Marbleizing on Paper Step By Step Hastypearl

Marbleizing on Paper

Step By Step

Hastypearl

I have always been fascinated by old books.

It seems like the details and care taken in illustrating them, are so exceptional.

The end pages are often marbleized and it mesmerizes me to see them.

I happened upon a video of the technique of marbleizing one day 

and thought that only someone with years of mastering could do it.

Then, this past year, Crystal Neubauer came to my home to teach a workshop, 

and as a part of her mark making, she taught us a very simple technique 

that made me think that even someone like novice me...and maybe you...

could enjoy marbleizing. 

Crystal taught us using ink, but while walking around the workshop room, 

I saw that one of the students had used a Pebeo product, 

and I knew that I would order some to try for myself.

It has its Advantages and its Disadvantages.

Disadvantage...its not water soluble, 

so what you use to drop it, is pretty much useless afterwards.

Advantages...it comes in a lot of amazing colors that to me, 

resemble those in the great vintage books that I love seeing.

So, you decide what you want to use.

I found these paint boxes on Amazon and they were each affordable.

I think it could take a lifetime to use all of the paint.

I opened all of the bottles and gathered a flat plastic tray, 

that would accommodate the size of paper that I used.

Choose something that is disposable.

I decided to try using toothpicks.

You will need to stir the paint with one, anyway.

Let a drop of paint fall to the water.

It will sit on the surface of the water.

Drop as many as you want, and as many colors as you want.

Gently stir the stick through the water, or, you can gently blow 

on the surface of the water 

so that the colors move around.

If you decide to use water soluble ink, you can purchase plastic 

transfer pipettes on Amazon.

They are also very affordable and useful to have for lots of other projects. 

The ink or paint, will make interesting shapes.

That is what you will capture with your paper.  

I gathered strips of leftover 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Crystal also used old book pages.

Thinner paper didn't work so great.

Just play with what you have and see what you like.

Gently, lay each strip on top of the water.

When you lift the paper, the paint will have transferred to the paper.

Lay them out to dry.

I used my heat gun, to speed the drying process some.

If you don't feel like you have enough paint on your paper, dip again!

Its fun to see the individuality of each piece.

No two could possibly be alike :)

These were some of my finished strips!

I had planned on making some new journal covers 

and was happy to have some new strips of marbleized papers 

to incorporate into the compositions!

Can you find them? :)

This technique is so easy.

Yes, there are people that have serious skills and you Should Google 

and watch some of the videos.

Most of us don't need to start with such complicated processes.

Its fun!

I think that you will be happy if you invest in either inks Or paints.

* 

We just returned from a trip to the cool Colorado mountains where we 

played as a family with polymer clay's.

I'm thinking, that we may give marbleizing a try, 

next time we get together :)  

Let me know how it goes for you, if you give it a try!

I'm so glad that you stopped by for a visit.

I hope that you are all enjoying your days.

It's the Dog Days of Summer in Texas.

Working in the garden, happens only in the earliest hours...then 

its back inside where its cool.

It really makes me thoughtful for those men and women 

whose jobs are outside, year around.

Best to all...Laura

A Promised Reward! Hastypearl

A Promised Reward!

Hastypearl

I posted yesterday, about how everyone seems to be so busy.

Sometimes...too busy!

To take a break, and honor myself, I spent the day today, 

in a kind of Promised Reward Day.

One, where I did things that sometimes you feel like you need to go Away to do.

Instead, I stayed Home, to do them.

A Staycation of sorts :)

One of the things that has been on my to do fun list for too long, 

was to crank up some eco-dye pots.

While its usually better to do this outside, today, I stayed inside.

I have a really great vent over my stove, and I wasn't in any danger, 

so with the rain, it was a great decision.

The amazing end results of eco dyeing is always a definite yes, 

but to me, 

the Process is Also, beautiful to photograph.

I took these pictures both for their beauty and for 

some ideas that you might benefit from.

First, I want to make it Very Clear, that I am a novice dyer.

There are MANY, that know much more than I do.

I think that it just proves, that there are paths for dyers that are very easy, 

and right now, that is great for me.

When Leslie Marsh taught me, we used a water bath in which we dropped, black walnuts, a piece of iron, some vinegar and the collected garden litter, 

rolled up in either paper, or silk, cotton or linen fabric.

Today, I used 140 lb. watercolor paper, and cotton and linen fabric.

While I did a pot with this recipe today, the one that is photographed here, is only using plants wrapped up in cotton or linen and a bath of Spanish Saffron.  

NOTHING in any cabinet or drawer, is safe from me.

I found this beautiful handmade lace round runner, 

to wrap around my leaves and petals from the garden.

I've never used the yarrow before, so it was an experiment.

There are wonderful books to read, I own two of India Flint's, 

that have lists of plants to use in the dye bath, 

but I like to use what I have in my garden, and experiment.

If its a "fail", no problem. I can always use the same fabrics in a different bath, next time. 

This is what the round runner looked like in the bath.

I think that it looks like a sausage!

I walked around the garden, with this mid century plastic pitcher, 

collecting plant clippings.

We have a lot of creatures...like ants and beetles, in Texas, that invariably piggy 

back into the house on the clippings.

So, I placed the pitcher on a water filled cookie sheet, 

so that when the bugs climb over the side, 

they will encounter the water,

 and they wont climb out on my counter top.

I remember seeing in a museum, that the pioneers had to put their table legs 

in little pots of water, to keep the ants from climbing up 

onto the table and spoiling their food.

I guess I could call myself a flower collecting, Pioneer!

I also leave my papers soaking in water, 

so that they better receive the colors from the plants.

I'm being disciplined, This Time, 

and leaving my rolls in the dye bath overnight, 

or maybe even longer, to make sure that 

they soak up as much dye as possible.

It was a wonderful day, relaxing and honoring myself with a few Promised Rewards...

Now, if I can just remember to do it more often :)

I Hope that you treated yourself to something wonderful, today, 

or have plans for it in the near future!

Dear Reader, I will begin listing a number of new items 

over at my hastypearl shop this week.

I hope that you will take a look and see whats going on over there.

There is always something new to see :)

Buying from Etsy is very easy.

All you need is a credit card, and you can do your Gift Buying, 

in the convenience of your own home..:)

Best to all and Ill see you next time...Laura  

Dance and Swing! Fiber Art Collage Hastypearl

 

 

 

Dance and Swing!

 

Fiber Art Collage

 

 

Hastypearl

 

Dear Readers,

I thought it might be fun, for you to see what I've been up to in the studio!

 

After all of the holiday decorating, and shopping and lists were starting to look complete, I slipped up to the studio, for a quiet time of Playing and Making, for two certain ladies... 

Katherine Anne and Savanna Grace!

 

 

I started with simple Line Drawings.

 

For these two Young ladies, I thought the Dress would be appropriate.

But for you, it could be an Animal, Toy, Flower...Anything!

 

While there are dozens of stitches to be used (and can be Googled), I wanted a very simple and straight forward stitch, to "Draw" the dresses with.

 

 

 

I'm very attracted to the shapes of the 40's and 50's.

Maybe, its because the 50's were when my Mother, was actually sewing dresses like this, for me!

 

 

I have saved fabric scraps for years.

You probably have as well.

Start by cutting and tearing and layering out a composition, that looks good for your collage.

 

I hadn't even thought about it, but my Son pointed out to my Grand, when she was opening this piece, that the floral fabric I used here, was on their sofa, that we had given them.

I love it when those kinds of things happen!

I had inadvertently selected a fabric for Her piece, that I had years ago selected, for myself!

 

Next, comes the really fun part!

 

Dig through your buttons, or notions, laces and trims and continue building your collage.

 

One hint I have learned along the way...

 

Sew your buttons and trims on now, otherwise, they will show through to the back of your piece.

I think it looks much nicer, if there aren't threads and stitches showing on your completed back.

 

I learned that the Hard way...you can thank me later ;)

 

 

Add Words if you like!

 

I was reluctant to use this trendy technique for a long time, but sometimes, it is useful, to develop the theme.

 

I have a weakness tendency, with some pieces, to add and add and add.

With these two pieces, I wanted to keep it very simple and let the Line Drawings, lead.

 

At this point, you can stitch or glue this completed layer down, to your background.

I used a measured, torn piece of watercolor paper, but you can use Anything that you want for your background.

Sometimes, I glue a simple saw tooth hanger on the back.

These pieces are so lightweight, that they can be hung on a wall, with a simple straight pin.

 

For these two pieces, I glued two simple loops of ribbon on the top, for hanging.

 

I love Weldbond glue, for these collage projects.

It dries clear and is Super strong.

I buy Large bottles online.

 

Make sure that you sign and date your piece.

It will serve as a timeline, for the one that you share it with.

 

This piece, didn't really compete this year, with the Nerf gun that my Grand was playing with, but long after the Christmas toy is gone...her piece from Grandmother Pearl, will remain :)

 

 

 

"As to dancing, my dear, I Never dance, unless I am allowed to do it In My Own Peculiar Way.

There is no use trying to describe it:

it has to be seen to be believed.

Did you ever see the Rhinoceros, and the Hippopotamus, at the Zoological Gardens, trying to

dance a minuet together?

It is a touching sight."

 

Lewis Carroll 1873

 

As Always, I'm so glad that you stopped in, to read my Hastypearl blog.

 

I hope that you will try your hand at your Own collage!

Who you share it with, will love that you spent the Time on them.

 

xoxo Laura

 

...oh and...I would love for you to subscribe (see that opportunity, on the right sidebar of the blog) to receive notice of these postings!

 ...And I thank you for your past comments, whether here or on Facebook!

 

You would be surprised, how you can connect with Amazing, Special People, who are blogging away the interesting things that happen in their lives.

I personally, have been blessed by many Wonderful Connections!

 

Now...time is a wasting...Get To DANCING! :)