Collage Lost And Found: Creating Unique Projects With Vintage Ephemera
by Giuseppina "Josie" CirincionePublisher: North Light Books (May 2006)
ISBN:1581807872; Paperback : 128 pages
Reviewed By Kim M. Bayne, Paper Crafts Editor for BellaOnline.com
Rating: ★★★★★
Whether you prefer to manipulate metal, glass or paper or express your creativity through jewelry, home décor or greeting cards, you’ll find something new to oogle in this paperback by Josie Cirincione. It expands one's definition of paper crafts and collage beyond the ordinary.
Like many vintage collage artists, Josie is fond of layering imagery from the early to mid-20th Century, and I couldn’t help but notice her "Rosie the Riveter" obsession with hardware and electrical store finds. Then there are the enticing works in need of soldering irons. Projects range from a short 30 minutes for pulling together a simple domino pendant (page 86) to an afternoon mulling over vintage photos to embellish an elaborate metal family album (page 66).
One of my favorite projects is "A Preference for Leather" (page 116), a set of framed images mounted on a leather band. By sewing soldered microscope slides to an eyeleted scrap of leather, you can create a unique wristband for a night out with the girls. I pondered the idea of collaging photos of my daughter’s female relatives; aunts and grandmas and maybe even me, to combine the stories of one’s heritage with the timelessness of leather. It’s a thoughtful gift, whether the recipient is partial to Bohemian couture or loves sporting a wearable scrapbook.
Another fave project is "Magnetic Attraction" (page 118), a message center built of galvanized sheet metal and glass. In search of wall art to fill those odd and bare places? Create a thin horizontal familial grouping, complete with small magnets for posting notes. I do wish the author had provided dimensions of the pieces of metal and glass she used, since I wanted to follow her example. I’ll have to take a wild guess based on the pictures and proportions. If you decide to make this, be mindful of glass thickness, since magnets may not adhere if the overlay is too thick. While making the magnets, consider substituting adhesive page pebbles for the glaze, depending on the look you wish to achieve.
On pages 120 and 121, the author reproduces some vintage photographs, postcards and playing cards for use in assemblage. Although this section is titled "Collage Clippings," I wouldn’t suggest cutting out the ephemera. Take your book to the nearest copy center and make high quality single copies for your personal use, as suggested by the publisher. Photocopies are more versatile anyway, especially if you like playing with image transfers (pages 48-49).
Most collage is made for telling a story, and you’ll find several examples of artistic pictorials in "Collage Lost and Found." From paper shipping tags masquerading as historical bookmarks to tiny mint tins recycled into ancestral pocket shrines, this book is fun to browse even if a glue bottle is nowhere in sight. Dying for an excuse to rummage through your father’s desk drawers for old receipts? Go buy this book.
Product Resource Guide
· Buy Collage Lost And Found: Creating Unique Projects With Vintage Ephemera at Amazon.com
· Making Memories Clear Page Pebbles - Large Round
· Black & Decker CI500S Dual-Temp Soldering & Craft Iron
· Lead-Free Solder
· Browse for more Paper Crafts Books at Amazon.com
Article Description: Breathe life into your paper crafts style by expanding your definition of collage.
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