etsyjournal

Book 3: Pages 17-18 (pinxit)

2007-06-21T08:44:00.001-05:00

Book 3: Pages 17-18 (pinxit), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Mary Bell (Pinxit on Etsy) created pages 17-18 in Book 3 of the etsyjournal project as an ode to her garden in spring. Mary also included a photo of her entry in the written companion book.

Book 3: Pages 17-18 (pinxit) written companion, originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Book 1: Pages 7-8 (OriginalJewels)

2007-06-21T08:43:00.001-05:00

Book 1: Pages 7-8 (OriginalJewels), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Pages 7-8 in Book 1 were created by Victoria Button (OriginalJewels on Etsy).

The caption in yellow reads, "Graph of my thoughts, 16 June '07 morning."

Round 2 is coming soon!

2007-06-11T18:34:00.001-05:00

etsyjournal: Round 2 books, originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Hello, very patient Etsians!

Here it is June already, and we'd hoped to have Round 2 started by early May. Please accept our sincerest apologizes for the delay. We're hoping the awesome new books will help make forgiveness a little easier. :)

This time around, we commissioned four fabulous Etsy book-makers to create the blank journals: JOYouz (Book 5), erinzam (Book 6), candlemark (Book 7) and kateblack (Book 8). These four talented women provided us with stunning books that will serve as the canvases for etsyjournal Round 2.

You can see photos of the new books on our Flickr page, here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/etsyjournal/

This round also has some very special opportunities!

Book 5 from JOYouz has additional pages, allowing for many more artists to participate. If you know someone who hasn't signed up yet, spread the word!

Book 8 from kateblack has a select number of very special spreads that have binding end-page "tabs" to use as an inspirational challenge for the artwork of a few artists. Since not everyone may be open to working with these binding papers, we're asking for SIX VOLUNTEERS to sign up for these spreads. (Please email etsyjournal[at!]gmail[dot]com. This is first-come, first-served.) See this photo on our Flickr page to get an idea what these papers look like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/etsyjournal/541398614/

-- Changed your mind? --
If for some reason you would like to drop out of this project, please email etsyjournal[at!]gmail[dot]com as soon as possible so we can rearrange our participant lists. Likewise, if any of your contact information has changed, let us know. Once we get the lists organized, we'll begin sending out confirmation emails telling you which book you're in. Then Round 2 will begin!

Keep up to date on the progress of all eight books via these sites:
Blog: http://etsyjournal.blogspot.com
Yahoo! Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/etsyjournal
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/etsyjournal/

Thanks for your patience and your participation in this project!
---
Lauren (stellaloella) and Heather (DecadenceDesigns)

(This same post is going out via an email update to everyone on the waiting list for Round 2.)

Book 2: pages 13-14 (muttsywonder)

2007-06-11T09:35:00.001-05:00

Book 2: pages 13-14 (muttsywonder), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

The seventh spread in Book 2 was created by Megan Mucci (muttsywonder on Etsy).

So, this is what dogs think about! :)

Book 2; pages 11-12 (haikubird)

2007-05-18T10:14:00.001-05:00

Book 2; pages 11-12 (haikubird), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Pages 11-12 of Book 2 were created by Susan Kelly (haikubird on Etsy).

Here is what Susan wrote in the companion writing journal about her artwork:

"OUT OF THE BLUE"

The traveling journal arrived just a couple weeks shy of my five month Etsy 'anniversary.' Since signing up for this project I have wondered what I would create when my turn came.

Last fall, essentially out of the blue, I began drawing hummingbirds using colored pencils and acrylics, and pairing them with haiku assembled from text cut from old books. In December I opened my shop in order to sell these drawings. Over the five months of running my shop I have striven to create artwork as often as possible. My media and subject matter have increased and diversified.

This collage includes a pen & ink drawing of a hummingbird perched on a cloud in the semi-abstract style I have developed. It includes an ACEO with a cut-paper haiku -- I have found making ACEOs in all kinds of mixed-media quite addictive. And finally, it includes a photograph called "Blue Shadows" that I took in San Francisco. Photographs are the newest addition to my shop.

These pages represent my evolution as an artist, and the outlook I try to uphold -- do something creative every day.

Book 3: pages 13-14 (madeinlowell)

2007-05-18T10:12:00.001-05:00

Book 3: pages 13-14 (madeinlowell), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

The 7th spread in Book 3 was created by Liz Smith ( madeinlowell on Etsy).

You can read more about Liz's entry on her blog, Mill Girl.

Book3: pages 11-12 (MakintheBestOfIt)

2007-05-03T18:07:00.001-05:00

Book3: pages 11-12 (MakintheBestOfIt), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Kimberly Kitchen (MakintheBestOfIt on Etsy) created the artwork on pages 11-12 of Book 3. She has titled this piece "Natures Song.'

Book 2: pages 9-10 (loveyourbagdesigns)

2007-05-03T18:06:00.001-05:00

Book 2: pages 9-10 (loveyourbagdesigns), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

The fifth spread in Book 2 was created by Sarah Jenkins (loveyourbagdesigns on Etsy).

Sarah told us, "I used handpainted and batik cotton fabric, silk organza, tulle, angelina fibers, and a gold paint pen to create my pages. Glue too, of course."

Book 1: Pages 5-6 (glassgrrlstudios)

2007-05-03T18:03:00.001-05:00

Book 1: Pages 5-6 (glassgrrlstudios), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Book 1 resurfaces in a beautiful way! Check out this great collage work by Clarissa Sharp (glassgrrlstudios on Etsy).

Book 3: pages 9-10 (moonshinebluebirds)

2007-04-19T14:42:00.001-05:00

Book 3: pages 9-10 (moonshinebluebirds), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Pages 9-10 in Book 3 were created by Micky Arnold (moonshinebluebirds on Etsy). Micky also kindly included a scan of her entry in the written companion! You can see more photos of Micky's work and some in-progress images on her personal Flickr page.

Book 3: pages 7-8 (beadwined)

2007-04-10T08:50:00.001-05:00

Book 3: pages 7-8 (beadwined), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Pages 7-8 of Book 3 were created by Kelly Bauer (beadwined on Etsy). Here's what Kelly wrote about her contribution to the etsyjournal project:

Peonies. I'm not some big fan of peonies or anything, but I do have one
large old peony bush in my back yard. I suppose that's where my
inspiration came from.

I looked out one day last week during unseasonably warm Ohio weather
and expected to see the peony bush sprouted out from hybernation, full
of buds and blooms. Bumble bees would be bumbling around the large
ruffled flowers. A small pesky ant mount would have been newly
constructed next to the mass of foliage.

None of this was there though. It stuck in my head. When exactly had it
come up last year? I don't recall. I just remember the large soft pink
blooms and their light fragrance.

I decided to stylize my spread after an antique garden advertisement a
gardener might have seen years & years ago, possibly when my giant
peony bush had been planted.

What did I use? Scraps from an antique style gardening catalog printed
on newsprint. Mod Podge. Acrylic paint. And the memory of last years
blooms.

Book 2: pages 3-4 (TwinDreamCreations)

2007-03-28T18:25:00.001-05:00

Book 2: pages 3-4 (TwinDreamCreations), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

This is the second spread of Book 2. The artwork was created by sisters, Caroline and Catherine Benitez (TwinDreamCreations on Etsy).

Book 4: pages 3-4 (stilettoheights)

2007-03-28T11:14:00.001-05:00

Book 4: pages 3-4 (stilettoheights), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

The second spread of Book 4 was created by Jennifer Gordon (stilettoheights on Etsy).

Book 3: pages 5-6 (bellaroo)

2007-03-27T17:35:00.001-05:00

Book 3: pages 5-6 (bellaroo), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

The third spread of Book 3 was created by Amy Boling (bellaroo on Etsy).

This shot includes her entry in the written companion journal. Here is an excerpt from the wondrous things Amy wrote:

I use a lot of eggs. But don't confuse this for something Easter themed. The eggs are actually pods. And pods can be anything – Thoughts, potential, growth, obstacles, infatuations. –But they are always there. We all have our pods. Sometimes they are perched on top of our heads and they are very heavy. Sometimes they are balanced so perfectly there that they seem to weigh nothing at all. Sometimes they are hidden all around us in plain sight. I have my fair share of them and so do you.

Amy diligently tracked her process working on the journal. More photos of her detailed process can be seen on her personal Flickr photoset.

Book 2: pages 5-6 (antelucandaisy)

2007-03-27T17:27:00.001-05:00

Book 2: pages 5-6 (antelucandaisy), originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

The third entry in Book 2 was created by Katherine Parys (antelucandaisy on Etsy). She used a fuse fabric technique.

Here's what Katherine wrote about her entry (from her Flickr page):

I had the Etsy journal Book 2 this past week and spent most of the time thinking about what I was going to do and How I was going to do it. I had recently taken a great class in free expression fusible quilting with Robbi Eklow and had the cup from learning her techniques. While digging and organizing my desk to make enough room to work I found some great fabric with the flying worm guy and was totally inspired.

artwork ownership

2007-03-16T17:06:00.000-05:00

We got an excellent question via email today about rights and ownership of the artwork contributed to the etsyjournal project, especially in relation to our possible plans for merchandise and reproduction books. This is an important issue, so I thought I'd share my answer here as well.

We want to respect everyone's creative property rights with this project. All our artists should retain ownership of their artwork. You created it, you own it. By signing up for the project, everyone agrees to "release" their work into the world and lose a bit of control over it via the collaborative process. But that doesn't mean it is any less your work in a legal sense.

Nothing will become the intellectual property of Etsy; Etsy will just own the finished books much like a gallery owns works of art. In fact, etsyjournal isn't specifically an Etsy-run project, so the company is even further removed from the artwork in that respect. While the staff is fully supportive of it, it's actually just a personal project Heather & I are doing together.

Before anyone's artwork appears in reproduction books (or any other sort of merchandise), we'll have to get their permission to reproduce it. Additionally, everyone will always get full credit for their artwork everywhere we display images of their work (blog, flickr, merchandise, etc) attributed to their real name and their Etsy username. Part of our goals for this project is to promote individual Etsy artists and their shops, along with creating a physical manifestation of the creative spirit within our virtual community.

I am hopeful that most of the artists who've signed up for this project will be excited at the prospect of their work being "published" (even if on a small scale). If someone decides they would prefer not to allow us to reproduce their artwork, we will honor that request.

-Lauren

adhesive advice

2007-03-14T11:12:00.000-05:00

As much as we would love for everything in the etsyjournals to be archival and last a really long time, it's not practical to expect everyone who participates to know what the "right" materials will be.

In this post, we'll make recommendations of what are the "best" adhesives to use, but really whatever you do will be okay.

Etsyjournal participant, Phyllis Petersen (aka JOYouz) is an experienced book artist and kindly gave us some great advice about archival-quality adhesives:

The best are wheat and rice pastes one makes in small batches themselves. Most people don't want to do that these days usually.

PVA, Polyvinyl acetate, otherwise known as white glue, is excellent. Most brands are not reversible but I doubt many things made to be sold on Etsy need to be.

There are different brands on the market. Elmer's is probably the best known but not the best quality product; well, not for our needs anyway mostly because it's not elastic and dries brittle.

The primary difference between brands is probably how much elasticity there is after it dries. Elasticity is good for our purposes... book and paper products. Manufacturers are often not very open with their PVA formulas but the little differences between them can be significant when dealing with something like a book that will be opened and closed for years (hopefully) and needs to remain pliant.

Jade is a brand used by many professional bookbinders. Jade in the formula known as Jade R is reversible - if that is important to your work. I don't consider it that important in mine.

Jade and other similar products are listed and described on the Talas website. I trust anything recommended by Talas. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable about all the products they carry as well as bookbinding techniques. They can sometimes be more expensive however. Quality and inexpensive are not often compatible. lol

If anyone wants to go to the trouble of making their own wheat paste or rice paste, here's where to get the raw materials.

One brand of PVA widely available in most craft chain stores (also very elastic) is Aleene's Original Tacky Glue.

Nori made by Yasutomo is good.
http://www.dickblick.com/zz240/00/
http://danielsmith.com/products~sku~266+300+001.asp

PVA can be watered down to the consistency better for spreading. Don't ever allow it to freeze however because it will lose its stickum. Most art suppliers will not ship PVA during cold months for that reason.

Water can be added to any brand of PVA to make it easier to apply with a brush and it dries completely clear and won't yellow.

Phyllis also warns against using "YES!" paste, as it is not truly archival and will discolor with age.

Thanks for all the great information, Phyllis!

For those who are concerned about not having the "right" materials, don't sweat it! A big part of this project is the process involved, the collaboration. Even if parts of the book aren't archival, their slow transformation of the book (through aging, yellowing, etc) will continue to be a part of the process. Think of it as a lasting metaphor for how working with other artists has an effect on your work.

etsyjournal merch

2007-03-13T12:03:00.000-05:00

We have been discussing the idea of opening an etsy shop to sell etsyjournal-related merchandise (handmade, of course!) to help spread the word about this project. All items would be sold AT COST, so there's no need to worry about where the money is going.

Heather is thinking of creating t-shirts, specifically.

What do you all think? Is this something you'd be interested in buying?

Leave a comment here, on this Etsy forum thread or email to etsyjournal@gmail.com

Book 3: Pages 3-4 (juniperberry)

2007-03-13T11:52:00.001-05:00

Book 3: Pages 3-4 (juniperberry)
Originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

The second entry in Book 3 was created by Jenni Ohnstad (juniperberry on Etsy).

Here's what Jenni has written about her entry:

I utilized my love of typography to focus on creativity. When you combine Create (to evolve one's own thought or imagination) and Heart (to freely give oneself to the world), you are sure to produce something that will speak to others. To truly create something from the heart takes courage, but it will always be your best and most meaningful work. I love that Etsy is a place where people can share a bit of themselves with others.

I used Yes! paste to glue a swirl of tissue paper on my pages, colored pencil to draw my words, and a gocco print to give it some colorful texture. Thanks for allowing me to share a bit of myself with the world through this journal and Etsy!

Best,
Jenni Ohnstad
http://juniperberry.etsy.com

Book 1: pages 1-2 (totemic)

2007-03-07T10:51:00.001-05:00

Book 1: pages 1-2 (totemic)
Originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

This is the first spread in Book 1, with artwork by John Wik (totemic on Etsy).

Here is what John has written about his contribution to Book 1:

My image is a visual representation of the proverb:
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

I usually don't incorporate symbols into my work intentionally because I enjoy letting the design flow according to its own natural rhythm, but I wanted to try something new with this project.

I began with four essentially identical faces in each corner of the layout, then determined a few shapes for each individual to be admiring.

From there I embellished around each face/shape and brought the image together. The colored shapes and eyes are made from cut paper which I applied after the image was complete.

* This was very enjoyable project and I look forward to seeing how it evolves!

----------------------
PROJECT STATUS UPDATE:
All four books are with (or on their way to) the second person in line.

Welcome to Book 4!

2007-03-06T13:28:00.001-05:00

Book 4; Pages 1-2 (thefofers)
Originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Colorful, furry creatures greet you on the opening pages of Book 4! Artwork by Shana Barry (thefofers on Etsy).

Book 3: pages 1-2 (shoofly)

2007-03-05T19:52:00.001-05:00

Book 3: pages 1-2 (shoofly)
Originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

Book 3 is off to a beautiful start as well! We just received photos from Rania Hassan (shoofly on Etsy) with her contributions to the opening pages of Book 3. Lovely work!

Check out our Flickr pages for more photos.

Our first peek inside Book 2!

2007-03-02T03:37:00.001-05:00

Book2: Pages 1-2 by UrbanHeirlooms
Originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

This is the first scan we've received from a participant. These pages are the first spread in Book 2 and were created by Dana Osborne-Biggs (urbanheirlooms on Etsy).

Here is what Dana would like to share about her contribution:

My Etsy Journal contribution is entitled "I Decide".

The text reads, "You don't get to tell me what beautiful is...I decide."

I've always been impressed by the African women who deliberately (and decoratively) scar themselves as an expression of beauty. Most other cultures see scarring as something heinous, to be ashamed of and hidden or corrected, if possible.

So I stitched a line drawing of a woman's torso, complete with surgical scars (on breasts and abdomen) as an example.

Behind the torso is a page from a vintage book on fashion design and techniques on how to dress your "problem figure".

The Adinkra symbol across that page is the "love eye", an appeal to look on our perceived imperfections with love and compassion. The symbol behind the woman's head on the first page is the Adinkra symbol for forgiveness, an atonement for looking on ourselves or anyone else with an unkind eye.

The text on the second page (torso page) reads, "He laid his head and found paradise on a part of my body which had received the bulk of my contempt. As he slept, I wept..."

Often, those who love us are not as critical as our perceived flaws as we are. It takes courage to see beauty in unlikely places.

Dana Osborne-Biggs

on their way!

2007-02-21T19:52:00.001-05:00

Book 4
Originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

The first four books should be on their way to the first participants of the etsyjournal project. This is a photo of Book 4's inside front cover and title page. The little black book is a companion writing journal for participants to record their thoughts about the project while they're working on the art book.

I have the journals! :)

2007-02-20T21:18:00.000-05:00

... and I am waiting for them to dry so that I can put them in the mail. :)
I lost 2 days due to the 48 hour flu, but now I am chugging right along :)
I can't wait to send them out!
- Heather (Decadence Designs)

Blank Canvases

2007-02-14T20:53:00.001-05:00

Blank Canvases (detail)
Originally uploaded by etsyjournal.

These are Books 1 & 2. Well, the "base" of them, anyway. They're on their way from Lauren (stellaloella) to Heather (DecadenceDesigns) for cover artwork. Then they'll begin their journey as part of the etsyjournal project.

getting started

2007-02-10T11:31:00.000-05:00

We will be sending out confirmation emails to everyone early next week, so keep an eye out for that important information.

We have decided to make a few changes to the scope of the project, in order to keep it moving quickly and allowing more people to participate at the same time.

Each book will now include 25 participants. Each person gets one week with the book to create whatever they'd like on a 2-page spread. We will be starting off with four books and the first 100 people who signed up. If you didn't make the first 100, don't worry! We're certain to be starting additional books soon, and are keeping everyone's information stored for the next round.

Official Guidelines

2007-02-08T12:36:00.001-05:00

------- SIGNING UP ----

Each participant must sign up by sending their name, address, Etsy shop name & email address to etsyjournal@gmail.com
Participation will be on a first com, first served basis of getting your sign-up request.

------- PARTICIPATION RULES ----

Each participant will be notified that you are next in line when your address is sent to the person before you (all done by email).
IF a participant desires to be "skipped" due life circumstances, please email etsyjournal@gmail.com immediately upon getting your 'next in line' notification.
Participant MUST email etsyjournal@gmail.com when you get the book to find out where to send it next. No contact information is sent with the book itself for privacy reasons.
Each participant gets a 2-page spread; you will be assigned page numbers when you get your 'next in line' notification email.
Do not alter anyone else's artwork, or use pages not assigned to you. (If you make a mistake, look at it as an opportunity for your entry to "evolve" into something else; be creative.)
Please write about your entry in the small companion book (at least giving your page numbers, name & etsy shop name -- but hopefully more).
Please scan or photograph your pages before sending the book, then email images to etsyjournal@gmail.com for the blog.
Participants can have the book for up to ONE WEEK maximum. Please ship promptly.
Please ship with Delivery Confirmation, if available. This book is one of a kind; we don't want to lose it!
By signing up, all participants agree to pay all shipping costs out of your own pocket. You also agree to pay for international shipping if necessary.

This project is organized by myself (http://stellaloella.etsy.com) and Heather (http://DecadenceDesigns.etsy.com). Feel free to Convo either of us on Etsy, or email etsyjournal@gmail.com with questions.

A new collaborative adventure for Etsians

2007-02-08T12:15:00.000-05:00

The Etsy traveling journal is brand new, collaborative mail-art project. The basic idea is this:

A handmade journal is passed from one Etsian to another, via the mail. Each participant gets a full spread in the journal to create, embellish, draw, paint, write, *whatever* they want. Then they pass it along to the next person until the entire book is filled.

Each book starts as a medium-format, hardcover blank sketch book. It will come with a companion writing journal to include your thoughts and experiences on the project.

The finished books will be donated to the Library at the Etsylabs in NYC. We will have this blog set up to track the progress of the book, updated with images of each spread: http://etsyjournal.blogspot.com/

Participation is first-come, first-served based on the order in which we receive your contact information.

To sign up, please EMAIL etsyjournal@gmail.com with:
-- Your name
-- Your mailing address
-- Your Etsy username

Our first round will be comprised of four books, each traveling to twenty-five artists, one at a time.

This project is organized by myself (http://stellaloella.etsy.com) and Heather (http://DecadenceDesigns.etsy.com). Feel free to convo either of us, or email the etsyjournal address with questions.

DO NOT CONVO your sign-up information to us on Etsy -- please use the email address above.

We hope to have more books in the future, if all goes well!

See this thread on the Etsy Forums for more discussion: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5033925