The Ties That Bind-Collecting Curiosities-A Peek-a-Boo-Project

Whereas my last tutorial was simple and sweet and easy peasy, this one is complicated and took on a life of its own. I'm surprised and intrigued by the final project. Join me in this journey of layer and textures.

I've collected Martha Stewart Magazine Images from when I used to be a subscriber. The one article was about collecting insects and the photography was rich and organic, it is the inspiration behind this masterpiece.  It also honors the recent sale of our family homestead in Pennsylvania. We are healing and moving on, standing on the shifting sands of time dipping into a cool oasis of memories.   

1.  Cut GSLC 6 by 4 Specimen Box. I am using unorthodox techniques and definitely not prescribed by most designers. 

2.  I first randomly glued pieces of vintage text all over all of the pieces of the specimen box.

3.  Once dry I rubbed off part of the text using a damp cloth.

4.  Next I used a sanding block to rediscover the slots I will need to assemble the box.

5.  I then made a glaze out of Matte Varnish and Acrylic Nickel Gold Paint.

6. I assembled the box using Weldbond to hold it all together.

   7. Once fully dried I sprayed with TH Distress Oxides and added water and alcohol to I found layers I was pleased with.

8.  Once fully dry I sealed with Cheap hairspray.

9.  While hair spray is still wet I sprinkled with spices to give it a dusty organics look.

10.                Not satisfied with the layers I cut up magazine images and patch worked together the individual chambers.

11.                I added edging to the sides of my specimen box with strips of paper and washi tape.

12.                Still not feeling the project complete I want into my GSLC stash and settled on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Acorn Border Set, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Honeycomb & Queen Bees ATC Sized and added the to my vignettes.

13.                I used Clear Embossing Ink and Charred Gold Embossing Powder on the Acorn boarders.

14.                I used a Black Sharpie, Golden Hansa Yellow Light Acrylic paint, Nail Polish to decorate the bees.

15.                I used Clear Embossing Ink and Vantage Beeswax  Embossing Powder on the Honeycombs.

16.                I used Rub'n Buff Autumn Gold and Gold Leaf on the GSLC Crown and Crosses.

17.                I finally assembled my specimen box using Weldbond and double sided foam dots to layer all pieces.

Some Final Thoughts.

This art project had many twists and turns, many setbacks and follow-throughs. I had to problem solve and step away but in the end I like the story it tells. We are families of our own choosing, stuck together through thick and thin, sometimes sweet as honey others as bitter as vinegar, we carry our crosses for other to sometime see but often hidden beneath out crooked crowns, We are busy as bees collectors of curiosities. Layers upon layers, hidden and healed, brilliant and perplexing. this project reminded me of one of my favorite podcasts I like to listen to, Here Be Monsters, it took me a while to get into it because there are layers and the topics they discuss are sometime challenging and makes me feel uneasy. They describe it as a podcast created by and for people interested in pursuing their fears and facing the unknown. It's a bit of a "freak show"  a collection of curiosities, which I find intriguing and interesting. There is an image on my project that is distorted in the upper right hand corner, she appears to be a dog-faced woman I wonder what story she has to tell and how all these curiosities fit together.

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-6 by 4 Specimen Box, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Acorn Border Set, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Honeycomb & Queen Bees ATC Sized, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Gothic Cross Miniature,  Uhu Glue Stick, Vintage Text, Mister with Water and Rubbing Alcohol, Cloth, Sanding Block, Matte Varnish, Gold Nickel, Acrylic Paint, Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Sprays-Pistachio, Marmalade, Amber Fired Brick, Cheap Hairspray, Spices, Magazine Images,  Washi Tape, Clear Embossing Ink Roller, Allure Charred Gold and Vintage Beeswax Embossing Powder a, Heating Tool, Black Sharpie, Golden Hansa Yellow Light Acrylic paint, Nail Polish, Rub'n Buff Autumn Gold and Gold Leaf, Weldbond, Double Sided Foam Dots,

I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!

Angel or Devil

Over the Rhine is one of my favorite bands. The lyrics to their song "What I'll Remember Most" are "The biggest lies are the little ones. When the look in your eyes is the distant one. Angel or Demon You know that they can share the same bed I've laid awake so long I've got them both inside my head. You were 80% angel 10% demon. The rest was hard to explain. This is the inspiration for this current project.

1.  Take apart Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Wings Assortment and two Heart Frames from Family Tree Kit.

2.   Choose one "good" dragon eye-I used a blue human eye- and one "bad" dragon eye-I used a red cat eye.

3.  Paint one heart with Lumiere Hi-Lite Blue and Pearl White, the other with Lumiere Crimson and DecoArt Festive Red.

 4.  Glue Hearts together and clamp into place, allowing to dry fully.

5.  Roll out your polymer clay into a thin sheet.

6.  Cut into two pieces.

7.  Use clear roller and gently roll over two stamps of your choosing.

8.   Use heart cutter to cut out two hearts.

9.  Place eyes in center of each clay heart gluing into place with Sculpey Liquid Clay.

10.                Add details to eyes using circle cutters, small nails securing with Sculpey Liquid Clay.

11.                Use Mica Powders to "paint" the eyes, I used Finnabair White and Silver for "good eye" and Red and Gold for "bad eye". Add small nails for added details.

12.                Bake as per manufactures recommendations.

13.                Paint one side of wings with a paint made of mixing Finnabair white mica powders and white glitter added to DecoArt Dura Clear Matte Varnish.

14.                Paint the side of wings with a paint made of mixing Finnabair black and bronze mica powders and black glitter added to DecoArt Dura Clear Matte Varnish.

15.                Add dimension to wings by variegating lines of embossing powders and ice resin-I used a versa mark marker I added Ice Resin- German Silver, Judi Kins-Opaque White Embossing Powder and Ultimate Peacock to the "good wings" and Ice Resin- Tarnished Bronze, Rangers Embossing Powder of Black and Black Sparkle to the "bad wings"

16.                Be sure to cure with heating gun after each new color added and be extra careful not to contaminate your supplies as you add each additional layer.

17.                Use an Exacto Blade to reopen some of the laser cuts that are now covered with cured embossing powders and ice resins.

18.                Glue cooled clay eyes into Heart Frame using Weldbond.

19.                Distress and add depth to heart eye frames using Rub'n Buff.

20.                Fill in any gaps using Glossy Accents and Microbeads.

 

21.                Glue wings together using a small strip of Tyvek and Weldbond.

22.                 Allow to dry completely and flat weighted down with BBs or kitty litter.

23.                Trim Tyvek from wings so it does not show through heart eye frames.

24.                Glue each heart eye from on its respective side allowing to dry completely and flat weighted down with BBs or kitty litter.

25.                I wanted to add more stability to the wings and coated them with a clear gesso thinking it would dry clear and transparent. BUT IT DRIED WHITE!! So I had to save my cool project.

26.                I went through my supplies and found another set of Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts-Wings Assortment and Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts-Feathers Shape Set to add more depth to my wings.

27.                I painted wings with white gesso then I used a versa mark marker I added Ice Resin- German Silver, Judi Kins-Opaque White Embossing Powder and Ultimate Peacock to the "good wings"

28.                I painted feathers with black gesso then I used Ice Resin- Tarnished Bronze, Rangers Embossing Powder of Black and Black Sparkle to the "bad feathers"

29.                Glue to respective side using Weldbond.

30.                Allow to dry completely and flat weighted down with BBs or kitty litter.

31.                String together an assortment of beads using SoftFlex and crimping the ends leaving a loop to put a jump ring through.

32.                Attach beads to top of heart using a jump ring.

33.                Attach 3 small wind chimes to pewter chandelier earring finding using thin wire.

34.                Attach to the bottom of heart using a micro screw and a screwdriver.  

35.                Mobile is now ready to hang and enjoy for whatever mood you find yourself in.

Some more lyrics from Over the Rhine

I'm a Failed Christian
I don't go to church
I smoke and I drink
And I lie and I curse

(Failed Christian)

All my favorite people are broken
Believe me
My heart should know

Some prayers are better left unspoken
I just wanna hold you
And let the rest go

All my friends are part saint and part sinner
We lean on each other
Try to rise above

We’re not afraid to admit we’re all still beginners
We’re all late bloomers
When it comes to love

All my favorite people are broken
Believe me
My heart should know

Orphaned believers, skeptical dreamers
Step forward
You can stay right here
You don’t have to go

(All My Favorite People)

Supplies: (2) Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Wings Assortment, Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts-Feathers Shape Set , Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Family Tree, (I used the hearts only), 2 small dragon eyes, Lumiere Pain Hi-Lite Blue, Pearl White, Crimson, Deco Art-Festive Red, Paintbrush, Clamps, Weldbond, Polymer Clay, Heart Shape and Circle Cutters, Stamps, Clear Roller, Ribbon Blade, Sculpey Liquid Clay, Tiny Nails, Mica Powders- I used Finnabair White and Brass, Rangers Grey, White and Black Glitter, Deco Art Dura Clear Matte Varnish, paintbrush, Versa Mark Marker, Embossing Powders-I used Judi Kins Extreme Peacock, Opaque White ,Rangers Black Sparkle, Black, Ice Resin-Tarnished Bronze and German Silver, Heating Tool, Exacto Blade, Weldbond, Rub'n Buff-Silver, Antique Gold, Gold Leaf, and Spanish Copper, Glossy Accents, Finnabair Microbeads, Tyvek, Scissors, Bag of BBs or Kitty Litter, Clear(White) and Black Gesso, Assorted Beads, Soft Flex Beading Wire, 2mm Barrel Crimp Bead, Crimping Tool, Miniature Wind Chime Kit, pewter chandelier earring finding, wire, microscrew, screwdriver
I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!