Author: Shi Yiing Tan

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How to Make Collages

There are many ways to make collages, but here are some basic steps that can be used as a starting point:

Step 1 – Gather materials: Collect a variety of images, pictures, and other materials that you would like to use in your collage. These can include magazine clippings, photographs, postcards, and other ephemera.

Step 2 – Prepare your surface: You will need a surface to work on, such as a piece of paper or canvas. You can use glue, tape, or a glue stick to attach your materials to the surface.

Step 3 – Start arranging: Begin arranging your materials on the surface, experimenting with different combinations of images and colors. Move things around until you are happy with the composition.

Step 4 – Secure your materials: Once you are happy with the composition, use glue or tape to secure your materials in place.

Step 5 – Add finishing touches: You can add additional elements such as paint, text, or other embellishments to give your collage a more finished look.

Step 6 – Let it dry: Allow the glue to dry completely before handling your collage.

There are many ways to be creative when making collages, here are a few tips:

  1. Experiment with different materials, such as magazine cutouts, photographs, or found objects.
  2. Use a variety of textures and patterns to add depth and interest to your collage.
  3. Try using an unexpected color scheme or composition to create a striking visual impact.
  4. Incorporate words or phrases to give the collage a message or tell a story.
  5. Take inspiration from other artists and their techniques, but put your own spin on it.
  6. Have fun and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as they can often lead to unexpected and interesting results.

Remember that collage is an art form, so there is no right or wrong way to do it, just enjoy the process and let your creativity flow.

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What is Vintage Collage Work and Junk Journaling?

What is junk journaling

What is Junk Journaling?

Similar to a scrapbook, a junk journal is a notebook made from many types of papers, from daily shopping receipts, fabric, recycled materials, newspapers, brochures, and ticket ephemera. It varies from person to person, you can use your creativity to hand-make a crafty journal booklet in any form you like.

A junk journal is a type of art journal that is created using a variety of materials, including vintage papers, found objects, and ephemera. These journals are often decorated with a variety of techniques, such as collage, stamping, and hand-lettering, and can be used for a variety of purposes, including journaling, scrapbooking, and art therapy. They are often created using a variety of materials, including vintage papers, found objects, and ephemera.

What is Vintage ‘Collage’ Work?

The word Collage means ‘gluing’ in French. It is the act of layering and arranging different images and/or materials to make a piece of art.

Collage is a technique for making art from the beautiful old things around us such as postcards, greeting cards, and photographs to letters and scraps of cloth.  You can easily get this vintage stuff from antique stores, flea markets, second-hand shops, and even our homes.  The techniques include painting with gouache and altering the background of your collage; transferring images; pressing and preserving botanicals; and aging and scumbling, which help to emphasize the vintage quality of your materials and to unify the piece as a whole.

Ephemera refers to items of paper that were not meant to be kept for a long period of time, such as ticket stubs, postcards, posters, and other types of printed materials that were intended for temporary use. In the context of stationery, ephemera can include items such as old letters, postcards, and other types of correspondence. These items may be collected as a hobby or for their historical or sentimental value.

Ephemera collages are artworks created by arranging and gluing various types of ephemera, such as old letters, postcards, ticket stubs, and other types of printed materials, onto a surface, such as a canvas or board. These collages can be used to create a nostalgic or historical theme, to tell a story, or to create a unique visual composition. The materials used in ephemera collages are often chosen for their aesthetic qualities, such as their colors, textures, and patterns, as well as for their historical or sentimental significance. Ephemera collages can be created by individuals as a form of self-expression or by professional artists as a medium of art.

We offer a variety of paper goodies in bundles which include papers & envelopes, postcards, handmade paper, stamps, newspaper articles, vintage stickers, washi tape, tickets,  journal cards, tags, die cuts, and many more. These goodie kits can be used in many different crafts and decorations including scrapbooking, journaling, planners, card making, collages, nature journals, travelers’ notebooks, mixed media arts, pen pal letters, and gifts.

 

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How to Clean Rubber Stamps After Use

Wooden rubber stamps are a popular tool in art journaling and can be used to add texture, pattern, and design to your pages. Here are some tips for using wooden stamps in your art journal:

  1. Choose your stamps: There are a variety of wooden stamps available, ranging from simple shapes and patterns to more detailed images and illustrations. Choose stamps that reflect your personal style or that complement the theme of your art journal page.
  2. Ink your stamps: You can use a variety of inks to stamp your wooden stamps, including acrylic paints, pigment inks, and dye inks. Experiment with different colors and inks to find the look that you like best.
  3. Stamp your pages: Apply ink to your stamp and press it onto your page. You can stamp once or repeat the process to create a pattern or design. Try stamping in different directions or layering stamps to create more complex designs.
  4. Combine with other materials: Wooden stamps can be combined with other materials, such as washi tape, stickers, and collage elements, to add even more interest to your pages.
  5. Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and approaches. Try over-stamping, masking, or using multiple stamps to create unique designs.

Keeping your rubber stamps clean is important in order to maintain the good quality of stamped images and preserve the stamps in good shape for many years. Otherwise, you will find the details of the stamp becoming unclear and fading out.

Material:  Oil-based cleaning solution, baby wipes, water and soap, cloth.

Instructions

1.Spray the alcohol onto the rubber surface.

2. Rub and clean the ink away from the rubber using a cloth immediately.

Other Tips

  • Do not soak wooden stamps in water, this would damage the wood materials
  • Avoid using alcohol as it causes the rubber to dry out
  • Store the wooden rubber stamps properly when they are dry.

These cleaning instructions can be used on acrylic clear stamps as well.

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How to Write ‘Happy Father’s Day’ in Calligraphy

Happy Father's Day in brush lettering calligraphy

Let’s not forget to celebrate Happy Father’s Day with your Super Dad even you are stuck at home. Make this special day the best by giving your dad a day that shows him just how special he is to you. Wish him Happy Father’s Day by making him a card with your handwriting.

Art Supplies

  1. Brush Pen: small-size tip (Pentel Fude Touch Pen, Pilot Futayaku Double-sided Calligraphy Brush Pen, Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen)
  2. Paper size: A5 or A6
  3. Thickness: 200gsm/300gsm
  4. Paper materials: Glossy or Photo paper

Download the free practice sheets and start writing today!

Happy Father's Day Calligraphy Practice Sheets
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How to Write ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ in Calligraphy

Mother’s Day is near the corner. Pick up your brush pen and start making a special card for your mom and tell her how special she is.

Art Supplies

  1. Brush Pen: small-size tip (Pentel Fude Touch Pen, Pilot Futayaku Double-sided Calligraphy Brush Pen, Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen)
  2. Paper size: A5 or A6
  3. Thickness: 200gsm/300gsm
  4. Paper materials: Glossy or Photo paper

Download the free practice sheets and start writing today!

Happy Mother's Day Calligraphy Practice Sheets