Wednesday
06May
Tuesday
23Dec
Homemade Gifts for the Holidays
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 8:15PM 
Today was my first time on TV as a professional crafter! This segment was titled Gifts Homemade by Kids and we made Votive Candle Holders, Pinch Pots and Glitter Gift Tags. The segment was scheduled to run a week ago but this crazy snow postponed the broadcast. I haven't figured out a way to embed the video since it sits on KATU's site, so you'll need to click on the image or one of the Gifts Homemade by Kids links to watch. It stays live for a year and will be around until December 23, 2009.
This turned out to be a good thing. It was Natania and Frances' first time on TV. Since they were taped instead of shot live, they were able to get used to the studio, the cameras and get to know Helen (who they thought was "really nice"). They were naturals!
Here are the directions incase you miss the video along with some tips for greening these projects:
Decorative Votives
Candles are always a holiday hit. These pretty votives are easy and quick to make. Some can have a leaf or design cut out and covered with white tissue paper. Others can have colored tissue paper covering the votive for a stained glass effect.
Supplies:
- juice glasses or baby food jars - I like to rinse out jelly jars and re-use them
- white and colored tissue papers - I save tissue paper from the holidays + birthdays
- watered down elmer's glue or modge podge - here is a link to make your own glues
- brush for glue
- votive candle
Directions: For the design votive, collect small leaves, dried flowers or even cut out snowflakes, trees, designs by hand or using a die cutter. brush the back of the cut out design and apply to the glass jar. Then take a piece of white tissue paper and cover the entire jar. Let dry overnight. For the stained glass votive, cut the colored papers into little squares or tear into strips (kids LOVE doing this part) brush the jar with glue and stick on the colored paper until the whole jar is covered. Let dry overnight. Both of these cast a really pretty glow.
Pinch Pots
Everyone needs a little bowl to hold earrings or change. Air dried pinch pots are a popular project for kids. People really like seeing that the bowl was made with a child's hands. I have pinch pots that are 40 years old so they last a really long time because of their sentimental value.
Supplies:
- Prang, Das, Crayola air hardening modeling clay
- sharpie markers in all sorts of colors - you can also use waterbased markers, they might run if water spills on the pot
- glitter + glue
Directions: You can create a pinch pot by pulling off a little clump and using your fingers to shape a bowl. You can also create a pot by rolling snakes of clay and building up a pot one coil at a time. Depending on the size of the pot, they'll need a couple days or more to air dry. To be on the safe side, I would make these 5-7 days in advance. You can use the red clay which is earthy colored. But, you can also use the white clay and have your kids paint or draw on it with markers once the pots are fully dry. I like using Sharpie Markers because they come in a wide range of colors and are permanent. Paint takes time to dry, especially when kids want to paint all sides. The markers dry instantly. Be sure to monitor so they don't get the permanent ink on furniture or clothes. You can also embellish the pots with glue and glitter after they've been decorated.
Glitter Gift Cards + Tags
Every gift needs a card and/or tag!
Supplies:
- kid's drawing or holiday imagery
- colored card stock or construction paper - I also save old cards and papers for re-use
- glitter + glue
- glue sticks
Directions: Decide the size of your card so it fits in an envelope you want to use and cut out the paper. You can also purchase pretty precut papers and envelopes in a variety of colors if you don't want to cut out paper. You can also take colored 8 1/2 x 11 paper and fold into quarters. This will fit in an A2 size envelope which is 5.5" x 4.25".
Have your child draw a holiday or seasonal themed picture. Snowmen, birds, elves, stars etc make great pictures. Scan the picture into your computer or take to a copy place that can scan the image or make colored copies for you. You can also print the image out on a photo printer. Just make sure the image can be cut out and glued to the front of your card (above). You just don't want it too big.
Have your child help glue the picture to the front of the card. Then take glue and trace a thin line around the edge of the picture. You should probably do this if your child is young. Sprinkle with glitter. You can also take elements in the picture and glitter them like a snowman's hat or seeds by a bird. Dont' be afraid to embellish with glitter. Everyone likes glitter!
If your child can write, have them hand write a message inside the card. You can do this same thing in any size to create a hanging ornament or gift tag.
The gift tag designs are available for download. Please remember these are copyrighted so do not alter or use them for resale, but you are more than welcome to use them for your projects at home.
Friday
19Dec
Use Any Creative Endeavor to Expand Your Technique
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 8:01PM 
My mother and I have a tradition of making gifts for each other. For my birthday she made me a beautiful, felted pin. I decided to make her a mixed media piece for the holidays. This is a combination of painting on board, photography, collage and encaustic. Even though this isn’t the usual abstract art that I do using encaustics, any creation is a great chance to explore new techniques.
I photographed this beautiful pink rose that grows in front of my studio. Then I printed two pictures out on vellum paper. I cut out the first rose as a whole piece. I cut out the second rose into petals and sections.
After painting the board a cameo blue, I applied a couple layers of clear encaustic paint onto the board and applied the first rose image. Then I took the second rose and applied the petals between multiple layers of clear and white encaustic.
Finally, I took an x-acto knife and cut into the wax to create the green tendrils. Wearing gloves and a mask, I applied Aglaia green powdered pigment with my fingers into the grooves, wiping and scraping away excess powder. Then I covered with more layers of clear encaustic. I love how the layers lend an alabaster or marble effect to the piece. I will definitely play more with embedding powdered pigments into my abstract work!
tagged Collage, Photography, encaustic, mixed media, rose in Collage, Photography, encaustic
Collage, Photography, encaustic, mixed media, rose in Collage, Photography, encaustic 