SO Art Studio

I am an artist, tinkerer and designer. Here you'll find an intimate look at what inspires my work and piques my curiosity.

yo yo’s, not the human kind… April 1, 2012

Filed under: Arts,clothing,Creativity,Etsy,Handmadeology,Quilting,Sewing,Shopping,Thrift — SO Art Studio @ 9:43 AM
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I like to explore the shops when I visit the beach, usually the quilt store (used to do beads until it closed) although dangerous to the pocketbook the quilt store is not fattening… Thank god!   I can always find a book there or a gadget (or yes fabric to fulfill my addiction).   This last time, I found a gadget, I thought was pretty cool.  Knowing me it has probably been around for a while, but it is new to me!  It is from Clover and called the Quick Yo-Yo Maker and you can find it on the Clover website at http://www.clover-usa.com/product/453736/8702/_/Quick_Yo-yo_Maker_%28Extra_Small%29. 

I bought the extra small one just to see how well it worked.  They were so right, it whips up a small yo-yos,  lickety split.  I think that without this I would never have tried making one this small.   Of course now I need to figure out what to do with them all.   But that is always  a separate endeavor.  My first idea is to add sparkly beads to the center and then encase in resin and make something pretty to wear.   If I had a light switch mold that might be another colorful idea for resin and tiny yo-yos.  I will share whatever I come up with, whenever that might be.  Here is an example of what they look like.  Sideline quilts on Etsy makes them by the boatload.

 

Beachy Book Pages March 20, 2012

Filed under: Altered books,Arts,books,Creativity,Paper,Thrift,Writing — SO Art Studio @ 11:20 AM
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I had some fun this weekend at the beach, playing with my book pages, paints and pencils.  I had a vague idea of what I might want to work on, and since I only had a few days, I thought it would be perfect to start some drawing and maybe even color some in with paint.

 

Good thing I had my stuff, the weather ran quite the gamut over the weekend.  First it rained (totally expected, as it is Oregon)  then on Saturday the blessed sun came out, this pushed me outside to absorb the warmth and color! (the whole beach lights up with color when the sun comes out)  Then on Sunday it snowed!   I was greatly amused by the changes in the weather as they were so extreme.  It fit me perfectly, as I never do anything in a logical to others order.   You would think the weather would go in order of sun, rain, snow, not rain sun snow… oh well, chalk it up to the wonders of the world…

Before I left I had finished a drawing and painted it and applied it to my notebook. I used a page from an old book to draw and paint on and then applied it to my notebook using Golden Matte Medium. 

While I was there I drew and painted one for the other side.  This page is also an old book page but you really cannot tell due to the amount of paint used.

I am seemingly obsessed with my little chickens and they seem to come out of the woodwork no matter where I go.  Yes, I even draw in restaurants.  On napkins, you question?  Nope, I carry a tiny wallet type purse, and I have managed to always keep a set of white index cards and a pen in there.   Very handy for when the order takes a while and your companion (read husband) runs out of conversation.

C’est la vie

.

 

Wearing your words…. March 15, 2012

Filed under: Arts,clothing,Creativity,Etsy,Photography,screen printing,Shopping,Thrift — SO Art Studio @ 9:13 AM
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I was thinking today about my friend Adam.  I have known him for a few years now and have always been impressed with his artistic sense.   He is a pretty down to earth kind of guy, no pretense and generally a pretty happy dude.   I met him at the Art Gallery, he is a really wonderful photographer, that despite being so young, photographs in a  very old school way.   However, it wasn’t his photography that I was thinking about today, it was his screen printing.

 

Adam has dabbled in screen printing for a long time..   He has always had T-shirts with messages up by the collar or the pocket or the front or the back… you get the point I am sure.   Whenever I asked him; hey where did you get that shirt?  His answer was always, I made it!   I love that!   The making of things when you need them, when there  just isn’t anything out there just like how you want it.

 

I was not surprised when he kicked off his screen printing business, nor was I surprised to see that it reflects the different parts of his personality.   Just the name Serigraph Monotone.   Meaning of serigraph being an “original silk-screen color print” and monotone meaning  “a succession of syllables, words, or sentences in one unvaried key or pitch”.    One of his prints is “I produce top notch free hugs” and one of the others is “Hug your local mail carrier”  now not all of his shirts are about hugs he has many other sayings as well.   The best part is that he prints on each shirt by hand and with care to make it just right.  You gotta love that!

 

You can find him on facebook where he models some of his shirts and shows off some photo’s of equipment.  You can reach him directly via email at Serigraphmonotone@gmail.com.

 

If you have words you want to wear, talk to Adam….

 

 

 

Stitching up some jewelry…. March 2, 2012

Filed under: Creativity,Handmadeology,Jewelry,Sewing,Thrift,Uncategorized — SO Art Studio @ 5:48 PM
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Once upon a time I would have thought I would never have the patience to learn the different stitches for making jewelry from seed beads.   But, just recently I stepped forward and gave it a try.   Wow, I really like the result!  Now I didn’t just use seed beads, because it finally dawned on my that I was limiting myself (MEANING NOT TRYING IT) by just using the standard size 11 seed beads.  So I stitched my first panel using herringbone stitch and glass square beads.  I loved the look!  Since then I have stitched up quite a few of these, practicing the herringbone, learning the even count peyote stitch.   I will share when I finally get them made into proper bracelets!

 

Die Cut Fabric easy December 6, 2011

Filed under: Arts,Creativity,Etsy,Fiber,Handmadeology,How to,Paper,Quilting,Sewing,Shopping,Thrift,Uncategorized — SO Art Studio @ 8:04 PM
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Are you a scrapbooker that has invested in one of the die cutting systems like Sizzix or one of the others?   Are you looking to stretch how you use this equipment?   Wow, I am starting to sound like a company rep!

Ok, I have a couple of these die cut pieces of equipment and I love them.   I found out recently that the quilting world has one as well for cutting fabric.   This made me wonder if the one I have for paper would cut fabric.   It does.   It opened a whole new world for me, it made me think about how I could use fabric instead of paper for projects.

Now here is the disclaimer, that I do this at my own risk to damage to my dies.  If you choose to do this and it results in damage to your dies etc, I am not liable.  It is your choice to do so.

First iron a sewable fusible on the back of your fabric.   Cut the fabric into pieces the size of your die.   Run it through your machine.   VIOLA! you now have a pre-cut fusible that you can iron onto any other fabric.

I used sewable fusible because I wanted to be able to sew through the applique after it was applied, without gumming up my machine needle.

With some of the letter embroidery sewing machines out there, you could embroider the fabric, apply the fusible, then die cut out any shape you have on hand.

Too much fun!!!

 

Easy Charm Bracelet for the holidays November 28, 2011

Filed under: Christmas,Creativity,Etsy,EtsyLush,How to,Jewelry,Shopping,Thrift,Uncategorized — SO Art Studio @ 1:04 AM
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Easy charm bracelet that you can make as a gift or bedazzle it for your own holiday attire.   All you need is a chain that you like with links big enough for fit a lobster clasp in the links.    Here are some sources for the supplies (its also a good way to see what each item is):

Lobster Clasps – These Open and close and you will attach to your chain

Hanging charms – 5-12 charms that you will attached a split ring to.

Chain – This is the base of your bracelet to which you will attach the open part of the lobster clasps.

Split  rings -  These are just like key chain rings only much smaller.   You will want one of these for each charm, and 2 extra potentially for the ends of your chain and I always get 2 more than that to lose in the carpet…

How to:

Now that you have all of your supplies.

Put one charm on each Split ring.

Attach the split ring to the round portion of the lobster clasp.

Attach the open portion of the lobster clasp to a link on the bracelet chain.

(if your bracelet chain is not already equipped with a closure to hold it on your wrist.   You can attach a split ring to one end of the bracelet and then attach that split ring to a lobster clasp. )

The open end of that lobster clasp can then be opened and attached to the other end of the chain when you wear the bracelet.

The great thing about this type of bracelet is that you can switch out the charms as easily as you can undo a clasp.

Give it a try!!

Happy Holidays!!

Sharon

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharonOrella

If you would rather have someone make it for you, then send me a convo on Etsy with 2 week lead time and I can make you a custom bracelet or a bracelet kit.  I will just need to know what theme you want and the size of your wrist.

 

Easy wrap bracelet for the holidays. November 27, 2011

Filed under: Arts,Christmas,Creativity,Etsy,EtsyLush,Handmadeology,How to,Jewelry,Thrift,Uncategorized — SO Art Studio @ 11:44 AM
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A wrapped or memory wire bracelet is one of the easiest pieces of jewelry to make for a beginner.   You will need one package of memory wire sized for bracelets.  You will also need beads of your choice with holes sized large enough to fit the diameter of the memory wire.   Many seed beads will not work for this unless they are the larger ones.   You will also need a pair of Chain nose pliers. (Click for memory wire source) (Click for source of Pliers)

To start locate one end of your memory wire, then using your pliers bend the end back onto itself. (you can also purchase memory wire bead caps. Click here for a source)  It will form a bit of a loop.  This will stop your beads from coming off the end.

Your typical package of memory wire will allow it to go around your wrist several times.  Take a look and decide how many time you want your to wrap around.   Once you know, cut the memory wire at that point (please don’t use your flush cutter for this, the memory wire will damage them)  I use a pair of cutters meant for memory wire. (Link to Memory wire cutters)

Now that you have your length of wire, start stringing beads onto it, use your imagination, if you don’t like a combination then slide them  off and re do.   You can make this total random or in a pattern with the same size and type of bead. (click for bead source)(Source for lovely Crystals)  It is all about what appeals to you.

Once you have them all strung, use your pliers and bend a loop into the end where you were stringing.  This will hold all the beads onto the wire.

Presto a bracelet!!!

What a great gift!  Or if you used those lovely crystals you have a lovely holiday sparkle bracelet….

 

Happy Holidays!

Sharon

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharonOrella

 

P.S.  If you just would like to have a lovely Memory Wire Bracelet made for you, I know just the person.   Give her a call or visit her shop on Etsy.       Click here to visit  her shop and contact her via convo Jewelyett

 

Upcycle? Recycle? Reuse? Repurpose? November 8, 2011

Filed under: Arts,community,Ornaments,Paper,Thrift — SO Art Studio @ 8:36 AM
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What does this all mean when you’re a creative person?  Well, for most it means instead of throwing something away, either find another way to use it or put it in the recycle bin.   That is if your community will recycle it.   In some areas of the country there are community reuse places that you can take your, still useful items in hopes that someone else will find your trash to be a treasure.

Near where I am we have a place called Scrap (School Community reuse action program) it is not all that near to me, but I will make a special trip to get there.   Most of the time though I am a shopper there, but thankfully, there are many that make donations to them.   For example they have lots of fabric, upholstery and wallpaper sample books, yarn, tiles, paper, envelopes etc.   All of which are very reusable to make useful and decorative items.   I have picked up many a large fabric sample to make pillow or handbags.   For the longest time they had a barrel full of corks.  I could never figure out what I could make from a cork, but others did because they dwindled down to nothing eventually.

Perhaps one of my favorite spots is the book and magazine corner, where you can find books and magazines for pennies.   Or the paper corner where you buy office paper for 25 cents an inch.   (measured by the height of your stack)  Sometimes you can find envelopes with no return address, those are great!   But they also have some with a return address which are easily upcycled by sticking your address sticker over theirs.   Scrap keeps so much stuff out of landfills each year just by redistributing it, that they deserve a recycle award!   Besides I have no idea where I would find a barrel of corks or belt blanks to be re-purposed. Would you?

Just recently I incorporated some glossy cardstock from Scrap into my gift tags.  The original sheets were 8 1/2 x 22, so required some cutting down before I could punch them.   It took longer to punch them as they are pretty sturdy, but it was worth it.  The paper is wonderful with my tags.   It embossed beautifully and I am very happy with it.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree Ornament Gift tag

 

I encourage everyone to donate to their local reuse program and to shop there.   You just never know what you will find…

P.S. I found one in San Francisco too..  Scrap (Scrounger’s Center for Reusable Art Parts)  Love it!!

To see more please visit my shop on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharonOrella

Have a great day!

 

Creating, Creating, Creating…. with Paper October 17, 2011

Filed under: Arts,Creativity,Etsy,EtsyLush,Fiber,Handmadeology,How to,Paper,Shopping,Thrift,Uncategorized — SO Art Studio @ 12:42 AM
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I have always loved paper, I love the feel of paper, I love the smell of paper and I truly love the versatility of paper.   Paper can become so many things and mean so much.  I always wonder who and how the first bits of paper were made.  I know that as far back as Egyptian times they were we writing on fibers and making papers.    I have dabbled in making paper several times and enjoyed doing it.   My favorite was when I decided that I was going to make use of all of the junk mail I kept getting.   I began shredding all of my junk mail, envelope and credit card applications and sales flyers etc.  It was not long before I had bags and bags of shredded paper.   I than began throwing it in a blender with some water and unflavored Gelatin.    I had read that the gelatin would hold everything together along with the fibers all interweaving together.   I wound up with some pretty amazing paper pulp (after a LOT of blending).     I made several batches of paper but my fave was the one I added a tiny bit of green food coloring to.   In that batch I threw in some dried flowers, some green food color, and some other twiggy like fibers I had lying around.    All of my  8 x 11 sheets came out a pale green with lots of texture.  I thought they were fabulous!   I little hard to write on, but they went through my inkjet printer rather nicely.   I will have to do that again, perhaps next summer would be good.  I found it best to do this outside, that way I did not worry about spillage or mess.   Memories of my handmade paper are good ones and fit right in with my latest endeavor of paper creations.   I discovered (drum roll puleeze)  embossing!   I have gone a bit overboard in collecting little embossing folders that I put paper in then crank through my little roller machine.   I never get tired of seeing the end product!   I have made tags, lots of tags, many experimental and some that have made it to my Etsy site.    Did I tell you I also love to package these up, and make then pretty so that when people get them I hope they will like them as much as I do.  I only wish I could give as many gifts as I make tags for because then I could gift wrap with paper too.   Ahhh…. so much paper and so little time!

Of course I must share some pictures of my paper creations!

 

Back from my travels and are the Holly-Daze as close as I think? September 1, 2011

Filed under: Arts,community,Creativity,Etsy,EtsyLush,Fiber,Handmadeology,How to,Shopping,Thrift,Uncategorized,Writing,You tube — SO Art Studio @ 9:50 PM
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I am back in the home saddle so to speak.   It has been a whirlwind of activity as I prepared for the Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival artist booth.   I also had to get the lovely daughter off to college out of state.   All somewhat stressful events.   It all worked out and now I need to get my artwork to the 20/40 art challenge at the Odgepodge Gallery for the annual show.     Of course I really need to take some pictures of the artwork first.   But all in time…   I trust it will all work out as one can only do so much at one time.    For some reason as we head into fall here is Oregon the Art season is heating up.   There are local shows to deliver artwork to,  soon the Art Studio tour for Yamhill and Portland will gear up and then the holidays will be in full gear after that.

I look forward to the calm that comes after the holly-daze when there is (hopefully) time to sit and think and create.    If you are already thinking about the holly-daze, I recommend starting now on the search for the perfect item for the loved one you wish to gift to.   Choose something special and unusual that you cannot find at the mall, those are gifts that can be treasured for their uniqueness.  A great place to find locally handmade is on Etsy.com or at your local art/craft shows.   You can find local shows on Festival.net.   My link is for Oregon but you can specify your state or one you’re traveling to.

If you are looking to make some or all of your gifts this year, there are so many things that everyone would enjoy.    An oldie but really good one is recipe in a jar.   Easy to make and you can do it assembly line and have it done lickety split.   There are all kinds of ideas, like soup mix, brownie mix, cake mix, muffin mix etc.   The jar just holds the dry ingredients and then you affix a label with directions like add a cup of milk and 2 eggs, etc….

Whatever you decide to do please feel free to share it here!

 

 
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