Tuesday, 11 March 2025

How to Make a Mini Stand for a Mini Artwork!

 


Well, it's almost THAT magical time of the year AGAIN!


PRINTOPIA ~ Festival of Original Print

is just around the corner!

2 - 4 May, 2025


Toni Mosley, Blue Bathtub Press


And that means another opportunity to contribute to 

the wondrous and fun

PAY & DISPLAY Vending Machine

by Blue Bathtub Press!



PAY & DISPLAY is an old-school manual vending machine, 

revamped by Toni Mosley of Blue Bathtub Press, 

to dispense mini-artworks for a mere $2 (2x $1coins).

This fun project aims to create connections within the print community 

AND 

the money raised is donated to a local charity: 

this year's charity is the Kindness Collective.




Last year's PRINTOPIA FESTIVAL was the first official outing 

of  PAY & DISPLAY and OMG it was such a joyous, 

fun project to be a part of!




The combination of the old-school, coins-in-a-slot-and-crank-the-handle experience 

PLUS the excitement of who's artwork would be dispensed

was VERY exciting!





To participate I created a selection of mini-artworks, 

all by repurposing old prints.



To make my artworks "display ready" I added little folding stands 

or actual folding artworks.

This is definitely NOT a requirement but, I thought, a fun little extra.



I also made mini stands for some of the mini prints by other artists 

that I received from the vending machine.


Mini print by Hamish Oakley-Browne with custom mini-stand



So I thought it was timely to RESHARE my process 

on how to make these mini stands!


You can always return to these instructions by clicking 

the TIPS button in the menu bar at the top of the page.



If you would like to participate in the PAY & DISPLAY project

contact Toni Mosley of Blue Bathtub Press

via her website and/or social media links.

@tonimosleyart

@bluebathtubpress


To find out more about PRINTOPIA

and the exciting programme of events

visit the website and follow along on social media.

https://printopia.nz/

@printopia_festival





How to Make a Mini Stand 
for an Artwork


These instructions are for stands that are sized
to suit my mini prints 70 mm wide x 75 mm high.

Scale and adjust as necessary.

Use a light-weight card, something like 
210 - 230gsm is fine for itty-bitty stands.

The larger your artwork, the thicker, or stiffer, 
the card will need to be.

For this size stand, cut a rectangle 70mm wide x 75mm high, 
or slightly smaller so it will be hidden behind your artwork.






Mark the vertical centre-line.

Measure and rule a horizontal line 20 mm from the bottom.

Measure 25mm either side of the centre line.  
*NOTE: it's important to leave approx 10mm border on each side 
to maintain strength in your structure 
so adjust measurements if necessary.

Measure & mark a point on the centre line 25mm UP from the horizontal line.
NOTE: if you make adjustments, this measurement  
must be the same as the measurement either side of the centre line.
 
Mark another point 3mm higher on your centre line. 
This little EXTENSION is the KEY to your stand being able to LOCK into position.

All will become clear soon!

Draw a semi-circle/half ellipse including the 3mm extension, 
as in the photo above.






Cut around the curve and along the 
right-hand half of the bottom of the semi-circle, as in the photo above.

Cut a tiny V as shown.







Crease folds, as shown in above photo,
 above and below the semi-circle, and along the other half of the bottom of the semi-circle ONLY. 

Ideally use a ruler and eg. Thumb nail, credit card or bone folder to crease the folds first.

NOTE: DO NOT fold the semi-circle and 
DO NOT fold the border of the frame on either side.






Fold UPWARDS, to 90 degrees / a right angle, 
the right-hand half of the rectangle, as shown above.

NOTE: the semi-circle is not folded.






Open your stand out flat again then fold the semi-circle 
DOWNWARDS to 90 degrees/ a right angle.







Now you can fold your stand into position to test it.

The tiny V will lock into position and hold the stand open
AS LONG AS you haven't cut away too much.








Finally, glue the stand to the back of your artwork as shown below.

NOTE: the artwork in the photo below is actually 
POSTCARD sized so you can see more clearly 
how to position your stand.

Centre it vertically on the back of your artwork and line it up at the bottom.
The stand can be the same size as your artwork or it can be smaller.





Taaaaadahhhhhhh!!!!



Variation:


I quite like to mount my mini prints on a 
coloured card so that it frames my image.

To do this I cut the coloured card, eg. black, 
to the size required, in this case 7 x 7 cm.

I then trim my mini prints so they are slightly smaller 
so a wee border of black is visible.

Finally, I glue my black stands onto the back of the card.

Below are details of Snaily prints 
I have prepared for Printopia 2025.








Have FUN!!

If you make your own little stands I'd LOVE 
you to tag me on social media.


I'm so looking forward to PRINTOPIA

and I can't wait to see what artworks I receive 
when I pop my coins in the slot and crank the handle!






Thanks so much for visiting!


You can FOLLOW my BLOG by clicking the FOLLOW button 
in the top right-hand column to be notified when a new blog is posted.




Thursday, 5 December 2024

ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm creating an online Signature Course for Fibre Arts Take Two!





Well, I have quite an
ANNOUNCEMENT
to make!





I'm very excited to share with you that

earlier this year I was invited to create 

an online Signature Course for 

Fibre Arts Take Two 

and you can NOW REGISTER 

your interest online.






Visit: www.fibreartstaketwo.com






Explore Ways of Expressing 

Your Own Personal Stories 

Through Your Art



Waymarkers series by Toni Hartill



My course is called

Unconventional Artist's Books
with Toni Hartill



Artists of all levels and abilities are invited to 
step beyond your usual practice and unlock your 
creative expression through artist's books 
and three-dimensional structures.


Migration (mini) by Toni Hartill





Develop Your Ideas Into Meaningful Artworks

I LOVE the voyage of discovery as I set out on a new project 
and I can't wait to share my processes with you 
to create meaningful, personal works that push your practice 
in new and, hopefully, unexpected directions!






A concertina book exploration by Toni Hartill







Participants will develop key skills such as…

Finding their story and concept.

How to document the process through workbook journals.

Embracing mistakes as vital learning moments.



The course focuses on…

Breaking free from conventions.

Playful experimentation (rather than rigid methods)

Mark Making and creating layers to develop 

rich, textured surfaces.

How to work in a series to build depth and continuity 

while evolving naturally across multiple pieces.




Simple folded structure by Toni Hartill



My course aims to support you to break free from conventions.


Through playful experimentation with a variety 

of three-dimensional structures, 

from simple to more complex, you'll build confidence 

and skills to unleash your creative potential.




Cliffs - A Study of Mark Making by Toni Hartill



I'll guide you through the process of developing your own 

personal visual language through multi-layered mark making. 


I hope I will inspire your use of found and repurposed objects 

and materials to add a tactile and visual depth to your work.




"Treasured" by Toni Hartill





I'll also share with you my journey of discovering artist's books 

as a valid and viable art form and how it has allowed me to express 

my true and sometimes quirky, always personal and meaningful, 

creative self.



I'll take you through the creative process, right from generating 

new ideas, all the way through to how you might present and display 

a piece, or even a body of work, in an exhibition.






Toni Hartill






Why Enrol in a Fibre Arts Take Two 

Signature Course?


Unbound - Unconventional Artist’s Books includes:

 

Lifetime Access: 

Revisit the course content anytime to refresh your skills 

or find new inspiration. Learn at your own pace!


Student Community Group: 

Engage with like-minded artists and form connections 

that could last a lifetime.


Two Live Q&A Sessions: 

Get direct feedback and insights from Toni (ME!) herself.


8 Weeks of Tutor Support: 

I will be there to guide you, answer your questions, 

and help you overcome any artistic hurdles.


Showcase your artwork: 

your enrolment includes an invitation 

to participate in an online exhibition.






I'm currently still in the THICK of planning and preparations 
with filming scheduled for early 2025.

The course enrolments open later next year so stay tuned for updates by






Also:

or click button in top of right-hand column

@tonihartillart

tonihartillart



By registering your interest on the Fibre Arts Take Two website 

you will receive information about the course, 

a monthly e-newsletter, always full of inspirational news, 

plus updates for the weekly Friday Feature Artist interviews.




I had an amazing experience as a 

Friday Feature Artist 

in April 2022.



You can view my earlier blog post about my interview 

HERE.


Or view my interview and artist profile on the 

Fibre Arts Take Two website 

HERE.



I'm so excited to have this opportunity to develop this course 

to share with a whole NEW and GLOBAL audience!


I hope you'll enjoy following along as I work towards 

the launch of my course next year!




Thanks so much for visiting today!






Sunday, 11 August 2024

"The Expanded Field of Print", PCANZ selected exhibition



Image credit: Joanna Fieldes, Deborah Crowe, Jennifer Halli



The Expanded Field of Print 

20 August - 14 September, 2024


Norman King Square, Ernie Mays Street,
Northcote Central, Auckland.


Opening event: 
Saturday 17th August, 
1 - 3pm
with a floor talk by the selector, Steve Lovett.



This is a selected exhibition by members of
and is a wonderful opportunity to view contemporary printmaking 
by artists from all over Aotearoa.




Please note: 

(as mentioned in my earlier post)

ALSO opens on Sat 17th August, 2 - 4pm

I will endeavour to attend both openings 
but will definitely be at 

the Depot Artspace, Devonport 

to welcome visitors from 2 - 4pm.


Please join us at both events!


"The Expanded Field of Print consists of over 40 selected works by members from the Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand. The intent of the exhibition is to encourage printmakers to explore different ways of engaging with imagery, materials, processes and technologies. Works selected are contemporary and diverse ranging from floor based, wall mounted, and plinth to a variety of hanging installations.

The Print Council Aotearoa New Zealand is a national, non-profit organisation supporting and promoting printmaking across all regions of New Zealand. Members’ work encompasses the full spectrum of printmaking from traditional, contemporary through to the experimental."



I'm delighted to have had my artist book

Chorographia I

selected to be a part of this exhibition.


Update: I'm so delighted that
Chorographia I
SOLD to a collector
at the opening of
The Expanded Field of Print.



Description:
Wall hung cascade-style artist’s book
comprising multiple pages which are intended to be lifted
to reveal hidden layers and details.
Media:
Sumi-e paper, linocut, woodcut,
monoprint, collagraph, collage, stitching,
repurposed gilt frame moulding &
brass fittings.
Dimensions: L 775mm x W 198mm x D 35mm


"Chorographia I" Toni Hartill


My Chorographia series of works were created for my

solo exhibition WAYMARKERS, Nov-Dec, 2023.


You can view this series of works in an earlier post HERE.


Artist Statement:

Choros: place, Graphein: to write

The art of describing or mapping a region or district.

Topographic imagery and patterns as seen on and of the landscape, are layered in patchwork-like grids, evoking fields and weathered surfaces along the imagined route of my journey through rural Aotearoa, as I embarked on my Opunake artist residency.











Thanks for visiting!