And the obligatory first customer picture:
9.14.2011
Pictures Of My Booth
Well, last weekend was EcoFest which means that it was the debut of my new business, Lavish. So I thought I would share a few photos from EcoFest with y'all.
And the obligatory first customer picture:
And the obligatory first customer picture:
9.13.2011
Projector Screen Upcycle
I love chalkboards, it is no secret. They are versatile and perfect for my ever-changing-moods. So when it came to a sign for my booth, I knew that a chalkboard was the way to go. I had planned to upcycle a large picture frame into a chalkboard, but then one of my projects went a little wrong and I ended up with a projector screen that is perfect for a chalkboard sign!
My original plan was to make the projector screen base the tripod lamp. That plan went out the window when I couldn't get the screen separated from the base with my small arsenal of tools. I was bummed out until I found the music stand and turned it into the tripod lamp, freeing up the projector screen for another project - a chalkboard.
I'm sure y'all know how to make a chalkboard, but in case you don't... just paint chalkboard paint onto whatever you want. (Preferably not live things.) I laid out the projector screen in the garage and went to town painting.
The projector screen was perfect for my booth since it is lightweight and compact. Plus I can change the wording and use it in my craft room too. And the screen was only $5 at a thrift store. I am giddy with all the possibilities of my new five dollar chalkboard. Here is the upcycled projector screen in action, with me sitting on a fabulous repurposed bench (and ignore my mom's finger):
My original plan was to make the projector screen base the tripod lamp. That plan went out the window when I couldn't get the screen separated from the base with my small arsenal of tools. I was bummed out until I found the music stand and turned it into the tripod lamp, freeing up the projector screen for another project - a chalkboard.
I'm sure y'all know how to make a chalkboard, but in case you don't... just paint chalkboard paint onto whatever you want. (Preferably not live things.) I laid out the projector screen in the garage and went to town painting.
The projector screen was perfect for my booth since it is lightweight and compact. Plus I can change the wording and use it in my craft room too. And the screen was only $5 at a thrift store. I am giddy with all the possibilities of my new five dollar chalkboard. Here is the upcycled projector screen in action, with me sitting on a fabulous repurposed bench (and ignore my mom's finger):
9.12.2011
Stamp Making
Even though I used to scrapbook, I have never once thought about making a personalized stamp. To tell the truth, I didn't even know you could make stamps until about a week ago - yep, I might have been living under a rock. But after making my free paint chip business cards, I was in desperate need of a stamp.
I looked online and was going to buy a stamp, but I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of spending about $25 dollars on a stamp that I might not use a lot since this is a trial run. So with a little google-ing and pinterest-ing, I decided to DIY a stamp. The supplies needed to make a stamp are carving tools, pencil, and stamp carving block. I picked up everything at Hobby Lobby while it was 30% off.
First step is to get the graphic onto the carving block. I used the old pencil and trace method to transfer an image. Be sure that you make the graphic reverse since it will stamp backwards.
There are two different ways to carve a stamp - one is the graphic sticks out (like normal stamps where you only see the graphic when stamped) and the other is the graphic is carved in and the background is the ink color when stamped. That explanation is bad, but I carved both ways and like the not-normal stamp better.
After your graphic is transferred, get to carving. I found that it works best to use the smalled carving tool to outline the graphic first. Then use the larger tools to cut away the big sections. Also, turn the carving block instead of the carving tools. Trust me, you can get more detailed by turning the block.
Carving didn't take long. I made two different stamps in about 20 minutes...not too bad for a first timer. The hardest to carve was the more detailed one, of course. And my stamps are on the small size since the paint chips are business card size.
Now I need to make a stamp for the backside of the cards with the website and contact info. Shouldn't be hard to do now that I know how. Have y'all made any stamps?
Psst - I watched this video to help me get started - it is long but detailed. I didn't record making my stamps since I don't have a tripod and need two hands to carve.
I looked online and was going to buy a stamp, but I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of spending about $25 dollars on a stamp that I might not use a lot since this is a trial run. So with a little google-ing and pinterest-ing, I decided to DIY a stamp. The supplies needed to make a stamp are carving tools, pencil, and stamp carving block. I picked up everything at Hobby Lobby while it was 30% off.
First step is to get the graphic onto the carving block. I used the old pencil and trace method to transfer an image. Be sure that you make the graphic reverse since it will stamp backwards.
There are two different ways to carve a stamp - one is the graphic sticks out (like normal stamps where you only see the graphic when stamped) and the other is the graphic is carved in and the background is the ink color when stamped. That explanation is bad, but I carved both ways and like the not-normal stamp better.
After your graphic is transferred, get to carving. I found that it works best to use the smalled carving tool to outline the graphic first. Then use the larger tools to cut away the big sections. Also, turn the carving block instead of the carving tools. Trust me, you can get more detailed by turning the block.
Carving didn't take long. I made two different stamps in about 20 minutes...not too bad for a first timer. The hardest to carve was the more detailed one, of course. And my stamps are on the small size since the paint chips are business card size.
Now I need to make a stamp for the backside of the cards with the website and contact info. Shouldn't be hard to do now that I know how. Have y'all made any stamps?
Psst - I watched this video to help me get started - it is long but detailed. I didn't record making my stamps since I don't have a tripod and need two hands to carve.
9.01.2011
Outside House Tour
I have had a few people remind me that I don't have many, if any, pictures of the outside of my casa. Well, that is because the outside receives minimal love and has a to-do list a mile long. I've been busy at work on the inside and only remember to mow the grass when I can't find Paris in it. Okay, it isn't that bad, but the yard is in an embarrassingly sad shape.
So to appease the masses (all 3 of you) I decided to make a video tour of the outside. Please note that my appearance is seriously lacking since I was doing yard work in 100 degrees at the time of this video. Without further ado, the much-awaited, completely unedited video:
Things to note:
So to appease the masses (all 3 of you) I decided to make a video tour of the outside. Please note that my appearance is seriously lacking since I was doing yard work in 100 degrees at the time of this video. Without further ado, the much-awaited, completely unedited video:
Things to note:
- Can't hear me talking at the beginning. The wind didn't want to play nice while I tried to film.
- Weed beds, not flower beds. They are more like jungle beds...maybe that is the new eco-friendly design? These really must get attention soon.
- Number of crepe myrtles. There must have been a mad sale on them because there are 9 of them in our yard. Yep, 9! And I have successfully killed two of them already.
- Monkey grass everywhere. Must have been on sale just like the crepe myrtles. I hate the stuff and think it make that house look dated, not to mention the bugs and snakes (eek!) that could live in it.
- My spray painting area is well used. I would love to have an actual spray booth, but until I get my dream home, the cast off mirror and plant stand will work nicely.
- The video quality is bad. I saved it in a web format so it would load up quicker.
- Anyways seems to be the word of the day.
8.30.2011
Paint Chip Business Cards {DIY}
Since I am venturing out into the world with items for sale, I probably need business cards. And since I am a DIYer, I wanted to try my hand at making my own business card. So I started brain storming ideas and landed on paint chips - they are colorful and a good representation of my business. Plus I have a ton of them laying around the house, and I can always make a trip to the store to get a few more if need be.
To make my business cards, I used Valspar 6-color chips. They are the perfect size. You will need paint chips, scrap paper, and a stapler - I forgot to mention that these are also note pads...yay for double duty items!
First, fold the smallest color over to make a flap. Then put about 8 pieces of paper under the flap:
Staple:
Finally, just fold over the rest of the paint chip and tuck it under the little flap:
So easy, so fast, and so FREE!!! But you are probably saying to yourself "those don't have any info on them..." I know, that is the second part of the project - stamping the cards. And since I am a DIYer, I wanted to try my hand at making my own stamp too. Which I succeeded at. So details on a DIY stamp is coming your way.
Any business card makers out there? Or have you seen any unique ideas that you care to share?
And these are the business cards that I am using at the moment. They were inspired by EcoFest since it is all about the environment and being "green". I bet the business card design will change as my business develops...but I probably will always have the little paint chip note pads around since they are cute, and people love free items.
To make my business cards, I used Valspar 6-color chips. They are the perfect size. You will need paint chips, scrap paper, and a stapler - I forgot to mention that these are also note pads...yay for double duty items!
First, fold the smallest color over to make a flap. Then put about 8 pieces of paper under the flap:
Staple:
Finally, just fold over the rest of the paint chip and tuck it under the little flap:
So easy, so fast, and so FREE!!! But you are probably saying to yourself "those don't have any info on them..." I know, that is the second part of the project - stamping the cards. And since I am a DIYer, I wanted to try my hand at making my own stamp too. Which I succeeded at. So details on a DIY stamp is coming your way.
Any business card makers out there? Or have you seen any unique ideas that you care to share?
And these are the business cards that I am using at the moment. They were inspired by EcoFest since it is all about the environment and being "green". I bet the business card design will change as my business develops...but I probably will always have the little paint chip note pads around since they are cute, and people love free items.