Sunday 24 May 2020

Breaking News .. Coming Soon ...

Do you love Steampunk & Grunge? Yes!! Then do I have some great news for you!


A brand new Steampunk challenge blog ... The first challenge will upload on the 1st September 2020 & it's going to be awesome, there is a great line up of DTs & we are all working behind the scenes to bring you loads of inspiration. There will be something for everyone, so wether you are new to this genre or a geared up,  hard hatted Steampunk crafter, you are all welcome to join in!
Why not follow the blog, it is still under construction, but open to followers, that way you won't miss a thing!

BLOG

INSTAGRAM

Oh, just one more thing, did I mention prizes? Oh yes we have some wonderful prizes up for grabs too, by some very generous & fabulous sponsors!

Please share the news with your friends, it really is too good to keep to yourself 😆

Friday 15 May 2020

Bathing Beauty

Today's an exciting day today, because I get to share a piece that I created for my Bleeding Art Challenge DT show piece! I love being a part of this super talented team, please check it out & if you love mixed media it is a fantastic place to enter & show off your own creations & possibly win a prize too.



For my Bathing Beauty shrine I began by painting the plywood shrine with 2 coats of white gesso


When dry, using liquid acrylic paint by DecoArt I painted the frame with 2 coats, allowing to dry between coats. Next, I created the background by adding a little water to the paint & began dry brushing with light strokes, building up areas of colour.

Now for the fun part, I gathered a pile of natural shells, glass beads in various sizes & opacity, resin pieces, charms & coloured sand. I applied some soft gel medium to the floor & added some coloured sand. While that was setting, I applied some shells to the sides, back & then the floor using heavy gel medium. I recommend using the bigger shells first, then start filling in with the smaller shells & beads, allow this to dry & set firm.

I used a paper straw to make the sea washed post, after cutting it in half & coating it in gesso, to which I added a little gel medium & allowing to dry, I coated it again with gel medium & sprinkled some embossing powder directly on to the still wet gel, I made the mix myself, by combining different coloured powders together! When coated, use your heat gun to create the magic, add more powder & repeat to get the desired effect as required.
Tip: I found it helpful to put the straw on to a pencil, it makes it easy to hold while working on it.


I stamped, fussy cut, tinted & varnished the sea gull & glued him to the top of his post. The Mermaid is a cut out on paper, so I coated her with UTEE to make her more rigid & stable. I used 2 mini cotton reels behind her, to allow her to stand proud. Finally, using heavy gel medium, I placed the shrine on to the plinth, added some more shells & coloured sand to the front of the piece & filled in any gaps that I wasn't happy with, using tiny beads & added the anchor charm. Using a black paint pen I drew a few seagulls around the mermaid & I was done!

Products used
Ideology Vignette - Tim Holtz  
White Gesso - Pentart
Gel Mediums- Pentart
Liquid Acrylic Paint - DecoArt
Various Beads Charms & Sand - Artful Days 


Thank you so much for visiting my blog today, please leave me a comment, I really do read them all & return the favour by visiting your social media art space!
Jane x







Monday 11 May 2020

Great news, there is a Steampunk Blog Hop, just around the corner

I am taking part in a Steampunk Blog Hop. This is a first for me & I am super excited to see it unfold.


We have 14 prize sponsors for our Steampunk Hop - we're proud to say these are small businesses run by artists. Let's show them some love! 

1) A Vintage Girl (https://www.avintagegirlshop.com/) - $20 prize package

2) Angel Dream Crafts (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AngeldreamCraftsKim) - $20 gift certificate (shipping not included)

3) Linda Israel Art (https://lindaisrael.com/art/) - $50 gift certificate (shipping not included)

4) A Matter of Crafts (www.justamatterofcrafts.com) - $20 gift certificate (shipping not included)

5) Expressions Craft (https://www.expressionscraft.com/) - $25 gift certificate (shipping not included)

6) Nellys Artistic Creations (https://www.instagram.com/nellys_artistic_creations/?hl=en) - original artwork (see link for examples of her work)

7) Gecko Galz (https://www.etsy.com/shop/geckogalz) - $25 in digital products

8) Creative Embellishments (https://creativeembellishments.com/) - $50 (shipping not included) 

9) Emerald Creek (https://emeraldcreek.co/) - $25 gift certificate 

10) Electric Pandemonium (Etsy.com/shop/electricpandemonium) - choose a $45 original artwork piece (shipping not included) 

11) Thompson's Craft Supplies (https://thompsonscraftsupplies.com/) £20 (approx $25)  (shipping not included) 

12) It's Oddly Appealing (https://www.pinterest.com/itsoddlyappealing/its-oddly-appealing/) - original artwork (see link for examples of her work) 

13) The Funkie Junkie Boutique (https://www.thefunkiejunkie.com/) - $25 gift certificate 

14) Hobbilicious (https://www.hobbilicious.com/) - £15 (approx $19) (UK shipping free) 

To have a chance of winning one of the 14 coveted prizes, leave a comment on this post, along with your email address or social media contact (IG, FB, etc) and what country you're from, from now through Monday, 22 June. Fourteen winners will be picked randomly from all comments left from all of the artist's participating! The winners will be contacted via email so it's important you leave your address! Good luck and enjoy the hop!
Everyone is welcome, so tell your friends to come & join in with the fun too!
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I will also have a give away, 2 in fact. All commenters on this post will be chosen at random, if your friends also comment & mention your name, you will get 2 entries (Prizes TBC) I will also be having my own give away on the day of the hop on Friday 19th June 9am Eastern U.S time - 2.00pm GMT (UK)
I'm looking forward to seeing you all joining in with the fun!
Jane x