Flea Haul

Some great finds from my first sunday this year at the "Elephant's Trunk" flea market!

Open since the 1970's and spread out over 55 acres, i think that one of the best features, besides being local, is that the merchandise is made up of more than 60% antiques and collectibles. If you plan to attend, the hours are 7AM to 2PM, cost: $2 and I recommend sun protection and comfortable shoes ~ since you will quickly lose track of time wandering aisle after aisle, chatting with all of the knowledgeable dealers & slipping into a time warp!   

1966 kitch-y calendar, 1972 farmer's almanac, california postcards-1953, old photos, sewing machine manual, mini "photo folders," hand-tied book of poetry, children's watercolor set, a bio of Marie Antoinette, some old books to alter and my two major coups: 1874 accountants journal with over 500 pages of meticulous writing and a bright orange astrology-themed metal tray ca. 1968! Link to flea market

Basic Stamp Carving

more stamping, a photo by cookievf on Flickr.

Why buy basic shapes when you can carve them yourself! A few months ago I managed my first attempt at basic carving with a Speedball lino cutting tool and a block of flexible, pink Speedy-Carve. Dick Blick carries a 9" x 11 3/4" sheet for $21.00. Erasers are great for carving too!. And don't forget to save your wine corks :D

I stamped this "sample set" with a brown pigment inkpad on a sheet of blank newspaper; a nice weight to use in collage. I also used it to make my painted background papers, shown in an earlier blog post and on flickr as well. View the carved stamps and the painted papers here.

new addiction: tape

If I could point a finger (of thanks), it would be towards two lovely "art journalists" whom I've been excited about for several years: Juliana Coles and Kelly Kilmer! Lucky for us they are both Artist/Instructors so please check their websites for *tons* of inspiration and workshops.

Over the years, they've both shared their love of paper tape, masking tape also known as deco tape, washi tape and I recently found the idea QUITE impossible to resist... now that I've finally started art journaling myself AND ALL THAT THAT IMPLIES (more supplies, new techniques, learn, learn, LEARN!) I'm very excited about it and although my output is fairly low, I will share some of it very soon.

I also highly recommend the various NING communities as well for prompts, resonably priced classes, message boards, galleries and shared techniques.

• Creative Workshops


• Milliande Art Community For Women


• Art Journaling

Sources (S+H extra):

• carpet tape 2-sided, great for book covers & more! 36 yards for $8.93
• 3/rolls gaffer tape "Venice" 6 yds total $7.95
• red damask clear packing tape 2" x 27 yards $7.00
• japanese washi tape 3/4" x 16 yards $4.00
  

Etsy Shop Update

My Shop "beauty of the garden"
Seller "vickstress"


I've just added a link to my Etsy shop. It is small and growing so be sure to click now and take a peek. You can either check here for updates or click on "follow this feed" at the bottom of my shop! Here are some items I will be listing ~

PAPER ART:
- ACEO originals,
- OOAK blank greeting cards,
- squared art,
- larger format mixed media collage,
- mixed media collage prints mounted on thick, creamy (blank) greeting cards

SUPPLIES:
Destashing cherished bits from my personal collection such as
-carte de visite
-cab cards
-maps
-mat board
-postcards
-old books & book pages
-vintage magazines
-vintage photo postcards
-square and shaped board books
as well as other treasures for altering/mixed media collage and bookmaking.

Vintage flea market finds from rural New England, such as
-gorgeous rusty & brass bits
-escutcheons
-keys
-art deco goddesses

AND SO MUCH MORE!