Handmade Envelopes

So I am absolutely blessed to be a part of a small clan of women who meet monthly around our common interest of art.  We are the Multi Media Mavens, however I tend to refer to them as my Mavens.

Sometimes we have challenges, sometimes we have exchanges, and sometimes we just chat and have show and tell. This month the prompt was to make or decorate envelopes.  At first I was not all that inspired by the task as I had no plan, but once I previewed the first batch of Brittney's envies, I was excited to play.  

I followed Brittney's lead with the use of bright colors and watercolor paper.  I decided to use what I had on hand to make these so I used some metallic calligraphy ink I had picked up at an estate sale along with watercolor paper from an auction.  Some of the paper actually had sketches on it from the previous artist.  I thought that added a nice touch to some of the envies. 

I stuck with complementary colors as I knew they would be getting swished together with the saran wrap resist I did.  To get this look simply wet your paper, wet some saran wrap, layer the wrap over the paper and drip your inks into the cracks of the paper.  You can then play and let the colors drip and mix together.

I left the saran wrap in place overnight for it to dry.  You can see in the one below, that I was rushing and did not leave the saran wrap as long, the results were a bit different. 

My edges are not as vibrant and crisp.  The outcome also could have been influenced by the different weights of paper I used.  In the image above you can see some of the sketches peeking though!

To make these envelopes after colorizing my paper, I used a template called a diagolope.  I simply traced it, cut it and glued it together.  I also lined the inside with coordinating paper  (no image.)

To add a bit of texture I could not resist adding a little newly acquired Sari ribbon.  This was my first time playing with this material and it will not be my last.  I love the texture and vibrant colors.  I think it made for a cute closure, along with eyelets for reinforcement.  

This was such a fun exchange with my Mavens! I hope you also found a touch of inspiration as you read along today.

Cheers, 

Rhea

Steampunk Santos Doll

This project has been in the making for quite some time.  I started it when I recently made a large order from Retro Art Cafe, where I got the doll base.  

The caged portion of the doll is covered in turquoise Iced Enamels.  I love the shabby metal look it gives.  Since I did not seal it with resin as intended, it chipped a little, but I liked the effect. 

On the bottom of the doll I added lots of fun things. Strings and scraps from Sari ribbon, gears, hearts and even some old vacuum tubes.  A few customized bezels were also added for movement and additional meaning.

My project finally came together once I got some stuff from B'sue Boutiques.  I had been having trouble with the face of my doll, but with this lovely brass stamping my gal finally found her personality.  

I enhanced the face with Vintaj patinas, gilders paste and some stickels. I think it ended up working out quite well.  You can also see another custom bezel is tied on here with some more Sari ribbon, which was from B'sue as well.  I really loved it more than I would ever imagine, with it's bright vivid colors.

I liked the shape of the hearts as well as the colors I chose.  Here I layered on three similar elements to create interest and depth.  It is always good to repeat patterns.

The wings of my steampunk Santos doll are enhanced with Inka Gold, stenciling and lots of gilders paste.  I even edged some things out with graphite to be sure I had good definition. 

This was a super fun project for me that is really outside of my usual work, but I really enjoyed it.  I hope you did too!

Cheers, 

Rhea