Material Investment (and a Faux Gelli Plate Printing Video Tutorial)

Okay so this gelli printing business is suddenly *everywhere* & initially I wasn't much bothered about it, not being one for crafting trends. It has often been my view that things created by the industry are never really brand new, just a reinvention of an older concept - and I guess the same can be said here as monoprinting with glass or gelatin has had a much longer lifespan than nicely packaged craft industry creations. However, I appreciate any tools that are brought out that make a creative life easier so I decided I would own one before I snubbed it as being just another industry trend.

Well I looked everywhere to purchase one in the UK, and while I can get them, they cost as much P&P to get them here (& sometimes more) than the actual product - which would take it to the cost up to that of a new guillotine, or crop-a-dile, or any other of my 'live-by' and use everyday tools. I judge the investment of my art supplies by making them comparable on a scale of usability and value to me: if something is ridiculously expensive but makes my life easier & I use it everyday then I pay it – my scrapbox desk is a good example here. Otherwise if the cost of the product does not equal the use I would get out of it on my scale I do without or find alternatives; so that is what I decided to do here and I created a faux gelli printing technique with what I already had.

my 'faux' gelli plate printing results

There's no reason one cannot play just because one does not have the correct craft-industry approved products!! The results are quite groovy actually, and naturally I created a tutorial for you guys to play too ;)

I hope it is of use to you if you fancy trying this technique and don't want/can't afford to get the gelli plate. Much love Jennibellie x

FYI there's still 3 days left to win my Gratitude Junk Journal 

on facebook, click the link for details =)