Box of Treasures

Do you remember this adorable little altered box?

Today Anai reveals some tips & tricks so that you can make your own precious mixed media cutie. :)

Few weeks ago I showed you a small box colored with Gelatos and some other media. I made another one - in pink shades. :)

I took some photos during the process and today I'd like to give you step by step instructions. :)

First of all, I covered the box with gesso using a sponge which gave me some additional texture:

Then I used pink and violet Gelatos:

As you probably know, Gelatos work beautifully with water. I used a waterbrush to achieve a watercolor effect. Also I used a paper towel to pick up color in some places. When you work on gessoed surface it's easier to control the color:

After drying the box, I started adding some shadows with black, silver and white Gelatos - only on the edges:

I smudged the shadows on the edges with my fingers and then started working on the lid of the box.

There was some floral pattern debossed, so I decided to add some color to it. :)

I used a small brush with just a little bit of water and a purple Gelato. Well... actually, my brush was a little bit dirty from the chalk Prima ink... but as it usually happens when you work with media - it turned out pretty interesting with a kind of gradient effect. ;)

And then it was time for final touches and some embellishments on top - some white flowers covered with Glimmer Mists and a bit of white paint on the edges, metal "jeans" buttons, pebbles (I love them!) and so on. :)

I hope you like the final effect and that you feel inspired to work with Gelatos (or any kind of other colorful media) - it's pure fun and creativity!

Supplies from Mixed Media Place:

Being like...

Have you ever longed to be somone else...?
Grab some pretty papers, delicious media and just imagine for a while...

Sometimes I have this idea that I would like to become someone else. Just for a little moment.
When I decide on which artist I would like to be that day, I analyze his or her works, I try to capture the atmosphere of their works, some characteristic compositions or details.

Then I sit down, get my supplies ready and start working. I try and I try and in the end it turns out that my work looks like... well... my own.
Maybe a little bit different from my usual style but still mine.

So today I'd like to show you these two works. Both of them were inspired by a very well-known artist.
I wonder whether you will guess who I wanted to be this time. ;)

In my first layout I used the beautiful Illumination collection which is very elegant and so perfectly designed by Anai.

I arranged the triangles cut out from Connections paper on another paper from the same collection. I added the text (it means: "Me That You Don't Know") and my photos that were framed using a filmstrip die.

I decided that my layout needed a little bit of color so I smudged some magenta Pan Pastel with my finger and around the photos and the triangles and then I added some Ecoline watercolor with a paintbrush.

I finished off with some splashes of white Ecoline and tiny black paper specks that were the leftovers after cutting out my frames.

My second layout is quite colorful which is not at all typical of me.
After deciding what my composition would look like, I prepared my background using a stencil and chalk inks, stamps and Ecoline watercolor.
When everything dried, I glued some thread with gel medium and then added all the other elements.
And again - some splashes of Ecoline, hand drawn frames with white Gelato crayon.


Supplies from Mixed Media Place: