Greggs Goodies

This Weekend

2011-09-11T07:08:00.000-04:00

My daughter came this weekend to put together materials for her transition to teaching (Spanish). Since I had plenty of crafting things, she was over-joyed to be able to come and create, laminate, and cutout things she has wanted to create for making her teaching experience a better one. So I haven't had the chance to create any jewelry this weekend with helping her put together her teaching materials. I kind of felt like I was starting over with my teaching, helping her. I think she will be a great teacher. She has such a personality and the creativity to truly be successful. I will help her all I can to succeed.

We made flash cards, sentence cards, and alphabets all for working with the Spanish language. I also bought her three clocks that she wanted to have in her classroom to tell time in Spain, Peru, and one other area that I can't remember right now.

I wish her all the luck.

Before she came, I was able to walk the Whiteriver trail finally after all the weather we have had lately. It was so enjoyable and I am always looking at things in nature for ideas to help creating new jewelry, etc. I did see one blue heron and of course all the ducks and geese that populate the areas around "and on" the trail. So I got my 3 miles in yesterday. I'm hoping the rain will hold of so Abby and I can go walking together. She also likes to walk.

Have a great and "healthful" day. Did I just hear thunder? Oh no....it's 7:10 a.m. right now. Maybe it will pass for when we want to walk...ha.

Take care.

My Studio I May Have to Leave Behind

2011-09-09T07:59:00.000-04:00

Currently, the house is for sale and that means I will loose the studio I created last summer (2010). It was very much thought out and I decided to use nothing but white pegboard walls. I figured it would allow me easy changes to where I might hang/store things in the 10 x 12 feet area. I also added to that a 6 x 9 feet area of shelving on both sides for storage. Wonderful way to keep things from showing. So now I am waiting to see if all will happen with the move. I haven't packed up any of my studio except the books. Oh, I even found brackets that fit on the pegboard walls to hold magazines and books. That was a great find! The area was down in the basement, which was the only drawback. I had a very small window to the world outside and it faced West, so I did get some sun, but I prefer more open spaced windows. I feel more motivated that way.

So here are pictures of the new studio. Before I was kind of in a walkway from the basement area to the
garage. This way I have my own area with doors I can shut. Love it. I sure
will miss not being in this space if I move.

My Logo/Avatar Has Changed

2011-09-07T07:41:00.000-04:00

Hello, again. I really plan on keeping up my blog. Since March of 2011, I have researched Celtic art and realize I am drawn to that type of art, especially jewelry, because of my ancestors on both sides of the family being Scottish. I have created some new pieces that you can see on Artfire.com. My avatar has changed to reflect my love of Celtic everything! So here it is above. The dragon has a special meaning in the Celtic world...it means secret treasures. Kind of goes along with my URL site name..right? Ha.

I also have recently found more books that have inspired me...on being Sharilynn Miller's book called, "Wire Art Jewelry". Her techniques are amazing and the book comes with a DVD which helps with showing her techniques. The other book is more spiritual to me, but is a jewelry book just the same called, "INSPIRITU Jewelry" by Marie French. I was so moved by the book that I emailed her to tell her so. I also said I was buying a book on the meaning of stones and it just happened to be one on her list to buy as well. The book is a journey of Marie finding jewelry notes, etc. in the southwest and how she has adapted the information to create her own jewelry for friends and family. The idea is that stones have a healing nature and wearing the right kinds of stones together can hopefully influence a person's life in a positive way. There are even recipes for teas to drink with specific types of jewelry. All of this found in a journal kept by a special lady years ago in an old adobe in the southwest. So needless to say, I have thought about jewelry-making in a whole new way. Below are some of my Celtic pieces I have recently created.

I'm Back! Been so busy with Local Art...

2011-03-28T08:52:00.000-04:00

Hello all. I have been doing most of my art through the local gallery here in Muncie at Art and Soul by Phoebe Gallery. The gallery closed at the end of last December of 2010 and so I am now getting back to the grindstone and creating for my artfire site. I have transitioned from creating books and other paper things to jewelry. Many like the jewelry I have created and am now focusing on mainly Celtic style jewelry. Being Irish and Scottish may be the reason for the appeal..ha. Not sure but I love it. I will soon redo my banner and avatar reflecting a Celtic look. I still am also focusing on wire and bead jewelry with some leather pieces mixed in. I also love steampunk, I think mainly because of the Victorian influence to this type of jewelry.

So know that I will be back sharing new books I've found and maybe some "how tos" with what I'm doing. Oh...also last summer I created a working studio in the basement. The walls are all white pegboard and give me the opportunity to move things around if I need to or if the spaces aren't quite the way I need them. Love it. I have a paper/miscellaneous area, a jewelry area and a business area where the computer is located. So I am set. Connected to the studio is a 6 x 9 foot storage area in galley form with shelving on both sides. Great storage. The entrance is grand (of course) with french doors into the space. I will share pictures soon here on my blog. I also plan to submit my studio to the Studios magazine. Cate, the editor there has asked for me to submit my studio info when I finished things. So I plan on that.

Well glad to be back and hope all is well with those followers I have and that you are creating like crazy!

Take care...

Gregarious

Found New Books on Creating Jewelry

2010-03-05T07:55:00.001-05:00

Well, I made another trip to Ft. Wayne yesterday. Stayed overnight. Since our town doesn't have a Michaels or Barnes & Noble, it's a treat to come and see what's new. While at Barnes & Noble, I found some very interesting books that some of you may be interested in. I've begun creating wire jewelry. Just finished a copper wire bracelet that I did using twined copper. So I wanted to see what might be available for different types of jewelry books. I found, Beading Vintage-Style Jewelry by Marty Stevens-Heebner & Christine Calla.

I love antiques and moved from an Itallianate 10-room home not long ago. I've loved antiques as long as I can remember. And so recreating vintage jewelry appeals to me. The book has many examples of reproductions from many eras and shows the "how-tos" for each.

Another book that I picked up for reference is, Wire Jewelry Workshop by Susan Ray. Again this book, too, has great examples for using wire, which I enjoy. And also has "how-tos" for creating wire jewelry and wire jewelry parts. Speaking of...I didn't know about a form called a WigJig that allows you to create an amazing amount of decorative wire elements to use in all types of jewelry.

The last book (I know $$$$, right, but couldn't help myself), is called Beyond the Bead by Margot Potter. An amazing book.The cover says, "Making Jewelry with Unexpected Finds". Very true! Great ideas and this one, too, shows how to construct everything shown in pictures. I know Juls does her flowers, but might think about expanding after viewing some of these special books. (Thought of you Juls) as I was looking through these books. Anyway, for any of you interested in making jewelry, these are great references for your library.

I will post my new bracelet in my next post, hopefully soon.

Happy Crafting,

Gregg

New Logo for my Art

2010-02-26T09:17:00.001-05:00

Hello all! I decided I needed a logo for my cards, glass hangings, jewelry, and any of the other items I sell and send out so here it is:

How about some feedback. What do you think of it? I use the small Avery circle stickers to add to all my items and so this is what it will be now. Also used it as my Avatar on my greggsgoodies store. Come and visit me!

Here's What I Have to Reorganize-For My New Studio

2010-02-22T05:36:00.001-05:00

Today, I'm sharing. Even with the small space I work in, I have managed to get things done. I've also learned how to organize many things. AND a big concept I've internalize is that IF YOU PUT THINGS BACK IN THE SAME PLACE EVERY TIME, YOU'LL KNOW WHERE IT IS THE NEXT TIME YOU NEED IT. HA

In this group, the first is the pegboard I put up to house many of the silhouette card designs I use in my blank cards. The second pic is one of a creative way to use one of the storage cabinets I had that I really needed to use for my computer and Cricut Expressions Machine. So I put a slideout drawer for the computer, with shelves above and below to house not only the above, but an external hard drive and 1T drive for all my graphics. The third pic is a corner of the area. The neighbors across the street had this small picnic-type table for kids that had a little shelf attached to the back and top of the table. It measured then, 2 feet by 5 feet by maybe 2 feet high. They had the table out by the street and so I asked if it was a giveaway. They told me to take it. So I reworked it, by taking off the original legs and adding legs tall enough to be the height of my other work bench, which has an 8 foot length of countertop. So it is countertop height. I also added a shelf underneath the table as well. As you sort of can see, I put plastic drawers underneath, added a new wood top over the original wood which was like a picnic table. Then put two of those containers that have 18 compartments in each of plastic boxes. Great for all the little stuff I use with paper flowers, jewelry, ink pads, medallions, glitter, etc. I also put it on rollers. A great idea, because making different arrangments is easy. The lower cabinet seen in this final pic to the right in the picture is another find. Someone on the alley was taking out their old kitchen cabinets and I saw 2 30 inch by 30 inch wall cabinets out for the trash. I snatched those up. Brought them in. Cleaned them up and then attached rollers to one and set the other toward the back of the new cabinet I previously described (this 30" cabinet doesn't show..did that later). But it has been so handy to have the lower rolling cabinet with shelves underneath and a surface to use for whatever I need. So for now it all works...but I plan to create a better space on the other side of the basement where I can have more room and not be in the path of traffic getting to the door to the attached garage...duh. SoI will post new pictures when that happens.

Happy Crafting,

Gregg

Hey All, I've Changed Where My Store is Located!

2010-02-21T19:46:00.002-05:00

After some heavy thinking, I decided to move my store to Artfire.com. I really like it and especially for the fact that you pay a set fee, the same each month! Actually you don't even have to pay a fee if you don't want all the extra things it allows if you do go Pro. So we will see. I had only entered items on my site the first day, when I got a sale! So I was happy about that. Juls, one of my followers is on Artfire and it is because of her that I took a look at the site, first looking at the wonderful flowers she has for sale on her site.

http://julsfantasyflowers.artfire.com/

Oh, the other thing I like about the Artfire site, is that you don't have to pay Artfire an amount when you do sell something. You retain all the profit. Quite different from Etsy.

Well on another note, the weather has been crappy here in "Funcie Muncie". Although, at least today it rained rather than snowed. So maybe we are getting closer to Spring. It seems that way when I look at the exposed ground and try to find sprouts coming through the ground and snow. Spring is my favorite time of the year. Aside from my birthday being in April, the fresh smells of the earth and all the bird sounds. I'll be able to walk the Whiteriver trail again (boy do I need to) with my neighbor, Sarah. The trail has now been extended to the west about 3 and a half miles. So a great option from taking the same trail (to the east) each time. I always see so much life near the water. There are blue heron living in the area and they swoop down to the water or roost on a branch to stay out of harms way. Beautiful creatures. They almost look prehistoric and sound that way as well (not that I know what a teradaktyl (sp) sound is like..ha).

Well, I was at Hobby Lobby again just the other day..can't go into that store without finding something I want or need..ha. I found a magazine on studios. I'm wanting to remodel in the basement to make my studio area as functional and as much as a sanctuary as possible. This magazine by cloth-paper-scissors had wonderful studio examples from all over the country giving me many ideas. I've included the front cover of the issue here. Lots of great pictures of storage ideas, etc. Love it. Didn't feel so alone as a guy doing my art. There were several guy artists among those in the special issue showing their studios; lighting, storage, inspiration, how they put their places together. It was a great issue.

Well, I can't wait to have the chance to redo my studio area. It actually is only about 6 feet by 10 feet. And to make it worse, the door to the garage from my basement area is in the direct path. So I definitely need a new plan....which I have created, but have to wait till spring arrives.

Hope I haven't rambled too much. Love to journal, though.
Take care & happy crafting.

Gregarious

Where I Got My Talent for Art & Latest Project

2010-02-18T13:26:00.002-05:00

I decided that today I'd write about one of the family members who has passed on her genes to help me to become the artist I am today. My grandmother on my mom's side was very artistic and painted oils. She lived in Rockville, Indiana. Her maiden name was Woodworth. Yes, we're related to the Samuel Woodworth who wrote, "The Old Oaken Bucket". Ha. Grandma Gregg (that's how I got my first name from my grandpa's last name of Gregg, which originally was MacGregor. So yes, I'm Scottish. Grandma was a pretty stern sort, but I loved all the art she did. Besides painting oils, she created hats. She loved making hats..and had them all over the house. She would sketch little pictures for us, too. Sometimes she would send us a letter with a little book inside for us to color the sketches she made. Her name was Kate, but she didn't like the name and so wanted to be called Katharine.

This picture is her with one of her hats she made. I think she looks proud of her work. I don't think she made megabucks selling her hats, but enough to keep the career going. My grandmother had 12 children. I can't imagine having that many children running around. My mother, her daughter, had half that many...and that was plenty for me. Being the oldest I had many responsibilities.

I always thought grandma's name was Katharine, until I began doing genealogy for the family and found out her true name. Anyway, she always encouraged me to keep creating my art and loved to see the things I produced. As a high school student, I worked with clay, throwing pots, did weavings, and painting and drawing. So her encouragement and interest kept me going. In college, I continued in art with weaving, ceramics, and painting. I did create a woven basket that traveled the country in some show. I felt honored. While in college, though, I changed my major to elementary education, because I kept complaining about the state of things. My friends all said that I could still do my art in the classroom. They were right. But now retired, I'm glad to get back to doing more of the art I enjoy.

Well, my latest creation was a custom bridal shower album for a New York lady's sister. It was created using a cotton material backed with paper so that I could run it through the computer and print a blue hydrangea photo on the 4 sheets needed to complete the project. I used a great punch by Martha Stewart that had a hearts design edging. I edged a royal blue cardstock piece with the punch runing horizontally in the middle of the front and back of the album covers. On it, was stamped a saying in white pigment ink. I also cut a peek-through on the front cover to reveal a silhouette of a couple kissing.

The pictures show the front cover with details showing more with the second and third picture. I added the mini-bouquet of hydrangeas under the peek-through, since I have the ability to create flowers (see my etsy.com store) that have been given a sparkle with very fine glitter...(doesn't show up so much in the picture). My grandmother would probably be in awe if she were still alive and could see the album. I know she would have loved it.

Well, I promise to blog more often. I love to write and have two journals going of my own right now.

Take care and happy crafting,

Gregg

Crafting Book Finds

2010-01-30T07:06:00.001-05:00

One of my weaknesses is books. No wonder I jump at the chance to go to Barnes and Nobles when I go up to Ft. Wayne here in Indiana. I am constantly looking for books on organizing my crafting space and also ones about how to make crafting a successful business. Recently I found three books that I found to be very useful: Organizing Your Craft Space by Jo Packham, The Savvy Crafter's Guide to Success by Sandra McCall, and Blogging for Bliss by Tara Frey.

The first, Organizing Your Craft Space is a very thoughtful book, meaning many things to consider when putting together an efficient area to do what you like to do. Making it a space that stimulates creativity and thinking about where to put everything are the two major focuses. Jo introduces the reader to seven artists and has them give their take on creating a space for creativity, while knowing where to find that one thing you need to complete a project. Here is the book cover....a very inspiring look at organization. I got ideas just looking at the cover.

Lots of ideas just here on the bookcover, but having those opinions by the seven artists makes this book a very good resource for your own studio.

The second book I found was one that I really needed help with, The Savvy Crafter's Guide to Success by Sandra McCall. I started crafting in March of 2009 and so did so without much thought to the ideas of recording sales and purchases on spreadsheets along with other ideas to consider like; organizing your workspace (as above with the other book), teaching your craft, being a writer, selling your art, choosing our venue, finding outlets to sell, the business-end of things and taking care of paperwork. Artists' bios are included in the book. A resource guide is in the back, and it is indexed. Example forms are even a part of the book to give you ideas of how to "take care of the business part of crafting". Here is the cover of the book.

It will be a great resource for me to refer to as I pursue my own crafting business.

The last book is one I felt I needed for my blogging. Not that I don't think my blogs are okay, but suggestions really don't hurt anyone. So I also purchased Blogging for Bliss by Tara Frey. She has done a great job of discussing considerations for what, how, and where to blog on the internet. The chapters include; Why Blog for Bliss, Tools of the Trade, Learning the Ropes, Beauty and the Blog, Traffic School (about visitors to your blog), Finding Business in Bliss (promoting your business through the blogging), and If Emily Post(ed) (manners, behind the scenes, language translation, pictures, pet peeves, and continuing the creative circle)

Accompanying all the great text are beautiful photographs and actually she talks about trading in her old camera for one that allows for exquisite photos on her own site. Tara gives example blog pages by many that she follows telling what they blog about and also telling who those bloggers follow, giving the URL so you, too, can checkout other blogs to see what others are doing and whether you might want to follow them.

I love to write and have a daily journal I keep. I must get that urge from my grandmother Abby, who kept a daily journal for many years. My aunt Bonnie was the lucky one who ended up with the journals when my grandmother passed away. Aunt Bonnie was sweet enough to give me the journal for the year I was born. It so wonderful to read what went on during that time period and how the family lived, what they did for entertainment (they loved going to movies), and their work. Grandma didn't really discuss emotions, which I think would have been interesting. But it is a great historic documentation of her life frome the early 1940's to the '90's. I miss her so much. We were such buddies. I think much of my crafting came from her as well. Every holiday celebrated at her house was a fun time. She always asked me to come over about a week before and help her create table decorations an other decorations. Being an art person, I loved it all.

So, did you grow up with family member who influenced you? I'd love to hear about it!

Re-organized my Art Studio

2010-01-25T07:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I couldn't stand it and so reorganized my art studio in the basement. I had about 6 white cabinets down there for storage. I was able to put things that were in them in other cabinets and/or put them in the pile for Goodwill. So I was able to give away one white cabinet and that allowed for another 5 ft. x 5 ft. space. Looks so much more spacious. I have an old upper kitchen cabinet (may have talked about this in the last blog) that I put wheels on and can roll it around to where I need it. Very handy! Of course, I'm never satisfied with the way I have it organized, so there will probably be more re-positioning of workbenches. Having the benches on rollers is such a great thing.

Just bought two more old readers at the Treasure Mart in Kokomo on Saturday. Both are great. One is from the year my mother was born, 1929 and the other is earlier..1904. The 1904 reader is an Indiana one and of course both are public domain at this point. So, I'm planning to possibly make .jpegs of the illustrations in both and adverstize them on Etsy. May use some of them for my work, as well. I love art nouveau things anyway and the one from 1929 has some very nice illustrations of times gone by...the other one from 1904 is even more interesting with the illustrations presented in the book. Maybe you can guess that I also love history and genealogy as well. So, I think about the books, who might have used them, the time period, what was going on then, how might they have dealt with things during that time.

Well I just published another altered journal on Etsy that is a custom one for a lady in Youngstown, Ohio that will be for a friend of her's birthday. She wanted one with a collage on the front and back covers and also a peek-through on the cover. Here is the link if you'd like to view it. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39224470

Well, till the next blog....Happy Blogging...ha.
Gregg

Sharing my Sort-of Organized Art Studio

2010-01-15T09:37:00.000-05:00

I love seeing how people have arranged their studios. There aren't enough books out there with ideas that I can find. I have swapped out my tool area in the basement for my art studio. I too use pegboard and have found that if you have a place for everything and IF you put it back in that same place, then things stay pretty neat and tidy. It can be over-whelming with having so many different things and not having a permanent place to put them. I have included photos of my studio that I'd like to share, either for critiquing or just to see how someone else has organized. I started with an 8 foot countertop and put it over two drawer and door cabinets. It's a perfect height for working. I have a sink (essential I think), bookcase, drawers, and have even taken an old upper cabinet that measures 30 inches wide, put wheels on it and use it to hold things I need currently. The top is just another place for use in paperworking, cutting out, etc. I also expanded to having an L shape with another workbench on wheels. This one hold drawers of paper scrapes, yarn, and many of the stamps I have. The upper area has two blue containers with 38 smaller drawers in each...very handy and I've labeled each so I can find things. Well, maybe my area looks chaotic to you, but it is where I like to be and create!

Been away from my Blogging too Long-January 4, 2010

2010-01-04T08:49:00.000-05:00

My new banner on Etsy was created by me! I really like this one even better. Hope you do too. Just felt it was time for a change and decided to use the Rabbit Moon Art Nouveau card for

the background. I've really been busy with my crafts. In November before Thanksgiving, I did a show locally at an early American shop and did very well for the day. After that, I was so busy creating for my family and friends. I started, sometime after Thanksgiving, to create glass coasters using many of the same designs I had created for the cards I make. I think I've made over 100 glass coasters.

What I do is to cut the glass 4" x 4", cutting two of those. Then I resize the designs and cut them on my Cricut Expressions machine to fit between the glass. Last, I use the 1/2" copper tape to enclose it all and put sticky-backed felt circles (3/8" round) on the back so to not scratch surfaces. They really have been a hit. Above is a sample of the glass coasters done in the snowflake pattern.

Well my kids came and stayed overnight on Christmas Eve. We usually open presents on that night rather than on Christmas Day. Had a great dinner with my daughter Abby fixing most of it. She's 24 and loves to cook. She brought her boyfriend David and my son Carl came, too. We all had a good time.

Wishing you all a great new year and also hopefully a prosperious one..ha.

Take care.

Gregg

Have been getting ready for a local craft show!

2009-10-16T16:12:00.000-04:00

Hello and sorry to not have written sooner. I've been working on some older and newer things for a craft show at the Matthews Mercantile, a beautiful store in a small town near here...Matthews, Indiana. The ladies that own it are sisters. One has been the nurse in my doctor's office forever. She's Beth. The other is her sister, Debbie. They like to scout around the country, mainly in the east, for really great pieces of early American furniture and trappings, but also for works done by arts who do reproduction pieces, too. They also do like to invite local artists in for a Winter show and have them/us setup a table in their shop and sell our "wares". I plan to take mini-journaling books, blank notecards, and glass hangings. The notecards I'm taking and the glass hangings are newer. I found that doing Scherenschnitte cuttings in the traditional black color seem to be more dramatic than those I previously have been creating. I also have "tuned into" the early American theme with new subject matter for those coming who are expecting things from that time period as well. So I will have mix. I just finished 5 mini journaling books in different plaids and then glued to them, a Scherenschenitte cutout. Looks very dramatic that way. The colors of plaids I have used are greens, reds, and rust/black. I don't have pics of them as of yet, but will put them in a followup posting. I did do some new cards in a different way by printing the scanned images that are art nouveau and then cutting them out, inserting them in cards, and then putting an inner blank page in the card for writing. Those turned out very well. Along with them, I have created glass hangings that are the same transparencies sandwiched between two pieces of clear glass. Most I see on Etsty. com are done with vellum paper, but these are even brighter with the use of transparencies. I've included pics of the early American cards, cards of art nouveau illustrations, and also wall hangings. The hangings are around the same size as those in the cards, being about 4" x 5". I also got the idea to sandwich between the clear glass pieces, some of the black Scherenschnitte cutouts I've done. I think they look very striking. Wish I would hear from you all who have started following me. I'd love to hear your thoughts about my work.

Take care and I will post the plaid books soon. They will also be posted in my Etsy store.

Guess my early American Scherenschnitte cutouts are on the other computer...I'll post those when I post the plaid books.

Happy Crafting and let me know your thoughts! Don't hesitate to visit my store on Etsy at:

http://www.greggsgoodies.etsy.com

Gregg

Created a NEW Altered Book just Recently

2009-09-17T09:58:00.000-04:00

Hello,

Well, I've been busy. My sister-in-law was interested in having me make a special journal in an altered book for her best friend's birthday. So after emailing her and asking many questions to help me formulate a custom book for her friend...I got busy. The book is about 7 x 9 inches. I glued a set of the last pages in the book together (about 1/4" thick) so that I might carve out a rectangular area to house a box shape I had previously created that could be used to save memories. It has flaps that help keep the contents in and the whole thing is glued to the back of the book. I learned from the previous altered book to finish the back cover before gluing the "box pages" to it. It makes for a cleaner look.

So after carving out a rectangular space, I did cover the back of the book. I chose a blue paper with light blue glittered areas that also had butterflies and a floral designed pattern. I also put the same pattern on the front. For the spine, I chose a deep red crinkle paper that I wrapped around the spine and over-lapped the blue paper about and inch and a fourth. On the spine edge, I stamped "Cerise's Journal" in gold ink.

Then, I tried a different binding this time for the blank pages I wanted to insert in the front for journaling. I chose to use "drumleaf binding" meaning, I clamped the edge of the pages together and then applied several layers of glue to keep them together. I had help with that idea from a new book I purchased called, Art and Books by Dorothy Simpson Krause. After the binding was dry, I glued them into the space left in the altered book where I had cutout the original pages.

Once that was completed, I finished the endpapers on the inside of the front cover with music paper, knowing that the receipient loves music. I also found out that she likes coffee and so I glued a navy ribbon in the top of the spine and at the other end used an eyelet to attach an old coffee key to it. Because I was working with things gold, I also gilted the key with a special marker before attaching it.

Finally, I decided on what to do with the front cover. It was nice as is, but I wanted it to be more personable. So I used a decorative C and then smaller regular letters to spell out Cerise's name in red ink. I also made a cutout area in the upper right corner of the cover to house a butterfly replica. The backing was a shiney gold and the cover was clear plastic. To finish off the area around the butterfly that was with red wings to match the red spine, I used the same red from the spine to create a small border about 1/8 inch wide. Above are a couple of pictures of my final altered journal. Two other inspirational books I recently purchased were: Teach Yourself Visually by Roni Johnson, which is a great book for knowing what's out there to use in your art and also many ways to do it, the other book, Vintage Collage-Works-Artful Ideas with Antique Ephemera by MaryJo & Sunny Koch is just great for inspiration and very beautifully done. Would love to have comments about my own works.

Happy Crafting!

Just Finished an Altered Journal for Family Member

2009-08-23T09:30:00.001-04:00

Hi! I just finished a great blank journal for my brother-in-law! He loves the out-of-doors, camping, and taught biology. So adding elements of plants, etc. is what the book includes. I started with an

old receipe book that I covered with papers representing stones in water, burlap, and also torn pieces of wallpaper samples with plants. Before covering the book, I created a peek-through so that I could add a saying in the window on the front endpaper on the right. After covering the book, I used a square of black plastic screen to make the view more interesting through the square I cutout. I also added pockets inside to hold memorabilia. On those pages I used a brown ink to give it a weathered look and added rubber stamping of plants and flowers. I also did hole-punching at the top and bottom of the pockets which were then laced with a white cording. I noticed that the book had sections of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter receipes and so I used the title pages as dividers for the book for journaling, separating the sections with a tag that extents beyond the book page as a tab for each section. I cut out pages in each section about an inch from the binding and then added blank linen paper pages for journaling by glueing each linen page between two cut pages.

In the back of the book, I added another set of pockets in a vertical formation across two pages with eyelets to secure them in place. This adds another area for keeping memorabilia. Because of the option to keep memorabilia in certain pages I decided to use a length of jute threaded through an eyelet on the edge of the front and back covers that allows the user to tie the jute in a bow to secure those pieces in the book that might be placed in the pockets. Above on the right is an open section of the book showing the pockets and the tabs. What do you think?

Back from Vegas with $$$$$$

2009-08-08T10:01:00.000-04:00

Well, I have more money for craft supplies..yeah! I came back with my original money plus! So, I am energized to create again and plan on some altered books that could be unique to the buyer. I would design the pages, but the buyer could add pictures and text to make it unique to them. What do you think?

Thanks for those who are following. Would love to have more followers and have some interaction with you all. Let me know your thoughts!

Happy Crafting,
Gregg

August 2, 2009-@Mandalay Bay in Vegas

2009-08-03T06:46:00.000-04:00

Well, we arrive yesterday around 9 a.m, but our suite wasn't ready. So we stored our bags and then went out site-seeing. It was very hot at even that time of day. I think before they called us that our suite was ready, we had gone to the Luxor, Excalibur, and some of Mandalay Bay. One colleague traveling with us had not been here for 20 years and so she was like a "kid at the fair", wanting to see and do everything. I did win over $300 yesterday on the slots. I guess I have the knack for it.
As we went through stores, etc., I always look to see what's selling and get inspiration from other arts who have created "crafty" things. I found many things that I might incorporate in my own art. Even in the bathroom of a restaurant in Mandalay Bay, I found wall stamped with sponge stamps that gave I ideas for future things to create. My mind does not rest when it comes to finding creative ways to present art. Maybe crazy, but I am "built" that way.

Well, I' up early on this Monday, just as I always am every morning, because of my lumbar problem. Wish I could sleep in, but did go to bed about 7:30 p.m. Vegas time...so I had really been up many hours longer than I would have been at home. Still, it's a great time with me being up by myself to think about art and all my pursuits. I did bring one of my crafting book treasures with me called, Paper Crafts & Stamp It! : Treasury of Tips & Tricks by the same people who do the magazine. So it is a collaboration of ideas from many people. Great book! It covers cards, altered books, tags, and more. It's a good one to have in your crafting library.

Back to the things I see here: Even the carpets in the room and halls have been done with designs that could be transferred to other craft techniques. The halls have carpets with a ginko pattern and the carpets in the suite have a coral pattern. The art on the walls are a combination of photography and those with a painterly approach (as in the foyer paintings) So there is plenty to look at for inspiration as is wherever I go. It's crazy, but I can look at a non-descript pattern on a wall and see objects, people, etc. within the design. That may not make sense to some, but I've always done that since very young.

Well, I will keep you posted. I did find a box shape here (that the soap came in) that I plan to copy and develop into a shape I can use for some of my art. My cutout cards have now a special box that they come in. I need to post that on my site along with the card cutouts for people to see. It just gives the cards a nice home for housing them and could also be used after the cards are gone for some other purpose.

Take care and craft away!
Gregg

Saturday, August 1, 2009-Pack'in for Vegas!

2009-08-01T08:32:00.000-04:00

Well, today I leave with friends to fly out to Vegas for some "time away". Maybe, I'll win big--ha! Actually, I enjoy all the landscaping in and around the strip, which gives me ideas for my paper flowers and any other art I might produce. I'm working on some altered books at this point in time that go beyond those I've already created. It's exciting to create! Love it.

My idea for one of my books is of an old album from the late 1800's found by one of my brothers that had been left in an apartment. There was no way to contact anyone, because the renters left no info, etc. So my brother thought I'd appreciate the album. It was filled with pressed flowers, pictures through the years in the form of those cabinet cards, mainly. I plan to use most of them in the original album, but give it some "sparkle" and arrange pictures in different ways with pockets and other forms to present them. I'm thinking of calling it, "Lost Faces"...since it is a collection of a family from the past with many pictures not having any labels on the back.

I may post it on my store for sale after finishing. Also thought of possibly creating an album such that the buyer could put their own pictures in from the past in and around the art I would have on the page. Ideas, ideas ideas...right?

Well, thanks for those who have become followers. Spread the word if you feel it, for more to join in. Let me know, too, your thoughts about my blog. I'd love to interact.

Take care...and see you after the 7th when I return from Vegas..

Gregg

Weekend in Ft. Wayne & Altered Books Find!

2009-07-27T07:22:00.000-04:00

I enjoy getting away at times and Ft. Wayne is close. I love the Jefferson Pointe area for at least a couple of reasons. One reason is that there is a great Barnes & Noble bookstore there and with many choices of books about crafting. The other reason is that there is also a Michaels store there also. That is my wonderland...ha. Well, at the B & N store, I found a couple of books on altered books I really loved and purchased. One is called Altered Books Workshop by Bev Brazelton. That one is a step by step (with many examples) of how to create in many creative ways an altered book using popups, pockets, drawers, cover designing, and much more. Wonderful pictures that really inspire.

The other book is called Collaborative Art Journals & Shared Visions in Mixed Media by L.K. Ludwig. It also has inspirational work done in collaborative ways Many techniques are included in this one as well. Needless to say, I was "chomping at the bit" to get back home and try out many of the ideas.

On an earlier excursion up to Ft. Wayne, I purchased another book that compliments both of the above called The Decorated Page-Journals, Scrapbooks, & Albums Made Simply Beautiful by Gwen Diehn. The book is very descriptive and as with the others has many beautiful full-color examples of journal pages. So there you go...if you like altered books and haven't seen these yet, check them out.

I'm also contemplating taking my paper flowers ideas and transferring them to hats as in the Victorian era, where women wore those great hats with paper flowers. Anyone out there like that idea and think they might be interested in such a hat?

Well, I need to get busy..lots to do today. Have a good one and again, don't forget to checkout my store on Etsy! http://www.greggsgoodies.etsy.com

Gregarious

Wednesday, July 22, 2009-Showcase is Under Way

2009-07-22T14:28:00.000-04:00

I have two showcases today; one being a vintage showcase and the other is for my mini-journaling books. I've added a slideshow of the types of art I do so viewers can get a better idea of my work. I love making shadowboxes and the one here in a black box is of my aunt Freda who was one of my favorite aunts. She passed on in June and so I was compelled to do two boxes of the same for her two boys, my cousins. They were thrilled to receive them. I can do the same for anyone who might want a memory type box or for someone living to honor them. If you go to my Etsy site at http://www.greggsgoodies.etsy.com you will find the memory box category to see what I have stated there.

I also have done memory "altered" box as here with the picture of a friend on the cover and many memories from the past. I did this one for her birthday. She loved it!

The cutouts are of the type done first in Germany, I believe, called Scherenschnitte, which means "scissor cuts". I have a way of creating the design and then transferring it to my Cricut Expressions machine. Otherwise, it would take too long to produce. But at least I am creating the design.

My other passion because I like flowers so much, I have learned to create paper flowers that do look fairly realistic. I was inspired by a segment on Martha Stewart's show where she was using her punches to create the flowers. It is detailed, but I love the final product.

2009-07-17T12:03:00.000-04:00

I am now registered with Technorati- ndbv7fj8gm.

2009-07-15T11:53:00.000-04:00

Thought I'd share a sample of one of my mini-journaling books with you. I start with recycled cardboard for the covers. Then choose a great textured paper for the cover. As I create the book cover, I embed ties and a place marker ribbon so that the book can be closed and also mark the place where stopping from journaling.

Then I copy pages that have the words, "My Journal" and the date with lines for writing. Those pages get cut in half and so become 4 x 5 1/2 inches per page. The pages are folded and sewn together in 4 sets or signatures. Then the signatures are glued together and finally are glued into the covers of the book. It is a wonderful thing to see the book take shape. I have many versions in my Etsy store under the title of "Greggs Goodies". Check them out.

2009-07-15T11:38:00.001-04:00

Hello All! My First Etsy Blog!

2009-07-15T11:22:00.000-04:00

I hope to make many new friends through blogging. And I also plan to keep you updated on what I'm doing with my art. I now have mini-journaling books, cutout cards, matted cutouts, and paper flowers in my bag of "goodies".

Many thanks to Northern Mama for providing the contest for giving away one of each of my art types. Hope to have another contest soon.

Right now I am perfecting a "summer bouquet" to put in my etsy store:

http://www.greggsgoodies.etsy.com

Hope you'll all come and visit. I do have some vintage items I plan to offer, too. Among those being a black flapper dress with jet beads, "paste" jewelry, and pages from an album from the late 1800's suitable for displaying your own photos. So look for some new things coming soon.