Letterpress Beginner 101

OK, it has been a few weeks since I got the Kesley Excelsior Type O vintage printing press that I proudly bought off of ebay! I have to be honest though and admit that I do have thoughts of what in the world was I thinking?!!! Still, I'm intrigued by everything I have to learn in order to print anything.....even one small Christmas card for 2011! I think that is exactly what I love.....the challenge. SO.....I finally ordered the new rollers from a merchant on Etsy. The came all the way from the UK so they must be brilliant right? They were on my doorstep today when I got home. I could not wait to open them.

I'm just a little confused about all of the different ways I could go to create my christmas card. Do I just do a linocut? Or maybe a photopolymer design? I don't have any furniture for the type that I just bought. Can you just make your own furniture with wood? If I do photopolymer with boxcar press, do I still need furniture? What the hell is tympan paper? Oh, so much to learn. I'm not giving up.....NEVER!!!
I'm thinking of ordering a book or two on this subject.

Meanwhile, I decided that the first step is to clean this press! I have learned that there may be some adjustments required. From the looks of some of the screws and the roller springs, no adjustments will be made until cleaning and proper oiling is done. There is a little rust which will inhibit movement. I found some great information on Briar Press site.

Is there a Patron Saint of printers? If there is, please let me know as I will praying to him or her alot! Honestly though, this is such great fun. This weekend, I will be cleaning the press according to information I found on Briar press site. Will keep you posted. Oh, I have to tell you.....I finally figured out what year this little Kesley was made. Duh, it was right on the side as shown in the pic below.

1928! That would make Ms. Kelsey...83 years old! I think it is about time that she gets back into action don't you? Keep watching for more progress. If you have a Kelsey and you want to share information, please do! I feel like this is going to be a great adventure. I would love to talk to letterpress artists who would be willing to share information to this newbie!

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Paper Flowers and Fabric Flowers

Well, I'm kind of in a creative funk again. I hate it when this happens! I'm so glad that next weekend I am going to Fredricksberg, TX again to the trade days. I know it will inspire me in all kinds of directions. Meanwhile, while I am trying to get my groove back........I have been making a lot of little short term projects in the paper department. I made this little posey pin from faux vintage post/letters etc papers from the scrapbooking department. I actually wore it yesterday on my jacket. Then I spotted this book on Fabric Flowers by Elizabeth Helene Searle at the fabric store and I had to get it. I used her instructions to make this first fabric flower. I want to try several of her other flowers instructions. Now, what will I do with them? Who knows? Does it really matter if I am enjoying myself? Probably everyone will get fabric or paper flowers for Christmas! Heehee Have a great day.

Laughing Out Loud

I still have some work to do on these paper mache letters. I finally found something to do with all the bits and pieces of things that I keep because they will be perfect for some piece of art.....some day. Today is the day! I really love this piece/grouping. LOL .....a good message don't you think? Go ahead, Laugh Out Loud.....it is very healthy and therapeutic. Today, I bought the soundtrack to Mamamia and I have enjoyed the heck out of it. I really enjoyed that movie. I have discovered that people either love it or hate it. I just think that it is so cool that Meryl Streep totally stepped out of her norm and went for the musical. She did a great job and I can't wait to see it again. It is a great girlfriends and sisters movie. I highly recommend that you go and get it and go to your girlfriends house and watch it and....oh....I don't know......LAUGH OUT LOUD! Let me know if you do and how it goes.

VILLAGE CLAY WORKS Another Artist Interview

I ran across this wonderful and whimsical artist several weeks ago when her work was featured on Etsy. I have enjoyed looking at her work and I know you will too. Meet Catherine Reece from Northern California. She is a creative woman who has been working in clay for over thirteen years. She was kind enough to let me interview her for this blog. Please enjoy. Tell us about who you are, what do you want to say as a statement about you? My name is Catherine Reece and I live in Dublin, California (just east of Oakland). I am married and a mother of two kids. I have been professionally selling my pottery for 8 years. I was waiting for my husband to graduate from design school and find a job while i worked and played with clay. Over a few years I began to build a small business selling my pottery. MY husband didn't find the job of his dreams and so he joined my in the studio as my partner. Now we make our living as artists selling pottery.I think I am still trying to figure that out. ...

Funky Art Queen

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