Monday, January 2, 2017

ARTifacts: A Collaborative Project for 2017

Artifacts (plural noun): objects made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.

ARTifacts (plural noun): a collaborative project for 2017 documenting adventures in art. 


I am always excited for the start of a new year. Feels like a fresh beginning, an opportunity to do things better, and a chance to begin all those projects that you have been thinking about forever...but have not yet started.

Every year I have so many "art memories" from my travels, my teaching, my adventures in NYC, and my studio work. While I post these on my blog, I have always wanted to create some sort of physical artist book to hold these memories. I have decided that 2017 will be the year of ARTifacts -- a collaborative project for 2017 documenting adventures in art. 

I would love to have you join me if this sounds like a project that intrigues you. This would be a no rules collaboration. Just find or make some sort of artist book, planner, scrapbook, 3-ring-binder, folder, or other container to document your creative experiences, whether they be in art, craft, or anything else. Then get to documenting in any way to style that works for you.

Share your pages on your blog and social media sites using #ARTifacts...and with me. Email your images to shap97@gmail.com at any time throughout the year and I will be creating regular posts to share your creation on The Altered Page. If enough people join in, I will host an online exhibition at the end of the year. If you like, leave a comment saying you plan to join in on the fun.

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I have used the components of my Spellbinders book kit as the basis for my artist book and am excited to begin. I plan to share images of and from my book as I add pages throughout the year. 

Watch the video to see the book kit in action and continue in this post to learn more about how my book kit works.


Start with a sturdy, kraft-color, 3-ring binder measuring 7.25 x 9.25 inches. It's waiting to be painted, collaged or decorated in your own personal style. 


Add to that a package of inserts, complete with pages measuring 6 x 8.5 inches with and without tabs.


Make yours truly customizable with a contour, steel-rule die set that allows you to cut your own pages from paper, craft metal, corrugated cardboard, chip board, felt, fabric, cork, and more. This magnetic set includes dies that allow you to cut both a window in any part of the page and a single page tab.


Tab lovers can get an extra steel-rule die set that enables you to cut three additional tabs.


You can find these products online in the Spellbinders shop.

30 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I love making scrappy journals where I sew paper signatures to the fabric cover. However, I have always said I don't like to write in them. However, you have laid down the gauntlet and I will have to accept. Since I'm a blogger only, you won't find my art anyplace but my blog. However, I will see that you get monthly updates as I take this challenge to heart.

Happy New Year. I look forward to this collaboration.

Sisterhood of the Muse said...

EXCELLENT project...count me in! In fact, I am in the middle of putting together a journaling project. Perfect timing! Perhaps 2017 will be a time of great beginnings after all. All the best to you!

Debi Adams said...

Haven't done a journal before so this is the perfect opportunity to get it going. I'm in :). Can't wait to see what others weave into their creative tapestry.

Felicity said...

sounds like huge fun - I'm in!

Anne said...

I would love to do this!

Ellen said...

Hi Seth! I would like to do this -- great idea

Eileen said...

I'm in and looking forward to it all! Happy New Year Seth.
Eileen x

Unknown said...

Count me in. Maybe I can stick to this one!

Kathe said...

Will join as soon as I unpack my studio. Probably another month or so. Love the idea.!

elle said...

I have been hesitating about joining 'another' project as I've set a new course direction for 2017. But then I realized I have been working with my planner/memory keeper for about six months already. I also have a new art journal started specifically for my new directions. I'm in!

Anonymous said...

Oh how exciting! Yes, please count me in!!

Unknown said...

Count me in too! This sounds like great fun. Happy New Year Seth.

Raylee said...

Thanks Seth....I'm in!

Pilgrim said...

I am in, thanks for this.

Scrapintheattic.com said...

Sounds intruiging, I would like to join in too!

Belinda said...

Sounds like fun! I have a binder that could function as my mixed media project and as my artfully inspired journal.

Cecile said...

Not yet sure in what way I will stash my work, bhut I surely will join. Great idea.

Robert said...

Sounds like great fun, Seth! Who knows, this may be the inspiration I have needed to reactivate posting on my dormant blog. Count me in!

Gwen Lafleur said...

What a cool idea! I have a few things planned for this year that I'd love to document, and I've been wanting to get back to doing more art journal type work this year. I'm going to try and join in for sure!

Unknown said...

Totally doing this. I just made a new art journal and just want to fill it with things that inspire me, quotes, friends, art, memories etc. I am so excited to do this with everyone.
Thank you so much Seth

Marjie Kemper said...

What a fabulous new die set that is sure to appeal to so many artists... congratulations, Seth!

Paul B said...

Just come across this! Count me in to join. Sounds a brilliant idea :)

Jeanne-Sylvie said...

Thanks for initiating this great project Seth!! I'll be glad to join in!!
I wish you a beautiful, happy and peaceful year.

Unknown said...

Seth, I would like to join the project.

Wen said...

please include me!

Pen Sunshinepen said...

Hi I am your latest follower thanks to Elizabeth and Bluebeard. Love to give this a try.

Have a great day x

Carol Wiebe said...

Of course I want to join this, and I am very impressed by your spell binder die set. Great concept. It is hard NOT to notice that one of your greatest strengths is coming up with great (and inspiring) creative concepts.

My Side of Oz said...

I am also in, Seth, a little late but can catch up I think pretty soon! Thanks for the inspiration to do this I would never have tackled it on my own!

SandeeNC said...

Joining in, I need to record my art, 2017 is already starting out with a bang!

Shirley said...

Count me in on this fabulous Artifacts journey. I have so many exciting things happening this year (and already happened) that documenting them is a must for me.

Off to buy the 3 ring binder which will compliment everything perfectly. Already have the Change-a-Page Steel Rule Die so getting started on cutting the pages and painting them is my first challenge.

Let the documentation start ... wahooo!!!

Thanks Seth for such a fabulous kick start to making my Artifacts Art Memories Book.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.