Friday 11 September 2009

THE KEY THING IS ....


There seems to be something special about keys for me, since they turn up in so many of the projects I make! This little ATC tin, my transformation of a box file, and my Harry Potter(ish) book box.

It's such a potent symbol when you think about it - the revelation of secrets, the hiddenness of others; being able to hide or discover something. And then there's that thing about opening up too, sometimes needing great care in case it is a Pandora's Box? Perhaps it's also about safety and keeping our deepest things safely locked away?


So our challenge this month is to use a key or keys in your art, with extra "smarty points" if you make the key yourself. The keys on the purple book and the little tin are both made using a mould and Delight paperclay, a really brilliant medium. The key on the pink box file is Tim Holtz grunge board, another excellent material you can do so much with.

As ever, it will be so exciting for us to see the wonderful and fantastic ways in which you respond - can't wait!!

Rosie

19 comments:

ooglebloops said...

funny you should choose keys !! I was just looking at my collection last night, trying to think of what I could do with one!!! LOL I LOVE your 'secrets' tin - that is beautiful!!!

dolls like us said...

I love it I love it what a clever use for real old keys that no longer fit anything .

Lynn said...

You mean it's been a month? Oh wow, I missed the last two challenges, but I will make a real effort to do this months :) I love keys too, so I will come up with something girls.

Sid said...

Lovely artistic use of keys in these pieces !!

Lynn said...

Lynn Guinn
Is IN!

Steph Jordan said...

I love making boxes. These are too too cute! Great job.
Steph

www.diviacity.blogspot.com

My Creative House said...

What a great idea with keys, I just found some old rusty keys in a flea market, wonderful examples.

Lori Saul said...

http://ravenpainting.blogspot.com/2009/09/sea-ghost.html

Wonderful new theme- keys have great meaning to me(especially old ones). My key entry is on my blog!

Sharon said...

Hi This is my first entry for your challenge, I love old keys and the metaphors they present.
Find my entry on my blog and thanks for looking.
Sharon

www.sharon-artfromtheheart.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Hi there! I just happened to pick up some skeleton keys this past Firday. When is the deadline for these challenges anddo I send a link to you all or what? Please advise. Thank you. This will be so much fun!
Tammy Sprinkle

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

I certainly did not want to miss another ABAA challenge. My mold making putty was hiding, so I did not "make" a key, but there is a little key on my beeswax dress :)

http://bitze.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/vision-is-key/

Genie said...

I Have been making altered key jewellery, some pics on my blog.

Rika said...

Love the theme.
my entry is on my blog

Lynn said...

Hi Girls, I made it in the nick of time I think, not sure when the next one is but I made some altered keys, they are on my Blog

Thank you,
Lynn

Meikoningin said...

Here are my keys :)

Lorraine said...

I have made a couple of little ATC books featuring keys I have made out of old inner tubes using my cuttlebug

Anonymous said...

Hi Ladies, Thanks again for another wonderful challenge, and here is what I did for it: http://wp.me/pliZW-pM.

My Creative House said...

A little late - Happy blog birthday, thanks for another wonderful challenge, you can see what I did with keys on my blog.

Gini said...

Lovely boxes Rosie, especially like the Harry Potter one.
My Key project is here

I look forward to visiting everyone as always!
Happy Crafting!
Gini
xx