Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Making ART

I'm so excited today!!

First:  I'm hoping with the e-Team as a guest designer today!!

Second:  OMG!! WENDY VECCHI is in the HOUSE!!

Today's hop will not only share projects made with Studio 490 products, but will also share some insight as to the inspiration and thought process that went into making the projects.

The eTeam is a wonderful group of talented women, each with their own style. Some are clean and simple card makers, others love scrapbooking, and still others are drawn to altered art and mixed media projects. The goal of this hop is bring each of the designers and their favorite mediums together and to share how they used these products to express their own individual styles through their projects. 

AND, as an added bonus, the eP store has some great specials to go along with the hop!

  • This week only save 25% on all Studio 490 products, this includes Wendy's stamps, stencils, Art parts, Book and Blossom Bucket embellishments. Use code WENDY25 when checking out.
  • During the hop, comment on each blog and you'll be entered into a drawing for a prize package worth $50! Your package will include a collection of Studio 490 products as well as paper and embellishments from the store. 
WAIT!  There's MORE!!

  • We want to hear about what inspires you! Share your thoughts about why you create, what styles you're drawn to, even share a favorite project on the eP Facebook page. Next week Kim will randomly select a winner from those who have commented on the eTeam Make Art Facebook posts and give away a $25 gift certificate to eP! 
eclectic Paperie--start of the hop!











and 
ME!

*******

I've been a big fan of Wendy's for a long time.  I love her unique style and her products.  I have to say that if the Clearly for Art Modeling film came in rolls, I'd be first in line to order (insert cheesy smile with a "hint, hint, Wendy!!" here__________________!!!!).  I have made a couple of projects as a previous designer for eP that combined Art Parts, TenSecond Studio metal and the modeling film.  If you are interested a couple of examples  can be found here and here.  

BUT, for today's project, I veered off to a different path.  I wanted to explore using Wendy's stamps in a bit of a different way.

Note:  Today I'm using some of Wendy's previously released stamp sets. But by all means! Check out all the NEW goodies that Kim has in the eP store!!

Let me give you a little peek as to how my brain (sometimes) works when I'm creating.

First:  I rummaged through my collection of Studio 490 stamps and Art parts.  The Art Parts just weren't calling to me (gasp!) so while I was pondering what direction I was going to go, I happened to catch a look at an open back bezel that has been waiting for me to do something with.  I then start looking at my collection of stamps to see what might work with the bezel.   The Visions of Art set and the sentiment "She only flew when no one could see" from It's Face Art set kept drawing me in.  

Both of these stamps were too large for the bezel.  But, by now, I'm stuck on the bezel idea.  Sooo, Shrink Film to the rescue!  I first lightly sanded the film with a sanding block and stamped the main image with Stazon ink.  I usually stamp an image a couple of times just in case I mess up.  

**Disclaimer:  most of these photos were taken at night. My work table is glass topped.  Clear plastic, glass tables, night lights and flashes don't mix!!


The image after shrinking.  

I then stamped another image from It's Face Art onto a piece of clear transparency that had been inked with various alcohol inks.  Since this piece was in my "possibility" file, I have NO idea what inks were used on it!! But it just seemed to fit the color main image!  


After a bit of finagling, I made myself a template for the inside of the bezel (it had a small lip on the inside, so it took a bit of trimming from a tracing to get it to fit right) and cut out the stamped image.  I decided that the background was too light, so I cut out another template from the unstamped portion of the inked transparency. Hindsight says I should have stuck with just the one layer....more on that later!!!

When I create mixed media projects, I tend to come up with a scenario or story line of what my project is portraying. I kept thinking about the sentiment, "she only flew when no one could see", and envisioned my Indian Princess (because, of course, she is a Princess!) allowing her thoughts to take flight to a different place or world that no one else could see or understand.  To symbolize the flight of her dreams, I stamped the butterfly, from Make Mine Mini Art, with black Stazon, onto a piece of the shrink film that I inked with cranberry, red pepper and rust alcohol inks.  I firmly adhered my bezel to a piece of duct tape and  then layered my two pieces of inked transparency and the Princess in the bezel and filled with Ice Resin.  I then added the butterfly and finished filling to the top.


This would be where hind sight should have spoken up earlier.

The double layer of the inked transparency seemed to get an air bubble.  And the double layer also seemed to deepen in intensity, so the main image blended into the background more.


And the butterfly.  The butterfly sank. There was no dreams taking flight here!!

BUT!  I did not toss the project.  I still liked the overall look.  It just needed a little road side assist!!

Another mini butterfly was stamped with Blazing Red Stazon ink onto the shrink film.  A second butterfly was stamped again on the red tone inked shrink film.  Both were cut out and shrunk with my heat gun.  While still HOT (and yes, I do mean you will singe your fingers HOT), I gently molded the wings to add dimension.  I adhered both butterflies with Beacon's Glass, Metal and More Glue.  The result:




Interestingly, the clear butterfly in her hair shows up the red coloration of the sunken butterfly in the picture, but in real life, you can't see the red !!

And the thickness of the butterfly wings is NOT so in your face.  I obviously need to figure out how to take photos of shiny objects better!! 

Originally, I was going to make this a piece of jewelry to wear, but without the light shining through the pendent, it is pretty dark and loses it's definition.  Instead, I think I will look for some multicolored fibers to hang the pendent from and make it into a book marker for myself so that the light can shine through the pendent.

Because books are another way to take flight to different places and  new worlds. 

I hope you take a couple of thoughts away with you today from my project:

First:  There are so many different ways to use your supplies.  Don't be afraid to go off onto a different path!  Explore creativity in a NEW way!

Second:  Even if a project has some mistakes, it doesn't mean that it is "ruined".  It may mean you just have to look at it from a different angle to see the light

and Third:  There really is no such thing as mistakes in Art.  They are just experiences to make the journey of Making Art more interesting!! 

Many, many thanks to Kim and the eTeam for inviting me to hop along with Wendy this week!!  I had sooo much fun Making Art!

Thanks for dropping by and for those of you on the East Coast, my thoughts are with you!!!


















36 comments:

Dorothy said...

Wow, this is awesome!!

Words and Pictures said...

So lovely - the finished piece has such an ethereal beauty! Amazing to share your creative journey in its creations, and I love your final thoughts!
Alison x

Noreen said...

The butterflies add just the right amount of bright color!

Glenda said...

As always, your creativity just blows me away! I'm a big fan of butterflies and yours are wonderful!

Unknown said...

Super, super cool Starks! What a fun little artistic journey you had! Thanks for joining us today! :)

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Wonderful pendant, Starla.

Bonnie Irvine said...

Oh my! This is so lovely. Your process used techniques I've never thought of...I love that. The Indian princess is beautiful. The depth of colour is so rich. The butterflies are full of whimsy and depict the saying behind this art so well. Your final thoughts are so insightful. Thank you.

SusanK said...

This is a really cool dangly piece, even if it isn't around your neck as you had hoped. A bookmark dangler would be just as awesome! Since I read a lot and don't wear jewelry often, this makes much more sense in my world. lol

michelle said...

I love to think outside the box. Love our project and so much you can do with it!

Sylvia said...

What a wonderful piece, Starla, I love your jewelry piece. Love how you used the face image and then added the color and over stamping. Have a wonderful Halloween with your boys!

purusty said...

the antiquing is beautiful

Trisha said...

Well, your pendant (or bookmark) is totally incredible. Great job and great designing.

Michelle said...

WOW....I loved reading about your art journey with this project! How fun and I do love that butterfly. I've always wanted to play in that ice resin. Thanks for the inspiration and hopping along with the eP Team!

Micki said...

ok, first I already knew but now I am totally convinced that we are soul sisters.... because I had the exact same opening statement "Wendy is in the house".... OMG, too funny. (miss ya) And then I read and scrolled down and literally was like "holy " and picked my jaw up. Girl, your talent never ceases to amaze me and you my friend are THE queen of awesome blog writing. Unlike my scatterbrained mumblings on my blog, your writing is always a joy to read (not to mention that it makes total sense and is easy to understand).
I was thrilled you joined us! Miss ya friend.

Kathy said...

Love your jewelry creation - so beautiful. They all were, even the one you did not think that create. You are a very talented designer. Keep up the great work.

Gail Dixon said...

Even your mishaps turn into works of art, Starla! I admire your persistence in making this piece into a show-stopper!

Julia Aston said...

Wow - this is just lovely!

Kim said...

Starla...what a truly wonderful creation! Thank you so much for sharing your story, sharing your art, and sharing a piece of yourself. It has been a delight to have you with us on the hop!! XXOO

Kim Lemear said...

Thanks for participating in the hop. That is an awesome piece, will look great with fibers to use as a book marker.

Mary-Ann Maldonado said...

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!

Kathy Eddy said...

Wow, this is a fantastic piece of art! Love what you did with this challenge.

Sue D said...

So cool--great thoughts about your project too!

Nan G said...

Wow! Cool piece of art. Thanks for letting us in to your thought process including the 'oops' which turned into Wow!

Kaye said...

What a wonderful idea...your end result is delightful!

Jennifer said...

Think you chose my absolute favorite Wendy stamps to feature in this piece -- swoon! Hats off from a fellow "art addict." May we never recover from this addiction :)

Broni said...

Girl, I love how your mind works and how you're able to get it all down into print! Including all the excitement and feelings you're experiencing! This pendant is spectacular! And I really love that you'll use it as a bookmark and let the light shine through! I'm SO glad you joined us for this hop....like old times!!

Janet L. said...

Great piece and will make a pretty bookmark. I'm not so sure it also wouldn't make a terrific pendant even if you think it's a bit dark. I love it. I've some materials to try my hand and you've inspired me to do so!

Holly Saveur said...

Stunning!!

Flo said...

Your project is fantastic. I love the arrowhead shaped pendant and your story.

Tenia Nelson said...

LURVE this!!!! That is all.

Barbara said...

What an amazing piece, Starla! I love how rich the colors are and how the print shows through.

slbt17 said...

very cool!
Sandra ltb

Stef H said...

i really, really should visit u way more than i do because everything thing u do just awes me! this is gorgeous!

thanks for the heads up on the books. however, all the bookstores in my area have closed. no more barnes & nobles here or brook.. whatever. sure do miss them. i settled on an activity book (all puppies) and a stuffed animal. that's just gonna have to do.

hugs :)

Beate said...

OMG....that is gorgeous! Beautiful pendant! What a great idea to use shrink film with bezel. Thanks for sharing the "sinking butterfly" story so we can learn from it.
Hugs and smiles

Carolyn King said...

dang girl---that is just spectacular. I am so inspired! What a gorgeous piece! It would be a gorgeous necklace or bookmark!

dawnmercedes said...

Oooh...what a neat pendant!! Do you wear it often?