Tuesday 7 October 2014

Some very sad news

Hello dear friends and followers.
Many of you will have heard already through Facebook and other blogs, about the sad news that the lovely Calico Craft shop went up in flames and all stock was lost just last week. HERE is a link to the official announcement.

My project was due to appear on the Calico blog on the day after the fire destroyed everything and the online shop and blog were taken down, so it was never shown. Therefore I thought I would show it here now.

I created a hanger using some of their wonderful paints and mediums, as well as their beer mats and paper serviettes. They stocked so many unusual things that were hard to come by else where, so I for one will miss them so much.

I'll do a quick step by step of how I created my project:
I started my background with a piece of mount board, covered it with Gesso using a pallet knife, while it was still wet I added some old book pages, left them to dry for a couple of minutes and then ripped them off. Here is a link to a video that shows you how to do this, even though in the video it lands up being a very different project..

Next I created some sprays using a dark brown Acrylic paint mixed with water. I love making sprays like that, because once they are dry they are water proof. Here's a close up of how the paints puddled around the gesso, leaving some great texture:
Next, I took three beer mats, coated them in Gesso and added the same colour of acrylic paint around the edges, blending with a baby wipe and my fingers.
In the case of the central tile/panel, I used a pinkish colour instead, to blend with the scrap of serviette I was going to use for that one.
Below you can see what it looked like after I had adhered the paper serviette scraps with Modge Podge.
Once everything had totally dried I sanded the edges and then sealed them with Decoart Traditions multi surface sealer. When that had dried I added Decoart One Step Crackle.
More of my own made acrylic spray was sprayed on the tiles when the crackle glaze had dried, to seep into the cracks and make them more visible. Below is a close up. I wiped the excess spray away with a baby wipe as soon as it had gone into the cracks. This is essential, as of course this kind of spray, unlike Dylusions or any of the others, is permanent!!
Here you can see how I put a chain at the top so I can hang this piece:
Because on this tile I had applied the crackle glaze somewhat too thick, the cracks became rather too big, - you live and learn....

The one good thing about this tragedy is, that at least no one got hurt, and I for one desperately hope that in time to come they will perhaps start trading again in one form or another. I have loved designing for them and want to thank both Helen and Steve for all the trust they had in us their team and for their generosity. I loved all their wonderful products, including the latest addition to their business, the beautiful Calico Craft parts.


Thank you for visiting and see you next time

45 comments:

Rosie said...

Oooh, Astrid, this hanger is absolutely gorgeous. Great idea about the napkins.

Have a wonderful Tuesday

Redanne said...

It is desperately sad, after they spent year building up such a wonderful business. I hope they can recover from this and start up again.

Your hanger is beautiful Astrid, I love all the wonderful texture you have added. Anne xx

brenda said...

So pleased you shared this one Astrid, it's a sheer delight.

It must be dreadful to experience something so awful and knowing Steve and Helen I can't begin to know how awful they must be feeling and the utter sense of loss.

B x

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely project Astrid, but sorry to hear the news about Calico crafts, how hard for them. I always make my own sprays and inks, they are good and much cheaper than bought ones. Valerie

Stamps and Paper said...

Beautiful hanging Astrid love how you've decorated your coasters
So sorry to hear about Calico Crafts my heart goes out to the owners

Anne

chrissie said...

Such sad news about Calico Crafts.

Your hanging is a real showcase for their products Astrid and is stunning.

Love Chrissie x

Almo said...

This is a lovely hanger Astrid, I really like the way you get the textures and colours with the gesso and spray paints and then get the napkins to blend so beautifully into the project. This news of the fire at Calico Crafts is so very sad, thank goodness no one was hurt, I feel for all involved. Mo x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Indeed such sad news....
Your hanging has a great vintage look....sad that it might be the last creation for CC for a whil at least.
Good luck!
Alie

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Me encanta la idea y me la guardo con tu permiso, besos

Anneke said...

This wall hanger looks absolutly gorgeous. Thanks for the explanation. L
Anneke xxx

froebelsternchen said...

I am sorry to hear this about Calico crafts, how hard .
Your piece is just WONDERFUL Astrid♥♥♥

Gorgeous!

Maryann Laursen said...

Oh my goodness, weird I haven´t seen or heard a word of this, and what a tragedy it is. When that is said, your wallhanger here is amazing and sooo beautiful. Such a great job done here again hun and the result is stunning as always.

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Gorgeous project, Astrid, love your textured background.
Sorry to hear sad news about Calico shop

Artyjen said...

Lovely hanging....sad news indeed!
xoxo Sioux

Ros Crawford said...

What sad news!! I've been a customer there many times ...
Your wall hanging is superb!! Beautiful texture!

Dorthe said...

Dear Astrid , it is real terribly for these 2 people, to loose their shop, and all the goods ,I hope they can return.
Your hanger using some of their products looks amazing with the gessoed and painted background, and I love using paper serviettes ,too.A wonderful project !!
Hugs,Dorthe

Terry said...

That is sad news! Such a shame when someone builds a business and is loved for something like this to happen. Your hanger is gorgeous, Astrid. The mount board texture is a wonderful background for the gorgeous panels! Love this!

Bridget Larsen said...

Awesome project, how sad that the shop was destroyed by fire. Hope they recover and come back bigger and stronger

Netty said...

Definitely sad news, I do hope they haven't lost everything as it takes such a long time to build up a business.

Great altered beer mats. Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Ruth said...

Yes, sad news, hope the're able to start trading again soon.....your project is stunning! LOVE all the texture, just beautiful Astrid! Ruth x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

It's a wonderful hanging with great details. Never tried to mix acryl sprays, will give it a try, the permanent effect sounds great.

Meggymay said...

A fantastic hanging, with super details. A great last piece for Calico Crafts, it was so sad to read what happened.
Yvonne

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Beautiful art piece, Astrid!

And I'm sorry to hear about the fire. :-(

Jenny Marples said...

Such sad news. I hope they find a positive way through all of this. Thank you for sharing your fabulous hanging. Love that cracked glaze look which invokes a real sense of age. Jenny x

Deborah Wainwright said...

It is truely a sad time for them, I too hope they find a way forward. Thank you for sharing this creation as it is a wonderful inspiration. Xx

Juliz Design Post said...

Love your wall hanging Astrid. Totally amazing textural background, must check out the video link. The crackles on your beer mats along with the serviettes look like crazed china. So vintage and pretty.
Julie x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Very sad news! I hope they can recover in some way.
This hanging is beautiful - love the images and the crackle! I am definitely going to try making a background in this way, Thanks for sharing! Chrisx

Unknown said...

This is beautiful Astrid... I love the background.. again another technique to give a try with... lovely though... I love the napkins on the coasters too... so very sad to hear about the loss of the shop and all inventory too... so very sad. Hope that they are able to recover some how... I am sure all will help them to . Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

Unknown said...

This is beautiful Astrid... I love the background.. again another technique to give a try with... lovely though... I love the napkins on the coasters too... so very sad to hear about the loss of the shop and all inventory too... so very sad. Hope that they are able to recover some how... I am sure all will help them to . Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

Mrs.B said...

This is a beautiful hanging Astrid, love the texture and crackle with these images.
Yes, sad news about Calico Crafts, but glad you showed the piece.
Avril xx

Jools Robertson said...

Beautiful. Love the texture and the images on the tiles are stunning
Such an incredible shame about Calico
They stocked unique items, hope they can salvage something and start again

Jools x

Marisa Job said...

This is a beautiful hanger Astrid!! Great texture and details!! Hugs!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Astrid what a great project, I love it very much, great backgrounds, great designs, a real masterpiece!!!

Greetings
Maria

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

OMG, that is so painful! Very very sad news! I am so sorry to hear that. I hope they had adequate insurance, but still a whole lifetime's work destroyed, oh my.

Your wall hanging is exquisite! Love the way you used the serviette. Beautiful work, as always!

Hugs,
Linda

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

It was sad news. I am so glad you posted this. Beautiful hanging, just gorgeous!

rachel said...

a stunning make Astrid and thanks for the step by step - great! Thanks also for your support! Hugs rachel x

Ellie Knol said...

STUNNING, TFS your tip on making sprays of acrylic paint!

Words and Pictures said...

Such a beautiful final project - so glad you shared it. There's such a sweet, sad, romantic nostalgia to the whole piece. Beautiful use of the napkins - such lovely designs - and I love the textures in the background.
Alison xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous mixed media art Astrid with a fantastic detailed post. Take good care, Shirleyx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

It was awful news about Calico Crafts but a relief that no-one was hurt. Love the hanging and the background technique is such fun to do.
You are a true inspiration Astrid and many thanks for sharing this lovely project with us.
Happy crafting, Angela x

Margaret Mifsud said...

Awful news about Calico Crafts and absolutely heartbreaking for those involved. Hope they can it all sorted and, perhaps start up again. Your wall hanging is beautiful. Amazing techniques, gorgeous colour and such a beautiful design. You never fail to delight Astrid!! Love this!! ox

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

oh how awesome!!! All of my art supplies are packed! :O The only thing out is a bit of fabric and my sketching & watercolor stuff...

Jackie PN said...

So glad you post your hanger Astrid- it is beautiful!
So very sad about Calico and the owners- my thoughts of good wishes are with them-
hugs

Marjie Kemper said...

Such horrible news. I hope they are recovering from the stress and trauma and am so glad no one was hurt. Your hanging is stunning!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Thanks for sharing this simply beautiful hanging. Love the soft colors and the crackle glaze. Beautiful.

My heart goes out to the owners of Calico Crafts. They lost a part of themselves, part of their identity, when that fire claimed their store. I'm grateful no one was hurt. Thanks for passing on the news. -- Mary Elizabeth

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

One World One Heart

Photo

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed

Birthday Card

Birthday Card
Just got a whole lot of new stamps from a brilliant place called the Stamp Smith. This is the image that I first saw on Docraft and really liked. I asked the friend who has used it in an ATC, where she got it. Well she borrowed it from a friend who got it from ebay as a one off. But.... it had a title. I googled the title, and hey presto found the site. They have great stamps and offer a really friendly fast service. I highly recommend them!

Gothic Arch Trifold inside

Gothic Arch Trifold inside

Back of Gothic Arch Trifold

Back of Gothic Arch Trifold

Gothic Arch Within the Heart

Gothic Arch Within the Heart

Gothic Arch, the Key

Gothic Arch, the Key