GPP Crusade No 8

Cheap Tricks
Here are some of my 'clever and inexpensive things to use when making art'. 

When you buy a container of 10 Kiwi Fruit (in Sydney (and possibly elsewhere)) you get a groovy 'spoon' that has teeth at the other end. I use these spoons to scoop out various mediums and then use them to mix with the paint. The teeth are great to use as a texture tool which can be seen in the close up on the right. (Notice the great GreenPepperPress flourish stamp!)

The 'palette' I am using in the middle picture is a foam/polystyrene thing you get when you buy certain veges (like baby corn, or snow peas) pre-packaged from the grocer. If you look closely you can see I use the palette numerous times before I throw them out, that's the beauty of acrylic paints drying really well - I see this act as helping the environment more than being a cheapster!

Paper/Kitchen Towels are a great cheap tool. I use them to wipe off excess paint or dab my brushes on to rid excess water & paint when I am doing washes. Sometimes you can get really fabulous pieces (that don't stick together) that can later be used in another piece of work or journal - how cool is that!
Should I mention that the bottom of the green page is wallpaper!
Oh and another GPP stamp is used on the painted section to tie the page together.

Comments

[michelle]

great entry ursula! never seen those cool scoopers, great tool! love using the styro palettes too....and i shop for paper towels not for quality but for the patterns in the quilting :) thanks for playing.

[carlene]

great tips Ursula, and I love your reuse-renew-recycle attitude!

[karla nathan]

We don't get tools with our kiwi, and now I want one!

[Crafty Green Poet]

I use the same plastic thingies as palettes too! Very environmentally friendly!

[Nicole]

A fab idea ;)

[JUDY WILKENFELD]

You don't really do that do you??? Its all sounding very green to me. But its a wonderful idea, regards Bob Brown.

[Ro Bruhn]

What a great idea with the spoons Ursula, I'll start saving. I use a knitting needle to carve into the foam trays to make stamps, they work well.

[Julie H]

I had not thought of using the kiwi fruit spoons. Thanks for that one. I must go check out some of the other crusade ideas. One day I will get my act together to post.

Cheers,
Julie

[kristen robinson]

This is so very cool I love it! We do not get a cool spoon with our kiwi just the fruit.

XOX
Kristen

[Belinda]

ursula, i'm so jealous!!!! we don't get these spoons here in europe, or at least the countries i frequent. how cool are these!!! and yes, paper towels are fab too, although mine end up way too dark since i don't pay attention. great cheap tricks!

[Lynda]

You are a woman of many talents.... I wondered where all my kiwi spoons went!! ;)

[kate]

I like those Kiwi tools ... how come we don't get them here? The white styrofoam containers are commonplace but not the Kiwi tools.

[Gisele]

We don't get those cool spoons either over here in Jersey! great cheap tricks Ursula, oh and that architectural plan stamp was by Rubber Baby who no longer exist....but there was a rumour that all their designs were bought by Stamp Francisco who will be re-releasing them over time...keep your eyes peeled:)

[Penny Stuart]

Omigosh my friend...these are THE coolest! Love the kiwi spoons....I have never seen those before! WOWZA! Love your ideas! Girl, you rock!