I just realized that I haven't written about Paper Elixir since the New Year experiment with my Gocco. So I figured it's time to update you with what's new in my creative life.
(JuLo: I have not forgotten about my assignment on the meme! That's on my to-do list :>)
OK, back to Paper Elixir for now...
(1) The Paper Elixir website is an ongoing project. We're continuing to work with our friendly and creative neighbor David on the various ways to represent the idea behind Paper Elixir on the website. (For a glimpse of David's talents, take a look at his work for another one of neighbor, Joan's website. The turning leaf motif is so clever, don't you think?)
In the mean time, I'm playing with PhotoShop Elements to come up with a banner for my some-day etsy shop (another thing on my mile-long to-do list, *sigh*), and this is what I come up with so far (we might use this on the Px website as well):
I think it turned out pretty nice, and even better, I've discovered what Photoshop Elements can do! (Thanks to this book). I think this banner exemplifies the spirit of Paper Elixir pretty well- that is to create chemistry on paper with various media such as silk, fibers and handmade paper with qualities that enhance each others' beauty. I used to have this saying on my art show display: "Concocting the Perfect Potion for Every Occasion" (slightly high on the tackiness scale, I know). Feedback welcome!
(2) New cards for 2008. With my traveling and hectic work schedule, I haven't been the most productive... But Rita did order some everyday/ Valentine's Day cards for Make My Day, which totally psyched me out since I have my first "repeat" customer, yippee! So here's some stuff I put together:
Left: I made a series of 3 named "Love Knot" for Valentine's Day. Each piece is numbered and has a little story in the back... I stumbled upon this knot charm over the holidays and I knew design-wise it'll work well with the Zen/Oriental theme at Rita's shop. Little did I know when I cleared the store of this charm that this is the Tibetan endless knot that is associated with endless love (among other things)... wow, couldn't have asked for a better inspiration for V-day cards! Score!
Right: One of the everyday cards that utilizes a few of my favorite elements- handmade paper, pressed botanical, and raw silk. Yum.
This one on the right is the birthday card I made for Van. I got this birdie paper a while back and thought it looks so striking, but never had a chance to use it since it doesn't really have a "theme" to it... but thought what the heck, it is so visually stunning it can stand on its own whatever card I want to make out of it! And paired with that cloudy grey grosgain ribbon, it almost has this Scandinavian charm to it. I don't think I have the time now, but I think it'll also make a great V-day card (love birds... even though they're not talking at the moment... ha ha!).
Wow, I didn't realize it but that was actually quite a bit that I've done this year! I guess writing a blog helps me realize where I actually am (vs. where I think I am, which is always behind). Whew!
P.S. We'll be going to Hawaii in 2 days!! I'll bring my computer since I'll be heading straight to a work meeting in San Diego from Kona, and I'll try to keep up on the blog, but if you don't see us here for a couple days, it's probably because we're hanging out on a hammock somewhere... :)
