Dick Blick Art Materials
One way to make your home a cool refreshing retreat from summer heat is to decorate it with sea motifs like seashells and sea life – fish, seahorses and starfish. Instead of rushing to a store to buy new table linens and throw pillow covers, you can easily make them yourself for a lot less.
We found gorgeous fish and shell replicas at the reliable art supplier Dick Blick. Made from sturdy rubber, these replicas can be used to make prints for hanging, wrapping paper, banners, even T-shirts (use water-base screen printing inks that can be heat set). Then they can be rinsed and re-used again and again.
The models are called Gyotaku. Originating in 19th century Japan, gyotaku (meaning “print fish”) developed from the need to record the exact size of a trophy catch and evolved into a beautiful art form in its own right.
To make a throw pillow cover with a fish motif; use two large plain fabric napkins. Generously ink your rubber fish by rolling a brayer (a small crafts paint roller) in fabric paint and then rolling onto fish. Place one napkin front side down on inked fish and pat in place. Carefully lift and lay front side up to dry. Set the fabric paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once set, place fish image side inward against a matching napkin. Stitch around three sides, turn right sides out and pop in a pillow form or cotton batting. Stitch up the fourth side, add buttons, a zipper or simply leave open.
Dick Blick has everything you need for this fun easy project. Since 1911, artists have turned to Dick Blick Art Materials for dependable savings, a great selection, and fine customer service on art supplies. Now we can save even more by using a Dick Blick coupon at Coupon Cactus – 4% cash back plus weekly deals.
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