Creative people love to surround themselves and draw inspiration from our stash of treasures, and sometimes “Our Treasures” are simple recycled materials. Inspiration for this book comes from my collection of small recycled boxes and packaging I could not bring myself to throw away. Using recycled materials you will transform the ordinary into something extraordinary and unique to your personal expression. Additionally, you can utilize other collage materials and ephemera you may have in your stash.

First, we will prepare the packaging & small boxes for the mixed media layering process that will become the cover and pages of your book. We will then use several mixed media techniques, painting, drawing, stenciling, stamps and more to create the layers and develop a color palette and theme for your artist book. We play around with the different sizes of pages that create another level of layering and bind the book in class. The book form will be completed in class, and then you can continue adding to embellish at your own pace.  Students can email me at: padgettroxanne3@gmail.com

Materials Fee $10 cash  paid to instructor at beginning of class includes:

Papers to paint on for collage fodder
Collage materials
Grommets
Printed instructions
Matt medium
Gesso
 

Supplies Needed  to bring for Class:

Small recycled boxes, like pasta, tea, rice boxes etc. You will probably need 6 to 10 small-sized boxes. You can flatten them out to bring to class but do not cut them apart yet.
Scissors
UHU Glue stick
6-strand Embroidery floss for hand sewing
Bookbinding thread
One large paper needle for binding
Bone folder and a small Awl
Acrylic paint: no heavy body, whatever color you like; you may consider a color palette that you want to choose to work in or decide on the day of class.
Big and small paintbrush or two.
Your favorite collage materials, paper & fabric scraps, small envelopes, tags, photos, mag pictures, ephemera,etc. I also used some Tim Holtz photo strips and words and used personal photos.
Light blow dryer, light, and extension cord
Pencil and favorite drawing tools: I used Crayola & Caran D'Ache crayons, china markers and POSCA pens, sharpies etc. (Don't go out and buy the Caran D’Ache crayons unless you think you might need them for another project, they are pricey, you can try mine)
Paper towels, palette, and water container

Optional:
A few beads & charms to hang from the binding
A brayer to flatten down the collaged layers.
Apron & gloves
Journal for note taking
Exacto knife & small cutting matt