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Silver is beautiful. It’s also - how to put this politely - okay. Call it a Challenge to photograph 
I have some lovely vintage glass jewels in my Jewelry Supplies Shop on Etsy:
I’ve recently gotten some silver plated settings for my pretty vintage jewels - and I’d forgotten what a challenge silver can be to photograph! If it’s clean and shining (like these settings) - it reflects nearby colors almost like a mirror. Place the settings on a wood background - which is usually a good choice - and guess what? The silver looks tan, beige or bronze - the color(s) of aged brass! Well brass is wonderful - I use (and sell) a lot of it - but the point here is to show the silver!
I’m working on it. The composite above shows some of the pics that worked - and as you can see, those silver settings are highlighted by a lot of colors besides just “silver”.
This is going to be an ongoing project - better pics, more silver (plated) settings, more silver all around - and more of a learning curve. So - stay tuned, this will be continued!
Here’s a great example of indie design - fab style - and recycling too! This dress is from Amanda Vaughn-Redmon on etsy.
First and foremost of course, is that it’s a great-looking dress - it would be fun and flattering to wear!
Equally important in my book - she makes her garments in the U.S. (North Carolina) and she uses recycled/repurposed clothing for all or part of them. Of course that makes each garment one-of-a-kind, which is terrific too
Think about it - this is style at its best. It looks great, those fabrics would feel good and be super easy to care for (here, she’s used an old t-shirt, and slinky drapy poly knit) - and she’s taking what would otherwise be tossed away, and turned it into something fabulous.
Talk about a feel-good dress! Love it
I found another great example of wallpaper-as-art and wanted to share it, especially because there’s an extra bit of food-for-thought here. First, here’s the inspiration photo:
Wallpaper as Art - Inspiration from Style-Files.com
Now there’s a point to all this. First off, this is (part of) a great-looking room (and Style Files is full of inspiration, truly, go look around!) But even more - here’s the bear-with-me idea.
I happen to think this is a great looking vignette. I also think that the wallpaper they’ve used in this pic is totally unremarkable - in and of itself. It’s okay. It’s not fabulous. But the way they’ve used it, as a strong graphic statement, framed AS ART, really does look terrific.
Okay, that’s Idea Number One. It doesn’t have to be priceless art. It has to say something to you, or be a color you love, or whatever. Treat it as art, be bold with it - and it IS art.
Which leads me to my second point. I took the photo from Style Files and fiddled with it - excuse me ladies, it was just to try something out. What I did, was grab what I consider a totally inappropriate graphic from my own files (inappropriate meaning, it ain’t “art”, it’s just a graphic). This particular graphic is of a pair of earrings on my site - and yes, I do think the earrings are terrific (you can find them here). But as wall art? No, I wouldn’t choose this graphic.
But in my doctored-up-photo, I took the earrings image. I copied it a bunch of times - just like you could do if you took any image you liked and made 20 copies at your local copy shop. Then group the images together on the wall (put pasteboard or something behind them if you don’t want to paste directly on the wall) and presto: you’ve got strong wall art.
See what I mean? This isn’t priceless art. But because it is a strong image, and the repetitive idea makes it even more graphically interesting, and because it’s framed on the wall like “real art” - it works. It looks good. It makes a statement.
It costs practically nothing if you use images from magazine pages. Or maps. Or wallpaper samples. Whatever. Use *recycled* images, that’s even better.
Try it. It works.
I’ve started doing “pet photo jewelry” lately and people are so enthusiastic about their pets, furbabies, fuzzy kids, whatever you call them - I have a feeling these are going to be fun!
There’s a twist though. I don’t just use straight pixel-for-pixel photos (well I can, but that hasn’t been the focus so far) - instead, I make a sort of portrait of your furbaby, and use that as the basis for the earrings (or pendant). For example, look at these sweet beagle earrings:
Custom Pet Photo Earrings or Pendant
These would be fun anyway, because this is a much-loved pet and her human really cares about these earrings - and the extra fun part is that, these aren’t copied from an “exact” photo. At my customer’s urging, I played with the photo a little, I changed it, stylized it, turned it into a mini-portrait. (Yes, I photoshopped it!)
I think it’s going to be interesting to go down that road a little more
The earrings are a great conversation starter, if you’re into that. And they’re a great keepsake gift for someone you love (hmm, can we can “paper anniversary present”?) For someone who loves their pet!
PS I’m going to be putting up some new and different examples soon - stay tuned for further developments!
I’m always looking for paper inspiration and goodies, right? And in my recent quest I found this yummy vintage skirt. The vendor is calling the print, “Paper Roses”, which is how I found it. Serendipity! It’s so fun to find surprises that are as cute as this one - and as affordable
“Paper Roses” Vintage Skirt from kellyemeraldhart at Etsy
Of course once I found her shop I had to look around. She’s got really good prices, vintage skirts and dresses I’m definitely going to check out, and some goodies that I thought were both attractive and really interesting. Take a look at this artwork:
Polaroid into Prints - from kellyemeraldhart at Etsy
She’s taken her own polaroids - and turned them into larger prints. You can buy a pack (as in this listing) or get each one separately for only $2.00! I love the water-color-ish look of them - and the uniqueness - and of course the price!
Original artwork - and vintage pretties - this is a great shop you definitely want to visit
P.S. AND she’s having a sale!
This is such a simple idea I’m crushed I didn’t think of it - but it’s so cool I have to share
I discovered this idea over at Domestically Speaking Blog - there’s bunches of useful info and fun ideas over there and you really ought to check it out.
And this idea is lovely - fun - easy!
Painted Bottles - Do It Yourself
She shares how she made them and it’s worth reading the tips she offers - but basically? You take clean empty bottles, drop in several drops of acrylic paint, put the lid back on the bottle, and shake! Much prettier than painting the outside of the bottle because you get not only the color - you get the shine and gloss of the glass.
Check out her blog - and then add a terrific punch of color to your house with recycled bottles.
PS Once again, this could be great for brides. Use silver or white paint on the inside of the bottles, and add real or silk flowers, as centerpieces for your reception tables. Or make a big grouping of the bottles, in your wedding colors of course, to add drama to any table. You’ll think of more ideas than I have - and you’ll be adding a personal (thrifty) touch to your wedding!
So I’m back on track, yes. I’ve found a SUPER do-it-yourself project that is (1) recycled, (2) easy to do, (3) goodlooking, and (4) will fit anywhere you need art!
And it’s practically FREE.
I found this on a fun blog, Homemade Mamas Blog and they not only invented the project, they share how they did it! I’ll bet a nickel you are going to love this as much as I do:
Recycled Wall Art invented by Homemade Mamas (dot net)
Just to give you a hint: this is what the project starts with:
Recycled paper towel and toilet paper cardboard tubes
Now, you see what I mean? This really handsome, sculptural wall art - is made entirely with recycled paper tubes you just throw away anyway! Well, and a little paint, and some paper clips (you can reuse those, too).
This is an idea I am definitely going to steal!
PS I added this to my “bridal and weddingj” category, because think how you could adapt this for some beautiful wedding decorations. Make floral wall art in your wedding colors. Paint the tube(lets) and scatter them on your reception tables. Spell out the names of the bride and groom! I know you can think of more ideas. And you can make them at the bridal shower!
So this post is about doors. Not paper, this time. I’ll think of some way or other to incorporate paper - later (yes I thought of shoji screens already, thank you.)
This is an inspiration piece. Something caught my attention the other day and I started looking up pics of doors - with color. Amazing some of the pretties that are out there!
Case in point:
I found this wonderful door on Flickr - it’s the work of Jason Williamson. The photo I mean, not the door. You notice it’s not a fancy-schmancy door - this is not rich folks territory. But they believe in color.
And:
A yellow door - with character. The article is about Vanishing South Georgia over on Wordpress - please do follow the link to read more.
Once again - not rich folks. But real people who added something special to their home.
And one more:
Yes, that is definitely a Chartreuse Door. And it’s a little fancier, yes. And you really ought to go peek at her blog - Curlin Reed Sullivan - she is absolutely celebrating chartreuse, and her blog is much fun to read!
The point of all this is - one, decorate your door. Add some paint. It doesn’t cost much and it’s easy to change. But more than “decorate your door” is the idea that - well, adding color is good, adding some special personal touch is good, and it DOESN’T HAVE TO COST A LOT OF MONEY.
All it costs is - taking a little time, and caring to make life just a little more special. And just like the commercials say - that’s priceless.
A bucket, you say? Now wait, it is MUCH cooler than you’re thinking.
If you’re like me, you always need places to PUT things. You need to get more organized. You don’t want to spend a lot of money but you want whatever it is that’s doing the organizing, to look good. And you’d be thrilled to do it yourself - if you just knew how.
So take a look at this absolutely terrific burlap “bucket” - container - catchall - magazine holder - tote - you name it:
DIY Burlap Bucket or Tote - PDF Instructions from Designsmayamde on Etsy
No this is not my idea - this is a wonderful tutorial available for only $9.00 from Designsmayamade on Etsy
Think how many ways you could use this. In every room - in colors made to coordinate and look good with what you’ve already got. You can do it yourself. You could use all kind of great recycled fabrics!
And she offers online help if you need it!
Please take a look at these pics. And tell me if you agree with me - I bet you will - that they are beautiful, and refreshing, and soul-calming.
Beautiful rooms in Filicudi Italy - as seen in style-files.com.
It makes me feel good just to look at the pics. And it inspires me. Yes, these rooms are in an exotic (to me) island halfway around the world. But the ideas here are absolutely universal.
USE LESS STUFF. Clear out the clutter. Have a wonderful color. Let the light in.
Let me be sure to give credit where it’s due - I found these wonderful pictures, and more you will love, over at style-files.com. Totally inspirational!
This is completely do it yourself. GET RID OF SOME STUFF. Let the bones of the room show. Add some light. Take away some of the crap.
Do I seem to be stuck on that idea? Well, yeah, I am. Use less - and love what you have, MORE.
PS You may have noticed that I included this post in the category “Going Green”, and I haven’t mentioned recycling once (till now). But I have mentioned “using less” - and that is a very important green idea!
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