Gelli Plate Prints and What To Do With Them—A Collage Fodder Demonstration with Molly Anthony - Happy Time Craftcast 23

Craftonians!

The latest episode of the Happy Time Craftcast was an absolute joy and inspiration, thanks to one of my favorite people, Molly Anthony. If you’ve been following along, you know how much I adore working with Molly—she’s a true creative powerhouse and one of the best companions to get artsy with. This episode focused on the magic of Gelli plate printing, and from start to finish, it was an absolute blast!

Molly has been a dear friend and collaborator for years, and every time we get together, we seem to just light up with creative energy. In this episode, we dive deep into Gelli plate printing – a playful, experimental art form that’s beginner-friendly but full of possibilities for even the most experienced artists. If you've ever felt intimidated by printmaking or unsure about where to start, Molly's your girl. She broke it all down for us with such ease and enthusiasm that by the end, I was ready to grab my paints and get to work right alongside her!

What’s Gelli Plate Printing All About?

For those of you who might be new to Gelli plate printing, it’s essentially a method of monoprinting using a soft gelatin-like plate (hence the name "Gelli plate") that allows you to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind prints. Molly showed us how to get started using everyday materials – like simple acrylic paints, stencils, and even items from around the house like deli paper and Amazon envelopes (yep, you read that right!). We also learned how to create mono prints (single prints) and the magical ghost prints, which are the lighter second impressions from a plate. Each one is unique and surprising, which makes the process so exciting.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with Gelli Plate Printing

One of the things I love most about Gelli plate printing, which Molly really emphasized, is that it’s a process filled with happy accidents. You never really know what you’re going to get when you pull that paper off the plate – and that’s what makes it so liberating! No perfectionism allowed here. As someone who has spent years battling my inner critic, this practice is a breath of fresh air. Molly reminded us that even the prints we don’t initially like have a place – whether we use them in collage, art journals, or simply layer over them later. There’s a purpose for every print.

Molly even gave us some amazing tips on making our own foam stamps for printing and how to use stencils in creative ways to add texture and depth. The possibilities with Gelli plates are endless, and I love how Molly encouraged us to be playful with it all. She uses everything from leaves in her backyard to pressed flowers to create intricate designs – and honestly, it’s opened my eyes to all the amazing ways I can incorporate natural elements into my own work.

Embracing Imperfection in Art (and Life!)

What really resonated with me during our chat was Molly’s reminder to let go of perfection. She said something so inspiring: "Gelli plate printing is such a freeing process—you never know exactly what you're going to get, but that’s the beauty of it." I couldn’t agree more! We talked about how art-making can sometimes get weighed down by this pressure to create something perfect, but really, the most beautiful pieces are often born out of those imperfections. Life’s not perfect, and neither is art. In fact, that’s what makes it so real and meaningful.

We even compared it to yoga – the idea of taking what we learn on the mat and applying it to our lives. Art is the same way. The patience, flexibility, and forgiveness we practice when creating spills over into how we approach the world around us. If we can let go of that inner critic and just enjoy the process, it’s amazing how much joy and satisfaction we can find in something as simple as pulling a print off a Gelli plate.

Upcoming Retreat at Big Raven Farm

If this episode sparked your curiosity about Gelli plate printing (or if you’re already obsessed like I am), you should definitely join us for our Art for Self-Care Retreat at Big Raven Farm from October 10-13. We’re going to be diving deep into Gelli plate printing, along with other fun techniques like cyanotype printing (those gorgeous blueprints using the sun!), eco-dying, and fabric books. It’s four full days of creativity, relaxation, and connecting with other incredible artists. There are still a few spots open, and trust me, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience!

If you missed this episode with Molly, you can catch the replay below and see all the wonderful demonstrations we shared. And be sure to tune in next week when I’ll be chatting with Kate Latham from Modern Hoopla about her unique way of framing embroidery hoops – you guys, it’s going to blow your mind!

Thank you all for joining me on this creative journey. As always, I’m so grateful for this beautiful community. Keep creating, stay inspired, and I hope to see you at the retreat!

With love and creativity,
Joleen