Recycled Halloween!

As many of you know I love love love to recycle and re-use items in a variety of way. By recycling I can give new life to things, you help the environment, and it cost virtually nothing. A book and its pages can be turned into a plethora of things from wall art to a wreath to a new book, rosettes, party hats, crowns, cones, etc.

For this recycled project I used left over un-painted jack-o-lanterns treat lanterns, bird foliage pick, pumpkin picks, floral wire, floral moss, book pages for the party hat and rosettes, paints, Beacon's Tinsel glitter and Kid's Choice glue.

I hand painted the pumpkins, then assembled the piece, the end result a fabulous Halloween hanging assemblage that you can create for friends/family, yourself or do with the kids!


Hope you enjoy!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

Come One, Come All To The Halloween Ball.........


I'd like to introduce the newest members of the Sweet Cupcake Topper Collection:

-The Halloween Follies
-The Pumpkin Kings
-Mr.Moon

Each topper is made from either clay or vintage foam balls, extra large picks, paints and embellishments. These new toppers have brought some extra magic to my studio this season. They are a bit of prim, bit of fancy and sweet, a bit dapper and regal, perhaps magical to those who believe.




I will have these toppers available tonight in my Etsy store, and some are available now at Piddlestixs!

Hope you enjoy,
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

Altered Art Circus: Party Hats, Tussie Mussies, Cones!

In my book; Altered Art Circus, I have a few projects revolving around cones such as the Marie Antoinette Tussie Mussie and The Marie Antoinette Cone Doll Hat/Centerpiece. These projects revolve around a simple cones shape which can turn into a variety of projects such as a doll, tree topper, holiday tree, wreath, party hat, party cones, flower cones aka cornucopia's, pocket posies and tussie mussie's, candy favor cones, wizard hats, witch hats, princess hats, rosettes and more, all from one simple shape.

Creating cones is extremely easy, you can open up a cheap party hat and trace it for a template. Try tracing a large plate onto card stock or poster board, find the center, mark the point, and draw line from edge to the center point, cut that line, fold in and glue. Buy paper mache cornucopia cones already made at your craft store or just buy my book, and photocopy the template inside to your desired size and use that.

Over the year I have transformed my cone projects into a few things and incorporated my scrapbook papers and embellishments from my line into them. The following 2 photos are samples of some of the papers and parts! The first is the Candy Paper and the next some of the embellishments to accompany my papers.


Party Cones and Hats Examples:



Here is a rosette made from layers of cones:


For instructions on making cone shaped projects and for the template, photo copy the template in the back of my book: Altered Art Circus, and scout out the projects in the book. Visit my flick photo gallery for tons of extra free images and inspiration!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa1

Who loves inspiration and a giveaway?

If you want to be inspired, escape to a magical circus and enter in a giveaway, then take a stroll over to Mod Podge Rocks, where Amy Anderson has written a wonderful review on my book: Altered Art Circus, shares her favorite parts of the book, showcased some new works adapted from it and is hosting a giveaway, where one lucky winner will receive:

A copy of Altered Art Circus AND a few sheets of paper and ephemera from my scrapbook line to get you started on your own magical adventure.

Many of the projects from the book are made using various Plaid products, especially mod podge or as I spelled Modge Podge in parts of the book, lol, my lingo, hey I'm from NJ, lol.

There are easy to create projects from the book, an image gallery in the back for you to photo copy and use in your works. I remind you this book is for the fun at heart person, someone looking to escape to their own artful world and meet some friends along the away. if you are the experienced artist, this is a fun book to help you get inspired and learn some new techniques.

My fave projects from the book are:
-The Circus Carts
I began re-creating the circus carts using my handmade dolls and storybook characters in place of images. This is the box I did the demo of at CHA:

-The Carnival Toys
-Frame Book
-Fairy Bulb Wands and Jars
Here is another version of the bulb wand:

-The Traveling Bumbelina's
Here is another version of the Traveling Bumbelina's Project which uses poker chips as the base. In this project I turned the poker chips into small chairs. I'll post the project instructions on how to create the poker chip chairs this week. Also in this photo is another version of the jar fairies, which I used a wine glass instead of a glass jar.

-The Cone Doll Hats/Tussie Mussies/Centerpieces
I have begun creating Candy Cones adapted from the Tussie Mussie Project from my book. Inside you will find a template for these, which you can en-largen or shrink to make various sized cones. Turn into candy cones, flower cones, party cones or hats. Perfect for favors at a party or event, create mini ones for a garland or use in a wreath.


At CHA this past year I did a demo on the circus carts using new techniques such as my model magic dolls/characters, and vintage trimmings. I've re-created new atcs, books and wands using the original projects from it.

To enter the giveaway visit: Mod Podge Rocks
http://modpodgerocks.blogspot.com/2010/09/altered-art-circus-book-review-and.html

This week in celebration of the giveaway I will be dedicating my blog to project how-to's and new adapted projects from my book, stay tuned!
xoxo
Lisa!

Building Your Own Jewelry Display!

So now you are thinking, I spend all this time and money on making jewelry, now ask yourself how would you describe your jewelry and what style is it? Are you making a line of similar items to market or all different?

This season I am more involved with my Cupcake Chic Line and Kawaii aka Cuteness/Sweet. I started incorporating my doll parts and accessories into my jewelry and party decor, the result is the new Party Girls Line of jewelry and accessories from necklaces, bracelets to party hats, crowns, banners and prints.

Now if I had to spend a ton of money on jewelry display's that would take away from the important items such as the supplies used to make my items, so I discovered a way to make my own displays and backdrops on a budget. The result easy necklace holders, racks and canvas backdrops.

Here are the schematics of the Jewelry Display:

Materials:

-Drill (I used Black and Decker)
-5/64 Drill bit
-Hammer
-5/64 sized nails
-3 foot 7/16 wood dowel (cut in half)(use larger dowel for heavier jewelry)
-Medium 5 by 5 inch wood plaque (Lara's Crafts)
-Large 8 by 11 inch oval wood plaque (Plaid)
-2 packages of Cup hooks (Lara's Crafts)
-Multi-purpose screwdriver
-Latex paint of choice
-Paint brush

Directions:

1. Drill a hole in the center of your large plaque and the medium plaque. Use a ruler and pencil to measure the halfway point of your plaque, if you are uncomfortable eye balling the center.

2. Next drill 8 holes into the sides of the medium plaque. To do this draw an even "X" shape on the top of the medium plaque, then draw a line through each open space of the "X" until you are left with 8 lines resembling a child's snowflake line drawing! Then drill the holes into each on of the 8 points on the sides of the plaque.

3. Now paint your wood pieces, let dry. Apply second coat if needed.

4. Using one cup hook at a time, twist each one into the 8 pre-drilled holes of the medium plaque, pre-drilling these holes is what makes it easier to twist the hooks in.

5. Match up the dowel to the large plaque base's hole, insert a nail into the hole and hammer into the end of the dowel, repeat this step for the medium plaque base's hole.

6. Add a party hat, crown, jewelry bits, rhinestones or ribbon to your display, now its ready to hold your new jeweled works.




Tips/Tricks:
-Use a heavier dowel for larger jewelry.
-Try creating a double display using 2 dowels and a larger bottom and top base.
-Add a finial, broken jewelry, bows, figurines and more to your display

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

The Magic of Digital Art!

I adore Amy Knutkowski's digital artwork they are filled with so much magic, I can't seem to pick a favorite.

As many of you know I offer a variety of collage cds for artists to use in their works, along with giving free images on my flickr site ranging from Marie Antoinette to the Circus, Victorian, Fashion Plates and Storybook Covers, plus many more.

One image I offer for free:
Which is called: After The Ball, Sugary Sweet.

Now This is what Amy did with it, adding the image to her digital design:

Amy calls this piece: Afternoon Tea!

So magical, to see more of Amy's work visit:
www.wallflowerimages.blogspot.com

or her flickr gallery at:
http://www.flickr.com/people/amyknutkowski/

For my free images visit my flickr page and either add me as a contact to download them or sign up for a free flickr account, add me as a friend and you'll be able to download:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16

Art at the Speed of Life!


Art at the Speed of Life is a new book created by the amazing Miss Pam Carriker, being published by Interweave Press. I am honored to be one of the contributing artists in this book, alongside other artist talents such as Julie Bergmann, Paulette Insall, Nancy Lefko, and Brandi Butcher-Isley, to name a few.

Pam's creative energy can inspire us all, as will this whole book I am sure! Below is the Product Description from Amazon:

Product Description
Need high-energy inspiration when your life gets crazy and your art keeps getting pushed to the back burner? Offering terrific mixed-media art projects, as well as tips for getting organized and inspired, Art at the Speed of Life is a treasure chest of ideas for the artist whose creative goals sometimes get stymied by the frantic pace of modern life. Author and mixed-media artist Pam Carriker proves that art and life can coexist peacefully, productively, and happily. Making things every day can be a joyful reality instead of just wishful thinking.

Each chapter in Art at the Speed of Life includes both essays and project ideas from a variety of contributors, including Paulette Insall, Nancy Lefko, and Brandi Butcher-Isley. The projects are inspiring, yet easy to complete on a tight schedule, and include techniques such as assemblage, image transfer, and collage. A bonus seven-day journal project helps you track your work as you go. With a unique combination of time management tips and advice, inspiring essays, and projects designed to fit into busy schedules, Art at the Speed of Life will help you live your dream of making art every day.

About the Author
Pam Carriker has created art with a variety of media over more than 20 years. She has served on several design teams, and has been featured in magazines including Cloth Paper Scissors, Somerset Studios, The Stamper's Sampler, Art Journaling, and Somerset Apprentice. She currently teaches a successful online workshop series through Creative Workshops, and Motivation and Inspiration for Making Mixed-Media Art Every Day.


You can currently pre-order this amazing book on Amazon!
Amazon Link: Art at the Speed of LifeRelease date February 22, 2011

http://pamcarriker.com/

The New Girls on the Party Block!

Its official I am now addicted to birthday and sugary sweet style right now! Loving vintage party hats and decorations, cake toppers, cupcake picks, party dolls and more.
All the sugary sweetness or what I have labeled: Cupcake Chic, has taken over my whole design the past 2 years and more so now. I'm creating in pastel shades with mixes of chic dark and cream.

My newest addition to the doll parts and embellishments line are:
The Party Girls and Candy Party Girls! These new parts can really go in different directions. I'm currently working on several examples using these pieces such as charms, jewelry components, scrapbooking, cupcake toppers and banner components. I love the pendant I'm making using the Betsy Partypuff style, vintage rhinestones, crystals, pink beads and more.


These pieces are also getting transformed into cupcake toppers and as the toppers in a birthday rosette banner. I'll share pics of these when complete this week.

You can currently purchase these on my etsy store, at Piddlestixs and soon in my web store.

My Etsy Store:
www.moonfaires.etsy.com

Piddlestixs:
12 Morris Farm Road, Lafayette, NJ 07848

Silhouette Rosettes!

What's better then recycling old and discarded books? There are so many books we have lying around from our houses, studios to the discarded book sections of our libraries and schools. The covers make for great canvas bases, new book binding, altered books, wall hangings, or for pages themselves. Old books can be transformed into shadow boxes, shrines, mini theaters, decorative boxes or stacked for lamp bases, shelves and display.

The pages of books can be folded directly in the book for some unique wall hangings, cut pages can be transformed into paper cones, paper fans, paper birds, origami, into wreaths, rosettes and more. This summer I have been more active into using the pages of books and turning them into large rosettes perfect for hanging in your house, used as a wreath or ornament.

For the following rosette style I rolled book pages and scrapbook paper into cones, trimmed their edges with pinking shears, added my hand pressed silhouette medallion, paints, ribbons and clear glass glitter.



My next rosette was the original one which was the foundation of the other rosettes. This piece has layers of rolled book pages, black grosgrain ribbon, German silver glass glitter and my hand pressed black silhouettes

This blue belle style rosette was created the same as the above rosette, but I added some crepe paper then coated several of the folds and the silhouette with Aquamarine glitter.



I'm currently creating some silhouettes with rolled tin, and vintage wallpapers too.
You can purchase my silhouette parts at my Etsy store or request a special listing!
My Etsy Store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonfaires