Archive for July, 2011
My heart always beats a little faster when I talk about Hollie Chastain, the artist behind the print shop, Dr Kennedy Jones. Hollie is a full-time found paper + collage artist currently living in Chattanooga, Tennessee and her work is influenced by “nature and fairy tales.”
As you may have guessed, I am a big fan of her work. It’s colorful, layered with story and texture, and (of course) cheerful enough to brighten my day.
I hope it brings some joy to your day too…
Special Discount: Receive 10% off your order when you use the coupon code “papernstitch” on Etsy. Visit Dr Kennedy Jones on Etsy now to browse available prints and more.
Last week, I interviewed full-time artist, illustrator, and surface pattern designer Jessica Swift about her uber-successful rain boots project that you have seen on KickStarter recently. And today, I am sharing the podcast version of our interview. Excited!
I had watched her project take off from the very start and was really impressed with the way she was able to make it happen (and so quickly too)… At the time of our interview, Jessica had already raised more than $19,000 to fund her project (her goal was $18,000) and she still had almost two weeks left to go to raise more. Now the project is at more than $20,000 with a week left to raise additional funds before the rain boots are actually made.
If you are thinking about trying to get a project funded via KickStarter, you really need to listen to this interview with Jessica. She shared a lot.
Here’s what we discussed in the 25 minute podcast:
-How Jess started the rain boots project and what the process was like raising funds on KickStarter (I also explained what KickStarter if you are unfamiliar with the site).
-How Jess was able to navigate through the world of manufacturing to make her project a reality.
-The work that went into raising more than $18,000 in funds in a matter of weeks. And how you can do it too.
-And more.
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Reference links mentioned in the podcast:
-Mark Pound at Blosma (helped Jessica put the puzzle pieces together for get her product manufactured). Find Mark at www.blosma.com.
-Jessica’s email address: jess(at)jessicaswift(dot)com
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You can visit Jessica Swift on www.jessicaswift.com. Visit her Etsy shop: Jessica Swift Etsy shop. Or you can also follow Jessica on twitter @jessicagswift.
AND To pledge funds (pledges start at just $1) to Jessica’s KickStarter Rain Boots Project, visit this link: Rain Boots with Secret Messages.
If you like this interview, please help Jessica and I spread the word by using the buttons below (twitter, facebook, stumbleupon).
Listen to the podcast now…
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Goodness- I’ve really had summer on my brain a lot lately! Already this week I’ve written two summer themed articles (for other sites which will be up soon), and its only Tuesday. I just cannot shake the excitement of summer sunshine, hot air balloons, and picnics from my system.
But anyway, I want to get down to business and talk about photographer Irene Suchocki of isphotography. Irene is blowing my mind right now with her photographs of everyday beauty. And actually, they feel quite summery to me, which (of course) makes ‘em even better.
Visit Irene Suchocki’s portfolio site to view more of Irene’s photos and to shop available prints, visit isphotography.
And by the way, are you feeling summer fever too or is it just me?
Guest post tutorial by Mary of Pretty Good Things.
A little backstory… The idea behind this personalized achievement badge was inspired by two things:
- Boutonnieres I am working on for a friend’s wedding.
- Judy Moody’s summer plan from Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer . (I saw the movie with my 7 year old niece this weekend to clarify why Judy Moody is the source of such inspiration.) Basically, all you need to know is Judy Moody has a summer plan to earn “thrill points” during her Not Bummer Summer.
I was thinking I wanted to send my niece something sparkly and fun to encourage her to have a Not Bummer Summer, too. It’s not just a plain old badge with her initial on it- it’s a badge to record all the fun stuff she does! I even purchased self sticking rhinestones so she can then add to the tails when she completes her fun activity.
Now if you don’t have kids of your own (or a niece or nephew), another spin for this project would be to give it to your friend with the gems already attached.
You could include a list that then tells them what each means. (for example: yellow rhinestone: Remember that time you bought me saltines and pepto tablets that one time I got really drunk the night before because you kept buying me drinks and I didn’t say no…pink rhinestone: for encouraging me to do that one thing even though no one else thought it was a good idea. And it turned out to be the best etc). Anyway….
Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Cheese P-corn 2. Glue gun 3. Pinking sheers 4. Scissors 5. gold embossed fabric (or other fabric of your choice) 6. ribbon (1 5/8″ wide) 7. ribbon ( 1/4″ wide) 8. sequin ribbon (enough for a letter of your choice.) 9. 1.5″ pin 10. “The Neutron Dance” by the pointer sisters 11. Felt and magic.
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1: Cut each ribbon to desired length (mine was about 3″ each). Cut a triangle out of the tails. Cut out 2.25″ diameter circle out of the gold embossed fabric using pinking sheers. Cut a slightly smaller circle out of the felt also with pinking sheers.
Note: The felt backing will earn you points for neatness and you won’t get sent to hell when Martha checks off your name at the pearly gate.
Step 2: Position ribbon as pictured above and hot glue the smaller ribbons to the back of the main large ribbon. Turn over and glue the gold badge to the front. Finally, glue the felt backing to the back.
Step 3: Break for cheese p-corn and neutron dancing.
Step 4: Go back and re-do step 3 because I know you didn’t do it. I’m serious. If you don’t follow the instructions Just. So. – - your craft will pay!
Step 5: Lay out the initial to estimate the length you’ll need of sequin ribbon. Cut and use a dab of hot glue on each end to stop it from unfurling. No pictures for this step – but there are two methods. Either draw out your letter on the gold or just eyeball it when you lay a line of hot glue. I prefer the latter.
Step 6: Turn the badge over. squeeze a line of hot glue along the back of the pin. Position it on the back of the badge and press down. Make sure there’s enough glue to squish through the holes (but not too much).
Let it cool/dry and TA DA!….
The summer fun time badge / Friend you are awesome badge is all ready to go.
More about Mary… I am fortunate to be able to make hats, fascinators and hair do-dads to make snazzy ladies even more fabulous with prettygoodthings.com. I live in Nebraska with my husband and furry kitty baby, Simon. I love crafting, making, drawing, creating (and blogging)….If I can make something with my two hands – I am a happy lady. Life is good. Follow me on twitter @MaryPGT.
Thank you so much Mary for this fun award badge tutorial.
For more ideas for quick and easy projects, click here to visit the craft tutorials and diy page filled with more than 50 diy’s. If you like this project, please help us spread the word by using the twitter and facebook buttons below. Thank you so much.
Its always the right time to give a present and with Birks, they make it easy. Whether searching for a timepiece for someone else or spoiling yourself for your birthday with a few gold bracelets, Birks has something for the whole family and any occasion. Fine jewelry, timepieces, sterling silverware and other gifts are this Canadian luxury brand’s specialties. Check out their collection to snag something special.
Please visit Birks and support our sponsors who make this blog possible.
*And if you are interested in becoming an advertiser on papernstitch, visit the advertising page for more info.
A couple of months ago, I was asked to contribute a party project to HGTV’s website, and (duh) I was honored to 1) be asked 2) actually put something new together- it’s been a while since my last tutorial. The article recently went live on HGTV.com and I wanted to share an outtake with you (the photo above is not the one they decided to use, so head over to the DIY Party article to see the one they picked).
My DIY party project is number 10 of 13 (it’s on a slideshow thingy-ma-gig). Thanks to Jen Jafarzadeh L’Italien from The Haystack Needle who put this whole thing together for HGTV.
If you love crafting, visit the DIY Party article on HGTV.com now (lots of great ideas).
And along those same lines, I wanted to give a shout out to 2Modern who has been posting up links to my DIYs lately (plus Lauren’s book frame diy that she did for Papernstitch), and I really appreciate the link love. You should check out their blog (good inspiration source).
If you’d like more info on one of these three projects, which were recently featured on 2Modern, you can get the full tutorials here…
Uncanny Cork Containers and Vases
And if you have any thoughts on these DIYs or would like to share what you think I should make next, please leave your response in the comments below.
Jenny Hoople of Authentic Arts is a part-time librarian, organic farmer, and passionate jewelry designer. Taking her art to the next level, she is involved in every part of the process of creating her natural stone line, including growing her own job’s tear seeds!
With Jenny’s newest line of natural stone jewelry, the focus is on using natural materials, as you may have guessed. The results are creations that have a natural, but effortlessly attractive and even glamorous presentation! With beads and stones delicately suspended from chains, these pieces are unique and bohemian yet very wearable.
Super secret sale for Papernstitch customers only! Type in the coupon code: pns2010 at checkout to receive 10% off your entire purchase. See the selection of natural stone jewelry and take advantage of 10% off in the Authentic Arts shop.
Vanessa wrote this post. She is a full time copywriter and webmarketer with a passion for art, creativity, and thrift. She writes about thrifting, creating, and saving money every weekday on her blog, Thrift Core.
