Material Mondays - Leather Faces, Creating in Leather

 

Welcome to another installment of Material Mondays! Today, we are continuing our series on leather and creating designs and I am excited to share some new pieces I have been working on.

I love creating unique pieces using different tools and techniques, I will be using a  a mallet, wood-burning tool, and a range of different supplies to create patterns and designs on my leather pieces.

I find that experimentation is key to unlocking the full potential of these tools and supplies, so I encourage you to play around and try new things.

In today's episode, I will be sharing four pieces that I have created. And, in the last piece, I will be using a variety of tools to create a border and patterns.

I am also doing some mark-making on the leather. I am excited to see what we can come up with, so, grab your leather and your tools, and let us dive into the world of leather and Material Mondays.

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Loving Healing and Creating Summit - Want Unlimited Access and check out some of the sessions that you missed?  Check it out

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One BADASS Art Journal Has Started - Check it out HERE

Material Mondays - My Tools for Working with Leather

Welcome to Material Mondays!

As a DIY enthusiast, I love working with different materials and finding new ways to use them in my projects. One of the materials I like to work with is leather, and in this post, I wanted to share some of the tools that I use.  It is by no means an exhaustive list, it is just what I have available to me at the moment.

Most of the tools that I have in my arsenal can be used in other areas of my mixed media work, whether it be working with jewelry pieces as embellishments or working with clay or paper crafts. I find that having versatile tools gives me the most value for my money and the flexibility to explore new creative avenues.

I found that purchasing a bag of leather scraps is a great way to sample a variety of leathers, and if I have a specific project that calls for a larger piece, I can then go out and buy that when needed. This is a great way to save money and still have the option to try out different leathers.

One of the things that I always recommend when working with materials is to experiment and play around. Get to know your tools and find what works best for you. This will also help you find your creative inspiration and develop your skills.

If you're interested in exploring leather crafting and would like to take a look at some of the supplies that I use, I have created a Leather Supplies Guide on Amazon. Feel free to check it out and see what catches your eye.

Working with leather can be a lot of fun and there are so many possibilities for what you can create. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things, and most importantly, have fun!

Check out other leather posts:

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Check out the FREE Art Resource Hub

 

Tropical Black Sage - In my Creative Garden

Welcome to the garden! I am wearing my creative gardener hat today and we are going to look at my Tropical Black Sage - also known as Varronia curassavica. Its journey developed from a simple plant cutting to a full-grown tree.  I have it growing within a tyre in the garden and whilst I wasn't going to let it grow into a tree by regular pruning - I am glad I did as it has got a really lovely shape to it. 

As the tropical black sage was growing, it encountered various pests that I have had to deal with. One such pest was a small moth with a lilac color that liked to feed on the tip of the shoots and lay its eggs on the undersides of the leaves. At first, I thought they were cute, but soon I realized they were a real problem and have drifted on to other plants.  Over time I tried different natural solutions, such as spraying soapy water and oil, and even made my own neem oil, and the ladybirds also help when they can.    

In addition to dealing with the pests, I have allowed the tropical black sage to grow in different areas of my garden and it seems to love it, I keep them trimmed regularly to reduce their size. The birds are the ones that have dropped the seeds in different areas and depending on where they are growing some of the leaves have been really large in size.  I use the leaves in tea and for cooking and also create smudging sticks.

Check out the video of the Tropical Black Sage Plant above

Another interesting aspect of the tropical black sage is the wood. It's a fairly strong and semi-hardwood that I'm still experimenting with in terms of creative use. I will keep you updated on what I come up with.  

Also check out some of these gardening resources:

The Backyard Homestead 

Medicinal Garden Kit 

Garden Freedom Micro Course

Ready to make some BADASS art? One BADASS Art Journal 2023

 

If you have never taken the One Badass Art Journal workshops here is some background information for you, we hope you join us!  I have the pleasure of joining such a great group of creatives for another year. 

Q: What is the One BADASS Art Journal course?

A: The One BADASS Art Journal course is a workshop that provides 17 mixed media lessons and 16 instructors, designed to inspire and teach individuals to create, learn, feel confident and provide them with the techniques and inspiration to feel BADASS when they make art.  The theme for the One BADASS Art Journal course in 2023 is "CHALLENGE YOUR INNER BADASS."

Q: What kind of lessons will be included in the One BADASS Art Journal course?

A: The One BADASS Art Journal course includes 17 lessons, including a book making lesson, other classes will teach individuals about mixed media techniques, tips and tricks, and techniques that you can take into your creative practice.  

My session looks at challenging ourselves to take time out - think about the things that mean a lot to us - what are your favorite things to do? And try and incorporate this into an art journal and more importantly into our day-to-day lives.

Q: Is there a discount for the One BADASS Art Journal course?

A: Yes, there is a 20% discount available for the One BADASS Art Journal course when you use the code CREATE20 at checkout.

Q: What are the benefits of taking the One BADASS Art Journal course?

A: The benefits of taking the One BADASS Art Journal course include learning mixed media techniques, tips and tricks, and techniques for beautiful color combinations, watercolor, blending and so much more. You will also be infused with confidence, creativity and inspiration, and will have access to a supportive community. Additionally, you will have the chance to play with a variety of tools, adding to your skills and have the opportunity to challenge and step outside your comfort zone.

We hope you join us.  To learn more about the artists - Click HERE