Cost: 0-$10
Materials:
– Watercolor paper
– Found flat paper material
– watercolor &/or acrylic paint(s)
– mod-podge, matte or glossy
– rub on stencil stickers or stamps
– any additional metallic/colors- optional
– blank labels- optional
Tools:
– self-ink stamper
– paint brushes
– printer - optional
– ruler
– scissors
– cutting mat
Resourceful tips for an artist, on a budget or not.
This post is a continuation of DIY Business Tags & Cards- Part: I
A Note About Supplies
The supplies listed above is similar to Part I's. Some materials in the list have been altered for this post. As mentioned, in Part I, much or all of these supplies you probably already have in your home or office/studio and can be applied here in Part II.
This DIY Series
Part: I of this series gives insight and step by step instructions on re-purposing discarded paper towel rolls for business/display cards & tags.
Part: II expands on material opportunities and the experiences that led to those as options.
From me:
With life as my studio, most often times I work with what's around me. What flows/streamlines is a gain, an experience to build on, while enjoying and giving to others.
For You:
These experiences may offer a reminder of encouragement &
support
- that what you need is most likely already around you.
- you are a creative being, so approach by allowing yourself to run with the ideas & apply your own way/s for your handmade business/confidence
- that finding your repurposed material/ways enhances your unique handmade business brand's experience or creative practices.
Where Part: II's Journey Begins
It seemed a Part: II was in order, because somewhere along the way I ran out of cards and tags! Maybe I was completely out of paper towel rolls or waiting on the flattening stage of the process. What ever it was, it became clear I needed another source or material option to fill in the time gaps of the process times! And at one point, vending at weekend art fair, needed cards the next day!
There Aren't Any Leftovers
Material Source
Option 1:
Teaching watercolor painting classes, proved to be another material source option. When classes were over, I'd go around the room and collect any paper pieces that were left behind as scrap/demo/testers/drafts.
These small color packed pieces of paper held splashes or dashes of paint where color and brushes were tested. Which I saved over time and proved to be a meca for a great material source for cards and tags!
I cut some testers to a desired card or tag size and placed a sticker/ label with my business info on the back and …
Viola!
Mini abstract paintings showcasing my handmade jewelry! People love it… and so do I.
So if I planned classes ahead with good quality card stock watercolor paper, then the leftovers would serve my ideal /preferred business display card & tag material.
*Takeaways - Paper project leftovers will serve as ideal card & tag material.
The Good Stuff
Source Material
Option 2:
At some point I ran out of paper leftovers as a source for cards & tags and the mini painting display cards had become a preferred in handmade store/gallery settings.
Resourcing, I said why not, and pulled out fresh watercolor paper, brushed a couple of transparent color layers, and cut to size to continue these mini painting jewelry display cards. And adding stencil or rub on designs proved to be just a effective and adored.
Yes, save the good fresh clear watercolor paper for your next masterpiece(s). But a moment was reached, and decided to pull out some card stock watercolor paper.
The color paint application process of Part I is used here. I'm just using 140 lb watercolor paper instead which also has a nice thick absorbency hold.
Remember, for a more thicker & sturdier card, always incorporate mod-podge. This is a versatile medium that is always used for DIY cards.
~Just like in
Part I, You can simply start by taking a sheet of 140 lb watercolor paper and
applying any color you’d like. Cold pressed 140lb watercolor paper is a thicker paper with a stronger hold & absorbency (instead of hot pressed paper which is less absorbent). The more watered down the paint, the deeper it
goes into the paper. And mod-podge can be used at any stage of painting,
working as an adhesive, for color paint transparency/layering, and/or as a
sealant.
Material Source
Option 3:
As a vendor, at a weekend art fair, with an excellent booth location, things were going well. But by the first day's end business cards had run out and the fair was a three day event!!
That evening arriving home, I noticed some colorful filings in the recycling bin. Walking over I realized they were broken down cereal boxes. And pulled a few out and cut them to a desired card size. Simply put the business info on the back (inside cardboard surface) with a self-ink-stamper. ..
Ta-da!
Excited at how they turned
out as this process time was super quick, I was ready for the following day at
the fair! As an artist this empty canvas space, allowed me to use my imagination to create more business cards from findings.
Returning to the art fair, I now was curious to see the response these new cards would get.
The individuals responses turned out to be better than expected. A potential/customer would go for a card, investing as they held it- maybe even a little longer than if it might of been a regular big box store bought business card. Then one side of there mouth would go up, then a smile, they’d turn in delight and ask,
"Is this from a cereal box?” And I’d say proudly, “yes, It is!”
They loved it!
And actually the textural thickness/feel of the material was commented on as a preferred.
Remember, as an option, if you want to seal or strengthen
your material use mod-podge.
*Take away- resourcefulness brings an adventure you may enjoy, you might be pleasantly surprised.
- 99.9% of the time what you need is close by or right around
you. And with your invested creative energy and intentions they do impact
others-even if what seems to just be a tag, or just a card. People love to be
around creativity, innovation, ingenuity on any level- the inspiration is
catching. Which inspires them with what their doing.
- Focus on supplies that will benefit your creative project the most.
You never know what your findings will allow you to create. And that's part of the process of being an artist. It's a process, being an artist. Have fun!
What’s your next handmade re-purposing idea?
What's an abundant material around you, that could re-purposed into something new?
