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

random notes said…
Hey Patti - You are the BEST! thanks for the pr on the wholey paper. We love it as much as you do and to see what you have done with it in the past few years is amazing. Love the post of the city scape and the way you grunged and painted it.
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
Seth said…
That is one cool town! And I can totally relate to hanging out just a liitle bit too much on Ebay and Etsy.
Jasmine said…
I love your cityscape. I can see that making a wonderful design for felt! I'm so glad that is an area of art you want to start playing with, but be warned it is addictive! The 3rd necklace is very interesting.
Ragamuffin Gal said…
Patti ~
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!
Karin Bartimole said…
Hey Patti, I really love your cityscape! It's true, some of the best stuff comes from free abandon and play - it's where we tend to be most in the moment with process, don't you think?
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!!
Manon said…
Hey Patti,

Thanks for stopping by the other day!! Love your blog! I will follow!!
studio pashnada said…
I can so relate to what you said about stealing a little time here and there - mind if I quote you?

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!
Anonymous said…
Spontaneity often wins the day. Your cityscape looks great. Yep! Know all about hanging out on Etsy and Ebay and procrastinating about starting a piece for whatever reason.
Susan Tuttle said…
I adore your cityscape Patti!:)

Etsy is my secret addiction:)
Anonymous said…
Wholey paper is so cool! I want to try it now ;-)
I love Jane's hole paper, you just reminded me to get some out and use it! I love your buildings you made, very cool, and the jewelry has so many possibilities....
jill Z said…
I love learning new things every day and I just love your holey paper and your new loot! Certainly great treasures. I love that you're interested in the history of the jewels. Perhaps, you can make up stories of your own about them!! Enjoy them all for whatever you decide to do with them!

Mystery treasures
A feast for my eyes and yours
A future unknown. :)

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