gauche alchemy

My Mixed Media Christmas Tree

In The Studio
My mini-tree is the most decorated part of our home, so far.

My mini-tree is the most decorated part of our home, so far.

For this month’s Gauche Alchemy project I finally dug into the awesomeness that is the kawaii, Japanese-themed Kokeshi kit to decorate a silver tinsel tree for my office (head over to the Gauche blog to see how I put it all together). Not only does it add some festivity to my recently re-organized space, it’s the perfect size to pose with 1:6 scale dolls, of which I’ve acquired a few in the last couple of months, and as soon as I finish a couple more props I’ll be setting up a little photo-shoot.

Yes, I’m 37 years old and I’m totally reverting to childhood and playing with dolls again.

I’ve actually been interested in miniatures and dollhouses since I was young, but we never had space or money for the big fancy dollhouses I lusted after. I had Barbies as a kid, of course, but I wasn’t as enamoured with them as some of my friends were. I would make dioramas, sometimes, but mostly I just wished.

And what’s the fun in being a responsible adult with a full-time job if you can’t make some wishes come true now and then, right?

Is there anything you wished for as a child that you still want as an adult?
How can you make that happen–if not for Christmas, then in 2014?

Creativity Shared

Everyday Adventures

We’ll tackle the next art on Thursday, but first I wanted to catch up on some projects that I’ve been working on away from the 64 Arts.

In this month’s installment of The Dirt (Gauche Alchemy’s newsletter) I shared a little bit about the faux terrarium I made out of found objects:

UpCycled Terrarium

UpCycled Terrarium

Then for the blog I made this (I think) very cool Cocktail Clutch out of an old book mailer and the Shaken Not Stirred Mixed Media Kit.

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And then before that I got to play with some more outstanding Helmar Glues as part of a swap Gauche Alchemy and Helmar hosted.

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The grape clusters and vines are glue applied directly to the glass and (in the case of the clusters) dusted with shimmery glitter.

And speaking of swaps, I participated in a Button Fairy swap with the good folks at Viva Las VegaStamps. This was my first introduction to the concept of Button Fairies and I put together this girly, delicate, pink & pearl fairy for swappin

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I received a fun and funky button fairy in return and am contemplating make a few more just for fun.

Of course, there are plenty of other projects still waiting for their turn. Unfortuantely both the antique desk and the bedroom redo are in limbo–the desk still needs a couple coats of varnish. The bedroom, on the other hand, did get a new bedspread and throw (both from West Elm and our trip before last to Jacksonville) so the pink and grey is creeping in, but I haven’t gotten any farther than that.

Time is the answer for everything, of course, but with the wedding coming up in just 4 months (!!!) I think the bedroom might take longer to finish. I’ll stick to the shorter-term projects until then!

In what ways have you stretched your creative wings lately?

 

 

Monochromatic Mixed Media Eggs

Everyday Adventures

Say that a few times fast why doncha?!

My most recent project for Gauche Alchemy went up yesterday and I couldn’t be more tickled by it.

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I meant to call them Ephemer-Eggs–for the awesome ephemera-packed mixed media color kits that Gauche Alchemy carries (psst! the store has reopened!), but it’s such a mouthful that apparently even my fingers could get it straight so I kept typing different versions, like the title Epher-Eggs! At least that version is easier to say and it still works as a combo of Jennifer and ephemera.

You can see more details of how the project came together but the funniest thing is that I started this project last year when I first got my Alchemist kit, but then I got caught up in everything going on that my poor little egg dioramas sat empty for several months. By then we were so far removed from Easter that the plastic eggs wouldn’t be around anymore, so I let it go until it was Easter again and finally finished it up a few weeks ago.

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Here are some shots of the individual eggs. I really love the monkey eraser and gold “naughty” brad that came in the It’s All Gravy Baby Brown Mixed Media Kit but I was surprised that the egg I was most pleased with was the one from the Black Out Mixed Media Kit with it’s skull & crossbones charm, grey petals and black beads. Go figure!

Whether you use eggs or an old muffin tin or just pieces of paper, I can see this as great art therapy for yourself or even maybe a color exercise for kids to help with. All I know is I had great fun putting them together and highlighting each of the amazing color kits.

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Obviously this isn’t our usual 64 Arts post, today: we’re switching places this week and the next stones & gems post will be this Thursday. Which is good since I need a bit more time to finish up the project for it anyway!

Happy Crafting!

May I Have Your Attention, Please…

Everyday Adventures

Gauche Alchemy is looking for a few new Alchemists!

I have to say that this group of women are some of the best I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with for quite some time. The products they carry are fantastic for mixed media work and general craftiness, and I’m honored to be continuing on as an Alchemist. To find our how you go about becoming an Alchemist yourself, read on!

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At Gauche Alchemy, our goal is to support and encourage creative thought and expression by providing materials that help artists of all types and skill levels think differently about their creative pursuits. We endeavor to be the “jumping-off point” for your next great idea! We are all about upcycling, as well as digging up the best manufactured products we can find. We are all about being inclusive rather than exclusive.

And now is your chance to get in on all of the fun, snark, and gauche awesomeness we pride ourselves on. We are on the hunt for a few new faces to add to our team of Alchemists.

“What does an Alchemist do??” I’m glad you asked!

“Alchemists” are more than just “oooh lookie what I made” and “here’s how I did it.” Our Alchemists are teachers, crafters, artists, and enablers. We share our knowledge as well as our projects. We are here to inspire. After all, we are regular schmoes too.

“What kind of workload is required of me?”

As an Alchemist, you will be required to submit 2 projects per month. One project is for the newsletter and one is for the blog. Occasionally, we may have special events such as swaps in which additional projects will be asked of you.

“Projects” include actual finished projects, technique tutorials, and anything related to what we do. These posts can be about your craft space, what inspires you, how to bust a rut and so on. Like we said, we are more than just a “creative team” who shows off pretty schtuff.

“Now how about the whole quid-pro-quo thing? What do I get in return?”

As an Alchemist, you will receive an Alchemist “kit” that is looooooaaaaaaded with Gauche goodness. You will also receive a discount to the Gauche Alchemy store. There are other perks you receive but those will be discussed with you should you make the team.

“How long is my term?”

An Alchemist term is 12 months with the possibility of being invited to extend.

“Now where do I sign up?”

To apply, send the following to GaucheAlchemistCall@gmail.com by midnight Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, April 30th with the phrase “2013 DT Call” in the subject line. This call is open to international aspiring alchemists too!

All aspiring alchemists please send us:

3 recent samples of your fabulous work (do not need to use Gauche Alchemy products but would love it if you did.)

Name:
Location:
Your blog address:
Are you currently on any other design teams? (Previous DT experience is not required)
Your favorite type of project to create:
Which products in our shop inspire you the most?
Why do YOU want to work for Gauche Alchemy?

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I do hope you’ll consider sending in your application! I, of course, have  nothing to do with the selections, but it’s worth the try just the same.

What are you waiting for?!

All the News That’s Fit to Pixel

Site News

Print doesn’t exactly seem right, now, does it?

In a Paper Garden

In a Paper Garden

For the April edition of The Dirt, Gauche Alchemy’s monthly newsletter (sign up form is on the GA sidebar), my contribution was the sweet little assemblage that I’ll called In a Paper Garden. A little bit Alice in Wonderland, a little bit who knows what, it all started with the metal trellis I found at Hobby Lobby one day. That plus some paint and mists, vellum bits from my stash, and material and ribbons from the generous prize box I won on fellow alchemist Amy’s  blog over the holidays combined with my own digital stamp (still available in my etsy shop).

I’m quite pleased with how it turned out, and now it’s hanging up on my inspiration wall over my desk.

Speaking of newsletters, did you know I have one?

If you look on the sidebar of any of my blogs, you’ll see a sign-up form for the Helper Monkey Network News. On the first Sunday of every month I send out a out a newsletter that highlights my favorite posts from the previous month from each of my blogs:

It’s a convenient way to keep up with everything that’s going on, even if you don’t have time to visit all of my sites each week. Even if you do follow all of the above, there will be sneak previews of things comic up, a fresh un-blogged article from your’s truly, and maybe even giveaways from time to time. So if you’re curious, please sign up.