Sunday, 15 June 2008

Type, type and more type



What a find Judy, Jen and I bid on an old typographers cabinet, (well they did the bidding, I did the pick up). The luck was it was in Melbourne so it had to be picked up which meant there were less bidders. This is just a sample of what was in the cabinet, nineteen drawers in all, each one full or partially full of type. They weigh a ton. I know each tray intimately now having carried them, with my husbands help, to and from the car. I'm looking forward to using the trays in my bead drawers. I might turn one into a piece of art one day too.



I love drawing houses and this is my latest one in my sketch book. I made this book from various weights of paper, including water colour paper, brown paper, tissue, even tracing paper. This allows me to use all sorts of media and not just sketch. I find a blank white sheet of paper a bit daunting sometimes.



This is a painted and mixed media collage that I've just posted on my Etsy store. I've built it up using a variety of acrylic paints, papers and mesh and added some of my hand carved stamps for final decoration.



These are my latest pair of earrings I've made. They are not too long or heavy. They are also on my Etsy store.

25 comments:

Julie said...

Your houses are a great idea! And what a find! I dream of finding a load of printing blocks.

Cindy Dean said...

What a find...I love old printers drawers and the stuff in them. I have had one for years but have never done anything with it. One day...one day...

sharon young said...

What a find!
Love our houses, and your idea for a mixed media sketch book is just perfect. Will have to try this.

azirca said...

I do love printers type and cabinets, those drawers look amazing hanging on the wall displaying lots of special trinkets and treasures.
Your houses painting is fabulous as are your earrings and mixed media collage, your really are a multi-talented woman.

Maria Catalina Wiley said...

I can't wait to see what you do with the printers drawers & the blocks! I love all the things you create :-)

rivergardenstudio said...

Wow! What a find your typographers cabinet is! Also I love your painting of the houses and your collage. Your colors are, as always, beautiful! Roxanne

Gail said...

I have admired these type of drawers for ages, you are all so lucky. Another friend of mine has a set and put 2 of them under glass in a coffee table with different treasures in them. Can't wait to see what you do with yours.

Judy Wise said...

Nice score! Love the new work too; I always love your work. But the houses inspire me. Aren't they fun to play with? Love it all.

Anonymous said...

ooh ooh ooh! Are you selling any type? or Swapping? I tend to buy in huge amounts too,,, let me know if you intend to...cheers,
Dneese

Steph said...

Ooh printing blocks!!!
Love the art and jewelry !

Gillian Mowbray said...

Oh lucky you! A fabulous find. I have some vintage wood printer's blocks and I love them so much - you'll enjoy these I'm sure.
Your houses are wonderful - I'm with you on being scared by a blank white page.

Judy said...

Great houses Ro.

Cheralyn Darcey said...

Your work is just so vibrant and beautiful!! Those houses are so amazing... LOVE them. Good luck with your exhibition too and nice to 'meet' you.

Unknown said...

This collage......... I'm speechless.








The silence is more talking in this case :)

Jo Wholohan said...

Ohhhh gotta love Ebay Ro!!! These drawers are fantastic, you girls must be beside yourself :))

I love your houses, my thing is tress right now LOL Beautiful new jewelry also, you busy girl

ArtPropelled said...

You must be over the moon with your find, Ro! If I could be so lucky. I love your houses!

girlgonethreadwild said...

WHAT!!!!! a find that cabinet is Ro! I'm thoroughly Xcited for you all and had the best time taking it all in... wow! Your latest pieces are STUNNING! I had to ask.. you make the fabic that is on your chairs? lol

I'll keep dreaming... one day I'd LOVE to be in your paper making class... L-O-V-E-L-Y day that would be.

xo, Monica :)

jo horswill said...

Lot's of truly wonderful art here Ro, your houses are just fab, I love them!!!
And the printers type and cabinet, well what a great find!!!

Connie said...

I found your blog through Judy Wise's and I'm so happy I did! I am completely inspired by all the color!! Love your work! Especially love the houses...I have a thing for them too!

Peace & Love.

Anonymous said...

What a great treasure you have in that typeset piece! You are going to have SOME fun with that...

Karen Cole said...

Perhaps that fabulous piece that you found can be made into a raft and all of you can drift on over here so we can share.

Love the colorful houses, Ro!

Ciao for now.
xxoo

Linda B said...

wow! this is my very first visit and I love everything! I am adding your link to my eyecandy list on my blog so I can visit often :)

Amber Dawn Inventive Soul said...

Ro, 9 or so years ago, I won 400lbs of type from Ebay.
The driver of the delivery truck the day it was delivered was quite annoyed with me! He just stood there and panted for 5 minutes glaring at me in my driveway after taking each case of it to the house from the truck in the summer heat. (TEN 40 lb cases! Plus the extras like quoins, spacers, setting bars, and assorted cases and tools) Luckily he was a good guy and only mentioned that I should warn him ahead of time should I make a purchase like that again. He said with a serious face- "Let me know so I will call in sick that day!"
-he was not kidding about that-
(I am laughing at it now)
I still use most of it and enjoy the process.
One word of caution.
Most of the old type if not brass or nickle is lead based, and the drawers might be coated with lead dust.
Just be careful when handling the type and the drawers.

I hope you girls have FUN!

Just my 2 cents!
Amber

Mescrap said...

Ooh boy ! I love your house page.

Anonymous said...

Creativity does become part of your life. I remember reading the famous quote about learning to see like an artist and not really getting it. A few years on, I notice myself sometimes looking at the most usual of objects... a grate in a gutter, or a tree breaking free of the concrete pavement and marvelling at the shapes and textures in these things. That it when you know that creativity is becoming part of your life.

That piece has a beautiful strong warmth to it Ro. Gorgeous.