Handmade Embellishments 101: Creating Your Own Stamped Cork Stickers

I'm a little partial to the warm natural tone and texture of cork and enjoyed having the opportunity to play around a bit with it when creating the Inspiration Board in my book, Creative Bloom. So as not to waste a whole corkboard with my experimentation I purchased a roll of cork contact paper. What I learned was that painting directly on cork with acrylic worked great but so did stamping. However if I completely covered the cork with paint I lost the warm cork color I liked so much. I ended up keeping the cork background visible by cutting my own stamp and stamping with acrylics while also creating some little accent stickers out of the cork contact paper. Cork on cork is pretty cute but cork in the shapes of butterflies was SUPER cute. Now, a couple of years after my initial experimentation I'm starting to see cork embellishments come out in the scrapbooking stores so I thought I'd show you how really really easy (and inexpensive) these are to make at home.
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Creating Your Own Super Easy Cork Embellishments

Tools and Materials
One roll of cork contact paper (I got mine at Target)*
Scissors or punches
Stamps
Ink (dye pigment or permanent)

Step One: Choose some stamps and stamp directly on your cork surface. If you're using a detailed stamp (such as a photo realistic stamp) you'll want to make sure you really ink up the surface of the stamp. Then press the stamp firmly into the cork. Work on a hard surface for the best impression. If you plan on using a punch to cut out your stamp you might want to make sure you're working right at the edge of your cork as many punches won't allow you to reach very far.

Step Two: Cut around the stamp either with a punch or a scissor. Using a sharp scissor will give you the crispest edge, cork can be difficult to cut with a dull scissor. It just wants to bend. If punching you might want to insert the image upside down with the punch flipped over so that you can position it perfectly.

Step Three: Store your stickers flat as cork does want to break if rolled or folded. To use, simply peel off the backing paper and adhere to your surface. Easy as Pie. :) For the embellishment at right I did add a little twisted wire to the cork image with just a couple of stitches (more detail on this in my book, Creative Bloom). Enjoy!!!!

Detail of Inspiration Board in Creative Bloom

Variations: You can also make some freeform stickers but painting directly on the cork contact paper (like I did with my polka dots), or you can try drawing your own little images directly on the cork with a permanent marker as well. A doodled little robot might be awfully adorable. :)

* You can buy cork on a roll at craft or hobby stores but it usually does not have the adhesive backing. I did find that cork sticks just fine if using a UHU glue stick (apply for complete coverage) or tacky glue.

Author Night This Friday!!!

This Friday, the 20th, I'll be featured at an Author Night at the Studio at Rush Creek in Maple Grove. It's a free event that I'm a little nervous about but a whole lot excited about too. The Studio is a fabulous venue and they were sweet enough to let me sculpt the night a bit to my idea of a good time. Which means a make and take, so that those who come can actually try their hand at stitching fabric to wire, an informal chat that's more about you and your questions then me or the book.

I LOVE to inspire and encourage others so this kind of night really appeals to me. I'm hoping to share some info about how to get published both in magazines and books, and how to find the road that's right for you.  I'm bringing some of the projects from the book, so if you'd like to take a closer look, or having any questions about the projects you can ask. I'll also be selling/signing my book, so if you'd like a copy then you can get one then. But I didn't want this to be about that, so although the book will be available, the evening is about so much more. I would like people to walk away  feeling excited and encouraged to try something new and maybe stretch their own creative wings. There will be coffee too, as the Studio is a full service coffee bar as well as a artisan boutique and studio space that makes you feel inspired just being there.

So if you're local, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see you there! It's from 7- 8:30, come for as long as you can, and enjoy this fun, crafty, and hopefully marvelously inspiring event. You can find out all the particulars here. THANKS!!!!!

All the Goodness

Spring has sprung here, although rather reluctantly. It's grey here today but as I look out my window I can see green. That in itself feels amazing. After months and months of the biggest snow year we've had since I was a kid it feels a little unsettling to drive around a corner yet without inching out because you can't see around the huge piles of snow. Our driveway seems twice as wide as it did, and the best thing? When I look up from writing this I can see daffodils blooming and I know that in the front yard my forsythia bush is starting to bloom. That seems so good to me. So today I thought I'd share some more of the goodness I've found these last few days-

First, I have to let you know about the super sweet and really well written review of my book published by Hanna of ihanna. She is an amazing blogger and does fabulous book reviews, I sent her one of my books a little while ago hoping she'd take a look and I was so excited to see her review of it. While you're over at her blog check out some of her projects and her etsy shop. I love everything she does and feel so grateful that she took the time to read through my book and write such an amazing review. THANK YOU Hanna!!!!

More goodness-

 After a couple of weeks of thinking about it my husband surprised me this week by telling me to go get an ipad2 for an early anniversary present. It is a family ipad and I had to laugh because when they were setting it up at the store the apple guy asked if I knew anything about it. I told him my husband had me watch Steve Jobs' keynote about it a few weeks earlier. "The WHOLE keynote?" he said. I said "yup- all two hours" and apparently that was more then a sufficient introduction because he didn't have anything more to tell me. It's our first ipad and it's been super fun discovering apps like flipboard that let me peruse sites, facebook status's, and blogs in a magazine format. Above you can see what my birdfromawire facebook site looks like on it. Super cool! I'm really excited to play around with imovie and some of the other photography and video apps. I'll keep you updated on what I find. Lots of goodness there.

 

Finally, I'm just feeling so grateful for you. You are some of the best goodness in my life and I love getting your comments. It completely makes this blog worthwhile when I read that a post really connected with your life in some way. Thank you SO SO MUCH!!!

Artist's Giveaway on Create Mixed Media- A Creative Bloom Prize Package!!!

I am SO excited because today on the new Create Mixed Media website they posted their very first giveaway- of my book! Because this is a very special giveaway they're not just giving away the book; it's the book, plus wire, plus needles and floss, plus fabric scraps, plus a heavy duty wire cutter, plus a needle nose pliers, PLUS a scribble heart I made for your wall and a wee little one to put in your pocket. It's EVERYTHING you need to get started creating wire and fabric sculptures with a bit of art to boot.
So run, hop, or jump on over to this site and register to win this amazing, fabulous, crazy cool prize package!!!
(Oh and spread the word too- Yay! Thanks!)

Bridal Badge Design- The Fun is in the Details!

I was a little naughty this morning. I spent all my time perusing my google reader and forgot I needed to get this post done. OOps!

Here's a quick photo of the badge I've been working on. It's a take off of the Artist Badge in my book. I'm seeing Mom-to-be badges, birthday girl badges, and cutie badges. I'm also seeing a fairly hefty price tag in this girls' future, unless I can speed up my hand beading skills- it took way longer than I'd like to make it. It probably didn't have to have the seed beads, or the pearl strings,or the vintage shell buttons, and all those bits of lace but they were the most fun to add. :)

Hopefully I'll be a flurry of activity this afternoon after Bible Class and I'll show you more tomorrow! :)

Special "Art as Usual" Pre-Order Options for Purchasing My Book!

It's almost here! My book, Creative Bloom: Wire and Fabric Projects and Inspiration will be available in mid- November; only a month and a half away! To celebrate I've designed some special pre-order packages. I really had fun dreaming up these packages and can't wait for you to see them. I want you to know though, that the book, by itself, is also available for pre-order through online retail sites at a really good price. I just wanted to offer you some extra artsy goodness in these packages because I can. It's also a bit of a thank you. I love this blog because of how sweet and generous and encouraging you all are. I am so grateful. This post unlike my usual ramblings, is however, really about the pre-order packages I dreamed up so if you've already ordered my book- thank you! Would you mind telling a friend or two? I really do appreciate it!
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 So to make it super easy I've linked this post to my pre-order page where you can purchase these packages as well as find additional information about what is included in each package and see the special pre-order pricing. Each package does include priority shipping. I will ship them to you as soon as possible after I receive them. Yay!

Three Very Special Pre-Order Packages-

I designed three packages that will only be available through me and most probably only for a limited time, the Personal Creativity Package, the Creative Christmas Package, and the Creativity to Share Package. I created each of them with different purchasing reasons in mind.

For instance, if you can't wait to buy the book for your own personal artistic development and are really giving it as a gift to your artist self then the Personal Creativity Package is for you. Not only does it come wrapped as a gift, but it also comes with the wire word "inspire" handmade by me. This is sized so that you can either display it in your studio space, or you can actually incorporate it into your personal artwork. As an artist I know how hard it can be to stay motivated and I'm hoping that in this book, and with this wire reminder, you'll find personal inspiration that will not only motivate you but excite you as well. This package is specially priced for pre-order at $24.95

Next we have the Creative Christmas Package. This I designed as a special gift you'll give to that artist friend or family member who you know quivers with excitement at the sight of a new craft book. They love the gorgeous photo layouts, the exciting projects, and the inspirational writing and can't wait to delve in. They might have an interest in fabric, or mixed media, or fine art and be inspired by the possibilities this book shows for combining all of these. I guarantee there's no other book like this anywhere so this makes a unique gift like none other. To make it even better I've included special Christmas themed wrapping as well as a handmade snowflake ornament created by me. This is an original design that combines wire and beads that I know they will keep and love to pull out year after year. This book will also come signed and with a blank gift tag for you to use. Oh, and if you love Christmas you can purchase this for yourself as well. It makes a nice "Merry Christmas to me" present. This package is priced for pre-order at $34.95. I am only selling a limited number of these packages. So order early!

The third option is the Creativity to Share Package. This is the one to get if you'd love to give this book as a gift but really want one for yourself as well. It comes with two books, each signed, and each wrapped as a gift. I priced this package to make getting two books a little more do-able. Now you don't have to choose to give the book or keep it. You can do both!!! This package is available at the special pre-order price of $45.95. That's less than cover price!

Again, I am so excited to offer you these packages! I love that they include not only the book but allow me to add my personal touches that really convey the sense that this is really something special from me to you. From my artist spirit to yours. Again, thank you all so much.

****If you'd like to purchase more than two copies of this book, say if you want to give one to each member of your art group this year, then please contact me for additional special pricing. I'd love to talk to you and help you spread the creativity around!

Holding My Book for the Very First Time!!!

On Monday the advance copy of my book arrived!!!! I still kind of can't believe it. I sat down immediately and started to read it from cover to cover. It's just such an incredible experience. I actually kept it to myself for a day and didn't tell anybody just because I felt like I needed to absorb it all a little first. This book was a very long time in coming. I sent my first e-mail proposal 22 months ago. It was pretty rough and I'm so grateful to North Light's acquisitions editor for looking past that roughness and helping me to refine and develop it before taking it to the publishing board. They then look at your proposal, outline, artwork, etc. and decide if this is something that will fit them and they think they can sell. They vote and the very nervous author then gets an e-mail saying it's a go, at which point she's in a moms group meeting and screams and then quickly covers her mouth hoping no one heard. Of course they all did and are curious so after the meeting you tell a few of them that you are going to be an author. Seriously.

THEN the work begins, you develop a list of projects (20+), trusting all the while that you will be able to make them all, because when you handed in your list there were a few things on there that you'd never actually made before. But you thought they would be really cool if you could, then you spend the next few months figuring out how to make the things you said you could. All the while trusting in God to give you the answers you don't yet have when you need them. Your mother tells you she doesn't want to see you with another art supply in your hands again-ever- because all you do when you come visit is hand over the kid and start to work. Of course she loves the kid to death and doesn't really mind. And she might be a wee bit proud of you, just tired of not seeing much of you. Your husband's looking a little neglected and is sick of jarred spaghetti, but is being super supportive because you're doing this together and you both know when you hold the book in your hands it will all be so worth it, and he knows how badly you want it and wants it for you (cause he's sweet like that).

You lean on your friends and your family and somehow the work gets done and it's amazing. Then all you have to do is step out the projects for the photo shoot, fly to Cincinnati for the week long photo shoot, and when you come home everyone is so glad you're finally done. Then you break it to them that you still have to write the book. So you spend your Christmas vacation writing the content. All the while loving it and hoping that as you write others will hear your voice and be inspired by it. You of course pretend it's this awful chore but you truly love having this chance to encourage and share your experiences with others.

Then there's a few rewrites, editing, back and forth between your fabulous editor and you, and then you wait. And wait. The book is going to design, it's going to editing, it's doing all these things without you now and after a while you start to see snatches of what it might look like but still you don't quite know.

So when the Fed ex truck pulls up and hands you your book, it's amazing. Like holding your baby for the first time you can't quite believe that this- came from you. It looks a little like you and a little like all the other talented people who worked on it. It combines your vision with your editor's, the designer's, and every one else who had a hand in shaping it. But you're truly absolutely holding it in your hands. So that's when I sat down and read it cover to cover. I was reacquainting myself with my words and art. It was consuming and wonderful and I almost missed picking up my son from school. So you toss it in your purse and run to pick him up and he's the very first person you show. He says he's already seen all your art and doesn't need to see it again- oh, and weren't there some Oreo's?

And slowly you start to share it with the people you wrote it for, other bloggers, other mommies, other artists who are seeking inspiration, or haven't yet dared to call themselves artists. And you hope and pray that they will be inspired and encouraged and go out and make tons and tons of art, now with a clearer idea of who they are as artists and what inspires them. You hope they appreciate it a little more than your 5 year old does, and maybe even enjoy it with some Oreo's.

The book is being sold now as a pre-sale through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other sites. Amazon gives the release date as Nov. 17th. Crazy!

An Interview and the Release of my Book's Cover!!!!

I had a super pleasant surprise this morning when I found an interview I did last week on The Shop Bug's site. It was a surprise because she pulled a lot of images from my blog to go with the interview. Some of which I haven't seen for a while.

I really loved doing this interview. It was a lot of fun to think about some of the questions Rachel asked. You know, you don't think about some things UNTIL someone asks. She has a great site so I would LOVE it if you would follow the link above and check out the interview.

THEN I scrolled down and found she had my book cover. YES! MY book cover has been released!!! Here it is:

I am SO EXCITED (I don't think I've ever used so many capitals in a post before)!!!! I absolutely love what North Light did for the cover and don't think it looks like anything else out there. What do you think? Wouldn't this stand out on the shelf if you were browsing? Wouldn't it make you want to pick it up and see more? I think so... :)

Yay!! It finally seems like it's really all happening!

Affirmations

I titled this post "affirmations" because I was going to show you a piece I just completed with affirmations I wrote during the book process but never did anything with. However as I think about it I want to tell you about another experience I've had with affirmations this week.

All week I've been enjoying my "flying lessons" with Kelly Rae Roberts and I think the best part has been connecting with the other flyers. This is my first online class and I had no idea that there would be this much interaction between the students. I wish I could read you some of the comments but of course, can't. The overall feeling I get though is not that these are "in it for themselves" creatives trying to make it but generous, giving, and vulnerable artists who are going to make it, but not by themselves. It's a community and each is supporting the next in their goals, whatever those goals currently are.

For some it's getting started with a blog or etsy shop. Others are looking to make enough money to support their (art) habit, still others have yet to really see themselves as artists but have dreams of doing so. I think it was the dreams that brought them to this class but what I see is the affirmation they are all receiving from both what Kelly Rae is posting, and the other" flyers". I love it. So inspired by this interaction I dug out this list of affirmations and finally created a work of art for it.

Believe it or not I am 36 but still have hopes of changing the world. I know that by now cynicism should have set in but I still have hope. I want to see every artist from child to adult get a hand up as they reach for their dreams. I want to see a world of people living their creative dreams. So there you go. My big secret- I want to change the world. :)

Creative Bloom: Book Update

Just a quickie update to let you all know where the book is at in it's development. A couple of weeks ago they were taking the beauty shots and then last week it was at design all week. The fabulous designers at North Light are working their magic and I couldn't be more pleased!!! So exciting to have so many talented people adding their abilities to making the book the best it can be.

Publication date is November. Thanks again for all your well wishes with this project!!! I am sooooooo excited to show it to all of you!!!!!

CRAZY!!!! My Book on Amazon!!!

Browsing the web last night I googled the name of my upcoming book thinking I'd see what other Creative Bloom sites are out there and already taken. Found a design company in Canada and few other miscellaneous things and then... I saw it!!! My book is now listed on Amazon.com. I kind of can't believe it.

Here's what it says:
Creative Bloom: Wire and Fabric Projects to Cultivate your Inner Artist (Paperback)

~ Jennifer Swift (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1 edition (November 17, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440303169
• ISBN-13: 978-1440303166

Wow!!!! Pretty amazing!!! The fact that I have a book coming out still doesn't register sometimes. It isn't something that was even on my "someday" list a few years ago. It didn't seem possible. Pretty amazing example of what God can do in our lives!!!