a peek into my new online classes!

Today I've got a fun little preview of my new winter/spring lineup of online classes! I am so excited about all these offerings and can't wait to share then with you in the coming months.

Don't forget all I've got an early bird sale happening and lots of great deals this holiday season. For more information or to register, head over to the shop HERE

creating with jules: paper mache trinket box

Paper mache is wonderful as it’s super cheap to make any sort of shape, limited only by your imagination! I wanted to make a small trinket box.

You will need:

-foam core board

-thick card (that can still bend easily)

-newspaper

-blank newsprint or butchers paper

-masking tape

-PVA glue

-craft glue

-air dry clay

-gesso

-acrylic paints

-gold acrylic paint (optional)

-gloss varnish

I started by finding a small bowl to use as a template for the lid and base of the box. trace around and cut 2 from foam core board. 

I then cut from thick card a length 2” wide, and a small strip 3/8” wide. Make sure these are long enough to fit 1/4” inside the circumference of your base and lid. Tape the wider one into a circle, then tape this circle to the base using masking tape. Do the same with the 3/8” piece, keeping in mind that it needs to sit in a smaller circumference than the base walls, also taking into account a bit of padding from the paper mache layers. My inner rim sits about 1/2” in from the lid.

Using newspaper strips and a mix of PVA glue watered down slightly with water (approx 1:1) cover all over the base and lid, making sure you overlap the paper strips as you go. I then do another layer in plain newsprint so I can see where I’ve already covered. Let dry.

Using air dry clay, roll out a small slab to a little under 1/4” thick. Cut a leaf shape out with a blade, and smooth the edges using a bit of water and your finger or a clay tool. 

Roll three small balls of equal size for the feet and gently press down with something flat to make the balls slightly flat on the top and bottom. Let dry.

Once the clay pieces are dry, use clear craft glue to glue the feet onto the base, and the leaf shape to the lid. Allow to dry.

Gesso the whole box and lid, inside and out, including the feet and handle.

Now it’s time to paint! I chose to draw some simple leaf shapes, then painted around them and added wiggles, stripes and dots. You can copy my designs or come up with your own! Adding gold paint around the rim is a fun touch too. 

After decorating, I used water based gloss varnish everywhere except inside the box, and the inner rim of the lid, as my varnish can get a bit tacky when varnished pieces touch, as I discovered in my sketch book!

Now you have a gorgeous box to stash some special treasures!

Jules :)

You can find more of Jules here:

Blog http://julesmadden.blogspot.com.au

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/julesmadden/

Shop https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/artbyjulesmadden

NEW! 2020 winter/spring online class lineup!

I've been working hard on new online classes for my 2020 winter/spring lineup plus I've got two year long classes! This is one of the biggest offering that I've dropped all at once!

I've also got an early bird sale AND a one time only deal on the entire bundle of new class offerings so get them cheap while you can!

BUSINESS BRAVE

$100.00 $80.00 Early Bird SALE!

Launches January 1st

More information or register HERE

There are a lot of things that you need to grow a creative business- it takes hard work, a little bit of luck, creativity, hustle, innovation, saavy but more than anything (in my opinion) it takes a whole lot of BRAVERY.

In my 20+ years of building a success creative business, I've made lots of decisions, I've failed, I've experienced success that I never could have dreamed of, I've evolved, learned new things, fallen flat on my face, picked myself up, taken risks, listened to my gut and slowly built a 6 figure business that has supported our family for the last 10 years.

When I look at everything that I've created the common factor in it all is making brave decisions. Sometimes they were small- like sending an email to a new creative friend while other times they were big- like spending money on marketing. Over and over again, my brave decisions lead to growth, evolution, profit, new ideas and success. While my journey has not been easy or fast or perfect, it has been one the best things that has ever happened to me and I want to share everything that I've learned along the way.

In this year long class I am sharing my experiences, my secrets, advice, pep talks, inspiration, resources and ideas to spark your own brave decisions for the business or the creative dreams that you have for your life!

WONDERFUL WATERCOLORS

$65.00 $50.00 Early Bird SALE!

Launches January 15st

More information or register HERE

Who is the mood for painting with watercolors ALL YEAR LONG?!?

While I love most supplies and mediums, working with watercolors is my favorite because they are versatile, easy to use, compact and they pack a punch! I've created this year long class for those of you looking to learn, create and find new inspiration when it comes to watercolors. From techniques and concepts to tutorials on variety of subject matter (watercolor gems, watercolor women, floral bouquets, animals and more) we will be exploring all kinds of creative and fun ways to work with watercolors all year long.

THE RECYCLER'S JOURNAL

$30.00 $20.00 Early Bird SALE!

Launches January 6th

More information or register HERE

I am SO PASSIONATE about creating on a budget and using what I have one hand! I am even more passionate about using trash and recycled materials in my mixed media projects. In this class we will be using an art journal to explore all kinds of prompts, mixed media techniques and exercises that make use of recycled materials, trash or things that would otherwise get thrown out.

We will be working through 1 lesson a day for 30 days. I will be sharing all kinds of concepts- using recycled materials for printmaking, stamping, mark making, creating unique backgrounds, collaged pages, building unique compositions pages with trash and so much more! My hope is to inspire you to create with unique materials and find inspiration in everyday things that so often get thrown out!

PAPER TEXTILES

$15.00 $10.00 EARLY BIRD SALE!

Launches February 10th

More information or register HERE

I have a special place in my heart for textiles and weavings! And while I am not a textile artist, I love using rugs, weavings and textiles as inspiration for my drawing and painting process. 

In this little class we will be creating beautiful textiles on paper. Using pens, watercolors and markers, I will be sharing a variety of simple and fun techniques and concepts to create beauitful fiber inspired art on paper.

RAINBOW DELIGHT

$15.00 $10.00 EARLY BIRD SALE!

Launches March 9th

More information or register HERE

I love rainbows- as a symbol and as color inspiration! In this little class I will be sharing 5 rainbow inspired tutorials to get you creating with the shapes, design and colors of the rainbow. From colorful painted backgrounds to using rainbow designs with collage materials to doodling and drawing rainbows and more, this class will get you inspired to create all things rainbow!

PEN AND INK PLAY

$15.00 $10.00 Early Bird SALE!

Launches April 20th

More information or register HERE

One of the most important ways that I challenge myself creatively is to limit my supplies! I know this sounds like the opposite of the freedom that goes with creativity but I’ve found when I limit my supplies, my ideas, skills and inspiration totally evolve and grow. 

In this class we will only be using one supply- a pen- to create. I will be sharing some of my favorite ways to daw and create with pen and ink. From texture to shading to creating unique doodles and drawings that push that pen in all kinds of creative ways!

BUNDLE OF 4 CLASSES

$65.00 EARLY BIRD $45.00

More information or register HERE

I've got a one time sale happening until December 25th!

BUNDLE OF ALL 6 CLASSES

$240.00 EARLY BIRD $150.00

More information or register HERE

spin art gift boxes

If you’ve followed me all these years, you will know that I love finding unique ways to get creative with my holiday wrapping! It’s so much fun to incorporate making art with gift giving. In the coming weeks I’ve got som fun creative wrapping ideas coming your way!

Today I’m sharing a process- spin art gift boxes- that is fun for all ages and a really colorful way to create unique wrapping! Swipe left for the process.

We create lots of spin art around here and instead of using a spin art machine, we use a salad spinner. I add a heavy piece of cardboard to the bottom for stability.

Next, we placed our plain gift boxes inside the spinner. .
Then it’s time to add paint- we select 2-3 colors and added a dime size drop to the top of the box.

Then it’s time to spin! Sometimes you’ll get great results right away and then other times you’ll want to go back with layers of color and more spinning.

The boxes will need lots of time to dry and then you can use them for wrapping! They are perfect for small things or gift cards.

The best part of this process is that it’s colorful, messy and unpredictable! It’s also a fun way to add a little art to your gifting 

Need more handmade wrapping inspiration?

1. stitched gift wrap  2. gingerbread present toppers  3. puff paint wrapping  4. wrapping with nature  5.marbleized wrapping  6. holiday wrapping with paper bags  7. using beads in your gift wrapping  8. using book pages in our wrapping 9. black and white wrapping paper 10. gift wrap from the hardware store 11. wood grain wrapping paper 12. ways to recycle your wrapping paper 

13. finger painted floral gift wrap 14. doodle ribbon  15. gingerbread wrapping paper 16. gelli print wrapping paper

last day of sale!

Hello creative friends! Just a quick reminder that today is the last day of our annual holiday sale. We've got a handful of handmade goodies left in the shop as well and lots of online class bundles on sale! Get in the good deals while you can!

creating with jules- textured pillow

I’ve been noticing these woven textured cushions popping up in my Pinterest feed and thought about replicating the look and feel of them, but without creating woven fabric from scratch! (Or spending lots of money on designer cushions!) This cushion cover is quick to make so can be made in an afternoon, in any color-way of your choosing.

You’ll need:

Cushion fabric, two pieces 13 x 20 1/2”

Calico fabric, two pieces 13 x 20 1/2”

Stuffing

Various yarns and threads

Wool needle with sharp end

Scrap woven fabric, if desired

I found an off cut of some woven fabric in the upholstery section of a fabric store. The visible weave gives it more of a look that the whole cushion has been woven.

I used yarn and threads that were already in my stash, and starting playing around with color and placement. I’ve given a sampler of ideas, so get creative and play around. 

I used hand sewing to place all the embellishments on my cushion.

Ideas:

1. Sew down some short lengths of yarn
2. Pom poms
3. Stitching down lengths of thick yarn
4. Stitching down lengths of yarn in a zig zag pattern
5. Loops or tassels
6. Sewing woven fabric on and fraying the edges
7. Stitching clusters of thread
8. Sewing down thick yarn letting loops protrude every so often
9. Knots of thread
10. Sew down cord, plaits, or other fancy trimmings
11. Straight spaced stitches

Pom poms make a great addition. You make a pom pom by wrapping yarn around a few of your fingers multiple times, and then tying around the middle with a short length of yarn. Don’t wrap around your fingers too tightly or you won’t fit the length through to tie around the loops! Snip through all the loops and give your pom pom a hair cut with scissors.

When sewing down lengths of yarn, I used some crochet cotton and came out the side of the yarn with the needle and back through the fabric over the other side of the yarn. The needle then comes out the next place where you want your stitch to be.

I looped thread onto a skewer and then sewed it onto the fabric. I found it easier to make these loops on a skewer as I could pull them tight and get the look I wanted, sewing them down later.

Finish sewing any embellishments you would like on your cover.

Once you are happy with your cover, zig zag or serge edges of both pieces of fabric, then place right sides together, and sew with a 1/2” seam allowance. Leave an opening at one end to turn through. Clip corners and turn right side out.

Sew the calico insert the same size as your cushion leaving an opening, and turn right way out. Stuff, and stitch closed.

Pop the calico insert into the cushion cover and sew open end of cushion closed. Make four tassels by wrapping yarn around your fingers multiple times and then tying a length of yarn to fasten around the top loops. Tie another length around the tassel near the top and using a yarn needle, hide the ends inside the tassel. Cut through the bottom loops then trim to neaten up. 

Sew the tassels onto corners of the cushion, and you’re done!

Jules :)

You can find more of Jules here:

Blog http://julesmadden.blogspot.com.au

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/julesmadden/

Shop https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/artbyjulesmadden