I have just finished Lots of new designs for Christmas! I am hoping to have them all on the site with the next two weeks, Whew! I am gonna be at the keyboard for days typing instructions and scanning patterns. To say that I don't like the grunt work is an understatement! I would be just as happy if I could paint all day, every day.
I have recieved several e-mails, mostly supportive, but about 1/4 of them are disputing the claim that my projects are really weather resistant. I don't blame them, really, because, usually, paper meets water, water breaks paper down. BUT, if you finish the project with my method as described in my patterns, you will find that I am telling the truth. My daughters boyfriend came up with a truly excellent idea. Sometime in the next day or two, I am going to put a video on my website with a couple of water and paper experiments. I will show one, just spayed with water(as though from a rainstorm), and one where I am going to dip a painted and finishediItem into a bucket of water, and let it sit there for a couple of minutes. I realize that there will always be some people who will believe that I have doctored the video somehow, but what motive would I have for doing that? I want repeat customers, I want this business venture to succeed, so I am not going to make any false claims .Look for that video in the next day or two.
I have had a terrific response to my projects! I am very excited. But one of my customers asked if there wasn't a way to make some of the items using both paper and wood. So, I am spending the day experimenting with one of my most popular designs, the Santa Pocket. Maybe there is a way to glue a paper pocket to a wood backed cut-out so that it will be secure. Hmm. And, of course, there are woodworkers who don't want to try paper at all, they want to stick to wood. So, by request, I am going to adapt those patterns that I can to wood. So, look for those in a couple of days. And, of course I am working on some Halloween and Fall in between. So, wish me lots of luck, and no interruptions!
I have a new obsession. While I have been a decorative painter for years, I am ashamed to admit the I never really thought "outside the box". If I saw a project from a particular designer I loved, nothing would do but that I HAD to paint the design on the same surface the designer used. At that time I also was hooked on a few particular designers. I was inspired by the
simplicity of Myra Mahy, the playfulness of Heidi Markish, and the incredible detail that came from the drawings of Terrye French. I amassed a huge collection of pattern packets and books from all three. Now, after being retired for a few years, I find I want to spread my wings, try something new. I am doing some simple designs that anyone can paint using brown paper, although some of my designs will work on wood, also. I'd like to hear from other crafters that are using paper for their painting, so please share your ideas and creations with me. |