I’m busy checking multiple lists, packing un-packing and repacking, and getting myself on a jet-plane to head out to the Craft and Hobby Associations Mega Show in sunny Anaheim, CA. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to having the sun on my face – it’ been dreary here in Ohio which is typical for this time of year – the heck with sun damage. Kiss me Mr Sun!

So if you see someone there walking around outside looking at the sky… it’s me. Please warn me if I’m about to step in something. OK?

I created this mixed media piece for Jacquard last year when they were still rubbing elbows with us arty/crafty types. Now they are ONLY talking to FINE artists so you won’t see anything like this featured on their social channels any time soon. Which is too bad. For them AND us.

Anyway, here is the tutorial. I hope you like it.

Materials:

• Paper Mache Heart
• Jacquard Lumiere – Sunset Gold
• Jacquard Lumiere 3D – Warm Gold
• Stiff Paint Brush
• Seed bead mix
• Ric Rac or fabric trim
• Buttons, keys or other found objects

Remove any price tags with the aid of a heat gun. Heat the tag just until the adhesive becomes “gummy” and it should lift off without marring the surface of the paper mache.

Using a jar lid or other circular item as a pattern; draw and then cut out a circle from the paper mache heart with a craft knife.

Remove any paper that is used to “stuff” the heart.

Using a stiff paint brush and Lumiere in Sunset Gold “dry brush” gold paint over the paper mache heart leaving some of the paper to show through the paint.

Let dry.

Repeat for the back of the heart.

Glue ric rac or fabric trim around the edge of the circle either with Lumiere 3D or hot glue.

Glue the larger items in the desired location using a dab of hot glue in the very center of the items and then Lumiere 3D around the edges. The hot glue dries quickly to hold the heavier items in place while the Lumiere 3D dries.

Mix various colors of seed beads in a jar adding beads a little at a time to get the over-all desired color.

Randomly squeeze out a small amount of Lumiere 3D in Warm Gold onto the surface of the heart and then sprinkle the seed bead mix onto the wet Lumiere 3D.

Make sure to add some of the seed bead and Lumiere 3D around the edges of the larger items so they don’t look like they are” floating” on the surface.

Let dry.

If you have the right kind of decor this is a project that could stay out all year round. But I’m a gall who loves some MORE with my MORE.