Powertex Shoe Stampunk

I'm so busy at the moment with workshops and I also have an event upcoming so I have had several projects on the go at once, however, I thought you may like to see this one.

It started it's journey as a battered old shoe that was destined for the rubbish bin, My daughter thought I was crazy when I rescued it.

Mind you it took 3 weeks before I dared to put my hand inside it, so a clean up before I started to create with it.

I wanted it to be a statement piece and I think I've managed that.

It is sitting on a wooden plaque covered in material that was soaked in Powertex medium then dry brushed with rich gold pigments.

For the shoe I created the toe piece then wrapped the shoe in material worked with Black Powertex and then started the decoration using doilies and some steampunk embellishments.

As an ornament the shoe could hold make up brushes or a small bottle of wine but to be honest I would be tempted not to add a thing as I love it as it is.

Angel Camael

"There must be an Angel playing with my heart"

Actually it was me doing the playing with some Powertex in ivory, some Katy Sue Design Holly Berry trio Moulds and a plaster Angel Camael. 

Oh yes and an empty coffee jar.

 

I wanted a keepsake jar or maybe a bon bon jar for treat that wouldn't look out of place alongside my Christmas tree, I loved making this.

For those of you that haven't yet used the Katy Sue Designs Moulds you are missing a treat, they are so detailed and wonderful to work with as they release very easily. I can hear some of you saying I can get cheap moulds from other avenues but believe me I have seen them and tried them and they don't give a third of the detail and are made from substandard silicon unlike Katy Sue which are first class and will last you.

As you can see it is quite a tall piece as it was made around the large size coffee jar rescued by my lovely husband from his work place.

So now I have to decide what to put inside, do I fill it with my favourite chocolates and take the chance of the rest of the family digging into them or something that I don't mind sharing? 

What would you do?

1 Workshop 11 Ladies

I had an amazing workshop morning with 11 wonderful ladies making 11 unique Fairy Houses.

It amazes me the amount of concentration that happens.

Believe me this lot may look quiet here but that is far from the truth.

As soon as I whip out the camera they go into concentration mode. Actually this Tuesday morning group is witty, chatty and full of fun, lots of mishaps which we work through and get corrected or enhance it to make it work.

Yet we end up with the most gorgeous creations.

 

I hold these workshops at Essential Crafts in Washington

If you would like to come along to a fabulous fun and inspiring Powertex Workshop making your own Fairy House Jar I have a couple of places left for 24th October 1pm to 5pm to book your place either email me at powertexjakheath@gmail.com or phone Ellen at Essential Crafts on 0191 447 1919

Workshops

I have started running workshops again, this was and is my first love, teaching others to create something that they never believed they could make. 

It is one of the most rewarding things to do, enjoying the company of likeminded folk, sharing ideas, tips and knowledge and having a good old laugh along the way.

I truly believe it is the best therapy you can get.

I wanted to share one of the pieces that I will be teaching at the end of this month.

Just imagine this little chap in your garden or outside of your front door or on a patio. Maybe you would make more as gifts for family and friends.

The workshops are held in the North East and if you would like more information you can contact me at powertexjakheath@gmail.com 

Tribal Powertex

It's hard to believe that this Tribal Powertex Figure started out as a flat backed plaster of paris face isn't it?

Well it did, modelling a body form from scratch to get the statue you are after is quite satisfying when it all comes together.

In my workshops I will be teaching how to do this and get good results that you will be proud of.

Here is a peek of how it comes together starting with this.

Then creating a torso.

And building around it.

And then to add some colour to bring it alive.

I have to admit to loving this one.

I love the texture and the colours, it all came together beautifully.

Powertex Angel

I thought I'd try my hand at the ivory Powertex Fabric Hardner, try as I might I always seam to come back to the dark colours but admire other work in the ivory.

This time I was determined to stick to ivory and before I new it I added a touch of bronze Powertex in the bowl. So a two toned Powertex sculpture was the result.

Tipping the edge of the wings in gold mica, yes you spotted it, my Nans lacey doiley chopped into quarters made the perfect wings.

I love all of the folds of material you can create.

Adding texture here and there to add interest.

Swapping between gold and bronze mica powder to give a shimmer over the folds helps to accentuate them.

It makes quite a statement sculpture doesn't it?

The material tend to fall into it's own pleats and folds once you get the Powertex worked into it. I'ts just a case of placement and teasing after that.

After 3 weeks it will be totally weatherproof and can be put into a garden or outdoors.

This above image shows the fold amazingly well.

I have an idea in my head which is a little different for my next project so watch this space ha ha!

Getting Ready Powertex

Getting ready for the start of my workshops with Powertex, my head is buzzing with ideas.

Love that so many of you are interested in sharing my journey with me and have signed up to the workshops.

The thought of bringing out the creative side in people in my classes really excite me, I love teaching and get a big buzz from it.

My area for workshops is in the SR7 postcode but if you are unsure, please ask.

This video shows some of the wonderful things we will be exploring in the workshops.

 

 

Starting Workshops with Powertex

If you didn't already know I will be doing workshops in my area teaching Powertex, I simply fell in love with the product, Powertex is such a creative medium. I find myself looking to see what I can use it on next, if it stands still long enough I will give it a try.

I will start my workshops off in October and it will start with a introduction to Powertex and a starter class.

In the beginners workshop we will make a beautiful Bottle Wrap and a Plaque, here are a few examples.

These will be perfect for the gift giving season, even better that they can be removed so can be swapped to another bottle once the contents have been drank.

I took this a step further and made a matching glass.

I knew as a Powertex Tutor I would need a way of drying the projects quickly so that they can be finished within the workshop time, I have seen many a cardboard box with a hole in the top and a hairdryer stuck in the hole and turned on to dry projects but being a fireman's wife I really wasn't keen on this idea. 

I wracked my brains and thought that this should work.

I popped in my projects to test it out,

And hoorah, it worked.

Really looking forward to teaching again.

With Love and Flowers

Im loving working with the Stamps by Me range, it gets the old cogs in my brain working again.

With Love and Flowers is one of Toni's new stamp sets, I got an idea in my head but couldn't try it out until Grandson Jack was out of bed because the loft ladders open into his room and I don't suppose doing that at 2am ish would be a good thing.

The basic idea was positive and negative with a twist of colour on both sides.

I started by masking off a rectangle and then stamping the detail part of the stamp in light green, I then used ink to to blend into the masked area but trying to avoid the stamped image.

I then removed the masking tape from the rectangle and overstamped the detail stamp in black.

 

Next masked off the image over the rectangle and stamped the colour fill part of the stamp.

Finishing by stamping the sentiment down the side and added a couple of squiggle lines to make a frame.

Link to Stamps by Me http://www.stampsbyme.co.uk/index.php

 

Life is Precious Stamping

I think what I love mostly with Stamps By Me stamps is the positive thinking in the wording of the stamps, I think no matter what life deals you, if you can try to stay positive and look for the good rather than the bad you will create positivity for others around you.

Beautiful wording and beautiful imagery a perfect combination.

I started with the Generation Inx, the are the Stamps by Me own brand of inks and ink pads. Blending the sides of my cards after masking off the center panel.

I over stamped the blending with the flowers from the Life is Precious stamp set and embossed them in gold glitter embossing powder.

I then painted the flowers with the Generation Inx and highlighted them with a white paint pen.

Now the eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed the Get Your Happy On sentiment, that is from the stamp set with the same name.

I used gilding flakes on the stamps sentiment, again did a bit of ink blending but kept it much lighter on the center panel, and to finish i outlined the panel with a couple of squiggly lines.

Here is the link to the Stamps by Me Stamp sets http://www.stampsbyme.co.uk/Create-and-CraftTV.php