altered art...

I've had several requests to provide the measurements for the wood tree ornament that I've been playing working with...

 it's exactly 5 inches tall & you'll see the length of each layer to the right...

you sure could cut these same lengths from grungeboard or chipboard, if you can't find the tree...

I would love to find these trees in a smaller size, but it's easy to cut the dimensions in half & that 2 ½ inch tall tree would be so fun for a card front or as an embellishment on a gift box...

I've also had several emails asking for suggestions on what to look for when you're out & about...

what items are good to alter?

what surfaces work well...

anything to avoid?

so the title of the post is altered art...

but these items are in the PRE-altered art stage...

keep in mind that the prices for these things range from 50 cents to the most expensive, the wood frame which was $6.99....

but still a reasonable price for a handmade gift...

and it's double dipping...

you get the joy of making something cool & the recipient gets a handmade gift...

double dipping!

also...even if you don't have the same exact item, I'm sure you'll find something comparable & can play along with the ideas...

if you find something that has a good solid base, but the graphics are butt ugly, remember that both  embossing powder & embossing paste are opaque, so the ugly can be covered up completely & quickly!

first up is this hanging metal piece from Hobby Lobby...

great design...

sturdy metal & lots of potential...

I'm expecting to use my embossing powders on it...

***REMEMBER***

heated metal gets H O T & it takes a bit longer to cool than you expect...

trust me on that one...

especially a large piece like this one...

it stays warm for a while...

next is a resin candle holder from Hobby Lobby...

it's price was $2.50...

it's very heavy & will be fun to add my archival inks...

and maybe embossing powders?

still thinking...

it's about 31/2 inches in diameter...

and by using an unmounted stamp, I can stamp on some of the petals...

this makes a great gift because it can easily be customized for any decor...

I'll add some clearly for art leaves under it to take it to the next level...

this next wood frame is from Marshall's...

and was the most expensive item at $6.99...

I love it because the opening is square...

still thinking on this guy too...

there are lots of options...

embossing paste...white paste, 

that gets colored before with my reinkers...

or after with the distress spray stains...

I can stamp into the wet embossing paste so that it dries with texture...

or...

use archival inks & embossing powders...

this will be fun...

the next piece is a $2.00 glass bottle from Hobby Lobby...

I like this one because it has flat sides, which will make it easier to stamp on...

I'm planning to ink this with archival ink, then add my embossing powders...

if you're working on glass, it's important to ink the glass with archival ink & that will hold the melted embossing powders securely on the bottle...

if you try to use any of the embossing inks,

 the melted powder peels right off...

trust me...

if you're covering glass with embossing paste, embossing pastes stick very well to glass...

EXCEPT 

if you're adding crackled texture paste, you need to add a very thin layer of either gold embossing paste or silver embossing PASTE & dry it before adding the crackle paste...

that thin layer of the metallic paste holds the cracks firmly attached to the glass...

here's another little metal piece...

I'll have lots of fun for only $1.00...

ah...another Hobby Lobby find...

it caught my eye because it was worn looking & surprised me when I picked it up...

it's a box with a magnetic closure...

and for $5.00 it's a great price & it's strong & sturdy...

nice size & adorable!

remember that if *it can take the heat* it can be embossed with embossing powders...

all these pieces are also fun with my embossing pastes for a whole different mixed media altering direction...

so...be on the lookout (big box stores, flea markets, second hand stores, Dollar stores, Goodwill etc) for inexpensive, well constructed 

metal, glass, wood & resin pieces...

they are perfect when you want to...

make art!

wendy

ps...I'm PACING & patiently (that's a JOKE) waiting for the UPS guy to arrive with my new...

(stamps)...

"on the truck for delivery" 

makes me giddy with excitement...

CHA is only 2 months away...

yikes!