My first stencils are here :D

Hurray!!! I am so excited to announce that today I am releasing my first 3 Stencil designs! They are all laser cut out of Mylar. I have just made them available in my store www.designsbyryn.com

Sizing

The dimensions for my new Stencil line are 6" by 9" with the designs ending about a half an inch from the border. After much debating, I settled on this size because I often create designs that don't fit into a square. Typically, Cards aren't square. Neither are Tags or Art Journals... I wanted to make the stencils practical for use on those surfaces.
With a rectangular shape you can choose the part of the stencil that you want to use on a card size piece. Or, if you are art journaling you can use the whole design to cover a larger area.

Versatility

I enjoy the challenge of making my designs as versatile as possible. Everyone has such a different style when creating so the Stamps and Stencils should be as open to interpretation as possible. As you know, I often design the Stamps in sets. I extend the image by making it different sizes or by flipping it to change the orientation. Smaller images are ideal for pieces like ATCs and Tags and larger images for Cards, Journals or Canvases. You can also mix them all together to create variation.
I've taken this same way of thinking and applied it to my Stencils. As you can see below with Maidenhair Fern, I made the design in three separate sizes. You can add to the largest size, use only a portion of it or use the smaller ones separately.

With Flowing Branches I made two equally sized images with the idea that they could be either tree trunks (used separately) or branches. I also kept in mind card sizing and made sure that they would look good if only a portion of the branch was visible. I believe sizing will work well with a lot of leaf, flower and bird stamps out there.

Lastly, Floral Spirals is an ideal image for backgrounds. Here is the image and a little gallery of examples from my talented Design Team.

This piece is by Karin van den Broek using Floral Spirals in the background. She also used Water Droplets 2 and Starfish Set from my Stamp collection. Karin's blog post HERE

In this card Shirley Detacher used Floral Spirals as a wave effect in the background with Dylusions Ink Sprays. Stamps used from my collection are Betta and Spiral Branch Set. Shirley's blog post HERE

I didn't design Floral Spirals to be seaweed but they really do feel like it in Karin's art journal. She also used Rising Bubbles from my Stamp collection. Karin's blog post HERE

Shirley's subtle use of Floral Spirals using gesso. Stamps used from my collection are African Daisy and Trickling Water Set. Shirley's blog post HERE

In this piece Wendy McCarthy used Floral Spirals in the background and Lucine from my Stamp collection. Wendy's blog post HERE

In this card Shirley used Viva molding cream with Floral Spirals. In the foreground sheembossed and cut out Spiral Shell from my Stamp collection. Shirley's blog post HERE

This is a close up shot from my Art Journal. I used molding paste through Floral Spirals and then lightly dusted it with white paint (using a paintbrush) when it was dry. I was really pleased with how well the ridges of the spirals showed up using the molding paste.

Lastly, happy me with my new stencils! I posted this one to Facebook already but for those of you who don't use Facebook I thought I'd show it on here too :)

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone for being patient with me through the time it took to create something new. I wanted the stencils to be original and offer everyone something unique. I'm excited to see what you will come up with using these.
Expanding beyond stamps feels like a big first step for my business. Thanks so much for sharing this moment with me :)
Bye for now,
Ryn

Guest Spotlight with Kellie Murton

Hello everyone,

Today's spotlight is on Guest Designer, Kellie Murton. Kellie purchased some stamps from me a while ago and it wasn't until some time later that sent me a link to some of the videos that she had made on YouTube. I was so touched to find a video that she posted 8 months earlier reviewing my products. I couldn't believe that she had gone out of her way to say a couple of nice words (more than a couple!) about my stamps without expecting anything in return. Just because she liked them so much! I showed my family right away and felt like I was floating around with a big smile on my face for the rest of the day.

It was Kellie's kindness as much as her talent that encouraged me to ask her to do a Guest Spotlight with my stamps. I was really surprised when she told me that I was the first to ask. She's the first artist that I have spotlighted who focuses on making process videos on YouTube. I think they're great and highly recommend watching a few. She's got a great candid way of narrating what she's doing. Her channel is Kellie Murton.

Kellie's Project

I sent a few stamps her way and am really happy to show what she sent back to me using Lucine and Water Droplets from my collection. Here's a pic of her project and a link to her video: http://youtu.be/stqxXMG6yMw

A bit about Kellie

"When I am not working or spending quality time with my 3 boys, ages 23, 11 and 9, you will likely find me in my studio working on my next crafting project, jewelry design or mixed media art journal page. I am the owner of InsideOut Field Services, a professional lender services business. I have over 25 years in the lender services and collections business and starting my own successful servicing business over 9 years ago was a dream come true. It's not all rainbows and butterflies of course but that is where my artistic passion comes in to play to level things out. I also own a small online store called Intoxication by Kellie that I am excited about taking to the next level in the coming months. My amazing husband, who is my soul mate and best friend, keeps me grounded and after all these years of working together and raising our family together, we still LIKE each other. Loving someone is easy. LIKING someone is another story entirely. All my boys are champions and they make me whole.

I've been sharing tutorials and fun creations on YouTube for about 4 years now. I also organized a Google+ community called The ICWIC Crew where we share mixed media projects to inspire each other. The crafting community that I have been fortunate enough to be part of never ceases to amaze me with their kindness and support. I've made some amazing friendships on YouTube that I am very grateful for. I was absolutely honored to be invited to be a guest designer for Ryn Tanaka with Designs by Ryn.com. I have been admiring her stamps for quite some time and I'm proud to demonstrate how I use her high quality products for you."

A big thanks to Kellie for this awesome project and video!!! More to come from her soon :) Hope you enjoyed this post! I've been having fun showcasing Guest Designers on my blog lately. If you have anyone that you would like to suggest please let me know.

Bye for now,

Ryn

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alie's Guest Spot Continued

Hello everyone,

Last week I shared some great pieces from Guest Designer Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries. This is the second batch of what she created. If you missed the first post you can find it on the right hand side under the label "Guest Designer". There's a little bio about her and 5 more pieces of her artwork!

A link to Alie's blog: http://aliehoogenboezem-devries-atc.blogspot.nl

A tag of white cardstock, coloured with red, yellow and orange Dylusions Spray Inks. After drying I used a flower stencil and sprayed some white Dylusions Ink on it. Stamped 6 large raindrops and made a flower of them. Coloured them with red and orange Kuretake markers. Handrawn leaves. Accents with a white gelly pen.

• Used stamps from Designs by Ryn:
• Raindrop Set - CM-T10
• Butterflies: Stampinback.nl
• Text stamp: StampAttack

An idea while I was drinking a cup of tea... I used a little white envelope, cut out the text: Green Tea, from a real teabag. Removed the original label from the teabag and glued a handmade label on it. I also made an envelope from green cardstock with the same stamps (picture 2)

Used stamps from Designs by Ryn:

• Raindrop Set - CM-T10
• Leafy Branch - CM-F15

Pulled a white card through leftover inks on my craftsheet. Glued the card on 2 mm greyboard. After stamping I put a hole in the corner and added a bookring. (in this way I collect several creations together).

Used stamps of Designs by Ryn:

• Raindrop Set - CM-T10
• Leafy Branch - CM-F15
• Text stamp: Stampendous

Put some black Bister on the white card and sprayed with water...the black Bister turns into several colours! Glued the card on lovely shiny cardstock.

Used stamps from Designs by Ryn:

• Raindrop Set - CM-T10
• Circles: Inkadinkado
• Text stamp and jar: Stampinback.nl
• Flowers: unknown

Isn't that green tea set fantastic? I've never seen anything quite like it :) I hope you enjoyed the second edition of Alie's makes with my stamps. HERE is a link to her blog if you'd like to pop over for a visit. I'm sure she'd like that. Again, thanks SO much Alie :)

Bye for now!

Ryn

 

Guest Spotlight with Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries

Hello everyone,

Today I am excited to present a talented lady from the Netherlands! I have been following Alie's blog for some time and always leave inspired after a visit. A few weeks ago I invited her to do a Guest Spot and was so pleased when she said yes. I sent 5 stamps that she wanted and didn't have to wait long at all before my inbox was full of presents. Lol. I told Alie that it felt like Christmas ;)

I love how she decided to combine the stamps. My favorite is the friendship between Left Corner Mermaid and Betta in the third card below. The quote is a perfect choice as is every other that she used. I'll get to her makes below but first, here's a little bit about the artist.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries

"Almost 61 years, woman, happily married since 41 years, mother, grandmother of 3, and staff of 2 cats...and stampaddict!

My stamping life started in 2009, very carefull, with little material and just a few stamps. But since then stamping became a real passion! I'm not a real technique stamper, I "just go with the flow"...Sometimes an idea comes into my head...and it always becomes different than I had thought. But most of the time I sit down, look around and get inspired by a colour or a stamp. And just start a creation, wondering when it's finished that it looks how it looks...I mostly love to make cards or other creations, without pressure, but with loads of feelings. And of course I like to visit blogs and Pinterest and enjoy the work of so many awesome stamping ladies (sorry guys...I rarely see you :-)).

This year I won the Dutch poster contest from the Art Specially Event...to my surprise. That was a touching moment...that the judges had chosen my stamped card as the best of all the entries. But in the last years I also was asked 3 times to be guestdesigner at De Stempelwinkel and at Our Creative Corner. At this moment I'm a member of the Stampinback.nl designteam.

I really was honoured that Ryn asked me to be a Surprise Guestdesigner...and had lots of fun, creating with her gorgeous stamps, "Designs by Ryn". All the stamps are so detailed and unique... And I hope, you can enjoy my makes! Ryn, many thanks for this great opportunity...it was my pleasure to play with your lovely stamps! And of course I will use them over and over again after this!!

Kindest regards,

Alie :-)"

Click to visit Alie's blog: http://aliehoogenboezem-devries-atc.blogspot.nl

Alie's Gallery

And now for Alie's creations!

The frontside of the notebook cover

The backside of the notebook cover

Played with natural and blue Bister (sprayed with water) on a white card and used the following stamps of Designs by Ryn:

• Betta fish - CM-53
• Leafy Branch - CM-F15
• Sea Bubbles Set - CM-S15
• Raindrop Set - CM-T10
• Text stamp is from Stampinback.nl

White aquarel paper, coloured with Kuretake markers and sprayed water. Removed some colour with a wet cleaning cloth.

Used stamps of Designs by Ryn:

• Betta fish - CM-53
• Rising Bubbles - CM-T8
• Sea Bubbles Set - CM-S15

This is a card with a blue, yellow and orangeDylusions Ink Sprays Background. Put some waterdrops on it and dried it with the heatgun, this are the lighter spots. The white circles are made with the top of the Picket Fence Distress Stain. Some bigger circles with blue Distress Ink.

Used stamps of Designs by Ryn:

• Betta fish - CM-53
• Sea Bubbles Set - CM-S15
• Rising Bubbles - CM-T8
• Left Corner Mermaid - CM-M4

A white card with brown, blue and green Bister, sprayed with water so the colours flow together. Accents with metallic Derwent pencils and golden gelly pen. The mermaid and drops are stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with golden embossingpowder

Used stamps of Designs by Ryn:

• Raindrop Set - CM-T10
• Left Corner Mermaid - CM-M4
• Leafy Branch - CM-F15
• Text stamp: unknown

Used the Sanded Background Technique on the triangle (see the second picture) with a honeycomb stencil. Glued it on two different coloured pink cards. Coloured the mermaid with Kuretake markers.

Used stamps of Designs by Ryn:

• Sea Bubbles Set - art.nr. CM-S15
• Left Corner Mermaid - art.nr. CM-M4
• Text stamp: Stampinback

Well that's it for now! A BIG thank you Alie for your beautiful makes :) You were an absolute delight to collaborate with and your pieces are beautiful!

 

I've got a few more pieces from Alie coming next week. Many thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this Guest Spot. Please do stop by Alie's BLOG for a visit. Lots of inspiration there!!!

Bye for now!

Ryn

 

July Sales & News!

Hello everyone :)
Hope you're enjoying your summer so far! I've been busy making some improvements around here. I'll start with the news and then list this month's sales below.
Changes to the Customer Creation Draw
Up until now, you've been sending your photos to my email account or posting them to my Facebook wall. It's been a pleasure to see your art! As more of you share your projects I've realized a need to streamline the process. I want to spend less time administrating and more time designing.
To allow for this I have created a tab along the top of my blog "Monthly Draw" that links directly to the draw for that month. Within the post you can upload your photo, name, description and specific blog link (if you have one). This way you can see all of the projects sent in to date and visit the creator's blog posts.
I will still randomly pick a winner from the batch. They will be announced at the beginning of each month and will receive a free stamp as a prize.
You can check out past galleries on the right hand side of my blog. Scroll down until you see "Labels" and click on "Customer a Creation Draw". All posts with that label will be brought up.
June's Draw Winner is...
Barbara Cleggett! A big thank you and congratulations to you :D
Here are Barbara's entries below...

HERE is a link to this one.

Barbara's second post HERE

UPS Shipping Coming Soon!
Up until now I have only been offering Canada Post as a shipping option on my site. They are great for small orders but I wanted to be able to give you a different option. Especially for my international customers as tracking numbers start at $40 through Canada Post. Yikes! UPS rates start a little bit higher but every order comes with a tracking number and delivers in a much shorter time frame. If all goes well I am aiming to have UPS implemented by the end of the month.
Stencils Coming Soon!
It has been a long time since I have released new designs and I thank you very much for being patient with me. I feel like I hit a bottleneck of business improvements that needed to be made before I could dedicate time to art again. There seems to be a constant battle between the left and right side of my brain ;) I love art AND I love this business.
Over the last couple of months I have been researching companies to produce a line of stencils for me. I've also educated myself on how to convert my designs to the right file type for laser cutting (vector was definitely a learning curve!!!).
Now I'm eagerly awaiting the production of my first three stencil designs. I can't wait to receive them in the mail and to show you. I'm hoping that by the end of July they'll be ready. Nice thing about stencils is that they're light for shipping ;)
July Stamps Marked Down 50%
Finally, here are my picks for this month. We have hot weather here in Ontario which I believe influenced my choices. Can't help but think of nice cool water on a hot day! Here are some aquatic creatures for you.

Leafy Sea Dragon ~ $4.49

Wanda ~ $4.49

Sea Turtle ~ $4.49

Well that's it for now. I'll keep you posted about the Shipping and Stencils. Lots to come later this month!!! Thanks for having the care to stop by and read about what I'm up to. All my best to you :)

Ryn

July Customer Creation Draw

An InLinkz Link-up