Alter This!

Going green is a decision. Staying green is a commitment. So here is my attempt at making this a way of life.

There was a period of time when I worked at the local paper crafting chain. There were so many things coming into the store everyday (I guess that is one of the benefits of being a cooperate chain).

But very few folks, even those who worked there, knew what do to with the stuff. So at least once a week, someone would walk up to me and say "Lauren what would you do with this stuff?" Well needless to say, I would come up with something.

Then when a number of my friends had decided to slay the SWAP DEMON (trust me this is a long story to digress about another time). I told my swap partner that I did not want anything that was considered "traditional paper crafty". I did not want anything from the LSS or from a local craft store. I wanted stuff from everywhere else and I was not willing to limit her thinking by giving any hints.

So as I was surfing the web, I saw a number of groups that were doing something similar. They go something like this:

• Fill a small packing envelope with collage elements, pieces and parts.
• Send to someone else.
• Watch as the other person creates something with the parts you've sent them.

I saw that other artists had tried various versions of this and it seemed to get so successful, that they actually had to stop because people were sending them all kinds of stuff.

I have thought it through and I decided that I could play the game, but I had to play it my way.

So, Here's my idea:

• Pack me a small packing envelope of stuff that you've having difficulty using in your artwork. It can be flat stuff, like papers, or dimensional stuff, like beads or bottles. As long as it fits in a packing envelope, it's fair game.
• Send the envelope, along with your name, address and email, to:
  
  Lauren Ferguson
  Alter This!
  1565 Lake Heights Circle
  Dacula, GA 30019
• I'll choose a baggie of stuff periodically, make something with whatever is in it, and write about my process.
• If your baggie of stuff is one that I work with, I'll send you an envelope of goodies back---maybe collage stuff, maybe finished artwork, maybe both.

What do you think?

A few disclaimers:

• Please don't send me stickers, or anything made of plastic. I won't use them.
• Trash is good, as long as it's relatively clean. Please don't send anything that is dead, rotting, or that will melt in extreme heat. (I live in Georgia. Have you ever been in Georgia in the summer, it reminds me of Hades. Oh but I digress.)
• I am under no obligation to use the baggie of stuff you send me. However, if I do use it, you'll get something back from me after I do. I'm doing it this way to avoid getting garbage in the mail from people hoping to score goodies.
• Don't do this for the return mail---do it because you can't figure out what to do with something, or because you think I'll be stumped by your stuff.
• Challenge me. Look for things you think I couldn't possibly turn into a piece of artwork.
• By sending me some stuff, you agree to have your name and a photograph of the stuff you sent me posted on this blog.
• No whining or complaining that I haven't used your stuff yet.

OK, that's it for now.

Post a comment if you have any questions that you want to ask me.

Comments

[fay copeland]

what are you teaching for timeless reflections and the cost please"? i can't seem to find it on your blog. fay copeland

[Courtney]

This is a really cool idea. I will have to come up with something to send you.

[Erin Fagen]

Dear Mrs. Ferguson,

This is unrelated to the Alter This category, and I apologize for not being able to e-mail you directly. I came across a sampling of your copper etched journals in a Green Artists book and was inspired and interested in your eco-friendly copper etching technique. Unfortunately I am on the west coast and cannot take one of your classes but it mentioned you are awaiting a patent for the process. I am a jewelry design student intent in eliminating hazardous waste from my work process, and would like to support your innovation. Would the technique also work on silver?

Thank you for any information you are willing to share,

Erin Fagen

[dianne]

Hi I recently came upon your work in the green guide for artists. i live in Australia and am studying jewellery design and looking into enviro friendly techniques.Have you any more info available on the process for etching metals that you are able to share. Appreiciate your advice and assistance. thanks Dianne