Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Favorite Art Book & Giveaway - Victorian Paper Dollhouse a la Laurie Mika by Silvia Souza




I love working in polymer clay.  I have used the clay to create jewelry, miniatures and wall pieces. I enjoy learning different techniques and experimenting with surface treatments, including using stencils.  It is a very flexible (no pun intended) medium, both in how it can be used and how artists use it to interpret their ideas. One book that I find compelling is Laurie Mika’s Mixed Media Mosaics because she has an unorthodox approach to the clay. She developed her own style, making the clay accommodate to her needs.  Besides that, her work is beautiful and inspiring! The book is delicious eye candy. While it does have projects one can follow, with great instructions, for me this book is more of a go to when I need a jolt of creativity juice. I return to it often and always find something to propel me back into the studio.




All that being said about polymer, the piece I was inspired to make has no polymer clay!  I used paper clay instead, which I discovered a year ago and also love using since you can make very light but big pieces to wear.  I have always been enchanted by dollhouses and I especially love the graphics of Victorian paper dollhouses. I happened upon a set of three papier mache houses at Michael’s and thought I would try to bring a little Laurie Mika to a paper dollhouse.  I hope you enjoy the video I made of the process.






And to top it all off, on my birthday this month I finally got to meet Laurie at one of her workshops which  my best friend and I participated in at the lovely Queen’s Ink in Savage, MD. I learned so much that I am hoping to incorporate into my own work.  Steph and I are already planning a time to have an art day to make more pieces. Here are photos of our creations. We are already both plotting to go to Laurie’s workshop in Mexico as soon as we can! What more could a girl ask for for her birthday!

Steph's triptych
My triptych

Stencils used:
Laurie Mika's Pilgrimage to India Stencil *You have the chance to win this & more!
Gwen LaFleur's Ornamental Compass, Petals, and Circles Stencils
Andrew Borloz' Grindstones, 4 Tribal Patterns, and Wheel Spokes Stencils
Carolyn Dube's Connected Eyes Layer Me Stencil
Mary Beth Shaw's ATC Mixup 1 & 2 as well as the large stencil from October 2016 StencilClub



One lucky winner will receive Laurie Mika's stencils plus a set of her Female Collage Image Sheets!

Enter by commenting below by June 17th, 2018. One winner will be chosen at random on June 18th. Winner notified by email.

121 comments:

  1. Such beautiful work, the stencils are exquisite.
    theresag203 (at) gmail (dot com)

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  2. Clay is a medium that I am just so intimidated by, but I love the mosaics so I will have to try!

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  3. I am so glad I found your product line - so unique.

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  4. Love this so beautiful project!
    Great idea and clever work.
    mcdenis1961(at)gmail(dot Com)

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  5. Simply wow...everything is terrif!..lankpjb@ggmail.com

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  6. Those houses are amazing!! LOVE!!!

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  7. carolyngarthaussemperfi(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. What a special treat to attend a workshop with Laurie! These stencils look amazing.
    aksbarchitect1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. Have been obsessed with Laurie Mika’s work!!! Beautiful!! Would love to play with the stencils ! Have an art club for girls - they would LOVE ❤️ to play with them too!!!

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  10. Oh this is an AWESOME giveaway!!!

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  11. Amazing project. Nice giveaway!

    Dvbusch(at)gmx(dot)de

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  13. Love those houses!!
    Colleenmelody265 (at) hotmail (dot com)

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  14. The triptychs are beautiful! I love the stencils. Thanks for the chance to win! pk_sews at yahoo dot com

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  15. Amazing work. Cksully52@comcast.net

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  16. I love your houses! How creative and fun. I immediately bought the Mixed Media Mosaic book you refer to! I have wanted to wander into working with clay for a while. I can't wait to play!

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  17. I love these! So many great ideas I want to try!

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  18. Beautiful work! Very useful and pretty stencils also ❤️

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  19. These are so beautiful! I've recently purchased some paper clay to add to my mixed media creations.

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  20. Wow! Great stuff! and Happy Birthday!

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  21. Fabulous! I love those stencils and those houses

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  22. This is amazing! anitamocha2@gmail.com

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  23. If only I could have a house painted this way without the HOA throwing a hissy fit! Love these border stencils. Thanks for the opportunity to win this give-away! janisgraham (at) yahoo (dot com)

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  24. Wow!!! This is so cool. Love the clay pieces! Such a creative project!!
    mjmarmo@comcast.net

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  25. Absolutely gorgeous projects! And the giveaway is fantastic, too! marchris2175@gmail.com

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  26. Love the mosaics - this post is inspiring me to get going on one. What a great giveaway too! lisa@horseconsulting.com

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  27. What a scrumptious give away! jill dot holmes at gapac dot com Whoohoo! :-)

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  28. Love love love the project and the stencils!!!!!!! Still drooling!!!’

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  29. Laurie Mika is the most amazing teacher and artist. Would love to win this!

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  30. I've taken a class with Laurie Mike before - she's fabulous!! These would be great stencils to add to anyone's collection!

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  31. Beautiful Stencils and portraits. Your book is so inspiring Laurie.

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  32. gorgeous work, totally love paperclay.... and a chance to win stencils as well.... totally awesome!! fingers crossed!

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    1. oops... forgot...
      ascrappetiger(at)gmail(dot com)

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  33. Such a HUGE fan of both Laurie and her work!!!

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  34. Love the stencils and the images! kennedy_margaret at yahoo dot com

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  35. Stunning details in these stencils ❤️

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  36. Happy for new stencils. Loved taking Laurie's classes.

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  37. Beautiful!
    blancahuesos(at)yahoo(dot)es

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  38. I've long been a fan of Laurie's. As if the stencils weren't cool enough, but they throw in her images too? Best prize ever!

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  39. I was lucky enough to take a workshop with Laurie a few years back. I would LOVE to play with her stencils and images!! Good luck to us all! Poetryqn(at)optonline(dot)net

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  40. I have made the trip to Mexico with Laurie and crew...it was truly incredible! You must go!! Thanks for the chance to win! 💕 gardner(dot)mimi(at)gmail(dot)com

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  41. I was so fortunate to take a class from Laurie last summer! Phenomenal! Love her work! What a fantastic giveaway!!!!!
    j(dot)meloche(at)shaw(dot)ca

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  42. Loved your video, Love Laurie Mika’s inspiring imagination and work. Take me to Mexico when you go.
    bobby.barbara.brand(at) gmail (dot com)

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  43. Love this whole package......just finished two classes with Laurie, she never ceases to amaze me! I learn something new every single class.....such a generous artist and an awesome teacher! Thanks for the chance to win! jmos2(at)comcast(dot)net

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  44. Yes please, I’d like to win!
    nena.tirkkonen@saunalahti.fi

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  45. Great transformation with paper clay and color combinations!

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  46. Awesome project....amazing stencils! mumbird3atgmaildotcom

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  47. Awesome sauce! lghamilton (at) bellsouth (dot net)

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  48. I love that book too. Your houses are fabulous. ahsquire at hotmail dot com

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  49. Love the wonderful houses and great stencils. Thanks for a chance to win.

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  50. I love how you accomplished this. Gets the mojo going.

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  51. Laurie Mike’s book is so good. I was lucky to take one of her classes as well. Your houses are fab.
    Devishadhanak@gmail.com

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  52. Amazingly beautiful!!
    Sue Fontaine
    suebee585@gmail.com

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  53. You created such lovely pieces! I have a lot of Laurie on my Pinterest and LOVE her designs! Thanks for this opportunity! ~Rachel Bell bellbrzs (at) cox (dot net)

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  55. Amazingly beautiful.
    suebee 585 at gmail dot com

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  56. Loving those stencils! Thinking I may have to buy them unless I am lucky enough to win them. The image sheets are awesome as well. janhmldy(at)aol(dot com). Until later, Judy

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  57. Such beautiful artwork! Awesome giveaway.
    Thanks for sharing..

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  58. I bet I've walked past these papier mache pieces a dozen times at Michael's but it took great imagination and some very cool stencils to transform them into these amazing dollhouses! Fabulous job! Nice prize package - thx for the chance to win.
    whowse (at) sympatico (dot ca)

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  59. Absolutely love Laurie Mika and everything she creates. Her work is exqusite.
    Maia Baker
    Rmjwbaker (at) aol (dot) com

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  60. Love the houses, gives me ideas!
    mbajzoo (at) aol (dot)com

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  61. Always a fan of Lori's work and workshops!! lisarobertsca (at) gmail (dot) com

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  62. I love Laurie Mika's work and would love to win her stencils!
    isylvr(at) gmail (dot com)

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  63. I love the medieval touch of Laurie’s stencils and designs!!! Great how you interpreted her work :)

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  64. These are incredible borders!

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  65. Wow what a wonderful prize package! I love Laurie's stencils and the collage sheets are a wonderful added extra. Keep up the good work you stencil girls ! X

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  66. Amazing and inspiring!
    greenbeings (at) netins (dot) net

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  67. Beautiful and inspiring. mariegarot@att.net

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  69. Absolutely beautiful work and the stencils are perfect!
    theperrys04(at)gmail(dotcom)

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  70. I love Laurie Mika's work! These stencils are fab!

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  71. I'm just learning to use stenils. Your products are beautiful!

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  72. I get intimidated by 3d projects, but this inspired me to no end! I would love to get my hands on the book and the stencils!!! But, even if I don't win, thank you so much for sharing your project!

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  73. ...and i forgot...ecgronroosatgmail

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  74. This is a beautiful project!
    clen3(at)sbcglobal(dotcom)

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  75. What a gorgeous project. And those stencils... they're stunning.. thanks for sharing.
    stardust67(at)iinet(dot com dot au)

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  76. What an awesome giveaway - thanks for chance to win

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  77. These are incredible designs and awesome projects! Thanks for the chance!

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  78. Thanks for a chance to win these stunning pieces!
    marynowskal(at)gmail(dot)com

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  79. Such a fabulous and generous giveaway, would be truly over the moon to win this amazing prize pack ♥️ Truly inspirational projects by Laurie and seriously cool stencils.

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  80. The houses are fantastic.
    I have a miniature doll's house
    that was my mothers. Making
    something like your houses would
    be the perfect accompaniment to
    the village. Thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  81. Just watched the video and my first response is: Wow!!! I wasn't going to post anything here as I'm one of those people who never win anything but, what the heck, might as well give it a shot. Thanks for the opportunity - those are truly amazing stencils.

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  82. I just discovered paper clay...now I have something to do with it! Thank you! And thanks for this opportunity for the stencils and collage sheets, I love the images/patterns. kmcyoung(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  83. Thank you for showing stencils with Polymer Clay. It's wonderful to have this information for those of us that work with clay.

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  84. Love these stencil designs a lot! They can be incorporated into so many projects. Very inspiring video also. Thanks for offering this wonderful giveaway. phyllis(at)paulberker(dot)com

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  85. This looks fun and amazing. I love it!
    Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome set!

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  86. Wow, amazing transformation of those little houses. Great video.

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  87. Love Lauries work and have been fortunate enough to take a class with her. I would love to win this crawfiem@yahoo.com

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  88. I have had those paper mache houses in my studio for months. I now have inspiration of how to approach them. Winning this fantastic prize will send me on my way.
    abracadebra1@aol.com

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  89. Laurie Mika’s work has always inspired me, and the papier-mâché houses with paper clay in this post are a lovely interpretation. swartell (at) gmail (dot) com

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  90. Oooh, I've wanted at least one of these stencils since last summer! I never thought of using them with clay, though.

    sandral18706 at yahoo.com (that's a small "L" before the numerals).

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  91. I love how you used the paper clay as the embellishments on the houses, as well as the stencil. marilyn (dot) alexieff (at) gmail(dot) com

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  92. What a beautiful project! I will have to try this!. Thanks for the tutorial!

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  93. I love those houses! And the idea of paper clay! One could also use Makins Clay--it is air dry and light--and it is really a good substitute for bake-able polymer!

    alhrobkin (at) aol (dot com)

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  94. Wonderful work! I would love to take a class by Laurie Mika. Silva this fabulous. The Stencils look great. I would love to try them. mysajworld5(at)gmail(dot)(com)

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  95. Everything is absolutely mind-blowing and awesome. So unique and so beautiful and so desirable. I love it all.

    Thank you for the chance to win. I love stencils and use them on almost every card I create.

    Awesomeness!
    xo
    SuZeQ

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  96. I have just started stenciling Love all of the different ideas --would love to win

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  97. Laurie Mika and stencils! Who can resist?

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  98. I love everything you do and would love to win! Angelsbyviv@aol.com

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  99. So gorgeous!! Love Laurie Mika's style.

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  100. tamracarboni at gmail (dot com)

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  101. such inspiring work --- love the new stencils . thanks for a chance to win

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  102. What a perfect combination to create original work. Just beautiful!

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  103. Your video has given my imagination such an incredible jolt! Exactly the direction I needed for some wooden cigar boxes I’ve been holding onto. Wow can’t wait to get started!
    Deborah (at) dbs22758@gmail.com

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  104. Fabulous colours! I love the idea of using lightweight, easy to handle paperclay. Thank you!

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  105. Thanks for the ideas on usous paper clay not to mention the opportunity to win!!!

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  106. Addicted to polymer clay and Laurie Mika. Incredibly talented artist!!

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  107. Love these stencils and Laurie Mika art! dragonfly52@sbcglobal.net

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