What's in a Name?

Just had to share this. I was working on some art with my new line of stamps, "Moustachio", and trying to come up with names for each character. A friend of mine, who just happens to be a psychologist, was here for an afternoon of art. I finished the Artist Trading Card and asked what a good name would be...she didn't blink an eye...she immediately suggested co-dependent. I love it, so here is my ATC "Co-dependent". I used gesso, acrylic paints and stamped the image onto tissue paper. I love using tissue paper with stamps, it is so absorbent...you get such a clear image. I also colored the tissue paper with gel pens before I applied it to the ATC with gloss medium.I added the legs with gel pens as well.

 Here are a few other characters from the line.

                                                       "Cornelius" colored with gel pens.

 I am trying to get them all up on Etsy but it's a chore. I need a new camera, I need better lighting, I need to get better at photoshop...blah...blah...blah.  My dream is to have them licensed so someone else can sell them.

                                                              "Luigi" with gel pens.

 I took Kelly Rae Roberts online class, "Flying Lessons", she explains so much about how to set up and evolve a creative business. She has been major successful in licensing her art. It is a long road and so much to learn. In the meantime I wanted to share my fun and my journey.

                                      "Sid", I added a butterfly stamp and colored with gel pens.

Some CHA Favorites

I love CHA, the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show. This is my third year to attend. Every year I get to meet some of my favorite artists and crafters as well as getting a sneak peek of all the new products. Every time I go I am struck by how many new markers are out there. I want them all!!!...even if I am not sure what to do with half of them. Some are permanent others water soluble...fine tip or chisel tip...transparent or opaque....I'm confused! Somebody please fill me in.

This year I did a few make and takes with some fabulous artists and saw demos with others. Joanne Sharpe was demonstrating Twinkling H2O's and Silks Acrylic Glazes by Luminarte. These are on my list of what to add to my craft stash. Joanne also has some great online classes I must take.

                                      Look at the yummy colors available in Twinkling H2O's!!

Julie Fei Fan-Balzar had a great make and take using Dreamweaver embossing paste. Several companies now have amazingly colored molding pastes...or demonstrated how to add color to molding paste. Another thing on my list...work more with molding pastes, I love texture.

                                                        Dreamweaver embossing paste.

Beacon adhesives had a make and take decorating these gorgeous little felt bags. They had tons of flowers, buttons and gems and glitter to choose from. Janet Takahasi and Angie Vangalis choose the gray bag....I went for the turquoise (my favorite color). Kind of wish I had gone with gray too...really beautiful with the brightly colored embellishments added. Had a great time walking the show with Janet and Angie, both are exceptional lettering artists who seem to know what to do with every marker and brush they pick up.

                              In the Beacon booth with Janet Takahashi and Angie Vangalis.

More later!!

"Moustachio" Houses

Just got back from a fabulous week in Anaheim, CA...attended the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show. So many things to talk about... I will be filling you in all week. There were so many talented artists and crafters there.....so many great new products. I will also be talking about my new line of Moustachio House stamps.

                  This is one of the stamps, measures 2 1/2" x 2". I colored it in with gel pens. 

They were manufactured for me by a company in Anaheim and I picked them up before the CHA show. I love, love, love them...it's such a great feeling to see your designs become stamps. They are based on a series of drawings I have done over the last few months. Fun little house shapes with mustaches...."Moustachio" is the name of the line.

   Same stamp....colored in with Inktense pencils. This watercolor paper is a little rough...next time I will use a smoother paper.

                                       
It's been great fun to experiment with these little guys...adding personality and flourish to them. I plan to give each one a name...any ideas for the one above?? Since I love to work in my Smash Journals I have drawn, painted and collaged some of my houses in my journals as well.

         Acrylic paint, paint markers and clippings from magazines are used for Deedle Deedle Dum. Kind of Teesha Moore style. Using the eyes and lips from magazine pages as well as the borders.

    Acrylic paint, paint markers, napkins as collage. "Hung over", because the roof reminds me of an ice pack on the head.

                Acrylic paint, paint markers and stamps. "Adios Amigo" Complete with a big tear.

These are hand-made journals, filled with old envelopes. I normally add gesso and scrap paper to them and then add painted images. I love using recycled materials...envelopes can be made very durable for journal use with gesso, paint and collage.