American Vintage Letterblock Tray

I was inspired to create this project as soon as I saw the American Vintage line from 7 Gypsies.  I slowly began to gather my coveted 7 Gypsies trinkets and found objects that would fit the theme as I prepared for this big project.

It takes some patience to make a project with this many elements, the key is to be patient and to work on it in stages.  Sometimes walking away from your work while glue dries allows you to come back with fresh eyes.  I find this tactic really helps me to fill in every inch of my art, which contributes to my own personal style.

When I make these assemblage style trays I try to attach things at many different layers of depth.  In this project I used some scrap cardboard to prop up some of my ephemera and make it stand out. I also altered some of the 7 Gypsies Correspondence and Receipt ephemera with Ice Resin.  It is hard to pick up in the photos, but this makes the paper super sturdy and gives it a great sheen.

Another one of my crafty assemblage secrets is to mist the whole project with a sheer Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist when you are done.  I used the pearl here and it covers up and distracts from any unsightly glue.

Tucked inside this project are so many fun trinkets.  I love how the old and the new blend seamlessly together.  Next time you are on a trip, try to gather your own ephemera and trinkets to make your own speical memory shadowbox.

You may have noticed that that the base of my letterblock tray has been slightly altered.  I buffed on a bit of patina gilders paste to distress and age the wood.  I love the color as it reminds me of  old weathered metal.

I hope this post has inspired you to go through your trinkets and coveted embellishments to create a letterblock tray that captures a special theme, trip or memory!

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