Creating Mixed Media Art Dolls - Material Musings

 

Creating Mixed Media Art Dolls

Welcome to today's Material Musings, in this video we will be taking a look at a variety of different ways to create art dolls and a bit about the technique.  Have you made mixed media art dolls yourself?  They are really fun to create, and practically all of my supplies are recycled or repurposed.

Where to Start?

You start with the armature, which can be made out of a range of materials - wire, foil, wood, clay, paper clay, foam, plastic and once you have the base you can decide the other materials that you want to finish your mixed media art doll with.

In the examples that I share in the video we have ones made from foil, foam - (fiber) and plastic.  I then cover them with fabric, paper clay and even wrap some with scrap fabrics and yarn and embellish with beading.

I hope that you see how fun and straight forward they can be to create and I hope that it inspires you to make your own - you probably have all the resources around your home already.  You can check out the previous art doll video below:

If you are interested in making your own, I will be creating a mini course to take you through the steps.  You can join my course platform and will be alerted when the Mixed Media Art Doll course becomes available.  

Join the course platform Here

In the meantime, why not check out some of the other slow stitched and fabric course available on the platform.

Stitched Folk - Online Class

On a tight budget? Come and join me on YouTube and see all of the textile and fabric art videos I share as part of Material Musings, my weekly textile and fabric art adventure.  You can find my full Textile Art Playlist on YouTube Here

Want a Behind the Scenes and exclusive access? Then my Patreon Tiers would be great for you!

If you want a behind-the-scenes look at my work and practice, you can join us on Patreon Here and while you are there you can check out the FREE Digital Art Sampler Edition in the paper Collection for July.

Whatever you do, take time out each day to do something creative, experiment and step out of your comfort zone.  What are you waiting for???

Realityarts Creative Archive - July Papers

This month's release for the Realityarts Creative Archive, brings a fresh set of collectable digital art papers, available in four tiers - Sampler, Studio, Collector, and Atelier.

The July 2026 Sampler Edition, titled Heritage & Time is free to download until 31st July and offers you a chance to try the papers in your art journals and/or creative projects.

 

Heritage & Time - July Papers 2026

Join the FREE Tier on Patreon to access the papers, along with project ideas, behind the scenes video and early release posts, along with other 'member only' content.  Free members can enjoy the monthly papers while spending creative time. You can join us HERE

Additional papers for this month are available for purchase or by joining the respective tier, and also gives you access to over 1000 videos, digital art and exclusive posts.

 

Studio Edition - Women and Memory, July 2026

 

Collectors Edition - Island & Nature - July 2026

 

Atelier Edition - Patterns & Structure - July 2026

On my Patreon platform you get to watch Patron Exclusive posts, see behind the scenes content and get early access to the videos that I create and post on my YouTube Channel.  Each month I use the papers in different projects to give you additional inspiration when using them for yourself.  If you are ready to move your creative journey to the next step then come and join us.

As a Patreon Member you will also get a discount off any of the courses I create on my Course Platform - check out the 'Collections tab' to get your appropriate discount.  Our course that are regularly being developed are for those who want to add to their learning and start to develop their own creative voice and style.

I hope you join us and use the digital art papers in your creative projects and art journals and I look forward to seeing how you get on.

Which of the papers this month are speaking to you?

Sampler Mixed Media Art Papers - Download your copy Today

 Layers of Becoming - Sampler Edition - June

Here are the mixed media art papers that are available on my FREE Patreon tier.  Each month we develop a new set of papers that you can use in your art journals and creative projects.  This is the June papers that will be available until the close of Wednesday 1st July EST

Download your copy HERE 

Here are the other papers available across the higher tiers that are available as well..

Here are some of the art created from this month's and previous papers across the tiers

Come and see which papers connect with you and you can use them in a variety of ways.  I have created tags and other mixed media ephemera from the papers.  It is also great to be able to use what you have without too many additional tools.  A glue stick and markers can do the world of good in an art journal.

Take some time out and come and join us, allow yourself to be swept away with the designs and the imagery and create pages that you can come back to and leave creative messages to yourself.

Join us Here for FREE on Patreon

Creative Tech Summer Retreat 21st July - 23rd July is Now Open for FREE Registration

 

The Creative Tech Summer Retreat is now open for Registration

I wanted to share with you details about the Creative Tech Summer Retreat which is being brought to you by HobbyScool.

This retreat will teach you how to use modern tools like Cricut, Canva, Procreate, AI, and print-on-demand platforms to level up their handmade business or personal projects. If you have always wanted to learn to use these tools for your projects, join now for free and save your spot on the retreat! You can sign up HERE

Example Workshops Include:

• Cricut Projects: Beginner to Intermediate

• Canva 101 for Creatives

• Create Your First Digital Sticker Pack in Procreate

• Intro to AI Art Tools for Creators

• Print-on-Demand for Handmade Sellers

Why not save yourself a spot - You can get your ticket HERE

Even if you don't have all the creative tools you can use the ones you do have and still get a lot of information from each of the teachers.  One of the tools I use at least every day is Canva, I use it in editing photos, videos, creating thumbnails and more, I find it really handy.  You can also add different effects on your photos as well, remove backgrounds, and you will learn and over the 3 days of the Summer Retreat, here is a taste of what you will be learning using Canva:

Brandi Kabacinski

From Camera Roll to Keepsake: Create a Printable Photo Book in Canva

Kim George

Canva to Cash: How to Create and Sell Your First Simple Book on Amazon

Emily Holverson

Birthday Invitation in a Box: Design Your Own Custom Invite in Canva

And this is just 3 of the teachers out of 23!!  If you haven't used Canva before you can sign up for free as well and have a play around before the Retreat begins.  

Before you go

Have you downloaded this month's free creative papers on Patreon before it goes onto the paid tier.

Download this month’s free creative paper on Patreon  

You can check out the video where I share how I used this months papers in a creative project in my art journal, it might spark some ideas for you!

Want to stimulate your creative juices, why not take one of my FREE course on my course platform and while you are there check out some of the other resources available.  Join us on the free Art Resource Hub

While you are there why not explore...

And Finally....

If you would like to focus on your self-care, why not check out:

Filling the Creative Well  or Creative Self Care

 

5 Easy to Make Art Journals - Use what you have

 5 Easy to make Art Journals

In today's video we look at a selection of 5 mixed media and recycled art journals, and I show you how I have worked in them and some of the supplies that I have used.  With the number of items that we have in our supplies or just around the house, you will probably find most of the things you already have without going out to buy anything else.  If you don't have that particular item, then substitute it for something else (that is where the fun really begins!

Materials - remember to substitute if you don't have:

• Cardboard
• Tetra-pak (milk cartons)
• Old greetings cards or packaging
• Fabric Scraps
• background papers
• Paper ephemera that you have made or source images from an old magazine
• Brown paper/wrapping paper
• Glue
• Embroidery thread to stitch the books or use yarn

What You will learn

I hope to take out the hesitation for creating an art journal, waiting for the right supplies, the right weather or whatever the excuse may be and get you putting something together by the end of the video just for you.  You don't have to put it all together in one sitting, savor it and come back to it.

Reflection Prompt 

What supplies or recycling materials have you been sitting on that you can use in a creative project today?

More Art Journal Designs 

In my art journal playlist I have a large amount of art journals that I have made and share.  Some of the videos show you how to make your own journal from start to finish, some show me working on a page using my supplies and some are flip throughs to give you some inspiration.  

You can check out my art journal playlist on my YouTube Channel HERE  

Digital Downloads 

I mention when making some of the small art journals the digital papers that I have used.  Each month on my I create a set of digital download papers across different tiers that can be used in the art journals or creative projects.  I also create a set each month that are FREE until the end of the month for you to download and start creating.  Each month you will be given a different digital downloads to use in your creative projects.  You can get yours HERE

FREE COURSE RESOURCES

I also have a number of free classes on my Course Platform - Realityarts.  There you will find my Art Tags Course which shows you how to alter and create your own art tags, there are 6 in the design to download and resource videos.   Recycled mark making - do you want ideas for making your own stamps and stencils, then this mini course takes you through a range of the everyday materials that you can use in your art projects.  Check out the Course platform HERE

Wax Resist Projects - Material Musings

 

Mark Making on Fabric

Working with natural fibers

Come and join us in Material Musings today!

Art Journal Play - Working with Patreon Papers

 

Join us as we work in our Brown Paper art journal.  We are working with papers that I create each month on Patreon.  On the page I will be creating a figure and also a small pocket on the opposite side of the page to hold any additional papers.

Creating Faces

Art Journal Pocket

The Papers are available in my Patreon Shop Here

This is the June Papers in the Atelier Edition

Material Musings - Beads and Wearable Art

Welcome to today's Material Musings, where check out several different projects - including fabric jewelry, beads and art journal bags.

Here is an example of the crochet necklace and the beaded wrist cuff - I think more accessories might be to come.

Making Fodder - Inspiration Squad - Fodder School 5

This month I am one of the Inspiration squad members for Fodder School and I get to share my take on a lesson by Roxanne Stoute.  As a previous teacher on Fodder School 4 - it is full on, so it is great to be a student and savor the projects.

We are currently in the 'Make Fodder' phase and I have been busy painting, marking fabric, paper and playing with elements from nature.

You can also check out Fodder School 5 HERE, there are some fantastic teachers

Here is what I have so far

Mixed Media Art Papers

Here is some of the natural materials that I worked with as well, and the papers that I painted and added marks using different supplies

All in all it is great fun to look through some of the things that you have to create new looks and combine elements that you might not have before.  I now have a lovely collection that will go to some of the other projects that are calling..... will you join us?

Art Journal Flip through - Mixed Media Art

Check out the Art Journal Flip through in my mixed media brown paper journal on my YouTube channel.

You can also see the Full Talking Flip Through video HERE on my patreon for FREE

I use some of the papers that I produced each month, and you can access the papers from the Sampler Edition for FREE until the end of the month

Get Your Paper Here

Here is one of the projects that I have created with the papers so far:

See the creation of this page HERE

Art Journal Play - First Saturday Art

 

Join us in the studio for some Art Journal Play.

You can also access the papers used in this example on my FREE Patreon Tier HERE or click on the image below.  You also get a series of tags and elements to use in your art journal or creative project.

Realityarts Creative Archive - June 2026

This month's release for the Realityarts Creative Archive, brings a fresh set of collectable digital art papers, available in four tiers - Sampler, Studio, Collector, and Atelier.

The June 2026 Sampler Edition, titled Heritage & Time is free to download until 30th June and offers you a chance to try the papers in your art journals and/or creative projects.

  

Heritage & Time - June Papers 2026

Join the FREE Tier on Patreon to access the papers, along with project ideas, behind the scenes video and early release posts, along with other 'member only' content.  Free members can enjoy the monthly papers while spending creative time. You can join us HERE

Additional papers for this month are available for purchase or by joining the respective tier, and also gives you access to over 1000 videos, digital art and exclusive posts:

 

Studio Edition - Women and Memory, June 2026

 

Collectors Edition - Island & Nature - June 2026

 

Atelier Edition - Patterns & Structure - June 2026

Creator Summer Camp - 16th - 18th June Register for FREE

 

Get Your Ticket Here

The Creator Summer Camp will be starting 16th - 18th June and is a fun filled family online event

Creator Summer Camp is a free virtual creative event filled with hands-on workshops designed to help you make, play, explore, and create alongside inspiring artists and makers.

Inside the summit, you’ll discover fun and approachable projects like:

• Mini memory albums & keepsake crafts
• Acrylic painting with kids
• Outdoor macrame plant hangers
• Clay earrings full of personality
• Quilting, crochet, mixed media & more
• Creative projects inspired by nature, gardening, and summer memories

This isn’t about being “perfect” at crafting, It’s about slowing down, making something with your hands, and rediscovering the joy of creativity.

Whether you’re crafting solo, creating with your kids, or simply looking for fresh inspiration, every session is designed to be practical, encouraging, and genuinely fun.

It is totally FREE to attend and Registration is now open HERE! 

Let’s make this summer a creative one!

Drawing Challenge - Starts Monday 1st June 2026

 

Join the Challenge at the Early Bird Price of $39.

Starting June 1st you will receive:

• 28 daily drawing lessons to guide your creativity
• Short 10-minute lessons that fit into even the busiest schedule
• A supportive Facebook group of artists all drawing alongside you
• A fun, low-pressure way to build a real art habit this summer
• Complete every day and you could win art classes from the contributing artists

25% of profits go to support the Uganda Partnership charity. Our community has already raised US$159,203 for charity together, and every sign-up adds to that.

In my lesson we for the Drawing Challenge I share how I use simple shapes to create fun doodling spaces in your art journal and creative projects.

You can get the EARLY BIRD pricing HERE 

Art Journal Page - Memory & Creative Layers

 

Welcome to this weeks art journal page

Art of Expression kicks off TODAY!! Come and join us for FREE

 

Have you got your ticket yet. The Art of Expression Summit starts today Tuesday 19th May to Thursday 21st May 2026

This is a FREE online event that brings together 30 expert presenters sharing expressive creative strategies for:

• Creating meaningful art from whatever materials you already have
• Building a consistent, joyful creative routine
• Expressing yourself through painting, lettering, journaling, and more
• Simplifying your creative practice so it actually sticks
• Keeping your creative momentum long-term 

as well as:

• Focused sessions covering expressive arts, creative journaling, mixed media, color therapy, art for healing, visual storytelling, and more.
• Each session is short, practical, and designed to give you new skills and ideas you can put to work immediately.
• All sessions are pre-recorded and released daily during the summit.
• Each day's content is free for 24 hours.
• 
  

Get your FREE Ticket HERE

If you would like Lifetime access, then you can go for the VIP Pass.  What's inside the VIP pass:

 

Every workshop from all the three days of the Art of Expression Summit, available on demand 48 hours after the event ends. No expiry date.

Watch at your own pace, on your own schedule, as many times as you like.

I have my selection art journals ready to go!

The Art of Expression VIP All-Access Pass —
Valued at $1,991+

Get lifetime access to 30 expert-led workshops and 22 premium resources

Get My Pass + 22 Premium Resources

Instant access. No expiration. Yours for life.

Material Musings - Leather Projects - Wearable Art

Creating Wearable Leather Art

Come and join us in this week's Material Musings where we look at mark making on leather to create some gorgeous wearable art.

I share with you how you can make multiple uses from your tools to get different effects.

If you have leather scraps, don't throw them away!!  These pieces can also be used in miniature projects and there is no stopping you once you have identified some projects to use them for.

I have also used them in stitched projects and as miniature journals for my growing miniature interior collection.

Before You Go!

Last Day to get your VIP Pass for Mastering Mixed Media Art Expo 2026

Learn More HERE and save on the price of the VIP Ticket

Starts Tomorrow - Art of Expression (FREE)

Learn More HERE - GET YOUR FREE TICKET