"Family Matters"

 "Family Matters"

By Sherri Welser

 

I have always loved family photos,, the very fun vintage style and hopefully you are lucky enough to have some also! I found a handful of vintage style family photos and wondered about the  unique ways I could display them. I had some wooden blocks from a previous project so I decided I would use them. I integrated  vintage style metal embellishments, ribbon and journal papers to create this special piece of art!

Supplies

 Proxxon Cordless Belt Sander BS/A

Copies of Family photos

2 x 4 piece of wood  cut to size

Tim Holtz metal vintage frame , feet , decorative corners and metal quote tags

Metal butterfly

Wooden rectangle with the word "family" on it

Distressed ink pad (from Ranger ) in Sepia

White paint

Clear knob

Art Journal papers with butterflies

Lace and ribbon

Small metal trinkets for embellishing

E 6000 and Mod Podge for gluing 

1. Sand the wooden block until smooth with the Proxxon belt sander
2. Paint with white paint and let dry
3. Distress  all sides with the Distress ink pad
4. Place picture to fit in metal frame and place in the center of painted block
5. Glue in place with E 6000 and let dry
6. Add the wooden family piece underneath and glue in place
7. Screw the knob in place at the top in center
8. Add metal corner tabs,  metal butterfly  and  the feet at the bottom glue in place
9. On the back glue the art journal butterfly papers  with Mod Podge
10. Add the  metal lock and quote at the bottom  and glue in place with E 6000
11. Distress the papers on the back with the ink pad
12. Tie the metal embellishments to the ribbons and tie around the knob at the top 

I have so much loved creating this project and I hope you have enjoyed as well!

Happy Creating!

"Faith In A Box"~ Proxxon and Plaid Paints Design Team Project by Sherri Welser

"Faith In A Box"

 With Proxxon  Tools and Plaid  Folk Art Paints

by Sherri Welser

Creating this unique and fun wooden box project  " Faith In A Box"with Proxxon Tools and Plaid paints!  I love sweet little wooden boxes and wanted to find a way to paint and embellish and create that "Vintage" look. Using Plaid Folk Art  Brushed  metal paints , Proxxon Delta Sander, fun techniques and embellishments, I was very pleased with the outcome!

~Supplies~ 

Proxxon Delta Sander

Plaid  Folk Art Brushed Metal Paints in Brushed Copper and Brushed Gold

Wooden box ( hinged) Approx 5 x 3

Tissue paper ~Vintage design

Mat medium gel

Clear crackle paint

Sepia stamp pad

Bits and pieces of old jewelry

Inspiration metal words

E-6000 adhesive

1) Paint the wooden box with  the copper metallic paint.

2)Brush the clear crackle gel over the paint and let dry.

3) Cover the inside of the box with the tissue paper. Gluing down with the mat medium.

4) Using  the Proxxon Delta sander, sand the corners and edges to create that "worn look"

5)When crackle paint is dry, randomly brush the outside with the sepia ink pad to create that aged look. Add some of the  Gold Brushed  metallic paint for highlights.

6)Decorate the top and front of the box with metal inspirational words and jewelry pieces gluing in place with the E-6000 adhesive.

You now have a sweet little box of your own to store special trinkets!

~Its Your Destiny~ Designing with Copper Disks and Proxxon Tools by Sherri Welser

~Its Your Destiny~ 

Designing with Copper Disks

In this new Design Team project for Proxxon Tools create these beautiful copper disks to add to any jewelry piece! I love to mix metals and had these 2 empty bangles that I had added verdigris patina to but didn't add anything else yet. I had a sheet of copper metal and decided to use my disk cutter to cut the round disks out and the Proxxon Drill Press ( TBM 115) to drill the holes for the jump rings. So lets have some fun making these unique copper disks!

~Supplies~ 

Proxxon Drill Press TBM 115

drill bits for the size of the hole you are wanting

Disc cutter for the circles

Copper sheet~24 gauge

Sizzix Big Kick for metal embossing

Embossing folders

Rust Patina

sand paper

jump rings ( 6 mm) approx 10-12

Assorted jewelry pieces, crystals,inspirational word charms,unique charms etc

Bangle of your choice to add the jewelry items  onto

1)Start by using the disc cutter to cut your copper disks. Lightly sand the sides smooth.

2) Using your embossing folder place the metal disc in the folder and roll through the Big kick.  

3) Apply the Rust Paste  to the discs and let dry

4)Using the Drill press drill small holes at the top of each disc and some at the bottom for added interest.

This rust paste is a very unique way to add rusty texture to the copper.

4) Add the jump rings to your jewelry charms and copper discs and attach to the bangle. If you have added an extra hole at the bottom of a disc then at this time add the jump ring and the crystal.

This is such a fun creative process to add something special to a plain ole' copper disc!

Have fun!

Inspirational Necklace "When Doors Open" By Sherri Welser and Proxxon Tools!

Inspirational Necklace "When Doors Open"

Create this beautiful inspirational necklace by using Proxxon Tools!

Wearing inspirational pieces always helps to reinforce that feeling of joy and hope. In this necklace I used a metal embosser ( Vintaj  Big Kick) to get the lovely texture on the  copper metal pieces and the  Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115  . I have had these 2  metal door pieces for awhile and was waiting for the right project to use them. Below please find the supply list and instructions!

~Supply List~

Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115

Vintaj Big Kick

Rose patterned embossing folder

2 copper metal "door" pieces

Verdigris paint

Brass or copper wire ( 24 gauge) about 6 " long

Seed beads 8/0 or 15/0

WeldBond adhesive

Type setting  paper word phrases or letters 

jump ring~ 6mm

Copper or brass chain ~Approx 24" long

Lobster claw closure ( copper)\

Small copper piece for "window

Small metal clip

I began with the copper metal doors and even though there were holes, they wernt big enough for attaching the wire and still being able to open the doors freely. 

1) Paint the verdigris paint on the front of the door and the small square metal piece~ let dry

2) Set up the Big Kick and place your metal door and window pieces in between the folder and pass through the Big kick to create the  embossed pattern.

3) Re-drill the holes a bit larger with the Proxxon Bench Press in both doors

4) Cut to size the words for the inside of the door

  5) Glue in place with the WeldBond

6) Next glue the small "window" piece to the front of the door and secure tightly to dry with a clip

7) To connect the front to the back doors take your 24 gauge wire and put it through the first hole from back to front 

8) Add several seed beads and twist the wires together.

9) Weave through the bottom wire , adding beads and twisting for a fun effect. Making sure you can still open and close the doors.

10) Attach the chain by adding the jump ring to the door and then putting the chain through the jump ring.

The door may tend to open so if you want add a tiny piece of velcro or something similar to keep the door closed until you want it to open.

Have fun Creating!

"Vintage Treasures"~ Design Team Project for Proxxon Tools by Sherri Welser

 "Vintage Treasures"

Embellish your Vintage family photos and show them off with some fun adornments and Proxxon's Drill Press! I absolutely love all things vintage / jewelry and when I saw these beautiful cabinet cards in an antique store I knew I had to find a way to honor them and bring them back to "life".

Below I have included the supplies and instructions for creating your very own Vintage Treasure!

~Supplies~

4 x 6 Vintage Cabinet Card ( these are the heavy card stock mounted photos)

Proxxon Drill Press TBM 115

Metal ,glass bead,charms and trinkets

Flat circular metal pieces for the outsides of the holes,buttons ect

chain

Epoxy resin ,vintage ephemera, bezels  ect if you would like to create your own bezels

Weldbond Glue

Jump rings

Metal connectors for hanging

 Vintage style Paper flower

 1) Gather all your trinkets and charms and decide where you would like them to fall on the chains. 

2)Cut your chain to desired length and cut at different intervals to create visual interest. 4 lengths in all

3) Mark where you would like the holes to be at the bottom of the photo and drill holes using the Drill press.  The drill press works well because of the stiffness of the card stock.

4) Take the circular metal pieces and place on top of the holes making sure the hole you just made and the hole in the metal line up. Glue metal pieces on using the Weldbond.

5) Attach jump rings to  the holes in the bottom of the photo here and to connect the chain where you have a break adding in the embellishments. This way you can connect the items together to hang down.

6) Add the charms, bezels and fun items on the chains having them fall at different lengths.

**To create your own bezel it is very easy by using a blank bezel , measuring paper ephemera to fit inside the bezel, gluing that down and then adding the epoxy resin over and let cure about 24 hrs

7) Using the metal connectors glue onto the top  of each corner of the photo with the ring end up.

8) Using a jump ring on each side attach the beaded chain to create a "hanger"

9) Attach a paper flower in the middle for added visual interest with the Weldbond Glue

I hope you have enjoyed this fun and creative way to add new life to old Vintage Photos!

Add Some Inspiration to Your Mixed Media Artwork by Sherri Welser

Adding Inspiration to Your Mixed Media Artwork

Using sweet little inspirational words in your mixed media artwork always brings a smile to those who see it! Here I used the Proxxon Bench Drill Press  to create the holes on either side of the wooden inspirational wooden plaques. Details  and supply list below.

~Supplies~

Proxxon Bench Drill Press- TBM 115

Mixed media canvas (I did 2 at the same time ~ 12 x 4)

Acrylic paints-colors

Acrylic paints-white

Ink Sprays

Wooden inspirational words

Copper brads

Weld Bond Glue

Paint brush

Stencils

Gel pens

1) Start by using the acrylic colors and apply paints randomly with the brush filling in all the spaces on the canvas.

2) Using the stencils lay them down on the canvas and spray the inks through them to create a fun whimsical background

3) I then drew a dragonfly onto the canvas

4) Using the white acrylic paint cover over outside of the drawn dragonfly.

5) Using the Proxxon Bench drill press, drill small holes on either side of the wooden word being careful to avoid the lettering.

6) I used 2 copper brads for either side where the holes are and put the brads through the holes and spread out the tabs on the back side.

7) Using Weld Bond glue I then attached the wooden plaques onto the canvas in the middle of the dragonfly's tail. I applied a weight  onto the plaque as well to make sure of a good  seal.

You can add some finishing touches with gel pen doodles

You now have completed an inspirational mixed media piece which was easy and carefree to create!

ENJOY!

~Vintage Embellishing Part 2~ Proxxon Tools Design Team Project by Sherri Welser

~Vintage Embellishing Part 2~

Welcome back to the second part of my vintage embellishment table project!! The reason why it is called "vintage" is because I wanted a project where I incorporated small old jewelry trinkets and charms and then that grew into adding inspirational messages and basically anything that held meaning to me. The other piece I made before this was actually 

 an old church window and it did have a very Vintage feeling to it!

Here you see the table after all the pieces were glued down.. it's now ready to grout!

~Supplies~

*Mosaic grout~ I bought the  grout that is for glass and glass tiles as it doesn't scratch the more delicate glass objects. I found it at Michaels and you will need at least a 12 oz for a 3 ft table.

* Rubber Gloves

* Damp Towel

* Grout Sealer

  Here you see the difference between the grouted area and the non grouted area. I just used rubber gloves to apply

  When Applying make sure you push the grout down in all the empty spaces  with your rubber gloves on and wipe off any excess 

( this is a messy job!)

Here you see the finished table and the last step is  to seal with a grout sealer/protective layer. You can either use a spray sealer or a brush on. I decided I wanted another decorative element so also added these metal tiles on the bottom shelf. This is a beautiful piece that will add a special decorative and sentimental element to any room! And it all starts with great tools! I love Proxxon Tools for all of my projects, they are very versatile easy to use and the craftsmanship is wonderful!

Hope you have enjoyed this fun embellishing project and see you next time! I will be offering an online workshop for creating these beautiful pieces in June! Visit my website for more details www.indigoearth.artfire.com. 

Workshop listed soon!