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Q & A Archives
2006 : 2005
Answers to Questions (2005)
Question Index
27-Dec-2005
Writing for a Greeting Card Company
Q: Do you have any information about writing for a greeting card company?
Yes, check out Creativity
Portal's Greeting Card Writing resource page. It features links to articles
by artists and writers who've worked for Hallmark, Blue Mountain, and other
greeting card companies. This is a great place to begin your research if
you want an insider's look at the creative process involved in writing greeting
cards and tips about writing for the marketplace.
22-Oct-2005
Keeping Chalk Drawings from Smearing
Q: When making a chalk drawing on a chalkboard to keep, what can I
spray it with to keep the design good so it won't smear?
If you intend to spray anything on a chalkboard to keep your design
from smearing, you should expect never to use the chalkboard again. This is
not unusual, as I've seen small-framed chalkboards in craft stores just for
this purpose.
What you're probably looking for is a good quality commercial spray fixative
— the same kind used for regular pastel and chalk art drawings on paper.
I've been told that hairspray has been used for this purpose too, but there's
some debate on that (see link to article below).
Useful Resources:
Creativity
Portal Pastel & Chalk Resources
Links to our recommended pastel and chalk art Web resources. Many feature instruction
on how to preserve your beautiful works of art.
How
To Apply Spray Fixative
A simple step-by-step process with expert tips from About.
Is
It Okay to Use Hairspray to Fix Pastels?
Or should you only use artist's pastel fixative? An interesting pro/con discussion
on the debate from About.
20-Sept-2005
What Wires Not to Mix?
Q: I took a 3-D art class and wire was one of the projects. I remember
something about not being able to mix various wires such as copper with anything.
Could you please let me know what types of wire you can and cannot use together. — Amanda
For the answer to your question, Amanda, we'll direct you to one of the world's
foremost contemporary wire sculptors, Elizabeth Berrien. Elizabeth has contributed several
articles on Innovative Wire Sculpture to the Creativity Portal and recently
informed us of the new FAQ pages on her Web site that answer common questions
she receives about this creative art form. It's at: Elizabeth
Berrien's Wire Art FAQs.
If your particular question isn't included in the FAQs at this time, I bet
Elizabeth would be thrilled to hear from you.
Updated 07-Nov-2005
Where Can I Find Collage Materials?
Q: I love your website! I love doing collage, but I find my sources
of material limited... magazines, calendars, etc. I want to make my collages
classier.
Where do I go for free or moderately-priced material? Can you have more articles
on collage? Thanks! — Kay
Thank you for your compliments on the Creativity Portal, Kay. We
now have more articles about
collage online that address
your questions in more detail. Meanwhile, here's the short answer...
First of all, if you haven't seen our main jump-off collage pages, they're
here: Collage
Projects & Articles and Collage
Web Resources.
Those pages have some of our creative collage projects and links to a lot
of other collage art resources, which will inspire you in many ways, including
realizing endless alternative resources
for materials.
And regarding materials... you know, the sky IS the limit on that one.
Anything you can glue (or Mod-Podge) down is fair game. I once created
a recycled-wood collage that included among other things, craft sticks and
toothpicks!
Most mainstream craft stores cater to collage artists by providing an
extensive inventory of interesting papers and embellishments sold in sheets,
pads, and packs. And some great low-cost resources include
bargain bins at fabric stores (remnant materials are awesome) and garage
sale/resale places. I once found some great textured "classy" wallpaper
swatches in a paint store!
Once you start brainstorming places like these, ideas will just burst forth.
By the way, one place online that sells some cool stuff for collaging
(no affiliation with
the Creativity Portal), is called
Found Elements www.foundelements.com.
Take a peek at that site for more inspiration and ideas.
Happy collaging!
See also:
Quickie
Collage Workshop
By Molly J. Anderson-Childers
Want to make a collage, but not sure how to start? Specific questions
about materials, process, and themes? I can help! In this article, I hope to
inspire you to create fabulous collages.
15-Aug-2005
Helping Children Gain an Interest in the Arts
Q: I am a painter. Currently I am working on a series of
paintings inspired by the film, "Finding Neverland".
They are not fantasy paintings, rather they have sprung from the
theme of imagination
and creativity. I want to eventually put the whole body of work together
for a show. I would like to try to use it in some way to help children
gain an interest in the arts. I would like to hear suggestions others
might have in regard to this. — Elaine
Thank you for sharing this with us, Elaine. Your series of paintings
and your eventual goal to inspire children towards the arts with
them sounds like a very exciting project.
We love to help out artists where we can, but we don't have an open
forum on our site (at this time) devoted to this kind of discussion.
However, in the spirit of lending a helping hand, here's what I suggest
to
you:
Find an online discussion forum devoted to helping artists
with ideas and plans of this nature. There you could solicit the
feedback
and expertise from others experienced in the field who often have
very good suggestions and points of view.
One forum that you might like to check out is called Wet Canvas (www.wetcanvas.com).
Additionally, the Creativity Portal has a page devoted to
other online forum resources with art, craft, and creativity themes
you can browse.
Check it out at: Online
Discussion Forums
30-July-2005
Perforated Bookmark Paper Stock
Q: Do you (or do you know someone) who sells the paper
stock for bookmarks? The bookmarks are for advertising
a book sale that our [association chapter] does as the major fundraiser
for scholarships. I can do the design but want
stock that will be perforated so that I don't have to spend hours
with a paper cutter. HELP!
A: You
may have to order paper like that as a "specialty" item from a paper
or
printing vendor if you don't see it on the shelf at your local office
supply store. You can do a quick search engine query (example keywords:
perforated + bookmark + printing + paper) to investigate the options.
Take it a step further by calling your
local office supply store to see if they have other suggestions.
Another option to consider is this: If you're thinking
about working directly with a professional printer on this promotional
piece, you can design your bookmarks several
up on a sheet, and the printer can do the cutting for you. Details
can be discussed with them, but
it's another option to keep in mind if you don't want to do the trimming
yourself.
16-June-2005
Making 4th of July Parade Flags
Q: We're planning on attending our town's annual Independence
Day parade and want to make our own novelty flags for the occasion.
Do you have any ideas on how we can do this?
A. Of course we do! You'll find the answer on our
Independence
Day resource page, specifically in the Free Projects and Resources
section (scroll down on the page).
07-June-2005
Help with a Quilting and Beading Project
Q: I am a year eleven student at a High School and am in the process
of making a quilt for my GCSE project in textiles.
The quilt is for a child and I am going to include beading on the
quilt. Please would it be possible for you to send me any information
on beading to help me with my research?
A: We have two "how to" resource pages
on the Creativity Portal that may help you with your research. One
is
a
page on Beading
and Jewelry Making, and the other is on Needle
Crafts / Quilting. Each of these pages contains a selection of
hand-picked external Web sites featuring
techniques, tutorials, project ideas, and other instructional content
for beading and quilting.
11-May-2005
How to Build Kites
Q: How can I build a kite like
Benjamin Franklin's?
A: Ever since he discovered electricity with that
'key on a kite string' stunt, Ben Franklin seems to be the father
of the diamond shaped kite.
You'll be pleased
to know that Ben left his original kite making instructions with us (featured
in the 1752 Pennsylvania
Gazette) and thanks to PBS, you can learn how to make that
Franklin-style kite here: Benjamin
Franklin Kite Instructions.
Want to learn how to make other kite
styles? Try these other Kite
Making Resources.
© Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.
Creativity Portal hopes you enjoyed this feature, which is copyright © Chris Dunmire and not available for reprint on your Web site, blog, or publication. Please respect the creator's copyright by not duplicating this material elsewhere.
 About the Author | More by Chris Dunmire
Chris Dunmire is an artist, humorist, workshop facilitator, and the driving force behind the Creativity Portal Web site. Chris trained as a creativity coach with Eric Maisel, Ph.D. and inspires people of all ages with her Web sites and printable playbooks — including the world-famous Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant.
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