Paper And Its Use In The World Of Creativeness

A few years ago I would never think that paper will play such an important role in my life. It sound trivial, or even comic, but that's the truth. 

The initial idea to create consisted in compacting and boiling the fibres of various plants, and once they dried, it was ready to use.  The biggest difference between the current paper and the papirus of that time lies in the production process. Currently, paper is created in result of chemical and mechanical wood processing, and the quality of paper depends on raw materials chosen for its creation.

I think that the history of paper creation is and the process of its improvement  is very fascinating. 

Nowadays, we can find surprising paper creations that I would like to present in this post. 

Decorative paper is my basic work tool and during a few years of creative work I have come across paper with various hardness, transparency, and even a  fibrous paper, so called rice. Currently we can find on the market the paper of the biggest producers such as 'To Do', 'Stamperia', 'Decomania' or 'Finmark'. In my works, besides a ready-made paper, I also print my own patterns or motives and each of them specially protected.  

Browsing through Pinterest, my favourite source of information from the world of creativeness, I came across the wonderful paper creations and decided to create a new board called ' Dry Flowers And Paper Arrangements' devoted to such beauties.

Here is some very unique paper creations. 

                                   

     Pretty Bird By Cheong-ah Hwang

 White Quilling Paper Bird By @Wacomka

 

Quill Snowflakes by @Martha Stewart

 Paper Anemone By @LiaGriffith 

 Paper Shoe By @Kwandera

  Paper Mache Styled 'Singer' Sewing Machine By @Jennifer Collier

Spring Theme And Decoupage Clock With Fruit Motif

   The very idea for this clock was not planned out in advanced. I like napkin designs which are not very close together, so they can be separated, cut out with precision and fit at my discretion in the work.

Napkin Decoupage Wall Clock

 The clock found his home on my driftwood table next to a vase filled with my favourite flowers, daffodils. By being there it has lightened and filled the whole room with it's warmth. In this work other than napkin technique I also utilised  pittorico shading and crackled finish with crackle medium.

 

   

When working with the napkin technique we can cut out or tear out motifs or glue down entire napkins using glue or glue and an iron. Always remember to throw out the two bottom napkin layers. The glue cannot be too thick or too watered down. During the gluing process it is best to wait a moment until the glue has a chance to set a tiny bit and than proceed to gently lay down the napkin from the middle - outward.

 

   At this time I recommend my previous step by step directions, decoupage on metal, to show to a small degree what I mean. 

See you next....

Wooden Clock. Something Different Than Decoupage And My Comeback

I'd like to say that I have almost stopped making decorations due to my illness which has touched me. I have been completely derailed from my rhythm of computer, work, home, handicrafts, computer. Yet I have pulled myself together to realize that aside from worries and thoughts of finding ways to heal my constant dizziness there is something which gives me relief and joy. Designing.

I become the owner of some oak planks and decided to make several clocks. Each of the pieces even in their raw state has charm and I longed to look into their soul. 

These now belong to my small collection of large, wood, country style clocks.
 Each of the clocks was made in a similar style ie. it has been engraved, using a 3D technique and special paste as well as being painted.

The wooden clock is available here  

The first clock is very readable and I think it is my favourite. It has engraved roman numerals, which I've made more visible by painting. Because I have been collecting miniature paintbrushes for a long time, they have finally found their use in this project.

 

Handcrafted Country Wall Clock

The whole work is of course super polished. The clock is available in my shop.

There is a small piece of wooden trunk in my house converted into my mini chair. It has cracked and curled naturally. Very useful for photo shooting.

While waiting for spring I decided dress things up and besides finishing the remaining clocks, I photographed my work of art from last year. Next week I will showcase the clock with a fruit motif and pittorico shading and I wonder what do you think?

New Year and New Challenges

I'm not sure if I already mentioned this, but I have found a completely new passion in my life. Browsing in one of the furniture stores I came to the conclusion that none of the objects on display was worthy of my attention. Simple shapes, narrow selection of colour and plastic imitating wood. Maybe it comes from constantly searching for something which is not made by the dozen. Apparently I am the type of person who is constantly seeking change and cannot seem to sit still.

Several weeks ago I was inspired by a course in finishing furniture, and because I still had four weeks of holiday in my pocket, I bought a ticket and went without hesitation. I traded walks on the beach for workshops with paints and brushes.
During this accelerated course I learnt several techniques of finishing:

WHITE-WASHING FURNITURE OR BLEACHING 

(exposing wood grain)

         HAND PAINTED STEP STOOL AVAILABLE IN MY SHOP

WOODEN STOOL WAS MADE USING WOOD BLEACH

RUBBED FINISHES

 GREAT COMBINATION OF WHITE AND GRAPHITE ACRYLIC PAINTS

        THIS IS A PAPER TOWEL HOLDER  AVAILABLE IN MY SHOP

SHABBY CHIC 

        WHITE SHABBY CHIC JEWELLERY HOLDER OR KEY CABINET 

THIS KEY HOLDER IS STILL AVAILABLE IN MY ETSY SHOP

AGING FINISHES

PATINA EFFECT JEWELLERY BOX

 WORN STEEL

         

 A photo with multicolour rubbing, the last technique I have learnt, is missing but as soon as I come back home I'll add some detail which is in my mind and post it here. Some of the objects created are still available in my shop of course.

In a week I will show you my first piece of furniture made using one of the techniques I learnt - or my creative interpretation of them.


By now I wish everybody a Wonderful and Happy New Year. May all your dreams come true.
As someone once said:
"Our wishes are presentiments abilities that lie dormant within us, announcements of what we can accomplish."

                                                                                           Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Autumn Colours And My Vintage Style Tea Box

It is so cold and rainy here. Nobody bustling around. I think this is the perfect weather for me because I don't have to hesitate whether to stay home or go out. I can give onself my favourite activities in the quiet corner of my room.
Well, one of my tea boxes was made with absolute pleasure.

 I have played with pieces of great quality classic and very thin, almoust transparent and traditional decoupage paper.

For those who never did anthing like that I can say that paper plays a crucial role in decoupage. It is very best to use specially design for this technique in order to obtain good results. Motives on such paper tend to be very well sepatered from each other to be able to cut them easy. Most of the classic papers are made from high-strength material that easily stick to various surfaces such as wood, metal or even glass.

This box is a combination of everything. paper, acrylic paints and patina and a little bit of imagination. It was so popular so made another for one of my cutomers.

Thank you my dear onces and have a lovely week.