The girls over at A Work of Heart & Scrap Lovers are busy, busy, busy. Andrea at A Work of Heart has put together a handmade craft fair for any of you Superbowl Widows!

Stop in and see us if you are in the South Bay!!

One of the coolest companies I found at CHA was Dove of the East. Beautiful papers and embellishments from far flung locales such as Russia, India and Japan! Really, the website is gorgeous but seeing these papers in person is what it's all about.

Today at CHA I heard the founder of Craftster.org talk about her website. How come I haven't spent any time exploring this site?

You should take some time to check it out. They have organized craft swaps AND they have crafty info for your area - go here

Off to another day of crafty classes tomorrow and hanging out on the vendor floor getting cool samples and meeting people! Yeah!!!!

Somehow I found this beautiful jewelry artist on Etsy today. Jessi Taylor does lovely work and I love this fly necklace! How gorgeous and interesting is that?

You can find her Etsy store here and her website is http://www.jessitaylor.com/

LOVE IT!!!

Save 45% OFF everything in the store for 24 hours during our Inauguration Day Sale. Shop from 12pm EST Tuesday until 12pm EST Wednesday, and you will automatically receive 45% OFF your entire purchase during checkout.
SHOP NOW

Wings of Change, Washington DC
The Wings of Change are upon us in the United States of America. As our 44th President is inaugurated artist Amy Steinberg has captured a moment in history. Contemporary and modern this piece includes vintage architectural drawings from the original architect of the capital William Thornton, hand drawn map of DC from 1787 and floral detail from an inside column. Somerset fine velvet rag, double thick mat board with a 7 1/2" x 9 1/2" opening and 16" x 20" out side dimension. Includes light creme' core as accent to the print. Signed by artist
Limited Edition Price: $30.00

Inauguration Day Sale Price: $16.50

Save 45%
Coupon code Inauguration_2009 will automatically be added to your shopping cart giving you a 45% discount OFF your entire purchase. Promotion is valid for 24hrs (12pm EST January 20, 2009 until 12pm EST Wednesday January 21, 2009). Please share this offer with your friends and family. This coupon may not be combined with any other offers or specials.
Offer Expires: 12pm EST Wednesday January 21, 2009

Collage can come in so many forms and in the DIY culture you can take every day items and make fun collages to hang on your wall, cover a small box or make a pretty greeting card.

Here is a quickie guide to different types of glues widely available and tips on the best substrates to use and why some glues are better than others depending on what you are doing. I've tried all of these glues myself, in different environments and tested on a lot of different substrates.

1) Elmers Glue Stick - You should be able to find this anywhere from the grocery store to a craft store. These are great to travel with and they dry clear and are perfect to use for greeting cards or small collages. Once dry this glue holds up well but isn't archival if you are working in fine art. This glue stick is also best used on magazine, newspaper or copy paper weight paper. If you get some curling just take a piece of freezer paper, slick side against the glue side and press under a couple of books. I've tried several generic brands of glue stick and honestly never found one worth using.


2) Mod-Podge - This is a great glue on stretched canvas AND it seals well. However, because it is a wetter glue using it on a paper substrate (even heavy weight papers) you are going to have a hard time getting it to dry completely flat. Again, you should employ the freezer paper trick from number one above. If you want to use mod-podge as a sealant it works great but you really need a heavier substrate than paper so as not to get curling of your piece. I highly recommend wood, canvas or a 1/2" foam core board as your substrate.

3) Yes! Glue Paste - This is a very thick paste and works best using a hog bristle paint brush or palette knife and doesn't work well with a sponge or brush with soft bristles. A great all around glue for any substrate and as you work it the paste will become warm and easier to spread. Very sticky and dries pretty quickly. If you are covering a large area such as a canvas you'll need a scraper/palette knife to manipulate. Once you place your paper on this glue you have to be quick if you need to reposition it.

4) Golden Gel Medium(s) - Most artists I've spoken to prefer the gel mediums to attach everything from paper to buttons and all kinds of objects on to a substrate. There are 10 different gel mediums from Golden but I personally prefer the Heavy Gel Matte. I use this as my "go to" glue for most everything I do. I use it on canvas, wood, stone and most recently I've become a fan of Strathmore Illustration Board. The gel is heavy enough to glue coins, buttons, small bottles and other small objects on to vertical surfaces.

There are many other types of glues and adhesives available for more specialized surfaces and usages such as jewelry, metal arts, altered art and mixed media. I'll cover some more kinds of glazes, resins and industrial adhesives.

I've spent the last couple of months trying to get a variety of one part resins to work with paper. Not as easy as it seems! Today while cruising Etsy trying to think through my dilemma I came upon these wonderful bracelets by artist Red Sun Designs. They are so cool!!

This particular bracelet is one of my favorites but she has over over 150 designs in necklaces and bracelets to choose from.

Cheers!

The winner of our art contest is Sharon H. of Lewistown, PA.

I used a random number generator and it picked the number ONE for our first entry. Congratulations Sharon, I'll be in touch to get your addy for shipment.

Tomorrow we have new things....I'm so excited!!

Cheers,
Amy

A fun way to start the new year is the first EVER give-a-way of original art from Charming Sam.

Paris Map - Description: An original mixed media collage framed in a shadow box wooden frame measuring 6"x6". Using a 19th century map in the shape of the Arc de Triomphe from the Charming Sam "Arc de Triomphe - Collage Sheet ". The painting is a combination of collage, acrylic and gold texture. This is an original and only ONE is available. ACEO / ATC - Art Cards Editions & Originals. Signed by the artist, Amy Steinberg.

How do you win? Visit this piece at http://www.charmingsam.com/travel-art-collage-paris-map.html and on the left side of the screen is a pink box with a Mailing List box to sign up for our newsletter. Anyone who signs up for the Charming Sam newsletter between today and January 15, 2009 at 11:59pm PST is automatically entered in to the contest. Please be sure to put the email address you want to be contacted at. That's it!

Oh and if you want to spend some time looking around the site there are lots of things on SALE!

Cheers - Amy

I have been waiting (not so patiently) for the new year. 2008 was not a fun year in so many ways. In other ways I am grateful for having the time and opportunity to work on my art for another year.

And I am grateful for another year with my husband and daughter.

Wishing you the very best in the New Year.