experiment and this will add to the experience.
Im not sure why ? But Ive wanted to try out these Tyvek beads for months and Hilary manages to make several beads in the video's (all the videos are quite short) so Im not sure what the problem has been ! Anyway, having got over that one - today is the day. I will take some photos and see what happens.
I found another photos of some of these beads which Hilary has made from Tyvek. This photo gives an idea of the beads for reference.

I think I want to make more rounded versions and Im not sure about colours yet ? I have ideas of a range of blues or greens ?
I also want to get started with some 'toilet paper' beads - my ideas for these beads are to add layers of various materials - I will look at my range of stash and just add/embed into the surface. Perhaps, tiny beads or found objects may find their way onto the beads ? I like the idea of fibres of some sort. The metal leaf material is important to the finished beads and I want to keep them simple. The simple approach is always difficult to achieve well, I find, but it's my aim. There will be mistakes in the beginning but that's OK - Im hoping I can learn what works for me today.
In the unlikely event that I get both ideas underway, I may try some brooch ideas from milk cartons ! I know this sound the most whacky idea but I think I can try something which will work. Thanks Hilary for the inspiration.
Bye for now.

'a la Hilary'

Hi everyone
I'm eventually back (officially) from holiday. I've taken an extra couple of days, although I did almost get going yesterday.
The weather has been great over the last few days and on onto this week. Unfortunately, I seem to have picked up a virus and am feeling a bit weak, however, Im enjoying watching and/or listening to the Roland Garros tennis in Paris. I love the tennis season generally but Ive really enjoyed this weeks games.
Back to work and its Wednesday and it's usually my 'doll day', however, as Im just starting my working week, Im going to have a different sort of organisation for this week.My inspiration for the next few days is going to be the work of a lady called Hilary Bravo Check out her blog here. I may have mentioned her before, can't quite remember ? Hilary makes beads/jewellery in an amazingly simple but creative way. She likes using simple and accessible materials/techniques which is great for experimenting without having to do so much preparation and sourcing. Hilary also makes little videos showing techniques and progress of her projects on a regular basis and I am always looking for the next one to see where she is going next. I've been wanting to try out some of Hilary's techniques and thought this week would be a good opportunity to spend a few days creating my own versions. Im going to plan a little schedule of items that I want to produce this evening and think of ways of applying the techniques to my mixed media artwork. I like the idea of making beads and jewellery but ultimately my skills are aimed at producing my paintings. Im hoping some new ideas will come to me while experimenting 'a la Hilary'.
Here is a look at several of Hilary's pieces for illustrating where I will be going. She has an Etsy shop so most of her stuff is available for sale.





I have an idea to make some jewellery and develop some dolls or characters inspired by my creations. What I intend to create is a mystery (to me) at the moment ? but I know something will come out. The most inspiring technique from Hilary (for me) has been the use of metal leaf with her found objects and ways of mounting found objects onto rings - Im not sure what will turn out but it's constantly on my mind (somewhere - deep inside my brain) I NEED to have a go !!
A quick note about Last week and holidays - usually holidays allow time for drawing or painting but this time we spent lots of time out and about being 'active' and eating out. One of our visits included Keddelston Hall - an amazing Robert Adam 'country pile'. It turns out the film 'Duchess' was filmed in the Hall. Ive never seen the film but Im keen to watch it soon. I know it will inspire some work. We had a lovely long lunch in the Hall and spent a wonderful few hours looking and chatting to the staff about all the details of the Hall - a lovely memory from our holiday.
My only creative moment was to to produce a few basic sketches of a new piece based on a book cover (I talked about this book in my previous blogs). Im calling the first doll - Bernadette (at the moment ).

There isn't a name for the second sketch of a doll yet - perhaps someone will come up with a suitable name for me. If you have an idea - please add your idea as a comment.

On that note, that's about it for today.
Bye for now.

Making cards extra special.

Hi everyone
It's raining today and very windy - not nice to be outside.

Die cut Friday is looking at the die cut elements of the project from yesterday. Here is the finished item in its protective packet.






The lovely image Ive used is by a great artist called Marisa Anne and Ive added an overlay from the Beautiful Mess app (Ive talked about this app a few blogs ago).
The die cut elements used in this project are mainly alphabets and layers of scalloped circles, as well as a scalloped edge - on the card.






I've personalised the card with the name of the recipient and used pinks throughout (I know the baby is a girl and 'mum to be' is a 'pink' sort of person) I think the card has turned out well and although its a simple card which conveys the sentiment well, its pretty and I like the personal details. From feedback, people really like this personalised element on cards.

The treatment Ive given to the card, envelope and tag are obvious, so I don't need to describe what Ive done in sequence. Take a look at the different views to check out each face of the card and accessories. I think the scallop layers work so well with pretty cards and especially with spot papers - both papers are produced using Pink Petticoat files (talked about this yesterday).






The tag has a Beautiful Mess layer from the app.








I always make my own envelopes - I like to use the same papers/colours etc. You can produce a lovely range of special gift packaging very easily and very cheaply - once you have the basic equipment.
My project could be used to adapt cards/wrap for many events. If Im short of time I often buy a card and apply a similar approach, creating a new envelope made from some patterned papers which Ive chosen to adapt the card. Hope you are inspired to do something similar.

That's it for today and ..... It's half term next week and we are off on holiday (Derbyshire area) so Im looking forward to that. Have a great weekend and I will be back on 3/6/13 with news of my holiday and new inspirations.

Bye for now.

Making 'Art'Cards

Hi everyone
It's 'on the edge' of raining - quite 'chilly' too. As I write, there are huge hail stones hitting the window ! It was good for running earlier !!!
Just wanted to confirm that my running app has worked this morning. All is well (as Miss Mitchell would say) ! This is a reference to a 'techie' issue last Friday - for information.

Back to the moment, on Thursdays, I like to talk about 'techniques'. My aim around focussing on 'techniques' is to look (in detail) and talk about - in a practical way - my own personal skills development. So, my definition of techniques in this context, is a very broad one and applied to my own style of creativity. I'm deliberately combining all manner of techniques in my work - from polymer clay creations to making stamps as well as developing painting skills. My work has a multi media label so I feel free to combine as many as I like. However, I think there is a downside to having too much choice, often my best work is done when the choices are limited to me. With this in mind,Im trying to limit which techniques and materials are used within a single piece of work.

The inspiration, I gave myself this week was to do with 'measurement' ( prompted by a recent stamp purchase with lots of rulers on it).



Although, this was the inspiration - I'm looking at measurement in the widest possible sense and including 'scale' and 'proportion' etc. I don't think Ive actually used 'the stamp' this week , at all.To get back to techniques and what I need for today. Im using the measure inspiration prompt to help me develop an idea for an urgent request for a personalised greetings card. I need to produce the finished item today and was wondering what to do ?The card is for a lady about to go on maternity leave. I wanted to make it personal and I know she is having a baby girl and I know her name. With this in mind and using my measure prompt Ive come up with an idea for the basic images while out running this morning. I'm using an image Ive borrowed from Marisa Anne in her book Creative Thursday. I've taken the image and adapted it to form the card. The card will use various different views of a single image, arranging them to form the card/ envelope in different sizes.



The sizes of the little characters are amazing and just right for my needs ie baby bunny and mummy flower. I'm adding text and possibly some bunting or scallop edges - not sure. Ive also decided to use a printed paper from Pink Petticoat Check it here as the base card. I will share the finished version later. I'm not selling the card - it would be too close to stealing someone's composition but I will use it to inspire and create some similar sketches of my own. I will also give the artist credit for the work. It's a tricky argument to talk about 'creative ownership'. I've tackled this before on this blog (few years back). This image which is clearly a Marisa Anne piece of work is one thing but standing three/four items/characters in a line and following my own colour scheme - to me, is OK if you have drawn them. Perhaps, that needs to be a discussion is for another day ?

My technique today (to summarise) is taking an image and turning it into a card by manipulating the artwork. I'm combining a computer technique with design and paper layering and envelope making - with special attention to the detail - essentially 'paper crafting'.I do like to hand finish cards by using some paint or wax pencils to highlight images. When the card is printed up I will review and check if something else is required - only then, will I know what I need to add or not. I will let you know tomorrow. I think this sought of practice ie making cards is a great technique skill for embedding paper elements into my paintings. I learn lots by making cards and envelopes, I guess I treat the card and envelope more as a piece of Art rather than a card.

Must get on and make it.

Bye for now.

What would BERNADETTE say ?

Hi everyone
Not sure what the weather will do today - it's a bit cool and damp but still dry(at the moment) some big heavy clouds look ominous but every now and again, there is bright sunshine !

Today, is Wednesday and its all about dolls. My doll of the week has to be Annabel. Here she is with a little 'extra treatment'.



Annabel has been 'in waiting' for the whole week and Im yet to get to grips with her development. She has been drawn in pencil and her face has quite a bit of wax colour. Her clothes and hair have their first layer but lots more layers to add. Im hoping to get some paint on her today. In the meantime, this image of Annabel has some extra doodles from a new app I have via 'A Beautiful Mess'.



The app is a great little tool for adding stuff to images - Ive had great fun using it. The app uses simple doodling type strokes (words,little sketches,borders etc) layered on top of photos and easily allows posting onto social media sites or email.

I also wanted to share another 'doll to be' today. She will be called 'Bernadette'. Im using a book Im currently reading to inspire Bernadette. The cover of the book is amazing (as is the book - great fun to read).



I'm going to use a similar face for Bernadette but the body will be inspired by Audrey Hepburn (one of my all time favourite looks).



Im not sure if she will have an evening gown or some cropped trousers ?
I have another book which talks about the 'Audrey response' to all manner of things and I like this idea for Bernadette. Her (Bernadette) story will be created around responses to specific situations - yet to be thought about .
I will call the painting (with Bernadette as the central character) 'What would Bernadette say ?' Much to do !!! My aim is to get a sketch of Bernadette before close of play today. Ambitious !

Each day, I move each of my three chosen works of the week on. At the beginning of each week I will have identified the chosen three. This week it's JUST WALKING, what would BERNADETTE say ? and introducing ANNABEL. This is just a broad framework for myself and its OK to change etc. Without this discipline, I tend to jump from one job to another and get nothing done. I record this visually on my Butterfly Board. Here it is in action :






Must get to it all !!

Bye for now