Michelle G Brown | Mixed Media Art

Mixed Media Jewelry Artist Susan Walls

~ * ~

This article was written by Michelle G Brown

I had the privilege of watching an ICE Resin demonstration at CHA in January 2014. I had heard a lot about this product and had listened to an interview by Julie Fei Fan Balzer with Jen Cushman, one of the partners, along with Susan Lenart Kazmer who make up the ICE Resin team. The jewellery I had seen produced by the ICE resin was just gorgeous and it was great to watch the process of using the resin, as well as seeing the elements and bezels up close. And that day the demonstration was done by Susan Walls.

Susan Walls certainly brought a sparkle to that demonstration, stepping us through the process and patiently answering many questions. And, of course, she was wearing AMAZING earrings – I just had to know more about her, so we sat down for a Skype chat, after the CHA rush was subsiding so we could learn a bit more about the charming Susan Walls.

South California is where Susan can be found, hanging out with her husband and two kids. These days she makes jewellery and cool stuff. And while she has always been “creative”, the artistic pathway she is following today took a bit of a detour after collage as she ventured into the restaurant business. Even then Susan would sell the jewellery and clothes she had made and was wearing.

For nearly 20 years, Susan had followed Susan Lenart Kazmer and loved her style and jewelry. Susan began to make her own jewellery through the 1990’s on a part time bases and started playing with resin about 5 years ago, watching the increase in popularity of ICE resin along the way.

Eventually Susan found herself at a cross-roads where having kids and the restaurant business, with it’s long, unsociable hours, just wasn’t working, so she transitioned to a stay at home mom, which, as we all know, has its own challenges! That was when Susan’s artistic business with painting murals started. When that got too busy, Susan shifted again, this time focusing on mixed media jewellery, with painting and a “few other things” also thrown in.

Resin, metal elements and shrink plastic are the key materials Susan likes to include into her pieces. She loves creating charm jewellery pieces, with themes that include humour and words that capture our imaginations.

“I want people to laugh and respond”, Susan says when asked about her style of mixed media jewelry. And Susan’s obsession with these materials continues. She keeps a notebook beside her bed to capture those inspiring ideas in the middle of the night and jot them down so she can remember them in the morning.

While Susan has been attending CHA show for 10 years, 2014 was her second time demonstrating with the ICE Resin team, after joining their Design Team in the middle of 2012.

“CHA is just the best time, catching up with the clan and creative circle”, Susan says. And she left with the fog of creative inspiration in her head, ready to head back to her studio and continuing with her mixed media jewellery making.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Framed Faces Mixed media bracelet – made with artists grade shrink plastic, paper, Ice resin

Mona Lisa earrings – made with artists grade shrink plastic, paper, Ice Resin

Part of an ongoing series “Flower People” – made with Artists grade shrink plastic, paper, Ice Resin

This bracelet “Time” and the one at the top of the article “Butterfly Flight” went to the Emmy celebrations here in Los Angeles. The Ice Resin Design Team was tasked with making over 100 one of a kind bracelets for the celebrity swag bags given out at the event. It was very exciting!

Each is a combination of Iced enamels, layered vintage papers, and Ice resin with various metal components.

~*~

You can see more of Susan’s whimsical work on her website ~ Susans Art Circus or on her Facebook page ~ Susan’s Charming Trinkets. If you would like to own your own piece of Susan Walls Jewelry, you can visit her Etsy Shop ~ Charming Trinkets

You can find the Julie Fei Fan Balzer Podcast with Jen Cushman, talking more about ICE Resin here ~ Adventures in Arting Podcast

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Michelle G. Brown is passionate about mixed media art and enjoys sharing her knowledge and techniques with you to allow you to express your own creativity. Michelle understands that many of us have an inner need to create. By learning a few basic techniques the amazing world of mixed media art is accessible to everyone!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

.

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Artists Tagged With: Artists grade shrink plastic, bezels, ICE Resin, whimsical jewelry

Packing Tips from a Creative Journey Traveler

By MMA Team 6 Comments

This article is written by Tamara Dinius

My husband and I are leaving for a short two-day trip and I will spend considerable time planning out the details so that we have an enjoyable time. I think planning is an important key to achieving your goals. So why is it that most of us fail to plan for our own creative journeys?

When I set out on my creative journey this past year I failed to prepare for success. I signed up for online classes with a number of different artists. I watched all their videos and read the accompanying files. I soaked up each artists instructions and was fascinated by the different techniques and styles that they shared. I purchased the supplies they recommended and set-up a work space. I was set to have the creative juices flow and make earth-shattering art. But then reality set in.

The brush sat frozen in my hand. Who was I to think I could create art? What would family and friends think of my efforts? How would I compare with other artists and students posting their work on Facebook? Is the time and money I have put into this journey going to be worth it? The insecurity that I started to experience was unlike anything I had gone through before. I struggled more than I care to admit, but I eventually found my way. I would like to share with you a few things I learned along the road to creative freedom.

On your creative journey be sure to pack the following:

Self confidence

Know that you have an artistic point of view that is all your own. Don’t try to emulate what others are doing if it doesn’t inspire or speak to you. Only when you are true to yourself can you begin to find your own style. Copying techniques and lessons are fine, but remember to add your own character to your art.

A can-do attitude

Make art. And then make more art. You CAN do this. As Yoda says, “Do, or do not, there is no try”.

Freedom

Allow yourself the freedom of self-expression. I create my best work when I don’t set boundaries or limitations on my creative process. Give yourself the freedom to post your work within the classroom Facebook pages, or on your own Facebook page. With freedom comes self-acceptance.

Appreciation

Remember to be as kind to yourself as you are to others. Appreciate the efforts you are making and congratulate yourself when you reach a milestone.

Patience

Don’t try and compare your first painting to someone else’s twenty-first. It takes time to develop your own style. You didn’t learn to walk without first learning to crawl. Embrace your imperfections and continue to practice your art. It’s not how many times you fall that matters, it’s how many times you get back up.

Support

Seek out others who are sharing a similar creative journey. Join groups with similar interests on Facebook. Follow blogs, twitter feeds, or Facebook pages of other mixed media artists or companies that support mixed media. Appreciate the hard work of other artists who post their work and leave kind, encouraging comments. I have been in awe of the support that the mixed media art groups give one another.

Your wings

Last, but not least, remember your wings. My wings were no bigger than that of a butterfly’s when I first started my journey. But I have grown, and my wings have expanded to keep up with me. They are a beautiful metaphor for my growth and the changes I have gone through creatively. Find your wings and get ready to soar.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Author bio:

Tamara Dinius lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and chocolate lab. She was creative from a very young age (her love of markers started in the second grade) and has been taking classes throughout her adult life. Her love for mixed media has taken over most aspects of her creative journey. She believes mixed media allows for a broad range of styles and anyone can find success in this form of artistic expression. Tamara seeks to inspire and encourage others in their own creative journey.

You can find more of Tamara’s work, and her blog, on her website Country Crafters USA or via her Facebook

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

.

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Inspiration Tagged With: creative journey, inspiration, Mixed Media, self expression

Vintage Birthday Greeting Card

By MMA Team Leave a Comment

~ * ~

There is nothing that shares those special sentiments like handmade birthday cards. Michelle has used the images from the Mixed Media art Ephemera Sheet 20 – Vintage Birthday Wishes to create this lovely card. The pink image with the works “To a Dear Sister on her Birthday” captured Michelle’s imagination for this handmade birthday cards and she began to pull out pink card and embellishments.

Materials & Tools

Pink “To Dear Sister” image,
downloaded and printed from Mixed Media art Ephemera Sheet 20 – Vintage Birthday Wishes
Pink card [148mm x 210mm / 6″ x 8 1/4″ approx.]
Black card [94mm x 135mm / 3 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ approx.]
Color-coordinate paper [90mm x 130mm / 3 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ approx.]
Pink ribbon [12omm / 5″]
5 chipboard flowers
Cutting mat, craft knife and steel ruler
Scissors
Double sided tape
Black ink and pink ink
Mod Podge Sparkle

Instructions

1. Print out the ephemera sheet and choose an image that appeals to you. Gather materials that suit the color scheme of the image. You will need card and a few embellishments.

2. Fold pink card in half to create greeting card. I prefer to score the card first to make sure the fold is in the center of the card.

3. Cut black card to size. The measurements provided are approximate only – use your own judgment to determine what size looks “right” for the layers.

4. Layer black card and ribbon onto pick card with double sided tape

5. Cut printed paper to size and attach onto card with double sided tape

6. Cuto out image from ephemera sheet

7. Edge image with black ink and attach to card

8. Color chipboard flowers with pink ink

9. Using Sparkle Mod Podge, attach pink flowers and leave to dry. Add other sparkle highlights to image, as desired.

10. Your handmade vintage greeting cards complete

Happy creating!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can see more of Michelle’s work at Mixed Media Art or via Facebook – Creating Mixed Media Art

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Filed Under: Greeting Cards Tagged With: black ink, pink ink, vintage images

Ranger Art Gallery at CHA 2014

By MMA Team 1 Comment

This article is written by Michelle G. Brown of Mixed Media Art

One of the (many) amazing things about the Craft and Hobby Industry show is the artwork that is on display, whichever way you turn! Every booth is covered with fantastic artwork, showing off both the manufacturers wonderful products and the designers amazing flair, creativity and individual style.

The Ranger booth had the most wonderful gallery on display, showcasing 22 different designers and artists who all answered the question “How do you Distress?” in their own creations. There were canvases, altered boxes and other substrates, using many different Ranger products.

Here are a few of the ones that caught my eye.

These gorgeous 3D butterflies by the Vintaj Design Team were such a delight with their colours and 3D design. The tree branch, using a real twig, and leaves help to frame the artwork.

~ * ~

Debi Adams combined the vintage creams with light blue. I love her use of texture paste for the leaves on the left, as well as the burlap tag and vintage music.

~ * ~

Donna Downey showcased her wonderful 3D poppies with lots of texture and depth – I just wanted to touch this one!

~ * ~

Ink washes creates these lovely layers of green and blue, by Wendy Vecchi. She the added some stamping and cut outs to add a focal point.

~ * ~

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer presented this fun, metallic rectangle stack up, that is just full of colour and texture. Julie runs us through the steps for this embossed foam and distress paint process in this tutorial on her blog.

~ * ~

Shelly Hickox created this piece with a subtle background and stunning 3D flowers. I love all of the soft colours on the flower petals and leaves.

~ * ~

Combining her gorgeous face sketch with 3D elements, Dina Wakely has put these elements over a soft bluey, green background, created with stencils and a paint wash.

~ * ~

Richele Christensen has created this lovely piece using a range of inks and stamps to frame the central focal point, adding a variety of garden elements to compete the work. I love the bright yellow that draws the eye into the artwork.

~ * ~

This vintage piece was created by Tammy Tutterow – just look at the edges of the ephemera; lovely and curled and edges with brown, giving it the prefect aged look.

~ * ~

Shari Carroll has used texture paste to create a great background, then adding a simple, yet effective heart and flowers as the focal point.

~ * ~

Tim Holtz has used layers of inks and tissue to create this background, adding a selection of Ranger and Idea-ology ephemera to complete the piece.

~ * ~

And finally, Paula Cheney has created a lovely frame, using the same elements throughout the piece but adding stamping and highlights in charcoal to set the frame apart from the central focal point.

~ * ~

Each and every one of these pieces will provide inspiration and with such a variety of colours and mixed media techniques used, I’m sure you will find at least one or two that appeals to your colour palette and style.

Happy creating!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can see more of Michelle’s work at Mixed Media Art or via Facebook – Creating Mixed Media Art

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

.

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Inspiration Tagged With: CHA 2014, Craft and Hobby Association, Donna Downey, How do you Distress?, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Ranger Products, Tim Holtz

Michelle G Brown | Mixed Media Art

Mixed Media Jewelry Artist Susan Walls

Packing Tips from a Creative Journey Traveler

Vintage Birthday Greeting Card

Materials & Tools

Instructions

Ranger Art Gallery at CHA 2014

We are OPEN

Meet the team!

See us on YouTube

Recent Posts

Topics

Recent Comments

Topics

Footer #4 Widget