Barbara Trombley and I have been experimenting with Fantasy Film since Barbara developed it in 2005. Created from beautiful, luminous films it’s an obvious fit for making magnificent wings. All you have to do is apply heat to strengthen and bond Fantasy Film and Fiber together. It’s amazing to watch it change into brilliant colors. We started making small wings at first by attaching a wire structure to the film and holding it over a candle flame. The heat melts the film into a nice natural wing shape. “Ever since the first pair of small fairy wings were made I’ve had a deep desire to make wearable wings,” says Barbara “but it is difficult to do with film that is 4 inches wide.” Recently, after much planning, Barbara has acquired large film sheets, 20 inches wide! The design team at Art Glitter excitedly got to work researching and debating on techniques for making wearable wings when Barbara took over, she knows the only way to create is through doing not talking! But she understood our dilemma, “It takes a while to make the wire structure so it’s a little intimidating to intentionally melt your art project. But it is actually very easy and with some practice you can gain a lot of control,” remarks Barbara. The results are so instantaneous and organically pleasing your apprehensions will transform into inspiration. “The feeling you get the first time you put your wings on is heavenly!”

Wearable Wings Advanced Project by Barbara Trombley Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

 

I originally made the wings in “Winged Escape” for a polymer clay fairy body my friend was making. But I was a bit ambitious and the wingspan became approx. 18 inches wide. Now that’s a big fairy! Needless to say, my friend wasn’t interested in them so I changed them into a flying creature. I toyed with the idea of having them attached to a background but when I placed them into the blank frame they looked very comfortable. Then I worked on designing a way to secure them and finding a suitable body. Luckily I had a branch with these unique looking pinecones on them that were placed just right for a body. It was the perfect solution to both my problems since the bottom of the branch could be attached to the frame. I have been collecting findings, old jewelry and anything that is pleasing to me for years so embellishing my creature was pure fun! All my pieces are strongly influenced by the materials I have on hand, I don’t usually go out and purchase something to resolve a design problem. Therefore the solutions I develop are produced from necessity, which translates into creativity.

Winged Escape Advanced Project by Emily M. Miller Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

 

I encourage everyone to take another look at your less favorite crafting supplies collecting dust on a dark shelf and think of new ways to use them. Write your ideas down, making a journal of what you want to do with what products and even the feeling you get from these ideas. It will help you later when you are ready to get started. Let your forlorn materials help direct your next creative quest. Turn its shortcomings into a positive. Then enjoy your next shopping adventure secure in the knowledge that your purchases will be the beginning (or end) to another creative endeavor!

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I am a graphic artist, web-designer, photographer and multi-media artist. I have an AS degree in Commercial Art and a BS in Art Education. My familiarity with the arts has taught me to think creatively in all endeavors and turned me into a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. My artwork usually begins as two-dimensional objects but then transpires into three-dimensional. I guess you could describe it as relief collage. I have shown a wide range of artwork in local shows. My work can be viewed in my ever changing website: www.artbyemm.com.

Barbara Trombley and I have been friends for over 9 years and work together at Art Institute Glitter, Inc. Barbara is a multi-media artist, visionary and creator/owner of Art Glitter. She has used her talents in a diverse spectrum of creative and business endeavors. These talents were evident from early childhood and on through her college years. Exposure to various art media inspired Barbara to explore facets of her imagination as revealed in her paintings, jewelry, ceramics and rock art. You can see some of her work throughout the Art Glitter websites projects and gallery www.artglitter.com/gallery.htm. Barbara’s first book, ”Glitter Artistry: Cards, Bags and Tags”, (Sterling Publishing, Inc.), was warmly received by artists in 2006 and is still a big hit today. When asked about her success, she excitedly replies, “Do what you love! I love art and I love color and I love creating.”