Can Bills Inspire Art?

Can Bills Inspire Art?

Do I love getting bills and insurance statements? No. Does it help when once in a while there is a collage fodder treat waiting for me on the inside of the envelope? Yes, it certainly does. I don’t know what is happening in the envelope business, but twice in the past two weeks I have a lovely surprise when I uncovered these new (to me) patterns. I haven’t made any mail art projects in a while, but I’m certainly inspired now.

Mail Art Wallet

Mail Art Wallet

One of the perks of being in Ali Manning’s Handmade Book Club are occasional workshops with teachers she brings in. One recent Sunday, Bel Mills of Scrap Paper Circus led a workshop using business reply envelopes to make this mail art wallet.  Lots of ways you could take the collage design with this, and lots of possible uses to keep bits and pieces organized. It also gave me an excuse to buy and try a Crop-a-Dial for the little rivet closure.  And then there was the new experience with clear gesso. So yes, it’s intended to be a project focused on up cycling, but no stash busting project feels complete without a new purchase or two!  I love a workshop where you can actually complete the whole project by the time the session is over.  Take a look at the video to see how this one works by clicking on the photo below.