I have collected antique photography for over 15 years. Daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, carte de visites, cabinet cards, real photo postcards…I love them all! Incorporating these images into my artwork has been a long-time passion of mine and I am always exploring new ways to utilize them. I have taught several workshops in the past where we used the actual antique photographs, but I wanted to create something where I could have a little more leeway in adding decorative elements and in building up layers on the images. Printing these antique images on fabric allows me to throw just about everything I have in my studio at them, resulting in a true mixed media project!
Most of the images I will provide for this workshop are taken from cabinet cards. These photographs consist of an albumen print adhered to a stiff cardboard backing of a certain size…4 ¼’ ” by 6 ½” to be exact. You have probably seen stacks of them for sale at antique malls or flea markets. They reached their peak of popularity from 1870- 1890 and millions were made. Fun fact: before albums for this large format photograph were available, they were prominently displayed in drawing room cabinets…hence the name, cabinet cards.
I hope you will enjoy exploring new techniques and mixing up some old favorites as we journey back through the fabric of time and shake things up a bit!
You will learn how to:
- choose cabinet cards that best work for this project and some of their history.
- select fabrics that work best for this project
- print imagery on fabric.
- create fabric panels.
- accent your designs with decorative stitching.
- use paint and pastels to create depth and pattern.
- create and use masks as an aid in embellishment.
- use cold connections to add hats, crowns, wings and other dimensional embellishments to the cards.
- craft creative ways to hang your cards
- set up and use encaustic wax to stiffen and accent your panels.
- employ encaustic wax as an adhesive
- add metallic leaf and sgraffito effects to the wax
Supply list (hover over word to activate link): A full supply list will be provided with class registration, but I want you to know that there are a few tools and supplies that are essential for completion of this project so that you may budget accordingly. You will learn how to use these tools and supplies in class and I believe they are a good investment for future projects…you won’t use them just this once!
- Enkaustikos wax medium-my new favorite because it is less yellow than other mediums…and be sure to check out my free video on my Freebies page about what it takes to set up an encaustic workstation!
- white muslin fabric
- 2 sided fusible interfacing/stiffener-I use “firm” by Pellon and you can find this at fabric stores
- acrylic paint
- embroidery thread
- repositionable adhesive spray-I like Scotch brand…make sure it’s the one with the BLUE cap!
Would you like to get some inspiration from the wonderful work created by past workshop participants? Take a peek at the video below…
Testimonials:
“I am absolutely am in love with this class….so much FUN!! Thanks so much, Stephanie for such a terrific class!”
“Just found this class and had so much fun altering my cabinet cards into fabric cards. Thanks, Stephanie for the inspiration!”
“Thank you, Stephanie. You’ve given us great ideas in this course!”
“I used my photo of my grandmother for this one. I haven’t decided if its finished or not, but I just love it so far”
“This is a fun class. Learning so much. Thank you Stephanie Stephanie Jones Rubiano for taking the time to do the class.”
“Great class, Stephanie Jones Rubiano. I especially liked your intro outtakes
😂!”
*By clicking on purchase link, you are agreeing to Studio Rubiano Workshops Policy…so you might wanna read it first.
You will receive a confirmation email after payment with more information on the workshop!
Hope to see you in the classroom!
