Pattern Play ATCs

Happy Monday! My last post as a design team member is published on the Helmar Adhesives blog. 

Today is kinda bittersweet for me: my heart is a bit tender because I have to move on...I no longer get to work with some of the most supportive women artists (I'm sure we'll keep in touch, though!) but being a member of the Helmar design team has opened up a few, incredible opportunities + many more ways to share my art with you. What a blessing!

I would like to add that Helmar is an incredibly generous company to collaborate with + they have *the best* selection of adhesives for every type of project you can imagine...for reals y'all! 

>>> check out the tutorials at the end of this post to learn how I used their products ;-)

For my last Helmar tutorial, I bring to you: 

Pattern Play ATCs

Pattern Play ATCs  | tutorial by Martice Smith II

If you missed one of my FREE tutorials on the Helmar blog, no problemo!

You can check them all out, right here:

• Grungy Springtime Display Sign

• Paper Collage and Stenciled Card

• Altered mini-Composition Booklets

• How to Paint Your Own Illustrated Quote

• Monoprinted Scrap Collage

• D.I.Y. Paintbrush Repair

...let me know which one is your fave!

LOVED these tutorials? Then you will also love my FREE art letter even more. Why? Because I get to shower YOU with digital gifts, artful musings, creative biz jumpstarts + you have access to download a free art print every month!

Click the button below to subscribe NOW so we can get to playin' in some paint!

Paintbrush Repair

Hello friends! 

Would you believe me if I told you that the brushes in the picture below are NEW?! Yes, these brushes are STILL NEW! A life cut short in only 2 months and + to make matters worse, they broke while I was painting. ::sigh, puppy dog eyes::

Do you have paintbrushes that look like this? Ok, I'll confess: these are the really inexpensive kind. You know, the ones in the kids' craft section in the art supply store? Yes, I have a few of 'em too!

Here's my solution for paintbrush repair using 

Helmar's Silicone Adhesive Sealant.

*Paintbrush Repair first seen on Helmar Adhesive's blog.

I like to use these as texture + mark-making brushes but NOT for detailed work. Why? Because the bristles are too limp + they have a tendency to fall out. Not cool, is it?

The photos below are easy to understand but I want to share a few pointers + introduce you to Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant if you haven't heard of it before.

Some reasons why the ferrule detaches from the wooden handle:

• If you let your paintbrushes soak in a water jar too long, the wood expands (acts like a sponge) and loosens the glue inside the ferrule.
• naturally happens in humid climates
• tapping the brush too hard during cleaning
• A sign that your paintbrushes may be too cheap. This has been the case for all of my craft brushes that have done this. (I've heard expensive brushes have this problem, as well.) 

Silicone Adhesive Sealant is great because you don't have to worry about it loosening up like regular glue. There's a super tight, waterproof bond + it's permanent! According to the packaging, it is a multi-purpose, industrial-grade sealant that dries clear + flexible.

Can be used on paper, aluminum, powder-coated metals, stainless steel, glass, most woods + plastics, canvas, porcelain, rubber, concrete, cement products, metals like zinc + copper.

Let's recap:

1. Always ensure surfaces are clean, dry + free from dirt or grease. Do not apply a sealant to wet surfaces.

2. When applying sealant, ensure that the sealant bond has good surface contact. (Secure cap immediately otherwise a cured plug will form in the top of the tube making it difficult to use the product again.)

3. Reattach the ferrule with its handle.

Sealant will ooze out of the ferrule. Wipe away the excess. Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant sets within 10 minutes, cures in 7 days.

Remember, when purchasing art supplies, you get what you pay for.

You can't always expect cheap products to yield superior performance. 

Invest in a couple of high-quality brushes, when you can.

You deserve the best!

Monoprinted Scrap Collage

use up those scraps of leftover, monoprinted papers!

This is a really cool technique to show off the best parts and to play with different patterns and textures in your artwork. 

I have a plethora of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate. If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. There's always a future project you could use them for, right? Right?? ::wink::

- See more at: http://helmarusa.typepad.com/#sthash.P3NZ7gfd.dpuf

use up those scraps of leftover, monoprinted papers!

This is a really cool technique to show off the best parts and to play with different patterns and textures in your artwork. 

I have a plethora of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate. If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. There's always a future project you could use them for, right? Right?? ::wink::

- See more at: http://helmarusa.typepad.com/#sthash.P3NZ7gfd.dpufThis is a really cool technique to show off the best parts and to play with different patterns and textures in your artwork. 

I have a plethora of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate. If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. There's always a future project you could use them for, right? Right?? ::wink:: 

Happy Saturday, my friends!

I just can't get rid of these pretty papers! But seriously: can you blame me?!
>> this girl's on the verge of needing an intervention << Hey, I bet you've felt like this, too.
 
If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. Why? Because there's always a future project you could use them for.  Right? Right?? ::wink::

Therefore, I bring to you...

Monoprinted Scrap Collage

Monoprinted Scrap Collage | Tutorial by Martice Smith II

Half of my desk is overflowing in BUNDLES of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate, stencils, stamps - you name it, I've got it! LOL!

...so many colors, patterns, textures...

I'm tempted to just roll around in these piles! 

Monoprinted Scrap Collage | auditioning Gelli printed scraps; adhering them with glue

 

click here for the 

Monoprinted Scrap Collage | TUTORIAL

As always, you're welcome to share! Invite your best friends to play with us.

Send them this link: http://bit.ly/PaperScrapCollage

use up those scraps of leftover, monoprinted papers!

This is a really cool technique to show off the best parts and to play with different patterns and textures in your artwork. 

I have a plethora of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate. If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. There's always a future project you could use them for, right? Right?? ::wink::

- See more at: http://helmarusa.typepad.com/#sthash.P3NZ7gfd.dpuf

How to Paint Your Own Illustrated Quote

Hey friends!
If you've been around me long enough, you'll know that I LOVE + thrive on positivity - just like you :)

Inspirational quotes are all over my studio, in my planners, sprinkled throughout my lovely newsletter...anywhere I can think to put one!!

Here's a quote that has hit me hard, recently, making me aware of how much time I spend on positive vs. negative thoughts. (There's also a tutorial for you!)

I challenge YOU to speak life, self-love, joy + abundance over yourself, first thing you do, EVERY morning.

TUTORIAL | Paint Your Own Illustrated Quote by Martice Smith II

You comin' to see how I finished this illustrated quote? Yes? Great!

Follow me here, to the Helmar blog, for the step-by-step process on how to Paint Your Own Illustrated Quote

 Thanks + happy creating, xo

Altered Mini Composition Booklets

Today, I'm starting off with a quick tutorial to how to make your own altered, mini booklets.
If you are like me, you feel that the design on those school composition books are just too plain Jane...not your style, at all.

Seriously, what is that faux-leopard-polka-dot-design called anyway?? Anyone?

I'm gonna show you how to jazz those babies up with some beautiful gelli prints + luscious colors. Follow me on the Helmar blog to see the full tutorial!

TUTORIAL | How to Make Altered, mini-Composition Booklets

Paper Collage and Stenciled Card

Paper collages are very easy to make and they're the perfect craft activity for the kids!
Since Mother's Day is just a couple of days away, you can whip this up in no time.

I love creating cards like this because it's so personal and, I promise you, they will hold up way better than a regular, store bought card. I credit the layering of monoprints, paper scraps + thick decoupage!

Oh, I should also mention, this is a terrific way to use up those paper scraps you have laying around - time to let them go, my friend!

Meet me over on the Helmar Blog to see the full tutorial + leave some comment love ;)

Paper Collage & Stencil Card  |  TUTORIAL

Grungy Springtime Display Sign

My first project is now live on the Helmar Adhesives blog!

Why not celebrate Spring by making this charming display sign, decked out with psychedelic butterflies + silky smooth textures?

 Grungy Springtime Display Sign

Grungy Springtime Sign   |  TUTORIAL

Spring is here!

Meet me over on the Helmar Blog to see the full tutorial + leave some comment love ;)

Thank you!!

xo,

Guess who is on the team?

 Heyyyy! Ya girl has been selected as a design team member! Can you guess which one?

Need a little hint? Here it is:

I have been selected for Helmar Adhesive's design team! This company is based in Australia and is an Australian, family-owned business. I love that! Keepin' it family-oriented.

Helmar has been extremely generous in providing me my very first shipment of products! And ya know what this means...an abundance of mixed-media art tutorials for YOU...and you, and yoooou! ;-)

Stay on the lookout, my friends! I know how much you value top-notch creative projects and it's my pleasure to have them for you. My first project will be published in April <---a few days after me birthday!


Peace + Love