Today I’m so happy to introduce you to Angela of Beat Up Creations. Angela uses a digital transfer and heat technique to apply old images to found plates. I LOVE how she alters the images (had a difficult time picking a favorite). But I’ll let Angela tell you all about it herself…

Angela, what was the inspiration for Beat Up Creations? How did you get started?

I never thought that I would be an artist or craftsman but I recently lost my job and needed to do something. I found Etsy and began making and selling stuff almost a year ago (December 2009). I always wanted to create but I just never had the time because I was so lost in the 9-5 shuffle. Both my brother and father are professional artists, real talented artists and I just never thought my creations or ideas were good enough to pursue.

This idea started because my mom was an avid antique collector and dealer. She recently downsized and had to get rid of loads of stuff, in that “stuff” were many old plates. Some of which were old portrait plates with demure ladies posed in proper positions and big fluffy dresses. They were all beautiful with hand painted details, gold accents, wonderful porcelain but in reality they did not exactly match my modern, urban style. So, were they useless? No, I must make them cool again…. alas the idea began.

Angela's first original art design: The Zombie Contessa

Where do you find your plates? Is there anything you look for in particular?

I have the greatest time searching for plates in antique shops, thrift stores, yard sales… I just look for plates that catch my eye. I particularly love old hand painted plates with gold accents.

How do you decide which images to use?

I love the contrast between the old vs. new, pretty vs. ugly, soft vs. hard. I love the working with images of punk rockers, circusfreaks, monsters, zombies, famous rebels, sci-fi characters etc.  These all give a great contrast or juxtapose feel to them.

Sid and Nancy

What is the process for creating the plates? How long does it take to complete?

Most of the images are my original art pieces, digitally altered images. I use a digital transfer and heat technique. It has taken me months to get the process to something that I am totally comfortable with but now it is smooth and I can complete several plates in a day (always depending on my mood…)

Have you gotten any strange custom requests?

OMG seriously… weird requests… I think my most favorite was this sweet older man who is an antique dealer and specializes in antique plates, so he wanted the best of the best plate. I was so uncomfortable spending so much on just one plate but he wanted it and he said that price was not an issue so it was this totally awesome French Limoges 19th century Charger and I altered an image of him into a Bouguereau painting in the middle of a bunch of beautiful young nymphs. But the wierd thing was the image of him was in the hospital gown with a catheter and attached to a standing medical pole with all the tubes and everything. He even had a baseball hat on…

Lucinda the Giraffe

What’s your favorite design period?

I love the mixing of time periods… I love to see antiques mixed with modern I think it makes for such a rich feel.

What is the one thing in your home that you’d like to see passed down to the next generation in your family?

Well, both my parents were avid collectors of art and antiques so I have so many hand me downs that are just spilling out of my wee little house. I have hundreds of things… As far as art: my dad did a huge portrait oil of my mom done in the old school way but it was the 60′s and she had the cutest little pixie haircut (they are divorced now so neither of them want it so…mine) and as far as antiques: I think a cherry red eames chairs that is soooo comfortable (you would never think comfort with a wood molded chair but its like a total lounge chair.)

Burger Queen

Thanks so much Angela! I especially loved hearing about how Beat Up Creations was started. Way to take a bad situation and turn it around!

You can see more of Angela’s awesome designs at her shop or on her website.

All images via Beat Up Creations.