Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Tea Bags In Art Making

I was asked how I use tea bags (one of my favourite things these days), and thought I would answer that here. The above image is the paper from a used tea bag that I dried out, dumped out the tea, and ironed it flat. I then stamped on it with permanant ink, and used drops of ink from non permanant ink pad refillers to add a bit more subtle colour. I then coated it with a layer of matte medium.... and then it was ready for use - on a card, for a decorative page in a book etc.


The cover of this book was made from a page out of an old book that I put a bit of gesso on, and then I layed a few tea bag paper down on the cover and glued it in place with matte medium. I then stamped with permanant ink on top of that, and covered the whole thing with Dorlands Wax. (oh yah I added some very rustic embroidery to it as well)



Inside the book the first page is a tea bag decorated using the method I talked about with the first picture. It is quite sturdy once it is coated with matte medium.


And Lastly here are a few cards I made by stamping and inking and adding a bit of paint to used tea bag paper.
A few of the people that I work with now help me out by giving me their used tea bags.... it sounds kinda crazy, but I love it.




13 comments:

  1. Hi Kim, thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your art and journals, etc. The tea bag thing is awesome.
    And your blog is looking great. Love the photo stream...I haven't ventured out to anything else but my blog. Little aprehensive, but I'm sure it will happen eventually. Seeing and meeting all you wonderful people in the flying lessons has been so inspiring and confident building.
    I'll be checking your blog often
    xocarol

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  2. What an awsome idea and realization! I LOVE the cards, I definitely will have to decrease my daily amount of caffeine and return to tea. So much better for heart and for art.

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  3. hi kim,
    stopping by from the e-course. i love the tea bag art, absolutely gorgeous, such wonderful subtle colors. such a great way to reuse those bags. i'm a huge tea drinker so i'll have to give it a try.

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  4. I have my own stash of tea bags- my husband thinks I'm nuts! The tea bags I have are very thick and while I was wasn't sure WHAT exactly I was going to do with them- I never thought about stamping them! Thanks!
    See you in class!

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  5. Dearest Kim, your work is gorgeous!! I love your process of working with tea bags! It's my first time visiting and i ma loving your space here and your lovely work! Have a lovely merry happy sunday and love to yoU!

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  6. Such fun to meet some other nutter who likes to use teabags! I really enjoyed your blog.
    I have put teabags throuh the printer (mounted on paper when my husband is out) and printed text onto them to use in my work. FUN! Keep flying.
    Moira

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  7. these are beautiful! I will have to dry some of my tea bags...and perhaps do something with them with wax!

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your very kind words. I really appreciate it!

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  8. Love your tea bag art. Just tried stamping on some tea bags with memento permanent ink and I found the image bled out and wasn't crisp. Any tips?
    Maxine

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    Replies
    1. Hi Maxine,
      I am glad to hear you like my tea bag art! I enjoy making it. Although I made these a long time ago, I believe by putting a thin layer of liquid matte medium on (and letting it dry) before stamping your stamped image shouldn't bleed. Hope that helps!

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  9. I love your teabag art. I saw some at a textile fair last week and wanted to do some for my textile art course. Spent the weekend drying and emptying tea bags with the help of our grandson and am now itching to have a try at creating something. You have inspired me to have a go! Val

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    Replies
    1. Using tea bag paper in creations is so much fun! Glad I inspired you to give it a try!

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