My
Jar Lid Article
Before my guest artist article was published in the for the Stamper's Sampler June 2008, the editor contacted me to ask if I could create some more of my jar lid art for a separate article for October 2008. It is always great when an editor says "What a great idea! Can you make us more?" Artists do not get to hear that very often. It also gave me the chance to go a little deeper into one of my ideas. So many times we jump from project to project, with out taking the time to expand on what might be a gateway to a whole new style or genre of work. In my case it was jar lid art. I used a jar lid as a frame in one of my collages. The result of the call for more of this type of work, was a series using various lids in innovative ways. To me this defines creativity!
Your Turn: Go back to a project where you had a really great idea manifest. Make four variations or expansions of that piece. You will have a series that is born of your own innovation.
Jar Lid Art
Beautifully packaged jams, cordials and preserves bottled in sumptuous jars lined our cupboards like shiny jewels. For as long as I can remember my father has worked for a fine food which imports gourmet food products from Europe. As the sweet treats began to appear from my father’s briefcase, my love affair with package design began. After I took the time to admire the creativity that went into the bottles, I upcycled them into storage for my dolls shoes and ribbons. I even used them as picture frames for catalogue cut outs for the next dolls I was saving up for.
I have always been inspired by the perfect roundness of the black, metallic and sometimes patterned jar lids. I have always wanted to think of a project to use these lids for. To the point that I kept a couple in my studio to play with in my collage work. When I was creating my work for my guest artist article for Stampington, I found a large shiny black jam jar lid in my stash. I decided to use it as a mini frame to highlight a cut out from my collage papers that feature tiny reproductions of my digital photography. I wondered what the editors would think about using a lid within a piece. Then one day I received an email from one of the editors asking if I could write an article about my jar lid art and make some more art too. “Yes!” I thought as began to collect lids of varying sizes and colors for the article. It is always great fun to have one of your “inventions” be well received and even better encouraged.
I set about to create some more art with jar lids using stamping elements. When I think of the bottle cap craze I wonder if jar lid art could be as popular? I for one am happy to have discovered a way of recycling a small found object as close as the kitchen cupboard.
TECHNIQUE
My formula for jar lid art: Collect interesting jar lids of varying sizes, colours and shapes. Boil the metal lids or put them through the dishwasher to fully clean them. Dry right away with a paper towel to avoid rust. Cover up rough spots or stained centers with paper mache and or paint. Create a small collage within the lid’s center with images and text of your choice. Attach you circular art piece of a stamped card stock backing strong enough to hold it. Next decorate, embellish and add ribbon to give life to your work.
{c} Cassandra Russell Design
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