I'm still in the midst of cleaning up/clearing out my studio...and the things that I discover...or rather, had forgotten about...are becoming their own junk pile. And then I need to decide...pitch, donate, re-use or save...and I'm trying to be ruthless...so to be saved, something either has to be really great or I have the best idea for using it...in the near future...no more "well, maybe someday..."
Perfect example...came across a box filled with die-cut cardboard envelopes. When I started my handcrafted card line 15 years ago, I designed an eco-friendly, lightweight cardboard folder for packaging. The idea for the design was based on a similar package of postcards that I had bought in Paris and just loved. I was convinced this was going to be great...I had a die created and 1000 envelopes cut and scored. Turns out that the outside flaps covered too much of the design of the cards so people had a hard time seeing what the outside of the card looked like. So back to the drawing board on package design...and the box of cardboard envelopes was put on a bottom shelf in the studio.
So I looked at the cardboard folders and thought...what can I do with them? Since I had just finished my recycled journal class, I had a stack of trimmed newsprint left over...which when folded in half, fit perfectly inside the cardboard envelope. My other art journals are held together with two staples on the folded spine...but these envelopes were too wide for my stapler...and then...that's when it hits me...the eureka moment...as I'm standing next to my sewing machine...I'll sew the papers into place!
I sew up one journal...with the newsprint and the cardboard, its pretty drab looking...as I'm looking at it...my eye wanders across my work table...and there's a stack of paint sample cards...and the rest they say is history...
Simple blank journals with a paint sample card pocket...ideal for recording your hopes, dreams and inspirations...or maybe just a grocery list or appointment reminders...
The closure is a length of colored twine wrapped around a brass paper fastener...
The paint sample cards are also sewn in place...a slim pocket for saving a receipt or a telephone number...
or a picture of your true love...
As I have mentioned before...I want the job of naming the paint colors...
I would have the best time...
And where can you find these journals you wonder? Why at my booth at the Phinney Winter Festival,
December 7 & 8 in Seattle...click on the poster icon on the right sidebar of my blog and you'll get all the details.
Back to production...I think there's probably more than 500 cardboard envelopes left in the box...
