Wednesday 22 February 2012

woyww - faffing around with glass bead gel

Now "faffing around"  probably has no place in the english language.   But, it sums up the amount of time I have wasted playing with all different bits and pieces in the craft cupboard and the mumbled curse words I used while I put the latest effort in the bin.  The end result was a very plain water coloured page in the art journal plus a trip to the closest craft/sewing/hobby shop to buy products.  Two little stamps on the right side of the desk are the result of that trip.

 Plus I discovered glass bead gel medium and had to get a tub.  Made 2 ATC's with the medium which 
was applied to postage stamps. The effect is really interesting.   Then I made a "faux" distressed background added some twigs, leaves and then went overboard with more glass beads.  Stopped adding things because it was Wednesday otherwise I would still be "faffing around".

Highlight of the week was receiving the most gorgeous Tea themed ATC's that were sent to be by the wonderful Tracey Fletcher King.  I posted pics on a previous post but they are so gorgeous I am posting again.


So all in all an interesting week with a couple of postage stamps covered in glass bead gel and the most beautiful gift from Trace.  

36 comments:

  1. We all have times of faffing and I rather like the results of yours.
    Hugs,
    A x

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  2. I enjoy a bit of faffing about, it sets me in the mood for whatever project I am working with!! Love the ATC's, they are all gorgeous :)

    Have a great WOYWW and a fab week, Luv Karen #91

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  3. some days I wonder if all I do is faff...those ATCs are exquisite works of art!

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  4. Love those tea cups (she says as she sips from her cup of tea). I know how to Pfaff (my take on the word, like the sewing machine) around like the best of them. Great stuff Sandra!

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  5. Just love what you have made...experimenting and just getting stuck in, pays dividends.
    xx 101

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  6. faffing around is both an Olympic art and pain in the butt at times,but I like what yours brings along! Thanks for letting us look in, enjoy WOYWW and your week, Sarah at 16.

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  7. We should be able to get paid for faffing around, I know I spend a lot of time doing it too! Love those little postage stamps, I've always thought the glass beads were too time consuming and frustrating to spend any time on but you've proved me wrong! And fantastic ATC's from Tracey.

    Hugs
    Brenda

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  8. Lovely cards from Tracey and lovely atc's from you. I'd be int4rested to read more about that gel. Glad you 'faffed' - the results were great.
    Hugs and thanks for sharing - Neet 33 xx

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  9. I think we all faff about, it's the best bit!!!!
    Your gel sounds very interesting, the things you have created with it are just gorgeous and what amazing ATC's from Tracey. I really love her fresh and vibrant style.
    Happy WOYWW
    Hugs Lisax #127

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  10. I've read about those glass beads, but have never bought any. You make the BEST ATCs. I love them, and would love to know where you get those skeleton leaves. I've never seen them in the craft stores here in the OTHER Oz (Kansas, USA for those who aren't familiar with the Wizard of Oz).

    I love Tracey's art, too. I see it often at Inspiration Avenue, and now on Tea Tuesday. Thanks for the paint/gesso recommendation today, too!

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  11. Whilst I do use glass beads I was interested to read and see all about using glass bead gel medium which is new to me. I love those ATCs from Tracey.... lucky you!
    Thanks for visiting me...
    joZarty x

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  12. Lovely things. I totally get the faffing around - I've been experimenting with glue dots this week, faff, faff, faff.

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  13. Lovely ATCs you recieved and let the other people I think we all flaff around lol have a good week
    Anne-marie #4

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  14. When I hit a slump, this is what I do. I try different products and see the effects of them. Usually everything goes into the trash! Sometimes I hit a winner...looks like you did too!

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  15. I forgot to tell you, I've joined your following. I like that you aren't afraid to jump and get your fingers dirty!

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  16. O how lovely to meet a fellow faffer, you sound just like me (lol), love those ATC's you made the faffing was well worth it with results like that, wonderful, Hugs May x x x

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  17. Sorry forgot to say this faffer has joined your blog, Hugs May x x

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  18. I love the glass bead gel medium you found! That is awesome!

    Happy WOYWW!
    Katie #14

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  19. I like that saying "faffing around." It says so much (and beats 'farting around' which is what husbands do). I haven't thought of glass beads and gel medium in forever! I have both somewhere in the stash. I totally forgot about how fun it is to cover something up and put the clear beads over it. Well, thanks for the memories! I might have to break that stuff out one of these days. I love your ATCs, so artistic! And the tea ones you received are just awesome as well. Happy WOYWW!

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  20. Oh, those ATCs are beautiful! I have some glass bead gel, I think, will have to get it out and have a play again, it's been a while!
    Helen S

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  21. I have not heard of the glass bead gel before but I love the look you have achieved here.

    Your little gifts are amazing too.

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  22. Hi Sandra, Love those glass bead ATCs! Such a great effect! I had some glass bead texture gel, years ago, but alas, it dried up long ago! That's one of the problems of having too much stuff!

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  23. I love the effect on your ATCs with the glass bead medium! And the atc's themselves of course!
    The Tea ATC you were sent are gorgeous, lucky you!
    xoxo Karen #93

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  24. Love your ATC's and those sent to you too. Enjoy this week's WOYWW snoop of the crafty & creative desks around the world. Take care Zo xx 81

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  25. Beautiful ATC's, and such varied themes. Thank you for visiting me and leaving lovely comments. xx Maggie #11

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  26. A little late visiting.. love the tea cup ATC's

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  27. love your A tea C, and yes faffing is a real term, it is followed by swooshing and tittivating, and doodar adding, and finally results in

    ART!

    Dx

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  28. Your faffing is much more productive than my faffing.... my faffing always end up a bit of a mess but your atc's are lovely.... we have a family of kookaburras that have taken up resident in our street at the moment, which is wonderfully loud and I loved seeing it on your card...... you do such lovely work Sandra and so glad we have found each other through WOYWW... didn't get there this week as I am buried under a pile of pencils trying to finish a peony, but looking forward to getting back to it next week...xx

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  29. I'll have to keep my eye out for that glass bead gel - looks super interesting! You're right - those tea themed atc's are gorgeous!! "faffing" lol - Love it!! *smiles* ~Jen

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  30. Faffing around that was like me couple weeks ago trying out a marbling set ive had for years not had time to use.Believe me few chioce words came out that day in this craftroom too!Can get frustrating!lol
    Love your pges and those tea ATC'S are so cute!
    hugs judex34

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  31. Sandra, you do NOT have to send me any skeleton leaves. But to answer your question (that I finally read just now), I love ALL colors.

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  32. Faffing all part of the creative process - suspect I might be doing the opposite to you, guessing that you were still awake at 3:44. I on the other hand got woken up by a bump at 4:15 and gave up at 5:30 and got up when I couldn't go back to sleep - I will no doubt regret it later..........

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  33. And I am happy to see them again! I love your ATC's with the beads on, they've come out so well. And "Faffing" is SO a word, cos I use it all the tie in my crafty endeavours!

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  34. Faffing is such a good word!! My hubby and I use it (and do it lol!) a lot!!

    I love the glass bead gel medium. Have a go using it on silver mirror card - spread one bead's thickness, it has an amazing effect. Look for it on my blog and you'll see what I mean. It's gorgeous stuff!!

    Love your tags. Your art work is stunning.
    Shoshi

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  35. I am the queen of faff. I spend hours faffing. Sometimes I faff for an hour and have achieved nothing but continually reposition a button. I tell myself it is a creative process, but we all know it is just faffing. What a great word!! I haven't got any bead medium but I have kinda made my own with ordinary gel medium and those tiny seed beads. I rather like it. Works nice through stencils as well. Will have to try Shoshi's mirror card suggestion as well. Cindy

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