I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 3 May 2013

Jar of Arts

Hello everyone!  Thank you so much for your lovely feedback over the last few busy days here at Words and Pictures - I am so grateful to you for taking the time to stop and look and comment.

It's time for a new Get Altered challenge at eclectic Paperie... In fact, it kicked off yesterday, but since you have a whole fortnight, there's plenty of time to play along.

Our host this time is Donna-Marie, and she's looking for Altered Glass Bottles or Jars.  You can see her amazing make here, along with all the challenge details, and other inspiring pieces from the DT team in the linky list.








My offering is an altogether simpler affair - two jars that I've altered to keep my travelling craft desk in a bit more order.

I decided that sometimes it's okay to just let the stamps do the talking - especially when they're as fabulous as these ones by Tim Holtz!

You can see they're pretty straightforward, but I like to be surrounded by fairly simple, unobtrusive things when I'm working - anything too ornate will only distract from the task in hand.














I have receptacles to hold brushes and tools at home in the UK, but here in the Czech Republic I've been "borrowing" a jug and mug from other duties in the house.

And even though I'm heading home in about a week, I'll definitely be back, so I thought it was time to do the job properly.






I gave my two recycled jars a coat of Watercolour Ground, though Gesso would do just as well, and left that to dry.

I wanted a rough "working" finish... with the brush strokes visible, and finishing at random heights around the jars.





Next step was to ink up the stamps from the gorgeous new Artful Tools set with Black Archival ink, and press them (oh-so-carefully so as to avoid slippage) around the jars.

I was delighted that the brushes fitted perfectly round the jar in two stampings.







For the tools, it was more like one and a half stampings, so I had to decide which instruments got to go more than once!












I really like the effect of the detailing of the stamps against the rough brushwork of the background.









A couple of twists of burlap twine finishes them off - a utilitarian, workmanlike finish for a practical - but, to me, very pleasing - alteration.









I hope you'll be inspired to join in with the Altered Glass Bottle or Jar challenge over at eclectic Paperie.  We've had so many amazing entries for the recent challenges - it's been an absolute pleasure to hop around.  






There's an eP voucher for the winner, generously sponsored by Kim at the eclectic Paperie store, so link up by May 16th.  

Hope to see you there!








Oh, and for anyone wondering about the post title - it's a play on the song title Jar of Hearts... a very poor pun, sorry, but a very fine song, I think.  Happy Crafting!

Among the many thousands of things that I have never been able to understand, one in particular stands out. That is the question of who was the first person who stood by a pile of sand and said, "You know, I bet if we took some of this and mixed it with a little potash and heated it, we could make a material that would be solid and yet transparent. We could call it glass." Call me obtuse, but you could stand me on a beach till the end of time and never would it occur to me to try to make it into windows.
Bill Bryson

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.
Anton Chekhov

I'm hoping that this is Clean and Simple enough to qualify for the CAS challenge at Artful Times

Click on the links to go shopping!



63 comments:

Carol Q said...

what a great idea Alison. very practical and artful too!

May said...

Love your storage jars Alison, Fabulous idea.. very creative! Hugs May x x x

Amanda said...

Simple but highly effective, fab!
Love
Amanda x

brenda said...

I am with you of having simple and uncluttered work spaces Alison. I tend to clear away completely after each project, even if I have more planned for the same day.

I like the slick simplicity of your altered jars.

B x

Deborah said...

A case when less is definitely more. They look fantastic.

PetraB said...

this is so cool and effective

Fliss said...

Wat a really lovely idea Alison and your jars look fabulous.
Might give this a go as some of my crafty bits are in undecorated jars.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Monique said...

Your jars look beautiful. It's amazing how you got the stamps to go so neatly around the jars... I can't even get stamps to stamp that nicely on a flat surface =)

Jenny Marples said...

Clean, simple and very effective Alison. Love these, hugs Jenny x

Inkypinkycraft said...

I think they look great, fab stamps...and mustink mine up! Hugs trace x

toni said...

Great idea Alison ! Simple in essence but so effective, beautifully done x

House of Bears said...

This is a great idea, it may be a simple concept but it leads to a very effective finish. We may have to forage around for some old jars now.

Cestina said...

I adore the Bill Bryson quote!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

A splendid idea Alison! Looks great...

kind regards, Alie :-)

Von said...

They are fab Jenny ! and would look equally as good on my cluttered work space :)
Great to have you joining us at Artful Times
Von ♥

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

This is a fabulous idea, love the whitewash and what a creative way to use the stamp set Alison. Tracy x

craftytrog said...

Both beautiful & practical at the same time! I love your arty jars Alison xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Good Grief Alison! A bit of white paint, some stamps, string and a plain old couple of jars and you still come up with something that looks absolutely blooming' brilliant!!! Genius - you are that person!! Hugs, Chrisx

Kim said...

What a great idea!! And those stamps are so perfect for this project....Great project!

Dianne said...

I love the plan and simple but gorgeous, if that makes sense,Donnas is stunning, I have alter quite a few bottle for gifts. I agree though, I don't need anything to distract me, my mind wanders easily LOL..Anywho love your jars, perfect for your desk.

Dianne said...

Hey Missy forgot to tell you I loooove the stamps...

Brenda Brown said...

Great storage and stamping.
Hugs Brenda xox

Zemphira ~ Scatter Art. said...

Very cool Alison. Fun too.

ionabunny said...

Very CAS. Beautiful and practical. What more could a girl want....

Donna-Marie said...

I absolutely adore the clean simple lines of this project!! I can be over the top sometimes...always editing my stuff. I need to be reminded that less can be more...thanks for helping me with that!!!!
I may steal this idea for my desk as well :-)
*hugs*

Helen said...

How cool! That is a great idea. I wondered how you'd got the stamping onto the jars, thought maybe you'd rolled the jar over the stamp, you must have a very steady hand!!

Astrid Maclean said...

Very appropriately themed stamps for these jars Alison, simple as you say, but functional and that is the main thing! I am jealous of how clean and well looked after your brushes are looking!!!...

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, I think the thing I love best about these jars is their simplicity. I keep looking at those wonderful stamps too.......sigh. The jars are fabulous! Hugs, Anne x

sam21ski said...

Ooooh fab Alison xxx

Unknown said...

These are fabulous Alison and when I get home from vacation I'm going to give this a go. :) Safe travel back to the UK, hugs.

cathylynn said...

Very Creative! Love your jars!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Janny Jager said...

What a great idea Alison.
They are very nice and beautiful.
Greetings Janny

Teresa Jaye said...

oh Alison I LOVE your art jars! I am amazed at how well the stamping came out - perfectly imperfect on the textured white ground. Simply beautiful and what a lovely addition to your art table!

Nan G said...

Very appropriate post title, I think. CAS definitely and serving their purpose quite handsomely too!

Micki said...

Might be straight forward, but it's perfect!!!! I am forever borrowing kitchen utensils (bowls, glasses, etc) for storage too only mine don't look as good as yours.

Love it.

Lucy Edmondson said...

Brilliant! I'm gonna have to join in, aren't I, as I'm obsessed with altering glass bottles!

Lucy x

Martina said...

What a fantastic idea with a great effect, dear Alison! That looks gorgeous.
Have a nice weekend (it's raining here since yesterday evening without a break :-()

Sandra's Spot said...

What a fab idea they are well cool. Love them Hugs Sandra X

catherine said...

What a fabulous idea Alison and they look brilliant
x catherine

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a cool and wonderful idea, and these turned out so darn cute...retro vintage!

Annette Green said...

Hi Alison, I too love the Artful Tools stamp set and use it often. Here you've created a simple, but classic and usable item with your glass jars. I love them!

MagsB said...

These jars are just inspired! I love the simple designs and the lovely texture! (I also love Bill Bryson's books!) Happy crafting!!

love Mags B x

Terry said...

Fabulous jars and so useful! Love the stamps you used! Hope you are having a lovely weekend! Hugs!

Cinderella Moments said...

Those jars are so nice! I love them!! You come up with the greatest designs.
hugs♥,
Caroline

Alexa said...

They are simple but also simply lovely Alison. Well done! x

Unknown said...

What a fab idea! I love your creativity, awesome. Chris xxx

Keren Tamir said...

Oh wow!! What a great idea!! I just love this!! It's fabulous!!!

sara j said...

Always fun to come to your website Alison...the simplicity of the jars is perfect. Although there is a lot of color on my desk, I agree that too much "action" is just distracting....your solution seems just perfect to me.

Kasia said...

Great idea! So simply and so fantastic :)

mark gould said...

So cool. Great idea and brilliant use of the images x

Hettie said...

These are great Alison. I love the stamps you have used and the simplicity of them is their charm.
Hugs
xx

Neet said...

What a fabulous idea - a super creation (well two of them). Love the stamps.
Thanks you for joining us at Artful Times. Hugs, Neet xx (I have been away, sorry I am so late)

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Fabulous altered jars.

Margaret said...

Such a wonderful idea and the finished containers are beautiful!

Tracy said...

Oh my giddy aunt Alison....shriek...totally gorrrgeous..I love them..elegant and shabby!!!!
Big hugs
Tracy
xoxox

Bonnie Irvine said...

This is such a cool idea. Love the stamping over the white and the fact that the white fades at the top. Very creative!

Kjersti said...

A fantastic idea Alison, beautiful jars - and great stamps! Love to visit here, you are so creative and inspiring!
Hugs:)

Marjie Kemper said...

Love your new containers... they're fabulous!

Ann said...

Love your jars Alison, terrific effect & useful too!! Ann-R xx

Julia said...

I have been meaning to comment on these jars for several days. Which words to use? Well, they are simply excellent. I am definitely inspired to make one of these for myself. Thank you Alison.

Craftychris said...

Such a cool idea and they look so good! Fabulous! xx

Kezzy said...

Fantastic idea and such a simple look but an awesome impact. Think I might have to save some jars as my paint brushes would look really fab and on trend with something like these. Happy Crafting :-) Hugs Kezzy xxx

Anonymous said...

OH I love it when people come up with ideas that make me say: Now - why didn't I think of that?! Outstanding!!