here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

angels and answers...

She's back...
a previous guest artist...
SUSAN KESSELMAN...

She sent me this AWESOME ANGEL...
using TONS of studio 490 stamps...

I LOVE the heart used as wings...

Love the 2 scrolls used as her legs...
Matter of fact...I LOVE ALL OF HER!

What a great idea to give the "art chick" a fancy dress!

I'm IMPRESSED!

Bet you will be too...



Thanks Susan for sharing your ART...again!

On to answers...from yesterday's emails & comments...

#1...Wendy - Is that background one of the new Distress colors?? It looks beautiful.

YES!!! It's bundled sage...I'm ADDICTED...I LOVE it used with tumbled glass, broken china, faded jeans, barn door or rusty hinge...

I've used it in some CHA projects...I stamped my background in olive archival & then inked the entire background with the sage...

YUM! you'll be seeing LOTS of it!

#2...Could you do a count down to CHA (helps those of us impatient people who need a visual.

Hmmm....I leave on Friday the 22nd, so I would expect to see LOTS of REVEALS the few days before then...Does that help?

#3...you did a contest for us last time...we had to guess the number of stamps. i didn't win. are you doing that for us again? when? i don't want to miss it.

YOU BET!! That was fun. That too will be close to the 22nd...stay tuned! I'll see what I can get us for prizes...

I'm HOPING inks and rubber! Just what we NEED!

#4...I need to find that magazine. Any clues?

I have a subscription now, but I originally got a copy @ Barnes & Noble. I'd say...check there!

#5...The sneak peeks are killin' me. Four you say? Hmm, new flower in the corner, background, another ART stamp, the scroll stamp is a staple of mine.

and from another...

Hhhmmm...could it be wings, or the edges to a flower petal??

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are NO flowers in the peek...

nope...not wings either...

the text is NOT a background stamp...

art...OK...that one is right

look again...
I'd suggest the lower left ...hint!



#6...just a comment, but we both had to laugh...
And, thanks to Rick. Keep that sweet lady of yours in line!

now there's a FULL TIME JOB! ha! TOTALLY Hopeless!

#7... I am loving what I can see in your sneak peek. I sure am hoping to see a houndstooth print

Here's a HUGE hint...you'll be HAPPY, Penci! It's in a set called...well worn art

#8...I hope you remember me, I'm the one who asked for a larger rose. Did you make us one?

And a HUGE hint for you...you'll be double-x2 HAPPY, Ms Dee! And larger is easier to make! TRUST ME!

#9...when will you show us your Maya Road samples?

I'll do that just as soon as I get the word from Caroline...she's the BOSS! I'm hoping next week?

and the last for today...

#10...I'm wondering if you could share more about your creative process for new stamps. How long does it take you to come up with fresh ideas? Where do you get your inspiration? Do you sketch the designs and have someone "make up" the artwork? The time span between CHA Summer and Winter seems so short....I just wonder how you do it all!!!

First of all...remember that Rick gets groceries, gets us carry out dinners and vacuums!

Seriously...the ideas basically come from NEEDS...when I'm working on a project, I think...

Geez...I wish I had a long skinny filler stamp for this area...hmmm now we will

or...

I wish I had a background that would coordinate with this...and we will!

One of my flower ideas was inspired by a home decor item. Home decor magazines are very inspiring for color combos too...not that I actually use them... you know me...I stick to my basic colors...

The solid flower image on Artfully Said, came about because of a need in my Ranger technique workshop.

There are techniques in that workshop that really need a stamp of that type. Now we have it!

I try to make them versatile...so that they can be used multiple ways.

Before studio 490, I'd think...geez, I wish the leaves stamp faced the other way. That's why I do the same image as the mirror image lots of times. I like the option of both ways & I think that's good for collage type art.

If you remember the snow cap white pigment ink/distress technique I came up with...

I needed a more bold image background that really showcased that technique...with this new release ...WE have it! YIPPEE!

I like vintage stuff too...so those things sparked some stamp ideas ...again...THIS RELEASE!

This release is NOT all about flowers...but the designs were made to work with the sets we already have.

So once my sketches/ideas are emailed to Zach @ Stampers Anonymous, he's the genius who transforms them into PDF files which are then made into, mag plates...which if I understand it right, are the reverse stamp images. Then a sheet of rubber is layed over the mag plate & pressed or vulcanized into the mag plate @ a high temp and that's what makes the actual rubber stamp.

There may be more steps...but my little brain pictures this as the process.

Then the new stamp sheets get stuck on the cling material (which sticks to the acrylic blocks) and they are individually cut with some sort of scroll saw @ the factory.

I have met Joyce who cuts stamps and she said after she does a few of the new designs & gets her rhythm, she can zip right along.

But think of the MILLIONS of stamps that must be cut every year. Can you imagine??? What a JOB!

One thing we REALLY want to do this year is to visit the factory in Cleveland...meet the folks I deal with, but have not met yet.

We really want to see how the whole process is done...and to see stamps..HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Geez...how exciting!

We both think that would be a fun trip & a good info for a blog post! I'd even take my camera!

OK...the Tuesday peek...is the upper part of Monday's peek. Look closely...

I'm not supposed to have a favorite...but just between us...this is in the top 10...actually...top 3!



The sample uses some new distress colors...

That's the new rusty hinge @ the top, along with tumbled glass & bundled sage. I LOVE those 3 together!

And...there are 2 new stamps in the photo, FYI!

That's it for today...I've told you LOTS!

I can't...

make art...gotta work on the to-do list!

wendy

42 comments:

Robin Swederske said...

Thanks for the sneak peaks! And also for the fyi on your stamp designing process. I've been wondering about that.

Alisa said...

Thanks Wendy. I love that the stamps are made right here in the USA!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the up-dates, Wendy. I love that your stamps are made in the USA. That is one of my resolutions, to try and purchase items (craft and household) made in America. We have to keep ourselves employed!

Trish

Debby said...

What a great post. Thanks for sharing. Love Susan's angel. Really beautiful. I can't wait to see your new stamps. Sounds like they are going to be really cool. Love the vintage look too. Can't wait to see more. It looks like the stamps will coordinate with all that Graphic 45 is coming up with too. Going to need lots of money.

Anonymous said...

Love that angel. Thanks to Susan. I'm enjoying the teases too. Time to fill the penny jar again.

SusanK said...

Wendy, U are the angel! Thanks so much for your contributions to the world of stamping - am on pins & needles waiting to see what's just out of sight for us. The angel was fun and part of a challenge on your Yahoo group. Have just finished 2 more pieces - gotta have an identity tag (or 2) so the rest of the world will know me as a super big fan of yours.

Unknown said...

Susan Kesselman ... your angel rocks!!!
Wendy ... your blog rocks!!! and so do your sneak peeks
Rick Vecchi ... you rock and so does your grocery shopping by all accounts!!!

KAT said...

How about while you are in Cleveland visiting the factory you have some classes???? That would be fabulous!!! Love the sneaks of the new stamps!

michelle said...

I can not stop thinking about Joyce cutting all those millions of stamps.. . that is a ton of work she deserves a dozen roses in a vase. . .

I love vintage I am looking forward to seeing those.

Those three colors of ink are beautiful together and do we get a measuring tape and a tag as new stamps. I get lost in seeing all the designs can not remember what is old and because they all look new when you see them in a sneak peak!

Elaine A said...

Wendy -

Thank you for another informative and entertaining blog entry. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us.

Elaine Allen

...Tara... said...

Oh is it a butterfly?! Cant wait for more sneaks :)

Holly said...

Beautiful angel! Thanks for more sneak peeks! I am needing everything I am peeking at!

Miss Iowa said...

WOW! Lots of fun information and clues in this post. I just love visiting factories and seeing how things are made. We got to visit a lace factory in Germany which was UBER cool. I'm an egghead that way. :)

Lori said...

Susan's angel is just AWESOME!! Very talented lady, and nice to eat breakfast with...lol...Ok, ok, so the text isn't a background stamp, but I bet the little tiny dots/dashes or whatever are. And so it's not a flower, I'm guessing...leaves? Ok, and in the newest peak, I see a lot of numbers, is there a set called Fractionally Art? lol. And a round tag of some sort...this thinkin' is too much work, back to my real job.....oh, hey, since I'm kind of in your neck of the woods, can I give Rick my grocery list? I would be willing to pay for delivery....

Etta said...

So glad you're still finding time to post. I find myself being very disappointed when you have to miss a day. NO PRESSURE HERE! We owe YOU, Rick!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks Wendy for your kindness to the visually impatient! Looking forward to more peeks. I do like that color combo with the Sage. I hope the new colors will be in stores soon after CHA (any estimates?)
That Rick sounds amazing, is he able to leap tall cabinets in a single bound? LOL

Anonymous said...

Oh, I can't wait to get those new colors, or your new stamps, or your new book, or. . . .

Helen said...

I'm loving the sneak peaks. I can't wait to see the full sets, just not sure how I can justify buying as many as I know I will want straight away!

Courtney said...

its killing me!!! all i want to do is go and make art!

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

I love the angel too and yes a great use of the heart and scroll stamps ;)
Anne x

carpediem said...

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions about your creative process Wendy! What an awesome experience it would be to visit a stamp manufacturing plant!!!!

Marjie Kemper said...

All these sneak peeks are doing the intended... can't wait to get my hands on some of these new beauties!

Dianal said...

Great sneak peaks .... love the new
distressed colours you used ...
and a larger rose coming our way!!!!! This is really getting exciting ... how many days to CHA?

Karla Anderson said...

Great sneak peeks, I am so excited about your CHA releases. Took the distress ink class with you in Madison this November and learned so much. ok, I have to giggle at the typo "vulva"nized.....lol. Gave me a big smile for the day.

Sarah Anderson said...

I couldn't make art today either!! We had SNOW! An unusual event in rainy Manchester in the UK. Did build an igloo though, so guess that was creative!

Great post, really enjoyed reading it

Patti said...

LOVE Susan's Angel. I've been getting into angels more lately and her's is genius. THANK YOU for the larger rose stamp. I can't wait for that one!!! Your sneaks are wonderful. please keep them coming!

KAREN said...

Wendy,
I love the Angel!!!! I also want to thank you for all the sneak peeks!!!!
I agree with Kat, when you come see Ted, maybe have a class or two or three???? PLEASE!!!!!
I forgot to thank Rick yesterday for helping us out, by getting you to give us a few peeks!!!
Can't wait to see it all!!!How soon will we be able to purchase the new items?

Hels Sheridan said...

**sits wondering if there is anyway of sneaking into the Vecchi house to have a proper snoop at these new stamps that are driving me INSANE!!!!**

I cannot wait...literally, I cannot wait for the day that we can see these new designs...I know, I should be patient..but ... who needs patience when there are some new Wendy Vecchi sets to be had...they are nearly ready...I am nearly busting a gut being patient....so.........

THANK YOU for feeding this delirium of mine with the little peeps at the new stuff...without these I fear I would spontaneously self combust ROFL

**BTW, the thing about snooping...in your house... I wouldn't do that...honestly...I wouldn't... instead I would befriend a little mouse and get him to do it for me...of course, he would have to be incredibly intelligent**


***Wanders off to have more medication***

Wendy hun, thank you for the sneaky peeks...and that Rusty Hinge is on my shopping list already LOL xx

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Oh Wendy! The info is so fun and interesting. Thanks for sharing the insights ;) Happy New Year!
Luv
Heidi

Art By Wanda said...

There's only 2 new stamps in the pic??? I thought maybe 3... the piece that is rusty hinge (a circle shaped ad of some sort?), the piece that is tumbled glass ( a crown shape with numbers?), and the bundled sage piece with the fraction increments... very cool. I've been looking in your book at all the stamp sheets and can't find these 3... what am I missing?

Nancy said...

I love this entire post! Susan's piece is beautiful! Your peeks, your descriptions of the stamp process - whatever that stamp is with the Rusty Hinge DI most definitely looks like a must-have! I often wish January to go by fast with the work I do, but this year? Oh, that wish is for fun, too - your stamps so give me something good to look forward to!

2amscrapper said...

Susan's angel is awesome. Can't wait to see these new projects and stamps.

Dawn (dmh) said...

Wendy, he's a keeper.
I love the angel.
Your stamps are beautiful.
I can not wait for more peeks.
:)
Dawn

Anonymous said...

When you visit the factory in Cleveland, can I come too? Please? Pretty please with sugar on top? Can't you just imagine a whole gang of us going crazy there? It could be like the cruise, only not!

julie m said...

Can I borrow Rick for a day? I don't like to vacuum.
Good thing the 22nd is getting closer. I want to see the whole shebang.

slbt17 said...

WOW! You did share a lot! Thanks.
Enjoy!
Sandra
still trying to figure out where the money is going to come from to buy all of this!

Kim said...

I love your sneak peeks!!! it makes the waiting a little less unbearable:) Can't wait to see the new stamps!!!

Rockin Robin Caldwell said...

OMG...I so love the art doll!!! Between you and Tim with your sneak peeks (master and mistress of torture you both are)...I'm gonna need a bigger drool bucket, as well as a 2nd job!! Can't wait to see the new goodies. Hisses, Rockin Robin Caldwell

Linda said...

Hope you got lots checked off your to do list and had fun while you were doing it!

Love the the Q & A's, the guest artist and ESPECIALLY the sneak peeks! Thank you for sharing!

Linda

Elaine said...

I am speechless...love the new Distress ink colors. I picked out the same colors today at Michael's from their new bins...the rusty, the sagey and the seaglassy blue! Just beautiful together! And about those peeks...any chance that we're getting something like a "Wendy styled" Game card/bingo card? And Wendy markers too (i.e. l'il flowers)?
I'd love to see a set with scissors in it too some day...just sayin' :)

Betty said...

Thanks for sharing Susan's angel with us...she's fabulous. I can't imagine where you found the time to answer all the questions. Are days in Illinois longer than 24 hours? I'm luvin' all the sneak peeks but my eyes are growing weary trying to find all those mystery stamps! The suspense is mounting each day.

Unknown said...

You're so right ... that IS an awesome color combo! Soooo glad I pre-ordered the entire set of new colors already! Wish there was some way I could pre-ordeer your new stamp sets!