My first ACEOs - 3 mixed media creations - Early Beginnings.

I had seen ATCs (Artist Trading Cards - for trading, only) for several years, prior to ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions and Originals - always collectible sizee - 2.5x3.5" - acronym used when selling to ID - search eBay for this term, and other selling sites - Etsy, etc.) commencing in late 2004. Early 2005 I did my very first ACEOs to list on eBay. So I was used to mixed media methods, so my early ACEOs were exploring options to create. I'd done similar with a small number of ATCs which I created and traded in ATC online groups.

These are my first 3, They were sold within seconds of being listed on eBay. I was hooked! Not my best work, by any means, but fun to do. Many 100s of ACEOs created since, in all manner of different ways, and I've loved every moment of them.

www.JillianCrider.com

About me: Working as an artist for Val Morgan's in Adelaide.

A 'forgotten' art.

Remembering 3 women artists from South Australia.

Chasing my memories, and finding out things that have a 'wow' factor.

In my late teens I went to a 'commercial art' course for one term at Norwood Technical Collage. It meant a long travel by bus from Grange. But was the closest that I imagined having a career in art my teacher was Marjorie Hann.

She was in her 50s and already a noted artist in many ways. I never imagined that this choice would lead me in to a unique part-time job doing 'commercial art'.

She was needing someone to fill in for her while she went on vacation, and chose to put my name forward, and I was accepted. $2 an hour seemed like a fortune at the time.

Because of the uniqueness of the position, I was mentored by her and her best friend - Vanessa Smith. They knew each other affectionately as 'Fish and Lamb(e)' - they had met at the Adelaide School of Art, and were firm friends right up until Vanessa's death in the early 2000s, living just one street away from each other.

Vanessa was an incredible artist, and known for her own expertise - as a glass artist and considered the best of the best. Both were watercolourists, which is where some of my charm of watercolour comes from (other than from Sir Hans Heysen, whom my grandfather sat next to in Primary school in Norwood/Maylands in the late 1800s.

While I loved his art, as it was on every school room or government building wall, the fact that grandpa knew him, and loved getting the Christmas cards from him in some of my early years.

Marjorie is known well enough to be on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Hann

I couldn't find much on Vanessa, and was asked by Marjorie at one stage to write Vanessa's story, as she believed her stained glass designs and work to be truly exceptional. Her work is acclaimed as treasures.

http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=1497&mode=singleImage

The third artist I worked with is/was Jenny Gore. I 'found' her today. I knew she had become an enamel artist due to her effort in winning an exhibition I was part of organising in Salisbury in the 1980s. While not totally surprised, I see she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal - for her extraordinary enamel artwork.

http://www.jennygoreenamel.com.au/index.html

So the fact that 4 of us worked together almost makes me pinch myself. Incredible! While we were part-time and worked from home, we crossed paths and I kept in close contact specifically with Marjorie and Vanessa. We always exchanged Christmas cards, through the years.

Where did we work?

Val Morgan's - theatre advertising. Most were for drive-ins. I loved the work, and did it for 2 years before leaving Australian Shores for England.

Quite a unique process. Long gone now.

Here is a 'colour rough'/'submit' which we would do based on a clients requirements - submitted to client for approval prior to doing the final art, from that time. I have 9 of these. I'll talk more about the process in later posts.

Just amazed that this was all part of my life.

More to come ...

Kit #002 - musician, music lover art journal KIT! 4x6"

Find this kit here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/234075864/kit-002-music-theme-art-journal-4x6?  - price reduced! There are 7 altogether - 1 sold. - so check my shop.

 Making the world lovelier, one image at a time ...

Kit for making a music journal - using pages from a vintage book on Beethoven. Perfect for any music lover. Be inspired by this wonderful musician. I started it - you finish it! 4x6" (handy size!) Unique, OOAK. There will only be 7 kits offered in this series.
I usually make almost complete journals, but this is one to work on, and make your own. FREE SHIPPING IN U.S.A.

The kit (#2) includes:
* Two 6" x 4.5" chipboard (acid-free) covers (paste favorite images or music pages, or paint on these to finish).
* One of my favorite images - female violinist on music background - printed high quality photo matte paper for cover (if desired).
* 38 pages sized 6" x 4" - cut by hand (I like a hand-made look, so imperfections exist, to add character) - from pages of a vintage (1970s) book on Beethoven. NOTE: the images are partial papers, so they do NOT 'stand alone' they are meant for inspiration and feature some of Beethoven's music, handwriting, etc. They are meant to be used for altering, not read. Decorate, add stickers, add your own text, to make the journal 'yours'.
* 15 pages (approx.) from book, as above - but with added elements - musical or romantic roses or images to 'alter' the look of these pages, for inspiration, and for you to add your own decoration or writing. Some images are not on book pages, but on plain paper, or vintage paper.
* 2 'letter' size sheets of musical and romantic (roses) clip art images - to be used to decorate your journal how you wish (19 images) printed high quality, on matte photo paper.
* 6 .png files - text/journal writing pages, with lines. 5 with images, one with just lines. For printing onto 6" x 4" blank index cards - print as many as you wish, so that you can have writing pages in your journal. These files will either be sent on CD, or emailed to you.

Please allow for miscounting. You will get extras which will more than make up if I'm short on my count. :)

I'll include suggestions on how to complete your journal - it's simple enough. You just need a hole punch and circular binder rings - but also other suggestions.

A lot of time went into disassembling the Beethoven book, selecting images, printing them, creating the graphics, and choosing the images, and content, as well as putting it all together. And while this is one of 7 I have put together, each is totally different and unique. Made even more unique by your personal touches and assembly.

... so ... sketch, paint, write, enjoy and be inspired by the pages to your heart's content.

Some wonderful art journal kits available on my DreamyPapers Etsy account.

Find this kit here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/232955989/kit-art-journal-4x6-beethoven-music?  - price reduced! There are 7 altogether - 1 sold. - so check my shop.

Making the world lovelier, one image at a time ...

Kit for making a music journal - using pages from a vintage book on Beethoven. Perfect for any music lover. Be inspired by this wonderful musician. I started it - you finish it! 4x6" (handy size!) Unique, OOAK. There will only be 7 kits offered in this series.
I usually make almost complete journals, but this is one to work on, and make your own. FREE SHIPPING IN U.S.A.

The kit (#1) includes:
* Two 6" x 4.5" chipboard (acid-free) covers (paste favorite images or music pages, or paint on these to finish).
* One of my favorite images - female violinist on music background - printed high quality photo matte paper for cover (if desired).
* 38 pages sized 6" x 4" - cut by hand (I like a hand-made look, so imperfections exist, to add character) - from pages of a vintage (1970s) book on Beethoven. NOTE: the images are partial papers, so they do NOT 'stand alone' they are meant for inspiration and feature some of Beethoven's music, handwriting, etc. They are meant to be used for altering, not read. Decorate, add stickers, add your own text, to make the journal 'yours'.
* 19 pages (approx.) from book, as above - but with added elements - musical or romantic roses or images to 'alter' the look of these pages, for inspiration, and for you to add your own decoration or writing. Some images are not on book pages, but on plain paper, or vintage paper.
* 2 'letter' size sheets of musical and romantic (roses) clip art images - to be used to decorate your journal how you wish (19 images) printed high quality, on matte photo paper.
* 6 .png files - text/journal writing pages, with lines. 5 with images, one with just lines. For printing onto 6" x 4" blank index cards - print as many as you wish, so that you can have writing pages in your journal. These files will either be sent on CD, or emailed to you.

Please allow for miscounting. You will get extras which will more than make up if I'm short on my count. :)

I'll include suggestions on how to complete your journal - it's simple enough. You just need a hole punch and circular binder rings - but also other suggestions.

A lot of time went into disassembling the Beethoven book, selecting images, printing them, creating the graphics, and choosing the images, and content, as well as putting it all together. And while this is one of 7 I have put together, each is totally different and unique. Made even more unique by your personal touches and assembly.

... so ... sketch, paint, write, enjoy and be inspired by the pages to your heart's content. 

A new mixed media collage - Bird on a wire.

This is new, and somewhat different for me. It's taken me a while to work on it, mainly trying to get all the elements together and perfect. I did have the beeswax on too thick, and finally found my heat gun and took a chance to work on it, and it worked really well! YAY!

SFA - Original collage with beeswax, original photo(s), old papers, and skeleton leaves. On Etsy. 4.5x4.5" for those who love birds and nature/natural things.  https://www.etsy.com/listing/227944616/original-collage-bird-on-a-wire-vintage

A failed journal experiment = GIVEAWAY TIME!

An experiment. Too much time spent in making this journal for 2015 but full of flaws, but too nice to toss - Intended for journaling joys, gratitude and accomplishments for a positive outlook to 2015, each day. Just comment on the thread that I'll link to on FaceBook , and I'll number each comment and use random.org to choose a number, noon January 12th 2015 (PST) - need for USA people only. Sorry. I can't pay postage to anyone out of USA. But will partially pay some of the cost, for out of USA, if winner is willing.

COVER: Mis-punched - washi tape used to correct somewhat but it it's still flawed. The journal opens well, though, and is quite useable. Though somewhat careful handling is needed. Can unbind the book and use pages in a journal you create yourself. I designed this imagery - old lined paper and vintage flower image. So it is OOAK.

BACK COVER: Mis-punched - washi tape used to correct somewhat (like with front cover), but it's still flawed.  

INSIDE: First approx. 7 pages: The first 7 pages have been mis-punched (new punch machine - trying to get used to it!), and washi tape used to somewhat re-punch. Vintage 1886 paper used on inside front and back cover, which is chipboard.

INSIDE: Most of the inside of the book looks OK. Fully functional, and although the punched holes may be slightly askew, the journal still will be a pretty and functional one.

These pages could be unbound? Just twist the binding to unbind, it comes right out with thread/twist. Then use the loose pages in a larger journal you design and incorporate these into it. The covers - perhaps use the inside vintage paper as the 'canvas' for a new artwork - using your favorite art supplies, or mixed media, or collage?


Have fun. Be inspired. Good luck.
Facebook thread to comment on, to enter the draw is:
https://www.facebook.com/jillian.crider/posts/10153526327504128

Thanks all.
~Jillian

 

My 10th 'garden' series ACEO. Watercolor with pen and ink on vintage paper.

Original painting - ACEO (2.5x3.5") - SFA - Small Format Art (Any artwork not over 14"). "Birdy Condo"

"Original unique artwork. I love and collect old papers, but there are so many wonderful things to do with them. This is a genuine 1887 handwritten ledger page, backed with acid-free cardstock. Some of the original handwriting appears on the vintage paper.

On top I've done some pen and wash paintings/sketches from my photos of gardens and other delights.

A weathered birdhouse condominium-style by the Oregon coast. A scattering of pink roses trailing over the sides of it. I don't know if birds like to live condo-style, but it sure looks great in the garden with salt-weathered wood.

I've used white gesso under some of the painting - as this helps to make the colors 'pop' a little more. This is the same type of sketching used in art journals, urban sketches, and travel diaries.

P.S. For locals that may like to guess. This is in Charleston, OR.
Hope you enjoy these as much as I have in discovering these wonderful gardens, and creating these little paintings."


Listed on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/291281745511

3rd ACEO art in new garden series on old handwritten ledger paper

This is my third in my new garden series ACEO (2.5x3.5") pen and wash (ink and watercolor) sketch/paintings.

Topped with some white gesso, this little pleasant garden scene with birdhouse "Bird Station" - making a very pleasant garden vista, all on top of an old ledger paper from 1887 - some of the old original handwriting can still be seen. I love gardens that have other elements in them. This had an old weathered wooden stool, and a rusty enamel bowl on top. Set in the basin was a birdhouse. Behind it, the building's porch, overflowing with an abundance of blood-red roses, with irises and leafy plants in front. It certainly caught my eye.

Listed on eBay HERE: http://cgi.ebay.com/itm/291256524118

A new ACEO - a new series - gardens and flowers, unique, original painting.

A new ACEO from me. Original watercolor painting. Pen & wash journal-style garden arbor with Chinese lantern on a handwritten ledger paper from 1887. Beautiful back-lit garden.

Now on eBay - find it here ...  http://tinyurl.com/lg8bpkl - Jillian Crider 'artistjillian' - Thank you for looking. Look for some more - I'm doing a 'series'.

NEW - Naked ATC / ACEO French typography advertising ephemera backgrounds - digital download.

Today's new digital download sheet in my Dreamy Papers Etsy store ...

Naked ACEO ATC French backgrounds digital collage sheets instant download art - great for jewelry display cards by DreamyPapers on Etsy. http://etsy.me/1oM5nwG by DreamyPapers, $3.50 Naked because they have nothing added - just scanned typography - mostly from Paris businesses. Vintage advertising art. Cards, tags, collage and altered art, or for art journals. Great ephemera. Probably from the 1800s.

I was inspired to make these. It's a new size for me. Collages in 1x2" rectangles (31 individual images) - to suit necklace pendants and all manner of projects - use in art journals, scrapbooking, ATCs, ACEOs, collages, glass slide jewelry, domino creations, altered arts and more.

Provided as an instant digital download from my 'DreamyPapers' shop on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/203222438/1x2-inch-domino-digital-collage-sheets?


The theme is vintage flowers overlaid on a base of old handwritten paper from the late 1800s, with scrolls printed on this background and a vignette edging. Perfect inspiration for so many creative happenings.

It takes a long time to choose and make these pages, but end up loving the results myself, so I'm happy to give you the opportunity to use them in your projects and dreams.

Some more grab-bags now available! Heart shapes.

My last range of grab bags sold out. Hearts are always popular, so I've listed some grab bags that are just hearts.
These papers are mostly 100+ years old, and the images I've used are vintage, too.
Inspiration for your paper craft and art projects. It takes me a long time to collect the papers, images, and tools to make all these, so understand that sometimes your creative project is delayed while you accumulate what you need.
With these grab bags you have inspiration and supplies at hand - ready to go.

Use for ACEOs, collages, art journals, scrapbooking, greeting card creations, tags, project life projects, ATCs, altered art, altered bottles, altered tins, canvas art, artwork, and much more.
See the description for more information in my Etsy store:
http://DreamyPapers.Etsy.com

Instant inspiration for your art or craft project - unique paper grab bags!

Although I've sold well over 20 of these, I finally got around to making up some more. They are selling fast. 4 out of the 5 I made have now sold, but I'll be making and listing more in the next few days. So check my Etsy store.
See my "Dreamy Papers" store on Etsy HERE.
Most of the papers are over 100 years old. The images are old ones, too. All are OOAK, unique. These are wonderfully inspiring for projects that may need paper to be incorporated in them. I know how long it took me to collect the papers, images, and tools to make all these, so understand that sometimes your creative project is delayed while you accumulate what you need.
With these grab bags you have inspiration and supplies at hand - ready to go.

Use for ACEOs, collages, art journals, scrapbooking, greeting card creations, tags, project life projects, ATCs, altered art, altered bottles, altered tins, canvas art, artwork, and much more.
See the description for more information in my Etsy store.

I even have this very simple sample showing how one might use some of the shapes in these packages (shapes vary with, and in, EACH package), all are OOAK, unique:

 

ACEO - playing with vintage pages and images, dressed up with original art.

Such fun to do. Did this today, an ACEO (2.5x3.5") art original collage + original painting roses.

Old handwriting from 1874, Harper's Bazar illustration (fashion) from 1898 - hand tinted in watercolor. And decorative roses hand-painted in gouache.
Rounded corners - card backed. "A True Rose" Listed on eBay.
© Jillian Crider
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291119473583

A new ACEO watercolor painting. Fluffy cat on a vintage doorstep.

Just finished this original watercolor painting. It's an ACEO (sized always at 2.5x3.5"). I love doing art this size, it helps to really concentrate on the essentials.

I was looking at the door of an old building, when I saw I was being watched back. This fluffy cat made a lovely subject for this painting.

Thank you for looking.


I have it listed on eBay - HERE

ACEO original collage using vintage buttons - scottie dog, shoes, and goose.

On eBay: http://www.ebay.com/sch/merchant/artistjillian

Some more 'playing' with vintage buttons - use them to design original ACEO (2.5x3.5") collages around. A fun task.

Another Scottie dog - turning back time to another era when Scotties were 'the' dog to have.

Mother Goose transparency transfer, vintage paper and a colorful garland and spotted washi tape set off a button of a goose with a hat.

Finally - Kick up your heels with these CanCan twins. Ah... Gay Paree (Paris), altered vintage images, with rubber stamps and a bit of bling!

More to come soon. These are currently listed on my eBay account.

ACEO featuring a vintage Scottie dog button - French.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=291051035030

"At one stage 'Scotties' were 'the' dog to have. This button is just SO cute and from that era. So kept a really simple composition. I tied it on using yellow and white bakers' string. Creating my own French theme using an image from an old vintage book.

This would be great as a collectible ACEO, or as part of a journal or larger collage."

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=291050985632

"Another 'found vintage button' - yellow gloves. I immediately thought of sexy black lace. I hunted and found a favorite vintage Victorian image of the lady with wonderful gloves. I composed all together on a yellow ACEO - real lace, image, embossed black circle shape, and button. Then added a black scroll brad with just a touch of glitter.

All up, a seductive mix, I think. This would be great as a collectible ACEO, or as part of a journal or larger collage."

Found objects - incorporated into collaged ACEO art.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=291050962734

Original collaged ACEO. "I found some 'interesting' buttons in a stash of vintage buttons, they weren't stunners but certainly too amazing to be hidden away amongst others. The black padlock may be a button, or not. It was amongst the mix. I was terribly 'lucky' to find the vintage Victorian image of the lady on a padlock (maybe it's to represent having the key to her heart?), so I used that image on top of metallic silver fabric/paper, together with old handwritten ledger paper from 1916. The woman's image was repeated in smaller size, and added to the button. It seemed appropriate to add the filigree heart. A bit of whimsy was added using a black scroll brad with a touch of glitter.

All up, I think it is a pretty and interesting mix. This would be great as a collectible ACEO, or as part of a journal or larger collage."

Vintage buttons gain new life - as collaged ACEO art - Parrot button.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291050915280 

A new series of original collaged ACEOs. 

"I found some 'interesting' buttons in a stash of vintage buttons, they weren't stunners but certainly too amazing to be hidden away amongst others. This red parrot button was fastened onto a Victorian ephemera image of a beautiful corseted lady, who did indeed have a parrot perched on her fingers. I added a real red feather to add a whimsical tail and decided to find some brilliant gold foil coins for a pirate and/or cigar box feel. This would be great as a collectible ACEO, or as part of a journal or larger collage."