Craftside

Three symmetrical designs made from an ice cream cone shape from 1001 Symmetrical Patterns Book and CD

Working with the same shape and repeating it, flipping it, scaling it or otherwise playing with it can be a fun way to make or use it in designs such as quilting. This book 1001 Symmetrical Patterns Book and CD: A Complete Resource of Pattern Designs Created by Evolving Symmetrical Shapes is an amazing resource for pattern manipulation.

Here are three examples of pattern work based on an ice cream cone shape.

This first ice cream cone pattern simply uses them in a circle.

This second pattern scaled them larger and overlapped them so that new inner shapes were formed.

This pattern used the ice cream cones pointing out. Pretty interesting what can happen with the same basic shape.

I highly recommend giving this shape altering technique a "spin"! :)

More about:

1001 Symmetrical Patterns Book and CD:

A Complete Resource of Pattern Designs Created by Evolving Symmetrical Shapes

By

Jay Friedenberg

Jacob Roesch

Artists, graphic designers, and craftspeople are always looking for new sources of inspiration and new ideas to incorporate into their work. This book is an extensive print and electronic library of symmetrical patterns in changing arrangements and colorways, inspired by traditional iconic motifs found in various cultures throughout history. The patterns are suited to many applications, including quilt, tile, fabric, jewelry, architectural, product, website, and graphic design. The enclosed CD-ROM allows the reader to reproduce, re-size, or otherwise modify all of the designs for his or her own purposes.

Jay Friedenberg is the associate professor and chair of psychology and director of the Cognitive Science Program at Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY. He is the author of several books and articles, including several on the topics of symmetry and perception.

Jacob Roesch teaches art and graphic design at Manhattan College. His work has exhibited at galleries through the United States. His portfolio is on view at www.jacobroesch.net.

 

Who's Your Dada? By Linda and Opie O'Brien

OK, it is super sneak peek time! This book will be out in October but I got my advance copy and I was practically pulling the tab on the envelope before it was out of the UPS guy's hands!

Who's Your DADA?
Redefining the Doll through Mixed Media
By
Linda O'Brien and Opie O'Brien

Inspired by the "Dada" notion of making art from materials that would not typically be combined or expected to go together, and driven by a similar sense of irony and humor, this exciting book by Linda and Opie O'Brien shares their unique approach to making mixed-media dolls. It is not only a "must have" volume for anyone interested in found object art and the human form, it is a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the power, symbolism, and cultural significance of dolls and representational figures.

The authors share detailed techniques for using surface embellishments, creating faces, heads, and limbs, using molds and molding products, and building and transforming disparate objects into whimsical, inspiring dolls. Starting with a variety of substrates--a wood block, a canvas, a tin can, a book, and a box construction--readers are guided step by step through five types of doll constructions.

Included:

-Complete instructions for making a box construction doll, a wood block substrate doll, a two-sided canvas frame doll, a tin can doll, and a book doll

-Numerous variations on each of the core projects for further experimentation

-An inspiring gallery of mixed-media dolls from leading artists who discuss their methods and share their very personal answers to the question: "What is a doll?"

Originally from New York City, Linda and Opie O'Brien are full time artists living on Lake Erie in Ohio with their cat Angelus and his cat Angel. They teach workshops nationally and internationally. Their work includes jewelry, Dada dolls, artist books, assemblage, collage, masks, music, and more, and has been featured in numerous books, magazines, galleries, exhibitions, solo shows, museum gift shops, and private collections.

So this is the first sneak peek I have for you. This doll is by Shelley D. Schorsch. I love how the paper is pealing up on the top.

 

I will be using this piece as my inspiration. Not having a stash of baby dolls, can you believe it? Me, not have a stash of something? I scored this doll at the thrift store.

 

Be sure to check back to see how I transform it with the help from

Who's Your DADA?
Redefining the Doll through Mixed Media

And now onto the day's Q & A

Toni asked this question:

Love these chicks and duck! I have boxes of broken china that I've been saving to TRY mosaics - these might be just the thing to start with! Thanks!
My question - if I've never done mosaics, would it be better to start with a flat project before attempting something like these chicks? Thanks!

Yes! I would highly recommend doing a flat piece first. Working dimensional adds the complication of gravity into the mix. When I did these mosaic eyeballs using bowling balls as a base, I was continuously having to rotate and let things dry in shifts. It made the process go a bit slower. So if you are working with new techniques why not keep it a bit simpler at first and then once you get the hang of mosaics then you can go crazy!

Keep those questions coming, a free book and bobbin winder could be in your future, not to mention the answer!

How to Mosaic a Family of Chickens from the book Mosaics, The Art Of Reuse

This is just the cutest project, click on the images to enlarge and read how to mosaic a family of chickens.

 

If you like this project and want more pop on over to Amazon and grab yourself a copy of

Mosaics, The Art of Reuse
45 Inspired Designs using Unconventional Materials

By
Galit Glazer

Mosaic is a colorful, ever-changing art form that appeals
to a wide range of artists. When mosaic art is combined
with environmental awareness, the results are particularly
stunning, as non-conventional items such as handles
salvaged from broken dressers and broken chips of antique
china can be incorporated into unique, environmentally
friendly pique assiette mosaic projects.

Mosaics, The Art of Reuse features 25 projects that are vivid, vibrant, and
inspirational. There are vintage mirrors and dressers;
decorative art-deco-style wall hangings; striking 3D
sculptures; and practical home features such as a flight
of steps.

Or click on the "Mosaic" link below for more recycled mosaic projects. There are some cool ones from this book and a few of my own creations I made inspired by other designs in books.

And since we've switched gears here, leave a question for me (about anything!) and you are entered to win a free book and bobbin winder! (See Monday's post for the full scoop!)

And on the subject of Monday I am going to answer another of Monday's questions posed

by reader "KC"

my question is, what do you do or how do you handle Craft blocks , ya know sorta like writers block, you wanna craft but when you get to your table, nothing happens.

This one is EASY!

Two things, open a book!

Or step away from the craft table and stretch.

Nothing gets me back into the creative groove than some eye candy. All it takes is a flip of a few pages  and it can be a related book to the medium I'm working in such as if I am making jewelry I flip open a jewelry making book or an altered art piece, one of the many mixed-media or altered art books I have or if I am sewing or refashioning a piece of clothing a fashion magazine will work too or a completely unrelated book can offer inspiration and get me back on track.

The other way is to get away from my crafting table and stretch, stare at the ceiling and think for a few minutes. Now my personal favorite stretch is to take a rolled up towel and place it under my back sort of from shoulder to shoulder this reverses the "hunched overness" that I can develop while working at my desk. All it takes is a few minutes and I have my new idea or plan! Another cool stretch can be found in this post.

Have a great creative weekend ya'll!

Mosaics, The Art Of Reuse; I choose shells, both shotgun and ones from the sea

Can we talk about mosaic eye candy for a minute?

Mosaics, The Art of Reuse
45 Inspired Designs using Unconventional Materials

By
Galit Glazer

Mosaic is a colorful, ever-changing art form that appeals
to a wide range of artists. When mosaic art is combined
with environmental awareness, the results are particularly
stunning, as non-conventional items such as handles
salvaged from broken dressers and broken chips of antique
china can be incorporated into unique, environmentally
friendly pique assiette mosaic projects.Mosaics, The Art of Reuse features 25 projects that are vivid, vibrant, and
inspirational. There are vintage mirrors and dressers;
decorative art-deco-style wall hangings; striking 3D
sculptures; and practical home features such as a flight
of steps.

Galit Glazer (Raanana, Israel) is an artist and art
teacher who has been immersed in mosaic for more
than ten years. Galit comes from a background
in fashion design, industrial management, and
jewelry making. This unique combination lends
a multifaceted approach to her works, one that
blends an artistic eye with technical know-how and
practicality.

I just love how there are so many great books coming out that are filled with amazing creativity using recycled materials. Here is a super cool mosaic piece that transforms a vase into a girl's dress. Click on the image to enlarge and see the details of the mosaic and the before shot.

 

I have cast some stepping stones with this mold before and I love using it. Mosaics, The Art of Reuse inspired me to look around and see what unconventional materials I could use to mosaic with them.

I landed on shotgun shells and beach shells. Interesting and unusual, yes?

I really liked how each stepping stone was a blank canvas and I could really let go and make fun patterns in each.

 

I am still working on setting them in place and I did need to break one to fit in the space and one did break accidentally cause I pushed it too hard in place, but I figure it will become a design element.

Today's question:

Do you make mosaics?

If so do you stay traditional or do you use unusual things in your work? Like what?

Leave your answer in the comments and you'll be entered to win a free book!

Oh and hey, are you on Facebook- become a Craftside Fan!

Mosaic Art and Style- Recycling Wowie Zowie!

Form, function and recycling-I love it!

Mosaic Art and Style
Designs for Living Environments

By

JoAnn Locktov

Mosaic Art and Style is a celebration of how mosaics can be integrated into our environments. Author JoAnn Locktov explores our fascination with mosaic art and illustrates how artists have crafted architectural installations as well as decorative and functional objects that have added immeasurably to living spaces.

Readers will enjoy seeing how mosaic art can be applied to every surface imaginable. Mosaic Art and Style tells the story of how the projects were conceived and fabricated from the artists' points of view.

Locktov has forged special relationships with a multitude of artists, who have allowed her to feature their work in Mosaic Art and Style. Through these relationships, she takes the reader into the world of the artist and gives readers a behind-the-scenes pass into the artists' workshops, where she shares their personal thoughts about the creation and inspiration that imbues their work.

JoAnn Locktov has been an advisory board member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists since it was founded in 1999. She also contributes articles to the quarterly newsletter, Groutline. JoAnn lives in Mill Valley, CA

This is a detail of an oriental oval bowl. It is made from antique china and glass. But what is really cool is the beaded grout! I think that is the coolest.

I love mosaic work. I have had to jack hammer a lot of my walkways for various pluming redo's and so I have the need to put new walkways in. So making mosaic stepping stones is in full swing here at Casa de canejo diablo. I find making mosaics with broken dishes and found objects random and cathartic (the breaking of dishes part especially!)

My favorite mold is this one I picked up at Ikea. I hadn't bought mix in a while and the first bag I bought was the wrong stuff. :( Oops! But I gave it a shot anyway. The little rocks in the concrete mix made the stepping stone way too flimsy, bumpy and subsequently broke. I still thought it was pretty so it is staying for now.

These two came out great. I used the right mortar mix this time. Nice and smooth and strong! The top one I used that motorcycle gear I have been using in just about every type of craft project I do and broken Fiestaware like the chartreuse one. Below I used a random selection of beer bottle caps. I liked the negative space and relationships between the "dots"

Here they are in place. I was pleased how each stepping stone randomly interlocks.

I will be making a whole bunch more. My next one will be with little beads like the oval bowl in Mosaic Art and Style. Grab yourself a copy for tons more inspiration and eye candy!

Oh and if you need to see a way-funky recycled mosaic Halloween decoration click here.

And as always, safe crafting!