Pine Pin & Green ACEO

One of the new patterns I am working with this season is pine. It seems appropriate for winter and the holidays. Below I have paired it with green paper and collaged it on a wooden disk and later turned it into a lovely pin.

I've also created another new ACEO using this same motif. I admit I am intrigued by color blocking in my work. I love to work in the same shade of a color and then incorporate a photo pattern element.

Cherry

Just in time for Cyber Monday, I am adding new items all day to my etsy shop.

Here is my latest ACEO collage that features red and cherry patterned paper.

Also, I've created a new wood stretch bracelet with a cherry motif. Both pieces are heavily glossed for a shiny appearance.

Collage Kits

Wondering what to do with all of the scraps from my previous projects, I decided to create collage kits to sell in my etsy shop. Each kit has about 30 pieces of stuff, including paper, stencils, buttons and ribbons.

I had so much fun collecting the materials and putting the kits together. There is something creative about gathering unlike objects and combining them, sorta like a creating a collage!

LEAF Pin

To continue the fall leaf theme, I created this paper collage pin. Slightly smaller than the previous one, this pin has an 1 1/2" diameter. It also has a mix of orange and fall leaf papers collaged on a lightweight wood base. I had such fun making it and think it would look good on a winter sweater. It's probably not safe to attach to a coat or bag that might get wet!

Orange ACEO

It has been a busy fall for me, so I am a little behind in creating and posting new items from my fall/winter collection. It's not like I haven't thought about what I would create, it was more about finding the time to create. So with a little free time this week, I decided to just dive in to all of those creative projects waiting for me.

As you can see above, I am using orange this season. For this ACEO collage, I chose a burnt orange combined with a brighter orange to complement the fall leaf paper I raved about earlier. I also decided to use a horizontal landscape for my latest ACEOS.

In the next few months, I'll be revealing more new pieces here as well as posting them in my etsy shop. Look forward to seeing more stretch bracelets, new pins and patterns of cherries and stones.

Color Changes Everything

I have been busy trying to re-purpose some pieces from last winter's collection, mostly my collage bangles, to sell in my etsy shop.

Here is my brick bangle, from earlier this year, photographed with a plain white background:

And now here it is photographed with a burnt orange background:

Which one do you like better?

Welcome Fall

Fall arrived today. Today is also the day I decided to devote to creating. Inspired by fall leaf printed paper (above), I completed a sketchbook collage and played around with a new idea for my fall collection: a brooch (or should it be a pendant?).

I realize this is my first sketchbook collage since spring. I apologize for the delay but have been putting off working in my sketchbook. I am hoping fall brings more inspiration. This latest one (above) was created by using the patterned leaf paper plus red and yellow papers for the background. The image in the foreground was taken from an old page-a-day calendar.

Finally, as I mentioned above, I am experimenting with new products for my etsy shop. This is my first try at creating a brooch (although it could also be a pretty pendant). Again I used the fall leaf paper and glued it to a 1 3/4" round wooden disk. Then I layered it with red and yellow paper and glossed the entire disk before gluing it to a pin post. Let me know what you think.

Frame it Up

Framing a piece of art makes it seem complete. Recently, I found an inexpensive frame and decided to mount and frame one of my first pieces. It was a special work to me, because it was my first piece featured in the National Collage Society's Annual Postcard exhibition.

Here it is before:


..........and after:

More ACEO Love

Here's my latest ACEO. This one is a collage of decorative lace paper combined with purple papers and sealed with a matte finish

Creative Field Trip

Last week, I had the opportunity to indulge my creative spirit. I stopped into the recently opened Papercuts & Gluesticks in Rocky River for the first time. What a delightful space, owner Kari Sanford has created!

The all white gallery, which sells collage supplies and original works even hosts classes, so you too can indulge your creative spirit. The current exhibition is by local artist Claire Mojher and is truly creative. Mojher's works have a whimsical and playful quality that inspired me and gave me some great ideas to try out in my own sketchbook.

If you are in the Cleveland area, I highly recommend stopping by Papercuts & Gluesticks. The Claire Mojher show is up till the 25th and well worth a look.

(Images Papercuts & Gluesticks / Claire Mojher)

ACEO Love

My new favorite art form is the ACEO. These tiny art pieces come in all colors and media but must be 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" in size.

I bought my first one last month, and now I have created my own series based on my latest collection of collages and bracelets.

Below is my first attempt, titled Green, combining green and grass papers in an abstract collage. What do you think?

My Art on a Tote

A friend had artwork from my mini fashion series transferred to a canvas tote and gave it to me as present.

Here's the front of the bag.

And the original collage.

Here's the back.

And the original collage.

Isn't this super cute!?!

Just Beachy

In a previous post, I mentioned my fondness for the beach in winter, yet nothing can compare to the beach in summer. The warm sun and cool breezes. It may only be Lake Erie, but to me it's the ocean.

Last weekend, I met a friend at Pennsylvania's Presque Isle State Park and soaked in the glorious beach, which was so much nicer than I expected.

Inspired by my love of the beach, this resin bangle bracelet is covered with seashell paper plus an inside strip of yellow paper and glossed all over for a shiny finish.

Blue

Summer is the best time to appreciate cool blues. Here in the Midwest, we recently had our first heat wave of the summer. With temperatures reaching into the 90s for almost a week, I'm sure I wasn't the only one dreaming of a cool pool.

This 5x7" paper collage is the perfect relief from the heat. Using decorative blue pool paper, plain blue paper, and a lined note card I created this simple oasis.

More cool blue was used to decorate this stretch bracelet which has text diamonds on blue circles.

More Bracelets

I'm loving this idea of creating wearable art, in addition to my collages. I started covering clear resin bangles with decorative paper and covering them with a shiny gloss. (see above)

Then, I started experimenting with creating mini collages on wooden stretch bracelets. This time I was inspired by shape and color. (see above)

Now, I am thinking about my next line. I still have a few of the bangles left and probably a dozen of the stretch bracelets left, even some white ones.


What kinds of designs, using paper, would you like to see on bracelets?

Anywhere

On earth, peace anywhere? That is the question my latest collage asks. I used a holiday card to create the background and arch and thought it would be fun to mix up the words "peace on earth," so I added the word "anywhere" and made it a question.

This small postcard size (4x6") collage has a dreamy quality as you gaze out the window toward the blue sea. I like to think of it as a door way to the soul.

Before and After

Change is good. As I mentioned in a previous post, I got rid of the plans I'd had for my spring collage series opting instead for a simpler design. Even though I had thought about the color scheme and subject matter for weeks, when I finally completed the first one I hated it. I waited a few days, without creating anything, then sat down and finished 4 collages in less than an hour.

Here is the first one (which I am thinking of giving my mom for Mother's Day).

And here is the new, less complex version, using the same purple and lace paper but minus the flower and patchwork motif. Which do you prefer?

Memories Are Forever

That's the title of my collage, which will be featured in the National Collage Society's annual postcard exhibition, Wish You Were Here that opens today, April 25. The exhibition, held at the The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen in Virginia, is up until June 14. Check it out if you are in the area (near Richmond)!

'Memories are Forever' is a 4 x 6" collage I completed last year as part of a mini-fashion series. It features a multi-toned yellow background and a rooster seated upon a black and white decorative chair.

New Collage Series

This spring, after scrapping the more complicated designs I had planned for my collages, I created this lovely series using just 3 pieces of paper and inspired by triptychs. I am so delighted with how they turned out.

Above is "Grass," the first of 4 in the series. For this 5 x 7" collage, I simply used the grass decorative paper from the bangle I created earlier, a green note card, and a green piece of paper.

As Seen On....

This morning I was excited to learn that my burgundy bracelet, which is a resin bangle covered with decorative paper and recycled book text was featured on Scoutie Girl's blog in the Friday Scout Out: Burlap.

Black + White

No, my love of color has not ended but a recent commissioned project took me on a detour back to black and white. I had so much fun with these pieces, because I used stretched canvas panels - a first for me!

The friend, who commissioned the following pieces, wanted something elegant with a modern twist. She loves silhouettes and the room they are going in is predominantly black and white.

This is what I started with:

Then, I glued down a background and silhouette on the front of each canvas:

Finally, I finished each piece, first with a glossy sealer, then a matte finish to build up texture. The sides were gallery wrapped with contrasting paper then also sealed.

Green Grass

I recently completed this green grass bangle bracelet to celebrate spring. The color and pattern are part of my new collection of art and jewelry. Soon to come are more button rings, bangle bracelets and collages, plus new for spring are wooden stretch bracelets with collaged shapes and text.

More Color

I've become so inspired by bright colors that I have been working on a few abstract collages in my sketchbook. Below, I started with a turquoise piece of paper and an image of a pear. Then I added some light green paper and finished it with some darker green patterned paper.

For this one, I was inspired by a bright pink piece of paper that I used for the background. I created a border with yellow paper and yellow patterned paper cut into abstract shapes. I completed the piece with a solitary yellow rose.

Spring Preview

In my ongoing quest to find spring, I've been working on colorful new pieces to brighten my spirit. For my latest collection of art and jewelry dedicated to color, I am exploring using purple, yellow, blue and pale green in my pieces.

Above, I glued bright yellow circles then recycled book text stars onto a black stretch bracelet, then glossed them to create a fun collage inspired piece.

This new bangle, with an inside splash of purple, is covered with white lace decorative paper to create a feminine, yet whimsical piece. As you can see, I'm also experimenting with colored backgrounds for my images to liven them up.

Rooster Collage

Did you know that roosters symbolize and attract resilience, confidence and a pioneering spirit? Neither did I when I created this 5x7" collage.

I used burgundy burlap paper and book text for the background. Then placed a rooster in the center as the focal point and finished it with scraps from a greeting card and a black and white striped ribbon.

Green Scheme

Fresh greens make me think that spring is just around the corner. This sketchbook collage features a verdant path surrounded by various green textures. I highlighted this piece with splashes of sky blue.

In another take on the spring green theme, this collage has a multi-toned background broken up by a stark white picket fence. Brown tones and polka dots create interest.

Sketchbook Collage 3

Winter is the most interesting time to go to the beach. There I found stones, shells and the beach glass below. Lake Erie's waves were frozen, so the beach stretched farther than normal and the debris was plentiful.

My exploration inspired this sketchbook collage featuring a rocky beach scene framed by blue water and set upon a background of the inside of a security envelope.