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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
May 4, 2016
Q: Rachael asks: "I would like to sell some of my cards on a craft website, but do not know what the copyright laws are for using a company's rubber stamps or stencils, etc. on my own artwork. Any ideas?"
A: Thank you for being sensitive to copyright laws - as an artist I really appreciate that, and the companies do too. Each stamp company is different in their approach to copyrights, but most will have an Angel Policy on their site, outlining how their stamps may be used for commercial purposes. (Companies that allow their images to be used commercially are called Angel Companies.) Most companies will allow projects to be sold as long as they are handstamped, but some may add a quantity limit, require a written request, or require certain wording on the project. It's best to check each site for their current Angel Policy, or to contact the companies directly if no information is given.
April 27, 2016
Q: Deirdre wants to know: "How do you make a starburst background?"
A: I start with a pile of rectangular paper scraps, and cut them from corner to corner to create long triangles. The width of the scraps doesn't matter, but they need to be at least 4-5" inches long. I pick a point on the card, usually to one side, and glue my first wedge down across the card with the point of the triangle at or just beyond my focus point (it doesn't have to be on the edge - it can be anywhere on the card, really). From there I work out on either side of the first wedge, gluing down other wedges and leaving a small space in between each piece. You can match up the sides, but leaving a space allows for a contrast layer to show through, and gives you a little margin for error in case your cuts aren't perfectly straight. When the space is filled, trim off the overhanging edges. That's it! It's a great way to add drama to a card or really highlight a small image.
April 20, 2016
Q: Teresa shares: "I really want to try the Four Way Card, but I don't have the dies or cutter."
A: It's still doable without the dies! You'll need four quarter-sheet cardstock panels. Mark the center of each panel, and score and fold. Cut out a symmetrical template for the shaped opening; match up the center lines, trace the shape on each panel, and cut it out with scissors - just be sure to line it up in the same place each time. The rest of the assembly is the same, lining up the opening in each panel and gluing one side at a time. Be sure to share in the gallery!
April 13, 2016
Q: Lynn wants to know: "How do you make a penny slider card that goes in a complete circle?"
A: That sounds like fun! We have a tutorial HERE for a spinner card using coins as the weighted base for the spinning element. You'd create the spinner in the same way, but for the open track, use two nesting dies that are spaced 3/8"-1/2" apart. You can cut both at once to make sure they're centered. Adhere the center cut to the base of your card with Dimensionals first. Prepare the outer frame with Dimensionals (make sure you leave room for the pennies around the edge), and set it aside. Prepare the spinner and tuck the pennies in under the center piece, then position the outer frame and make sure it's between the pennies on the other side. Adhere the frame, and the spinner should be free to spin as the card is rotated.
April 6, 2016
Q: Marie says: "I'd like some suggestions as to how to 'file' my big collection of craft rhinestones in some sort of order. The loose ones are no problem and I have them in small screw top jars according to size and colour. I'm just not sure how to store the sheets of rhinestones to make them readily accessible and keep them tidy."
A: My suggestion would be to create a binder with pocketed storage sheets - there are a variety of pocket sizes available, but I'm guessing that photo sheets would meet your needs. You could tuck several rhinestone sheets in each pocket, and they'd be easy to flip through and find at a glance.
