Boot Sale Bronze

     Welcome to a new project for Altered Eclectics, where anything goes as long as it's altered art or mixed media (no cards, ATC's or scrap layouts). You should pop over and take a look at the variety of artwork on show, it's amazing!
     This little beauty started life with me as a rather shabby, pre-loved manikin found at a boot sale. She used to have a velvet body with beads hanging around the bottom but that all came off the day she arrived in the Crafter Cavern.

     Once striped bare she had a good rub down and then a few body enhancing changes with flexible filler, then another rub down, which left her with a nice smooth surface.
     Using Sizzix Tim Holtz Elegant Flourishes and grey board I cut several shapes out and glued them on to the manikin with Cosmic Shimmer PVA.
     To begin the painting process I covered her with a coat of Cosmic Shimmer White Gesso Primer, I was pleasantly surprised to find one coat was enough.

     When the gesso was dry I began to paint patches of colour all over the manikin. Once the colours where dry I went over with a brown acrylic to tone it down a little.
     Leaving the paint to dry thoroughly seemed like an age but it was only about an hour. I really wanted to get started with the Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Waxes, I used Chic Pumpkin and Autumn Bronze .

   
     There are small areas of Chic Pumpkin and larger areas of Autumn Bronze because it has that perfect dark brown hue.
     I then had to be patient again, to allow the wax to set, buffing it up too early would remove some of it and I'd have to do it a second time.
     With an old duster I buffed the manikin all over, being careful not to rub the ends of the swirls too hard. It came up with a gorgeous sheen to it. It had all been an experiment to see if it what was in my head would transfer, via my hands, to the manikin. I am happy to say that I think it did, it's not until you pick it up that you realise it 's too light to be metal.

     You have a whole month to create something, anything as long as it's altered art or mixed media, no cards. We would love to see what you make at Altered Eclectics.

I would like to enter my manikin in the following challenges:

Creative Moments - Anything But A Card
613 Avenue Create - A True Anything Goes...No Twist
Artful Times Challenge - In The Style Of Tim Holtz
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Altered Art/Mixed Media Only
Through The Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Through The Purple Haze - Anything Goes

Faux Patina Designer Gift Bag

     This little gift bag is from a template by Papermania, I've included a fifty pence piece so you can gauge the finished size.
     This week at The Technique Twist the challenge is Faux Patina, there is a link to a tutorial which I found very helpful. I have opted for an old leather look rather than metal for my bag.
     I started with white card from which I cut the template. To emboss the sides I did one side at a time as my folder is only a 6x4 . I inked my folder with Old Paper Distress Ink on the embossing side of the folder before embossing my card. Once out of the folder I then Inked with Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs and a dash of Aged Mahogany to get the various shades of brown.
     The shine comes from Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Wax Autumn Bronze which I rubbed on to the card with my finger. Let the wax dry off then buff it up to a nice shine. The tag is Grunge Paper with an eyelet through it, hung on some old gold ball chain. The clasp is a gold button stuck on with ultra sticky tape, I have used a foam pad underneath the flap to lift it up a little.
     I had a very messy time making this but it was fun, I shall definitely be making some more.

I would like to enter my bag in the following challenges:

The Technique Twist - Faux Patina

Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Out With The Girls