Transcripts
1. Envelope Art: Hi friends. It's tammy Prara, and thank
you for joining my class on envelope Art using
decorative washi tape. Today you will learn how to
extend your creativity From cards and collage to the
envelope that contains your Art. I have several ideas to share
with you as you navigate your washi tape collection and create with them
in unique ways. At the same time, protect and secure your
contents for mailing. I've received damaged
Envelopes recently and it is possible for
the contents to be lost, or perhaps your
contents shift or are uneven and it causes the
envelope to tear in route. Washi tape is a
great resource to protect and decorate
your envelope. This class is great for
beginner collage artists. Those looking to liven
up their snail mail and those that want to utilize
their washi tape supplies. When I discovered envelope Art, Beyond using stickers as a kid, I realized I had a whole
other surface to decorate. I saw it as a way to
continue the Gift of the contents to the
Gift of surprise. When opening the mail box, I will show you tips on using washi to secure your envelope. How to use color and pattern
for aesthetic impact. Demonstrate placement strategies for beautiful presentation. By the end of this class, you will have the
knowledge and tools necessary to create
visually captivating, Envie Art that showcases your personal style
and creativity. I'm an artist on Instagram, and I deeply desire to
teach simple crafting ideas and Art projects is
especially love collage, and the many ways it can bring encouragement and hope and
light and a dark world. I share my talent and these small ways and then mail them out to
friends and family. Creating is an act
of love to myself. And then sharing doubles my joy. Envelope Art just
continues the Fun. Join me as we delve
into envelope Art
2. Project and Upload: The final project for
the class is to design your own envelope art
using washi tape. Let me know. Did you mail your envelope or was it part
of a hand-delivered gifts? Remember to add
your final project to the project
section of the class. I look forward to
seeing your work and I know other students
benefit as well. On your laptop or
desktop computer, click the green button to upload a photo and describe
your experience. I will respond and I
want to encourage you
3. Basic Supplies: Making envelope Art, you
obviously need some Envelopes. These, I generally
find it thrift stores. And as you can see, they come in all
different sizes. So having these one-off envelope is really handy for
whenever I make Art. And I'm not making them
to any particular size. These having a variety of
Envelopes is really helpful. And then you need
about 100 different. Okay, just kidding. The Envelopes we're making
maybe used six at the most. And see if you can
color coordinate. If you have four or five of a particular
color, that's great. We're also looking at width. Do you have wide and
medium and skinny? Then that would make
a great combination. Having a choice of patterned
and solid is a great idea. Maybe someone has sent you some samples or you just have
a little bit of remnant, pull those out and let's
start using these up. I love using the
Elmore's craft bond. This is an extra strength glue stick and something to press down your washi tape with a
credit card, a bone folder. And if you feel like
doodling today, then find a very fine point. Pen. I like Micron. And I was using a two or
three whatever size you have, Gel Pens would be fine as well. If you have Crafts,
scissors pull those out. It helps to trim up the tape. Otherwise, we tear quite a bit. So scissors could just
be an option for you. For one of our projects, I like to collage, if you will, have a larger illustration
that would work out great for layering on your envelope and
even a few stickers. If you have some
stickers we could add to your collage and your envelope, those will come
in handy as well.
4. Washi Tips: If you are new to washi tape, then this lesson is for you. I'm going to discuss
a few different kinds of washi tapes and things to look for when you're building your envelope art. Washi tape is known as a paper tape or like
a masking tape. It is sticky on one side and another decorative cover
and it tears easily. Washi tape also comes
in so many sizes, half an inch to an
inch to even larger. They can have
incredible patterns and sometimes some gold or
metallic elements on them. Others might have
fun characters. And using them means you
could even use one at a time, cutting them off as you need just a snippet for
your paper art. But not all washi
tape is the same. These in particular
are very waxy, are almost like a wax paper. You can hear the difference,
feel the difference. But that doesn't make
them any less usable. And I will definitely be putting some of this to use
in our envelope art. There's even fabric tape. This is a really gorgeous
pattern and it is sticky, but incredibly sticky and even has its own protective layer. Some washi tapes have little
panels, different elements. Each panel. You could
use them as a sticker or as a banner across
your envelope. Another washi tape
is a do it yourself. I actually created some of my own washi tape with
my gel plate and stamps. And you peel off the backing. Some of them are gummed and you just wet
the back to apply. You might come across
packages of washi tape. Sometimes these little bundles are on sale and that
makes a great buy. They come color coordinated already with different patterns. One creative use of washi tape is sharing them
with swap partners. Many people like to use a
playing card because it has a waxy covering and they can wrap the washi tape around
it and it won't stick. And you can use every last bit. I've collected some of the
craziest washi tape this way. Bananas to unicorns, ninjas, funny cat images, and some
beautiful wide tapes. Some washi tapes
are more like foil. This metallic washi is so
thin, it's so delicate. Makes great trim and accent
pieces to our envelope art. This even has a pattern on it. When decorating an envelope, go ahead and color
coordinate your washi tapes. Maybe want to collect
everything with a green tone. Maybe you want to collect
a neutral palette. And everything that
is of earth tones. Even throw in a few metallics, pull together some solid colors. And this one is on break. The color changes
throughout the role. That makes a great addition. There's even tape that looks
like a measuring tape. Watercolor artists
love to lay down their watercolor paper with washi tapes and one with a
ruler would be a great idea. Gather up all your florals, the solid colors, and here
would work very well together. We're also looking for size. If you have wide and
match it with a thin, that makes them more
interesting envelope, what if your washi tape has
words on it or sayings? Treat it as a banner or just snip out the one
word that you need. You don't need this
many washi tapes to get started today. This was just to help give
you an idea of what to look for and how to coordinate what you want
to use for your project.
5. The Basic Wrap: To send out a lot of Art projects that
I've been working on. Maybe it's handmade postcards or ATC cards or a note card
that I've embellished. So if I've created the Art, it didn't come with an envelope. And I love searching for
envelopes at thrift stores. And yet that gives
me the problem of envelopes that are
never the same size. I generally have to go
through my stash to find what's going to fit my
project or card the best. But they are so
inexpensive that way and you get to add your
Art to the envelope. So I think I want
to start out with this smaller envelope
as a demonstration. I'm going to take this
medium washi tape. And one of the most simple
things you can do is almost always tear it is
to wrap a corner. I go ahead and pull that around and it makes us
little flag on the back. The very next thing
is really press down those edges so they don't
peel while you're mailing. This is so important to me when I mailing
my special projects through the mail is I don't want my envelope opening
up or tearing. My projects might
be a little lumpy. They're not perfectly flat card. That can lead to some problems
running through the post. The machine's really
eat on Envelopes up. So I have found pudding
Washi on a corner, giving it that extra
bit of stability is one easy basic way to ensure. This. This envelope is
even already has a snag and a bit of glue
that's not holding. So I will definitely
want to cover that up. One thing that's really
important to me is that I don't want my Gift, say I have a gift card to get knocked out,
tear the corners. And so this extra bit of
stability really helps. Of course, you probably
should be taping your gift card inside
your note card. Lot of people worry about
the taping your flaps down. But I really also
I'm concerned about these corners not secure. You could run some
stick glue under here. But what if we just
take our washi tape? In fact, let's take a, a coordinating color,
a different pink. We create this cute
little border. It's right on the edge
but not on the edge. And we do a Wrap as well. Like to smooth that down. Now running through
the post machine, that's going to be
much more secure. But I didn't go
straight to the bottom. So I don't have any gamete or issues down all the
way at the bottom. It should run through the
post machine just as well. But here if you can see my
washi tape got folded under. So I'm can take that
off and look how easily it also peels away
from other washi tape. So I want to snip that part. Let's use some glue
to hold this down. Let's check our other side. Is it holding Okay. No. Because sticking
on washi tape. Washi tape doesn't stick to
itself very well, right? We pulled it off
the role that way, but really adheres to
Paper much, much better. I'm just giving it a
little warm hand press because that seems to set
the glue best for me. And here we have a
very pink corner. And maybe you love those. Look, maybe that bothers you. If you want your washi tape to have this rough
torn edge, great. If not, you can
always trim it with scissors or a sticker over it. We haven't closed our envelope. So we're not quite done if we wanted to
continue decorating. But that's a basic look and it also helps to secure
or package inside. We've also learned
to add extra glue if we're layering our washi
tape on top of each other,
6. Designer Stripes: Another envelope I
received in the mail, she use Stripes of washi tape and one across the
back where the flap sealed. And let's try that. Look. We're using thick and thin. I also have a solid. Let's look for different
and various thicknesses. Here's something your
washi tape may tear. And so we're going
to correct that. We're gonna keep
working this Tape. This tape sticks to itself
and you can feel it. The top of this tape is sticky. It's not free of any residue. And I do want to make
sure I've wrapped all the way around the corners
of my envelope, the corners, but my sides. Wanted to add a little
bit of extra glue. I don't want this
Tape going anywhere. Now I'm going to put it up a little higher because I want to put a solid band
above and below it. Again, if you'd rather
have a straight edge look, you can trim those edges. Let's lay that down
really, really well. I lifted my flap
because I don't want any of my tape attaching to my flap because I
would like to use those envelope if you're
ready and yours is sealed up, you can extend your
tape even longer. So let's look for another color. Let's try the green. And let's put this one a Above. Give it maybe a good inch on either side, gently
tearing that. I do have some paper here. I could just run my glue over and not
worry about getting on my desk and putting just
a slight separation. Because then that
looks like there's an extra border right in there. Sometimes this might want
to go down or go up instead of being completely straight with the piece
that's next to it. I do not mind my links
being different. I'm okay with that. How about this blue underneath? This is an hombre blue. It's going to change colors. And look, I'm done with my role. Well, that's a bummer. Okay, let's find something else. Pink maybe. That's awfully wide for what I need could always go
with the green below, but I want to keep
more variety going. Do you see how my heart's
have a direction? Um, I want this heart's
facing the right way up. And again, I'm putting that
white border in-between. There. It more transparent than opaque. And let's get that
flat, flat, flat. And that looks really cool. So the one thing that
I really emphasize is I want something on the sides
and on the top and bottom. I don't want to
lose my contents. So we can choose another color or we
can use what we have. Let's go ahead and
use this green again and just do
a stripe this way. Let's open up my envelope here, make sure I don't go over. It did just a bit and I'm
going to trim that off. Now if we were ready to close, that would be okay. I want to make sure that I can still
put contents in here. Definitely want
to add more glue. I said these skinny
ones can just seem to take off and any direction. Too much to the left, too much to the right. Let's get this folded over. So that's going to offer us some protection from any
tears in this corner. Guys do love that. Where should we put it? Through the green, through
the how about there? I liked that look right at
the top of my tropical wide. Your collaging with
tape, isn't that fine? Actually, collaging with
tape, with paper tape. Make sure that holds. That is going to look great. That's nice. That came out great.
7. Doodle Accents: Envelope I received, had
all this doodling work. And I want to take that inspiration and work
with it with my washi tape. And let's take a big
border of washi. Let's run it across
the top pair. I picked this botanical Washi, one because I want to
draw some botanicals. So much like what
my friend offered. I want to draw more stems and berries that are coming off
of this border. So I have a micron, It's a 0.3. And First of all, hey, what if I just order
the top of it right here? Going to work my
stems coming down. This very simple leaf pattern is just oval side-by-side. Also like ones that
have curly cues. Maybe little berries coming off. And let's add some hanging berries. Maybe something solid instead of open. And the leaves are
not side-by-side. And I'm just scratching them in. If you're worried about where
your writings going to be, maybe take a little bit of scrap paper and save
yourself a space. And say, Okay, I
can do everything, but right here, you can
even draw another vine. Just scratching it in. This other reddish color. My tape toward. How
about we wrap it around? It feels like this could
use some stickiness. How about in here? I think I do like that. Just like collage. When you think you're
ready to do something and then you change your
mind at the last minute. Because you've see something
you like even better. I do want to go this way, right? I want to protect my envelope
in two different areas. This is my crazy paper tape. I guess the good news is, is it is not sticking to itself like that one green
one we had worked with. I think this might lend itself
to wanting to be trimmed. How about we we give
it a bit of an ribbon. Let's pull that up
and pull that back. Didn't stick mile and
give it a bit of a notch. And add definitely add
more glue on this one. Down, that down. Think I want one more. One more this way. How about we add a detail
right at the corner? Way I've hit this corner. I need one more
doodle down here. And let's try this little curly Q with a heart filled
in that space.
8. Background Washi: You know how much
I love collage. So I want to collage
on an envelope, found an image in a book, and I cut it out. And so it's a little
bit heavier paper. And I want to use some neutral washi is to
accentuate this picture. So let's see, I think
this black and white and gold with look really
nice with that. So let's start first by doing my Washi on
the envelope itself. This is that washi that
does not stick to itself. Just adding a bit of
glue to make sure I have a good Hold it right up to that edge and
maybe give that a tram. I don't want it to interfere with my contents of my envelope. There we go. Let's get that smooth down
adhered really well. I think these did
come in a collection. Keep your eye out
for collection. That really cuts
down on the work of thinking about what's
going to work together. Now if they're on
sale all the better. How about this on the bottom? We can go really long because it's going to
wrap around the back. One good thing about
this kind of washi is it really doesn't seem to
curl and stick up on itself. Makes it much more
comfortable to work with to be sticking really well. Now that's fine. My puppy, look at that. We have a nice area for
our lettering right there. This guy is going to
need lots of glue. P is a bit of heavier paper. So I am going to
make sure that it's glued on the edges really well. And through the center. And the other thing
you can always do, use some clear packing tape and just go straight over
your entire envelope. I've definitely done that. I have swapping friends
who definitely do that. And the post office
doesn't mind. It's still goes through
their equipment. Still gets to where
it needs to go. Gonna give that the
warm hand press. Yes, no, yes, definitely
on the bottom. That's really pretty making these decisions really quickly. And it really just
comes with practice. Try it. Try an experiment. It's just paper,
it's just collage. And that's what makes collage a lot of PFK-1, all
the imperfections. Look at that. It's really working on
being imperfect for me. Our backs looking kind of plain. Not about filling
that bottom end with another tape. You think. It's good that a minute
to really glue down. I really want to do
something top to bottom So I think I may have to
just do it on this side. Something in the read, something green, something blue. This red. So this is
something I forgot. That's because this
Torr. That's why. But I try never to let my tape. And on the edge, It's really hard to find
when you need it again. Here we go. So I'm going to take
it off the edge. I think that's
pretty darn sticky. Here. We go. Look at that. I think it does need
a bit of doodling. What do you think? Lets out the outline
this on the outside. I try not to go
over my same edges. To me. It gives it
that hands song look. That's what I'm
trying to replicate. That came out great. Just can't stop. Can you, once you have an idea, really, just you
go with the flow. Really do. And how about this space? We will dedicate this space. Kevin. It's on identity as
address goes here. How's that? Collaging your piece
with washi tape and a really big focal point makes an excellent idea
for an envelope
9. Full Coverage: To cover an entire envelope, takes some getting used to. Here's two samples I
received in the mail. See how they used a very
neutral color palette there. Envelope was gray, and
so they used peach and gray and pinks here
in their envelope. This one was a swap that was
about trying to be ugly. And what's funny about this
is their third not ugly. They're hilarious. They're inspiring their FUN. The randomness of the washi tape is what makes it really FUN. Greens and yellows. And I did have a
couple of stickers. I was interested in trying. I have a couple of sticker packs in here that we could use. I think I went to
start with my sticker. That way. I know it is a
transparent type of sticker. These are much lighter and if I put them on a busy background, they tend to get lost. Be careful, they tend to curl. So I'm going to hold
that as best I can. This is the next color
that called to me. And look, I have a tear. I think what I'm going to use that is to build up
part of a collage. I still like Torn Edges, especially using washi tape. I'm gonna stop here on
my top of my envelope, but I want it to go around. That is one of my
corners that I am. Or to actually go ahead and finish that side
of that is so beautiful. Oh, I love this gray, green. That looks really pretty. This is very, very sticky. So I am not
particularly concerned about it lifting during mailing. And we may cover it up with
some extra layers as we go. This variegated. I am not going to glue this one. But look at that
because it's thinner. But looks very nice on that. Pale, pale green. Know about these
butterflies next? Close edges over
and we're really, really press down a couple
more across the top. I am liking this
more neutral design. Fact. I think I'm going to just do it along the edge. I don't think I
want to cover that. Butterflies and
tearing that off. They're leaving the
torn edge on the top. Oh darn. I am going to add a bit of glue. Since I less than the
stickiness by pulling it up. But I liked this collage
element right there. Let's do some heart Stripes, thinner tapes I find need
a little extra boost. I like the heart's facing
in as opposed to out. Like it's pointing
towards the recipient. And here we have a
woven pattern going on. That's really cool. And I could just tell, pulling that not overly sticky Sure, I got that ends. When you're doing
a full Coverage. Don't feel like every bit of
washi has to be different. Fact I think I'm going to
use this one a third time. Let's put her right
next to my sticker. Envelope Coverage
is just a fine way to practice your collage,
your artistic eye. And one of the good
things we have going for us is these colors. You don't even have to
hardly think about at all. Coordinates. Really well. We're using different widths. We're using different patterns. Want to add this here. Let end got folded over
and look at that lift. Let's make sure there's
definitely more glue on here. Give it a moment to really set. Leave a little bit space. Once I finished my package, when I'm going to put in there, I could do more sticker or
tape here and seal that up. But I do have a wrap up
look, I have a lift. That's not good. Let me get that down. So I have done all four sides. And now it's just the flap, which is absolutely fine. I think it's always nice to
have a little bit of space to get a letter opener
in there to open up. Sometimes I've even open
them up from the bottom. The color palette of
colors that work well together because we're in
the same color family. And then our butterflies
really give it that pop of extra interests, that black on the white and the pale greens really
give it a standout look. The gold embellishments. And I love how this
actually became this upper square for
the address and postage