Paint Pouring

Hi everyone!

Have you wanted to try paint pouring?  Me, too!  This year at Creativation, I received a sample of Pouring Medium from DecoArt.  

I bought some paint in my favorite ocean colors to go with the Pouring Medium along with an 8"x8" canvas.

I followed the instructions for the "dirty pour" on the DecoArt website.  This consists of mixing the paint and the medium in separate paper cups and then layering them in a larger cup.  Then, you invert the canvas over the cup and turn the two over together.  Lift the cup and the paint starts to flow over the canvas creating your abstract masterpiece.  So much fun, and so simple.  

Here's my first one:

Ocean Paint Pour

I had a couple of corners where the paint didn't flow, so I added drips of leftover paint and swirled them in with a small stick.  I also did this on the edges.

And, I had some paint left over which was too pretty to waste, so I had a smaller canvas on which I caught the drips from the main canvas.  Here's how that turned out:

There are so many possibilities with this technique and you can see lots of them at DecoArt.   I definitely have to try this again!

Project Embellish Part Two

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share the results of the Project Embellish Challenge at the AFCI show in Phoenix this past month.  (Can you believe it's already February!)  I have to tell you that it was probably the most exciting thing to happen to me in awhile, so I may be talking about it all year! I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Here is my roommate and I at the show before the challenge:

We were situated on the show floor in a large booth that had places for all six designers around the edge of the rectangle.  The judges sat at one end and Brenda Schweder was in the center along with Susan LeGuyader, Queene Bead Design, who helped us out with 10 minute lessons on the jig if we desired.

Here's a photo of us contestants and Brenda after the challenge.

Project Embellish Challenge

I was in such AMAZING company for this challenge.  Next to me is Jen Cushman, then Monica Pena.  Brenda is in the center.  Next to the sign is Kymona Tracey, then Cat Kerr, then Carol Foldvary-Anderson.  Take a look at their work.  They are wonderful designers and it was a pleasure to meet those whom I didn't know.

We had to create a necklace in 2 1/2 hours and use elements from each of our sponsors, who were:

Now That's a Jig, the amazing jig system that Brenda Schweder invented
Beadalon, who provided us with Artistic Wire
ImpressArt. maker of products for metal stamping
TierraCast, who makes findings for jewelry making
Xuron Corp., maker of the tools we used
Craftoptics, makers of magnifying eyeglasses
Beads Baubles and Jewels, a popular jewelry-making show
Deflecto, maker of storage caddies and organization systems

We had to use the jig, wire, stamped metal pieces, and TierraCast charms and create a piece in the theme of Charm and Whimsey.  We were judges by three judges, who walked around and observed us as we worked (pressure!).  They were Rita Panulla, from TierraCast, Tamara Honamon, from Interweave, and Tracy Gonzales, from TierraCast.

Here's a link to the finished necklaces.  They were all amazing (I know I'm using that word a lot!).

Here's a photo of my finished piece:

I created in an ocean theme.  I created waves and the necklace with wire on the jig.  I stamped the metal pieces with the words "Under the Sea" and added some patina.  I used the TierraCast charms in two ways - to hold the ribbon that I attached to the wire and hanging in the sea waves.  I added ceramic fish, turtle and starfish beads, blue and green glass beads and some wood pieces.

In addition to using all the elements from the sponsors, Brenda threw in a mystery element that we had to incorporate into our design.  The mystery element was an antique postcard.  I wasn't sure what to do with it.  My postcard had roses and leaves on it and didn't go with my colors or theme.  Time was running out!  Then, I had the idea to cut up the postcard and make rolled beads with it.  They looked like messages in a bottle or a rolled treasure map.  Whew!  To finish the necklace, I attached ribbon and made a toggle with a crystal and loop.

I was delighted (and, amazed!!) to be awarded Runner Up!  And, again a big thank you to the sponsors from which I received this prize.

Thanks for stopping by!  This was so much fun and I hope AFCI will bring it back next year.  These necklaces were auctioned off and the money generated was donated to Beads of Courage.  This charity provides kits for children in hospital with serious illnesses.

Project Embellish Challenge

Hello!

Every year in January, I head to Creativation -the craft and hobby trade show.  It's a great time to take classes, view the latest craft supplies and meet up with clients and other designers.  This year is especially exciting.  I have been accepted to compete in the Project Embellish challenge on the show floor.

We will have three hours to complete a jewelry piece with the materials and tools provided.

Brenda Schweder, creator of Now That's a Jig!, is the originator of the challenge.  There will be six of  us competing and we must create a jewelry piece in three hours!  As someone who designs slowly, this will be quite a challenge for me!  No second guessing, no sleeping on it, no staring at it for a couple of weeks!

Project Embellish

I will be competing against some fabulous designers - Jen Cushman, Cat Kerr, Carol Foldvary-Anderson, Kymona Tracey and Monica Pena.   These designers have such a variety of styles and techniques, they are sure to create some unique and amazing pieces of wearable art!  All of our pieces will be auctioned off at the Association for Creative Industries show in Phoenix.  The proceeds of the auction will be donated to Beads of Courage.  We get to have fun and do good - what's better than that!

To view more about the challenge and see the latest updates from the show, check out Project Embellish Challenge on Facebook.  And, wish me luck!

Creativation Inspiration!

Hi everyone!

I got back from the Creativation trade show last Tuesday, and I finally have a chance to unpack and sort through my experiences and new goodies.  As usual, the show always brings about some unexpected connections and opportunities.

I did not take very many photos, unfortunately.  So, if you are looking for an overview of the show, I highly recommend Julie McGuffee's posts.  They are on her website but are also posted on the Designer Crafts Connection site, where you can see posts of the show by other designers.

Some of the highlights of my show experience were:

I helped out in the etchall class taught by Joe Rotella and Barbee Bosler.  Joe has been on Make It Artsy demonstrating etchall®.  It was fun to see a whole class learning about etching.

I connected with a company new to me - Spellbinders - and got to see all their amazing new products up close at their Media and Blogger breakfast.  If you like scrapbooking and card making, stay tuned in the next few months for some new dies and new ways to use them.
Here's some of the new products I received:

Spellbinders

I worked for a new vendor in the craft industry:  Kit xChange.  I got to show the amazing new organizational pocketbooks and binders developed by Alicia Klein.  Everyone loved them at the show and they were easy to promote because they work so well for organizing on the go.  Try them for scrapbooking, beads, embroidery floss, or any small craft supplies.  Alicia is now off to Tuscon to show beaders and jewelry makers her wares.

Here is one of the travel organizer folders from kit xchange:

And, here it is open:

Now, I can fill baggies with my beads, attach them to the hook-and-loop surface, stick my tools in the bottom pouch, and I'm ready to go!

One of my new connections was an artist that I am sure will be a friend for many years:  Carol Foldvary-Anderson.  She was a contestant in the "Shark Tank"-style competition sponsored by Michaels.  She made it into the top ten!

I also had the chance to take another class from Seth Apter.  This one was "Radiant Rust" and we got to play with a lot of his new materials.  See his post on The Altered Page about his show experience and new products.  Here's what I produced in his class.  I had a lot of fun playing with new paint colors, stamps, sprays and ink.

In a quick tour of the show floor, I happened upon a new section by Tim Holtz.  He's got a new line of jewelry components that I love already.  They're in that vintage style that I love to add to my designs.  Here's a board with some of his new items:

Tim Holtz's new line of jewelry components

And, of course, I got to connect with all the designers from our section in AFCI (formerly CHA).  What a warm, sharing and talented group!  I am so blessed to be a part of them!

So there's a bit of what I saw at the show.  Come back for more inspiration!