Hi everyone, it is Ann (@aksbarchitect) here with you today and I am so excited to share this art booklet I created with the newest Seth Apter Minis for PaperArtsy.
I was thrilled to learn that I would be creating something with the newly released mini stamps from Seth Apter for so many reasons; the main one being that I am a huge fan of Seth's art and style, which is always evident in his stamp designs. When I received the set of eight mini stamps, I was not disappointed! They are perfect for incorporating into backgrounds as well as becoming focal images in your artwork.
Today I'm looking forward to sharing with you what I created when I allowed myself to simply play and experiment with these stamps.
I have so many ideas for creating with these stamps, and wanted to create a sort of art reference book for how they each initially inspired me. Something that I could refer back to as well as expand upon.
I created the entire booklet as one large (albeit divided) page, and it was so cool to see how all of these stamps worked together. When the page was folded into the booklet form, seeing each stamp image highlighted on its own was the crowning glory.
The main supplies required for this project are a sheet of heavyweight drawing paper, as well as all eight of the new PaperArtsy Seth Apter Mini Stamps (EM137, EM138, EM139, EM140, EM141, EM142, EM143, EM144). I thought it would be fun to also use a few of the newest PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics by Seth Apter: Admiral (FF233), Kiln (FF234), and Castleton (FF231), as well as one of my all time favorites, Heavy Cream). You can find the newest products at a PaperArtsy Stockist.
Once you begin to play with the stamps and envision different ways to embellish them, you can grab your favorite go-to supplies. I used some coordinating embroidery thread, some jute and also some weathered gold mixed media embossing powder inspired by Seth Apter for WOW!
To make the zine booklet you only need one piece of paper. The overall size will depend on how large or small you want each of the individual pages to be once it is folded as well as the number of pages. For this booklet I wanted to create ATC sized (2.5" x 4.25") pages. I found some tutorials online for creating a 14 page zine and adapted to accommodate for size. A 10"x17" piece of paper worked perfectly.
Before working on each individual "page" it is a good idea to fold the zine back into booklet form and mark the covers and each page in the bottom corner. Once they have all been marked, flatten the page back out. You will notice that each row of pages falls in the opposite direction. This means that as you design your pages, especially if you are adding any words or directional images you want to pay attention to where the top and bottom of that page is located to ensure everything is positioned properly.
When the stitched piece is added in place, the imagery from the partial stamping and the stitched piece play off one another, drawing your eye around the page.
Mini stamp EM140 looks to me like the perfect structure for weaving. I heat emboss the entire stamp image onto the background and then use an Exacto knife to cut out openings in the two larger middle sections. This allows me to weave embroidery floss, jute, linen thread and a piece of selvedge through the slots.
On the next two pages, the focus is on mini stamp EM141. This image with its numbers and fine lines is what I consider classic Seth Apter imagery. I think this stamp would be fun using each of the numerals separately (with masking), or even highlighting a specific number by circling it once stamped... the possibilities for this stamp really are endless. On these pages, I first stamp the image onto the background with Ranger Archival ink in Faded Jeans. I also stamp the image on a piece of tracing paper using the same ink. I flip the tracing paper over and collage it onto the left page, creating the mirror image. Using a fine detail brush, I cover the number four on both pages with embossing ink and then heat emboss. I also trace some of the horizontal lines and emboss those as well. Adding details and marks to make stamped images more of your own is definitely something I try to do often and encourage you to also, it makes the art and images more personal and unique.
At the page fold, I have used mini stamp EM144 to create a vertical line of boxes. Inking up two rows of the stamp and turning it ninety degrees, I stamp and emboss, then add the third row by only inking the first two boxes and stamping then embossing. I stitch red X's into three of the rectangles and cut pieces of my linen cloth to fit into the remaining ones.
Each time I look at mini stamp EM142 I see it as a three dimensional piece, so I thought it would be fun to try to make it into one. This is not as difficult as you would think. Stamp the image with embossing ink and add a heavy coating of embossing powder to it. After heating it and allowing it to cool, use an Exacto knife to carefully cut out around the edges. Next, turn the cut piece over, add embossing ink, coat that side in powder and heat set it. Voila!
The final pages of the booklet are all about mini stamp EM143. The focal point is a piece of linen that has the image stamped in its entirety. This piece is attached to the background and then I use different threads to stitch the pattern. At the top right and bottom left corners of the pages I mask the opposing directional section and stamp an "L" shaped portion of the image using Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Kiln (FF234).
I am thrilled with how the booklet turned out. This will be a wonderful reference for inspiration and ideas when I use these mini stamps in my art. Here are a few additional detail pictures:
Using your art supplies to make a Zine is an easy way to have some fun and experiment with different techniques. Since it is simply made with a single sheet of paper, there is not a lot of pressure or expectations for a masterpiece. I have always found that some of my favorite work has been the result of enjoying the process and letting my creativity express itself.
I hope that maybe this has inspired you to get out some of your favorite PaperArtsy stamps and play, perhaps even grab a few of Seth's new mini stamps, they are all pretty amazing! You can find all the details for this release of Seth's mini stamps on the PaperArtsy blog here. The new stamps are available worldwide at a PaperArtsy stockist near you.
