Serendipitously Resisting

I was looking through some old sketch books looking for a couple of old drawings for a reference for a new project, a painted quilted wall hanging. I came across an article I had tucked into one of the books about a Japanese man who makes beautiful silk kimonos and uses a rice paste as a resist. I need a washable resist, so this sounded like something worth exploring.   After looking at a few articles, I decided, this seems to be more work than I really want to do for a resist that will only last a few days once made.  More exploring and I found mention of pastes made with  cassava roots, yams, and  flour.  I don’t want to spend a lot of time making a resist,  I want to paint!  After researching the flour paste resist I found a couple of blogs that talk about their process, basically I found that most people use equal parts flour and water and mixing it until it’s free of  lumps.  One person uses a pastry bag with a small tip to pipe  on  squiggles.  After drying overnight, she  lightly cracks it so she gets a great batik effect.   I don’t want cracks, I want nice smooth lines, so on with the experiment.   I mixed the flour and water into a smooth paste and painted it on with an old paint brush.    I also tried a medicine syringe which made a nice rounded barrier,  and also made the material pucker.   Note: do not try to straighten out the puckers, it makes the flour paste crack.   Somewhat frustrated by now, I made another search of my supply closet and finally found the commercially made water based resist I bought several years ago.

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Serendipitously Resisting

Discover Handmade June 21

Hello everyone and welcome to Discover Handmade for June 21, 2013. While I was searching around the shops this week I started thinking about the definition of ‘Artist’. What is an artist? A creator, a designer, a skilled crafter, a person who expresses themselves through a medium, an innovator. Hmmm…..Something to think about.

Now…..please take look at what I found on Handmade Artists’: a Greeting Card, a Metro Pendant, a pair of Chalcedony Earrings, a Childs 2 Piece Set, and a Frog Print.  These items were created by…

Drum Roll Please…… ajsdesigns, trusk4u, kayratastaki, UniquelyKidsWear, and startsarts from Handmade Artists’.  As you read the items below, you may visit the artist shop page by clicking the title or shop name. A new window will open for your convenience. Let me show you what I discovered…

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Discover Handmade June 21

Recess at Work Day

Do you remember those bygone days of school when you would count the minutes until recess? So sad that those days are gone, or are they? Welcome to Recess at Work Day! An amazing day that says you are never too old for recess. In honor of all those hard working people that need a break for fun and games, I present to you some handmade ways to take a few minutes of much deserved fun.

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Recess at Work Day

Featured Artist Pam of A Bead Thing

Rarely does our life follow the path we thought they would, but these detours often land us in a place of amazing adventure! Such is the case of Pam Andrews, one time administrator and real estate agent turned homeschooling grandmother and artist!
Pam raised two children while living in the rat race of real estate, admitting that between work and family there was barely time to breath.  Since taking an early retirement, Pam’s life has taken a very different direction.  Her beloved grandson, Jaeden is both profoundly gifted and deals with ADHD.  Unable to work within the traditional school system, Pam took the leap of faith and began homeschooling him full time…which she says had turned out to be the most important position she has ever held.  When she is not creating or schooling, she relaxes by reading to herself or to Jaeden or watching cop shows or cooking.  She enjoys doing for her family and friends and is always on hand to lend an ear or a home cooked meal.
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Featured Artist Pam of A Bead Thing

Discover Handmade June 14

Good morning friends! Welcome to Discover Handmade June 14! Did you know the ‘Rose’ represents the month of June? Hmmm….. Do I have a few rosy treats for you today from BeadWizzard, PatchworkMountain, WoodstockNYC, and FabricOfMyMind. These terrific artists sell their amazing handmade products, right here at HandmadeArtists.com.

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Discover Handmade June 14

Featured Artist Gabrielle of My Lovi

“It is never nuts to do something you love. But that is what it has to be. If you are doing it for the money, then there is no passion in it and will reflect in your products.” Wise words from a talented crafter with a passion for handmade and buy local!
In addition to being an extremely talented artist, Gabrielle has been in Internet Marketing for over 25 years and is currently working on her AdWords Certification.  She is the proud mother of two wonderful children who are out making their own way in the world and married to the love of her life since 2005.  Her darling husband managed to retire early and is now the designer and builder of the furniture that the couple creates.  They love to spend time at their home in Maine, working in the garden and creating side by side.
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Featured Artist Gabrielle of My Lovi

CBakerDesigns: HAFshop: Top Ten Reasons to Join

HAFshop: Top Ten Reasons to Join

Are you a handmade artist looking for a marketplace to sell your products?

Maybe you are thinking about opening a second shop to expand your business? 

Tired of paying fees to list your products in your shop? 

Frustrated with resellers claiming to be handmade? 

Handmade Artists’ Shop (HAFshop) is the place you’re looking for! Why?

Read my Top Ten reasons to join HAFshop and you’ll understand why…

 

Click on the link below for the full feature!! 

CBakerDesigns: HAFshop: Top Ten Reasons to Join: Are you a handmade artist looking for a marketplace to sell your products? Maybe you are thinking about opening a second shop to ex...

Best Friend Day

Best Friend Day!

June 8th is BEST FRIEND DAY

Best Friend Day is a time to enjoy and appreciate your best friend. It’s a day to honor and cherish the relationship.

If you’re lucky, you have a best friend. If you are real lucky, you have a number of best friends. Best friends are very, very special people. You spend countless hours with your best friend going to events and activities, or just hanging out.
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Best Friend Day

Discover Handmade June 7

Hi everyone and welcome to Discover Handmade….It’s all about Dad

Father’s Day is about nine days away and there is still time to order a gift for Dad. Here at Handmade Artists, you can find a large variety of handcrafted gifts for just about every occasion, including Father’s Day. Sure, you can go to your local mall and pickup the standard gift, but why not give him something unique this year? A special handmade gift to say… ’Thanks Dad!’

Look no further, I found a few more gift ideas for Dad… or for that special man in your life, made by HandmadeCreationsbyShelly, forkedupart, 1337Art, and Nicilaskin.

 Lets take a closer look at these handmade creations for Dad…

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Discover Handmade June 7

So You Want To Open a Store

Written by ~The Alchemists Vessel~
It has been a long-time dream of mine to open and operate my own store. The idea of the store has morphed from form or another, but always staying within the same vein or theme of handmade art and gifts.
In October of last year, I was graciously offered an empty building on a lot with an already established business, walking and drive-by traffic in and excellent location along a main thoroughfare of my city.  Next month that dream will come to fruition as I begin to move into Little Shop of Artists, in Boise, Idaho, with several other local participating Artist vendors on July 1, 2013.

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So You Want To Open a Store

HA Shop Shout Outs It's Not all Black and White

It’s Not All Black and White

Handmade Artists Shops Shout Out

Stunning Creations featured today in Rich Black and Silver!  3 New Handmade Artists Shops being featured in today’s Shout Out! It’s Not All Black and White! Help Support Handmade Artistsans! Buy Handmade!

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HA Shop Shout Outs It's Not all Black and White