29Faces Challenge - Ayala Art

Ayala Art hosts a 29Faces September 2016 challenge to try new mediums to draw/paint/create faces.  I've been exploring mixed media and want to add some drawing so, I'm giving this a go!  Join in the fun.


Find out more about this challenge here:  http://29faces.blogspot.com/2016/08/29-faces-in-september.html

Dollar Store Facial Brush Hack

Dollar store hack.  Use a dollar store facial brush in your art studio.  All the scrapbookers, card makers and mixed media artists, take a look at how I'm using this facial brush to apply ink shading to a card.  I love the look of inked edges but didn't want to pay the relatively high price of the felt and velcro ones you can find in the craft stores.  These facial brushes apply the ink perfectly and smoothly at a low cost.  You can have several for different colors.  Love this dollar store hack.  Hope you do as well.

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Mixed Media Altered Teapot Tutorial - How to Alter a Teapot #CoArtCoKitchen

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Create a mixed media altered teapot.  Join me as part of the #CoArtCoKitchen collaboration with Pam Tanino, Shemi Dixon and Ina Solsbery as we take an ordinary kitchen item and transform it.  The only rules were to use fabric/lace, metal and a kitchen item.  I chose a thrift store teapot, fabric swag from Pam, lace, grosgrain ribbon, plastic pearl trim, paper rose, metal buckles, scrapbook paper and a handmade polymer clay button.  Love the way this mixed media teapot turned out.  Thanks for joining me in my studio.

Ina Solsbery - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGqIhBmuwTs
Shemi Dixon - https://youtu.be/2mAk__G3c-4
Pam Tanino - https://youtu.be/pzNTGLdFI3Q

Tools
Craft knife
Scissors
Needle tool
Brushes - foam or other

Materials
Teapot
Scrapbook paper
Fabric swag
Lace
Ribbon
Metal scrapbook buckles
Plastic pearl trim
Button
Paper rose
Mod Podge - Matte
Sobo glue

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SweetWillowDsgn
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/SweetWillowDsgn
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/search?q=SweetWillowDsgn
Blog:
http://www.sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com

How to Make a Night Sky Queen Altered Box - Collaboration with Maria Yozi of CreativeTube

Join Maria Yozi of CreativeTube and me as we interpret our theme, "The key to transportation is found in the night sky." We'll each use whatever materials we wish to create an art project using the theme.  Very challenging but loads of fun.

Maria Yozie used polymer clay in her project, I did a mixed media altered box.  Hope you enjoy.

Subscribe to my Channel:  http://bit.ly/1Ny4aEY
Check out Maria Yozi of CreativeTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW4J1eLClhZnXxeiw5QNScg
Here's CreativeTube's collaboration video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOESUyt2swk

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Pinterest:
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How To Make A Mixed Media Past Present and Future Personal Shrine For Journaling - #CoArtCo

Hi All, thanks for joining me in my studio.  Today's project is part of a collaboration with three other Colorado YouTube creatives.  Part 2 of the collaboration has us each making a unique and individual project with the goodie bags we received.  We each created a focal which measured no more than 4"x4" and then a goodie bag with inspiring bits and bobs.  It was so much fun to exchange with each other and see all the wonderful papers, fibers, buttons, gellie prints, mixed media painted paper, rhinestones, and on and on.  Everyone was so generous I have enough for about 15 projects!

You'll see in each of our videos how we transformed the three handmade focals we received.  From Pam Tanino I received a glittery green spinner, from Shemi a mixed media tile and from Ina a custom first name initial.  Brilliant!  I loved every piece.

With all of these lovely materials I made a personal (not necessarily religious) shrine for journaling.  This is meant to be a way to express your thought about your past, present and future.  Journal on custom made tags thoughts you have about events in your past that were wonderful experiences or that need forgiveness.  Keep what makes you strong from the past and release the rest.  Move to the present where you could journal about what you are grateful for or about those you love, just remember to "be present".  We all have dreams for the future, write yours down!  I hope you enjoy this unique way to journal.  See the tools and materials list below the video links.

See all of the videos at the links below.  As you move from one to the next, just click the first link and it will take you to the next video.

Pam Tanino:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS4-R--hV2Q&feature=youtu.be

Shemi Dixon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX537dSfAbQ

Ina Solsbery:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N1RILz1ZVE

Tools

Scissors

Craft knife

Ruler

Paint brushes

Materials

Various mixed media (paper, buttons, gellie prints, ribbon, lace, fibers, charms, napkins, printed words, quotes, sentiments, etc.)

Tags (optional) or other for journal cards

Box - open to three parts, you can alter a box to create a box that opens from the middle

Gesso

Various paints (optional)

Glue - matte medium, Mod Podge, PVA white glue

Masking tape

Inks pads (various colors)

Ink applicator

SWD Interview: Lyn Parker Gil of LynzCraftz

Hi everyone, thanks for joining me today as I interview a fellow artist and YouTuber, Lyn of LynzCraftz.  I started following Lyn’s YouTube channel in the past year and have greatly enjoyed her polymer clay tutorials.  With over 5,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel, Lyn is plenty busy creating and sharing.  Hi, Lyn, welcome to Sweet Willow Designs.

Would introduce yourself, tell us a little about yourself and your interests outside of your work as an artist.

Married 30 yrs to my high school sweetheart... mother & grandmother, I've been a crafter since I can remember. My mother, a crafter herself, enrolled me in my first art lessons at 6yrs old (she didn't realize it was an oil painting class no less). I've been lost in the creative ocean ever since.

I believe inspiration can come from almost anywhere...so I am an observer of life constantly looking for that inspirational moment. Whether from the Oak forest that surrounds our home or from my time traveling work desk or maybe even a history documentary my inspiration is as widespread as my imagination. I hope you will see something that catches your eye or maybe even your imagination...inspiration is everywhere!  

You’re an accomplished polymer clay artist.  How did you get started with polymer clay?

I first picked up polymer clay about 20 years ago, some Super Sculpey but I only fiddled around with it. Then about 10 years ago I began sculpting some heads for some of my cloth dolls but again I only made a few. Then I began sculpting Mermaids & Fairies, which I still enjoy but switched to jewelry shortly thereafter.

Do you work in any other mediums besides polymer clay?

Yes, I enjoy Mixed Media, Altered Art, Sewing, Cloth Dolls,Painting, Drawing & Resin...I have to try it all!

Lyn, you have close to 350 videos on YouTube.  How did you get started and how long have you been creating videos?

I’ve been watching YouTube videos since 2011 & while watching one day I decided to give one of the projects a try. I was encouraged by friends & family to show what I had done but I really didn’t like the sound of my own voice. I just created a slide show type video at first. When I became comfortable with it I went to actually speaking in the video & the rest is history.

How do you decide what to make and how do you come up with your beautiful designs?

I get inspiration from almost everywhere...movies, old photos, old magazines & even vintage master jewelry artists. My mind is rarely quiet & I often work out my designs in my sleep...well that few moments before sleep anyway.

How much time do you spend creating each week and what’s your typical day like?

I’m up almost every day at 6AM & in my studio by 7-7:30 when my Hubby leaves for work. I take a break for lunch but other than that I’m in my studio till 5:30 & sometimes longer. My studio is also my office though so I also run my shop from there.I try to take Friday’s off for chores & down time.

What is your workspace/studio like?

My studio is in one of the spare rooms, a 14x14. It’s full to the brim with all my supplies for clay & mixed media. I have a separate room for my sewing. I have one wall that I call my “Wall of Inspiration” where I have pieces I’ve created that are special to me. It’s not really decorated in any way other than a few piece made by friends.

What are your favorite tools?

I’ve said this before...my hands are my favorite tool. I can do more with them than any other tool. But if I had to choose an actual tool I’d have to say my metal knitting needle & my Color Shaper(silicone rubber tipped tool).

I know you have an Etsy shop.  How long have you been selling your creations and how did you get started?

It was just a year ago in November when I finally open my Etsy shop. I definitely waited much too long...I should have listened to my Hubby & done it before then. You have to be at a place in your life where you feel comfortable with your art. It also helps to get everything together like your packaging, business cards( I enclose one in every purchase), etc.

Do you have any advice for artists wanting to get started with YouTube or selling their work?

Start slow. Know yourself & what your style is...if you like a certain type of art & find yourself drawn to it...do it! You’ll always be more creative in a style you enjoy. For instance I don’t do caning...it’s just not something I’m interested in. I’m more into grungy metal & natural textures. If you know your own style & like it...more than likely someone else will too.

Lyn, wow.  Thanks so much for joining me today.  Great advice to the artists wanting to sell their work or create videos. I’ve had a great time getting to know you better. How can my readers find you on Facebook, Pinterest, etc.?

I’d love to have your readers stop by and say hi.  Here’s how to find me.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynzCraftz

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/lynzcraftz/

Blog:          http://lynzcraftz.blogspot.com/

Google+:   https://plus.google.com/108220717082799436253/posts

Etsy:          https://www.etsy.com/shop/LynzCraftz

Thanks again Lyn.  I hope you all enjoyed this interview with Lyn of LynzCraftz.  Leave a comment below if you’d like to see more interviews, have a question or want to leave your thoughts on this interview.  As always, thanks for joining me in my studio.

SWD Polymer Clay Tutorial - Get Your Swirl On!! - St. Patrick's Day Pendant

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, just a few weeks away.  Learn to make a polymer clay swirl pendant or charm with shamrocks to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  We’ll use the colors of the Irish flag – white, orange and green to make a swirl bead and then embellish it with three shamrocks.  I hope you enjoy this polymer clay tutorial.  It’s the third in my “Get Your Swirl On” series.   See the tools and materials list after the video link.

Thanks for joining me in my studio.  If you enjoyed this tutorial, give me a thumbs up, subscribe to my channel and leave me a comment.  I love hearing from you.  Thanks again for watching.

Tools

Acrylic block and roller

Extruder with 19 hole disk – optional, you can roll thin snakes of clay by hand

Cutter – 3/16” hear shape – optional you can cut the hearts by hand with a craft knife

Hand drill or Dremel with size of drill bit to accommodate jump ring or bail

Materials

Clay – 1” ball of white, small amounts of orange and green

Jump ring for bail or other bail

Necklace finding

GET YOUR SWIRL ON SERIES

See my YouTube playlist for the series

SWD Polymer Clay Tutorial - Scrap Heart

I have an unreasonable amount of scrap clay that's just been sitting around waiting to be used.  Here's a quick and simple project to take that scrap clay and turn it into a heart.  Use the heart as a pendant or in a mixed media project.   If you enjoyed this video tutorial, give me a thumbs up, comment or subscribe to my channel.  Thanks for joining me in my studio.