Archive for the ‘Jana Ewy’ Category

StoneWork Cuff’s in Friendly Plastic by Jana Ewy

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Jana shares some of her latest work. StoneWork Cuff bracelets. Make sure to visit her blog: http://www.janaewy.blogspot.com/ or her website http://www.justbananas.com/

Jana also has a Etsy site under the name of justbananas too!

Enjoy Jana's latest work.....



Here is a hand full of my new Stone Works cuff bracelets. Still not sure about this name...
If you look close enough your can see that I used a technique I like to call color blocking. Which is nothing more than cutting out a section of the Friendly Plastic and replacing that section with a piece of FP cut the same shape but from a different color. It is really a fun technique, with results that can be incredibly unique and different every time.
Give it a try and see what you can come up with.
Linda Peterson is a compensated blogger and is sponsored by AMACO., Inc. Artists who are featured as guests on this blog may or may not have been compensated by AMACO.

Crazy Cuffs in Belle Armoire – Jana Ewy

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
Im so excited to present this to you from Jana! Read her comments....then go buy the magazine!


A few months ago I entered my first design challenge, hosted by Belle Armoire Magazine. The challenge was to design cuffs of any kind... so that is just what I did. I had a great time with the embellishments... as you can see, and I was delighted to see that they were chosen to be featured in the Nov-Dec. issue.

Friendly Plastic Filagree Jewelry by Jana Ewy

Thursday, November 19th, 2009
Im so excited to share with you Jana's latest designs! I know you'll ooohh and ahhh just as much as I did!
Jana writes:

As I emerge from my cave (Studio) I am bringing with me a few new Creations.
Believe it or not... I really do work hard. That statement is for my husband. Like most... husbands that is, his interest in my work is pretty non-existent. He questions... what are you doing in there? and then states... oh that looks nice. So if I didn't have all of you to share my interests with... it would be a really sad state of affairs for me. So... Thank-You!

Here are the fruits of my labors... well a few of them.
I have been trying to figure out a way to incorporate my FP cabochons with my huge collection of Filigree components. My Fracture and Fusion pieces never seem to work for me... too contemporary I guess. So I have been working on a new technique that seem to be a perfect fit. It is actually a combination of two different techniques. I am calling it Stone Works... for lack of a better name. You know how it is... my mind is shot and I can't seem to think of anything spectacular. But the results are pretty fabulous.




The cuff bracelet in this last photo, gives you an idea of what the Stone Works look like when it is not hidden in Filigree.


What I wanted to achieve was, subtle color with hints of reflective light. The outcome was this stone effect, and I think is works quite nicely. These pieces will be available in my
etsy store for the Holidays. Hope you were inspired. Filigree and FP, really do make an amazing combination.

Friendship Cards – Free Friendly Plastic Project – Fave Crafts

Saturday, November 14th, 2009
Share your artwork with a Friend by creating these unique and beautiful cards for any occassion. Just imagine how nice it would be to open your mailbox and receive one of these cards from a thoughtful friend! It would make your day to say the least!

Project by Jana Ewy - courtesy of AMACO and Favecrafts


Materials:
Friendly plastic 7” sticks: 3, mother of pearl/white,
Adirondack Alcohol inks: colors of your choice. I recommend playing around with all of the colors.
Alcohol blending fluid
Rubbing alcohol, 91% isopropyl
Paintbrush
Scissor
Ruler
Stylus
Paper cutter
Envirotex Lite, resin sealer, or any high gloss acrylic sealer
Non-stick cookie sheet
Distress ink: vintage photo
Black card stock
White card stock
Black and white checkered paper
Printed sentiments or words
Antiqued brass 1/8” eyelets: and setting tool


Instructions:
Place the stick of plastic on a protected work surface. I start with a wash of the blending fluid over the plastic stick.



In a random pattern apply drops of ink in one or two colors as your background colors. Allow the colors to blend together. Use your paintbrush to fill in any white areas that are left. Clean brush.
Dip the brush into the rubbing alcohol and touch the plastic where you want to create white circles. These circles will resemble puddles.



Choose another coordinating color of ink and dilute slightly with rubbing alcohol. Using the brush apply this color within the white puddles. Continue this process until you have obtained a pattern you are happy with. Try using different colors.



Now comes the splashing part: dip you brush into the rubbing alcohol, apply a drop of a desired color of ink to the bristles and splash (splatter) the ink across the surface of the plastic. Repeat this with as many colors of ink as you like. Allow the finished design to dry completely.



Using a scissor cut the plastic to the desired size. I cut mine 2 3/4”.



Apply the Envirotex sealer following the manufactures instructions.



Note: I like to place my pieces on a non-stick cookie sheet. This way if there is any run off, it will be easy to remove later. Once I have the Envirotex mixed, I like to pour it into a small squeeze bottle. The application will be more precise and much easier. Blow softly, through a straw to pop any bubbles that remain. Allow the resin to dry at least 12 hours. If there has been any run off, remove the piece from the pan by pressing the needle tool under it and lifting it off the sheet. You can cut the excess that has run off with a scissor. Envirotex cures completely in 24 hours.

Create three 5 1/2” square cards, using black card stock. Measure 1/2” from the fold and score using a stylus.



Measure and mark the hole placement along the fold. 3/4” from the top with the holes 2” apart. Punch the holes, insert and set the eyelets.


Print the sentiments of your choice onto white card stock and cut out as 3/8” strips. Tear the ends off to a suitable length. Use the remainder of the white card stock and cut three 2” x 3 3/8” rectangle mats. Distress the edges of both the sentiment strips and the mats using the distress ink.


Now cut three 1 7/8” x 3/1/4” rectangle mats from black card stock and three 1 3/4” x 3” mats from the checkerboard paper.


Layer and adhere the mats together using glue or double-sided tape. White, black, checkerboard. Adhere the Splashed plastic onto the checkerboard mat. Next, position and adhere the matted piece to the center of the card.


Position and adhere the sentiment below the splashed plastic.

For more creative inspiration follow these links:

www.youtube.com/friendlyplastictv

www.amaco.com

www.favecrafts.com

www.rarelizzie.wordpress.coom

www.justbananas.com

www.lindapetersondesigns.etsy.com

www.jen-lowe-designs.blogspot.com

www.milllanestudios.blogspot.com

Design Challenge Inspiration from Jen and Jana

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Today's inspiration comes from the other Friendly Plastic Queens - Jen and Jana.
Jen will always find ways to incorporate unique objects into her work. Below she uses some scrapbooking charms with ribbon mesh wire.
Enjoy the eye candy!
Just inked up a pice of white Friendly plastic, cut a circle, popped into an old K&Company finding, dropped a bling into it and covered it with Glossy Accents....then strung it with just a few simple beads:



and a scrap of Fracture n Fusion cut and popped into another K&Company finding. Maybe an hour tops?
But just too cute for the office or just for fun!

And here's one for formal nights. Used Linda's latest technique - Glisten and Glimmer in a Nunn Design finding.....
Jana Ewy shares some of her past and present pieces:...



This snow bunny was created for my sister many years ago.Thought you might enjoy seeing a little design from my past.




Tear-drop shaped pieces of Friendly Plastic have been attached to a beautiful brass filigree Butterfly. It is simple, yet elegant and can become a necklace, bracelet, or even a brooch.



Let your creative flow... try this same concept with marbled Friendly Plastic, or inlay pieces one on top of the other. How about making an impression into the plastic and creating a Friendly Plastic filigree Butterfly? Hope this has helped to get your creative wheels turning. Be sure to check out the AMACO site as well as the Friendly Plastic blog for more ideas and information on the 2010 Design Challenge.

If you dont want it…..give it to me! Friendly Plastic Daily Blog

Saturday, October 17th, 2009
That's right, If you don't want it...give it to me!

This piece is a collaborative effort...although Jana doesnt know it yet...between me..and Jana Ewy.

Liz Welch, Jana Ewy and Myself made several pieces for a class at the retreat last weekend. These were left over and Jana left them with us to play with.

Yesterday was more of an assembly day for me as I took the bits and pieces that I had made along with other bits and pieces and assembled them.




Jana made the heart center and reminiscent of her vintage style, I designed this necklace with help from her. The chain we purchased on a shopping trip, the filagree background came from Vintaj.....

One persons "junk" IS another's treasure!!

A Friendly Plastic Menagerie

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Thought you might like to see a small sampling of what we all did over the weekend. This menagerie is a combination of all of us FPQ's....and literally they are just fun play samples just trying out a bunch of different techniques ...see what works and what doesnt....who knows what we'll do with them but they are fun to look at!
Can you tell who's is who's???????

Friendly Plastic Fantastic Friends

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Now say that three times will ya??? That's a tongue twister!

The Starving Artist Playground - (2nd ever - NOT ANNUAL as Jen says "now"...(but you know she'll forget how much work this was and want to do it all again next year).)....anyway...it's now over.

While the event was a chance to experience a variety of mediums including Friendly Plastic, it turned out to be waayyyy beyond that. It was a chance to make lasting friendships, connecting with old friends, meeting new friends ...bonding...bringing people of creative spirit together. Who knew that a little Friendly Plastic could do all that?

Just look at "Two "N" Jenn and Tineesha.... (we say that because at the retreat we had One "N" Jen aka Jen Lowe and Two "N" Jenn aka Jenn Duval and then Ginni with a "G") these two (aka Jenn and Tina) had never met before and look at how happy they are to make friends....

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These were some happy kids let me tell ya....

To make a long story short...Sunday was nearly a repeat of Saturday - same classes but those who couldnt take on Saturday did on Sunday...just more laughs....more fun.

What maybe suprizing to you is the fact that Jen, Liz and Jana had never met each other face to face before. So to have us four...the Queens of FP together in the same house for a whole week was beyond incredible. While this may not happen again for a while, I can assure you that we will all stay in touch more often...thru skype and jump on any chance we can to get together and be creative.

Unfortunately all good things do come to an end....and Liz left us to go home to the UK ...but not before we could spend a day together just relaxing with girl time,sorting out our ideas, sightseeing and taking inspiration from the world around us. We had just enough time to take a road trip to Estes Park.

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Seriously how beautiful is this scenery....

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I've been accused of this next picture being a postcard...but I can testify that yes I was this close..no I did not use a zoom, yes I did take the picture...and yes...he thought "tourist".....

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Being that we "saw" wildlife....we decided to BE wildlife.

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on a little more serious note...we went to Cheryl's shop Rocky Mountain Memories to check it out and do you know she CALLED IN SICK - exhausted from the weekend and did not come into the store? Her hubby was working though....great guy! (A great little store for all sorts of lodgy themed, souvenier die cuts, great stamps and more) so when in Estes Park go see Cheryl's store..it's by the clock theatre.

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During the retreat we described the melted pellets having the texture of taffy....but Liz had never had Taffy so she couldn't relate....but we did find a little taffy shop ....

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Not sure she liked the taffy too well...she said it tasted like something they have in the UK that she doesnt like...but I cant remember what that something is...LIZ: would you leave a comment and let us all know what that something is????

It was just a wonderful friendship bonding day. We dropped Liz off at the airport, she is now home safe and sound. We went to Famous Dave's for BBQ then came back and watched Blue Collar Comedy club....can you ever laugh too much?

So when you think Friendly Plastic...think Friendly Plastic - Fantastic Friends and remember that is more than just playing with a craft medium...this is a chance to experience and get make MORE FRIENDs!

“F” is for Friends, FUN and FRIENDLY PLASTIC

Thursday, October 8th, 2009
Today was the first "official" day that we were all together to play, get aquainted and play...so just what did us four Friendly Plastic queens to for the day??? Let me show you...

First, Jana sat down and made some fracture & fusion for Jen's butterfly technique based canvas collage....

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While Liz was intrigued by my new dichroic technique made with Genesis paint...
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I happened to be slaving away at instructions for my new beading book.....

And Jen.....well...who knows what she is up to....she just plays all day long...

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A little later Liz gave us a quick demo on her lace technique...

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Jana grabbed up all the scraps and made her confetti beads....
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Then we went shopping....first to...The Berry Patch...then to two art stores and to McGukins hardware store where we didn't want to be recognized so we walked around the store in disguise...

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But for some reason this person still kept following us....

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Who IS THIS PERSON???? We have no idea...........Do you know her???

But then after dinner...a trip to Hobby Lobby and to the supermarket we came back to play some more....

and here's what we made........well..really just "play" samples...but we had loads of fun...lots of laughs....and some mess ups too...

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The first of our Instructors Arrive to the Starving Artist Playground…

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
If you didn't get a chance to see yesterday's blog, take a look because then you will appreciate the look on the girls face when they saw us at the gate waiting for them.

I goofed a bit yesterday and got confused. Jana arrived first.......

Here is Jen as we wait for Jana to arrive. I have the same sign too....but I'm taking the picture...

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And here is her reaction when she saw her sign....so Jana "HERE'S YOUR SIGN" (I think she just wanted to hide because we were waving the sign and squeeling....)

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After getting Jana's luggage we went and had a some tea and awaited Liz's arrival.

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I will say that our signs attracted quite a bit of attention. Airline Captains, Flight Attendants, Policemen and just people in general came up to us and commented on our signs...they loved them and I think they were a little jealous that no one took the time to make them a sign. Interestingly the police also had their "wanted" signs and anxiously awaited their "wanted" arrival....but honestly, Im glad I never saw their "wanted" arrival.


We waited....and waited...and Jen got tired of waiting....so she went to check the "arrival" board....and guess who showed up???

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So guess who missed her intial reaction???

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But....she didn't miss out on her hug!

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You can imagine that the rest of the day and evening was spent catching up...girlish chit-chat and a huge show and tell!.....

Tomorrow we'll be playing in Friendly Plastic all together learning from each other...soo...who knows what we will come up with?