Sunday 28 February 2010
Saturday 27 February 2010
Fred Astaire Video
I stumbled across this video the other day and I really like it so I thought I'd share. Someone has edited video footage so it looks like Fred Astaire is dancing to 'Smooth Criminal' by MJ.
I used to do tap dancing myself and did quite a few grades. It's a lot of fun and I encourage anyone to give it a go!
Cardboard Furnishings
Want to add some home comforts to a bare, unloved room but don't have any money to spend on it? Then here's your answer...cardboard decor! I love the look of it for any room personally but that may not be practical :-)
Find more pics here.
Friday 26 February 2010
Kid's Recipes
The following links have many recipes for paints, play dough, inks and much more, and are especially useful if you need to entertain kids:
Thursday 25 February 2010
Plastic Bottle Vase
Doodle Frames
As a bit of a doodler myself, these photos frames really appeal to me - you have 80 paper frame layers to design yourself, so you could draw a different frame every week for about a year and a half! It's a great idea for an easy personalised gift too. Available to buy here.
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Paper Bead Necklace
This is a really gorgeous necklace from Art Mind, and you can make it yourself using this how-to.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Frosted Doily Mirror
This tute shows you a really easy way to make a plain round mirror into a very pretty, feminine mirror.
Monday 22 February 2010
Captain's Mirrors
I love these porthole style mirrors, so sweet! Go to Design*Sponge for the tutorial.
Sunday 21 February 2010
Heart Necklace
This necklace is such a cute and clever idea - you turn a vintage doily into a 2-part heart, then you keep one half and you give the other half to your best friend, awww!
Marshmallow Village
This is such a sweet little whimsical village of marshmallow and icing houses - I love the detail - and you can see the how-to here.
Saturday 20 February 2010
Hemma Light Chandelier
This is a very funky chandelier with dangly lights, and you can find the how-to here.
Friday 19 February 2010
Blood Slides
If anyone watches 'Dexter' (one of my favourite ever shows), the serial killer Dexter keeps blood slides with samples of all his victims' blood as 'trophies' (nice), and this project shows you how to make the edible version! Cool for Halloween parties.
Thursday 18 February 2010
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Faux Wood Bangle
This bracelet is a simple little make, and you can be as creative as you like with the embroidery. Click here for the tute.
Decal Mugs
This project uses inkjet water decals to decorate mugs - and the technique reminds me of those transfer tattoos you used to put on your arms when you were kids!
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Upcycled Sweater Boots
Shop Revamp
Just a quick note to say that I've revamped my jewellery shop layout to make it a bit brighter and cleaner, so I really hope you like it!
Chocolate Spoons
Awww this is a cute idea for the cold Winter months - decorated chocolate spoons for stirring your hot chocolate...yum!
Monday 15 February 2010
DIY Chandelier
This chandelier is super modern and stylish, yet it's something you can make all by yourself! It may be more of a challenge than most of the projects, but ultimately would be more rewarding!
Find the instructions here.
Sunday 14 February 2010
Sweet Nothings
It's a triple helping of blog posts today because I need to fit in all of the Valentine's Day crafts before tomorrow - and more keep popping up every minute! (not that I mind of course :-))
If you click here you will find a free template to make your very own mini megaphone (a miniphone?) to whisper sweet nothings in your loved one's ear!
Happy Valentine's Day!
If you need some romantic food made to impress, or if you just want to see 114 exceptionally beautiful Valentine's Day recipes, head over to Woman's Day. I literally want to try all of them!
Saturday 13 February 2010
Heart Breaker
Easy-peasy Valentine's Day gift (perfect for kids especially), and all you have to do is fill paper hearts with sweets and to open just 'break' the heart!
Click here for the tute.
Braided Headband
This braided headband is made from only one ingredient: bulky yarn (wow!) and I think it looks absolutely lovely. See how it's done here.
Friday 12 February 2010
Valentine Lightbulb
This is such a sweet crafty gift for Valentine's Day, and you can find out how it's done here.
Origami Numbers
I really love the look of this number art . . . so striking, and it's only paper origami. As a certain meercat may say, it's simples!
Thursday 11 February 2010
Mini Valentine's Parcel
This is so adorable! In addition to Leafcutter's mini letters, they've brought out a tiny handmade parcel which contains a mini handmade button - perfect for Valentine's Day. . . Awwww!
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Carved Hearts
Great for wall art or keepsakes, these hearts are simply carved out of MDF. Find the how-to here.
Fancy Dress Costume Ideas V
This photo shows an amazing sight; zombie Disney characters! Such a fantastic idea for any fancy dress party.
For more fun costume ideas, click here, and for an interesting site showing fashionable outfits inspired by fictional characters, go here. My favourite is Phoebe:
For more fun costume ideas, click here, and for an interesting site showing fashionable outfits inspired by fictional characters, go here. My favourite is Phoebe:
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Meringue Mushrooms
These meringue mushrooms are such a good idea, plus they're very realistic and - well - how can chocolate and meringue be anything but delicious?!
Monday 8 February 2010
Kiss In Your Pocket
Such an adorable idea for Valentine's day: a flip book showing you blowing a kiss - and the book is small enough for your loved one to keep in their pocket to cheer them up...awww!
Go here for the source.
Island of Dolls
I stumbled upon this page yesterday and if you have a nervous disposition I suggest you give it a miss, because it is the creepiest island and accompanying story I have ever seen in my life!
It's basically an island in Mexico with freaky dolls hung all over it. As spooky as it is, I would love to go there, if only for the amazing photographic opportunities! Enjoy :-)
Sunday 7 February 2010
Waldorf Inspired Doll
It's based on Waldorf dolls and is made using mainly old clothing.
Go here for the tute.
Saturday 6 February 2010
Salt Dough Hearts
These pretty little salt dough hearts are perfect for Valentine's day, and what's more, you can re-use them at Christmas by hanging them on the tree!
Click here for the how-to.
20-Sided Bag
This little bag looks like a lot of fun to make, and I love the geometric design. If you don't like the numbers, you could always have a different colour on each side instead, which I think would look so cool!
Find the how-to here.
Friday 5 February 2010
Stumpwork Embroidery
This tutorial shows you how to make a cute stumpwork snail. Stumpwork is an embroidery technique where the design is raised, which would add nice texture to your work.
Lost Your Camera?
This idea is great for helping a lost camera be returned to you, and consists of permanently storing photos on your camera giving contact details in a fun way :-)
Thursday 4 February 2010
Hammered Heart Brooch
This tutorial shows you how to make a unique piece of jewellery with a hammered wire heart and an arrow pin. Great for Valentine's Day.
Shortbread Buttons
These shortbread buttons are so cute, and you can make them in different colours too! Find the recipe here.
Wednesday 3 February 2010
T-Shirt Transformation
I'm into wearing tunics at the moment, and this tutorial is great for transforming an oversized t-shirt (that you can pick up very cheaply at your local charity/thrift shop), into a flattering tunic top. It's also a very good introduction to clothes making/sewing too.
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Cookie Stamps
I can't tell you how much I want this cookie stamp, it's so cute! You can use the cutter to create the desired cookie shape, and then stamp whatever message you want onto it - for truly personalised food...yummy!
Operation Fancy Dress
This 'Operation' fancy dress is an amazingly fun costume design - and pretty unique too!
Monday 1 February 2010
How To Have A Successful Business
Whilst researching for my own online shop, I came across alot of excellent tips and tricks of the trade, plus what the most important factors are for running a successful business.
Alot of the links below are specific to Etsy businesses, but there are also ones for other selling businesses too. Hope you find this helpful!
Packaging 101
Lots of Useful Tool and Websites
Adding Items to Google
Increase Etsy Shop Traffic
Understanding Online Advertising
Graphic Design to Give Your Shop the Edge
Lots of Useful Tool and Websites
Adding Items to Google
Increase Etsy Shop Traffic
Understanding Online Advertising
Graphic Design to Give Your Shop the Edge
Importance of Packaging
Best of my tips: Concentrate on getting nice and clear photos, have some unique products (find a niche), create pretty but simple and consistent packaging, have a memorable name and logo, use Metatag Analyser on each website page to check your meta tags and descriptions are search-engine friendly, use Project Wonderful if you want to advertise on other sites, approach suitable blogs to try and get your shop featured, have regularly updated information and perhaps tutorials on your website to try and drive traffic to it, and lastly (if you have good photos) submit your products on Craft Gawker.
Best of my tips: Concentrate on getting nice and clear photos, have some unique products (find a niche), create pretty but simple and consistent packaging, have a memorable name and logo, use Metatag Analyser on each website page to check your meta tags and descriptions are search-engine friendly, use Project Wonderful if you want to advertise on other sites, approach suitable blogs to try and get your shop featured, have regularly updated information and perhaps tutorials on your website to try and drive traffic to it, and lastly (if you have good photos) submit your products on Craft Gawker.
Papercut Portrait
Paper cutting is a fantastic and super cheap craft, and this video shows you how to make an amazing paper portrait.
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