Judging by the feedback we get at shows, and in classes, the words ‘altered art’ may seem a little daunting and mysterious to beginners in crafting. Some initially don’t feel confident enough to have a go at anything outside of their own particular comfort zone, considering this option to be too ‘arty’ for them. But, really it is simply a term given to a craft that everyone who enjoys being creative can take a delight from, and in turn appreciate the results of their labours.

You don’t need any professional qualifications, or to be part of any traditional school or establishment to make altered art. If you enjoy creating a piece that comes from within, using your own ideas, and inventiveness and perhaps transforming, often ordinary items, into unique works, then altered art is for you.

Growing fan base
Probably once much more popular in the USA than here, altered art is gaining new recruits all the time, as crafters inevitably want their skills to develop and grow beyond basic principles. They also want to try new challenges and open new doors. Like the USA, Britain can now boast its own talented designers and manufacturers of images developed specifically for artists and crafters to use in their projects, in the form of art rubber stamps, collage images and acetates. Retailers would be foolish to ignore the growing demand for more challenging images from their customers as interest and sales increase. We have certainly noticed a steady and constant increase in demand, and what started out as an experiment to serve our own retail customers within a small shop environment, has now turned into our main source of income, as we supply both retail and trade customers with our products. The latter has purely come about due to the demand from other retail businesses, both in ‘bricks and mortar’ establishments and web based operations, here and in other parts of the world.

Materials used are many, mixed and varied, from vintage and discarded items such as old photographs, bits of lace, old keys and rusty nails, to modern materials, paints, rubber stamps, acetates, stencils, and other ephemera. An aged, distressed or well-worn look to the finished item is popular. This can be achieved with subtle acrylic colours, crackle mediums, stamp pads and colour washes.

Projects produced are as equally varied and may be unusual, quirky, humorous or simply beautiful. Often made on a fairly small scale, items may be kept, given as presents, made as a group, or swapped, and may include canvasses, hangings, assemblages, ATC’s, 'inchies', greetings cards, tags, jewellery, books, boxes, dolls, tins - in fact virtually anything can be ‘altered’.

As far as top selling products are concerned, rubber stamping is currently enjoying a big revival, particularly as new ideas develop further. We often work on photographic images to make them into successful collage styles, as well as producing stamps originating from hand drawn images, plus combining mixtures of both varieties. This kind of playful image will continue to grow in popularity as crafters widen their horizons and develop their ideas. Acetates and other photographic images can be used in lots of interesting ways to suit a project. Interesting ‘blank’ items for decorating should be good sellers, along with canvas and tissue paper for stamping or ease of application to different surfaces. Other top sellers might be acrylic paints, colour washes and distressing products.

The most important things that retailers can provide for their customers is inspiration by including a wide selection of samples of items made with these products. Friendly advice, classes and workshops are vital to encourage wary but budding altered artists to have a go. Demos and make and take sessions are invaluable, plus a collection of good magazines and books to inspire. With all this on hand, your customers will want to keep returning to you and will probably become firm friends in the process.