Monday, May 16, 2011

Quoth The Raven: It's An Inspired Remnants Book Tour & Giveaway!

Did you ever wonder how you make something like this... out of stuff like this...

Well, you can do it with mixable, moldable, malleable Epoxy Clay! I first learned about it when I took a Mechanical Flying Bird class with Kerin Gale. Then she wrote this really great book — Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams — on how to do lots and lots of things with epoxy!

The book begins with an elaborate look at how to mix and use multiple types of epoxy clays and mold-making putties. There are no complicated formulas or fancy terms, and so many tips and tricks! You can read my full review here.

So for this Blog Hop Book Tour, I decided to create something that normally I wouldn't be able to, if I used regular glues and mediums. Working with lots of different objects made with different materials is one of my favorite things to do, but not so easy in the assembly department!

But the FIXIT® Sculpt epoxy I used, makes it so! To sum it up... it lets you stick this to that! Just mix two equal parts of the epoxy clay components until they are completely blended and you're ready to go!

For the doll preparation, I blended clay over the armholes to prep for the wings, added some on the neck for securing the bird head, and put some on this metal candle holder that I'll be using as the base.

And you just squish everything on! Super easy. The epoxy starts to cure in a short amount of time, so you don't even have to sit there holding your items until they dry in place. You won't hear me saying... boy are my wings tired!

I even used the epoxy to mount this tiny little rivet.

And again to mount the index sign to the piece. Easy peasy!

Then I added some very delicate twigs to the base. Just rolled some epoxy into a little snakey thing and pressed the twigs on — and they stuck in place right away! Mixed-media heaven I tell ya.

Well, there you have it, folks... a mixed media project in only a few hours. Something that otherwise would have taken days to dry, and just think of all those toxic substances you'd need to glue disparate objects together. So now for the fun part...

THE GIVEAWAYS!

Especially for this Book Tour Blog Hop, Kerin has some great stuff to give away. Simply leave a comment on this post by May 22nd and you'll be entered to win one of these fabulous prizes! (Please note that digital items can be "shipped" anywhere but the remaining prizes are for the U.S. only)

1. A copy of Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams book
2. One "Power Pack" of Aves brand epoxy clay
3. Fluid Chalks Online Workshop by Lesley Venable on her Art of Altering Site
4. Two digital collage sheets by Alicia Caudle of Altered Bits
5. A sample pack of Silputty 40 (an epoxy formula Kerin likes with a longer curing time)
6. 1oz. of ICE Resin and a mixed metal bezel from Susan Lenart Kazmer

In addition, Kerin has 6 more Grand Prize Giveaways if you review her book on amazon... and is offering $5 off class tuition/book bundles for Book Tour blog readers (just tell 'em Yesterday's Trash sent ya)! Find out more on her original Book Tour Kickoff blog post.

Wanna see who's been playing along so far? Check out these other blogs and leave comments on their book tour posts for more chances to win! Woohoo!

May 1 - Kerin Gale
Remnants of Olde: http://RemnantsOfOlde.com/posts

May 2 - Alicia Caudle
Altered Bits: http://alteredbits.wordpress.com/

May 3 - Lesley Venable
Flatwoods Folk Art: http://www.flatwoodsfolkart.typepad.com/

May 4 - Christine Lehto
Lilly Bug Studio: http://lillybugstudio.com/blog/

May 5 - Seth Apter
The Altered Page: http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/

May 6 - Nancy Perennec
Little Bit Wired: http://littlebitwired.blogspot.com/

May 7 - Jen Cushman
ICE Queen Zine: http://www.iceresin.com/category/inspired-remnants-blog-tour/

May 9 - Beth Robinson
Strange Dolls: http://strangedolls.wordpress.com/

May 10 - Brenda Schweder
Brenda Schweder Jewelry: http://www.brendaschweder.com/

May 11 - Esther Verschoor
Vanessie Art Dolls: http://vanessies.blogspot.com

May 12 - Kecia Deveny
Lemoncholy’s Flight of Fancy: http://www.lemoncholys.blogspot.com/

May 13 - Rachel Whetzel
A Year In The Life Of An Art Journal: http://oneyearartjournal.blogspot.com/

May 14 - Shannon LeVart
MissFickleMedia.com: http://missficklemediacom.blogspot.com/

May 15 - Marlaine Verhelst
Marlaine Verhelst Art Dolls: http://marlaineverhelst.com/blog/

May 16 - Lisa Jurist
Mud Hound Studio: http://mudhoundprimitives.blogspot.com/

May 17 - Michelle Bernard
Yesterday’s Trash: http://michellereneebernard.blogspot.com/

May 18 - Kerin Gale
Remnants of Olde – Alan Rogerson feature: http://RemnantsOfOlde.com/posts

May 19 - Join the Facebook Party!
Apoxie Clay & Epoxy Clays Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_158159677562761

34 comments:

  1. Epoxy clay is a wonderful medium to work with! Thanks for sharing how you use epoxy clay for your projects.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Michelle, it is very interesting to see what you used to create this piece Nevermore! Colleen

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was so impressed with Seth Apter's review, I decided to come see how you used this epoxy clay in your art. This is super and gave me a chance to look over your blog, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This blog hop is awesome. I've been eagerly reading/waiting for each blog. I've already ordered my first order of apoxie sculpt, and very anxious to get started with it. Love the example you show here with taking the doll apart, awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great event. There are so many wonderful artworks to see with this versatile medium. I love the book and picked it up before the blog event was announced. Totally awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love Nevermore! This stuff is sounding more and more amazing with every blog I read. i can't wait to start using it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for sharing your tip. I can see its a very versatile product. Can't wait for mine to arrive and the book also. This is a fun blog hop/book tour.. learning so much

    ReplyDelete
  8. very cool! Enjoying the tour!
    Erin S

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great tutorial for one of my favorites: Edgar Allen Poe. Thanks for sharing such a creative idea! I can't wait to try out epoxy and apoxy clays...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the bird statue. Poe was always one of my favorites. I used to know The Raven by heart. It was really interesting to see how you put it together. Thanks for sharing on the blog hop. I did scroll down and your photos are really nice too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you Michelle, it is a great tutorial!Your art Nevermore is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow! I really appreciate your demo with the use of the fix-it. Thisblog hop is the best!

    ReplyDelete
  13. OH! I love this! I do so love Poe and this is just fantastic! I am learning so much on this tour. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Loved your raven piece..,.and the book is just chock full of good info.

    ReplyDelete
  15. so cool I hope I win some clay! Loved seeing your step by step. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am so loving this tour! I ordered some epoxy clay yesterday and can't wait for it to come in the mail so I can start creating with it.
    I think it is great that you can use it for molding and as a "glue".
    Had great fun looking thru your blog and reading your past posts.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks everyone for stopping by and for your wonderful comments. This really is a great Book Tour Blog Hop! I've been learning so much as well! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. After being on this tour I need to get my hands on this book and some clay!
    Shannon C

    ReplyDelete
  19. I started out using apoxie sculpt for sticking thingies together....mostly gourd pieces...I am now inspired to use it so much more creatively...thanks for being part of the blog tour. Loved Nevermore!

    ReplyDelete
  20. cool bird! your blog was a joy to browse thru! i am having a blast on this blog tour!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a wonderful piece of work! It's always a wonder to see trash turn into treasure! Never use that particular product. I'm an Apoxie Sculpt girl!

    ReplyDelete
  22. oh my gosh!! love love the raven and howyou used the epoxy..very smart you are!! kim from ohio

    ReplyDelete
  23. That does sound like Mixed media heaven!! I am glad i have book marked your blog to learn about all this!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Michelle! You really made a wonderful piece and as you may guess I just love it! Your muse guided you to a great place once again!!!

    So glad you were able to participate in the tour and thank you SO MUCH for taking our class so long all that time ago so all this became possible! You are so sweet and so creative it's always fun and inspiring : ) See you soon

    xoxox
    Kerin

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great Nevermore piece. Epoxy, apoxy whatever it is, I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your "Nevermore" creation is amazing! It is very interesting to see what you used to create this piece! Thanks for your fabulous tutorial!

    Have a lovely day!
    Gaby

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm just blown away with all the wonderful projects I have seen on this blog tour! thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love seeing how everyone uses this clay. And I ADORE those ruby slippers you created!

    ReplyDelete
  29. i just LOVE your gorgeous piece. wonderful stuff!! thank you so much for sharing how you've created it.

    i got a tiny bit behind these past couple of days but have been LOVING the blog hop! how absolutely wonderful to meet so many new people and see so much gorgeous art!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your Raven is awesome!
    Thanks so much for taking the time to do a tut.. great job. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow, what a cool project, Michelle! Thank you for the wonderful tutorial! It's such a great idea to use the doll body as a base for the bird.

    Hugs,
    Julia

    ReplyDelete
  32. i love your little birdie assemblage- nice job!

    we need to hit the friday flea market soon- haven't been in forever....

    ReplyDelete
  33. If it's not too late, I would love to be entered in your giveaway, Michelle!! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

Hello, and thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated!

Please feel free to post any questions you may have and I will answer in the same thread.

Creatively...

michelle renee bernard
www.YesterdaysTrashArt.com