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I love answering your questions. If you ask them in the comment section, I have no way to answer you (if you haven't heard from me, that is why). If you use the "EMAIL ME" in the left column of this page, I will be able to respond to you. You can also use it if you want to be added to my newsletter. Laura

Friday, February 4, 2011

Thinking Out Of the Box - ATC Fan & Tutorial

My favorite size art piece to work with is the standard ATC size.  But being a cluttered person (which I think is reflected in my art), I’m always looking for ways to cram more stuff on to the standard 2 1/2'” by 3 ½” space.  If you are familiar with my work you know that I’m always going off the edges.  I also like working with different shapes.  I love fans and use fan images frequently in my art and I enjoy making paper fans.  A while back I decided to marry the two; fans and ATCs.  The result is in the pictures below.  When the fan is closed the base dimension of a single blade is 2 ½” x 3 1/2”.  But when open, the fan expands to a five blades – lots more room for stuff! 

ATC FAN FRONT CLOSED
ATC FAN FRONT OPEN


ATC FAN BACK CLOSED

A traditional fan opens from left to right with the top blade of the fan ending up on the right.  Since this is an art piece and you might want to display it open, I reengineered how the fan operates so that the top blade is always in the middle whether open or closed.  You can cover the fan blades with a variety of materials.  For the Marie fan below I choose brocade fabric for the blades.

ATC FAN BACK OPEN
Although you can’t see it as it is disguised on the front with a metal embellishment and on the back with a piece of German Scrap; there is a large brad with long prongs holding the blades together.
These fans are not the easiest things to make but if you want to give it a go, I’ve created a tutorial to guide you through making an ATC fan.  The tutorial includes step by step instructions, pictures and a blade template.  To access the tutorial click here to open a PDF file of the tutorial.  Once open, you can print the tutorial or save it on your computer.  Over a year ago I hosted a few ATC fan swaps so in future months I’ll post more pics of fans I created and fans created by other artists.
 

19 comments:

debi said...

OMG! That is AMAZING!! And gorgeous!! I would sure love to see inside your head...the wheels must be turning ALL the time!

Joanne said...

I am going to come back to this because I am mesmorised by the thought of it, but am stuck for time just now. I saw a fan that my friend Heather received from a challenge she had entered. I now wonder whether it was yours because it was one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have ever seen.

Robin said...

This is just another stunning ATC creation. I love all the details and embellishments you add. Thanks for sharing the tutorial on making one of these.

Hugs,
Robin

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

OMG, this is just absolutely fantastic!!! WOW!!!!

xxoo

BeBe said...

Laura, I actually gasped when I saw the photo of the open fan! It is incredible!The colors you used, the embellishments - it looks so rich. And yes, I would love to see inside your head also. Or better yet, just let me borrow the inside of your head for a while...

BeBe

Anonymous said...

Wow, wow, wow! These are wonderful!

RPLancaster said...

Oh Cool! I am a big fan lover and have collected a few. This is something I definitely want to try.

P.S. ATC's are on their way:)



Paulette

ann said...

I have just found your blog.
OMG your work is breath taking.!!!!

Kristi said...

This is very cool. Love it and hope to win! Kristi

CircleofLifeStudioScraps said...

Oh wow- I'm and ATC addict but never saw anything like this fan one. Admiring and taking notes- I love to see how I can take what someone else has done and go further in my own direction...Love your blog and want to be in swaps with you!
Amanda

Luthien Thye said...

oh wow!! that is one hell of an ATC!!! it's a brilliant idea and the execution is made to perfection!!

Laurie said...

WOW!!! Amazingly gorgeous! You have a great style!

My name is Cindy said...

Really love this it is stunning! Off to check out the pdf tfs!!

Shelley said...

Totally awesome! I've just found your site this morning and have been browsing through. I had to become a follower and hope you will pop over to visit me at
http://wildfrogcreations.blogspot.com

Alice said...

Your ATC artwork is absolutely beautiful. I especially like how you add so much detail and dimension. Wow!!!!

Gio said...

it's so stunning! Gorgeous artwork!

CreativSpirit said...

Oh Laura,

This is so beautiful, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful art with us, it is a joy to come and visit your beautiful blog. I have saved the PDF instruction and will attempt to make a Fan ATC.

MaRyKaY said...

Oh my word. wow. I am speechless. this is so gorgeous. I only hope that I can become a paper artist like this. I cant stop looking at it. Thank you for showing this on your site and thank you for posting the tutorial for this. I will definitely save it and also give it a try. I say try and hope that it works right.
thank you again. Love this blog

Zaa said...

This is so unique ;;;;FAN-TABULOUS ...Thank You