inkspired musings: Crayons to the Rescue!

Hello!
Today I would like to explore the wonderful world of crayons!
(Boy, that was fun to make the rainbow letters!)

As I have mentioned before, I am a big coloring enthusiast.
Yes, I am an adult. Yes, I admit to still coloring in coloring books!

Dover publications, see side bar for web site

But

is there more to crayons than just coloring?

You bet!

Let's start out with some stained glass, crayon style!

I have managed to delete who's project this is. It looks like one of the Family Fun type sites. Sorry.

Crayonists can use their sharpener's shavings to create colorful window ornaments.

Materials

Waxed paper
Crayons
Sharpener or paring knife

Scissors
Clothes iron

Instructions

1. Collect shavings from a crayon sharpener, or use a cheese grater for big crayons.

2. Arrange and sandwich the shavings between two sheets of waxed paper. You can also make a collage of found objects inside the waxed paper sandwich, placing string, lace or cutout letters among the shavings.

3. Iron the whole package on low (parents only), just until the shavings melt. Cut the stained glass into shapes and hang them in a sunny window.
I would also add some pressed flowers in amongst the crayon shavings. Remember, the crayon shavings don't have to fill all the space, if you are doing add ins. And also remember that crayon will melt and spread.

Here is a shape that you can cut easily from construction paper. I would suggest a dark color, to show off the brightly colored crayon shavings in wax paper.
Cut 2

www.FamilyFun.com

It is in Adobe format, so if you click on the link,

and search for Good-Luck Goldfish Template, you should be able to find it.

It is a cool goldfish shape.

You can use any simple shape to make a 'frame'.
Check out to see what die cuts you may have that will work!

Be sure to cut TWO, so you can sandwich the wax crayon art in between.

I like the shaped frames, as I think they add a nice 'body'

and heft to the wax paper crayon shaving artwork.

Plus, they are easier to hang!!

Another idea for framing is to take any discarded mats that you have (from pre-purchased picture frames), and place the crayon melts art into the middle. Use double stick tape to stick the two mats together, and you have a nice piece that can be hung in a window. There also is no 'right' way or 'wrong' way to hang it!

These look like tooooo much fun!

or the box of crayons, in the sun!

The next few pictures are artwork by Christian Faur. He has made some incredible crayon art. He places the individual crayons in boxes, usually around 14x14". I am amazed at his talent.

http://www.christianfaur.com/

"Experiment 5"

This is not one girl. It is a composite of many girls.

detail of "Experiment 5"

"true color series Girl 3"

a composite of many girls

"Arnie"

Makes you think about crayons in a whole new way, doesn't it?

Crayon Cake -the web site is printed right on the picture for you

These girls from Connecticut are certainly thinking about crayons in a new way!

Those are inntrax birch crayons. The story behind them is they are made from recycled forest salvage, in Poland. They carve out the discarded wood, and then pour in the crayon wax. From what I have read, they can be pricey. But how cool are they?!!

The Tru Life crayons from Crayola I discovered a few years ago. I love the natural skin color ones. They really fill a huge gaping hole in skin color tones!
I bought mine at Office Depot! They all have tri-color tips.