2017 #8 A Great Many Things {by Lauren Hatwell}

2017 Topic 8: Assemblage

On the PaperArtsy blog today, Lauren successfully manages to transform a piece of waste card into a rusted frame with little niches to explore, full of detail and interest....

Hi everyone Lauren here. It's been fairly manic at PAHQ with one thing and another, so it's been really nice to take some time to make something lovely, but inexpensive for my home. 

I've always been a forager. I love nothing more than to find a pretty shell, a cute little vintage button or a postage stamp with a nice picture on it. The trick is always finding ways to enjoy those little treasures and keep them in view rather than tuck them away in a dark place never to be seen again. Assemblage is the perfect way to achieve that, so I jumped at the chance to make something for this theme. My starting point was some cardboard packaging from a game and some greyboard (Ahhh Greyboard! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...)

My project today is really about creating a place to put my little finds so that I can see them and appreciate them every day. I wanted something I can add to over time, but I want it to be nice to look at in the meantime. I've used some of the things I've collected over the years, pulled together with some of my favourite PaperArtsy Hot Picks. 

I've used Hot Picks:

 HP1008

HP1602

HPXT01

HPXT06

  and Ink and the Dog Clocks 3

...to set the scene for my finds

It never ceases to amaze me what you can achieve with paper and paint. From this plain old packaging for game pieces...

...to this brushed metal effect

....to something a bit more distressed using Black Knight Infusions

I love the way something as simple as Grunge Paste and Paint creates the look and texture of rust here.

Ah the joy of creating something from nothing. The packaging is coated with plastic so would probably have ended up in landfill. It's great to be able to make something useful out of it rather than just toss it in the bin. I've had these little shells in a bottle in a drawer for years. It's so lovely to be able to use them and enjoy them.

I still love seeing the top layer of paint crackle as it dries. The effect is wondrous. I need more crackle in my life!!!

More Crackle? How about some Crackle Glaze for those little clocks...

Last but not least, I had to add my favourite little butterfly from HP1602. She's an absolute stunner and adds a hint of colour and delicacy to the final piece. She's becoming a bit of a signature addition to my projects. I think she might be my desert island stamp....

I have really enjoyed playing with textures to make something useful. I confess I am absolutely in love with this frame and already planning to make a couple more to go in my craft room or hallway. There are lots of ways you could change the look of the frames too.  I might at some point sprinkle some Emerald Isle Infusions to add a hint of seaside/woodland moss or I might add  more "wood" and "metal" for a more industrial feel. It's going to be fun collecting little bits and bobs for the apertures in my frame too. The next frame has larger apertures and I am already looking forward to foraging through my collection of HotPicks stamps for some larger images to set the scene for my photographs and treasures.

Thanks for joining me this evening. Hopefully you'll feel inspired to have a rummage and assemble your own piece of art for the challenge. 

Lauren Hatwell
Blog: Marvelous Mechanical Mouse Organ
Facebook:Lauren Hatwell
Twitter: LaurenHatwell @Bluebertie12

10 out of 10 for repurposing something totally useless! What a stunner, I love that you have left some of the niches blank and been selective about which ones to decorate. I know those infusions over metallic glaze have been a big hit for you at demos lately! The textures are gorgeous. Awesome idea! Thankyou! ~ Leandra

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