What is Altered Art Anyway?

 

Since I'm releasing the Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program this week, maybe it's a good idea to answer the question.....

What is Altered Art, Anyway?

Altered Art has been defined in many ways and I have come to realize that a lot of things can be considered “altered art.”

A basic definition is that it is using old items and “altering” them.  There really is no wrong way to do it.  Quite often new techniques are discovered by accident.  It’s the transformation of ordinary objects into pieces of art.

Generally, the item(s) will be entirely new or different after the altering.

Different techniques you can use to alter art are:

            Painting

            Collage

            Decoupage

            Embellishing

            Rusting

            Stamping

            Drawing on

            Sewing

            Gluing things together or on the item

            The possibilities are limitless.

You can really alter anything to make altered art.  Basically gather up your “junk” and start playing. 

Here are some examples to get you started:

• Playing cards - make ATCs with these (or make a little book!  I will be sharing a project for this later this week)
• Game pieces (scrabble, domino, poker chips, etc.).  They make excellent pendants for jewelry.
• Record albums - use the covers to make purses or other art, melt the albums themselves into bowls.
• Bamboo tiles
• Books
• Boxes (Cigar boxes)
• CDs and DVDs
• Glass bottles 
• Jigsaw puzzle pieces
• Luggage labels
• Matchboxes
• Microscope slides
• Photo frames
• Tins
• Bingo cards
• Dolls
• Paper bags (to make books!)
• Pennies and other coins                                                                                     

My favorite altered art, of course, is Altered Art Jewelry!  Scrabble tiles, dominoes, Rumikub tiles, bottle caps, etc.!  I have had so much fun (and have been profitable!) selling my Altered Art Jewelry designs.  

Wednesday is your chance to get my secrets!  I'll be releasing my brand new Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program.  To learn more about the release (and get entered for the giveaway) read here.  If you think you’d like to give altered art jewelry a try, this is the digital program for you!  It’s seriously thorough and you can even email me if you get stuck!!  

Make sure to sign up for your chance to win a free copy of the new program and a kit to make the projects!