Altering Photo Copies

Photo Copy
Fixative spray for photo copies
craft paints, photo paints, colored pencils, etc.
powders and glitters
ephemera
acrylic medium (comes in gloss, matt or satin finish; buy according to your preference)

For this piece (an ATC, or Artist's Trading Card) I used a photo
 from when my husband and I were newly-weds.
First, I collaged a piece from an old book on, and then
I collaged our photo over it, added the words from
Shakespeare, and a border of raised paper. Then I smeared
paint over the edges and wiped it down, covered the whole thing with
Acrylic Matt Medium, and while still wet, sprinkled some tiny gold blass beads.

Either outside or in a well ventelated area, spray photo copy with fixative according to directions. Allow to dry.
Paint or color as desired.
Attach any ephemera with glue or acrylic medium.
Glaze by applying thinned paint over photo and wiping off with a damp cloth, beginning t the center and working out toward the edges.
Rub with powders or sprinkle with glitters, as desired.

Painted Pins for Holiday Sales and Gifts

This is a great project for a sale at school and church bizaars. It is also good for children to make as gifts for Christmas, Mother's Day and other holidays.

Three small pins for gifts or to sell.

Painted Pins:

Materials and tools:
Heavy watercolor paper (300#)
Pin backs
Acrylic paints or water colors
Acrylic Gloss Medium (not necessary if you use acrylics, but it gives a shiny, glass-like finish)
Scissors
Paint brushes
Metal pin backs (available at jewelery supply stores)



These are some basic things you can use to make the pins in this article.

Cut a strip of 300 pound watercolor paper into 2" x 3" pieces.

For your first few attempts, start by drawing a simple design outline, like a flower. Mine get pretty complex, but a simple design is best for learning techniques.

Acrylics are permanent, and watercolors are not, so if you use watercolors, you will need to apply Acrylic gloss medium quickly and carefully after the painting is finished, or it will smear.

Paint in your drawing with acrylics or water colors, using a small brush. I find that a #8 brush does well, because it holds a good bit of paint. I dab it on a piece of paper towel first, so that when you go to touch the paper design, it doesn't make a big blob.

(At this point, the project could be finished off with the pin back, but the acrylic gloss medium will give it a protective coating and lasting finish.)

Work quickly when applying the acrylic medium. I gently wipe
it across the surface of the whole picture, allow to dry completely
and then apply a second coat.

Finish off with at least two coats of acrylic gloss medium, allowing to completely dry between coats.

When dry, glue pin on back.


Collaged Pins:



These are some of my funky pins, but you can also get "serious".
You can use children's photos, add painted borders or lace,
sew a border, sew on bells or tie them through eyelets, as I did here.
I used paper from a museum for the two Christmas pins,
and glued them onto the paper, painted, glued and then
finished the whole thing off with acrylic medium.
When completely dry, add the pin.

Materials:

scissors
a variety of papers, photos, cloth scraps, string
ephemera
300# watercolor paper
Acrylic or Decopage medium
Brush for applying mediums (I actually use my finger)
Metal pin backs

Using the acrylic medium or decopage medium, apply or paint a paper background.

Layer paper, photos, cloth, lace and other things, until you get the desired finish.

Finish off with two or three coats of acrylic medium and allow to dry.

Attach pin back with strong glue.