Our First Artist Play Date Featuring Allover Art's Incredible Tutorial and Awesome Giveaway!

Do you know Allover Art? If you do, you just got ridiculously excited - I know it - and if you don't, you're about to!

Ruth, creator of Allover Art, is a talented, fun-loving, down-to-Earth artist who specializes in custom pet portraits in oil paint, hand-painted resin pendant necklaces, and original oil paintings. When you visit her shop, it's impossible to not fall in love with at least one of her distinctive designs - I think I have a list of five things I need to have - and you won't be able to stop yourself from returning to see what's new. Basically, you won't be able to stop the craving for more wearable art.

Today, this inspiring artist shares her, "How To Create A Resin Finish On A Tile Pendant" tutorial which is followed by a Giveaway you won't want to miss!

How To Create A Resin Finish On A Tile Pendant

In my Etsy shop you can find a wide variety of hand-painted resin pendant necklaces. Once I began creating and selling these unique pieces of wearable art, people began asking me about the process and how to work with resin. Resin is actually quite simple to work with, but it can be troublesome and messy if you don't know what you are doing. I'm sure that different people have different methods of working with resin, but here's my process.

All of my pendant necklaces start out with a wooden tile. After I create the miniature painting on the tile and seal it, I then mix up the resin and add the resin finish to the surface of the tile.

Here are the materials that you will want to have on hand to create the resin finish:

• two-part resin mix


• 3 oz. plastic bathroom drinking cups


• 1 oz. measuring cup/spoon


• tongue depressors


• toothpicks


• paper towels


• a timer or clock that counts seconds
  
• a flat surface to work on that you don't mind getting messy


• lots of light

To begin with, make sure that you are working in a well-ventilated area. Set up your workspace on a flat surface that you don't mind getting messy. Feel free to lay down any paper or board to catch any drips or mess that you make. Lay out your tiles face up. Check to make sure that they are dust and lint-free. To the left is an image of some of my tiles that have been painted and sealed, and are ready for the resin finish.

Next you will want to mix the resin. Using the 1 0z. measuring device, measure out 1 oz. of water and pour it into a 3 oz. plastic cup. Mark on the side of the cup where the top of the water is. Add another 1 oz. of water and make a second mark. Pour out the water and dry the cup. Pour 1 oz. of the resin into the cup up to the first mark you made. Add 1 oz. of the hardener up to the second mark you made.

Make a note of the time. Using a tongue depressor mix the two parts. After two minutes the resin should be mixed. There will be bubbles in the resin. This means that you have mixed the resin properly. In the image to the left you can see the bubbles that remain in the resin after mixing.

Next, use the tongue depressor to drip resin onto the surface of the tile. Some people pour the resin on, but I find that using the tongue depressor gives me more control. I suggest putting less resin on the tile than you think you need. If after a minute or two the resin hasn't reached the edges of the tile(like in the image to the left), add a little more. Resin is self-leveling, which means it will spread until it reaches an edge to "cling" to.

You will notice that there may be bubbles in the resin on the pendant. You can see this in the image below.

After a few minutes, you should be able to use a toothpick to pop and or pull out the bubbles. Some people use a small blow torch to get rid of the bubbles, but I do not have one and have found that a simple toothpick works just fine.

After you have removed any bubbles, closely examine the resin for any lint or dust that may have fallen into it. Make sure you have several different light sources at different angles so that you can see reflections on the surface of the resin. Once you are finished, cover it with one of the 3 oz. plastic cups.

This will keep the tile and resin protected and keep dust from falling into the resin while it dries. Follow the timetable for drying time in the instructions included with the resin. For my tiles I allow three days total drying time before I turn them into pendant necklaces.

Good luck and happy resin-ing! :)

Drumroll, please.....and NOW our Giveaway!!

We have a very special giveaway! Allover Art is offering a $15 gift certificate to her shop so I suggest you run over and take a peek at her fabulous work. To enter:

1. Please visit Allover Art's shop at http://alloverart.etsy.com/ and then in the comments section of this post tell me what item you love most.

2. Then look below at the hilarious picture of a card that Ruth sent along. Please tell me what occasion this card is for - birthday, Christmas, etc. (Isn't it a riot??)

3. Be sure to leave your name and email address so that I can contact the winner! The first person to guess the correct answer will win. This giveaway begins February 11th and ends at midnight on February 15th. The winner will be announced on February 16th!

Need more Allover Art? Please visit her website : http://www.alloverart.net/ and blog: http://www.alloverart-nc.blogspot.com/ and share some love!

Thank you, Ruth for this incredible tutorial and giveaway! You are a fantastic artist. Please don't ever stop creating these unique pieces!

Inspirational Tips and Tricks from the Trenches

Two important notes: If you are looking for the current theme, please see the post below.

Don't miss our first Artist PlayDate tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11th. It will feature a fantastic artist and an awesome, original giveaway!

Inspiration is everywhere or, at least, that's what they say. I agree but when you are holding down that full or part-time job, raising children, maintaining relationships, running the household or doing anything else that requires time, it can be quite easy to miss it. We are all in the trenches working hard each and every day to do what we need to do to make life good for ourselves and for others. We're busy so, it can be hard to remember to be on the lookout for inspiration, right? Well, maybe not as hard as we think.

Recently, when it became necessary to make assure that my family had clean underwear, I decided to do the laundry. Sometimes in order to get my creative work done, the laundry has to suffer but alas undies trump creative time! For a moment, I sat before the pile staring at it, cursing it, you know, the norm. Then suddenly, I noticed something. There were great colors in there. The hats that my husband and I had absentmindedly thrown on the growing pile were a brilliant combination of green and pink that almost begged to be mixed together. My blue sweater added another perfect color to the mix. These would become the colors I would use in my Whale Notecard. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20842504

Think about the craziest place you have found inspiration. Or think about that task you have been putting off - is there inspiration hidden in it? Please share where you get inspiration in the comments.

Next Monday, please send a picture to Natasha@creativenachos.com of your inspiration so I can post it here on Tuesday. Let's see if we can make that statement - Inspiration is everywhere - come to life here!

Theme 5: Where the Wild Things Bloom

How you choose to interpret the theme is completely up to you. It simply needs to be tasteful – no pornography or messages of hate here. When you sit down to create, you cannot think about how people will or will not receive your work. You are required to simply enjoy the act of creating. Please see the bottom of this post for how to submit a response.

For myself I hold no preferences among flowers, so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous. Bricks to all greenhouses! Black thumb and cutworm to the potted plant! - Edward Abbey

Important Guidelines

Please submit your response to Natasha@creativenachos.com no later than end of day Wednesday, February 11th if you would like it to be posted on Thursday, February 12th. OR send me a link to your response to include in the comments section of the post. With your response please include:

1. Your name - either first name or shop name

2. The name of your piece (if you choose to give it one)

3. Something you'd like to share (process of creation, idea behind piece) if you'd like to share anything

4. Two photos of your piece or of each of the pieces (3x5 or 4x6 and 72dpi or a max of 96dpi - if you need any help with that please don't worry I'd be happy to help!)

Most importantly, give your imagination the freedom to play! Let your dreams bloom!

Have a great time :)

P.S. Please check back often as there will be updates and the 1st Artist PlayDate on Wednesday which you won't want to miss!

Ask the Artist!

Well, it's Thursday and that amazing array of new works of art that makes up the Thursday Sweet Treat has just been unveiled in the post below! Now, it's time to let the artists speak. Please feel free to leave a comment for an artist if you have a question or just feel like sharing a thought about their work!

In addition, please feel free to leave comments on the following post. I will be responding to them :)

Thank you so much for visiting, sharing, cheering and being such an amazing part of this project!

Jump in!

Inspiring Artists Sail the High Seas of Imagination to Create New Works that are Pure Poetry

Before we begin I'd like to share a couple of quick things. As always, please make sure to check the comments section of this post for people who submit links to works that they created for this theme.

Second, there are some folks who were unable to participate this week due to colds (please feel better!), recovery from a car accident (sending love and healing hugs!) and a major move (good luck, hope you love the new space!). We will see you all next week or whenever the inspiration strikes. Till then, you will be missed :)

Finally, for those of you who have emailed, I apologize for the delay in responding. I have been a little swamped but I will be writing back. I love hearing from you!

This week these talented, distinctive artists challenged themselves to create new pieces that are filled with such beauty you will surely be moved. Each work is like a perfect poem. In some cases, it invites you in to think, feel, dream, laugh, love, and believe and in all cases, it invites you to share in the fun these artists had while creating these new works of art. Their talent, professionalism, vibrance, imagination and heart will leave you wanting more and more...I guarantee it.

Now...I invite you to sail along the "Poetic Seas".

Janie, owner of Lifeartdesigns, created a stellar Dolphin Necklace titled "Purple Lace".
http://lifeartdesigns.etsy.com/

Mia of Mia's Graphic Designs created a beautiful piece titled, "The Sea Will Touch Your Souls".

"I wanted to make something that was dreamy, and calm, yet with a little colour that inspires me from the seas," said Mia. "Each tile is the different colours of the oceans that you see when you stand on the beach and look to the horizon. The words "the sea will touch your souls" is from a poem that I love."

http://miasgraphicdesigns.etsy.com/

The Nature Nomad shared this gorgeous photo of a manatee.

"I do really enjoy these animals. They are so kind and forgiving. It would be nice to see more of that all over," said the Nature Nomad.

http://naturenomad.etsy.com/

Salvaged Expression created these fantastic "Coral Sea, mermaid armwarmers!"

"The blue/green just reminded me of somewhere tropical with an ocean view and had to be used," said Salvaged. "I still really wanted to crochet coral so I added the undulating white edge and a flowing white trimmy thing on the side. I'm more or less obsessed with that flowy trim now!"
http://salvagedexpression.etsy.com/

Lorrie Veasey , creator of Our Name is Mud created three awesome items.

"This was a really fun theme! Thanks!!" said Lorrie.

http://www.ournameismud.com/

http://www.ournameisblog.blogspot.com/

CARP DIEM: SEIZE THE FISH - Glazed earthenware

OCEAN VIEW FROM ABOVE - Glazed earthenware tile 6 x 6




HOMAGE TO ONE FISH TWO FISH - Glazed earthenware dinner plate




Rowena, a talented artist and writer, created this moving piece titled, "Flying Girl on Ocean Deep, or Poetry." Golden Fluid Acrylic, white gel pen on paper
http://warriorgirl.blogspot.com/2009/02/flying-girl-on-ocean-deep-or-poetry.html



Kelly, owner of Backward Glances, created this incredible piece titled, "A Multitude".

"I had to go with a theme involving coral," said Kelly, "as a coral reef is formed of many, tiny individual creatures and my bead work is made of many tiny individual beads. Also, I live on a island which is basically a big limestone rock, and of course, limestone is formed of ancient coral. Because of the time issue, I decided to work in ATC size, 2.5" x 3.5". I used peyote stitch, bead embroidery and fringing to form this piece. This was great fun and I'm so pleased with the result. "

http://www.backwardglances.etsy.com/
http://www.mackin-art.blogspot.com/






Jodi, owner of Jodi Horgan, created this lovely pendant.

"I really had a great time with this. When I started imaging a piece in my head, I was drawn to ocean tides," said Jodi. "My piece (which is a large pendant) represents the sun, moon, stars and the flowing ocean in between. The fringe at the bottom gives the piece movement."

http://www.jodihorgan.etsy.com/ (her shop is currently closed because she's in the middle of a show - good luck, Jodi!)



Maureen, an inspiring artist, created an 8 1/2 by 11 personal journal page.

"Sitting at surf's edge at Big Sur several years ago, as sunlight shot through the top of a wave curling toward me, I saw true aquamarine for the first time," said Maureen. "As my tears found their way back to the sea, I heard my identity renamed: AquaMaureen."

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

SpiritedWoodland created this lovely "Sirens of the Sea - Mermaids in Aqua and Teal Charm" Bracelet.

SpiritedWoodland describes this piece as - "A gorgeous collection of glass beads and lampwork beads adorn this unique bracelet! A variety of swirling beads (to represent the ocean's waves), and aqua colored potion bottles are part of the design. Strung on one silverplated chain, the findings are also silverplated. There are two lead free pewter mermaids in the design. The color combination of teal and aqua is really pretty in this one."

http://spiritedwoodland.etsy.com/

Amanda, owner of Persistent Green, created this spectacular journal titled, "Dive In."

"This creation marks the beginning of a new take on my WildCover journal/sketchbooks," said Amanda. "Poetic Seas inspired me to dive in fearlessly, playing with watercolor, ink and acrylic gloss gel."

http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/






Kerstin, owner of Kerstin Hanson, created this magnificent bracelet titled, "Pearls Under Glass."

"I was inspired mostly by the words 'poetic sea', and found bits and bits to build a bracelet from that 'sweet spot' inside:)" said Kerstin.

http://kerstinhanson.etsy.com/





EarthDeva created this unforgettable painting which is 5 by 7 inches, acrylics on 300gsm watercolour paper. Clownfish, blue and silver sea and golden spirals.

"The Ocean is a huge inspiration for me, I live right next to it ! I will be blogging - an Ocean themed one, with another pic of this weeks Sweet Treat creation and some other Ocean inspired pieces too," said EarthDeva.
http://earthdeva.etsy.com/
http://the-earthdeva.blogspot.com/




"Meet Phoebe," said Into the Groove. "It is a focal bead made from polymer clay based on the Christi Friesen sculpture series. This piece took a different direction from what I initially had in mind which I'm sure happens to most who create. Thanks for allowing me to share!"

http://intothegroove.etsy.com/




Cbspolyworks created this stunning piece titled, "Polymer Clay Painting: Fish Dream."

"For this I decided to try something different, what I would call polymer clay painting. Basically I painted this scene with my clay for a 3D look. The inscription reads "Freedom Of The Heart..." showing how even a fish's heart can soar when his/her dreams are complete," said cbspolyworks. "In my scene the fish turns into a bird and is free to fly in the sky, much like the quote you posted of a "sea animal...wanting to fly in the air." That quote is where my inspiration came from more so then the picture you showed us. This was really fun to do, and it took me nearly four days to complete. Thanks for the challenge!"

http://cbspolyworks.etsy.com/







Iris O'Connor, owner of Iris Design, created this ACEO sized abstract painting.

"It's an ACEO sized abstract wee painting done on MDF and ready to hang on the wall. Haven't done abstract for a while and I wanted to get back into it. It was really enjoyable and I'm sure more will follow."
http://www.irisdesign.etsy.com/
http://www.irisoconnor.blogspot.com/

Christina, owner of the Clay Muse, created this fabulous brooch.

"I hadn't really thought of a name for this piece just had too much fun making it!" said theclaymuse. "I wanted to try this brooch project for a while now and I thought this would be the perfect time to do so! The entire piece is made of polymer clay, dusted with mica powders and I just love how it shines. The bottom dangle is faux Bakelite, this was the first time I tried this technique and I'm pretty happy with the overall results, the way it catches the sun... I wish I could justify it in a photograph! I had so much fun making this and now I can't wait till next week."

http://theclaymuse.etsy.com/

PollyandEster created this extraordinary piece titled, "The Poet" using watercolor pencils and pigment ink on cold press watercolor paper post card. "I am experimenting with mediums," said PollyandEster.

PollyandEster went on to say, "I think Poetry for me is like a dream that I can never quite complete...no matter how hard I try to get back to sleep and finish it - it will always be flawed.
The sea is an epic poet. It is a dance. It is an isolated object moving in all directions at once. Fluid."
http://www.pollyandester.etsy.com/
http://www.cursewordsandbirds.blogspot.com/

This piece means the world to me. I sketched this out years ago and then let the sketchbook collect dust. When I was starting my shop I talked about ripples in my bio and someone commented on it. The mere fact that someone was listening to what I was saying about sending good thing out into the world made me want to create this piece and this challenge forced me to finally do it. So, here it is...it looks very different from the first sketch. ..a piece I've been dreaming about for a long time. I have to be honest, I'm really happy with it.

This framed 8 x 10 wall art is reads, "We are all little ripples with the power to change the world so fill yours with love." AND the water sparkles...YAY!

http://doodlestar.etsy.com/

And this little gal makes me so happy. This is Bertha and she releases glittery confetti into the air when she is filled with joy. These little notecards - well, they just make me smile.

Wasn't that the best voyage? Want to do it again?? Go ahead, relive the fun and then share your thoughts, comments and love here. Go visit these artists at their shops and blogs, share some more and tell a friend!

Thanks so much for visiting!! Please join us later today for an "Ask the Artist" session :)

Sweet New Features

Well hello there! How are you? I hope you had a fabulous weekend :)

First, I'd like to share the Thursday Sweet Treat button. If you would like to take this and place it on your blog so that others can come to visit this incredible playground we are building, please feel free to do so. The button is located on the sidebar of this blog. Let me know if you need anything. Thank you for being a part of this!

Thank you for all your thoughtful feedback in emails and here in the comments about the new features that will be coming. I have an update about them that I want to share with you.

Mini-Treat Monthly

I have spoken with several artists who either missed the deadline for a project or joined when a project they would have loved to have contributed to was already in progress. All of them said, "I'm just going to continue to create and send you a picture because I love what I am creating." Well, I have seen some of those pieces and I truly think everyone should. So, I am going to host a Mini-Treat Monthly.

Once a month - generally around the 15th - I will announce a call for any work that was created for previous themes. On the chosen day, people can submit their shop name and link along with 1 photo of the item or 1 photo of each of the items they created for a prior theme and it will be posted.

Artist Play Dates

Thank you to all the people who responded to the call for the artist play date. Each play date will be tailored to the specific artist. Some will be interviewed while others will host a tutorial. However, I would love for all of them to participate in a giveaway and that will even have a special twist. They will begin next week and I'm SO looking forward to having these playdate.

Ask the Artist

This was a great suggestion! (I heart you Lorrie!) On Thursday afternoon - after the Sweet Treat has been unveiled - I will have a post that will be titled, "Ask the Artist". That will be the place where artists or anyone can ask questions to other artists in the comments section of the post. As I am working on building this bigger and hope to have a forum area in the future this is the closest I can get right now but it will allow people to leave comments, questions and thoughts directly for another person.

So, this is the beginning...there will be more but I'd LOVE to know what you think of all of this so be sure to share. I truly enjoy hearing from you. I want this community to grow, share, learn and play so let me know what you're thinking!