Sunday 26 August 2018

Mixing It Up With Imagination Crafts

Hello!

Welcome to my first blog as part of the Imagination Crafts Design Team.


I'm delighted to be able to share with you projects I've made for Hochanda shows featuring the amazing range of products from Sue & the team at Imagination Crafts.

Let's start with a real splash of colour!


I loved making this bright tag for the August One Day Special show on Hochanda. It was the perfect way to play with lots of fabulous Imagination Crafts goodies & some of my favourite techniques.

Here's how I did it.


 I used Imagination Crafts black gesso to cover my tag.


Next I used the 'Harlequin' stencil and applied Imagination Crafts white gesso through the the stencil using a sponge.


 Using sponge again I applied Imagination Crafts Mixed Media Sprays in Blue, Fuchsia and Purple. Just spray a small amount on your sponge at close range then dab it through your stencil.


I then stamped through the stencil using a permanent ink and an Imagination Crafts Texture Art stamp.


Next I removed the 'Harlequin' stencil and switched to the A4 Dragonfly Textures Stencil to add the white details with white gesso and a sponge again.


 I then added white heat embossed swirls from the Texture Art Stamp set above. I then stippled some of the Chickenwire Magicutz with Gold Starlight paint (not shown)


 On a piece of matte black cardstock, I stencilled a white gesso dragonfly and over stamped it with clear heat embossed detail using the leaf vein stamp from the Texture Art Stamp set above.


 I then spritzed the dragonfly using Imagination Crafts Mixed Media sprays in green and light blue before cutting it out.
I stuck the Magicutz & dragonfly onto my tag using Magi-bond.



Don't miss Sue and Imagination Crafts on Hochanda (Sky 673, Freeview 85, Freesat 817) on 

Saturday 1st August at 9am, 1pm & 5pm

All products used are available at www.crafterscompanion.co.uk

Thursday 26 July 2018

Did you miss me?

Seems ages since I had the chance to blog but this morning I got up extra early to catch up with you guys.

So, where have I been? 

Well, where to start?  We've moved! Yup, I decided that my last shop was not in the right place so I closed it and moved everything to a fabulous little 300 year old barn at Kirkharle, in the heart of my beautiful home county, Northumberland. And I love it!!


The new studio is set in Kirkharle Courtyard, a 17th century manor house & farm which was the birthplace of renowned landscape architect Lancelot Capability Brown.


The courtyard is also home to a number of other creatives along with a farm shop selling Northumbrian fayre and the most  amazing cafe (oops, there goes the diet!).

As you can imagine moving everything from a large shop to a small studio wasn't easy but with lots of help from family and friends (thank you  Paul, Caitlin, Simon, Nikki & James!) we did it.


Not only did we change premises but we also changed names so I'm delighted to introduce you to The Creative Chicken!



So, that's one of the things I've been up to since we last saw each other but there is so much more to tell you all so see you soon!

Wendy x

Saturday 30 December 2017

How can you make stone without stone?

Sounds impossible, right?

Well technically it is but with the help of amazing Powertex Universal Medium and Stone Art powder and a few sprays of bister you can create fake stone that looks remarkably like the real thing.

This ‘stone heart’ started off as a simple polystyrene shape.


I made this ‘stone’ wreath in the same way then created clay from the Powertex medium and stone art powder. I then used the clay to make the leaves and hold the plaster cherub in place.


If you’d like to try Powertex Stone Art for yourself we have a brilliant workshop coming up on 20th January at Craftsite, Cramlington where you will make a fabulous ‘Percy Penguin’ statue.

Book your place online at www.craftsite.co.uk or message us for details.

Friday 22 December 2017

Woah....What a Year!

Here I am, sitting in the shop on our last working day before we close for Christmas and suddenly I realise that I haven't blogged for about 5 months!!

Why, I ask you say? How can I let you all down like this? Have I deserted you? NO!

I've had a real mad last half of the year!

Last time we spoke I had just become a certified Powertex Tutor (yay!!) well since then not only have I run oodles of Powertex workshops (as well as all the other art journaling, card making & mixed media classes I do) but I have also become Level 2 Certified meaning I now teach Stone Art too!.

Rather than waffle on about what I've been up to I thought I'd show you so here is a sneak peak into my crazy, messy world over the last 5 months....

Powertex Dream Catcher


Powertex Green Man Garden Plaque

Powertex Goblets

Having fun in a Powertex workshop


Powertex Fairy Houses

Stoner Art Heart

Art Journaling (classes at Craftsite every other Thursday)

Powertex Lantern

Powertex Christmas Robin

Powertet Hartley Hare
(workshop at Craftsite on Friday 12th January)
Book Here

Mucky Mitts Kids Club
Powertex Ivory Angel
Powertex Magic Wand
Mucky Mitts Kids with their Magic Wands
Papercraft Christmas Decorations

Stone Art Seahorse

Stone Art Cherub Wreath

Cardmaking Class every Tuesday & Thursday morning at Craftsite

A bit of paper folding

Art Journalling

Book Folding Christmas Tree

Powertex Christmas Baubles

Powertex Garden Plaque

Mucky Mitts Playing with Powertex

Mixed Media Canvas

Mixed Media Journals

Percy Penguin
Workshop at Craftsite on Saturday 20th January.
Book Here

So that's just a little of what I've been up to whilst I've been away.
If you'd like to know more, or find out about my classes & workshops follow me on social media.

   
@powertex_ne


Have a great Christmas & a very crafty 2018!



Sunday 9 July 2017

How To Fall In Love - With Powertex!

Hi Everyone,

What a week it has been!

You know how I've been playing with Powertex? Well that relationship between me and the waterbased, non-toxic & environmentally friendly sculpting medium took a huge step forward this week and I'm delighted to tell you that Powertex & I are now in a long term relationship. This week I became a Certified Powertex Tutor!


To gain my certification I had to drive down to Powertex UK's HQ just outside Redditch. There, I and 11 others met with Tracey Evans, the fabulously talented lady behind PowertexUK.  Tracey was so inspiring, and her workshop is packed to the rafters with the most amazing Powertex art. Here are just a few of her amazing creations.

Powertex Bauble by Tracey Evans
Powertex Bauble by Tracey Evans

African Lady in Powertex by Tracey Evans
African Lady in Powertex by Tracey Evans

Powertex Wine Glasses by Tracey Evans
Powertex Wine Glasses by Tracey Evans

Turquiose Powertex Figurine by Tracey Evans
Turquiose Powertex Figurine by Tracey Evans

Over two day's Tracey guided us through lots of techniques and taught us all about Powertex. It really is amazing what this product can do and it's so easy to use that even children can, under supervision, create amazing pieces of art. And did you know that after 3 weeks Powertex is weatherproof (with the exception of the transparent version) and can be displayed outside?

To gain my certification I had to produce 5 pieces of Powertex art over the 2 days which is no mean feat especially given the 30 degrees plus temperature those days and Frankie's bowel issues (that's Tracey's dog, not another one of our group!). With Tracey's expert help, and copious cups of coffee supplied by the fabulous team at Powertex HQ (big shout out to Garry, Chloe, Claire & Michelle) the 5 projects where completed.

I'm only giving you little glimpses of some of my projects as it was such a hectic couple of days that I forgot to take photos but I will share the others in later blogs.

Powertex Fairy House By Wendy Reed
Powertex Fairy House By Wendy Reed

Powertex Testube Vase Canvas By Wendy Reed
Powertex Testube Vase Canvas By Wendy Reed

Powertex Bottle Close-up By Wendy Reed
Powertex Bottle Close-up By Wendy Reed
Now that I am a certified Powertex Tutor I will be offering workshops, classes, demonstrations and Poweretex Parties at my workshop in Craftsite, Cramlington Northumberland or in your own homes / craft group premises. 
If you would be interested in trying Powertex please get in touch with me at sales@craftsite.co.uk.
See you all next week!