Barry Friedland is the owner of Thumbtack Press, a curated, open edition art print store with top lowbrow, illustrator, and character artists from around the world. Read the TTP blog and the Tumblr.

Day Dreams by RICK BEERHORST

It’s possible that, thanks to technological advances in printing, we’re living in an age with as much change and new potential for culture as the generation of the printing press, or the steam engine. Aside from online stores that allow artists to reach and sell directly to fans and collectors without middlepersons taking a cut, digital printing has reached a level so advanced that the whole notion of art editions has exploded.

Limited editions, at one point, meant that an artist created some kind of print or carving or cut or type, etc., and used a press to literally press different editions of the work onto another piece of paper. These presses could only churn out a handful of prints because eventually the cut and the ink would wear away. Hence limited editions, with the first prints in a limited edition valued higher because they were closer both physically (with fresher ink) and in reproduction to the original piece.

Enter digital printing. With digital printing, high quality cameras can scan any work of art, no matter its materials, and high quality printers use high quality inks to create a print. These digital reproductions are still called prints because that’s what they are, and they create an entirely new set of possibilities.

Kill Me If You Can CHRIS LYLES

Now, there are three levels at which you can buy art:

Level 1: The original. The original work of art can run in the tens of thousands in the genre we’re concerned with, which is a pretty penny for most of us. There’s also just one original! So, you know, good on you if you manage to own only originals, but it’s simply not feasible for most of us.

Level 2: Limited editions. Limited editions are replications of originals, produced in limited numbers. So whereas there is only one original, there may be some 25, 50, or 200 limited edition prints. These are often sold with their number in the print written somewhere in the margins (a habit picked up from the days when the lower numbered prints were closer to the original than later prints). When limited edition prints are printed digitally instead of on a press, they are usually less expensive than physically printed prints (and the original), but can still often price in the hundreds of dollars.

Level 3: Open, or unlimited, editions. Open editions are literally unlimited. Because of the digital printing technology that prints the 5,000th print with the same quality of reproduction as it prints the first or second print, artists can sell an infinite number of open edition prints. Because there are so many of them, their price is decidedly the most affordable of the three. Thumbtack Press sells open editions.

Cycles #2 by Colin Johnson

Because you can print infinite prints, and because they are so much more affordable than limited edition prints, it suddenly became obvious to me that artists could reach a much bigger base of collectors if they sold open edition prints. And what’s more – think of all the young people who, with limited budgets through their university years, for example, can now afford a high quality print of great art that was previously unattainable for them.

That’s what Thumbtack Press is now. It’s a curated community of artists and art lovers, people who love a particular aesthetic, yes, but also people who appreciate having access to art at affordable prices. Our various paper, canvas, and framing options are just a bonus. The key tenet is a shared passion, amplified by the technology of our age.

Moths LIZA FERNEYHOUGH

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It’s book month at Whipup.net

Sew Wild: Creating With Stitch and Mixed Media By Alissa Burke, Published by Interweave Press; Pap/DVD edition (September 27, 2011).

Alissa Burke has done an outstanding job with this book. I am in love! Sewing, printing, painting, glueing – to create different effects and gorgeous accessories. The main part of the book is the techniques – detailed instructions on various surface design techniques, along with using and understanding colour and pattern make this book very different from your usual project based books. Along with the techniques are examples – yes! fabulous gorgeous samples of colour, pattern, materials and design.

There are projects too – simple and fun – and made to put your new found skills to work – love the obi belt and graffiti pencil case – pictured above.

Plus a bonus project - make a fish mobile – super cute!

Giveaway now closed

Now because I know you want one of these books – Interweave is generously giving TWO whipup readers a chance to win a book – you also will get an eBook to go along with the print addition. So leave a comment here – letting us know your fave mixed media format – you have 48 hours to enter and winners will be chosen at random and contacted via email. Thanks so much! Winners have been chosen via random number generator – they are: #84 Gravy, and #18 Jinty – you have been contacted via email.
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November: Month of books at Whipup.net

At Home with Handmade Books: 28 Extraordinary Bookbinding Projects Made from Ordinary and Repurposed Materials (Make Good: Crafts + Life) By Erin Zamrzla, Published by Roost Books (April 12, 2011). Browse inside.

Erin Zamrzla is a bookbinder and paper artist – her love for her craft is obvious – and her skills and style are showcased in her first book – published through Shambhala in their Roost range of books under the Make Good series – which is ful to the brim of fabulous books – not a dud amongst them: This whole series is simply designed and stylishly photographed – with very easy to follow instructions.

From flutter books and idea files to various methods of Japanese binding and using lots of interesting and unusual materials along the way – including sponges, socks, fabric as well as old books, papers and cards. I love the sweetly themed books – like the secret journal which has a lavender sachet cover so you can keep your journal tucked away with your linens. I love the peek-a-book made for a child and filled with small doors revealing cut out images. A recipe book features an easy wipe cover, and a cleaning book cleverly uses a sponge as the cover. With images at the front and instructions as the back – this book serves as part inspiration and part practical manual.

The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life By Lisa Occhipinti, Published by STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (May 1, 2011).

A very clever book by artist Lisa Occhipinti, beautifully photographed and presented by Melanie Falick Books – they always have stunning photography – this book could easily double as a coffee table / conversation book.

The three images above are some of my favourite projects from the book – but all the projects are clever – with a neat play on words and very creative uses for old books – both the covers and the pages are recycled in various and interesting ways. A sewing book cover is turned into a sewing box, a book with a title “five minute biographies” becomes a mirror, “and tell of time” becomes a clock. Books are turned into book shelves and birdhouses and ornaments. While the pages from old books are folded and collaged in different ways – they become a wreath, a “Novel firescreen”, and a “Literary Lampshade”. The “Pagework quilt” (pictured above) might be my favourite project from the book – I love the faded colours, the use of imagery – and they are actually sewn together. Lots to discover and delight within the pages of this book.
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Hello Whipup Readers! I’m Elizabeth of Nuno Magazine and my sister Rachel and I just completed our 5th issue, Star Gazing. The projects in Star Gazing were inspired by a walk in the woods on an autumn evening. I very happy to be here today, sharing one of those projects with you. This little hooty owl was created using a cereal box, a grocery bag and a little acrylic craft paint.

Paper Bag Owl How-to:

#1: Use the templates [Download the owl templates from here] to cut the owl body and wings from cereal box card. Paint the plain brown paper side of the pieces with black acrylic (or tempera) paint.

#2: Slit a large paper grocery bag up the side and cut off the bottom.

#3: Flatten the resulting rectangular piece. You may need to use a medium heated iron to smooth out folds.

#4: Paint an approximately 6 x 6 inch/15 cm section of the bag with yellow paint. Paint the remainder of the bag with black paint. Let paint dry.

#5: Cut eyes and beak from yellow painted portion of bag. There is no template for the beak.

#6: Cut black portion of bag into 1.5 inch/4 cm strips. Use scissors to fringe each strip. Leave 4 strips unfringed.

#7: Beginning at the base of the owl and the tips of the wings, use stick glue to attach an unfringed strip to each piece (on the printed side). Continue adding fringed strips until you have reached the tips of the ears and the tops of the wings.

#8: Use white liquid glue to attach eyes, beak and wings to the owl’s body.

#9: Use a paint brush with a small amount of yellow paint on it to lightly brush the tops of the wings and tips of the ears to define those areas.Similar Posts:

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November (and a little bit into December) is book month at Whipup.net

The Art-Full Tree; ornaments to make.  Jan Gilliam and Christina Westenberger.  The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2011.

If your thoughts are turning to decorating your tree this year, you might like to have a look at The Art-Full Tree, which is inspired by objects in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.

The book begins with a quick history of the museum, that was started by Abby Aldrich Rockerfeller who started collecting and exhibiting folk art in the 1920’s, at a time when common crafts and amateur arts were not highly valued.  She left her collection to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and this collection forms the core of the current Folk Art Museum in Willamsburg, Virginia.

The museum has had a long and treasured tradition of decorating a holiday tree every year with ornaments made by staff, volunteers and guests of the museum.  Some of these ornaments are inspired by items in the collection, and others are based on the skills of each contributor.

The Art-Full Tree presents 33 ornament projects that have been inspired by some of the most popular items in the museum collection.  The book is an interesting combination of museum catalogue, inspiration notebook, project instructions and stitch guide and template sections.

Each project features the original artwork, with a short history of the item and some information on the artist or style of art.  There is a very detailed materials list, and step by step instructions and photographs on making each ornament.

There is a wide range of crafting techniques used in the creation of the ornament projects, including needlepoint, paper craft, punch needle embroidery, foil work, metal punching, painting and collage.  My favourite ornaments are Recycled-Card star (inspired by a compass design quilt), Scherenscnitte Birds (inspired by a cutwork picture), and Aluminium Butterfly (inspired by a metal weathervane).

I really like the process of taking a formal artwork in a formal setting, that is meaningful to the people around it, and appropriating all or part of the work to inspire the creation of anther objet, in this case tree ornaments.  I feel that readers of The Art-Full Tree will be inspired to look around them, in their local museums, public spaces, or around their own treasured and meaningful objects, and to create ornaments for their own family trees that are small and perfect reminders of things that they love.

To win a copy of The Art-Full Tree, please leave a comment on this review.  The comments will be open for 72 hours, and a winner will be selected at random.  Good luck!  Congratulations to Becky!

About the reviewer: Kate is a busy mother of four with many craft projects on the go, including, but not limited to, crochet, knitting, sewing, dyeing, paper making, spinning, felting and bookbinding. Kate has challenges in the areas of finishing things, saying no and craft supplies storage. She also has a very very patient and tolerant husband.

DISCLOSURE: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation PROVIDED WHIPUP.NET REVIEWER KATE WITH A FREE REVIEW COPY.

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Steph is the founder/managing editor of Modern Parents Messy Kids and mom to a 2 year old son and 1 year old daughter. She started MPMK as a resource for helping parents to engage their kids, organize their life, and add a little style to their home. For more inspiration on things to make and do, check out MPMK’s newest feature – The Make & Play Vault.

Hello there Whip Up readers, thank so much for having me today! I’m excited to be here sharing with you a new technique I recently discovered via (where else) pinterest. Once I discovered this method, I was immediately drawn to it.

It’s a very easy way to produce the type of modern prints you might find in my favorite stores (West Elm, Anthropolgie, Crate and Barrel, etc.). When done on paper and mounted in a frame, these prints make fabulous wall art for a variety of room styles.

Check out the example above here (also seen on the set of the Nate Berkus Show).

Options really start to open up when you apply this method to fabric. I’m considering a table runner, cloth napkins, or some tea towels in fall colors. And the pattern on a large throw pillow would add a great pop of color to a neutral chair or couch.

What I love most about this project is that it can be easily adapted to kids of all ages. To illustrate this, I’ll be sharing with you how I made a print for our play space as well as how I let my 2 year old experiment with the process. Ready to get started? All you need is some yarn, paint and brushes, and a few blocks.

I began by wrapping a small wooden block with yarn. Then I knotted the end and used some tape to secure it in place. If you don’t have a block, not to worry. All you really need is anything “wrappable” in a shape of your choosing. We made Easter prints earlier this year by cutting egg shapes out of cereal box cardboard and wrapping them with yarn.

Once your printing block is ready, take a brush and apply your paint. The yarn can be pretty absorbent at first so you’ll need to experiment with how much paint to apply on a practice sheet of paper. It’s also a good idea to brush on the paint in only one direction so the yarn fibers lay flat.

Once you have your technique perfected, start stamping. I made my pattern by stamping, turning my block 90 degrees and stamping, returning it to the original position and stamping, back to 90 degrees and so on and so forth. The process is a surprisingly cathartic way to spend nap time.

To add interest, I layered on some orange paint for a few of the squares. It’s a little difficult to see the effect here but it gives the print some nice depth in real life.

Here’s the finished product. I like the look of the pattern running off the borders so I made my print larger then the matte of my frame. A grouping with an odd number of prints made in the same way but in different colors would be a nice solution for a large empty wall.

This project is a great introduction to printmaking for school aged children because it’s simple enough for them to have success. You can also do a more free-form version with toddlers. One of my mantras over at Modern Parents Messy Kids is that beginning art is all about the process, not the product. With that in mind, I wrapped a circular block in yarn for my son and let him loose with a large sheet of craft paper.

At first he used so much paint that the yarn acted more as a relief. Eventually he refined his technique applying the paint and was able to make his own version of a block print.

That’s it, thanks again to Kathreen for having me! I hope you enjoyed this project and that you’ll try it soon. Please also stop by Modern Parents Messy Kids and say hi!
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LiEr is a wife to Dave and mom to three little girls Emily (7), Jenna (almost 5) and Kate (3). She used to be a high-school physics teacher and sometime school counselor and now gratefully stays home and sleeps in. She likes making things and divides her crafting time between sewing (too much) and cardboard (nowhere near enough). She blogs at ikatbag where she writes tutorials because she hasn’t quite managed to beat the teacher part of her into retirement. She also has a small nutella problem.

Cardboard Easel With Chalkboard On One Side And Dry-Erase Board On The Other Made Out Of A Pizza Box And That Folds Shut And Has A Bonus Homemade Eraser

Hello everyone! My oldest daughter Emily is having a birthday party in September and one of the crafts are these cardboard easels made from pizza boxes. Long ago, I made largish tabletop easels, inspired by Maya’s easels. My girls loved them – we taped paper to them and they went wild with their paint brushes. For the party, I thought mini-easels would be the perfect size for the guests to make and decorate.

This being a school-themed party, we’re making them two-in-one: chalkboard on one side, and dry-erase board on the other. We’re also throwing in a homemade eraser and some dry-erase markers and chalk that store inside the easel when it’s closed.

Because I couldn’t find 14 small pizza boxes, I had to cut and assemble my own boxes. Obviously, you don’t have to make yours from scratch – it should be easy enough to save one pizza box from a meal!

You will need:

• One small pizza box (ours was a 10″)
• Extra piece of corrugated cardboard the same size as the top of the pizza box
• One milk (or juice) jug cap
• One small piece of foam (we used high-density)
• Chalkboard contact paper
• Dry-erase contact paper
• The usual suspects: craft knife, scissors, hot glue gun

Note: You can buy chalkboard contact paper and dry-erase contact paper online (try amazon) and at some craft stores. An alternative is to use chalkboard paint and regular clear contact paper over white card stock.

Step 1: Glue down the center flaps of the pizza box so the four shallow walls of the board are upright.

Step 2: Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard the same size as the top of the pizza box. Hot-glue this to the front flap (the one that tucks into the front of the box). This is the finished bare easel, with its flap tucked into the base.

Step 3: Cut a piece of dry-erase contact paper to size, peel and stick it onto one side of the open easel. Repeat for the chalkboard contact paper, sticking that to the opposite side of the open easel. The easel is completed!

Step 4: Cut a piece of foam so that it is bigger than the milk jug cap. This piece will fit nicely inside the cap, but it will be too tall. You can trim yours to the right height, and to a more aesthetically pleasing shape if you like.

Step 5: Hot glue the foam piece to the inside of the cap, squeezing it in so that it expands and fits snugly inside the cap. This works really well with the dry-erase side of the easel but we found that we had to dampen it a little to get the chalkboard absolutely clean. Add chalk, dry-erase markers and play school! Or write silly messages to no one in particular.

When you’re done playing, store everything inside the easel, fold and shut the lid, and put it away for another day.Similar Posts:

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Patricia Zapata is a graphic designer and paper crafter. She is the author of Home, Paper, Scissors: Decorative Paper Accessories for the Home and the owner of A Little Hut. 

Starburst flower

With just paper and simple materials make this flower that would make a wonderful addition to any gift wrap idea or place it in a frame box for a simple (and economic!) wall art décor piece.

Materials

• 1 sheet of letter-sized card stock
• Scissors
• Black colored pencil
• Cotton ball or soft rag
• Glue
• Wooden clips
• ½” (13mm) circle punch
• Small piece of yellow cardstock
• Stickles or glitter
• Template – download here as a PDF

Instructions

• 1. Cut out the petals and circle base in the handout.
• 2. Using a black colored pencil, lightly color (holding the pencil on its side) three-quarters of each petal.
• 3. Rub each petal to smooth out the black color.
• 4. Crease and fold all the petals a two-thirds point, keeping the colored side on the inside of the fold. Fold each crease in half and glue (use only a dot of glue) the edges together. Using a wooden clip, hold all the petals closed, at the crease, until they are dry.
• 5. Remove the clips and glue four petals to each other very close to the base. Hold them together with a wooden clip until they are dry. Do the same to the other four petals.
• 6. Fan out the petals and glue them to the circular base. Make sure to add glue between each set of the two sets of four petals. You may have to place a heavy object on top of the center of the flower while it dries completely.
• 7. Using the circular punch, cut out of a small circle out the yellow cardstock. Add stickles to the circle and glue it to the top of the flower.
• 8. The center of the flower can be replaced by quilling techniques, a button, brads or any other circular item you have handy. The color of paper and contrasting colored pencil is another easy way to customize the flower. Have fun and experiment!

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Karen Barbé is a textile designer and lives in Santiago, Chile. Her passion for crafting, textiles and everything nostalgic finds its space on her blog where she shows her works in progress and what currently inspires her. Her textile creations can be found on the her online shop.

Hi there! I’m Karen, I’m a textile designer and I’m happy to be guest blogging here on Whipup.net.

I chose to hand print this piece of fabric because it’s been a long while since I had last tried it and I had in my mind these images of cross-stitch patterns, grids and textile structures I wanted to play with.

For making my stamp I used a clear polycarbonate sheet and small squares (5 mm / 2.5inch) of EVA foam [hard foam - comes in blocks - is used quite a bit in packaging too].

What I like about using small squares is that you can easily build a nice motif without having to carve or cut complex shapes. Just choose your favorite cross-stitch pattern and start gluing the squares (or “stitches”) on the surface.

I printed a piece of roughly 1 x 1 mt (a bit more than a yard) of natural cotton muslin with three rows of my design. It’s best to use clear bases for the stamp for easier registration (instead of wood or matte plastic).

I must confess I was going to cut the final cloth and sew a bag but when I saw it finished I changed my mind. I can now use it as a small tablecloth, a wall hanging or small curtain, a cloth for sitting on the grass or for wrapping your stuff you have to carry around (like returning the books to the library).

Can you think of any other ideas?

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Printing by Hand by Lena Corwin and published by Melanie Falick Books, is a practical handbook for beginner printmakers and those wanting to venture into different aspects of printing for practical purposes.

This useful spiral bound book with templates in a handy sleeve, takes you through the steps to get started with various printing methods – such as stamping, stencilling and screen printing. Each section includes several cute projects and there is a getting ready section too. There are some very stylish and simple projects useful for home decor and more personal projects – such as stamped traveller pouches, stenciled lamp shades and screen printed baby quilts. Quite an assortment of lovely projects. Plus each project has clear photo steps explaining how to do it. A super stylish design and how-to book.

Pulled: A Catalog of Screen Printing by Mike Perry is published by Princeton Architectural books – so you know from the get go its going to be great.

Mike Perry previously wrote Over and Over and Hand Job – both super gorgeous detailed books. Pulled is similar in style to his two previous books – it is a compendium of amazing illustrations and designs – all screen printed. This book is both a survey of styles and artists working in this medium and a bit of a how-to as well as a collection of just amazing work.

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