Tidbits - Part 2

22.  Inexpensive yet sturdy mailing envelopes are easy to make with half-folded cardstock.  You start with an 8+1/2" x 11" sheet, decorate as desired (paint, ink, etc.), fold, tape two sides closed. Enclose contents, tape top edge, affix address label and postage- and you end up with an 8+1/2" x 5+1/2" mailer. These are smaller than the 6" x 9" Kraft envelopes with the flap at one end, and as far as I know, both can be mailed for one stamp (49-cents at present) unless the contents are thick, heavy, or unbendable.












21.  Easy altered tag backgrounds may be made by dipping the blank tags in rubber stamp inks.  I crumpledsome of these manilla tags first to add "texture," poured 1/2" - 1" colored inks into several plastic drinking cups, dunked one end of the tags, then let them dry.   Overturning them, I dunked the other ends, eventually adding collage elements (appliques, stickers, Magic Mesh) and fibers to the dried tags.

Samples:  Fabric, Tyvek & Fibers

Tyvek on photo matte board

20.  Cut-out pieces of Tyvek (house insulation wrap or postal envelopes), when painted with acrylic paint first and then carefully heated (with proper ventilation) using either a heat tool or a flat iron (place Tyvek piece between Teflon pressing layers) makes an interesting bubble effect for collage.  One side will be bubbled up, the back ill be indented.  

19.  An interesting material to make grid marks with the Gelli Printing plate, or as a texture plate for rubbed designs, is a section of hardware cloth.  This metal fencing is available with different sized square openings.

18.  To add a bit of protection to ink jet images on envelopes or address labels, add a final coat of wax by rubbing with the side of a clear/white taper candle.  Then buff with the flat part of your clenched fist.  This might help to prevent ink from running in humidity or light rain.  No guarantees if your artwork falls into a puddle, however.

17.  I make a lot of my own stickers or labels use full-sheet labels by Avery or another company.  Clear label sheets will give you more leeway as far as cutting out intricate designs, but will show the background of whatever you adhere them to.  White labels are opaque, of course, but the white outline around your design might not be as desireable unless you are going to place them on a white background.

16.  If you are trying to use tissue paper (gift wrap weight) for collage and find that it tears or rips easily, try placing it on a sheet of waxed paper or freezer paper (glossy side), and then coating it with either matte- or gloss- gel medium.  After it dries, it will be easier to handle.