Polaroid Jewelry

I have to have one of these!! Check it out at overandover.


A tiny camera. On a chain.

Made from polymer clay, hand-painted with acrylic paint, and glazed for extra protection.

The camera is about half an inch wide, and 3/4" from front to back. It's on an 18" silver chain with a lobster clasp.

Featured Artist - Hilary Hitchcock

This is my favorite image Polaroid Transfer image by St Louis artist, Hilary Hitchcock.



Here is what Hilary has to say about herself:

I’ve been taking photos for several years. I especially like documenting things that are rarely seen or disappearing. The design sensibility of days gone by tends to make me swoon, as do rural Midwestern landscapes.

Check out her shop to see more of her work!

Morag - The Great One - Dollar Store Doll Makeover

Ok, so I FINALLY finished a participatory art project called the Dollar Store Doll Makeover Challenge. I say finally because poor Morag was staring at me in her "Before" state from several areas (I kept moving her) in my studio. I found out about this challenge while teaching a photography course in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in January. I was doing a search on Polaroid submissions and this challenge came up. I was thrilled because it is based in Calgary, with participants from all over the world. I picked my doll from 100 on the site, and received her soon after I got home. She was sent to me for free in exchange for me making her over, photographing her on Polaroid in her "before" and "after" states, and writing a bit about her life. The images and story are sent back to the Secret Society of Analogue Art, posted to the site, I keep Morag.



I love the concept of participatory art projects. Over the course of this project I have exchanged several emails with Pamela Klaffke, who is the brains behind the project, and the whole Secret Society. I feel the same rush that she does about putting a concept out there and seeing how it evolves and what it becomes, when so many are involved. She is doing all this without a grant, which is huge since it cost her $9 just to mail my doll, which cost her $1, to me in Banff, which is pretty much up the road from Calgary (Canada Post sucks for shipping within our own country, don't get me started...). I feel I have met a kindred spirit (I love the internet) whom I can get to know since she lives close by. I plan to submit work to her creepy wonderful and review of meats projects. Pamela has me inspired to create my own challenge.



So back to Morag. I chose Morag because she seems a bit sad, a shy wallflower. I turned her into an art photographer who likes to take tasteful, nude Polaroids... LOL! Here is Morag, before, and after, in a dress made of stash fabric and a Polaroid and tulle, and a wicked collar, also made from a Polaroid. The text reads like this:

"For years, I had put myself on the shelf, so to speak... I was surrounded by creative people and the tools to be creative myself, but I was content to let fear hold me hostage. One day, I could hear the voice of my grandmother, who used to tell me when I was small, that my name was Scottish for great one. Tears filled my eyes when I remember how she had told me no to let being small get in the way of my being great. I got down from the shelf. I have decided to live up to my name."

Featured Artist: Butcher Walsh

This was on the front page of Etsy today, and boy am I glad it was. It is an original Polaroid transfer of the Crysler Building in an 8x10" mat and frame for $30. I have not seen Butcher Walsh's work before and I love this image. Here is the info I read in his profile:

I have been a photographer since 1987.

I can sew on a button and fix a car.

I also make movies.

Jobs I have had include bike messenger, telemarketer, Bergdorf Goodman window display artist, AC loader (film Biz), and micro cinema founder.

Check out his shop, buy his work, support a Polaroid artist!

Daily Post

SELF PORTRAIT EMULSION LIFT by TIFFANY TESKE

Today I am starting my daily Polaroid post. It may be my work or that of someone else. I am also planning to feature a Polaroid artist every week or two. If you are interested in having your work featured on this blog, if you have some news to share in the Polaroid world, or if you want to be the featured artist please email me at oldesage@hotmail.com.

Sunflower Daydream

"A lot of what fascinates me about photography is its ability to act as both the document and fiction, to be both true to life and completely removed from it." Ri Anderson

Well said! I was planning to post this image today and just happened to pick up one of many notebooks kicking around in the studio and found this quote which I wrote down ages ago. I love serendipity!! Here is a double exposure Spectra Polaroid print, one of a kind, that I made at the Calgary Zoo in late February. It is both reality and fantasy. And it is one of my favorite double exposures I have ever made. It has inspired me to start making prints of my originals and to hold onto the originals for the time being...

Can You Say ORGANIZATION?

It always starts the same way.... I am looking for something I know that I have... somewhere.... I think... maybe I got rid of it (highly unlikely since I am a pack rat and I rarely get rid of anything useful)?... maybe I only think I bought it (found it, accepted it from someone else getting rid of it)? it has got to be in my studio... or the garage... or the closet... it is here SOMEWHERE.... It IS here SOMEWHERE.... IT HAS GOT TO BE HERE SOMEWHERE... URGH!



Time to ORGANIZE. It IS spring. I never seem to get to the end, I just have starts and lurches toward organization and then the bottom falls out of the plan. I always think I need more stuff in order to organize, more plastic totes, more glass jars, more shelves when actually I guess I probably just need LESS STUFF. But, I have accepted that this won't happen. So has my husband (love you, Babe!).



All this stuff is part of who I am. It fuels my creativity and allows me to create on a whim. I am my own art/craft supply store, LOL. And since I can barely part with even the smallest scrap (paper of any kind is my downfall) I need to find better ways to know where it all is. Any suggestions out there? I am open to whatever anyone else with my crazy obsession for keeping everything for a collage, or you-fill-in-the-blank-now crafting project, can suggest has worked for them. In the meantime, I will continue to look for the bulk bag of pin backs I KNOW I HAVE SOMEWHERE and put that project on hold until I find them. And I will keep going through the boxes, getting side tracked by the lovely ephemera, and take a few more pics of my messy studio :)

I HAVE A NEW NIECE!!

I printed this Polaroid transfer in honor of my new niece! I made this image of a friend of mine when she was pregnant. I have been working on a series of nudes with food for several years. I have always used real people (ie: not models) who express interest and volunteer. I let them pick their fruits and vegies, but they have to be ones that have not been used before... Anyway, this friend and her mother both craved watermelon all the way through their pregnancies...

My niece was born in Minneapolis, just hours ago, and her name is Alexandra Lauren :) We can't wait to meet her. And I can't help but envy my brother and sister-in-law, who are spending their first moment with their new baby. We have such fond memories of that time. They are now having their baby-moon!! We love you guys!!

The Future of the End

That is what the latest message from Unsaleable greeted me with today. First it was the end of SX-70 film now it is the end of SX-70 Blend film. I need more! Yikes! I best get on it...

"TIME TO SAY
GOODBYE
Last 500 SX-70 BLEND twinpacks ever
Hard times for all Polaroid lovers. Our beloved SX-70 Blend film will far too soon disappear forever. Due to the fact that production of this sophisticated material is very complicated, involving a lot of hand-assembly, the decision to stop is final because of the lack of resources left in the Polaroid factory.

THE FUTURE
Polaroidlife goes on!!
Believe us, there is a future and Polaroid life goes on. We are slaving day and night to keep the wheels turning, collecting rare Polaroid tools all over the planet for never ending Polaroid passion. For every film passing away, we will sniff out and present 2 others. Currently 3 ships (and 1 mule) are crossing oceans loaded with splendid instant goods: The Holga back will return soon and there is a huge amount of breathtaking film-comebacks on our list. So please wipe away your tears, stay tuned and keep your cameras oiled."

Thanks for the warning, and the hope, Unsaleable.