Complete Disaster!

Am I the only person this happens to??
I have just spent all morning working on a steampunk project for a magazine article, I am very self critical but every now and then you do something that you love and this was one of those  projects… I decided to finish it off with a coat of Americana Matte sealer for added protection but as I was spraying the piece it came to my attention that the fumes did not smell quite right somehow and the finish had no sheen, when I looked at the label on the can it read 3M Scotch Spray Mount…. Argghhhh the whole thing completely ruined in a few seconds!!
After 30 minutes sulking I have to admit that I am finding it quite funny now….Oh well....back to the drawing board!

While browsing tinternet I came across a site called Dark roasted blend check out these alcoholic spirits!… I think I will pass on all of those!

Snake liquors from South East Asia are also considered cures for a variety of ailments, including impotence, back and muscle pain and hair loss (below left). These drinks usually contain highly poisonous snakes, such as cobras (below right):



If snakes aren’t really for you, how about scorpions and spiders? This distilled rice grain vodka from Thailand, complete with a farm raised scorpion, is banana flavoured and sweetened with sugar cane (below left).
This Thai rice whiskey contains a large non-venomous spider (below right) and is apparently an acquired taste.


Andy

New Stamps and Stuff!

Hi everyone,
Well back from my weekend at the Papeterie in Aberdeen where both myself and Lindsay Mason were demoing and running workshops so a quick thank you to Charlotte and all the staff for looking after us,  also a big thank you to everyone attending the workshops, what a lovely bunch and so well behaved!! :)
I spent the day yesterday with my phone switched off putting the finishing touches to my new stamp designs which will hopefully be launched at the Craft Hobby & Stitch International Show (Trade) in february 2012.

I will be at the Craft Barn in Lingfield this coming weekend demoing on Saturday and holding an Altered reversible bisque clock workshop on Sunday using a new to the "Craft Barn" Decoart acrylic paint and technique…exciting!  I am hoping this yucky cold I have has cleared up before then as it's not nice… and obviously as you all well know, us men suffer far worse when it comes to colds ;)

Here is a peak at what delegates are going to make this weekend.
Clock Face Side One
This side is quite a simple faux chipped enamel technique to enable delegates to understand how the new paint behaves.

Clock Face Side Two
On the reverse we will be using one of my favourite Decoart products - Modeling Paste along with the new paints and technique.

Before I go I just wanted to apologise to everyone booked in for the next Evil Elixir Mixer online course for not sending the information on the two secret products yet, the reason for this is  that they are currently on their way from the states and not yet in stock. I am checking this everyday and will send you the info as soon as they are here. we do still have 39 days left until launch and that means still 30 days in which you can book on. here is a link to the workshop information .

I am currently working hard on the promised new online workshop for early next year where I am going to share lots of fantastic techniques most of which I do not use on day workshops because of the time limits.
I have also set up a new blog just for the online workshops, I will post all details there when I have it finished.
Bye for now,
Andy

The Papeterie

Hi all,
I have spent much of today preparing an upcoming workshop and demonstration at The Papeterie in Aberdeen for this coming weekend.
Both myself and Lindsay Mason will be demonstrating on Saturday and running workshops on the Sunday so please check to see if there are any places left by calling 01224 802337
I fly up on Friday afternoon from Birmingham airport.
I have visited Aberdeen a few times now but unfortunately I have always had to fly back the same evening leaving me no time to explore this beautiful city hence I am soooooo looking forward to this weekend….. I really can't wait!
Errmmm….. sorry no new artwork to show today so I have included an old montage of some of my earlier work using Oil paints, wood, acrylic, fused glass, ceramic and polymer clay.


Bye for now,
Andy

Steampunk Pocket Watch

While at Coleman's Craft Warehouse this week I picked up a pocket watch which was finished in a antique brass effect.

First up was to dismantle it, pull out the inside workings and add some new parts!
Finally it received a paint job with Decoart Traditions and Americana acrylic paint.

 

Note to self: REMEMBER TO TAKE BEFORE PICTURES!!

Right I really must go!
Look forward to seeing those of you booked on my workshop at the Craft Barn on Saturday.

Andy

How to turn card stock into old rusty tin

Hi all,
thought I would share a quick technique today for embossed cardstock.

Click picture for a larger view

1. Emboss some 300 gsm cardstock, above I have used Tim Holtz Merry Christmas & vintage holiday.
2. Paint background with a good quality acrylic paint and dry.
3. Paint rust patches randomly around the edge and onto the surface using burnt umber and burnt sienna acrylic paint.
4. Mix black acrylic paint 50/50 with Decoart staining and antiquing medium and apply over the whole of the painted surface and allow to dry.


5. Once dry gently wipe the black staining away with a damp sponge leaving some black in the nooks and crannies to antique it.

Andy.

The de Meng experiment

Hi all,
Apologies for the lack of posts last week, it has been such a busy and traumatic one,  I would so love to get on my soap box right now but this blog is not the right forum for me to air my views on particular subjects!

Before I continue I would just like to say a big hello to everyone I met at Paper Arts in Stroud on Saturday and a big thank you to Sue for her wonderful hospitality.

Ok so I'm not sure how many of you reading this know the work of Michael de Meng? If not you should look him up on Google, I only discovered him about 6 months ago and I think you will either love his work or hate it, I personally  love it.

While viewing his blog I had difficultly working out some of his techniques so I decided to buy both of his books to learn more.
Although these books are a great read they do not focus heavily on his painting techniques so I decided to have a go with a simple project combining some of my techniques combined with his.

Everything on this project and I mean everything apart from the glass lens has been aged and painted with acrylic paint.
For this experiment I used a cheap black frame from Homebase, a tobacco tin, a computer mouse, binocular parts, CCTV Lens, embossed Card-stock with the Tim holtz ticket thingy, Skull from the pound shop, Tim Holtz wings, a cog from the scrapyard, lolly sticks etc etc etc.






This was so much fun to do and although it involved allot of painting, I can't wait to start another project like this.

Enjoy your day.
Andy

Coming Up For Air!

Hi all,
I have a day at home today at last to catch up on emails and finish a few outstanding design jobs,  so thought I would do a quick blog update before I start..
I had a busy week running at intensive pottery painting workshop which started last Tuesday and finished Friday, It was then straight to the car to travel down to Lingfield in preparation for the Craft Barn Minifest Yesterday.

Below is a clock which I made yesterday from one of the bisque clock blanks in stock at the Craft Barn.


I also covered a Bisque box with embossed cardstock using the Tim Holtz Texture Fades Embossing Folders: Merry Christmas, vintage holiday,  December calendar & holiday words....Spot the mistake? :)




I travelled back home last night hoping to get a few jobs done but made the deadly mistake of sitting down to watch a little TV first…..that unfortunately is where I remained for the rest of the night!
Ok must get back to it but before I do I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has liked my Facebook Page over the past couple of weeks, and also those of you who have subscribed to my YouTube Chanel, I have just checked the video stats and I am nearly up to 20,000 views which is fantastic!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone,

Andy