ARTSY FILE FOLDERS

ARTSY FILE FOLDERS

THE ART OF LIVING LAVISHLY

Collaged file folders

Living lavishly is easier than you think. It doesn’t require a lot of money but it does involve imagination and ingenuity. You can start by taking mundane items in your home and kicking them up a notch.

I must admit, I hate to file anything. I really hate filing bills and medical documents in file cabinets. It’s as though I have a mental block about this, even though I know how supremely important it is to have a good filing system. (It’s also a good idea to have a high quality filing system on your computer, but that’s another story.)

I used one of my stories, the banner for my blog and lots of metallic thread on this folder

When I read an article in Somerset Life Magazine, I knew immediately that I wanted to make my own version of Lisa Guerin’s file folders. The ones I created look completely different from Lisa’s but that is always the idea in art. When artists are highlighted in craft magazines, they are there to show an example of “how to” make their creations, not to be copied exactly.

With that in mind, here are some of the folders I am getting ready for my new 2011 filing system. I’m hoping they will encourage me to be more organized.

On this one, I used a digital print from my Celtic Woman and one of my mosaic labyrinth from my laundry room

I used digital prints of my paintings and sculpture on cloth and paper. I added paper, lace, embroidery thread, text from old and foreign books, sequins, etc. I added stories from my books to some of the folders as well. I embroidered around these pieces using intricate stitching and also added some free motion stitching. If you double click on the folders, you will see the elaborate stitching in metallic thread

This collage has a heavily textured background and a face from one of my paintings

These artsy file folders are extremely addictive, sort of like potato chips, you can’t eat just one. You can’t make just one of these once you get going on them. I made so many that I decided to sell them in sets of 5 for those of you who don’t have the time, inclination or even a sewing machine with which to make them.

The girl is from my painting "Mesmorized" and I used several textured cloth pieces from an old purse

Here are some examples of labels you can give them. Of course, it will vary from person to person. I will leave the labeling to you.

Dreams
Medical bills
Water bill
Gas bill
Cable TV, Phone HS
Electric bill
To Do
Blog Post Ideas
Dynamic ideas
New Year's Resolutions

A face from my "Doors" series

This one was inspired by a really cool card and gift from my friend Dian-oh so French

At some point I may list these sets on Etsy but for now, if you’d like a set of them to get you going in the right direction, just e-mail me and I’ll ship them off to you. I’ll choose a variety of themes and colors for each set. We can use Paypal or I also take checks.

I have priced them reasonably at $35.00 for a set of 5. Shipping to the UK France and Australia is $9.00. Shipping to Canada is $6.00 and anywhere in the United States is $5.50. I hope they get you started on the path to a lavishly lived new year.