Upcycled Paper Doiley Flowers

White, mint green and blue paper doiley flowers. These I made for 'Manila Art Market', an art fair event/scene that was created for a local TV hit series, On The Wings of Love. The scene was aired last November 3, 2015. One of these blue paper doiley flowers was even held by Clark (portrayed by James Reid) during the art scene. *swoon x 1000!* :)

Hello friends!

It's been a while and I'd like to make it up to you by sharing something pretty and cheery.

As evident in my posts, I'm a huge fan of paper. I use it in almost all of the arts & crafts that I do. It's so simple, unassuming and easy to use as an art medium.

Aside from paper cutting, I also love doing paper mache and paper flowers. And my latest obsession is paper flower making. There are a lot of tutorials on the web as to how to make paper flowers so you are free to choose whatever you fancy.

I styled a baptismal party last August, and one of the props I used for styling are paper doileys. I dyed it in 3 graduating shades and used it as a photo wall backdrop. I've consumed about 500-600 pcs for the said event. As a person who care for the environment, I always aim to reuse my props again and again (as is or altered a bit). And I wanted to start with the dyed doileys since I find it very pretty. I thought of turning it into paper flowers since it is rounded in shape, it's easy to make flower petals from it. I also like that it has cutout patterns, as it will surely add texture and character to the final piece.

Below are a few of my works. Enjoy! :)

'Til next time!

- Leeanne ;)

White and mint green upcycled paper doiley flowers.

How the cut pieces look before assembling and gluing.

Blue (my favorite color!) paper doiley flowers.

Handmade Wire Clips/Bookmarks

Hello friends!

Today I like to share with you another favorite arts & crafts medium of mine. I was introduced to this medium when I attended a fashion accessories/beading workshop two years ago.

I am talking about aluminum wire used in jewelry making (and in other art forms).

I didn't like it at first because I find it hard to use/manipulate/shape, especially the thick ones, so it wasn't my favorite material to use in my jewelry creations.

And then a few months before Christmas of last year (2014), as I was sorting/cleaning my big craft materials box, I saw a left over roll of wire idly sitting in it and I was suddenly inspired to do something beautiful and useful out of it.

As I have decided to live creatively each day of my life, I have this thing of wanting to make art functional.

I like a quote by Moshe Mikanovsky that says, 'You see, art always has a purpose, whether it is functional or emotional, it is there to do something. Find what it is that your art does, and you will find your niche.'

He is very much correct. Every art has a function, whether it be emotional or physical, and I like to create art that caters to both, however simple it may be. I believe that every art gives a great impact to an appreciative
user/wearer/consumer.

So, I decided to form nature-inspired shapes and messages or affirmative words out of it and thought of using it as bookmarks since I love to read. This idea may not be new, as wire bookmarks are already available in the market, but there is something fulfilling in making the things that you need and it's a bonus when others appreciate it too.

Airplane & camera wire clips/bookmarks.
*the book used in this photo is entitled: 'Simple, Conquering the Crisis of Complexity' by Alan Siegel and Irene Etzkorn

Coffee & cupcake clips/bookmarks
*the book used in this photo is entitled: 'Simple, Conquering the Crisis if Complexity' by Alan Siegel & Irene Etzkorn

I posted my early works in social media and it was well received. I still have a lot so I decided to make some more as Christmas gifts to my highschool friends. We had an early Christmas party and when I gave them their wire bookmarks, they started placing orders to be given as gifts to their friends as well! :) And then more (custom) orders came in. 

This year, I decided to make new designs and these are the ones shown in this post.

Guitar, coffee & cupcake wire clips

Coffee clips

I came to love using/manipulating aluminum wires because I realized its versatility and that yes, it can be easy to use, just pick a thickness or wire gauge that you are comfortable using. I use wire gauge #18 for my bookmarks/clips.

So there, get creative and make your own designs!

Leeanne :)

Keep on Making

Recycled white paper doiley flowers (photo 1, styled a bit messy but still pretty)

Hello friends!

Today I like to share with you how my love of making (arts & crafts) is continually making me the kind person I wanted to become. Every art I make mirrors who I am. It had been a quiet, supportive and comforting witness to my thoughts and emotions.

I may have said it many times that crafting/making is what makes me feel alive. It is my way of showing my authentic self. Every little thing I make reflects who I am and what I feel. It has in it my hopes, aspirations, joy, love & compassion. And it is my sincere hope that my art communicate these messages effectively to every person it reaches.

I make art daily or as much as I can. I just keep on making art. I make art when I'm happy or even when I feel hurt. I make art when I'm certain or when I'm looking for clarity. It helps me process thoughts more clearly. I make art when I'm grateful as well as when I'm clueless and humbly praying for extra grace to handle things I think I can't do on my own.

Making has become a spiritual act for me. It helps me to genuinely connect with my own self, with the people around me and especially, it helps me connect with God.

Making art is my home. I continue to make no matter what.

Recycled paper doiley flowers (photo 2).

Using this gift consistently and whole-heartedly made me become a better person. The kind that I like. Calm, grounded, open, more loving, understanding, resilient and persistent.

I hope that you are also consistently making. Making music, making novels, making whatever it is that makes your heart and soul light up.




Leeanne :)

Upcycled Adornments

Hello friends!

Today I'd like to share something different from what I normally do.

This, I can identify as my secondary passion (as mentioned in my previous posts, a few years back I realized that paper cutting is my first love!).

The craft I'm talking about is jewelry making. I took a short break from doing this passion and made time to discover and do other crafts I think I like (and discovered my love for paper cutting :)). And only recently, I had an opportunity again to practice this craft. I guess jewelry designing/making will always be a part of my craftsy life.

Two nights ago,  as I was cleaning my big 'craft materials box', I saw a boho-themed Y necklace w/c was given to me by my aunt. And as one of my favorite things to do, I disassembled the whole piece and started making new and 'improved' design studies out of the dismantled components. As I was working in the wee hours of the night, I realized I still love making jewelry. I still love mixing and matching different metal components, semi-precious stones, cords, chains, etc. to create a wearable piece of art.

So, here are the outputs: 4 hippie bracelets from one old and slightly outdated necklace with foliage handmade papercuts for it's background. ;) *fresh water pearl + blue agate beads were added to breathe new life to the old components*

And this one here is my favorite among the four upcycled bracelets I made. It is simple and elegant, I'd wear this as a day and night jewelry. How about you? :)

Talk to you again soon.

-Leeanne :)



#jewelry #handmade #handmadejewelry #fashionjewelry #papercuts #handmadepapercuts #boho #adornments #boholove #papercutsPh #handmadePh #reuse #recycle #upcycle

50th Wedding Anniversary Papercut

Obet & Tita Gualberto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question, how will you feel when you were asked to create something special as a 50th golden wedding anniversary to 2 special persons in your life?

I was honored, flattered and my gratitude is sky high when my uncle commissioned me to do this for my granduncle & grandaunt as a gift on their golden wedding anniversary. Fifty (50) years of marriage, WOW! I am simply out of words.

I am always beyond happy to do my craft and it always give me joy when people see it as something really special and worthy as a gift to people they love. As I had been very vocal about, my goal with my craft is to serve people by giving joy and inspiration. I feel that that's the very reason God gave me this talent, this gift. :)

For this project, I searched for their (very old) wedding album and used it as reference for the kind of wedding attire and hairstyles they wore on their wedding day, 50 years ago.

Size of the cut paper is 8.5" x 11" and I used a 90gsm white acid free paper for preservation purposes. Non acid free paper tends to get yellow and brittle overtime. I don't want that to happen to my artworks.
An art piece that was done with great love deserves the use of appropriate kind of paper (or art materials) for generations to appreciate. I then glued some parts of it onto a blue-colored paper for it's background as requested by my uncle (client).

The papercut features their wedding date, name of the church where they got married, a sweet note that's essential in their wonderful married life and the houses they built for their lovely family.

Here are more photos of the papercut. Enjoy! :)

Close up of their wedding attire.

Their wedding date: June 12, 1965 (Philippine Independence Day)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinamalayan Orr. Mindoro Catholic Church is the church where they got married.

'To Love And To Cherish' 

Their rest house in Antipolo City.

Their house in Bacood, Sta. Mesa Manila (I love that it has so many windows).

-Leeanne :-)

C-O-N-N-E-C-T Genuinely

Connect the Dots handmade papercut for Day 55/100
#The100DayProject

Hello friends! :)

     Its been a few weeks since my last post and today I'd like to make up for it and share something special. I'll share how the discovery of my passion, my art & my love lead me to be more open and willing to connect genuinely to people.

     And I think I would be able to explain it best by sharing my THEN & NOW moments. So here it goes:

THEN

     Shy, quiet, awkward, snob & introvert are 5 words you may use to describe me. It takes a ton of effort for me to say hello and smile to somebody. I don't connect with people easily/naturally. I'm so lazy to bond and socialize. I think that's my natural state and that I'll be like that forever.

     In parties, you'll find me quietly sitting in a corner, alone or with somebody that I know, awkwardly smiling to people, observing the place, the venue decorations & feel of the party and then deciding immediately that I should go home. I may also be (tightly) holding a drink like holding on for dear life.

     A few questions running in my head every time I'm in a social event are: 'Why am I here?',  'Am I gonna smile and make beso?', 'Should I talk to this person? Do I need him in my life?', 'What am I gonna say?', 'Why is my hair going in every direction it pleases and my hangnails showing in a funny way? WHY?', 'What am I gonna do?', 'What am I gonna do with my life?' Okay, the last question is a bit exaggerated. Seriously, because I'm this complicated and busy thinking about these things bugging in my head, I often fail to be in the moment and rob myself (and other people) of supposedly great opportunities to bond, socialize and connect with great people.

     I don't know why I had been like this for so long. And then I thought it could be because of my insecurities or low self-esteem. Or maybe I'm afraid to share myself to others because I don't know who I was, I don't have a sense of self and I don't know what I can offer or contribute that's worthy of other's time and attention. I know this is harsh, and sadly, this was how I'd been for so long.

     I have a few close friends whom I share my thoughts and some interests with, but sometimes, even with them I felt that I lack something essential in order for me to  r e a l l y  connect.  On a lighter note, there were times that I tried to be a little chatty, but it always resulted to a sore throat the day after. Apparently, my throat is even more introvert than I am.


NOW

    ...And then enlightenment came and I discovered what I'm good at and what I can share and contribute to bring joy and inspiration to people - my passion for all things crafty, especially with paper crafts and specifically with paper cutting. Hallelujah! My gratitude is sky high! :)

     I'm still shy, quiet and remain an introvert but I can now socialize and bond with people in my own silent, less complicated and less awkward way. I think I can never stop being awkward, I guess its my silent signature.

     I mean it when I say hello and when I smile, it reaches my eyes and it definitely came from my heart.

     I'm still not that chatty, but I'm more open to meet people and I'm interested to know and listen to their stories.

     I'm willing to share/contribute what I know & what I can to people who wants/needs it.

     During parties or any social event, my hair still go in every direction it pleases and my hangnails are still showing in a funny way but I don't care that much anymore. It adds character and imperfections are beautiful.

     Lastly, I'm able to connect genuinely because I am happy, or at least I choose to be. :)

Day 53/100 for #The100DayProject
'The heart is happiest when it beats for others.

- Leeanne :)

Foliage Love

A lady with maxi foliage skirt and foliage hair accessory.
Papercut for Day 31/100
of #100DaysOfHandmadepapercutsOrPapercutpatternsByLee for #The100DayProject

Hello friends!

Today I wanna share with you my fascination with foliage and why I always incorporate it in my paper cutting craft.

Let's also include my other favorite elements which are flowers, loops and anything organic-looking.

These elements are ever-present in my papercuts. It's like my silent signature. I don't know, it's like a natural thing that I do. And I feel like my artwork isn't complete without it. 

I hadn't really thought about it until it was brought up by a friend who told me that I already 'established' a brand or a certain look for my art. And it is some sort of 'Romantic-looking' (as she put it). And all I said was, 'wow, really? I like it'. And I do. I always wanted to be surrounded with flowers, vines and lush greens. And I wanted that to be the same with my art. It could be because I grew up in Antipolo, a city located in the province of Rizal. A place with lots of greenery and my work station is fronting a small farm full of old and big trees. A limitless source of inspiration! And we always hear the sound of birds chirping in the morning as well as crickets chirping at night. :) My surroundings play a big role in my art and I love it. 

And I don't just like the idea of it but the act of doing it. It's so easy and natural for me to add loopy and foliage elements in my art. I enjoy sketching and cutting it because it allows me to do a bit of 'playing' in my composition. There are no restrictions unlike doing typography where it has to achieve a certain look (a letter A has to look like a letter A). I can go wherever direction I please and I can play with scale and whatever organic shape I want. It's just so easy and so forgiving in case I made a boo boo. I'm the only one aware of it. Nobody sees my sketches at the back of the cut-paper and so nobody knows whether I made a mistake or not.  ;-)

Here are some of my papercuts with my favorite nature-inspired elements. 

Ginkgo Leaves

OM symbol
Papercut for Day 26/100 of #100DaysOfHandmadepapercutsOrPapercutpatternsByLee for #The100DayProject

'Oh Deer!'
Papercut for Day 30/100 of #100DaysOfHandmadepapercutsOrPapercutpatternsByLee for #The100DayProject

The concept/composition for this last piece (Oh Deer!) wasn't intentional at first. I was just sketching and cutting random foliage because I don't know what to make for Day 30/100 of my 100-Day creative project and since foliage is my default subject, I made 6 pcs of it. As I was arranging it for photograph, my vision shifted. Instead of just making it look like a plain foliage, I thought of arranging it like a deer's antlers(!). Yey! Why not? So I added a deer head and here it is.

I was very happy with the result and I plan to do more of like this (make random and individual foliage and arrange/make it into something grand, at least to me :)) for the remaining days of the creative challenge. 

-Leeanne :)