Asian Collage
Asian Collage
By Judi Kauffman
This purse begins with hand-stamped paper, but if you don’t feel like stamping your own background you can use printed paper and stickers instead. The goal is to create front, back and side panels that look good together, but where each also stands alone as a separate and distinct collage. No matter which way you look at the purse you get to see something interesting.
If you’re new to collage, don’t worry—it’s easy. You get to move and rearrange the pieces for as long as you want. When everything looks right, you remove the elements and glue them in place one at a time, starting with the bottom layers and finishing with the accents that are on top. The purse shown has papers that are both torn and cut. You can change to exclusively pieces that are cut or everything torn by hand. You’re in charge! If you don’t like the results, you can start over. Cut up the rejects and use them in a different insert.
Once you start making collage inserts for your z becky brown purse, it’s a safe bet you’ll want several sets. If you don’t want an Asian theme, substitute cancelled postage stamps, low denomination coins from other parts of the world (or shiny pennies) or whatever you want.
Possible Variations: So that you can substitute other supplies and customize the design, these are some things to remember.
- The front of the purse has more elements in the collage than the sides or back so it is the focal point.
- Avoid placing important parts of the collage where the clasp on the purse will be.
- Collage requires contrasts. Some things should be large and some small, some horizontal and some vertical, some light and some dark. There are no diagonals in the designs shown so the look is serene and formal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your collages all about angles.
- Collage is supposed to look like it was made by hand, don’t worry if something is blurry or imperfect.
- Remember that the inserts are slightly narrower at the bottom than at the top. Use the templates, measure and cut carefully.
Supplies:
- Rubber stamps from Red Castle, Inc. (from sheets #49140 and/or #49150)
- Yellow/gold cardstock (3 sheets, 8.5” x 11”)
- Bubble wrap (packing material, used to create texture)
- Tsukineko Brilliance ink pads (Rocket Red, Galaxie Gold and Copper)
- Ranger Big & Juicy Rainbow ink pad (Mountain Meadow)
- Ranger Nick Bantock Collection ink pad (Chrome Yellow)
- Patterned origami paper (red background)
- Mesh origami paper (orange)
- Sulyn Industries Asian coin reproductions (5 large, 6 small)
- Beacon GemTac and PaperTac glues
Instructions:
- Begin by using different stamps and textures to give your paper color. Don’t cut the paper to size yet, wait until you’ve finished with the collage and choose your favorite areas for the inserts.
- Cut patterned origami paper into varying with strips and small squares. Cut one 2” square of origami mesh for front and back, cut three 1-1/2” squares of origami mesh for the sides (two for one side, one for the second side).
- Cut front, back and side pieces from stamped card stock using z becky brown templates. Cut and/or tear pieces of remaining card stock to use in the collage.
- Arrange stamped, origami paper, mesh and coins as shown or as desired. When you’re satisfied with the arrangement, glue everything into place.
- Add more stamped images, overlaying some of the elements. Sign and date your creation.
- When inks and glues are completely dry, put the inserts into your purse.
Resource Guide:
Rubber stamps
Inks, glues and embellishments