SteamPunk Snowman

I have always looked at things a little differently, so the Steampunk movement (the blend of Victorian and SciFi styles) has always appealed to me.


A few weeks ago I posted about the SteamPunk Egg I made my sister, ATA Girl, Dani and I enjoyed making it so much that when my friends and fellow art therapists came to visit me over the Labor Day weekend I planned an art experience for them involving  Steampunk materials.

They are all so creative, I wasn't sure what they would want to work on, so I provided a few options of plain, unpainted paper mache' and wood ornament and picture frames to do some Steam Punky collage work on.


They all chose the picture frames to work on (which turned out great, sorry I didn't get any pics) and so I did a snowman ornament, which lent itself perfectly to a mechanized punky treatment.

I started by painting the whole snowman black, then adding on some metallic copper accents to look like doors and metal plates.  I then used decoupage glue and ripped up some small copies of classic Leonardo da Vinci illustrations and applied them to the surface of the snowman for more interest. I applied a coating of Modge Podge glue over the whole snowman to seal it and add shine.

Once dry, I build up the surface with vintage watch parts to mimic classic snowman elements like eyes, buttons and I made a scarf out of copper wire and watch parts.

Not artistically inclined but love the little steamy snowman or know someone that would?  No worries!  I will make one for you! Order from the ATA Girl Store Envy site (see large Button at upper right hand side of blog) or email me at dianesteinbach@gmail.com.  Each snowman may be slightly different as they are all handmade. $25.00 a piece. Come in either primarily black (as shown) or copper with black accents.

~ Diane



Spark Your Creativity Now
(http://pinandtack.blogspot.com)

Not Just for Breakfast Anymore... Egg Art

I'd like to take a little bit of your time to introduce you to one of my favorite art forms - Egg Art.  Not just your typical egg dyeing that you normally do around the spring holidays - Egg Art encompasses many different styles.  Egg decorating has been around for centuries, and many of those early techniques and traditions are continued today by artists around the world. Just about anything you can imagine can be done to an egg.

The International Egg Art Guild (IEAG) website (http://www.eggartguild.org/) is a great place to start learning about the different forms of Egg Art.  More than twenty-five years ago Kit Stansbury put the wheels in motion to form a society where artists could discuss, share and exchange ideas, and promote egg decorating as an art form.  Now, with membership in the guild worldwide, they have created a flourishing Masters Program to help anyone wishing to improve their artistry and technique. The artform is flourishing, and nowhere is this better experienced than at an Egg Art Show.

All around the world, egg artists and suppliers gather at a show to hold classes and display their individual art to any who wish to see.  The IEAG website has a list of the shows held each year.  There is no better place to experience all the various types of Egg Art than at one of these shows.  Suppliers are available as well, providing a hands-on opportunity for visitors to purchase kits, miniatures, eggs and tools.  Many Egg Artists also display and sell their work at local art shows and shops.  

With the invention of the internet - Eggs have gone viral.  A search on the words Egg Art on Google recently pulled up over 72,000 hits.  Searching on the words Pysanky (a wax resist method), Carl Fabergè, Ostridge Eggs, Emu Eggs, Rhea Eggs, Carved eggs, etc will bring up lists of suppliers, artists from around the world, and general information.  One such artist is Lorrie Popow, a Master Egg Artist who has recently placed her training sessions on Youtube for everyone to enjoy. 

 Lorrie is definitely one of our finest ATA Girls, and we are proud to be able to place the link to her videos on our sight for everyone to experience.

Craft Gadgets: Feed Your Need

 I love gadgets.  Specially crafty ones.  For example, I was at the WI State Fair recently (a gadget lovers paradise!) and came across a ribbon maker.  WOW - that demonstrator was talented... she made some incredible package decorations.  I had my credit card out and arms outstretched as Leo (in his infinite wisdom remember all the other gadgets I've purchased over the years that are sitting collecting dust) grabbed me by the waist and dragged me away.  I still wipe away a tear when I think of it.  sniff sniff  if only I had been quicker I could have gotten the website to order it!

My gadget fetish is not only limited to crafty things though.  While at the same State Fair (on the same trip) I spotted this little beauty   - the Miracle Whisk (http://www.themiraclewhisk.com/).  Just think - in only 5 seconds you can whip up milk that's just perfect for at home cappucino, 10 minutes you can make meringue or whipped cream.  Oh MY!  Even better - it's stainless steel so Leo HAD to let me buy it.  LOL  (it's still in the box!)

And my gadget craze is not limited to live demonstrations.  Who would have thought that the internet would allow me to indulge my addiction without even trying.  I received an e-mail about this product just perfect for scrapbooking, paper projects and I'm thinking - even my egging.  It's called the "Stamping Gear" (http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/Inkadinkado/Videos/Stamping_Gear--Join_the_Revolution!.htm) and I LOVE it. It lets you use your stamps and make arched designs with them without trying to figure out placement - what could be better.  I even watched the little on-line demonstration over and over and over again.  

I'm sure I can sneak this one in the house.  Maybe it will come in a plain brown box so no one will know.