Artist Trading Post: organic

Hello! Let's start this weekend with a new ATP Exchange challenge. We have changed the rules and it's format a little bit recently, so please make sure you know them before you enter. All rules can be found here and on the right sidebar of our blog.

Our new challenge again gives you the chance to work in your own style and experiment with techniques you like. This time the challenge subject is to create with found natural objects. It can be collage, assamblage, art journal spread, scrapbook layout, magnet or anything else you want. Only one additional rule this time is that you have to use at least one product that can be found in our shop and mention it in your blog post.

And what are found natural objects? It can be everything: stones, pieces of wood, sticks, beautiful flowers, leaves, shells, feathers, sand, minerals etc. Try to open your eyes for things that you would normally ignore. Let simplicity and rawness of these objects inspire you.

Just just like the last time, to help you with this challenge we prepared a special mood board for you:

Below are some samples we both made for this challenge:

Kasia:

Scrapbook layout in 12x12 size with found feather using Ecolines applied with wet brush on papers coated with gesso.

Products used:

Ecoline Watercolour Ink 30ml - 390 - Pastel Rose

Ecoline Watercolour Ink 30ml - 411 - Burnt Sienna

Ecoline Watercolour Ink 30ml - 231 - Gold Ochre

Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Filmstrip Ribbon

Golden Gesso 237ml

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Ice Resin and Iced Enamels pendant with pieces of shell. We also got a special treat for you here. A short video showing the technique and how to use these products.

1. Sand your bezel with a sanding block to clean the surface.

2. Apply thin layer of Iced Enamels Medium with a brush.

3. Sprinkle your favourite colour of Iced Enamels.

4. Melt enamel using a heating tool.

5. Play with layers of different Iced Enamels repeating the process.

6. Place pieces of shell.

7. Mix the Ice Resin and pour on your bezel. Use heating tool for few seconds to disperse the bubbles. Leave it to dry for at least 6 hours.

8. After drying you can sand the Ice Resin surface like I did, if you want a distressed look, and paint your bezel with Treasure Gold.

Products used:

Ice Resin 1oz Syringe	Ice Resin - Iced Enamels Medium	Ice Resin - Iced Enamels Relique Powder - Ivory	Ice Resin - Iced Enamels Relique Powder - German Silver	Rectangles One - Silver Bezels
Ranger Heat It Tool	Treasure Gold - Pewter

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Jamie created simple and lovely herb garden markers using split sticks and a white Sharpie. He covered them with Ice Resin to protect the writings.

Products Jamie used:

Ice Resin 1oz Syringe

Sharpie Water Based White Extra Fine Point

The prize for this challenge is "Exploring Resin Jewelry-Making" DVD featuring Susan Lenart
Kazmer and a guest designer spot on our blog. Read more about prizes and the way we are going to choose winners here.