This Old Backpack

I always put off back to school shopping until the last week.  It's not that I dread school starting, I just enjoy summer with the kids and it's hard to get into the "back to school" mentality until it's only a few days away.  We were so busy tracking down the right glue sticks and markers, I completely forgot that our rising second grader had a raggedy backpack!  

I like making things last as long as possible and I wasn't about to toss a perfectly okay (yet raggedy) backpack that could last another year (or two) if the side pockets hadn't turned into a shredded mess.   Oh, and by the way, I will think twice before purchasing a new backpack with that flimsy mesh junk again!  You're probably thinking I'm crazy for making such a big deal over side pockets, but I really like side pockets... and hydration!

So... the day before (yes, the day before) the first day of school, I ripped off what was left of the mesh and proceeded to crochet a pocket.  Basically, I made a cozy/cylinder using one of their water bottles and left an opening (where it attaches to the backpack)... so it was like a 3/4 cozy.  I started out with a circle for the base (single crochet), then worked the side back and forth in a half-double crochet/diamond stitch pattern.  Next, I found a large needle, some strong embroidery thread, and attached it to the backpack with a ton of stitches.  I left the blue elastic strap at the top to help secure the water bottle.  

I'm curious as to how well it will hold up throughout the year.  So far, in spite of looking a bit eccentric, it's working out well and her water stays cooler during these 95 degree school days.  The other side of the backpack looks basically like the first photo.  I only had time for one side and ... well... that's another day.  

Lions, Tigers, and a Bear of a Project!

My latest painting was a big one!  9' x 24' to be exact.  I painted a jungle/forest background for my little one's first grade play titled "Welcome to the Jungle."  I know what you are thinking.  At first, I was wondering who would get the role of Axl Rose but as it turned out, they used an entirely different "Welcome to the Jungle."  In spite of being a "bear of a project," I enjoyed every minute of it.  Painting for kids is the greatest honor.

I used approximately 10 cans of spray paint to create the background.  Since the kids were going to be dressed in warm colors such as monkey brown, giraffe gold, and lion bronze, I thought lots of cool blues and purples interspersed with sunrise colors would make the setting "pop."  2 heavy duty drop cloths from Home Depot served as the medium for this sizable project.  I cannot even begin to count the bottles of paint that went into the trees and assorted flora... let's just say I have a lot of bottles to recycle.

The biggest challenges involved space.  Ideally, I would have a huge wall with clamps for this type of project.  Alas, I do not.  I have a small table with clamps.  So, I did the best I could and took the canvas out after each painting session to get a true perspective of it in the driveway.

It took a few weeks to do this and the weather certainly did not help.  We had an unusual amount of snow for central Virginia, so it was often too wet to take the canvas out.  The play was also bumped back a couple of times because of all the snow days.  The music teacher in charge of this production has the patience of a saint, not to mention the energy of a hummingbird!

In the meantime, a handful of crafty, devoted moms were cutting felt, stitching lion manes, gluing feathers, and attaching monkey ears for dozens and dozens of little creatures.  The kids looked amazing and had no trouble getting into character with these adorable costumes.

Given the theme and the ages of the performers, the look I went for was kind of a "whimsical storybook edge-of-the-jungle" look.  The result was lots of very happy first graders who were proud to be "in the jungle!"  I would love to include a photo of the actual children dressed up for the play, but I have this weird thing about using children's images (other than my own) on my blog.  Trust me, it looks better with all the hippos, monkeys, and adorable faces in the foreground!

More images from the process...

painting the background on the first "dry" day

Creating Art Jewelry

The first time I took one of my 24" x 36" paintings, warped it down to a 25mm sphere, and created a pendant necklace I was ecstatic!  I was instantly addicted to making art jewelry, rings, lockets, earrings, pendants... I even have parts for hair pins but I have yet to make those.

Secret Grove ring

If you would like to create art jewelry there are some simple THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW...

1.  Do not use artwork that you did not create unless the artist left this world a long time ago.  Exceptions:  your child's artwork (if the jewelry is for personal use/gifts or charity);  old postcards or scrapbook paper;   other artists' work if you have permission in writing.  ALSO... do not assume that you are not an artist!  You do not need elaborate paintings or detailed work to create art jewelry.  Simple, colorful, and whimsical can be just as beautiful in the right setting as Mona Lisa!

2.  Do not sell the very first few pieces you create.  Wear them yourself or ask friends/family to test them for you.  Fortunately, I gave my first pendant necklaces to my mother and mother-in-law.  My MIL sent me an e-mail a few days later to tell me the chain had broken and I was quite glad to know!  After that I only ordered higher quality chains -- ball chains do not have a long life span and I did not want my artwork dangling from something flimsy.  

3.   You CAN use inkjet printed images, just seal them first.  Personally,  I like to use Mod Podge Satin or Judi Kins MicroGlaze.  Be sure to let them dry for at least 12-hours (preferably 24 hours with the MicroGlaze).

Starry Meadow locket

4.  Start out simple and small.  Make a few inexpensive pendants first before diving into fancy settings and oddly-shaped cabochons.  You will need to get used to gluing in a manner that creates a clear image without annoying bubbles or tears.  

5.  Use settings that suit your artwork.  If you paint pastel bicycles, they would probably look odd in a fancy setting like the one above.  However, in a basic pendant setting or locket they would look extraordinary, at least in my imagination.  There are always exceptions, of course.  

6.  A lot of work and experimentation goes into making art jewelry, especially if you are using large, rectangular images.  You will need to crop, shrink, warp, and probably warp some more.  Programs such as Corel Painter and PhotoShop help immensely.  

THINGS YOU WILL NEED....

1.  digital images of artwork, unless you are using old postcards or scrapbook paper (in some cases you may want to take digital images of these to use instead of the original).

2.  a photo editing program such as Corel Painter or PhotoShop, as well as a little photo editing experience and/or sheer determination

3.  a printer, laser is recommended but you most certainly can use inkjet images (see #3 above)

4.  card stock for printing images

Arabella earrings

5.  if you are using inkjet images, a paper sealant such as Mod Podge or Judi Kins MicroGlaze (again, see #3 above)

6.  very sharp scissors and/or paper punches in various sizes, depending on the size(s) of the cabochon settings you will be using

7.  jewelry and finding supplies - There are tons of these on Etsy with wonderful reputations!  Just to name few I have worked with, Sun and Moon Craft Kits, Canterbury Lane, The Supply Factor, and Bunnysundries (again, that is only a few).  Rio Grande is another supplier with a reputation for wonderful customer service.

8.  glues and sealants - Diamond Glaze is awesome for applying the image to the glass cab ... just remember it dries quickly so you need to replace the cap immediately and work fast.   E-6000 is stinky but it works great for securing the cabochon to the setting.  Use E-6000 in a well-ventilated area (seriously) and do not buy the largest size possible.  I always look for the smaller sizes, even if it costs more per ounce.  I have never been through an entire bottle of E-6000 before having to replace it due to it's overwhelmingly sticky, messy nature.  As far as sealants, see #5.  Obviously there are alternatives to every product I am mentioning, I am just making suggestions based on what has worked best for me.  

9.  packaging and presentation - Create little information cards for your work, even if you are not selling but giving as gifts!   Package them in a pretty organza bag or a decorated jewelry box or tin.  The suppliers I listed above have packaging materials as well.  If you are shipping, be sure to use plenty of bubble wrap and mark the package as "fragile."  Just imagine someone sitting on your package and cushion appropriately.

10.  If you are going to sell your work, you need a good customer service policy.  Jewelry is going to break from time to time and there is a greater risk of customer disappointment with jewelry (I am speaking not only from my art experience but years of retail experience).  Personally, I want customers to have something they can enjoy for quite some time.  I don't care if it's just an inexpensive ring and I will never tell my customers what an employer at a major retailer told me once... "that's what you get when you only pay X amount for a necklace."  In the long run, it pays to be reliable, sincere, and genuinely devoted to the happiness your products should invoke. 

I'm sure I have left something out and I will edit accordingly.  I will post again with more details on creating, assembling, and editing images for jewelry.    

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Hand Painted Glassware

I love painting on canvas, but there is something about painting on shiny glass that I find mesmerizing! Glass is tricky. First of all, it breaks! Finding the right paint is also an experiment. There are wonderful paints out there for painting glass; however, some are just not suitable for the effect I want to achieve. I am playing around with different non-toxic enamels, and my favorites so far are Liquitex Glossies and FolkArt Enamels, which can be found at art supply stores like Jerry's Artarama, Michael's, and A.C. Moore.

I have been "upcycling" old wine glasses around the house...some had a tiny crack, some were just too flimsy to use...now they have a happy home on a top shelf in the dining room (out of the reach of little hands) as pretty, shiny things.

In the very near future, I plan to sell these as sets with various themes (involving trees, of course). I would not be using my old broken glasses, those are just for practice! I would like to have a few sets in time to sell for New Year's Eve, but that may not happen as this is an incredibly busy time of year.

If you have any glasses around the house that are cracked or just not being used, why not experiment with glass painting? Even if you do not consider yourself an artist, you can stick with very simple designs or even use a stencil. Be sure to clean the glasses thoroughly before painting, then wipe them down with rubbing alcohol. After painting them, you can bake them in the oven (follow the directions on the paint bottle) to "set" the paint. This is especially important if you are going to be using the glasses and washing them. Older kids would love this project, supervised of course.

DIY project...Cozy Blanket (no sewing)

This is a great gift idea for any age! It's easy (no sewing required) and there are tons of fleece patterns out there so you can make it a very personal handmade gift.

I made two (see photo) for our little girls a year ago and they have held up nicely through multiple washings (and I emphasize MULTIPLE)! It doesn't take long to make... I made two in a day with several interruptions. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive if you find the fabric on sale... Jo Ann Fabrics is one of many great places to buy fleece fabric and they often have sales. By the way, if you are making the blanket for an adult, just use more fabric.

Here is a link to the instructions, or if you prefer more vibrant instructions just do a search for "no sew fleece blanket" and you will get numerous results. Have fun!