I had a wonderful surprise in late December: my mixed media book was featured in the Reader Challenge section of the January/February 2011 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. I've participated in two other challenges, but this is my first time in print in the magazine. It just proves that it pays to keep trying. (It also proves that you shouldn't jump to conclusions. I received a generic "Dear Artist" letter when my project was returned earlier in the month, so I assumed my project hadn't been selected for the magazine.)
Part of my goal in creating this book was to try to use as many different mediums as I could in a single project. Here's my list of materials: plastic, fabric, ribbon, metal (head pin, key charm, jump ring, wire, chain, sprocket, clasp), wooden pencil, paint, adhesive, film, bead (glass pearl), rubber stamps, ink, and thread. Whew!
I also used a number of different techniques: simple wireworking, gluing, stamping, sewing, drilling, and painting.
It was fun seeing the 19 featured books. I was surprised to see that I was the only one to include a writing instrument (a tiny pencil) with my book. Some photos showed the books open and it looks like many artists filled them in with pictures and text. It honestly didn't occur to me to do that. I guess I'm still working on what I want to say.
If you're looking for a mixed media challenge, keep an eye on the Reader Challenges page at Cloth Paper Scissors. The latest challenge mentioned in the January/February issue is a handmade fabric swap. You cut your fabric (which you've painted, dyed, stamped, etc.) into squares, send it in, and they'll send you back a random sample of fabrics from other readers. How fun is that?