My Etsy Shop is Open!

After a 6 week 'Vacation,' my Etsy Shop, LizAnnasOnTheLake, is open for business.  I had some local card sales that depleted my stock and we just started a local Artisan Centre so I had some replenishing to do.

I'm going to try to be a little more creative with my backgrounds.  My little Nikon Coolpix takes pretty good pictures but it's hard to gauge the colour balance because each computer monitor is different.

I've tried adjusting the colour on my home computer to get it closer to the real thing but when I look at the same picture on my work computer, it is way too garish!  So for now, I'm not adjusting and I just hope that what you see is what I hope you see.

I've heard other people say that it's very hard to get a true purple.  They tend to look very blue which is especially problematic when so many of my pressed flowers are purple.

There have been some great posts on the Etsy forums about photographing pieces so I just keep trying to absorb as much as I can.  I really appreciate all the generous tips from fellow Etsians.  Any feedback is welcome!

The Winner of my Giveaway is...

...Sherry from Studio Pashnada.  Sherry's comment was chosen by Random Number Generator after I came in from gardening tonight.  Good thing I said "sometime after 5:00 pm PST."   I will be mailing Sherry her packet of handmade paper right away, including a bonus sheet of moose poo paper.

 Plant fibre cut up and ready for papermaking.  Watch for my upcoming papermaking tutorial (this week).

Thank you to everyone who participated in my Giveaway!

I'm so lucky!

 

I wonder how many hours I have spent searching for good luck in a four-leaf clover since I was a child?  Or wished on a wishbone and birthday candles?  And how many pennies have I picked up while reciting, "Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck?"

Collecting More Plants for Paper

Fireweed blooming in late summer

I'll be doing the papermaking tutorial soon so here is a bit more information on collecting plants.  

Never collect fibre that you cannot identify and do not collect plants that have been identified as noxious weeds in your area.  Some plants can be irritants and some can be deadly, even to handle (water hemlock for example).

My goal is to provide basic instructions, making it as simple as possible for you to start making your own paper.  For more detailed information, there are some excellent books available.  Half the fun of making paper from scratch is making your own discoveries.  If you find a plant that is safe to use and you think it might make a nice paper, go ahead and try it.  Cost is negligible.

Here's a Little Giveaway!

To help kick off the new Melange Team Giveaways here is my giveaway.  On Monday, May 31st after 5:00 pm PST, I will choose (by random number generator) one individual to receive this gift.  To enter, please leave a comment after this post.

Handmade paper assortment:  This set of 5 sheets of 5x7" handmade paper is made from plant fibres and recycled paper.  (Pure corn husk, cattail and recycled paper, stinging nettle and recycled paper, iris leaf and recycled paper, and swamp grass and recycled paper).  Use these wonderful papers in collage, in encaustic, to make notecards, or to paint on with acrylics.

This is a 'no obligation' giveaway but I would love it if you became a follower on my blog.  I have just started my free tutorials and I won't stop until I've taught every single art and craft I have learned to do well enough to share.  Check here for samples of upcoming workshops.

Gathering Willow

It was a glorious day yesterday so, even though I had plenty of projects on my list needing attention, I let myself be side-tracked.  As Jo Packham said in the current issue of Where Women Create, "you will never "find" the time to do all of those things that inspire and nourish your creative soul...you simply must MAKE the time..."

Willow heart card on handmade willow paper

My handmade paper supply needs replenishing after a busy winter of card making and soap wrapping so it's time to start gathering materials. I love Mother Nature's Craft Store, where everything is free! 

Pressing Flowers in the Microwave

If your only experience with pressing flowers is using an old-fashioned press or phone books, you will be pleasantly surprised by the results you'll get by pressing in the microwave.

 Mothers need music, too:  Mixed media collage

But, before we start, here's my disclaimer:  I'm human therefore I'm fallible. You are human therefore you are fallible.  I do my best to ensure accuracy and completeness in my directions but I cannot guarantee results.  Please read my blog Terms of Use before proceeding.  If you're okay with all of this, then please continue!