Pendants, pendants, pendants, ybonesy’s pendants in progress, photo and images © 2009 by ybonesy. All rights reserved.
Remember that television commercial from the 1970s where one boy’s walking along eating peanut butter out of a jar, and another boy walks around the corner eating a chocolate bar? They both spy a pretty girl and–BOOM!–run into each other. The boy with the jar says, “Hey, you got your chocolate in my peanut butter!” and the other boy says, “You got your peanut butter in my chocolate!”
Wa-la, the birth of Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Somehow that feels like my artwork right now. I’m walking along carrying a tray of all my little doodles, and another version of me comes along carrying a tray of assorted game pieces. BOOM! We run into each other and explode all over the kitchen counters.
I wanted to take photos of the entire process of creating my version of Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups, but I found that I’m not together enough to document my work and do it at the same time. I can, however, share tidbits of what’s been going on in my mind of late.
Why make Peanut Butter Cups to begin with?
I’m going to be in a show on Sunday, September 13, called We Art the People Folk Art Festival. No screening by jury. It’s for regular folk who happen to be artists.
I picked this one because a) a friend told me it was a great event with loads of people coming through it, and b) it sounded like something I’d want to attend on a Sunday in the beautiful Albuquerque fall. It’s downtown in a narrow strip of a park, walking distance to Java Joe’s and the old Fedways where Mom used to shop when I was a kid, the old Paris Shoes, and a dress shop that made what we called Fiesta dresses. (I have two vintage dresses, one from my grandmother.)
It’s old Albuquerque. Gente. I’m thrilled to be a part of it and wonder what took me so long.
The main reason, though, is that making the commitment to something outside of myself is the best way I’ve found to keep moving forward with my art.
What to make?
Ah, what to make? This can be a mind-boggling question for the budding artist and it can become the downfall of any person who dreams of turning their ideas into reality. At some point, you just have to commit to doing something.
Here are two bullet points from my answer to the question “What is my vision for my business?”
- Own a vibrant and vital online retail business, catering to young and old, activists and quirky individuals of all stripes, people not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves and speak their minds to the world
- Have a diverse range of products, from affordable to high-end. Products will include paintings, three-dimensional pieces of art, tile pendant jewelry, note cards, paper products, t-shirts, and other print-on-demand and/or handmade items (all made with my doodles, paintings, images, photographs, and designs)
Quite the mouthful, eh? That’s not even the whole vision. Given the current venue and deadline, I narrowed my current focus to two items: t-shirts and jewelry.
And notice I’m not even to the part about the “vibrant and vital online retail business”? Before I attempt online, I want to talk to the people who will buy my products. I want to hear what they think, find out which sizes, shapes, and designs they respond to. This show, and probably a few others that I’ll do as I continue to learn, is about understanding what it is I’m doing. Right now it’s all grasping at straws.
How to do it?
Before I bought any raw materials (not including all the raw materials I’ve purchased on and off most of my adult life but never used) I set up a legal business and got a tax certificate. Again, this is about more than the show on September 13; it’s about actualizing a vision.
The t-shirts I got from a place called Alternative Apparel. Not your typical Hanes shop. Alternative carries styles I like to wear: scoop- and v-necks, fitted, sheer, and for the traditional t-shirt types, a great-looking slouchy style. I ordered about a hundred shirts and had them shipped to the printer who is transforming my designs into silk screen. Him I found by asking folks at Guerrilla Graphix, a local store whose shirts I admired, Who does your work?
Tomorrow, the silk screener will have a prototype of one of my images ready for me to view. I’ll take him two or three other designs and get his feedback on which ones lend themselves to silk screening. He’s been doing this work for many years, and he has no qualms about telling me if an image isn’t going to transfer well.
The jewelry is made using something called “doming resin.” Doming resin is a type of epoxy that dries into a clear glass-like plastic. The epoxy has a hardener in it to keep the substance, which when wet has a consistency like honey, from running. Doming resin can turn a two-dimensional surface into a three-dimensional one, and it has the effect of slightly magnifying the image it covers.
To make a doming resin pendant, I first need to produce an image that fits on whatever surface I’m going to use. Since I’m working with small surfaces, I need to modify my scanned doodles on the computer to crop and/or resize them to fit the surface. Next, I’ve found a local company that will print an 8×10 sheet of multiples (about 25 doodles to a sheet) for less than a dollar each. I glue my image on to the blank side of a game piece–I’m using Scrabble, dominoes, Mah Jongg, and Tile Rummy–seal it with a clear-drying glue, then cover it with doming resin, which dries hard and wonderfully clear.
There are many How-Tos on making Doming Resin Pendants. Just Google those words (or Scrabble Tile Pendants) and you’ll find them. My favorite is this video made by Rio Grande, the Albuquerque-based jewelry wholesaler where I bought the epoxy resin, doming hardener, and chains and clasps needed to turn my pendants into finished necklaces.
What’s next?
There are many steps in the process yet, both for getting ready for We Art the People and for realizing my vision. A friend who I knew since 4th grade but only recently reconnected with via Facebook has done many shows. We’ve met twice, once last Sunday to make pendants, and on Wednesday night to talk pricing and display. I want to keep my jewelry under $20 per item, and in some cases, in the range of $8-12. This is a “people’s show,” and so I’ve purposely selected jewelry that is low-cost to make.
I’ve enlisted Jim’s help on the display. This weekend we’ll spray paint old Mah Jongg trays and a peg board for displaying the pendants, plus I’ll scour a few salvage shops to see if I can’t find a mannequin torso to model my t-shirts. I’ll also start working on a flier to send to my contacts (the organizers of We Art the People have a template for vendors to use), so if you’re a friend and/or Facebook contact who lives in the city, expect to experience multiple forms of harrassment as I insist that you come see my Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups. (OK, enough with the analogy.)
Also to consider are:
- Receipt books
- Packaging
- Shipping (when I get to that point)
- Taxes and accounting
- Online stores
- …and a whole host of other things to worry about.
I’ve hired a graphic designer to create a logo, and I’m hankering to take another Photoshop class (and really learn it this time!). So much to do yet so little spare time. That’s the thing with goals. You’ve got to be in them for the long haul, especially if the rest of life requires your full attention. That’s also why you’ve got to be willing to ask others for help.
Speaking of which, I have my sister Patty to thank for introducing me to doming resin. She is a polymer clay artist who is game for trying out any craft. She and fellow artist friends meet once a month to do doming resin. They make potluck Nachos or Frito Pie for dinner, then work in an area of the host’s home (always the same host) set up to accommodate over a dozen people at well-lighted tables. They share resources, materials, and most importantly, their creativity.
It is a brilliant idea and one that I am thinking about offering to my friends who’ve expressed interest in learning how to make resin jewelry. Communal art-making. What a concept!
I will check in occasionally on red Ravine–to let you know how the show went and to report on my progress toward this new direction. It will be slow going, but it will happen. ‘Cause I really like peanut butter and chocolate.
-Related to How I Plan To Spend My Oodles Of Spare Time and The Making Of A Painting Painter.
Go, Roma… Goma!
I want to buy an ‘Evil Eye’ pendant. 🙂
Maybe we can even use the design in the film somehow—
Doing our own creative work is prayer personified, yes? When I’m doing what I feel called to there is no negativity, no resentment, no less-than-ism, just joy. For a clear moment, anyway. Can’t wait to hear about how you progress.
For me there’s thunder, lightning, and, strangely, perfect calm in living vision out loud.
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Hey this is really cool. it is amazing to see your vision coming alive, and it all sounds much easier than i am sure it must be. I like the variety of t shirts, as i am someone who likes wearing them. i am also a lover of chocolate and peanut butter.
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You amaze me. I love your vibrant art, and I know I’d be thrilled to wear T-shirts with these cool images. I like long-sleeved T-shirts, thin fabric, with a scoop neck, not too low cut. I like the same in short sleeves. Just so you know! I also like prints, kitchen magnets, and hair accessories. 🙂
Congratulations on your show!
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Oh ybonesy! Your creations are just wonderful! I love that you have such dedication & have done soooo much research on your project/dream. We Art The People Folk Art Festival seems perfect for displaying & selling your doodle creations. I love anything folk art, so of course I would be gobbling up all kinds of goodies! I like that you chose to go with a diversity of items & have decided to keep them reasonably priced. Best wishes to you in your endeavors. I have no doubt that you will do well! Not only do I admire you as a person, I also admire you for following through on your dream. Looking forward to hearing more about your progress.
My favorites are the tree & the cool cat, so if you have any leftovers (well, now I’m just hinting)…D
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ybonesy, I LOVE this post for many reasons. But first because it showcases your talent and drive. I’m glad you shared your process and excitement with red Ravine readers because it’s contagious! I feel lucky to be able to follow your progress on a day by day basis and am glad others can now, too.
I’m so excited for your We Art the People Folk Art Festival in September and can’t wait to hear how it goes. The idea of communal art is fantastic. Sharing ideas and resources is the way we grow and stay afloat:
They share resources, materials, and most importantly, their creativity. It is a brilliant idea and one that I am thinking about offering to my friends who’ve expressed interest in learning how to make resin jewelry. Communal art-making.
I’d love to come and meet with you and your friends for a communal art making session. Would also love to learn more about the pendants. It’s great the way your sister and her friends shared their knowledge with you, and now you’re passing it on to us.
It’s strange because when Liz and I were cleaning before her Mom came in July, we ran across an old Scrabble game. We decided to keep it to use in photography and video projects. And now we can even maybe turn some of the tiles into finished art. I’m excited to learn more.
I have no doubt you will be successful with your art. You already are. Turning the creativity into $$$ is the next step on the journey.
I have a technical question. When you have the company print an 8×10 sheet of multiples (about 25 doodles to a sheet) for you — is that on photographic paper? Or what kind of paper are they printing your Doodles on before you glue them to the tiles?
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Doing our own creative work is prayer personified, yes? When I’m doing what I feel called to there is no negativity, no resentment, no less-than-ism, just joy.
That is so true, Barbara, and both eloquent and elegant.
I will definitely make sure you get an Evil Eye pendant. My sister also liked the Eye and took one today, wore it to the flea market. It looked great on her.
BTW, this Evil Eye is special in that it wards off the evil eyes that others send your way. So it is a charm to keep away others’ Envy. 8)
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Hey reccos and Christine, so great to hear that you also love different types of shirts.
Christine, how I wish now that I would have ordered long-sleeved t-shirts, but I ordered in late July, prior to leaving for Vietnam, and it was so incredibly hot then that I couldn’t fathom long-sleeve. See, this is exactly the kind of learning I’m going through, not thinking ahead to the fact that the show would be on an early fall day.
reccos, it has honestly been easier than I would have thought to start producing. You have to just do it. Nike was so right with their fabulous saying.
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diddy, I like the tree and Cool Cat, too. In fact, I’m wearing Cool Cat as we speak. There will be plenty, so no need to worry about my selling out. Once the online store is up and running, I’ll let everyone know so that you can place orders. 8)
QM, I’m happy to share what’s been shared with me. And if you look into these Scrabble tiles, you’ll see they are ubiquitous. Really, there is so little that can be kept proprietary, what with technology these days, so it makes sense to share versus not.
Let me know if you ever want to do anything with your images and the Scrabble pieces that you and Liz came across. I’d be happy to walk you through it in more detail than I did here.
As for the question about the paper that the printer uses, I’ve gone there about four times already and I’ve tried different types of paper. One is called “mat” but has a slightly shiny finish. I’ve gotten high-gloss, and I like that one a lot. The colors pop. It is a standard printing paper, and I have gotten a couple of my photographs printed on it, too, thinking they lend themselves to tile pendants. So I’m pretty sure the paper is similar if not the same as photographic paper.
I should note that you’ll see in the tutorial I posted that you have to seal the paper before covering it with resin. If not, the resin with react with the ink and cause it to bleed and/or darken. I made that mistake with my first round of Scrabble tiles. You can seal the image with Mod Podge, or any white glue that dries clear. Interestingly, the glue does not react with the paper or ink.
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Ybonesy,
Your passion comes through with laser strength. The energy in this post lifts my own. Wish I could be there for The Day! I know you’ll simply soar.
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YB-these are wonderful! Keep tapping into that first mind.
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Thanks, Sharon and Franny. This process has inspired me to get more doodles going. I starting working on one last night. And also to put more contrast in some of my doodles that don’t hold the image well when they’re reduced in size.
I’ve appreciated so much the support of friends, here physically, on FB, and on the blog. Thanks! It gives me a lot of energy.
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yb, keep that energy flowing! I’m patiently awaiting news that the online store is up & ready. With Christmas not too far away, these would make perfect gifts.
I was wondering if you will be offering any bracelets or brooches? The tiles would make cool charm bracelets! And do you sign & date your finished products?
Oh, and also calendars. You have so many doodles that would be appropriate for each month of the year. D
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ybonesy, ah, I wondered if it was standard photo paper. Liz and I both print on mostly high gloss photo paper because of exactly the reason you mention — the colors pop more on the glossy. And on glossy, the details stick out more, too. The matte finish is slightly warmer but fuzzier. And it makes total sense that when you are shrinking things down, you’re going to want more clarity and detail.
I was also wondering about the glues you use. What kinds of glues and are they archival? It sounds like there is one type that covers the photo paper. And another that adheres the image to the tile. We used to use this Archival PVA white glue in papermaking and bookbinding. I wondered if something like that would work. Eager to learn more from you about this process. Told Liz about it and she’s excited, too. We’ll tap more of your knowledge when we get to that point. Been going through images the last few weeks and getting organized. Wish we could be there for your show!
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Your designs are beautiful and were I in the area I would come to the show. This sounds like the type of show I like to go to! You will definitely have to let us know of any online stores where your work might be available.
What a neat post too in that it shows that we can all do what we want to do if we really want it and we go after it!
Brava!
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Your drawings are so alive. The colors so vibrant and attractive. I think the colors and then the subjects will attract lots of buyers at the festival. Good luck to you.
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Ybonsy – I will definitely be there next Sunday for the festival. I have always loved your work and I am so pleased that you’re starting this business. I have no doubt that the world our there will love your art.
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[…] 12, 2009 by ybonesy …During Labor Day weekend, the thought of making the same ol’ pendants all the live-long day sounded monotonous… …so we pulled out the Dominoes and starting […]
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[…] I’m having fun. Playing with the Scrabble and other game tile pendants I’ve been making, turning them into bigger and better […]
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[…] to posts Hey, You Got Your Doodles On My Scrabble Tiles!, When You Get Tired Of Scrabble, Take Up Dominoes, and Pendants And Charms And Milagros, Oh […]
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Doodles for kitchen tops? What do you think? :O
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Oh ho, what a great idea! You could embed the doodles under the epoxy tops. I bet large surfaces like that have special instruments to ensure that bubbles don’t get trapped. So different working on such a large scale, I imagine.
This reminds me, btw, of some rugs I was recently eyeing, which were essentially large rough doodles in rug design form. Doodles are great for many different types of home improvement and home decoration products, methinks.
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[…] that small!) wooden canvasses, so I played around with collage and color. And I did my usual pendants and bracelets. My dilemma: How to make art every day? Or every week, or even every other […]
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