Saturday 8 September 2018

2018 #15: Teabag Artist Trading Coins with EEG {by Alison Hall}

2018 Topic 15: Artist Trading Coins


Alison has long been using tea bags in her art in numerous ways. Here is another fantastic example! And the colour combination is stunning! Who knew! ~ Leandra


Hi everyone, it's Alison/Craftytrog with you today, and I'd like to share with you some Artist Trading Coins I made with my favourite round teabags. I've been making art with these round Tetley teabags for some time now, and they are almost the perfect 'coin' size. I love using collage materials to decorate them, so this is the technique I've chosen to share with you today, using some lovely new Emma Godfrey stamps.


The teabags first have to be completely dried out. Then I gently pull them apart on the edge to create a small gap, from which I empty out the dried tea. I usually iron the bags before working on them too, as I find it easier to work on a less wrinkly surface.

I began by adding some background details, using Eclectica Emma Godfrey Stamp Set 26, Fresco Acrylic Paint colours Seaglass, Surf's Up and Twilight, Jet Black Archival Ink, and PaperArtsy stencil PS108 by Scrapcosy. 


I thought that Raquel's new stencil worked very well with Emma's Portuguese stamp designs.


Next, I created some collage papers by stamping and stencilling onto gessoed old book and music pages. I also added some splashes of tea to add a bit more interest, and also to tie them in with the tea theme. Contrasting Fresco Acrylic Paint London Bus was thrown into the mix.



I wanted some more stamped elements, so I brayered Twilight, Surf's Up and Seaglass Fresco Acrylic Paints onto a piece of Regular Smoothy White Stamping Card, and stamped some of the images from EEG26 with Jet Black Archival Ink



I wanted a variety of textures, so some of my collage elements were torn, some were cut, and I also punched some circles. The circles were inspired by seeing the inner circle design on Emma's tile images. I had a reel of black thread on my work desk, so this also made its way into some of the collages, together with some red pearl and gem brads.



Then I couldn't resist adding some Little Black Dress Fresco Acrylic Paint splatters to some teabags...


and Snowflake Fresco Acrylic Paint splatters to others...


I really hope that you've enjoyed this tutorial, and will give teabag art a try. The decorated teabags make great little pieces of art by themselves, but you can also add them to other projects. I often use them on an art journal page, and I'm thinking of framing some too.

Have fun creating,

Alison xox

To join our challenge and win a PaperArtsy voucher:

Simply make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.

The current topic link Topic 15: Artist Trading Coins will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 16th September 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy voucher. Please make sure we can contact you as a prize winner - it helps if you share your contact info from the platform you opt to use.

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

16 comments:

Helen said...

your teabags make perfect artist trading coins, Alison! Love the choice of stamps.

Lauren Hatwell said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Love these! Lx

Connie said...

Cool, cool, cool you have inspired me to buy a 2.5 inch circle punch. Now I just need to find a little time to play :)
Love your stamps, stencils and ideas.
Thanks for sharing,
Connie :)

Miriam said...

These are stunning Alison.... fabulous!

Words and Pictures said...

These are simply wonderful, Alison - amazing colour combinations and brilliant use of the stamps and stencils. I love, love, love them!
Alison x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Oh my I am in love with these Alison, the pop of red really sets the all off.
Your teabag creations really are an inspiration to me.
I *Need* that stencil in my life!!
Hugs Tracey x

Annie said...

Genius to use teabags in this way x Great stencilling and fab stamps xx Love Tavira but yet to go to Lisbon x

TFS and Happy Sunday
Annie xx

Anneke said...

Love these round teabags, very inspiring!

craftytrog said...

Thanks everyone! xxx

Etsuko said...

These are gorgeous teabags artist coins Alison. I love how you have used Emma's stamps and Raquel's stencils. xx

Hazel Agnew said...

I adore your colour and pattern choices Alison. Such wonderful creations. Love them. Xx

Flo Langley said...

These are stunning Ali. Always love seeing your mini works of art. Flo x

Sue said...

Wow Alison, these are fabulous and so different - love them! xx

Lucy said...

Oh wow Alison, these are so beautiful and so original; mini works of art. I live them.

Lucy x

Chris said...

Such a great idea and I love the feel of your coins!

SewPaperPaint said...

Alison, I'm CRAZY over the deep brown combo with these bolds! Wow wow wow! These are totally speaking my crafty language! Amazing inspiration my friend! Hugs, Autumn