The Things I Need to Learn... Fast

I'm not a trained artist. The DIY joy that drives me means that most of what I do is ad hoc - there are little details that I miss in form and method, especially when it comes to actually screen printing the clothes.

Recently, I was having a lot of problems with prints bleeding around the edges of the image. This made the lines fuzzy and lame and me frustrated. There were other inconsistencies, too. Why was this happening!!!??

I turned to google for help and discovered a wealth of videos that were just the kind of tutorial I was looking for. Honestly, I'll admit right now that before I started a few years ago I had never seen a person make a print other than in photos... weird right? Ok... moving on.

Make Magazine posted this video. It's a good run down of the basic principles and has a solid ETSY connect to boot, featuring one of the executives of the site, Matt who is also a screen printer as well. What got me interested was later in the video when Matt explains how to flood the screen(spread the ink on the screen) and pull the squeegee to push the ink onto the shirt.


This helped, but the librarian in me (I am a librarian) wanted more... so I kept looking.

I found Roger Jennings' Vimeo page. Roger appears to know his stuff when it comes to the silk screen business (he's backed by a 30 year career... and some crazy background in electrical substations) and he's posted a wealth of videos on common problems and things like that.
This video was particularly helpful because Roger spends the first few minutes evaluating some common flaws in a new printers' work.

Screen Printing Overview - How to Print from Roger Jennings on Vimeo.

He's got a lot to explore.

Anyways, the problem appeared to be that I wasn't distributing my ink unevenly (called flooding...oooh industry term). And, I was applying too much pressure when I pulled with my squeegee across the screen.

After I figured this out, I took some scrap fabric and practiced. Right away, I started to see improvement!

So... thanks Roger.

Upcoming Events in November!

Winged Beast Outfitters will be appearing in the flesh this November! I'm going to have a boat-load of great stuff, and there will be an host of other great makers of things. A great way to pass a cold Novemebery day with friends and family.

Craftalicious
Saturday, November 13 · 9:00am - 5:00pm
St. Matthew's Anglican Church (Ottawa)
217 First Ave. (just off Bank Street)
Ottawa, ON
Admission is FREE!

Glebe Craft Fair (Three day event!!!!)
Friday, November 19 at 6:00pm - November 21 at 5:00am
Glebe Community Centre
175 Third Avenue
Ottawa, ON
Admission is FREE!

More events may be coming in December! Stay tuned, k?

This happy bear is wearing a cozy onesie. He is really rocking it.
Cheers!

Helpful Notices! About Shipping! For ETSY Customers!

Well, my day job has officially rolled out its xmas decorations (Earlier than ever!). This doesn't mean you don't need to be thinking about great gifts! On that note, I have to point out  that Winged Beast Oufitters has some great things to offer.

I want to let you know some details about shipping. I use Canada Post and they recommend the following dates for when items should be shipped by to make sure they will arrive on time for the big day (Dec. 24 or before!).

From Canada to:
Canada	Dec. 22
USA	Dec. 16
Africa	Dec. 1
Asia	Dec. 6
Australia	Dec. 6
Carribean	Dec. 1
Central/South America	Dec. 6
Europe	Dec. 6
Middle East	Dec. 6
New Zealand	Dec. 6

Of course, these are rough guidelines and not at all guaranteed (Customs is annoying at times). If you are interested in a Priority shipment for last minute orders, please contact me and I can get a quote for you. My kind recommendation is try to make you purchases a few days before the listed dates.

Cheers and happy holidays!

Things to carry with you...

I've returned to the world of tote bags. I tried once before but had mixed results that I can't show (somehow I sold or gave them all away... a miracle, I say!). Though this first run is all gone, I wasn't quite happy with what I was selling.

Some time spent rethinking the problem led to one major realization: use simpler images. Before, I printed up more complex pictures on different coloured bags. This meant harder to read images that didn't grab they eye well.

This time, I've opted for clearer, more distinct drawings. This is more effective, as the contrast of black on the undyed cotton is striking. I am, in truth, pretty satisfied with the outcome this time, and I can't wait to roll these out at this year's x-mas markets.

I'm also using these bags to unveil some new prints, one of which will definitely find it's way onto a t-shirt and more!

Check out the Etsy listings in my Tote Bag section.

On the Case

It was suggested to me by friends and family that perhaps Winged Beast pillowcases were necessary, perhaps even wanted. I'm always curious to see what works and what doesn't, creatively and in the marketplace. Thus begins this little test project.

As I can't sew, I found some really good looking ones for dirt cheap at a Value Village in Bellville(and my mom got a bunch at auction). After washing them (because I'm nice like that) I set to work printing them. Now follows some photos of that process.

Here's the pillow case, laid out in a handy workspace (my amazing kitchen table). Because the fabric's thin, I put some newspaper on the inside to prevent the ink from bleeding through. I also put a large craft mat  underneath to give the case a little more thickness. Experience has shown that thin fabrics need this little bit added so they meet the screen well.

After that, the screen!

And then then the ink! A nice close up.

The print applied! But, I'm not done.

I wanted these to be special, to have something that wasn't on the t-shirts with the same print. Some added value, if you will. So, I hand-painted some colour for sparks and the robot's eyes, giving them a comforting glow. I used silkscreen ink and a dollar store paint brush. Doing the "Don't Let Go" prints has made me pretty comfortable with this... and it's a nice change of pace from the silk screening.

And that's the story of how I made this pillow case. I made a bunch more, too. You can see them at my Etsy store!

Wolfe Island Recap... Weeks Later

It's taken a bit to get this post up (My computer died after i got back. Then I had to play catch up... Anyways). Wolfe Island Music Festival was a smash. Great music, great people, and affordable food and drinks... and beer.

As you can see, my tent had an amazing view. Also, the music was very dance-able.

Here I am dancing  to Diamond Rings in my handsome cardigan.

I was also very busy selling stuff, which is good, but I'd have loved a chance to get out and see what everyone else was selling. This happens. Luckily, I was planted right next to the Kingston Humane Society and their bake sale... so... thank-you to them.

The whole day was a good test for my newer things. The pins did well. So, they're definitely here to stay. I even sold a few of the blankets. These things were popular once the sun started to go down. This futuristic couple model their purchase.

And to all Wolfe Islanders, I hope to see you again next year.

Winged Beast Hits the Road

This coming weekend is the Wolfe Island Music Festival. Besides the pretty good line-up, I'm going to be selling shirts and things. Since this is my first straight up music festival, I'm launching an all new music friendly t-shirt. Buy one and proudly proclaim that you do indeed heart good bands.

Other makers of things include mchenwears another Ottawa local. If you have the time and motivation you should wander down to Kingston and check us and the whole show out.

Or... you can go to my web store... new stuff has been recently posted. More on that later.