Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Tuesday: "Eco Chic Artist and Crafters"

Welcome to the first addition of “Eco Chic: Artists and Crafters” where every Tuesday we will meet an artist or crafter that takes items, that typically end up in the trash, and transforms them into a piece of usable art.
With that said I would love to introduce you to Susan from Middleburg Folk Art Studio


Susan, the artist behind Middleburg Folk Art Studio, creates gorgeous sculptures by making her own paper mache out of 100% recyclable newspaper and water. She feels that her art form insures "post consumer waste is not just being put back into a cardboard box, but into a sustainable piece of art, that in no way harmed the environment and/or any ones health in creating it or bringing into their environment."


Susan has a website http://www.middleburgfolkartstudio.com/ along with an Etsy Shop http://www.middleburg.etsy.com/ where you can view and purchase her art work. She has everything from wedding cake toppers to seasonal items for the holidays. Be sure to check out her shop and support an art form that reuses and protects the environment.
Blue Bird Wedding Cake Topper

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Gone To Sell

On Tuesday my husband and I traveled to Durham to the Scrape Exchange to drop off some of my art work to sell.
Lately I have felt like my artwork was overtaking our small 2 bedroom house so I had to let some of them go.


I found Scrap Exchange through an Esty team who were having a craft show there for the holidays called "Craftland". I did not have enough time to get my things together for the show so I contacted the store to see about placing some of my work there to sell....and they said sure bring it over.



Here are a few pieces that are available. I took about 24 items including some of my collage bracelets. The prices range from $15 to $150 (for a large 16x20 wine collage).



Even if you are not in the mood to buy some art you HAVE to check this place out. They have everything in a recycled artist dreams. Paper,bottles, random trinkets, fabric, tiles, even an old voter booth (only $8 dollars). This Saturday October 25th they are having a huge fabric sale. Surprisingly I only left there with a few tiles to make coasters but I am sure to return.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Lotta Prints

I joined an online book club at Cra

Looking to Buy my ART?

Yesterday my husband and I took off to Durham to drop off a selection of my Collage art and bracelets.


Scrap Exchange

Monday, October 20, 2008

Stiletto Fabulous

I love the line "Stiletto Fabulous"! I don't know where I picked it up...or if I just made it up because of my LOVE for shoes...or Stilettos.
People at work actually know my mood by the shoes I wear. If I come in wearing tennis shoes they know I must be feeling under the weather. While the flat shoe trend is hitting the fashion world pretty hard right now and trust me I am with this trend as well... but in my heart the stiletto will never die. For a girl who has a collection of over 60 pairs of shoes and at least 1/2 stilettos this phrase is one I will enjoy for many years to come.
If you think this card is "Stiletto Fabulous" look for it in my Etsy Shop later this week or if you can't wait to purchase...just send me a quick e-mail. pamscollages@gmail.com and I will get your order under way.

Gifts for the Holidays

The Holidays are right around the corner and if you have taken the Handmade Pledge or looking for something a little more unique than the typical sweater or cookies I am NOW taking Custom Stationery Orders for the Holidays.


I am offering FREE DESIGN WORK until the end of November so if you don't see what you like on my website or blog e-mail me you ideas and I would love to create something unique and and special just for you or friend.


How to Order...e-mail me at pamscollages@gmail.com or order from my Etsy Store I will respond within 48 or less hours and begin to design or send you a proof of the stationery. Want matching envelopes??? No problem you can choose from a rainbow of colors to add the perfect touch to your stationery.

To get your order in time for the Holidays be sure to place it by December 8th.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

A spin off the Typical Cork Board

Making a Cork board is a very practical way to reuse/recycle old wine corks and create a unique and usable piece of art. There have been many tutorials to make a"Wine Cork Board" so I decided to give it a try but with a little twist.

I first got the idea from Martha Stewart ; she had a great tutorial for making Cork hot pads with a metal pipe clamp. My first intentions were to make these since I became very frustrated with making a typical cork board, the measurements and the glue (ahhh), but then I got an idea...the circles are very sturdy and would make a unique look if I packed them together to create the cork board.
What I used:

*Lots and Lots of Corks...while I LOVE wine, I promise I did not consume the amount of corks present in the project. I had the help of a local bar, they kept the corks for me until they had a huge bucket filled up with them.

* A shadow box frame; I found mine at Hobby Lobby. They have great deals on frames certain weeks, sometimes up to 1/2 off. Carefully remove the glass from the frame. Some shadow boxes come with frames mounted in them, you can still use these but have to break the glass to remove it.

* Several sized metal pipe hangers (found in the plumbing section of the hardware store).

* Gorilla Glue; I tried several glues during my first attempt at a typical cork board. First good craft glue (the corks would not stay)..frustrated,,,then I tried hot glue without any luck...even more frustrated. So that is when I gave up on making a cork board and decided to make the hot pads instead. When I realized how using the pipe hangers created a solid piece of cork I began again on my cork board making. I avoided the two glues I used before and invested into Gorilla glue. it was my last try and so far so good.

Step 1: The first thing I did was create the circles with the metal pipe hangers just like mentioned in Martha's Tutorial .
Step 2:I placed the circles in the shadow frame in the location I liked and then glued them down with the gorilla glue. Let them dry.
Step 3:Once the circles have dried into place you can being filling in the gaps with corks. You are not going to be able to fill every inch of the frame but this only gives it more character. So if you are perfectionist you might not want to try this craft. The little holes might just drive you nuts.
This process can take some time but the end result will be well worth it.

The funny thing about my board is that there are very few real corks. Most wine I drink has some type of rubber/plastic cork but they work just as well.

If you make this project I would love to see the end results! E-mail me your finished piece pamscollages@gmail.com. Each one is bound to end up different.


Halloween Not too far Away

So as for the last post on the Chandelier Invites I have transformed them into something a little more Seasonal.


Here is a snapshot of my creepy yet chic chandelier note cards. I am going to transform them into postcards and have them up for sale by the end of the week in my Etsy Shop...stay tuned.






I have seen some GREAT Halloween Crafts lately and want to try them all here is one that caught my eye on CraftZine...it is from a blog called STOLLOWEEN you have to check this out.
These awsome pumpkins are made from paper mache...I could not believe it when I first saw them. I really want to try this!!! Hope I have time this weekend!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

A new Bridal Shower Design

Here is a new design just created . It is a simple chandelier design that would be beautiful for a bridal shower or even a wedding invitation. Colors can easily be changed to fit any event or theme. I love chandeliers. Hopefully one day I will have a house that is big enough that I can actually buy a chandelier...but until then I will just have to settle for them on paper.

Stay tuned because by the end of the week I am going to have a spooky version of my chandelier! Halloween is not too far away and I have to get started on some scary designs.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Thanks Craftzine and Paper Tree for showcasing my paper bag note card tutorial!!


I LOVE Craftzine it is one of my favorite daily reads and they picked my tutorial for their blog...so EXCITED!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Free Printable Recipe Cards

Some of you might have seen this Hello Name Tag design at my wedding. I used it for the koosies so people could personalized their own koosie and not lose their drink. The back of the koosie said compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin.
Well I have been wanting to create a few FREE printables for the crafting world so I took my original design and turned it into printable recipe cards. You can download the cards HERE! Hope you Enjoy!

Friday, October 3, 2008

A new Wedding Design Preview

So I have been working on a few templates for wedding invitations and experimenting with two color combinations:
blue/grey
yellow/grey
I am not completely done with the design and of course have to add my personal touches like a pocket or embellishment. Hold on to your patience and I will be sure to show the final product soon. Oh and stay tuned...I have a bride's Inspirations turned into design coming up in the next month.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

New To Craft Stylish

Check out my tutorials at Craft Stylish...one of the many sites I have joined in the last few weeks. It is a great site for all you crafters out there...there are some great tutorials to get you in the crafting mood.


Also on top of placing my prints online I am also posting my photography prints for sell. This one was posted yesterday.