I love the polymer clay!

So I spent the late afternoon yesterday stamping, painting, and creating polymer clay tiles for my next few projects! I'm rather happy with the mix I made. It's been awhile since I got the pasta maker out and cooked me up a few good tiles. But the other day I ran across another really awesome book.
“Mixed Media Mosaics” by Laurie Mika. I was highly impressed with her pieces- I sat and read the book in the store- ran home and checked out her site! It's on my list to buy. Just not today! Then I got out my pasta maker- my shimmer and glimmer paint – cranked the oven- grabbed my stamps and went to town. For those that have never played with polymer clay( Sculpey- Fimo) give it a go. At least check out her site-its listed in my links! Have fun all! Also if anyone has anyone else who is fantastic with the clay- drop a name and I will add it to my links!

Allergies, Apologies, & Anger! ( and rust)

So I've been under the weather lately. Totally sick with fever and major allergies! Its really hard to craft when your nose is draining into your work-gross I know! I was trying to make it last Friday night over to the ATC swap at Mystic Paper. Didn't happen! Sick as a dog. Sorry all! To my friend Judy B- your class on Saturday looked awesome! So during my lapses of fever and blowing my nose! I've been prepping for Halloween- Finding all my images and old Halloween Cards! Halloween is my favorite!

Ive got half finished pieces all over the house-inside and out! Outside I've been rusting things all weekend! Heres a rust recipe for any brave souls- willing to try it! Be careful - you are mixing some very nasty chemicals! If you spend to much time breathing the fumes you will establish- what I call a bleach & vinegar burn in your nose hairs- It will be all you smell for the next week!(Trust me I know).If you spend to much time-you will knock yourself out! Do it outside as well- get good ventilation. Common sense- I know America seems to have less of it these days-but damn it we can still try!(Sorry did I jump on a soapbox).


This works on real tin(altoid tins) or iron. Be sure your metal has no sealer or finish on it. Also most of the time- to help the process you should lightly sand your pieces.

What you will need:
Tin or iron pieces
Household bleach
Vinegar
Gloves-or your hand will smell like this solution for days!

Plastic mixing container - I use a big nasty plastic dollar store tub! That way I can also throw it away when I finished.Also I use a lid to trap the smells until I'm done. This is some strong smelling stuff! My neighbors like it that I use a lid!

Mix 2 parts bleach to 1 part vinegar in the plastic mixing container. Mix enough to cover whatever you are working on.
Drop pieces into solution. To quicken the process- If you have an already rusted item or a piece of steal wool- throw it into the mix! Wait at least 30 minutes. The longer you leave the items in the solution the more build up you get! I leave some items in for 40mins others two days! If you want holes- in the tin like real old died in the desert look-leave for a few days. When ready move from mixture- let dry! Discard the solution-When items are dry, brush off as much or as little rust as you like to achieve the desired effect.
So that's the recipe folks! Enjoy but be careful. Any questions leave a comment-I'll get back to you!So the last part of my post- sad news. My moms cat was hit and died the other day! He was a young great cat! The person that hit him never stopped, nor checked his tag, this really gets to me! If you do something wrong- as bad as it may seem or be- you should still be mature and take the hard road! Take responsibility. I'm so sick off people,politicians,certain communities, Lindsay Lohan, Larry Craig, OJ, a certain George W! The list goes on! Of people cowardly not taking the responsible road! Did we as a community, or as individuals ever have that old Norman Rockwell do right kinda attitude??? A man(or woman)has got to do what they got do! Let me know...Stepping down from my box-

Your good friend,

-Gary Cooper

Freedom12

Freedom12
Originally uploaded by Jack & Cat Curio

Another one of my new fav's from Idaho City, Idaho!

redwallretouched

redwallretouched
Originally uploaded by Jack & Cat Curio

Hey All! Got my Flickr account up and going! More new photos to be added! I've been trying to get my "ghoststown" photos up and done forever! Also- "yes Susie"- I'm working on your graduation photos as well!

Baby,o Baby-It's been Busy Brother!

Listen to me tell you a story of an artistic boy gone crazy! That's me!
School started a few weeks ago! Classes, new schedule, teaching, looking for a new job(one that satisfies my artistic needs),relationship, new cat, tons o projects, wacky family!!! Could life be any crazier! I'd rather have it full than silent and dead!
So many photo projects and computer art! But nothing from the altered side of things!
But do you ever get in those modes- where you can't make- but you plan, you prep all your goodies, you seek out all your special pieces, you dream about how and what you will create! You sketch in your head for days. Thats all that I have been doing. Prepping for the oncoming artistic explosion! However I did have time to check out the new Sumerset Studio Mag- I love Halloween! I have been reorganizing our studio for the last week, dividing it all into areas, paint area, wax area, computer and drawing tables, photo area, and most important shelves, tons o shelves for the never ending pile of stuff, and stuff, and more stuff! Tins, boxes, paint, hinges, plastic bats ,keys, foam, skeletons, I bring more home every day!
Anywho- It's time to make!So for the next three days- I'm really locking myself away in the studio- not coming out for anything except coffee, a free lunch, maybe a movie, and a quick job interview. I got my stack of movies to watch- Moulin Rouge- Night of the Hunter, Something Wicked This Way Comes-(It has it's moments), Matilda, Willy Wonka, anything else I can damn well take in with me! Oh yeah- I might go to the gym. Maybe. Well maybe I won't exactly lock myself away. Maybe I will change to working in the studio at night. Long nights!


So we have a new kitten! We can't decide on a name-his personality keeps changing-some names he has had- Mr. Fancy Pants, Tiger, Eddie, The Evil One. If you have a good name throw it on us! Here is a pic or two! Our dog “Teddy”is loving the kitten-however the kitten does not love “Teddy”! Heres a pic of Ted! Well Thanks All! Be back soon!

I love the Mystic Paper!

Last Saturday I taught another beeswax collage class at Mystic Paper in Mesa! I love the Mystic Paper! The owners Kim and Jennifer are fantastic! Great attitudes, great ideas, and great product! A big thanks to everyone for a great class! The final projects turned out great! Above is a pic of my example and below a pic of Judy Bidwell's piece "Gypsy Soul!

Thanks again to all the ladies that enrolled in the class! Thanks so much for a sensational afternoon.

This three day weekend is all about the art. Locking myself inside the house and not coming out til Tuesday morning. The art supplies and materials are taking over the entire house! I need to organize,clean,and create all weekend!

This weekend I'm working on an altered piece for a men's class at Mystic Paper! Something with metal,World War II,sexy pinup. Perhaps a shadow box with a light- anyone with ideas -please send. As soon as I get done I'll post some pic's here!

I'm almost done making an image cd of birds! Wanted to say thanks- to Sandy R. for tracking down some great ravens for me,and also Shirley from "Artsy Fartsy Fairy" for trusting me with some old bird images and booklets. I owe you both a copy!
Also found this damn cool artist the other day! Speaking of pinups-her stuff is great! I highly recommend checking her stuff out! Her name is Handiedan! From Amsterdam! I love these: