My second blog entry of the year, hopefully not the last. Long overdue project that took me this long to showcase this. Becoming a woman of less words; I shall dive down to one of my latest project - A druggist's junk journal.
Entire book was made from scratch using tea-dyed papers and printables from Ephemoire's Vintage Medical collages. Needtheless to say, the centre piece is a modified mixed media caduceus; staff of Hermes. With added touch of alchemy, as what was associated with anciently. Oh well, hence this book belongs to the Druggist who lives down the alley.
While it's hard to capture everything, a video orientation is perhaps one of the better options to showcase this whole journal.
Destiny 5890?
Jam packed with loads of ephemeras
Magnetic mini folders
Just in the right time for this Halloween. Apparently, this seems likely to be a sequel to my mini poison shoppee which I did last year. I'm hoping I won't take too long to come up with such projects.
"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face is sad a heart may be happy."
~ Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 ~
This was me presenting this specially handmade box of memorabilia to sis Baby Tan during her 90th birthday on 30th July 2017. During that time, I was considered the youngest baptised member within the church. I recalled what one of our church elders bro Jimmy Lau said; this was the very moment the youngest present this to the oldest within the church. This was indeed an event that was quite unique to me.
I'm very honoured and blessed to be able to create this for sis Baby as a new babe of Christ prior to her demise. Even till today after seeing her final days, I'm still very marvel by the journey I had with her even it's short-lived. Upon receiving this handmade gift from me, she touched my hand and said to me, "May God bless you." I was very moved by this...
The news of her passing came in the morning of 1st February. I read it on my bed as I woke up. Took it as if it was like a normal reading routine I had in my mornings, this piece of news didn't quite sink in. As information of her funeral and cortege started to flow in throughout the week, that's where I realised... she's really gone... Even my birthday was within the week, I couldn't bring myself to feel happy about it. I was thinking when will be the day I'd be gone for good.
Life is just like a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes away; you do not know what you life will be like tomorrow (James 4:14).
As Christians, we'll gather and sing a capella during funerals to ease the sadness we've within. It's also a hope we have within that one day we will see each other in Heaven after running a good race. This is a source of comfort for each other and also a way to cope and grief. Because of the pandemic, we're forbidden to sing by law and have to be masked on. As I watched sis Baby final moments during the cortege this morning... Seriously! This was really really hard! Tears rolled down and went under my mask. I couldn't unmask and wipe those tears and had to control my snot. The only thing that's perhaps thankful for is the cotton layer beneath the mask; it somewhat absorbs most of my tears.
It's hard not to feel sad given she had been an inspiration to many. Her story still put us to awe even till today. A role model and loving lady everyone respect and adore, it can be hard to see her go. With that special moment I had with her in 2017, I'm so glad that my creative hands have finally served a purpose for good; this memorabilia will be a source of good memories for those who are left behind by sis Baby. Her daughter and son-in-law are grateful for this that they've something to remember their mother.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day; and not only to me, but also to ask who have loved His appearing."
Months past... Back with a miniature project today for this spooky October - a little poison shopee owned by an old druggist down the alley.
How this came about?
I was trying to decluttering my crafting suppliers and found I've several "experimental" crafts such as broken frames cast from paper clays, an old old mini tin, some leftover miniatures stuffs and paper collages from Alpha Stamps which I was once their DT member years ago. And it so happen I've quite a substantial amount of Halloween and dark spooky stuffs. Well, upon looking through those paper collages, the idea of this rather old shabby abandoned drugstore came to my mind. And I ended up piecing everything together!
The druggist's poison shopee on my palm
Since it has been a while I've yet to upload videos on my YouTube channel, decided perhaps a short orientation in motion of how this little shopee looks like might be useful. Pardon me for the poor resolution, somehow the camera couldn't adjust itself to focus.
When the shopee is open on my hand...
When it's opening...
Some nerve pills to curb your nervousness?
The skeleton hand is a last minute addition to this project, thinking having something to hold the little shopee will spook up the whole thing. Anyway it's Halloween, so why not?
Butterfly on the skull; an added "pop"!
Apart from those gigantic poisons at the bottom, pile of books, scrolls, an old clock with some dies are at the druggist's workstation. There's even a little signboard there! And a squid or maybe an octopus? Skulls and crystal balls at the very top, wondering is any apocalyptic going on besides being apothecary?
Mystical eye with wings of a butterfly
Loads of details here and unfortunately there're limitations in making attempts to snap deeper into the shopee. Just click the image to enlarge to view if that helps. I'd think this will be better if view physically. Hmm... perhaps I should list it in my Etsy shop for this. Any takers?
I've taken tons of photos and I do hope these pictures can showcase how this little poison shopee well enough though missing some details. Most items used in this project are mostly from Alpha Stamps and one of the collages I used can be purchase here.
Nonetheless, I hope this has been inspirational and I look forward to share more of such projects. Meanwhile, take care and stay safe!
Talking about wedding gifts, most often they're generally gifted in either white or colours that depict happiness and purity. For this instance, I chose a something different. As I didn't get to attend one of my friends' wedding last year due to the pandemic where large scale event was prohibited, I didn't manage to gift her something. Took me this long, and I decided to repurpose and customize one of my past artworks to do up this simply placard décor for her and her newly-wed husband.
I die-cut several of the first letter of their names, "K" and "E" using Tim Holtz alphanumeric dies and glue them together to make it thicker; as if they're chipboard thick. Bend them a little to fit into the slightly curve surface of the heart. Added more glitter, some mica from Prima and top it up a little golden crown. Finally, add a strip of Bible verse (Ephesians 4:2-3) for them at the bottom of the placard.
The corners of the glass are pretty sharp and I don't think it's wise to gift something that will likely prick your finger. In order to protect them, I covered them up using Graphic 45 ornate metal corners and glide them with some gold gilding paste.
I added the lovely couple names and their wedding date behind within this little ornate plastic frame I've in my stash. Took me some time to figure out how to mount onto glass without a need to break the glass to fit. Glossy accent is the key and they do hold well without changing the colours and design elements I've done on the placard. This is part where I adhere the placard onto the glass using plenty of glossy accent. They dry clear without leaving much residue unlike some solvent based glue. Plus point is they're actually quite strong! Added some golden flat pearls and ornate corners that I die-cut from Graphic 45 policy & decorative die.
Oh well, I might be sieving through my past artwork and will try to repurpose them as gifts or other projects. For now, this artwork of mine has finally found a home for a newly married couple. I wish them all the best in their marriage!
Graphic 45's Bohemia Bazzar is actually quite an understated paper collection. Perhaps it's due to its very vibrant and geometrical colours and designs, it can be hard to balance the elements and colours together in a single project. I do think so. However, when comes to making cards, it might be a little easier. Making use of it's vibrancy, I made 4 cards that's strikingly vibrant with each of its distinct colours.
Prior to the start of the pandemic, I've been making cards for various preachers from the USA when they're here to preach to local congregations. Well, these cards are made in 2019 just before the outbreak of COVID-19.
As usual, personalised messages are printed and pasted on the back of the cards for each of them.
Well, breaking away from the vibrancy, I decided to make 2 cards from the collection with a more pleasant colour palette; practically can't really tell it's from the same paper collection. And this comes with choice of colours and design elements which I decided to use just green and blue only. Apparently, it's not that scary to work with this collection and I was actually quite pleased with the outcome.
These cards are well gifted and I hope they love the vibrancy of these handmade cards. Due to the pandemic and several travel restrictions, I think it's going to be a few more years before I can meet them again in person.
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