Happy Easter with Proxxon Tools

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today wishing you an early Happy Easter.

Supplies:

Proxxon Tools:  Hotwire Cutter
Smoothfoam

ColorBox Art Screens
ColorBox Crafter's Ink by Ann Butler
ColorBox Background Basic Stamps by Ann Butler

I used my Cricut to create a paper bunny in the size I wanted.  The I just traced around it on a piece of Smoothfoam.

 

 

The Hotwire cutter cuts Smoothfoam quickly and easily and there is no flaking.  The wire heats up quickly and I was able to cut the bunny out very quickly.  I like to cut away the larger unnecessary portions of the Smoothfoam while creating my project.

 And this is my Easter Bunny.  I love how she turned out!

 

 

Since I had some left over Smoothfoam, I also cut out some Easter Eggs as well as part of an Easter Egg so I could nestle them together.

 

I covered the bunny with molding paste to give the illusion of fur, the added a tail which was a Smoothfoam ball that I cut in half using the Hotwire cutter.

While waiting for the molding paste to dry, I worked on the Easter Eggs.  The Easter Eggs were stamped, stenciled and inked before adhering to the bunny.  Assorted colors of dew drops were added for fun.  I purposely didn't add molding paste to the lower portion of the bunny because I wanted the Easter Eggs to sit flush on the bunny.

 

 

Once the molding paste dried, I applied pink ink to her ears and nose and added a large wiggly eye.  To finish, I tied a ribbon around her neck.

 

She is the perfect Easter decoration and the Hotwire cutter made it so easy to create this Easter project.

 

What do you think?

 

Thanks for stopping by today.

 

 

Steph

 

New Design Team Project for Proxxon ~ StoryTelling Sticks~

" StoryTelling Sticks" Aka "The Talking  Stick"

I am fascinated by Native American culture and ways, so I decided it would be a wonderful project to create these StoryTelling Sticks or as the Native Americans say " Talking Sticks". There is a rich history in the use of these Talking Sticks" at community gatherings. The person who would be speaking would be given the "Talking Stick"  to speak his "truth" and not to be interrupted by others. Only the person holding the Talking Stick would be allowed to speak. There is much meaning behind the creation of the Talking Stick as well. Everything used to created the stick has meaning from the wood used, to the bead colors, paint colors, fur, gemstones etc. And although a Talking Stick can be used to speak one's voice, it can also be used by a Storyteller and to document the stories told . Charms  with ribbons and  a connection to the story being told can be attached to the end of the stick with ribbon, this way each story is documented. More information can be found by doing a search on the internet and I also have gathered some information below for you on Talking Stick Circles.

*Talking Stick Circle Guidelines (David Boje & Joe Gladstone, 2008) 

1. We sit in circles, not pyramids.
2. The person with the Talking Stick is the designated story-talker.
3. Pass the Talking Stick clockwise. Start with the person sitting in the East-most position, then go to the right. In Talking Stick going clockwise is an earth-process. Otherwise the magic is undone.
4. Persons without the Talking Stick, please listen, write notes, and notice the story. Focus your listener attention on the storyteller with the Talking Stick. Let your mind recall stories as the teller tells stories.
5. Try to limit interruptions. A person with the Talking Stick can pass it to someone for a clarification, question, or amplification on a point, then call the stick back to finish their story.
6. There will be multiple rounds of Talking Stick Story Circles. Each time there is a question. At the end of a round of story-sharing, story-noticing (story-listening), a spokes-person repeats the main themes, issues, resolutions, and proposals that came up. So be sure to take notes.
7. The output of Talking Stick Circle is ideas, proposals, and stories of a vitalized community. Designate people to listen, to observe, and to provide a report out of the collective story that is emerging in the Circle.
8. The point is to create a collective story, one that is faithful to everyone's living stories, to unify in community.

This was such a wonderful project using  art,intention, purpose and meaning.I hope you enjoy creating them as much as I did!

~Supplies~

Wood pieces about 3 x 11

Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Drill for holes

Acrylic Paint

Distress Stain ( I used Tim Holtz)

Tribal stamps ( I made mine)

Stamp pad

Glue Gun

Ready made suede tassels ( or you can make one)

Gemstones

Carved  gemstone feathers or other shapes

Iron metal focal

 Jewelry Wire for stringing the beads

Assorted  6mm beads,feathers,leather,leather string, hemp string,Sari Silk Ribbon

For this project I really used a lot of things I had around my art studio. So investigate your stash and see what you might have lying around that would be a perfect compliment to creating your own "StoryTelling Stick".

1) Sand the rough edges on your pieces of wood to create that vintage/worn look. Drill a small hole about 1" for the bottom from the front to back.

2) Paint your sticks, I used a turquoise and a deep orange for the main color.

3) Distress you sticks with  the Distress Stain in a mahogany color for that distressed/vintage look

4) Glue on a leather piece that is random in shape to go several times around the stick in the middle. ( I had some spare pieces that were embossed from another project that I used)

5) Using your tribal stamps  and ink pad ,start stamping where you  have open space on your sticks. Mine shapes represent the mountains and the forest ( pine trees)

6) Wrap the sticks with more ribbon,hemp or leather strings and tying around the  middle of the stick.

7)Start embellishing with the beads, gemstones and  feathers as I have above.

8) Add the tassels at the bottom of the sticks where you have drilled a small hole.

And there you have a wonderful creative StoryTelling Stick!

~Happy Creating~

Sherri