Welcome to what may be my most ambitious project yet! It's a huge commitment and a challenge I look forward to tackling.
Over a decade ago, I began embellishing the lids of the iconic lip balm - Carmex, and giving these out as gifts. A few years back, I even included the project concept into one of my books on polymer clay.
These gifts have always been well received, as most peopIe I have gifted with my Carmex artworks have used and loved the product for years. When empty, most people buy a new container and replace the unadorned lid with the decorated one. Others clean out the container and use it for pills, mints or gum. Around 5 years ago, I thought that it would be a great idea to create a collection of 100 of these tiny artworks, but never did find the time or energy to fully commit to this endeavor. Just recently I decided to make the commitment to this project. Having been inspired by Julie Powell's year long project to cook every recipe from Julia Child's cookbook: "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." I made the bold decision to take it a giant step further...a full year of making these tiny artworks. That's right, 365 366 (oh yeah, Leap year!) daily art projects - all on the teeny tiny canvas lids from Carmex lip balm containers!
Considering my travel and teaching schedule, this is going to be a huge challenge. With that in mind, I will prepare finished pieces in advance to post daily when I am on the road.
These lids will be created with a variety of materials and many will be mixed-media creations. Expect to see lots of polymer and metal clays as well as SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, resin, wire, paint, paper, and more in these micro artworks. I will be showcasing dozens of techniques, playing with texture and dimension and even some kinetics. When possible, I will be embedding links to resources, websites and blogs that relate to the postings. Each post will typically be one or two photos (depending on detail of the sides) and one paragraph with a simple details that might include technique, materials, or my inspiration for creating the lid; perhaps all three.
My hope is that this project intrigues and inspires you. If you like it, please subscribe to the blog and see the jar of the day. Don't hesitate to share this site among your family, friends, and co-workers.
I fully expect that I will be working on the last few jar lids up to the very end of this year. If all goes well, I plan on keep things going well into 2013 and perhaps beyond with step-by-step tutorials of a dozen or more of the pieces selected from the 2012 postings and maybe even a traveling exhibition. How knows?
Beginning tomorrow, I'll begin by posting jar one. Wishing all of you a year filled with health, happiness, prosperity and creativity!
c'est une tres aventure! bravo!!cela va etre un vrai plaisir de vous suivre !!! Merci
Posted by: Lynda | 12/31/2011 at 02:00 PM
Merci Beaucoup! I'm excited and terrified at the same time. I'm sure before the year is out I'll be saying, what was I thinking, taking this on! Regardless, it's a fun challenge and one that I'm still looking forward to, at least today.
Posted by: Lisa Pavelka | 12/31/2011 at 03:55 PM
I already have an enjoy a beautiful Lisa Carmex creation and cannot wait to see hundreds more. Good luck on this totally fun and creative project!
Posted by: Betsy Bates Freed | 12/31/2011 at 04:08 PM
you go gal!! i think this will be really interesting to see what you'll come up with! the teasers look fun already!
Posted by: christi friesen | 12/31/2011 at 07:21 PM
woo hoo Lisa! I can't wait to see your creations. Carmex is the bomb!
Posted by: Kathi Briefer-Gose | 12/31/2011 at 07:37 PM
Thanks everyone who's checked in so far. Hope you'll sign up for the feed so you can see each day's post automatically. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Lisa Pavelka | 12/31/2011 at 08:05 PM
OK, I can not wait to see what you do! Awesome!
Posted by: kristi | 12/31/2011 at 08:41 PM
You are a Monster!! LOL! Looking forward to seeing all the fancy pretties!
Posted by: Sarah Wood | 01/01/2012 at 12:19 PM
What a wonderful idea and brave endeavor! I grew up near the city that makes Carmex (Franklin, WI, I believe), so it has been a staple of life. This will be fun watching you make it into a creative icon! Congrats and look forward to your ideas! Love the title too!
Christine
Posted by: Christine | 01/01/2012 at 12:36 PM
Lisa, This will be an incredible journey and I really look forward to following you throughout the year.
Posted by: Mylene Hillam | 01/01/2012 at 03:17 PM
Lisa, what a fabulous, amazing, ambitious project! I look forward to following along, and will mention it on my blog. Can't wait to see your tiny art works!
roberta
Posted by: Roberta Wax | 01/01/2012 at 06:57 PM
Lisa great indevor! I have covered a lid or two. This will be a great project to watch. God luck and happy new year!
Posted by: kelly steindorf | 01/02/2012 at 10:12 AM