Stampington & Company Blog

Artful Blogging is a unique publication that features the most visually stunning blogs from across the internet through beautiful photographs and a patchwork of personal narratives.  Editor Jennifer Taylor strives to capture the essence of each blog and explores how each artist started on his or her blogging adventure. In the Winter ’11 issue, she describes the process of blogging, as “being able to keep track of your creative journey.”  Whether your blog’s focus is photography, writing, art, travel, or something entirely different, the process of documenting your experiences is one of inspiration and growth.

Editor-in-Chief Christen Olivarez reminisces about how her first experiments with art journaling formed her larger passion for blogging. “As a teenager, my best friend and I kept a notebook that we passed back and forth,” she says.  “One of us would write something in it and the other would respond to it, then write something of our own. I loved being able to share my thoughts, hopes, and fears with someone and reading their response. I think that’s why I blog. It’s the same idea, but on a bigger level.”

Sharing and connecting with others is a key part of the blogging process—even if you’re afraid of what others might say. Managing Editor Beth Livesay enjoys having an outlet where she can write daily, but admits it can be intimidating at times.  “Writing will always be my first love,” she says. “Having a blog where I can both write for myself and keep it open to others is a scary thought, but it’s a step in the right direction. Blogging is about sharing my gratitude for fellow artists and bloggers, but it also allows for self expression.  After all, it is my personal writing style that is pinned on the web pages.”

A blog is a unique tool you can use to share your personal life in a very public space. If you’re ever feeling intimidated, think about why you started blogging in the first place, and just remember this: blog because you care about what you’re writing. Blog because it’s cathartic for you to mold thoughts into words.  Blog because it’s the people, events, pictures, and experiences you write about that make life challenging and beautiful. If you love what you’re writing, your readers will too.

Want to win a copy of Artful Blogging Summer ’12? Leave a comment telling us what aspect of blogging you love the most, whether it’s writing, photographing, designing, or reading the blogs of your favorite creatives.*

Photo credits: Top: Karin Andersson, Artful Blogging Spring ’12; Middle: Glory Albin, Artful Blogging Summer ’12; Bottom: Jennifer Rizzo, Artful Blogging Summer ’12

*Contest is open to U.S. residents. Winner will be chosen at random. Deadline for entries is May 31, 2012.

Today we welcome Sandra Evertson to Somerset Place as she shares with us a fun paper-cutting technique to create paper people that are all dolled up!

As spring approaches, I like to dress up my studio with lovely garlands of beautiful paper dolls dancing in doorways and window panes. A simple pleasure from a distant childhood memory–just fancied up a bit! No matter how many years have passed, however, it is still an exciting and satisfying moment when you unfurl a little piece of paper you have snipped here and there and unveil a delicate chain of paper people!

Materials
Standard copy paper 8 ½” x 11” (be sure to use heavier weight, bright white copy paper)
Pencil
Small sharp scissors
Exacto knife
Acrylic paints
Toothpick
Dressmaker’s pin
Cotton cloth

Instructions

1. Fold a single sheet of copy paper in half, width-wise (that would be hamburger-style for you young’ns). Make crisp creases along the center and gently tear the sheet into two halves. Fold the new piece in half, and then in half again one last time.
2. I used a metal finding shaped like an 18th century court dancer as the inspiration for my ladies. You can either create a pattern or freestyle your design with a pencil onto the folded edge of the paper. Remember to leave at least two spots on your design that will remain attached to create your chain.
3. Use a pair of very sharp scissors or an exacto knife to cut out any interior spaces.
4. Unfold to reveal your pretty ladies, all in a row!
5. Embellish your paper dolls with a tiny wooden toothpick as a “paint brush” dipped in acrylic paints, creating a faux-dotted Swiss design.

Variations on a theme: Create pretty little pinholes by resting your paper dolls on a folded piece of cotton cloth, then pricking out each hole with a long dressmaker’s pin. Add a set of men to accompany your ladies! For an unusual twist, create these paper chain dolls using black paper for a whimsical silhouette effect. Have fun creating, and now let the ball begin!

A big “Thank you!” to Sandra for sharing this fun technique! More of Sandra Evertson’s artwork can be found in Artful Blogging, Handcrafted, Somerset Apprentice, Somerset Home, Somerset Life, and Somerset Studio. To view more of Sandra’s work, please visit her blog http://www.sandraevertson.blogspot.com

Consider yourself a wiz with a pair of sheers? Show us your spectacular paper chain creations by submitting them to blog@stampington.com.
 

Grab your paintbrush, and take your scrappin’ to the next level! National Scrapbooking Month celebrates the art of transforming a blank canvas with beautiful papers, photos, embellishments, and thoughtful words. Displaying cherished photos in a scrapbook is a wonderful way to preserve your adventures, milestones, and memories for decades to come. You’ve got the basics down – now challenge yourself and incorporate mixed-media or even digital elements into your next scrapbooking layout.

This free article download has been borrowed from the March/April 2011 issue of Somerset Studio. Caroline Rondel shares how she experiments with watercolor crayons, gesso, tea, fabric, and rub-on designs to create a personal art journal that combines mixed-media materials with scrapbooking techniques. Click here to download this article and see her creative process.

Happy Scrapping! Follow Caroline’s lead and incorporate a variety of materials into your layouts. What’s a new medium that you want to try? Tell us in the comments below.
 

The arrival of the new May magazines sparked an excited chatter throughout the office, sprinkled with “oohs!” and “ahhs!” as we pored over the delectable candy-colored covers of our favorite issues. These magazines are works of art in themselves, featuring more alluring blogs, studios, and projects than ever before. Check out the sample spreads below to see what speaks to your ever-flowing creative visions. To sweeten the deal, we are offering a FREE SHIPPING discount exclusively to our blog readers.

Use Promo Code: BLOG0512*

This May/June ’12 issue marks Somerset Studio‘s 15th year showcasing artistic inspiration from mixed-media artists around the world. Learn how to carve detailed and elaborate designs into linoleum with Michelle Ward, and try your hand at free-form stitching techniques with Renee Rogers. Pam Carriker shares why her handmade block stamps hold a special place in her heart, and cover artist Seth Apter combines two of his passions, art and running, to create collaborative projects.

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Braids are all the rage this season, and not just the French kind. Incorporate this fresh, sunny look into your wardrobe with detailed tips and stunning photographs in this issue of Altered Couture. Give an old pair of sneakers a bit of new-school glam and read about a red, white, and blue “re-do” that has the perfect dash of vintage Americana. Promote your sewing skills, learn how to fashion a pencil skirt from a button-down work blouse, and read about confessions of a shoe addict.

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Art Doll Quarterly readers, we’ve got quite the issue in store for you. Plan a hot date with a darling fellow that rides his unicycle at lightning speed, or grab a beer with Lakeside Larry, a laid-back doll that might just resemble your husband – Birkenstocks and all. Learn the ins and outs of starting an art doll blog and go behind the curtain with a puppeteer and costume designer. A gorgeous doll comes to life as a mermaid with paperclay, beads, and an imaginary spirit that is absolutely contagious.

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The Summer issue of Artful Blogging is just the ticket for a relaxing afternoon indulging in stunning photography and captivating personal stories. Read about trips to exotic places that have molded bloggers into the creative people they are today. Rebecca Seal showcases juicy cranberry citrus sauce jars and Hanna Villarrubia shares her spread of chocolate soufflés and pinwheel cookies. Look no further than this issue to view photographs of delectable pastries, colorful lanterns, and whimsical Ferris wheels that will whisk you away to new destinations.

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Take a ride on a hot air balloon and soar through Volume 16 of Catch Up Issue. Enjoy nearly 400 fresh ideas and techniques that will make your artistic imagination soar. From ribbon embellishments to paper windmills, you’ll find new ways to take your stamped art projects to new heights. This colorful issue only comes out once a year, so catch up on your favorite magazine for 365 days of paper crafting inspiration.

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Whether you’re looking for an engaging article about the business of crafting or just want to get lost in photographs to kick-start a decorating project, look no further than this issue of Where Women Create. From sophisticated book nooks to a baby grand piano organizational display, the spaces that we have scoped out will leave you inspired to get your spring cleaning done (including the desk clutter!). Visit the creative studios of Kathy Cano-Murillo, Shelley Kennedy, Cindy Dockins, and many other women whose artistically decorated spaces reflect their creative business and life passions.

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Explore Americana dolls and sculptural figures with the Summer ’12 issue of Prims. See how artist Olivia Thomas uses fabric and paper to symbolize how she uses her hand as an art tool. Read about a parade of patriotic characters that wave the American flag with pride and participate in America’s favorite pastime – baseball! Sweet elephants and elegant giraffes round out this darling collection of primitive art dolls that are sure to win a special place in your heart.

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*Free shipping offer applies to U.S. purchases of the following May 2012 issues only: Altered Couture, Art Doll Quarterly, Artful Blogging, Catch Up Issue, Prims, Somerset Studio, and Where Women Create. Discount code cannot be combined with any other offer and expires 5/31/12.
 

Today we welcome mixed-media artist and Stampington columnist Ricë Freeman-Zachery to Somerset Place. She shares her creative process, what inspires her writing, and why buying handmade is so important.

Readers might recognize you from your columns published in Somerset Studio, Belle Armoire, and Art Journaling, just to name a few publications. What is the most memorable artist profile that you have written?
I’ve gotten to talk to a slew of fabulous people over the ten years I’ve been doing this, so there’s no way I could pick just one! I really enjoy the profiles in which I’ve gotten to visit the artist’s studio. These tours make the artist and their work really come alive for me, and my husband thoroughly enjoys photographing the artists’ spaces.

What do you enjoy best about interacting with the artists?
My passion is passion: what do people love? What grabs them? What wakes them up in the middle of the night? How do they make their ideas concrete? I’m way more interested in the artist and the process than I am the finished work. My current obsession is the intersection of creativity and curiosity, and I’m asking everyone about it. What are you curious about? How does that feed into your creative life?

What sparked your interest in writing? When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I think perhaps in another life my mother would have been a writer, and I think one of her dreams was for me to write novels. Her love of books and reading was surely an influence, and fortunately they were things I also loved. Both my parents were readers, and books were a constant from birth–I’m guessing they were probably reading to me before I was born. I love the way words work together and am fascinated by connotation, metaphor, and etymology. I was always something of an English geek and got two degrees in English, which of course is a guarantee of wealth and fame, right? Other people got degrees in things that lead to lucrative careers; I got degrees in a discipline I loved.

Tell us a bit about the books you have written. What do you hope readers and artists will take away from these artistic collaborations?
I’ve written five books: Stamp Artistry, (artists who show how they use rubber stamps to create a project), New Techniques for Wearable Art (the first altered artwear book, and a tough sell to the publishers who thought altered artwear wouldn’t ever be popular) and then three creativity books: Living the Creative Life, Creative Time and Space, and Destination Creativity. The last one, a collaboration with my husband (he took all the photos), was the most fun. We traveled 19,600 miles in 2010 attending art retreats, taking photographs (Earl), and asking nosey questions (me). We featured five complete workshops led by Jesse Reno and Carla Sonheim and included tips for holding smaller retreats closer to home.

When you’re not writing about other people’s work, what art do you create?
The short answer is that I stitch. The longer answer is that I alter garments into SoulWear–clothes that are expressions of a unique personality. In the past, I have made/shown/taught/sold art quilts and art dolls, handmade books and jewelry, assemblage and collage. But my true passion–ever since I was in high school–has been altering and embellishing my own wardrobe. Since I love finding already-worn clothes, consignment shops and thrift shops are treasure troves for me. I love Goodwill–not just for the selection and great prices but because they employ special needs workers in the community.

Tell us about your creative process. Do you work on a single project at a time, or have several in the works?
I like to work. I like to be productive. I’m incredibly lucky to have jobs that I love–writing profiles for Stampington, writing books, editing a website for my publishers at F&W Media (CreateMixedMedia.com). I like to have a lot of projects going at once, several of them with deadlines that help me create schedules as a framework for everything else. I love the days when I edit audio while doing handwork on a garment I’m embellishing. All the various projects influence each other, with ideas zipping around in my head, and I can move from one to another to another throughout the day.

What do you enjoy surrounding yourself with in your studio?
Color, color, color! Our house is a riot of bright color, just the way we love it. Three years ago for my birthday Earl helped me gut and re-do the office studio. We painted the walls and ceiling a sunny golden orange and stained the concrete floor a gold and reddish-rust hue. Just last week I had the sewing studio re-done, with triple windows and the same color paint as the office. Color + a lot of light = a happy me. Oh, and happy cats. You can’t work when the cats aren’t happy, so the sunny windows are also for them.

How can people support the handmade movement?
Avoid the mall. Seriously. Support Etsy–I love Etsy. I’m at the stage in my life where I’m focusing on getting rid of–rather than acquiring–things, and that’s also a way to support handmade. Use the things you have already to create “new” stuff rather than going out and buying something new.

What advice can you offer an aspiring artist/writer?
Write. Write every day. Learn to be an editor and go back and look at what you’ve written with a critical eye. Read. Read everything. Don’t settle on one genre, but read everything you can get your hands on. Learn the rules of writing. Know what a metaphor is, learn about parallel structure, know how to quote people so you don’t end up falsifying information. Writing is a craft and a skill and an art, and doing it well requires not only that you study the rules, but that you fall in love with words and what they will enable you to communicate with others.

Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
You can create your own life. There are a few rules you have to follow, things about paying taxes and flossing your teeth and Dressing Appropriately for The Day Job. Outside of those, however, you can do pretty much what you want with your house and your wardrobe, your hair and your routine, what you eat and how you spend your spare time. I always urge people to quit watching television, quit doing what everyone else is doing, and figure out what you want to make of your life. You only get one, so you might as well make it exactly how you want it.

Thank you for sharing your insight with us, Ricë! You can find Rice’s artist profiles in Art Doll Quarterly, Art Journaling, Art Quilting Studio, Belle Armoire, Belle Armoire Jewelry, and Somerset Studio. Her books, Living the Creative Life and Creative Time and Space are available at The Shoppe.

Follow Ricë’s creative endeavors on her blog, Notes from the Voodoo Café: http://voodoonotes.blogspot.com.
 

Our mini library drawer has been given multiple facelifts and previously altered into a photo organizer and rewards drawer. Today we’re sharing how this drawer can go au naturel and give your green thumb a chance to shine. This hands-on gardening project is perfect for mother-daughter bonding time or as a quick and easy gift idea!

Materials

Mini Library Drawer

Collage Pauge

Small succulents in various styles

Instructions

You can find small succulents inexpensively at your local swap meet. Be on the lookout for different species to give your project unique dimension. As the drawer’s primary purpose is for paper crafting, the wood may wear over time. Before potting the succulents, treat the wood with a coat of Collage Pauge to waterproof it. While succulents don’t require excessive watering, it is a good idea to drill a couple of holes in the bottom of the drawer for drainage. Place your new planter in a window with plenty of sunlight and enjoy this bright and sophisticated piece of home décor. This low maintenance and cost-effective project is perfect to make for Mother’s Day and lasts longer than a bouquet of flowers!

Note: Succulents do best in a drier, rocky potting soil. Instructions on the bag will usually indicate if the soil is suitable for cacti and succulents.

For more tips and projects for the green-conscious crafter, see what’s inside the latest issue of GreenCraft.

P.S. You still have time to enter our Pinterest Upcycled Challenge! Click here for details on how you can enter to win the grand prize.

Project and photos by Vanessa Spencer

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There’s nothing quite like taking a night stroll on a cobblestone road, having nothing but the twinkling stars light up your path. But when you’re all dressed up, wherever shall you go? Perhaps an evening showing of the newest opera, or a late night tea with your closest friends? Enjoy a night out on the town with these ladies that are dressed to the nines! Download these illustrations here to add a touch of vintage glam to your greeting cards, altered art projects, digital scrapbook pages, and more.

Like these downloads? We’ve got more collections of digital ephemera for you to enjoy over at our e-Crafting site.

Have you dabbled in the world of digital art yet? Share a cool trick, or tell us what you would like to learn in the comments below.

We are thrilled to have Pam Carriker here today to walk us through the process of creating an oil painting from start to finish.

It’s fun to create an “oil painting” using simple tools and Shiva Paintstiks for a non-messy alternative to traditional oil paints. If portraits aren’t your thing, try doing a simple still life “oil painting” using everyday objects around your home to spark some inspiration! Either way, these Shiva Paintstiks are great tools you can use to achieve the look of oil paints without all of the fuss.

Materials

Shiva Paintstiks in the following colors: Prussian Blue, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Antique White, Titanium White, Raw Umber and any background colors you like
Strathmore 400 Series Acrylic Paper, other acrylic paper, or heavy paper with a tooth to it
Blending tool – either a blending stump, rubber-tipped blending tool, Loew Cornell Berry Maker, or an equivalent
Oderless Mineral Spirits, if desired
Pencil
Stencil brush, or old scruffy brush
Sequin waste or other stencil type texture tool

NOTE: You will have to peel off the “skin” that forms on the crayons in between uses. Just grab the tip of the crayon with a paper towel and gently twist back and forth. The skin will peel off onto the paper towel and then you’re ready to go. You can use the crayons for direct applications or color a swatch onto a palette to pick up with a brush or other tool.

Instructions

Thanks for sharing this gorgeous technique, Pam! The Spring 2012 issue of Art Journaling features more of Pam’s painting techniques. Glimpse into Pam’s artful world by visiting her website at pamcarriker.com.
 

Meet the creative forces behind your favorite Stampington publications with our Editor Spotlight feature!

Cynthia Levens

Managing Editor, Belle Armoire, Belle Armoire Jewelry, Art Quilting Studio; Executive Consulting Editor, Where Women Create 

What is the most gratifying thing about your job?
I love sending out the initial congratulatory emails. Our artists spend so much time and effort putting such beautiful and unique pieces together that appear in each of our magazines. Oftentimes, the act of just submitting a piece of art for publication consideration takes a lot of courage. I have the highest admiration and respect for the artists I work with, and it is so gratifying to tell them that their dedication has not gone unnoticed.

When you’re not writing about other people’s work, what art do you create?
I do love art, and I’m fortunate to work in such a vivid and creative environment. But, the truth is, I’m not much of a crafter. I used to draw, paint, sketch, and work with clay, and it’s been a struggle to find my way back. I spend most of my time on writing these days. That’s my go-to outlet.

Tell us about one of your passions.
I’m passionate about many, many different things, but the first that comes to mind is music. My life literally revolves around it.  It sets my mood in the morning, it keeps me going throughout the day, and it pumps me up before a fun night out. You can always find me at some kind of show at least once a week. Don’t get me started on music festivals — that’s a conversation that would never end.

What is your idea of the perfect weekend?
The perfect weekend…well, first of all, it would be a full week. It would include a combination of music, dancing, food, shopping, fine wine, and amazing company. Vegas, New York, Spain, and Greece are, of course, all great options.

What would you like to accomplish a year from now?
Anything and everything that’s within my reach. I’m an extremely ambitious person, and I’m constantly setting goals for myself.  Who knows, next year I might be speaking another language.

Can you give us a glimpse into the Spring 2012 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry?
I’m in LOVE with this issue. I know I say that about each issue I put together, but it’s true. This one in particular contains a vast range of techniques like wire wrapping, beading, metal work, etching, foldforming, wax casting, stamping into clay, and creating incredibly unique bezels from glass bottles and shotgun shell rings. I can’t really describe in words the level of artistry seen in this issue; you will just have to pick it up.

Where Women Create showcases some amazing art spaces. What would you like to have in your dream studio?
My dream studio would probably be a replica of Matthew Mead’s – crisp and clean with bursts of color. It’s really refreshing, and you’ll be able to see it featured in the “Men Who Make It” department in the upcoming Summer 2012 issue.

What is your favorite style of clothing that you’ve seen featured in Belle Armoire?
The Summer 2012 issue of Belle Armoire will be my first as Managing Editor, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to put my own spin on them. To pick a favorite piece or style from this issue isn’t even possible – I would gladly wear every item featured. I can’t wait for you all to see the gorgeous creations and photography come July 1st!

To catch a glimpse of the inspiration inside Cynthia’s publications, please visit Art Quilting Studio, Belle Armoire, Belle Armoire Jewelry, and Where Women Create. Don’t miss the beautiful jeweled creations in the Summer 2012 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry, available for pre-order until April 25th.
 

Our Shoppe Manager created an all-in-one lip balm kit to share with the beauty queen who first showed you how to properly wear blush and apply mascara – your mother!

The following recipe calls for natural, unbleached beeswax and vegetable oil. Alternate oils can be used to create lip balm; feel free to find a recipe that works best for you.

Please note: This project is not intended for children. Please use caution when working with hot oil and wax.

Materials
Natural Beeswax Pellets
Small Rectangular Hinged Tins
Fabric Tape Set – Pure (We also love these floral prints!)
Glassine Envelopes
Mini Flashcards
Scrapper’s Floss – Magenta
Melting Pot Project Pan or saucepan
Vegetable oil
Vanilla or peppermint extract (optional)

Instructions
Open the tins and lay them on a completely flat surface, like a chopping board. Keep in mind that wax may get onto the surface, so if you don’t have a heat-resistant counter, be sure to protect its surface. You can also pick up an old metal cooking tray or chopping block at a thrift store, if desired.

Use the Melting Pot Project Pan to create the lip balm mixture, or alternatively, a clean saucepan that you plan to use only for future beauty projects. To create four tins of lip balm, mix 1/3 cup vegetable oil with 1/3 cup beeswax pellets. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring slowly with a wooden spoon. If you desire to make flavored lip balm, add a few drops of vanilla or peppermint extract.

To add color to your lip balm, slice off about 1/8” of lipstick and add that slice to the mixture. For a deeper hue, just add a bit more lipstick.

Once the mixture has completely melted to a liquid (and is still hot), pour the mixture into the tins. Fill the tins just below the hinges to prevent the mixture from leaking out when closed. Set aside to harden.

Time to embellish your tins! Be sure to wait until the wax has set before you start decorating. I don’t suggest sanding and painting the tins because sanding metal produces tiny specks of metal dust, which you don’t want to end up in your lip balm. Embellish the tins using strips of fabric tape, and tie closed with a strand of scrapper’s floss.

To complete the project, package your lip balm tins with a little shabby-chic flair. Place a tin inside a glassine sleeve and secure the top with fabric tape. Adhere a mini flashcard to the front, and you have a darling handmade gift that’s perfect for Mother’s Day!

Save over 10% when you purchase the beeswax pellets and tins in this special kit!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Looking for more gift-giving inspiration? We’ve put together a special collection of Mother’s Day projects for you to make for the special lady in your life!

Project and photo by Vanessa Spencer