New projects!

I have a couple of cute projects for you. Now to decide which one to do first. Hmmmm.....paper pockets or slide mount pins? I think we'll go with slide mount pins.

I was given one of these about 10 or 11 years ago and I just love it! So here's what you need - DIY slide mounts.. They come in two parts, a front and a back, with glass in each part. These are used by photographers and college libraries for making their own slides. The ones I used are Gepe 6x6 glass mounts, and they are a little over $1 each. These have really big, square openings. You can also use regular 35mm glass silde mounts with a smaller, rectangular opening. Just Google them and you will find numerous suppliers. I bought mine from the university slide librarian when I was in college and they were just about the same price. Amazing, huh? They come in sets..the front will be white and the back will be grey or black. You need one of each for each pin.

Anyway, you need to cut little squares of art paper or really nice cardstock the size of the opening in the back, making sure it fits just inside the little clips that fasten the frame together. Also make a template of the front opening size so you can make sure that your artwork fits inside that opening.

You can use any media you like for the artwork, just make sure that its flat. No big bumps of paint or embellishments. I especially like pastels, colored pencils and watercolors. You can even use pieces of scrapbook paper if you don't draw. I like to use a very fine tip metallic paint pen or gel pen to add some pizzaz. I hope you can see it in the photos. Just emphasize some of the lines, or use it to define the highlights. Be sure you sign the back before you encase it in the slide mount. Make sure your artwork is completely dry before mounting. If it isn't, it will get on the glass and look ugly. The moisture could also cause the thing to mold! YUK!

After everything is dry and ready to go, just slip your artwork in between the two sides of the mount and push gently around the edges to snap it together. Glue a pinback to the top of the back and you have a really nice piece of original jewelry for yourself or a friend! You can put writing around the frame or a design or leave it plain. You could also add a cute embellishment like a jewel or a bug. Sweet!

You can also make these using the slide frames made for scrapbooking that come in a multitude of colors. They are made from cardstock and so probably won't last as long, but they would be cute and colorful. Use a piece of eisenglass or sheet protector cut to size to protect your artwork.

Now go create! Let your imagination run wild! There is no right or wrong in art, and don't let anyone tell you any different. And if you're an artist, you don't even have to have matching socks! Love ya, Gramma G.