Sandi Holland Mixed Media

Sometimes It Takes Three Knocks

2012-01-25T08:39:00.000-05:00

Wall Art w/Metallic Hearts

You knocked at the door of my heart,

But I did not answer,

Because I thought I had to search for love.

Wall Art w/Hand-Lettering

You knocked again,

And I cracked the door of my heart,

Because you were so insistent.

Wall Art w/Hand-painted Paper-Covered Heart

You knocked a third time,

And my heart's door swung wide,

Because love had found me,

And I chose to answer.

Combining my poetry and other verse with my artwork has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my artistic life. I have over 50 poems, written over the years on various subjects, most about love. The heart is a motif that I like to design free form and free style. The large heart, the center of this two-dimensional artwork, is hand-drawn. All of the paper is from my handpainted collection. The entire piece was constructed with a foamcore base. It's all about love finding its way into the house of our hearts.

Wall Art w/Self Hanger

Whether romantic, familial or agape, may you enjoy a special kind of love this Valentine's season, and learn a new way of giving...

Papier Mache' Napkin Rings Sport Their Napkins

2012-01-12T17:49:00.000-05:00

Handcrafted Dinner Napkins & Napkin Rings

It was fun completing my papier mache' napkin rings. I am especially elated because I had been procrastinating for some time about starting this papier mache' how to project.

It was easier than I thought to smooth the little glue-soaked paper strips around the rings in this papercrafting project. This goes to show that we fear things that we need not fear. We need to stop stalling, get going and produce more art and craft.

The rings and napkins compliment each other just as I meant them to. They look even more colorful and vibrant than I imagined.

I plan to produce more artsy stuff for my Pepper! Pepper! line.

Available at eCrater.

Tissue Paper Sculpted Pepper

Read about the technique I used to make these rings:
Papier Mache With Glue Is A Snap
Papier Mache How To: Base Coating
Papier Mache How To: Tissue Sculpting
Papier Mache How To: Adding Tissue Paper Stems

Giving With Love

2012-01-04T05:58:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Ornament: Collage, Wire, Beads, Ribbons

I want to do more giving this year. I actually started in December when I gave this heart ornament to a customer. I had not responded to an order within the time frame which I had allotted myself, so I apologized and promised to send him a free gift.

For artists and crafters the best free gifts are the ones we'd rather keep, or sell, or reserve for special people. True love involves sacrifice, and while I can't say that I loved my customer from California, I can say that my giving spirit was based in love. I do appreciate my customers and want them to always feel that I care enough to provide them with the very best service.

Valentine's Ornament -back-: Rubberstamping, Hand-lettering

I really liked this ornament, especially since I had salvaged it from a group of three wooden hearts. They were rustically strung together with twine, and made to encircle large candle jars. Years ago I had ordered it from a coworker who shared a catalog from her child's school. I had never used it before I decided to clip, snip and create!

You know that I enjoy working in small spaces so much, which is why my palm-sized ornament is so elaborate and exquisite. It was a labor or LOVE, but isn't just about everything for us creative types? When I stamped this cherub on the back, it didn't transfer perfectly. I had to lovingly fill it in with a metallic pen.

I released it with joy, knowing that it was flying away on the wings of a good cause. I keep a box of items that I prefer to give as incentive gifts, and I add to it from various sources. This thank you gift was not from that box, but that is okay. In a way it was sold too, just as any other item ordered from me.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

2011-12-24T11:24:00.000-05:00


Snowman Praying Handmade Greeting Card From My Watercolor Painting

Just A Little Something

2011-11-26T16:20:00.001-05:00

Handmade Gift Tag

Have you ever thought of what attractive gift tags your doodles can make?

My little birdie scribble has a brother. They both are waiting to greet gift recipients with a perky hello. How happy I am that I didn't send them to the round file! They are much more useful as creative bearers of good will.

Isn't it interesting how we try so hard to execute a perfect piece of artwork, when a doodle like this can bring so much joy and pleasure to someone's life? Loosen up and create. You would do more creating if you would stop trying to be so perfect.

This scrap piece of card stock has a blended pastel background. I finished it with hand lettering and accents in black permanent marker, and a raffia tie. Buy this tag , along with 2 others of your choice at my Gift Tag Shop at Craftsu.

I Hope Your Thanksgiving Is Creative & Restful

2011-11-24T09:51:00.001-05:00

Enjoy your time off, relax, ponder good thoughts, plan new creative projects, eat, be thankful.

Spot On Art: Gorgeous Stores At Storenvy

2011-11-11T08:22:00.001-05:00


Blue Vivor: Storenvy Collage Charm

I am amazed at the colorful, vibrant, creative stuff that my fellow Storenvy shop owners create.

Here is a showcase of my fav stores: Paperlady's Fav Storenvy Stores.


Cardboard Cities: Storenvy Print

The art and craft work here is of a high caliber.


Beads Bails & Blessings: Storenvy Cell Phone Charm

You will find very trendy, youth and young adult-oriented stuff, as well as traditional and classic products.

Of course I particularly enjoy the Handcrafted category.


Beyond Bracelets: Storenvy Macrame Jewelry

Storenvy storefronts are exciting and the shop owners are friendly and accommodating.
So visit today and do Christmas Shopping early!

Crackle Finish Used In A Painting

2011-10-27T06:45:00.001-04:00

Because I salvage, repurpose and reuse just about everything, and because I usually have 4-7 projects going simultaneously, I was able to make this crackle glaze sky.

It's one of my unique, art-backed wall art pieces. I usually paint or collage onto the backs of my pieces. It's really like receiving two pieces of art in one. The backs are experiments, studies and practices.

Rather than wash the finish, as I completed another project, down the drain, I began to brush it onto the incomplete sky. As the brush began to dry and drag across the surface, I spritzed it with water. I continued to make long strokes from the top of the blue-shadowed buildings to the top edge of the board. I think the sky was still the original white surface.

Once my strokes of crackle glaze was dry, as the instructions directed, I painted on the coral color. It made a nice falling stars sky. I like fantastic skies too!

For this crackle finish paint technique, I used Plaid Enterprises FolkArt Crackle Medium.

Papier Mache How To: Adding Tissue Paper Pepper Stems

2011-10-11T17:29:00.000-04:00

Papier Mache Project:
Tissue Paper Peppers

Like the peppers, the stems on my paper mache project were easy to shape.

I used the same paper mache glue recipe that I shared in the first post: Papier Mache With Glue Is A Snap. These tissue paper stems are more uniform in shape than the pic shows.

I will paint the green pepper a lighter green to distinguish it from its stem. Look closely and you can see the pencil outlines where I had planned to paint peppers onto these handcrafted napkin rings. I like the tissue paper sculpting better. Don't you?

Read about how I began making my Papier Mache Project Napkin Rings here:

Papier Mache How To: Base Coating
Papier Mache How To: Tissue Sculpting

Dazzling Vintage Bracelet Available: Name Your Price

2011-09-27T18:22:00.000-04:00


Weiss Bracelet

Beautiful necklaces, earrings, bracelets and pins by costume jewelry designers like Lisner, Weiss and others. It makes me want to sell it too.

I've been searching for someone who would like to buy my vintage bracelet and resell it in their shop.

A friend's mother passed away and he gave it to me. It's a signed Weiss and he didn't care anything about her costume jewelry. He dumped quite a bit of it on me, and I'm keeping some unsigned pieces for myself.


Vintage Weiss Bracelet

This Weiss bracelet takes my breath away. It's heavily encrusted with borealis stones and the clasp works perfectly. It is missing 2 stones, a golden marquis and a green square cut.

Why do I want to sell it? I want someone who deals in vintage jewelry to have it because I know it would be appreciated.


Vintage Bracelet

I was going to take it apart to use in my mixed media artwork, but when I saw the signature, Weiss, out of curiosity I researched it. When I ran across all the beautiful Weiss stuff, I changed my mind. It's just too gorgeous to destroy.

I doubt if Weiss is even being made anymore, which is the beauty of vintage.

If you are interested in purchasing it, or know someone who would be, let me know.


Vintage Jewelry

Name your price and it can be yours, preferably through PayPal.

Papier Mache How To: Tissue Sculpting

2011-09-24T18:11:00.000-04:00

Papier Mache How To: Napkin Rings

Deciding to sculpt tissue paper peppers, to adhere to my papier mache napkin rings, was a little frightening. I wasn't sure I could make them close enough to the same size or shape. They didn't need to be identical, but I wanted them to be somewhat uniform.

I tore equal strips of tissue paper from the colors I wanted. I decided on the size by imagining the feel of forming the pepper shapes. I could then feel approximately how much wet tissue I would need.

Using the same water and glue mixture that I used to make the
rings, I covered the strips, one at a time. When I felt that they were moist enough to form shapes, I lightly pressed them into pepper forms. I pressed each form onto a ring, lightly pressing along the sides to make a good seal with the curved surface.

When all rings had a pepper, I worked with them until they closely resembled each other. Some I had to alter their angle. Others I had to elongate or shorten. To one I had to add an additional tiny strip of tissue, along the length on top of it, until I was satisfied with it's form.

All in all, I am happy with the results. Next I attach the green stems. They will probably be tissue paper too.

Handmade & Other Shopping Advice At Pocketchange

2011-09-16T14:27:00.000-04:00

Shopping Advice Blogs

My new store Marry Me On A Dime, is featured at Pocket Change Shopping Blog Directory. They share with you my inspiration for creating all sorts of jazzy and affordable romantic handmade at their Best Of The Web blog.


Handmade Features

In addition to reviews and buying guides, the shopping blogs at Pocketchange provide shopping advice on hot products, gift ideas and trip planning. The weekly Best Of The Web post in their Be @ Home blog features bloggers who stretch the imagination on what creativity is.

So while you are visiting my feature, get all types of savvy tips at this source for all-in-one shopping advice.

Papier Mache How To: Base Coating

2011-09-08T20:02:00.000-04:00

Papier Mache How To

Base coating paper mache is the next to the best part.

I used gloss acrylic paint, rather than matte, because I am going to leave some of my white base coat showing in my painted design. You can also use gesso, which is a favorite of some. Though I am going to use a clear sealer I preferred my white coat to appear finished.

I gave these napkin rings three coats of the paint, allowing them to dry between each one.

I also alternated brushing left to right, and top to bottom, in order to completely cover the newsprint.

I had to take extra time and care to paint the rims of these papier mache circles.

Now that I've drawn the peppers onto each ring in my papier mache project, I will be designing and painting on my design. The colors will coordinate with my hand embroidered napkins.

Romance Stuff Available At New Storenvy Shop

2011-08-31T15:22:00.000-04:00


Buy Romantic Handmade

Romance will always be around regardless of the statistics on successful marriages. Wedding planners do not hurt for work, and wedding boutiques still do a brisk business. There are many romantic men who seek to give a heartfelt gift, and often seek advice on selecting one. The love of romance will always have a place in our relationships.

I am a romance addict. I love everything about which romantic gestures have to do. I am always creating something that a man or woman can use to convey a romantic and poignant message.

I have opened my new online store Marry Me On A Dime.

It's a jazzy, fun, colorful place for all things romantic. It's for the unique couple who doesn't care about convention, nor do they want to make a splash. They just want to express their feelings, be romantic, and maybe get married, without a lot of hoopla. They just want to celebrate, in their own little way.

Whether you are married, or want to be, or don't want to be, you'll find something at Marry Me On A Dime to express your warm feelings.

Handmade Cards For Bride


Something Old Something New

Thank you in advance for visiting.

Forever Romantic Handmade Card

Gift Tags: Personalize Them & Give A Part Of Yourself

2011-08-24T19:12:00.000-04:00


Handmade Gift Tags

Remember roses are red and violets are blue...

and the thousand endings for that time-worn, but timeless verse?

With a larger format birthday gift tag, you can add your own short verse, 1-2 lines.

With a folding Christmas gift tag you can add more short lines, more short thoughts, 3-4 lines.

Wedding gift tags are not just for writing to and from to the bride and groom.

Write some thoughts on your next gift tag. Whether simple or complex, you'll be giving more than just a gift.

You'll be giving part of yourself, the best gift of all.


Handmade Gift Tags

Order your gift tags from my new Gift Tag Shop, exclusively at Craftsu.

Paper Mache With Glue Is A Snap...

2011-08-12T13:27:00.000-04:00

Papier Mache How To

...Just make it thin enough so that you fingers will not get sticky and clumped with glue too soon.

I started my 4 napkin rings today and I am so excited. I have been planning this for a long time and procrastinating.

I made my paper mache glue with simple pva white glue from a bottle with a squeeze nozzle. A more shallow bowl or plate works best. It's easier to dip the newspaper strips into the glue mixture.

Though I used the first small batch I made, it was too thick and sticky because I did not add enough water.

My second batch was much thinner, almost too thin I thought at first. Make your paper mache paste glue soupy. When you lift some up with a knife it should run off back into the cup in a steady stream. This works great for me.

Keep a spray bottle handy, and a terrycloth towel to spritz and wipe your hands often. Making this break in your momentum is worth it. You won't have to stop later and spend minutes peeling the sticky clumps from your fingers.

Hand Embroidery

Also before you start, rub a little petroleum jelly onto your hands. It helps to keep them from becoming too sticky too soon. I stopped between napkin rings to wash my hands with soap and apply some petroleum jelly. If you are making one larger object, you can stop at various stages to do this.

My 4 embroidered napkins are waiting for their pepper rings.

Trim Sewing: Do That First When Sewing Your Project

2011-08-06T11:24:00.000-04:00

Buy Pink Hearts Eyeglass Pad at my eCrater store.

Don't forget when constructing your sewn accessory or decor item, to sew on the trims and other embellishments at the beginning stage.

This should be done both for hand and machine sewn trim, and in any sewing craft.

If you forget and have already sewn a lining to the fabric, you'll end up having to sew on the trim through the lining. The stitches will then show on the inside of the item.

This may not cause a problem if inside a tote or other bag, because it more than likely won't be seem, or seem that much. If the item is unlined, these stitches will be seen by your customer anyway. If the item is lined, your customer may feel that the exposed stitches are unsightly, even though they can't been seen outwardly.

For those of you who like every aspect of your work neat and finished, there is one fix for forgetting to sew your trim at the beginning.

Cut a coordinating piece of lining or fabric and attach it over the trim stitching. You can do this with fabric glue.

You can also include a top-stitched type of design on the front. These new stitches will then go to the back, through the lining and through the patch that you are using to cover your trim stitches.

Of course you can use both. Tack the patch onto the inside lining with glue, and then topstitch from the outside.

Small Scale Wall Art: Have A Nice Day

2011-07-26T15:31:00.000-04:00

2 Views Of #2

This trio of small scale mixed media wall art pieces was done in honor of this pleasant and standard greeting. Though it is uttered through habit it can still leave the person with a brighter focus.

Notable features are the pastel-worked houses and the magazine clipart. Inspired by Roben-Marie Smith’s Happy Gam Road series published in Somerset Studio, I decided to incorporate as much of the pieces of photographic clipart into these works as possible.

I have one other piece in which I used this technique before I read about Roben’s work. It is my Tiny Spaces Dress Shop. I designed the front door area with one photographic clipart window.

2 Views Of #1

Of course these little altered art pieces are foamcore mounted and designed upon a base of my hand painted paper.

I love houses. What better place to begin a nice day than at home and glancing at these sparkly greetings?

Have A Nice Day Trio is now available at Sandi Holland Mixed Media at eCrater.

3 Views Of #3

Free Backs & Images: Nothing Goes To Waste

2011-07-13T13:49:00.000-04:00

Free Back: Marker Art Painted Paper

I am a recycling and salvaging hound. I rarely waste paint, paper, fiber, beads, rusted metal or anything else that I use in my artsy projects.

I was reading about Dump Art, a term that was coined by Tracia Williams and featured in the book Collage Creations. Dimensional collage is created by pouring a mixture of leftover beads, findings, stones, marbles, etc. into clear adhesive that has been applied to a project. I knew there was a reason that I was throwing tiny leftover elements into that jar!

Free Image: Leaf Drawing

Saving stuff that I no longer need is automatic for me. Sometimes I create a digital image that I decide not to keep. I think someone may be able to use that and I upload it to my flickr album Free Digitals At Flickr From Artist Sandi Holland.

So you may use anything from that album however you please. I do upload to it regularly, about every 2 weeks. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Encouraging Mothers & Grandmothers To Do Art

2011-07-09T13:50:00.000-04:00

Turquoise Tree

Since I returned to Florida to live, I've been sharing my art media with my Mom, with whom I am currently living.

She has always been creative and has a good sense of balance and design.

Acrylic painting is one of her favorite things to do. I enjoy looking at her landscapes which include trees and the sun. Here are a few for you to enjoy.

Shadows On The Water

It is never too late to start being creative, or to encourage someone else. Remember Grandma Moses? She started painting in her 80's I believe.

Encourage someone today to not be ashamed to start and to share their work. You never know how it may bless someone.

Me & Mother aka Georgette

This would have been a good post for Mother's Day. My mother and I help each other and I enjoy sharing with her.

I hope you enjoy looking at some of her work.

White Flowers In Vase

Fish

Bowl Of Roses

Watercolor Bliss: Just Paint A Group Of Gestures

2011-07-01T00:03:00.000-04:00

I took my brush and quickly added some loosely formed shapes.

I was using leftover paint and applying it to the back of a mixed media wall art piece. I usually finish my backs with a painting, collage or something else creative.

I had not planned this painting, but since the backs are just practice and generally will not be seen, I played around.

Notice how with just a few, simple shapes you can suggest persons in various poses? Notice the lack of detail in the necks, hands and feet?

If you think about it you will realize that you are assuming what their precise gestures are based on my crude shapes.

Some of my most satisfying work is that which is done with abandon, freedom and inhibition. I wouldn't be surprised if the person who buys this piece displays this back side from time to time.

Watercolor Bliss: Painting People

2011-06-19T22:59:00.000-04:00

Just think about the fact that when we observe people from a distance, we don't see their necks. The eye fills them in.
We also generally don't see ankles or socks at the end of the pant leg or long skirt. The eye fills them in too.

It's similar to the eye combining two colors that are adjacent, and causing you to see the third or tertiary color.

The most realistic watercolor painting of people is done when relatively shapeless spots of color are combined to suggest a gesture.

Keep these simple tips in mind and you will paint pictures that feature people similar to the two in my detail above...and not like my detail below.

I've been studying my watercolor books for a long time and I've come a long way in my handling of this crisp, vibrant medium. So can you.

When I understood, my skill increased. I lightly scraped off this little glorified stick fellow and insinuated the couple.

I love watercolors. They are transparent, crisp and lively.

Spot On Art: Camera Straps From Fabric Pieces

2011-06-09T12:46:00.000-04:00

These trendy camera straps tweeted by Trusk4u caught my attention because they are useful and colorful.

I like the coordinated 2-sided effect.

This is a very good use of small fabric pieces.

There are designs for men and women.

Thanks to my artistic friend, Teresa Rusk, who owns Hollyhocks, for tweeting this uniquely creative craftwork.

And what a fun name: Pickleberry Lane!

Spot-On-Art: Deep Cradled Tabletop Paintings

2011-05-29T14:47:00.000-04:00

Heather Everson said I started creating mini paintings as a way to create easily affordable original artwork that looks good on the wall, on a table or just about anywhere!

I think this small block painting would add excitement to any decor, don't you? Her deep cradled poplar frames and canvases are handmade and gessoed.

I like Heather's modern style abstracts. In addition to Craftsu you can also visit her on Etsy.

Cat House: Creative Foamcore Artwork

2011-05-25T13:32:00.000-04:00

I made some artwork for my baby sister (35),

who has 2 cats, Bogie and Sheeba.

I covered a foamcore base with paper after I cut out the windows. I then added various embellishments, including paper-covered, foamcore gables.

The cat drawings are not mine, but clip art. I drew and painted the front door and window though.

Some of the clipart used is from a Mother's Day card that she gave to me.

Using a greeting card, that was given to you, to fashion a piece of artwork for the giver is a clever way to thank someone.

I had the most fun drawing 2 cats to represent hers. They are looking out of lighted windows to the left of the house.