color Archives - Try Handmade

Lisa Congdon – Art and Craft

August 23, 2019 by Laura Trevey 1 Comment

Please welcome Laura Trevey to Try Handmade! She is a watercolor artist and blogger who is going to be writing two columns each week. Here’s her first painting column (look for photograpy tomorrow), and I know she’d appreciate any recommendations of your favorite artists in this medium. Just leave them in the comments and welcome her to Try Handmade!

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Erika

I am drawn to bright and beautiful art, so it is no wonder that Lisa Congdon’s work caught my eye! This San Francisco mixed media artist and illustrator is one to notice. Aside from four painting classes, Lisa is entirely self-taught. She uses her lack of training to her advantage: instead of following refined technique, she works with her own sense of color, composition and design as her guide.

In her shop you will find a variety of paintings, prints, drawings and collages. This gouache painting on masonite speaks to me. The rich colors and wonderful composition lead your eye around the page. I love all of the different and interesting shapes throughout.

This birdhouse archival print is whimsical and fun! You may think all of the houses are painted pink. However, if you look closer, you will find a wide range of colors used such as orange, mauve, magenta, rose, purple, etc. This creates more interest and depth.

Everyone loves birds, and this Finch archival print is simply adorable! There is a lot of detail in the actual painting of the bird. Therefore a plain background works well and is very complimentary. Add a splash of color to your room.

Thank you Lisa for sharing your incredible talent with us. Your work is cheerful and colorful indeed!

Please visit her website and blog to learn more about her.

Oh, Buckle!

August 18, 2019 by Kim O'Brien 6 Comments

Scouring etsy for locally made goods has enlightened me to all of the artists in my backyard. It is great fun, I suggest you try it. If you do you may be lucky enough to come across something as lovely as Awcombe’s Belts and Accessories. This is such a refreshing find, a new twist on a common item.

There is something so fun and lively about these belts. They are bold without the usual bling of commercial buckles. Though they are bold, they aren’t over-done. These buckles are just right.

The artist has a great sense of color and composition. She carefully selects the bright, cheerful parts of the pattern to create a design for her masterpieces. As she would say, “Finding ways to bring fabrics to life can make an otherwise hum-drum pair of jeans or a t-shirt have zing.” I want me some zing!

The belts and buckles come together to form a happy union. The bold patterns seem reminiscent of the sixties, especially those with flower patterns. The leather belts appear weathered giving the whole design a vintage look. But, this is better than vintage, it is handmade.

How would you choose to wear one of these creations? With jeans? Maybe a peasant dress paired with some cowboy boots? Or would you prefer to spice up a boring suit? A yes to any of these would be the correct answer, don’t you think?

There never seems to be too much or too little color. The artist always seems to choose the right amount of contrast and pattern. You can see her “love (of) fabric and all the exciting colors and designs that are available.” When an artist follows their love and passion it shows. The outcome is always beautiful. As a result, we usually covet their work and find reasons to buy it. So, please visit her shop and spread the love.

Mann Made in Washington, DC

August 13, 2019 by Valerie Williams Leave a Comment

Eastern Market, the legendary open-air arts, crafts, and antiques market on Capitol Hill, is absolutely full of gems. The market is huge, and visitors will find something a little different every weekend, but there are also some pretty amazing regulars. One of those delightful fixtures is Mann Made Designs, an eighteen year veteran of the Market.

Mann Made Designs is the brainchild of full time artist Jimmy Mann, a Florida native who has been making things out of silver, aluminum, glass, and whatever else strikes his fancy since 1989. The Mann Made line is brimming with pop culture references, bold color, and clean, modern lines.

While I was browsing the booths at Eastern Market, Jimmy’s colorful jewelry for women is what caught my eye. Bright, apple green on just about anything is like a magnet for my eyes, but combined with sleek sterling silver? In such an elegant, yet still playful setting? It was like he made this pendant just for me!

The designs at Mann Made go far beyond pretty things for ladies. Jimmy creates an extensive line of cuff links, ranging from the whimsical and irreverent to the elegant and classic. How to categorize the cuff links made from Pabst Blue Ribbon beer bottle caps is probably up for debate in some circles, but there’s no doubt they are popular.

In addition to his collection of cuff links and ladies’ jewelry (including pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets and watches), Jimmy also directs his considerable talent with metal smithing and his eye for color towards creating wall art.

He combines recycled aluminum and stainless steel and patches of bright color to create three dimensional works that are simple and modern, but quite dramatic. All the wall art is made to order, so that means you can request custom colors to match your decor!

You can find Jimmy with his Mann Made Designs at Eastern Market on the weekends, or you can shop online anytime.

Illustrations by Alli Coate

July 23, 2019 by Kim O'Brien 1 Comment

As I feverishly prepare for Bazaar Bizarre, amongst the many other holiday shows I will be in, I have been taking a break to read about fellow crafters partaking in these fairs. I was excited to learn that Alli Coate will be at Bazaar Bizarre, her etsy shop has long been a favorite of mine.

Her illustrations are interesting in that they are a mix of materials. Vintage fabrics are used to give patterns and color to her drawings. In the image above, she used a vintage print to start, then added clouds with applique techniques. I wonder is this boy is taking all the clouds away, or placing them in the sky. Does he want to dream on puffy clouds or keep the rain away?

Alli’s palette and technique are diverse, making for unique illustrations. These flat images are brought to life as Alli layers her skills. Sketched lines overlap fabric allowing for depth and energy. The flower pattern on the birds takes place of shading, giving them life and dimension.

Her attention to detail is amazing. I love how the fabric is cut to represent the turtle’s shell. It takes on the same pattern of shapes as we know his shell should look, but she abstracts the details with floral prints. Alli blends line and shading with blocks of patterns perfectly to create her images.

Of all her work I adore the winter illustrations the most. Maybe it is the delicate lace making up the snow covered trees, or the red birds who stayed for the winter. I love how Alli captures the fragile nature of the season. The horizon is grey and the sky the palest of blue making for a nice contrast to the bright white snow in the foreground.

Maybe it’s just that this palette allows us to best see the artist’s technique. Her lines are minimal, yet just right. Her use of lace is accentuated by the blue water. And the red dress catches our eye and draws us in for a closer look. The hues are subtle, gentle and comforting, just like a wintery day on the ice.

Mineral Concealer

July 19, 2019 by Christine Eclavea Mercer Leave a Comment

Concealer is not one of those glittery makeup products that draw me in, like colored lip balms. Instead it is necessarily near to flesh color, but not really, and is best when invisible on the skin. It’s that item that you really need when you need it. And the rest of the time don’t give it very much thought.

I haven’t had much luck with concealers in the past. I have found the creams and sticks to be heavy and appear bright against the skin, the liquids to be ineffective, and the powders to cake. And the last thing I want when I haven’t slept is to call attention to the circles under my eyes. It’s hardly a lifter of the spirit.

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