Fun Process of Collage Making

By Shannon McDonald of McDonald Mixed Media

First step: Find some fun material

Materials: Paint, paintbrush, wood, adhesive (I am a fan of Mod Podge) and last but not least paper materials. Magazines are a great source.

I ask friends to donate them to me instead of recycling them.

I am always on the look out for some interesting paper.  I saved some stamps from a package my office received from Iceland!

Prep your wood. I purchase MDF board from Home Depot. They will cut it down for  you too! However, I have used found wood such a old kitchen cabinets or wooden shelves. Most crafts stores also have an unfinished wood section. I then prep the board with paint or gesso.

Let the fun begin! I have been using lots of cut outs of silhouettes lately. That is my starting point for this collage. 

Adding color is a must! 

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!

I will play around with the design before I permanently glue it. Maybe too many flowers?

Almost there! Just need to fill in some holes and glue it down. Once you are ready glue everything down. Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge to the paper and wood. I use a hard plastic card (similar to as gift card) to get rid of any air bubbles. 

After it dries you can seal it to protect it from fading. I use a clear coat that can be found at Home Depot. Make sure that you apply this is a well ventilated area.

Announcing a very special line of jewelry by Linkouture

by Bev Feldman

One of the things I love most about being a member of Boston Handmade is how genuinely interested the members are in supporting one another. It is a dynamic group of people who really want to see everyone succeed, and when we come together great things happen.
At our February meet-up we each went around and gave an update on our businesses and used this as an opportunity to ask each other questions and provide feedback. When it came to my turn, Lucie Wicker, who is an amazing fitness photographer, asked if I was making any more fitness jewelry after seeing pictures I had posted on my Instagram account of a custom order I was working on. Up until that point, it really had not even occurred to me to continue making fitness jewelry, though I really enjoyed making this new piece. At everyone's urging, an idea started to form. Members started throwing out ideas, and my excitement over the idea began to form. I knew I had to act fast.
With that, I am so excited to announce the debut of a new line of fitness jewelry Linkouture will be offering. In honor of the Boston Marathon happening next month, I will be kicking off the line with a limited-edition runner charm bracelet available for order between now and Monday, April 21 (the date of this year's marathon). 

Runner bracelet by Linkouture

Made from recycled sterling silver, this chainmaille bracelet features a hand-sawed runner charm, and proceeds from each bracelet will be donated to the One Fund Boston. You can read the full story behind the bracelet here, and pre-order them on my Etsy shop.

Monday Mosaic: Boston Handmade wears Green

curated by Sharon Fischer, Stray Notions

1. Green Monster- 5x7 Photo Illustration Print- Fenway Park Wall, Lucie Wicker Photography

2. California Mariposite & recycled sterling silver Cirrus earrings, Beryllina

3. 3/8 Wide Collar for Cat or Tiny Puppy in Shamrocks, Cody's Creations

4. Green Beaded and Silver Chainmaille Necklace, Linkouture

Why Handmade: Engineering a project

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’s Workshop

My second grader recently came home with a science project for school. He needs to create a leprechaun trap for St. Patrick's Day including at least one simple machine, such as a lever, a pulley, or a screw. Of course, it must be decorated to lure the leprechaun, and he must make this by himself with limited parental involvement.

Decorating the trap

When these projects come home, there is always a discussion regarding which parent is best equipped to help our son. My husband is an engineer, and I am an artist; however, both my parents are engineers and I am used to this manner of thinking. My parents would kid with me - they think function first, form second, and I reverse the process. We decided this project was best tag teamed. I have provided assistance through the various decorating phases while my husband has been in charge of helping our son make certain his simple machines work. As expected, my son has performed the majority of the work.

This project has me considering what I do every day. Yes, jewelry is art, and there is a strong element of form. We don't normally seek out the ugliest jewelry out there. Most prefer jewelry to be shiny, possibly colorful, or sparkly; however, unlike some art, there is a definite need for my pieces to be functional. It doesn't matter how beautiful a necklace may be; if it keeps falling off your neck, it is not very desirable. If a ring doesn't fit properly it will cause discomfort to the wearer. As such, my parents' words come back to haunt me. Which matters more? Form or function?

Tools of the trade

As noted before, my husband and I both handcraft our pieces, and there is a definite difference in how we think about our individual designs. I hadn't thought about it before, but my husband approaches his work with function in mind. As a result, he produces work that moves - spinner rings, lockets, moving rings on earrings, etc. They are very dynamic, but simple and plain in appearance. On the other hand, my designs are not plain at all. I utilize more textures, colors, and shapes. I produce work with intricate details, but it is static. If it meets the minimum requirements for function, ie. it hangs properly, fits, and/or doesn't fall off it is a success.

Engineering the trap

When my husband and I tag team a design we can obtain an equal balance of form and function, which happens often. We steal each other's best ideas and push it up a notch. My son is still young, but to date he has paid careful attention to both the form and function of his project. It will be interesting to see if, as he matures, one begins to become more important than the other.

Ready to catch a leprechaun

When you create your art, how much consideration do you give to how well it functions? A lot? Some? Or not at all, as long as it is pretty?

Monday Mosaic: Spring, the Sweet Spring

curated by Susanne Guirakhoo of enchantedhue

Black Eyed Susan - Beaded Anklet by LushBeads
Bluebell or Bellflower Brooch of Felted Wool by straynotions
Pin Brooch - Black Eyed Susan by jilljburns
Sterling Silver Lotus Ring with 5 mm Garnet by CristinaHurley

Long awaited, it's almost here:

Spring, the Sweet Spring
(by Thomas Nashe)

Spring, the sweet spring, is the year’s pleasant king,
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing:
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

The palm and may make country houses gay,
Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day,
And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay:
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet,
Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit,
In every street these tunes our ears do greet:
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to witta-woo!
Spring, the sweet spring!

Why Handmade: Year Two; A Reflection

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’s Workshop

About a year ago, I first joined Boston Handmade. I learned I was accepted into this fantastic group of artisans in the morning only moments after learning I had received my first rejection to an art show. The next monthly Boston Handmade meeting was scheduled for the evening in Jamaica Plain. I had never been to JP, to the best of my knowledge, but I put my shoes on and headed out. Two and a half hours later, I finally reached my destination, a warm friendly home, with Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts to greet me.

Diane of Lady Dye Fiber Arts Eclectic Cowl

A lot has changed since then. It has been over a year from the day I made the bold move of leaving a steady paying job to pursue my art as my full-time business. I have made a few small but repairable mistakes here and there, as I continue to learn and grow. I started off a bit in the dark; however, the day I joined Boston Handmade I was no longer alone in my endeavors.

Cristina of Cristina Hurley Jewely Design   Orange CZ and fire opal Galaxy Necklace

It is a difficult job. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. No one tells you when to get up, or when you have to be at work. There are no reminders when you haven’t done enough. Just when it seems you are going no where fast, a bubble of excitement will explode, reminding you why you decided to do this in the first place. If you do think you want to leave the rat race and pursue an art as your profession, I recommend you find yourself a group of like-minded people who in some way share your vision. Anything can be accomplished with a little bit of team work.

Bev of Linkoture's Simple Wedding Necklace Sterling Silver

Local Artists Supporting Neighborhood Resources

by Jessica Burko

Photograph courtesy of Maegan Beishline

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, though usually not simultaneously. Knitting has been a passion of mine since I learned how to do it in 2008 at a Boston Handmade skill-share workshop, and reading has always been a joy in my life. I'm happy to say I've already passed along the reading bug to my children, both of whom (at only 2 and 4 years old) can sit for unusually long periods of time while being read to, or while looking through books on their own. My 4-year-old and I go to our local library every Friday afternoon to return the previous weeks books and select a new stack for the week to come and the trip is a highlight of the week for both of us.

Page from the book Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Last year I saw a connection between knitting and reading as I read a book to my children called Extra Yarn and have found knitting repeatedly represented in children's books ever since. Obviously I'm not the only one to make this connection and I'm delighted that our new neighborhood library is hosting a fundraiser based on this very premise.

The Gee-Burko family reading at the Roslindale Public Library

The Friends of the Roslindale Branch Library have organized a Yarn and Book Sale scheduled for March 6 - 8. There is an opening reception for this fundraiser on Thursday, March 6th from 5:30-8pm. Speaking at this reception at 6:30pm will be Stephanie Griego, owner of the local yarn company, Dirty Water DyeWorks. During the three-day event you can stock up on yarn, buy a cookbook, or learn a new stitch. There's also chances to win craft-related prizes from several local craft businesses who are supporting this neighborhood resource including our very own Stephanie Cave Design Studio and Lady Dye Fiber Arts. Prizes are also being donated by The Eliot School,  JP Knit & Stitch, Stitch House, Dirty Water DyeWorks and Sip Dip and Dabble. Raffle tickets for these prizes are available throughout the sale.

The Friends of the Roslindale Branch Library group supports, promotes and enriches the services and programs the library offers to the public and I encourage you to help their efforts by enriching your own home library and yarn collection this weekend.

Roslindale Public Library
Yarn and Book Sale
4246 Washington St.
Roslindale, MA 02131
Thursday, March 6, 5:30 - 8pm, Opening Reception
Friday, March 7, 10am - 5pm
Saturday, March 8, 10am - 1pm

Monday Mosaic: Snow and ice

curated by Sharon Fischer, Stray Notions

1. Herkimer Diamond recycled sterling silver handmade ring size 7, Berylina

2. Snow Birds, North Square- 8x10- Photo Print, Lucie Wicker Photography

3. Snow Dyed Silk Scarf, Purple White, Irregular Pattern, Hand Dyed, Enchanted Hue

4. Sterling and CZ North Star Pendant, Cristina Hurley Designs