shopping list

Water based Varathane!!!!  I've been using the "conventional" one, but it's a pain in the ass to clean with a solvent, and i've ruined a lot of brushes. While some might not appreciate the plasticy feel it imparts, it has its uses and is quite versatile. And note she does point out you can buy it at most hardware/building supply stores. I use Varathane on paper and fabric, but what interests me about this variation, is that i could use it to form things with, much like "Stiffy" or Paverpol.

This place, Stockade,  was pointed out by MaryAnne--i wonder if i could get my mother to go shopping for me????? (It's in my hometown!) I try to buy from Canadian stores as much as possible, and Canadian products if i can, but given that most of the materials i buy are made over the border somewhere, i can at least keep some of my money "in country".

I've also discovered that some of the huge dollar stores have aisles of "scrapbooking" supplies--well, they work just as well in mixed media and with textiles. I recommend you check one out for rub on letter transfers, tiny alphabet tags, bits of metal and wood, little fibery packages of novelty yarns, and cool papers, all kinds of things, CHEAP! Their crafting/beading/sewing sections are also good if you have a creative imagination in using things. Everything is grist for the mill!

Don't forget that the hardware and building supply stores are a mecca too for a creative eye---at Princess Auto, i've bought soldering irons, wire of all sorts and gauges, interesting metal bits (look in the "horsey/farm" section too!), an incredible heat gun, eyelets and grommets, washers, storage containers, excellent craft knife sets, tyvek and tape--look in the paint section, the welding area, the nuts and bolts bins, the hand tools---it's THE best place for "hardware" of any sort! Look in the "mis-tint" area of the paint areas---often they'll have cans of strange unique colours that someone else thought was "useless". Just as good and cheaper than gesso----buy the latex though, unless you know the enamel kind can be used on something you have an idea for. (Hint: thicken it with a wee bit of instant mashed potatoes--add a drop of bleach to prevent mold.)

The best kind of "shopping" of course, is the kind you do on walks-----I nabbed a couple of the empty cat litter packages (the big plastic bucket kind) and am filling them with sticks, stones, rusty bits, rubber scraps, feathers, shells, wood scraps, anything that catches my fancy. I keep the "natural" stuff in one and the man made in the other. Neater, less obtrusive and safer than poking in boxes or bags or stumbling over old gears and twigs :}

Comments

[Patience]

I just stumbled across this blog and am really enjoying the concept. I myself made a vow some time ago to avoid purchasing new art supplies (with the exceptions of a few essentials such as paint, etc) in favor of re-using, recycling and re-purposing what I already have on hand around here (which is quite a considerable accumulation really, after many years of maintaining a home studio). A fun challenge for me so far. In any case, enjoying the blog's theme and your art -- much luck with future projects.....