Oct 15 2007
Get a Hobby!
I went into work today feeling pretty much the same way I felt when I left Friday, except I was a lot more tired. I obviously was not wanting to be there. My brain kept spinning all day, trying to get through my mindless busy work and not have the day last 80 hours. I kept coming back to crafting. When I go into a craft store, I am drawn to the papers. There are such beautiful scrapbook papers, along with all sorts of other bits and bobs that go along with it. I love the handmade papers especially. But I don’t want to scrap. First of all, everyone else is doing it, and second of all, I prefer to display my photos in a more streamlined, less cute manner. Sorry for all you people who love scrapping and cute stuff, but it’s just not me, nor is jumping on the bandwagon. So while I don’t want to create scrapbook pages, I do see a lot of value in the items sold in the scrap stores.
What I have been drawn to in particular, for a long time, is collage. I love how a collage can have so many facets to it, that you can look at it over and over again and still keep discovering new aspects of it. But there’s only so much one can do on a flat surface, and I’d want to do something a bit more interesting in addition to more 2-dimensional things. So that brings me to assemblage art. - basically, collage in 3-D. If you’re looking for examples of it, you can also look up altered art or mixed media. Now this stuff can be interesting. It can also be very garish - does anyone remember the large doll wall art piece that Phoebe had on Friends? Yeah, I’m not looking to go there. But I want to do something. I love collecting little pieces of things, thinking that I could do something with them someday, though I’ve really curbed this habit because I never knew what to do with these things or where to put them in the meantime. But I want to create.
Adding to the inspiration are beautiful pieces that my imaginary internet friends like to create - such as the Convergence that Crowjoy has on her Etsy shop or the Midnight Moon Pendant that Pollyhyper created. I’m not so much into creating jewelry, I just don’t have the patience needed for crafting on such a small scale, but it just gives you an idea of all the possibilities. So I figured, perhaps I should try to make a few things, give them as gifts, and see where it goes from there. At worst, a couple people have some, um, lovely tchotchke handmade by moi. If all goes well it might spur me to put more time into my creations and even open an Etsy shop. But I shouldn’t get too far ahead of myself. One thing at a time.
Once the thought of doing a few of these for gifts and seeing how it goes from there got into my head, I was a lot calmer. There’s no guarantee for success, but it gives me a creative outlet. Don’t get me wrong - I love my blog, but it’s not exactly a tangible thing. And you may have noticed that I really enjoy participating in mix CD exchanges, and that’s satisfying, but not on the same level. So crafty it is.
I bought a book and a couple things after work today - some stickers and a sheet of scrap paper - to start implementing the ideas I had in my head. For my lab rats, I have two specific people in mind, and two very different themes, as these two people are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum as far as where their interests lie. It should be fun, and if the ideas work out the way I want them to and I end up with a completed object, I’ll be sure to post photos so everyone can check them out.
Hey! Thanks for linking to my pendant!
If you’re looking for some great mixed media/altered art inspiration, pick up a copy of Somerset Studio Magazine. I know they sell it at Borders. It’s AMAZING. I can hardly sit still while I read it, I’m so inspired!
PH - You’re welcome for the link, your stuff is awesome! I’ve seen some Somerset magazines, I think they have them for all areas of crafty/home stuff. They are v. nice. Thanks for pointing out the paper/mixed media one - I’ll definitely have to look for it.
As for the stuff in my home, I’m already there. I’ve been doing that for ages, especially with those silly little doodads we always seem to acquire and have no idea what to do with them. Except I deliberately acquire them without a purpose in mind. Now I have a purpose!
It is totally possible to scrapbook in a non cute way. I don’t really do “cute” and you will never find me making paper lace or whatever. Don’t let yourself be limited (or scared) by what the populous and the DIY channel define as scrapbooking.
Laura - it’s not just what everyone else says, it’s that I want to create so much more than just scrapbook pages. There are so many awesome materials available that it seems a shame to use them just for scrapbooks and the like.
OH there is definitely great stuff out there that deserves use far beyond scrapbooking. I LOVE some of the papers (I also like making my own). For me, scrapbooking has led to making cards, figuring out how things (colors, textures, materials) work together, really has made me have more fun with my photography. I’m definitely not trying to convince you to scrapbook, but I get frustrated because scrapbooking has (somewhat rightfully) a cheesy reputation and it doesn’t have to be.
I’m really excited to see what you come up with though. (Also note, that I’ve been on a scrapbooking haitus because I don’t have time so I’m a bit pouty about NOT getting to scrapbook
)
Laura - I’ve dabbled a bit in card making, but I get so throw-it-together-ish with that and my cards usually end up looking lame. I am excited about executing some of these ideas I have now, though.
PH - Thank you SOOOOOOOOO much for the rec on Somerset magazine. The collage papers in this month’s issue are PERFECT for a project I want to do!
I love your blog and I will be subscribing so I can keep up. I define assemblage art as rescuing the broken and the weary. I haven’t dumpster searched yet, (Have a fear of not getting out) but if it is broke I will love it, paint it stencil it, encrust it with jewels and of course collage, decoupage or dismember it and use the parts.
Please visit my blog Art-little-a.blogspot.com
Art-little-a, thanks so much for visiting! I like your definition of assemblage art - you’ve got some great stuff on your page!