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| Who does your oscar go to? |
Friday, April 27, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
With All My Hearts NEW Guard Flag
Because sometimes one just isn't enough. Say it with an explosion of hearts in pink, red, yellow and metallic turquoise. Shine and dance to your hearts content with this flag perfect for a young love flag for band show!
Friday, April 20, 2012
New Web Site is Live TODAY...
Ekkk and Hurray!
I had a few issues getting this to work but I think I have most of them ironed out... But if you do happen to see something out of whack it probably is just give me a holler and let me know.
I am uploading new products every day, its a bit of a slow process and I am probably doing it the hard way because naturally that is how I do things (backwards).
I would love to hear some feed back on my new site, let me know what you think about my work!
Visit StellaUSA.net and leave me a shout out!
I had a few issues getting this to work but I think I have most of them ironed out... But if you do happen to see something out of whack it probably is just give me a holler and let me know.
I am uploading new products every day, its a bit of a slow process and I am probably doing it the hard way because naturally that is how I do things (backwards).
I would love to hear some feed back on my new site, let me know what you think about my work!
Visit StellaUSA.net and leave me a shout out!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Facebook 50 Fans Giveaway!
Its easy just like my Facebook page and post a comment here. You could win one of my silk
swing flags “Flaming Glory” hand painted by me!
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| Hand Painted Silk Flag Facebook 50 Fan Giveaway |
Be Sure to leave a comment on this post. Let me know that you have liked my facebook page
and share with your friends!
Don't forget to Subscribe to my blog and get instantly updated on my Facebook giveaways and news.
The winner will be contacted on Facebook and chosen by Random.org
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Winterguard Winterguard Winterguard
Say it with me now "Winter Guard Rocks!"
I wish I could have made it to Dayton this year, its been way to long since I have been and let me just say that I really need a fix. Yesterday, I watched a few shows from my 2010 finals DVD and I am just about to jump out of my skin to grab a flag and dance until something breaks... which should not take to long! If you know what I mean getting old is not good for the body.
Body issues aside this is what I did get done in the studio, new flags... Yaya
Which color do you think would look best on the field?
I wish I could have made it to Dayton this year, its been way to long since I have been and let me just say that I really need a fix. Yesterday, I watched a few shows from my 2010 finals DVD and I am just about to jump out of my skin to grab a flag and dance until something breaks... which should not take to long! If you know what I mean getting old is not good for the body.
Body issues aside this is what I did get done in the studio, new flags... Yaya
Which color do you think would look best on the field?
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| Pink flower orange shades guard flag |
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| Teal flower blue shades color guard flag |
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| Purple flower fascia shades band flag |
Thursday, April 12, 2012
FAQ Hand Painted Silk Flags
What is the difference between silk and polychina silk?
Polychina silk is a synthetic fabric that is traditionally used as flags for colorguards, its durable light and easy to use. Silk is a natural fiber spun by silk worms, it is also durable light and easy to use. The difference between the two as flags. Silk has a sheen to it where as poly china has less. Polychina is more durable then 6mm silk but will have the about the same life span as 8mm-10mm silk flag. Silk has less drag when spinning but can get sticky when wet. When hand painting silk can use both acid dyes and paint while polychina can only use paint.
Polychina silk is a synthetic fabric that is traditionally used as flags for colorguards, its durable light and easy to use. Silk is a natural fiber spun by silk worms, it is also durable light and easy to use. The difference between the two as flags. Silk has a sheen to it where as poly china has less. Polychina is more durable then 6mm silk but will have the about the same life span as 8mm-10mm silk flag. Silk has less drag when spinning but can get sticky when wet. When hand painting silk can use both acid dyes and paint while polychina can only use paint.
How durable is silk?
Speaking from my own experience as a performer we used 6mm silk for our opener show in Blue Knights 1992 Billy The Kid. With a full 3 months of performances on average 4-5 show days a week our show silks were well worn at then end of the season with minor repairs.
Speaking from my own experience as a performer we used 6mm silk for our opener show in Blue Knights 1992 Billy The Kid. With a full 3 months of performances on average 4-5 show days a week our show silks were well worn at then end of the season with minor repairs.
What is 6mm or 8mm silk?
mm stands for mummy, this is the thickness of the silk thread used to make the fabric. I use 8mm for standard silks and 6mm only on swing flags which take less of a beating.
mm stands for mummy, this is the thickness of the silk thread used to make the fabric. I use 8mm for standard silks and 6mm only on swing flags which take less of a beating.
Are hand painted silk and polysilk colorfast, will the colors run if they get wet?
Both types of flags are colorfast, washable and ready to spin. The colors are fixed with steam for an average of 6-8 hours then they are washed rinsed repeatedly to ensure that the colors have been set properly.
Can your hand painted flags be washed?
Yes, they can be washed. Its best to use a mild soap, with out bleach or additives (oxi-clean ect.)
They can be hung to dry or tumble dried on low heat.
I have a design idea for a show can you make a flag to fit our show and colors?
Yes, I can make flags in just about any shape, color and custom design. You can even create your own or let me design one for you.
Both types of flags are colorfast, washable and ready to spin. The colors are fixed with steam for an average of 6-8 hours then they are washed rinsed repeatedly to ensure that the colors have been set properly.
Can your hand painted flags be washed?
Yes, they can be washed. Its best to use a mild soap, with out bleach or additives (oxi-clean ect.)
They can be hung to dry or tumble dried on low heat.
I have a design idea for a show can you make a flag to fit our show and colors?
Yes, I can make flags in just about any shape, color and custom design. You can even create your own or let me design one for you.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Hand Painting Flags How to Paint Start to Finish
There are many ways to start painting flags, before we jump into the fun stuff there are a few things we should go through.
I paint on both silk and polyester, they use the same process but different paints and dyes. Just to keep this simple I am going to focus on silk.
The best quality is habotai 8mm silk, there are many other qualities but I prefer 8mm its more durable the the finer silk and its about the same weight as the traditional polychina silk flags.
Silk Painting Equipment
Here are a few things that I uses to paint flags: a frame to stretch the silk on, silk paints or dyes, charcoal pencil, brushes, sponges, resistant and steamer.
Any frame will do, I use C-clamps to adjust my wood frames with rubber bands and safety pins to secure the silk to the frame (very easy and works great for silk flags)
Silk Paint or Dyes?
I paint on both silk and polyester, they use the same process but different paints and dyes. Just to keep this simple I am going to focus on silk.
The best quality is habotai 8mm silk, there are many other qualities but I prefer 8mm its more durable the the finer silk and its about the same weight as the traditional polychina silk flags.
Silk Painting Equipment
Here are a few things that I uses to paint flags: a frame to stretch the silk on, silk paints or dyes, charcoal pencil, brushes, sponges, resistant and steamer.
Any frame will do, I use C-clamps to adjust my wood frames with rubber bands and safety pins to secure the silk to the frame (very easy and works great for silk flags)
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| Hand Painted Silk Flag Attached to Frame |
Silk Paint or Dyes?
This is where things can get interesting, if you want to get into silk painting as an art you will need to get familiar with both of theses. But for now I will just share what I used on this set of silk flags "Serpent" and "Wheat" both flag designs use an acid base dye, not harsh acid more like vinegar and lemon acid.
After the hot wax is applied the dyes are brushed on the silk, I use both brushes and foam brushes depending on the look. The flags below I have used foam brushes with two colors of dyes. The two colors are faded together by hand a processes called burning.
Steam Setting the Dyes
I mix my own colors in a large batch, I make a little more then what I think I will need to complete a set. Helpful hit, it takes about 1/2 cup of dye per standard flag. It's very important to make sure you have enough dye made of each color, its very difficult to remix the same color when mixing on the fly...
Transferring the Design
I like to use a soft charcoal to do this, a soft pencil will work too. These lines will wash out after the dyes have been fixed.
Resistants
Before painting a resistant must be applied to stop the flow of the dyes. There are many types of resistance, water and solvent based some wash out and some stay on the silk. For this design I used plain old candle making wax with a little bees wax mixed in. But Candle making wax will do just fine. I like the smell of the bees wax, I feel more "artsy" when I use it!
Using wax can be a little scary because its hot, cold wax could be substituted or a water base gutta could also be used.
I like using wax because I don't have to wait for it to dry and I can paint it on with a round brush. Also, my hand does not hurt from squeezing, when using gutta. The down side to wax, there are no room for errors! If a mistake is made I have to start all over after removing the wax. Wax is a little temperamental it has to be the right temperature to use it and its not easy to remove from the silk. When using hot wax you will need to paint in a well ventilated area. The fumes can be toxic.
Painting The Flag
Here you can see the wax painted on the flag and how it looks after it is painted. This American Flag Design was a custom request for "Hazard Band of Gold" it uses both silk paints and dyes for a distressed weathered effect.
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| American Flag Hand Painted With Silk Paint and Wax |
After the hot wax is applied the dyes are brushed on the silk, I use both brushes and foam brushes depending on the look. The flags below I have used foam brushes with two colors of dyes. The two colors are faded together by hand a processes called burning.
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| Serpent Flag Design hand Painted on Silk Flag |
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| Wheat Hand Painted Flag with Wax and Acid Dyes |
Steam Setting the Dyes
After the silks are dry, they are wrapped up in layers of paper to be steamed. This is how the dyes get premaritally bonded to the silk.
The flags will steam any where from 3-6 hours depending on the colors used and how many silks there are wrapped in a roll.
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| Roll of Silk Flags Ready for the Steamer |
Sewing and Removing Wax
After they are steamed they are sewn with a pole casing and a rolled hem to finish the edges of the flag.
Removing the wax is done by washing the silk, it takes about 3 or 4 wash and rinse cycles to remove the excess dyes and wax with a textile detergent. I give them a final rinse to restore the ph balance of the silk.
Each flag is inspected and signed, ironed and folded.
That's it, tape them up and give them a whirl or chirl!
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