Window Shopping Wednesday -- Megan Hoover

Here is an artist I found that I simply love.  Her work is fresh, funky, and funny.  All things that make for great art in my mind.  Please visit her blog at WANNA PAINT!  Below are a few of her paintings for you to get a little taste of her work.  Enjoy!

I especially love the little girl floating away with her heart! Such a great talent and a very nice lady, too.

Tuesday Tutorial -- PolyDollys

Here's a really cute tutorial for making these little polymer clay doll pins.  This looks like the perfect craft to learn how to use polymer clay.

 

 

Materials:
* Your choice of several bright colors of Premo! polymer clay- 1 ounce (1/2 block) each color.
* clay blade
* craft or Xacto knife
* pasta machine set to widest setting
* brayer or acrylic rod
* *small "kid shaped" cookie cutter. NOTE: if you do not have a kid shaped cookie cutter, you will need paper, pencil and scissors
* super glue
* your choice of magnet or pin back.
* oven,
* oven-tested metal or glass pan to bake items on NOTE: a ceramic tile works well, too.
* timer
Directions:
1. To make a striped cane, condition your clay by running two colors through the pasta machine on the thickest setting.
2. Lay one color on top of the other, and trim using the clay blade.
3. The beginning of the loaf should look like this once it is trimmed.
4. Cut the pieces in half and re-stack on top of each other being careful not to put two of the same color together.
5. Keep cutting and re-stacking until you have a cube of clay stripes. If you have a clay roller or brayer, it helps to adhere the clay to itself if you press it down.
6. Choose two more bright colors and cut each into long thin strips.
7. Stack as you did in step 2, trim evenly.
8. Begin the cane by tightly rolling one of the short ends up upon the striped stack.
9. Continue rolling until you have formed a tightly integrated spiral.
10. Create several different sizes and color combinations of stripes and spirals.
11. Slice a thin slice off your choice of one of the striped canes.
12. The slice should not be too thin-it should be approximately 1/8 to 1/16 inch thick
13. If you have a small "kid shaped" cookie cutter, use that to cut a piece of backing clay in your choice of colors.
NOTE: If you do not have a kid shaped cutter, use the provided pattern to cut out the shape from white paper and adhere it to the top of the clay sheet, and use a craft knife to cut around the outside of the pattern.
14. Arrange several thin slices of canes on the kid shape, being sure to wrap them around the edges if needed. Use the craft knife or clay blade to cut canes to fit if necessary.
15. Roll small triangles for hands out of beige or brown clay, and press them to the hand area. Roll a small flat ball of clay for the head and adhere it as well.
16. If you have the cookie cutter, press it to the edge of a cane as shown to create a hat.
17. Press it to the top of the kid's head, and cut a small striped strip for the hat brim, and press it to the edge of the hat.
18. Press two small seed beads in for eyes.
19. Create many different kids using your imagination and have a wonderful time dressing them! Bake in pan for 30 minutes on the center rack of an oven that's been tested and set to bake reliably at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. When cooled, add pin backs or magnets using super glue.
If you do not have cookie cutter: trace image onto white paper, clip with scissors and place on top of clay, cut around image using craft knife. (Note: image is 2 inches tall by 1/3/4 inches wide).

Here's the link to the original post

Tuesday Tutorial -- Felt Dolls

Tuesdays' posting will be some type of craft tutorial that I find as I surf the net.  You'd be surprised at the number and the quality of the tutorials available for crafters on the internet.  As a newbie doll maker, I am always interested in new ways to make dolls, so for this posting we will learn how to make felt dolls.

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This is a posting from SnipSnapHappy.blogspot.com.  I hope you make several of these dolls.  I know I will be trying them out!

Matryoshka Doll Tutorial

After all the fun I had making my matryoshka style dolls a couple of weeks ago I thought it would be mean not to spread the fun a little. So I am going to do my first ever tutorial and try to share with you how to make one!

I have tried to be nice and clear, use lots of pictures and not to over-explain things (as I have a tendency to do) but do let me know if anything can be improved. When I was first starting out with mosaics and sewing and crochet I was desperate for free simple tutorials that made sense so constructive criticism will be most welcome and I promise not to sulk ;)

Right, lets get started…

Snipsnaphappy’s matryoshka doll tutorial

You will need:

• 1 A4 size (about 21x30cm) piece of felt in the colour of the main body of your doll
• 1 A4 size piece of felt in the colour of the hood of your doll
• Some small scrap bits of black or brown felt for the hair (or red, yellow, green or whatever colour you like!)
• Fabric for the face – I use a lovely light canvas hemp fabric (which I buy from Hemp Fabric UK) but some plain cream cotton or linen would do just as well
• Paint for the face (I use acrylic)
• Ribbons, trims, buttons and bits for decoration
• Stuffing (not the sage and onion kind)
• Embroidery threads for the visible hand-sewing
• Plain thread for hand or machine sewing your finished pieces together
• Scissors
• Fabric glue if you intend on gluing your embellishments.

First you need to cut all your pieces. I have done a PDF for you with the shapes you need.  As I can't work out for the life of me if it is possible to somehow upload this to Blogger I have popped it on Scribd.  Click here to go get it.  This pattern is hand-drawn and a little rough round the edges but it should help you get the job done :)  Do let me know if you have any problems retrieving this.

For the front hood, fold your felt in half then pin the pattern piece with the dotted line along the fold…[...]

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Wired Women Pins

Here's a quick and easy polymer clay pin to make when you need to have a quick gift.  I love working with polymer clay and the colors are all so beautiful.  I think if you try this project you, too, will become hooked on working with polymer clay.  These are simply too cute!  But they are fun to make, too!

I found this project on the Sculpy.com website.  There are many others there for you to try.  Remember that Mother's Day is just around the corner and I can't think of a mother who would not love one of these.

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Materials:
* 20 gauge wire (about 18")
* Artistic Wire 22 gauge wire (about 8-10")
* Artistic Wire Premo Polymer clay in 3 colors of choice
* Wire cutters and round nosed pliers
* Sculpey Super Slicer Pasta machine, acrylic roller, or straight sided Glass jar
* A tie tack or clutch pin


Directions:

The Wire Body:

Cut 18" of 20 gauge wire from the spool. · Starting at one end, form a loop for the head so that a 1/2" tail crosses the wire at about 3" from its end. Twist to secure.

At the "neck," bend the wire 90 degrees to one side to form the first arm. Measure 1-1/2", form a small loop, and bend back to the opposite side.

Repeat for the second arm.

Bend the wire straight down to form the body. Measure down 2" from the twist at the neck, form a small loop, and bend the wire back up.

Wrap the wire behind the neck, and then bend it back down to form the second leg.

Form a small loop again, and bend the tail end of the wire up again, making sure the legs are even.

Using the pliers, bend the loops at the ends of the arms and legs upwards to form the hands and feet.

Cut two pieces of 4-5" of a contrasting color wire. Bend each piece in half, and wrap them around the top of the head tightly to form "curls." Use the round nosed pliers to curl the ends.

The Clay Dress:

Condition all of the clay by rolling it into a cylinder or snake. Roll between your hands or on your work surface until it is long enough to fold into thirds. Fold it, twist it together, then roll it out again. Repeat this process two or three times.

To make a jelly roll: Roll two colors of the clay to small, flat sheets to less than 1/8" thickness. Cut out a rectangle of each color that is about 1-1/2" wide and 3" long.

Lay one rectangle on top of the other, carefully pressing them together from one end to the other. Then, beginning at one narrow end, roll up.

Gently reduce the size of the jelly roll by rolling back and forth on your work surface, pressing down and pulling slightly until it is the diameter you want.

Roll another sheet of clay very, very thin, less than 1/16" (#4 or 5 on a pasta machine). Cut paper thin slices of the jelly roll cane, and lay them on top of the surface of the clay sheet.

Smooth the surface with your roller, or roll through the pasta machine again.

Cut one strip, about 1/2" wide, from this very thin sheet for the dress top. Cut another strip 1-1/2" wide for the skirt.

Gently stretch the skirt piece, so that it ripples, but be careful not to tear it. Use your fingers to push pleats or gathers along the top edge. Then, wrap the skirt around the figure's waist (where the arms and legs intersect.

Push the back seam together with your fingers.

Lay the dress top piece across the front of the neck, and use your fingers to arrange it around the body top.

Cut the excess clay off in the back.

Before baking, push a tie tack through the back of the dress top so that the point sticks out the back.

Here's the link to this particular tutorial

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Making Paper Beads for fun

Here's a tutorial on how to make paper beads.  I think we all may have made these before as children, but they are still fun to make and can actually become very beautiful jewelry or accessories to crafts.  Besides, they are all unique and handmade by you!  Enjoy.

How to Make Paper Beads

Make Paper Beads

Kate Pullen

Paper beads are simple to make and a few rubber stamping techniques are all that is required to make beautiful and unusual beads. The basic technique can be adapted in many ways to achieve different effects. This is also a good way to use up odds and ends of paper. Even the most unpromising looking paper can make striking beads.

Template

You don't need to follow a template, however a simple template is attached if required. The template has been designed specifically for rubber stamping. Instead of tapering to a point, there is a small strip that is just wide enough to display some rubber stamping. By varying the size and shape of the paper, very different bead designs can be created.

Beads in the Picture

From left to right:

• Bead created from paper that has been stamped, with a row of glitter glue dots along each edge
• Bead created from a scrap of paper that has been colored with alcohol inks and over stamped
• Piece of scrapbooking paper that has been stamped in a complementary colored ink
• Basic paper bead created from a piece of stamped paper
• Bead created from scrapbooking paper and vellum that were stamped and stuck together before rolling
• Bead created from paper used as packaging

Supplies Required

• Paper
• Rubber stamps, inks, embossing powders, glitter glue and any other embellishments
• Scissors
• Craft adhesive, any adhesive suitable for paper will be work well
• Thin knitting needle or cocktail sticks
• Diluted pva glue to seal the beads (optional)

Paper Bead Projects

• Paper Bead and Glass Bead Necklace - make a few paper beads and intersperse them with glass beads to make a striking necklace
• Halloween Paper Bead Earrings - these earrings can be adapted for any occasion
• Paper Bead Star - this paper bead star make a pretty ornament
• Paper Bead Ornament - make a large paper bead and use this to hang ornaments from or as a decoration in its own right, you could also make a few and string them together to make an unusual garland

Paper Bead Template

Paper Bead Template

Kate Pullen

To print the template, simply click on the image above to open the full size version of the template. Then right click on that image and select 'Save Image' to save onto your computer. Print as required.

See the following pages for instructions explaining how to make paper beads.

Stamp and Decorate the Paper

Stamp the Paper

Kate Pullen

Stamp and decorate the unprinted side of the paper. This way the printed lines will not show. A rubber stamp with a detailed and intricate design will work well. Repeatedly stamp the rubber stamp over the page to build up a dense design. Cut the bead shapes from the paper.

Tip: Ink the edges of the paper. This will emphasize the design of the bead and give a more 'finished' effect.

Roll the Paper

Roll the Bead

Kate Pullen

Glue the back of the paper and carefully roll the bead. I use a thin knitting needle to roll the bead around, this helps to give a consistent result. Cocktail sticks or other thin and round implements would work equally well.

Seal the Paper Beads and Finish

Paper Beads

Kate Pullen

Make sure the end of the paper is firmly attached, add an extra dab of glue if required. Leave the beads to one side to dry. I like to seal my paper beads with a coat of diluted pva glue. This adds strength and gives the paper beads a slight gloss. They could also be finished with a coat of clear varnish, embossed with embossing powders or even coated in resin. Other ideas for sealing the finished beads include coating the beads in melted UTEE or adding a coat of nail varnish.

Add any other finishing touches such as stick on jewels or other embellishments. Have fun using the beads!

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I found another wonderful artist I'd like to share with you

I was surfing the net, as is my custom, late last evening and I came across the most wonderful art dolls.  I am truly in love.  These little babies are so cute and full of innocence.  Just looking at them makes you smile.
This artist, Gina Gabriel, has a shop in Dublin, CA called Tangerine where she sells her beautiful wares as well as a collection of other artists beautiful things. 

I found her on a website called ElevenMorning, but then moved to her blogs and her Etsy site to see all the wonderous things there.  Here are just a few of the Art Dolls that you will see when you visit her site:

Aren't these just too cute and don't you just smile to yourself when you see them?  I hope you will visit her and let her know that I sent you, won't you?

Another face started

Here's the next face in my new picture--my practice picture.  This time I tried to get lighter skin and I wanted her to resemble a flapper from the 1920's.  I have only done the first layer of her face.  She is far from finished just like her sister.  I decided that I would get all five faces started before I would start on any finishing layers.  That way I can try to give them all cohesion and unify them with my choice of napkins to add.

Another class for me!

Image by darkfoxprime via Flickr

I went to my first class today at the pottery studio.  I hope to learn how to throw on a wheel.  I have done handbuilding in the past and enjoyed it, but I always wanted to know how to work with clay on a potter's wheel.  So...now I am learning.

My first experience was fun, kinda like playing in mud and making mudpies.  I really made a mess and ended up with clay all over me and my clothing.  I seem to be okay at centering the clay and getting it off the wheel, but I haven't a clue how to pull it, so in effect, I don't know what I'm doing. 

But, I did have fun!  Next week I will try all over again to make a simple cylinder.  Hopefully, I will eventurally get it. 

No pictures today of anything.  I was way too messy to get my hands on a camera.  But maybe after I learn what I am doing, I will have something to show you.

Here's a wonderful video about Art Dolls

As I have said before, I am currently enamored of the Art Doll and want to learn how to make them.  I found a wonderful video about the NIADA that shows you a little about how this area of art is growing and that there are really quite talented people working in this media.  I thought I'd share it with you.  I hope you enjoy seeing the beautiful dolls and hearing the artist talking about them.  I know I did.

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I've enrolled in my first online art class!

Several days ago, I posted about a class on faces from Norah'S Art blog.  Well, she finally got it set up and enrollment is now open.  So, of course, I hurried over to pay my money and get myself ready to go.  The class will start on Feb. 5th, but I think you can work at your own pace. So,hurry over and join the fun if that's the kind of thing you like!  If you visit her site, she has a cute video on it where she talks about the class while she is working on a lovely painting.

Another place to visit and learn is Suzet.com.  She runs The Art Studio and has a Ning site with videos and classes.  I found her on YouTube and I recommend her video on sketchbooks.  Below is the first day's video for you to watch, but go to her site and join in the fun.

Found an interesting Non-Christmas You Tube video to share

Have you seen this video?  It's fantastic.  No wonder the guy got Hollywood's attention.  This is an amazing filmmaker.  I hope we see more of his work very soon. 

Watch it and let me know if you agree. 

Recipe for making paper clay

Image by Swamibu via Flickr

Paper clay is fairly expensive at the hobby store, so I went online to find an alternate source of the stuff used to make many of the beautiful and expressive art dolls I have been viewing.  I also like paper mache, so when I found this video, I knew I would want to share it with you.  I can't wait to try to make this.  Maybe this recipe will be the answer to my "artistic" block!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video and try this out.  Won't you post me a comment and let me know if this worked for you?

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Here's an interesting video!

 I was reading posts on ADO and found this video.  It is amazing.  I really want to share it with you, so I hope you will find it as interesting as I did.  It is also quite a bit disturbing to watch the visual changes take place in such a short time.  If you enjoy this video, won't you visit the sculptor's site?

In the Spotlight: Black-Eyed Suzie

Here is another of my favorite art doll makers for your enjoyment. I stumbled onto here sight quite by accident and then couldn't find it again for almost a month. I just couldn't remember her name to be able to Goggle it. Then, quite by accident again, I found the above you tube video. I really love her work. It reminds me of The night before Christmas and Tim Burton, but she describes her work as influenced by the gothic love stories she read in her youth.

No matter the source, I hope you like these dolls as much as I do and encourage you to visit her site often. She is quite prolific and turns out so many beautiful dolls.

Here are some more pictures of her work.

 

 

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