My reviews are based on my personal experience with a product or event. I am not a professional product tester nor do I get paid for any of my blog posts.

The items that I post reviews on, have either been purchased on the internet or through a local vendor. Additionally I will review items that I got on sale, as a gift or as a sample from either the manufacurer or some other source.

Note: always read the manufacturers directions on how to properly use a product and craft carefully. Additionally, I am an Amazon Associate and may earn a few cents (literally) from your clicking on my Amazon links. Since they raised the minimum payout from earnings to $10 I haven't seen a credit for a while but eventually I will get one.

Every penny counts when trying to set a budget to get supplies to use for my reviews, tutorials and hauls. However, you do not have to use my links. You can use your favorite search engine to find the best price for your budget.
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Showing posts with label how to. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to. Show all posts

The Organic Artist by Nick Neddo | Book Review



The Organic Artist: Make Your Own Paint, Paper, Pigments, Prints and More from Nature is a great book for anyone who loves exploring new methods of creating art from nature, found objects and up cycled items.  Nick Neddo has organized this book in an interesting manner; each section is separated in a manner similar to a cookbook.  Within that section, the author has information, tips and step-by-step instructions.  They are well written and easy to follow.  If you are wondering what type of information is covered in this book, then take a peek at the video.



Organic Artist Table of Contents:
1.     Charcoal
a.     Simple Charcoal
b.     Charcoal Sticks
c.      Charcoal Holders
d.     Blending Stumps (Tortillion)
2.     Pens
a.     Simple Pens
b.     Bamboo (reed) pens
c.      Quill Pens
d.     Felt Tipped/Camp Tipped Pens
3.     Inks
a.     Ink Basics
b.     Ink History
c.      Simple Inks
                                               i.     Coffee Ink
                                              ii.     Beet Ink
                                            iii.     Berry Inks
d.     Less-Simple Inks
                                               i.     Acorn Ink
                                              ii.     Black Walnut Ink
                                            iii.     Soot Ink
4.     Inkwells and Paint Dishes
a.     Clay Vessels
b.     Bone Inkwells
5.     Paintbrushes
a.     Gnawed Twig Brushes
b.     Tied Bundle Brushes
c.      Brushes with Ferrules
6.     Pigments and Paints
a.     Paints and Binders
b.     Mineral Pigments and Paints
7.     Crayons
a.     Crayon Molds
b.     Waxy Drawing Sticks
8.     Paper
a.     Make a Simple Mold
b.     Make a Pulp
c.      The Paper-Making Process
d.     Sizing Paper
9.     Printmaking
a.     Tools and Materials for the Old Woodblock Printing Process
b.     The Rustic Brayer
c.      Options for Printing
10. Sketchbooks and Journals
a.     The Coptic Stitch
b.     Book Cover Options
11. Gallery
12. Bibliography
13. Index
14. Acknowledgements
15. About the Author


In the pen making section of The Organic Artist, the author shows various ways to make pens like Bamboo Reed Pens, Quill Pens, Felt Tipped/Clamp Tipped Pens, and other related items.  The photos are easy to follow and the projects can be reproduced with locally found items.   The ink making projects are even easier to do and offer some great ideas for making one’s own ink. 

I really love the illustrations and photos in this book.  They are clear and well placed to make it easy to follow the projects.  My daughter and I tried the “Tied Bundle Brushes” which came out great and were so interesting to use.  This book is great for anyone seeking to create art with upcycled or found items. 


If you want to check out one of the projects from the book, just go the Craftside Blog at: http://bit.ly/1wNwYAr



How to make a Mini Serenity Sand Garden



I really like the variety of different sand gardens that I keep seeing at the different craft shows I visit.  Sand Gardens are containers that have sand, a rake and some stones.  Additionally, these sand gardens can have a variety of different little curios added to them to create an individual look.

What is the point of the sand gardens?  Well, the salesperson at one craft show told me that it is the process of raking the sand, that is supposed to be relaxing in times of stress.  I am not sure how true that really is.  Personally, I have spent many an afternoon raking my yard without reaching a zen moment.

That being said, I still like them and decided I would like to have small desktop one.  I went to the local mall where there was a variety of different "Sand Gardens" in all types of containers. They were lovely but took up a lot of space which I do not have available. So I decided to make a smaller version that would suit my personal needs.

I stopped by the local "JoAnn Craft" store and picked up some sand. Then went to "Little Saigon" in Westminster, California. I found some cute mini statues, a mini rake, and a cute container that was the perfect size. I added a very small tea light candle holder.  I spent under $12 for this project.

Here are the directions on to make a mini sand garden:

Using the sand tray of your choice (plate/tray/etc.). Choose a candle holder that is appropriate for your sand container.  Place the candle holder in the desired location, then gently pour the sand around it. Add the accessories into the sand tray. Keep it simple because you want to leave room to rake the sand. Then just add the tea light size candle. I recommend  those battery operated tea lights because they are look nice and are safer to use (they are available at most 99cent stores).  

Remember to "Never Leave a Lit Candle Unattended" especially around children and pets.
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