wholey moly
If you haven't discovered wholey paper, you don't know what you're missing! I have been using it in almost every project for the past couple of years, not in it's natural state, as shown above, but painted, distressed, stapled, stamped, grunged, in small pieces or strips, as stems, branches, petals, a fence, a layering element in collage and a million other uses I haven't thought of yet.
My spring break trip to Saluda, NC a couple of years ago led me straight to Random Arts, where I spent quite a bit of time with Jane Powell and her pals. Jane recently turned her retail business into a workshop venue but she still maintains a mail order business. I came home with lots of really unique goodies, including a lot of wholey paper, which I've never seen anywhere but her shop (now on Artfire). She sells it in sheets and huge variety of die cut formations - buildings, birds, people, flourishes and card stock pieces.
One afternoon when I didn't have a project on the table and not enough time to start anything major, I had a surge of creative frustration that unfortunately hits me all too often. So, I grabbed a wholy cityscape and went to town. Literally. As I started to emboss, sprinkle and paint, I realized how seldom I cut loose, turn my brain off and play. Without worrying about messing up. Making the wrong choice. The more color and scraps and paper bits I added, the more seemed to fit.
It's a bit crowded in my little town, but hey, there's always something happening. I hope to incorporate it into a larger piece (soon!!!), or maybe it will stay parked on the table to remind me that there is never enough time to do all, create all or be all, but seizing a moment or half an hour can yield much personal satisfaction.
I've seen so much fabulous work popping up in blogland... and I'm still having trouble getting caught up after winter break. Sigh. I have a very bad habit of surfing ebay and etsy when I don't get enough studio time. Substituting buying supplies for using them; I'll bet I'm not the only one? Needless to say, I wanted to 'watch' three lots of jewelry findings and pieces but I clicked on bid instead knowing I might get one, for fun (I already have quite a large stash).
The third box arrived the other day and I must say I now possess the most amazing assortment of earrings, pins, beads and baubles one could ever imagine. Maybe not the best money spent but it is green, like all found objects, they've already served one useful purpose and now they wait, wondering what the next life holds.
I thought I'd share a few 'gems' that came in along with a lot of incredibly useful jewelry parts. My Etsy store isn't up yet but along with art I'll be selling a very interesting array of findings for mixed media.
Not that there's anything wrong with these pieces (not my taste, but hey, somebody wore these once). What I wouldn't give to know the history and stories behind them, makes me long for a window...
This is a real jewel - I can't say I've ever seen gems quite this large... hey is that the Hope diamond??
This one is really kinda cool, very tribal- I already have some projects in mind.
As I said, I do have quite a stash and will be sorting it soon to explore my investments and prepare some for resale. In the meantime, if you're looking for anything in particular, email me and I'll see if I have what you need!
Comments
Please know that you are part of the "inner circle" here at Random Arts and that you are invited to come down anytime and visit & play. I am so serious about that. love you girlfriend,
Jane
First let me say that your artwork is amazing! And thanks for telling about the paper.
Next, what do you type in to find jewelry lots on ebay? (is it just jewelry lots? I must try this because what I need is MORE materials)
And finally, I think that last necklace is from the reality show Surviver. It was an amunity idol necklace.
It is always a joy to visit you my dear! Blessings!
That's the most diverse assortment of jewelry I've ever seen! And I know you will find fascinating ways to incorporate and transform them creatively!!
Thanks for stopping by the other day!! Love your blog! I will follow!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I love what I've seen here today.
And now I must go check out the holey paper!
Etsy is my secret addiction:)
Mystery treasures
A feast for my eyes and yours
A future unknown. :)