As we keep going on creating parts of M’s Magical World, I came across an idea for a fun project on The Magic Onions and instead of using them for lanterns, we made fairy bowls.

M has a huge collection of “jewels” as she calls them, rocks, shells and more that always seem to be all over the place. The fairy bowls are so pretty and such a great way to spark imagination that she is completely content to pack them full of her treasures.

We will be making more of these for sure. I can see them as the perfect takeaway from the fairy birthday party sure to be on deck for this Summer.

A few pictures to illustrate the development of a work in progress. On first picture the paper mache is still soft.

The second one after the mache is dry.  Though I knew very well the shrinking process will hurt the face, I almost broke down in tears when I saw this:

It looked hopelessly behind repair.  For the first time I was considering giving up on paper mache entirely.  But loved that face and reworked it by patiently adding small pieces of soft mache until the reconstruction seemed satisfactory.

On the next photo she gets ears and a neck:

I couldn’t decide on  hair treatment so started experimenting with different ideas for a headdress:

The twenties look of the above was striking but too rag-like. After two days of frustration I improvised this one.  It seemed right: 

Hiddenamongroots, hope you enjoyed.

It’s a bit weird, starting to blog again. After all, what have I really got to talk about?

There is stuff. How relevant it is to other people’s lives is debatable but it gives vent to my thoughts. Most of you know that the building I’m currently residing in, is on the market but so far it hasn’t sold. There may be signs of movement in house sales but they seem to be related to reducing the price and overly blandising the place. Magnolia really doesn’t do it for me, so for now I’ll stick with what colours are on the walls. There’s an obvious stress there but it’s one that’s echoed by millions of others who want to move up or down (or even sideways) on the property ladder.

My biggest problem has been one of decluttering. Really, it’s been a nightmare. There were times in the last decade that the sitting room and the family room as it’s listed on the sales schedule have been inaccessible. Here for example is what the latter looked like at one point:

Now, it looks like this:

To declutter to the extent seen above took ages and it meant that the garage, which was stacked with newspapers and rock magazines and looked like this:

got much, much worse. This picture was taken after I had taken more than 3,500 old music papers to the skip! Don’t worry, they were triplicates at least. The two piles at the apex of the roof are 10 foot tall. By the time the whole wall was fully stacked and then a second row of piles started, the list to the right of the picture became so pronounced, the whole garage started to lean that way!

Some years back, a ton of old newspaper was worth more than £ 200 but such is the economic situation that it’s fallen to £ 25. To get that, it has to be graded and bailed. If you can’t sell it the obvious thing was to find an alternative use. It would have been fun to turn the papers into bricks and build another house but I never found how to do that. I did find the “paper Brick House” which was China’s pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale. It’s worth a look. If you didn’t know about it, click on this link.

What I did, of course, discover is that you can make paper bricks or briquettes to burn as an alternative to logs or coal. Thanks to the dire economic climate we find ourselves in, adverts for these can be found in Sunday colour supplements and the catalogues that come free with them. They look wonderful and sound like a perfect solution but very few of them point out that you have to soak the paper in a bin prior to squeezing it into the brick-maker and expelling as much water as possible. Then it’s a simple job of leaving them in a warm dry place to lose all their moisture content before burning. With a Scottish summer being wet enough, even considering something like that in winter was tantamount to lunacy.

Thankfully, it seemed I wasn’t the only one with this problem and I found some mention of dry paper brick making. This amounted to just rolling newspaper as tightly as possible and then binding it with metal rings to stop the “log” falling apart in the fire. Needless to say, the sites selling wet paper brick makers also sell metal rings but that seemed a ludicrous expense. I decided to butcher a number of wire coat hangers and literally roll the straight wire around the paper log. The first time you do this is the worst but after the wire has been a fire once, it’s far easier to bend. For those of you wanting to try this at home, I’ll post some pics later today.

Cider & Faun makes papier mache snow owls in place of snowmen this year (and also manage to make a little yeti family out of TP rolls as well)!

If today was 1997 this would be todays work. A blue bull in papier-mache.

Matthew Monahan works deal the subject of death and funereally in nature made from wax and paper mache, the sculptures are encased in glass cases. Wax and paper mache, a material that is quiet crucial in the history of sculpture and more importantly as a material, has a suspicious relationship to death. Death masks in the past were made of was and the wax was laid on the face of the corpse’s to preserve their expressions forever. Therefore the very basis idea of the death mask  was a fight against time. So wax, paper mache and drawings and the use of plexiglass sheets are the objects that Matthew Monahan uses to create his sculptures. Often self portraits of the artist, but they are self portraits consumed by a strange fractures in which figures appear limbless, knocked over or crushed and are seen as precious.

To me the works are formal and show a lot of emotion, I am drawn to the idea of encasing the sculptures and preserving something in a unique way. A way that Matthew Monahan uses successfully and I had used this idea in last years end of year work, I made glass boxes to contain perfume bottles and other materialistic subject matters. Keeping them out of reach and sacred. The images Below are from my own work from last year when I used glass.

The above images are sourced from http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/matthew_monahan.htm

Morgen ist es soweit! Das erste Türchen des CreaReich-Adventskalenders darf geöffnet werden…
Was wird sich wohl darin verstecken? Eine Anleitung, ein Freebie, ein Giveaway???

ADVENTSKALENDER 2009

Viel Spaß beim Fensterl aufmachen!

Photos via http://www.lespoupeesdaxelle.com/

C’est via Facebook que j’ai découvert les créations en papier mâché d’ Axelle Delafolie.

J’ai craqué et je l’ai contacté de suite.

Vous qui lisez ce blog depuis le début vous savez que je sui fan des artistes qui utilisent le papier pour créer des robes, des chaussures, des sculptures, du mobilier…

Axelle Delafolie est aussi illustratrice. elle bosse pour la pub et réalise affiches, spots publicitaires et illustrations pour la presse.

Axelle aime la photographe Sarah moon, la photo de mode en général, les pinup de Gil Elvgren, l’esthétique de David Lynch et de Wong Kar Wai, ainsi que la peinture de Ingre.

Ses maitres kiraz, Jason Brook et Monsieur Z .

Les chaussures réalisées en papier mâché sont minuscules c’est vraiment incroyable!

Tout ce qui est petit est mignon. Vous n’êtes pas de mon avis?

http://www.lespoupeesdaxelle.com/

White,

the empty canvas, the newly gessoed surface-

as pure as the new fallen  snow,

all traces of what was  previous

covered by a seemingly untrammeled purity.

 This Mask, fourth in a series of the Four Elements-

has been waiting for months to be finished.

The Mask and a Canvas, too,

 still good after so many moves, so long waiting…

( old business made ‘new’ )

It is so easy to get sidetracked while

thinking you are on the ‘right track’

(not always apparent until one finishes a tangent

that it was one…)

Could all of life  be a series of tangents

that somehow meet up in the end,

the sense of it unintelligible

while we are still in the process..?

earth mask, before painting

fire mask before painting

water mask, before painting

Bon Jour! Welcome to Marie De fête. I am so glad you came to visit us! My surprise guests and I have been very busy working on our presentations for the event. You will enjoy two or more each day and at different times to also include readers from other parts of the world. Let’s get Marie De fête started.

We are going to start this Holiday inspired event at the Theater. Marie Antoinette loved it! Marie Antoinette was exposed to theater performances during her childhood in Vienna.

Empress Maria Theresa regarded the theatre as a source of amusement and national pride. The Archduchess of Austria learned how to act in preparation for her marriage to the Dauphin of France, the future Louis XVI.

Her mother, Empress Maria Theresa, surrounded her  by French actors in order to improve her French pronunciation. And this is how the Queen of France learned French.

The Petit Théâtre de la Reine was built for her in 1778-79 by architect Richard Mique. It is beautifully decorated in blue, white and gold recalling the Opera de Versailles. Although smaller since it has capacity only for one hundred spectators.

It has a big stage, blue hangings and gold-embroidered silk taffeta curtain. The floor is painted in tromple l’oeil resembling marble and is decorated with papier-mâché {pasteboard} sculptures.

Marie Antoinette had plays by very well known authors at the time such as Michel-Jean Sedane, who was a French librettist and dramatist.

Also Jean Jaques-Rosseau, a novelist who wrote a play, two operas and made great contributions to music as a theorist. Marie Antoinette even had “The Marriage of Figaro” at The Petit Théâtre de la Reine by Beaumarchais played at the Petit Trianon!

I highly recommend the Chateau Versailles here for a fabulous virtual tour! But now let’s learn a little more about The Petit Théâtre de la Reine. This is a great informative clip I found that explains how it’s decorated. It’s in French.

Marie Antoinette have inspired many artists with her fabulous style and taste. Let me introduce you now to Tristan Robin Blakeman, a quilt/mixed media artist who makes the most amazing mini-theaters. Here are some of his fabulous and detailed pieces. He uses exquisite embellishments!

Tristan’s statement:

“Sparkle! Shimmer! Glimmer! Gleam!

I’m an ex-theatre director (and sometimes-actor), who has traversed to the world of visual arts via an almost accidental career in art quilting. Although I still make the occasional art quilt, I am immersed in mixed media collage, assemblage, paper art, and vintage treasures which I can both alter and use as altering embellishments.

I love vintage images and antique books. I love to find enchanting items from turn-of-the-century Paris and funky trash from mid-century Hollywood. I love vintage papers and ephemera.  I also love experimenting with paper art and using a variety of antiques and products and techniques. But most of all, I love taking these items and assembling them together to create work which speaks to the heart and to the eye”.

~ Tristan Robin Blakeman ~

Tristan writes a very interesting blog named “Enchanted Revelry” read here. Visit his website here. I know…you are probably waiting for information on where to find his work…I am warning you…you won’t be able to choose from his fabulous mini-theaters here.

Remember to return later today for another post on a new Marie inspired surprise…Marie De Fête Day One.

The Marie De Fête – Surprise Giveaway will be reveal anytime!

Subscribe to Gabriela Delworth’s Blog by Email

my latest papier mache turkey creation!

sir horace meleagris or horace the turkey

he is made of …

UP~cycled newspapers & cardboard, wallpaper paste

acrylic paint, fabric leaves, {and magic & love}

see more or buy here  SOLD!

read issue two of papier mache here

]]> http://trexandme.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/inspiration-29/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:35:41 +0000 trexandme http://trexandme.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/inspiration-29/

I had a great weekend catching up with some of my best friends from college- one of them got married (Congrats Steph & Dave)!

Saturday was a messy rainstorm, but yesterday was absolutely beautiful.. I will take a day like that anyday! I even stopped in the Bryant Park Holiday Shops on my way, which is always inspiring.

Plus, the new 2nd issue of ezine Papier Mache is out today, and I am loving this photo…

recette :

Vous mélangez 1/2 tasse de farine avec une tasse d’eau froide jusqu’à obtention d’une pâte blanchâtre . Vous ajoutez à la préparation obtenue 5 tasses d’eau bouillante. Votre pâte va devenir collante. C’est le moment d’y ajouter des petits morceaux de papier journal jusqu’à ce que vous obteniez une consistance qui se prête au modelage.

Only very rarely, and generally after a great dal of thought, do we feature items here that we’re not 100% convinced about.

Today is such a day

PAPERPULP by Debbie Wijskamp

Is it fantastic or is it tat? … we’re not sure.

But would love to find out

Check it out for yourselves

PAPERPULP by Debbie Wijskamp.

An enigma!

So, alright, my costuming took up much more time than I had anticipated, so let’s try a reboot here. Since I promised, here are pictures of costumes from all years past. As time allows (perhaps between projects), I will showcase each individual costume with details on how they were made.

2005:

In 2005, the costumes were pretty simple, as time was just not available. We have a cat, Gort from “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (original), and the Invisible Man:

2006:

2006 saw my first attempt at a papier mache mask. These masks are, by far, one of my most favorite parts of the costuming process, and I hope my daughter never tires of wearing them!

We also had a “LEGO Darth Vader” and the Scarecrow from “Batman”:

2007:

In 2007, I went all out with the papier mache, and also fiddled with adding a working light on part of the costume. We ended up with Locutus of Borg, RoboCop, and a hippogryff!

2008:

Amazingly, 2008 saw *my* first costume, Danger Mouse! This is my first attempt at a full carved foam head. We also have Luke Skywalker (this version from “Return of the Jedi”), Wedge Antilles (X-Wing pilot), and a swamp creature:

2009:

I feel that I am improving every year, learning new and better techniques. This year, I have a fully functional sewing machine thanks to my extremely good-to-me parents, and so *everything* is handmade for the first time. This is also the first year that my husband finally gets a full costume! And so, I present a phoenix, a “space marine” (conceived of and designed by my youngest), the Cyberleader cyberman from Doctor Who (“Revenge of the Cybermen” storyline), and Ming the Merciless from “Flash Gordon”:

There you have it! As time and energy allow, I will certainly go into more detail with some of these costumes, so this at least gives you a taste of what is to come! For now, however, I have put all of my Halloween supplies away and have turned my attention to the holidays. We are trying to go homemade as much as possible this year, so look for updates on what trinkets I manage to come up with (and this time, I mean it!).

I am loving making these folk art Angels, I have included punched tin wings on this one, using reclaimed pie tin. I tried to give this Angel a very aged look like a found Santos

We are moving our family of 7 to the rural town of Larkspur, about halfway between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs. I am finally getting my country house on property and will share pictures soon, and hopefully I will have my full studio in order. I am working on a website, it is still under construction, but check back soon at folkyartstudio.com I hope everyone is really well!

But from papier mache!


Papier Mache Master Chief Helmet – More DIY How To Projects

Hallowe’en might’ve been last week, but it’s never too late to make your very own monster – and what’s more,  it’s fun!

Go on, get your hands dirty. Click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhPs2m9zny4

and you’ll be churning out monsters and dragons faster than you can say “Trick or Treat!”

And if dragons are too scary, you can always make a fish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Bh7eY5noc&feature=related

Japanned ware items may all look similar to each other, but underneath the polished surface you might find tin, wood, paper pulp, or the favourite, papier-mâché, prized by the Victorian housewife because a tea-tray made of this was so much quieter than a tin one. Servants, like children, were meant to be seen but not heard!

Making papier mache

Papier-mâché production was labour intensive, but in the 19th century labour was cheap. In 1772 Henry Clay, a neighbour of Matthew Boulton’s in Birmingham, patented a method of pasting sheets of paper together, which were then dried or ‘stoved’ and oiled, resulting in a product so durable it could be used for coach panels and roofs, doors, and even for ships cabins!  Remarkably, a similar method is back in use today in the form of MDF products.  The finished item could be sawn, planed and screwed.  A cheaper version made from paper pulp gave a poor finish so was used for inexpensive goods.

Mould for a japanned ware tray

The Moulding Room

It was mainly women and girls who worked in the moulding room, there they would lay sheets of pasted paper over a copper or tinned iron mould, shaping the edges by hand before the whole item was stoved at 100˚F.  More and more layers would be added until the required thickness was achieved.

The final job in the moulding shop was to oil the item and then stove it again at up to 260˚F to make it hard and water-resistant.

Papier-mache round dish with Chinese ladies on yellow background, LP451.

The Making-up Shop

Highly-skilled cabinet makers removed the mould and created the finished item, working it in the same way as wood- planing, fluting, turning legs and vases on a lathe, fitting boxes together and applying a final polish.

The Blacking Shop

This would not have been a pleasant place to work, with the fumes of the varnish and the constant heat of the stoves.  The first coat was a tar varnish, the second a thin layer, with stoving in between.  Lampblack, a pigment made from soot, gave the item its colour; the object was then ready for the final decoration.

Sources

Yvonne Jones, Georgian & Victorian Japanned Ware of the West Midlands

hello nice reederz its dennis the vizsla dog hay wel it seems that after choaking down a kuple of snayls i now hav the ninja hedjhogs kompleetly foold!!! in fakt i wuz pikd to go on sum sort of top seekret verry important rayd with them!!! i can only imadjin wot sort of nefaryus items we mite be steeling!!! weppons??? nookular mateeryal??? hanna montanna rekords??? soon i wil find owt wot the first peese of there master plan is!!!

Later …

Japanned Ware Letter Rack, 1835-1865

Today we are all aware of the need to recycle but recycling is nothing new. In Victorian times papier mâché made from waste paper was commonly used to make japanned ware goods.

The papier mâché was moulded into the required shapes and coated with lacquer making the final article tough, but relatively light.  The material is very versatile; the ancient Chinese even made war helmets out of it!

Papier mâché was first produced in China and Japan and objects made from it were highly prized.  In the 8th century during a war between Persia and China, workmen were captured and probably sold as slaves to work in Samarkand, then owned by Arabs.  The Arabs learnt from these workers how to make paper from waste products; paper itself was very valuable and rare. The Arabs used all sorts of things to make paper: vegetable leaves, old fishing nets, even old mummy cloths! From there paper and paper-based by-products like papier-mâché spread around the world.

But if papier-mache was to be used in new ways something else was needed to make the material durable and in China and Japan they had the ideal solution: a tree which produced a wonderful hard, shiny lacquer to harden in the moist, tropical heat.

Chinese lacquer box with lid decorated with dragons

Chinese and Japanese lacquer ware became highly prized in Europe and fetched high prices. 

Enterprising Europeans saw an opportunity to copy this type of ware and make their fortunes but there were three major problems to be overcome; The lacquer was poisonous and killed the workers quickly; Europe’s cold climate was unsuitable for drying the lacquer; Kiln drying damaged the coated papier mache and wood products.

European scientists began to look for a substitute in the 18th century. At first, an asphalt (tar) product was developed, then an oil-based one, but this tended to crack, finally, in 1763, Stephen Bedford from Birmingham was awarded a prize for producing copal varnish.

Copal varnish became the glossy base for highly decorated papier-mâché and tin articles made by Georgian and Victorian Japanners. The best of these were based in Wolverhampton and Bilston, and they eventually became famous around the world.

Sources

Shirley Spaulding De Voe, English Papier Mâché of the Georgian & Victorian Periods (ISBN 0214653307)
Yvonne Jones, Georgian & Victorian Japanned Ware of the West Midlands (ISBN 0950432415)