Posts Tagged ‘Handmade’

Bar Art

Friday, May 10th, 2013

Getting engaged has immediately made me focus on making our house look more like a real house and less like a bachelor pad. I have been focusing my decorating attention on our “bar area” and while I am not yet ready to unveil the entire area to you, I would like to share one little part of it: the artwork.

I had this blank chalkboard that I had made for my Crafted booth (using this amazing DIY chalkboard idea), that was sitting in the bar area, staring blankly at me, wanting to be full of some sort of drawing, or drinking quote, or something like that. So I took it upon myself to fill it up. First I looked up some inspiration:

inspiration

1. Geometric Triangles Art Print by ColourscapePrints // 2. Geometric Quilt Print by AlmostSundayInc // 3. On the Grid Abstract Art Print by twoems

I started with a simple word, “CHEERS” to keep it simple and then got going with my design.

diy sign

I had a box of Crayola chalk on hand, so I just went to town using every single color. I’m not really picky about color.

After I was done with the design I used my fingers to blend in the chalk. And Voila! My very own, sign to make me happy as I sip cocktails.

DIY Chalk Art

Our DIY Engagement Photoshoot

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

I’m getting married!! And being a person who loves to do things myself, I’m trying to make our wedding as “me” as possible. That means a lot of DIY, but only for things that are absolutely necessary. We needed some updated photos of us for our wedding website (which I also DIYed for free using wix.com) and our Save the Date’s, so we did it the easiest way possible.

diy engagement photoshoot

What you’ll need:

  • 1 nice camera. I have a Canon T2i which I purchased for my business. You’ll need a camera that has white balance settings at least. Optional camera accessories include a nice lens.
  • 1 tripod, to avoid the shaky blurriness factor.
  • 1 well lit, but not directly in the sun, outdoor area.
  • 1 large white board, or sheet, or anything else for the backdrop.
  • Props. We used our dog, Chester.
  • 1 camera operator. I normally am a control freak about taking pictures, and I had actually considered purchasing a wireless remote for my camera, but time being of the essence I decided to go with the next best thing: my willing and able younger sister.

Directions:
Take a butt-load of pictures. When I normally do photo shoots of myself for my etsy shop I will sometimes end up with 400 pictures, and maybe 20 of each item I am shooting. Why so many you ask? Well if you’ve ever done a photoshoot of yourself you would know. Once you see the pictures on the computer it becomes blatantly clear that you might not like every picture of yourself, or some are blurry, or you blinked, etc.

Optional: If you have any photo editing software (i.e. photoshop) and you know how to use it, I would suggest using it. You can add some contrast, boost colors, remove bloodshot eyes and blemishes… it’s like magic.

diy engagement photoshoot
diy engagement photoshoot
diy engagement photoshoot
diy engagement photoshoot
diy engagement photoshoot
diy engagement photoshoot

Pantone Spring 2013

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Pantone spring 2013

Every season Pantone comes out with a Fashion Color Report to reflect the ‘colors of the season’. I am always inspired by the new colors, so here are the bracelets for this season! You can now find all of these bracelets in my shop. Happy 2013!

Small Business Saturday at Crafted!

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

On November 24th Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles will be celebrating Small Business Saturday! Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday, a day for eco- and socially-conscious holiday shopping in support of small, local businesses that are the engines of the nation’s economy. Crafted represents more than 100 local, independent artists and crafters under one roof, with the perfect gifts for absolutely anyone!

Be one of the first 200 visitors to Crafted on November 24th and receive an incredibly cool CRAFTED tote bag that is made from recycled military scrap material by disabled veterans at the West LA Veterans Administration. So cool!

More Crafted events for November 24th:

• Visit SANTA and Mrs. Claus from 12-3 p.m.
• Dancers from the The San Pedro City Ballet will be doing mini Nutcracker performances at noon and 1:30 pm.
DJ Frank FoReal will be spinning from 3 – 6 p.m.
Belly Bombz food truck from 11am-3pm
A Bite Truck food truck from 1pm-5pm

Parking is now FREE FOR EVERYONE at Crafted! So come by this holiday season and get your holiday shopping finished off with some of the most amazing handmade creations you can find in person!

Bottle Wraps

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

There’s a new item in my Etsy Shop for the holiday season!

Wine Bottle Cozy

These bottle wraps are the perfect way to brighten up that bottle of wine you are gifting to all the hostesses with the mostesses! Now you can buy 2 cozy’s and save 15% by purchasing this listing!

October First Wednesday – Community Socal

Monday, October 8th, 2012

This past wednesday I attended Community’s October First Wednesday event in Anaheim! “Community offers retail spaces for the eco, social and design conscious.” A few of my fellow Crafted vendors were there selling their handmade goods, and I went to support them and snap some pics! Check some of them out below, or view the whole album HERE.

Plushies by DesireeB

DesireeB


Bullet Necklaces by Mitsymoto Designs

Mitsymoto Designs


Crocheted Cowls with Handmade Buttons by Oxford Accessories

Oxford Accessories


Sweet Treats by Cake Bar

Cake Bar


Recycled Goods by Kelso Doesn't Dance

Kelso Doesn't Dance


Community Socal

Community Socal

Labor Day at Crafted August 31st – September 2nd

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

I have been gearing up for this upcoming holiday weekend with some new products in my booth at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles!

crochet hearts

Come by Crafted this weekend for Sip n Shop, Live Music, BBQ from the Fox Pizza Bus (see menu here), and as always, handmade goodness from the Crafted vendors! Get more info on about the Labor Day festivities on the Crafted Blog and RSVP on the Facebook Event Page! Can’t wait to see you there!

Etsy Craft Party @ CRAFTED!

Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

CRAFTED will be hosting an Etsy Craft Party on August 24th! If you would like to attend the Etsy Craft Party at CRAFTED, please RSVP HERE by August 12th. The more the merrier!

Etsy Craft Party

Craft Party is a time to get to know your neighbors and exercise your creative spirit. Craft Parties take place around the world when communities come together to participate in art, craft, design and DIY in every form. Anyone can organize a Craft Party and anyone can participate — the power is literally in your hands! – Etsy

CRAFTED Grand Opening Weekend

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

My booth Friday morning

My booth Friday morning


WOAH! The CRAFTED Grand Opening weekend was such a success!! There were literally thousands of people who showed up to see what was happening inside the huge warehouses in San Pedro this past weekend. This being my first ever craft-fair type situation, I had no idea what to expect. But it was indeed a success! Thank you to everyone who came out and supported all the handmade vendors who spent 3 very long 9-hour days showing off and selling their products.
My booth Sunday evening

My booth Sunday evening


My customer chalkboard

My customer chalkboard


My chalkboard definitely filled up from new and old It’s me Mary fans! Thanks everyone! It will be erased for next weekend so come over July 6-8 to write a note or draw a picture and peruse around “the largest indoor year-round craft marketplace“.

You’re Invited!

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

Yay! CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles is opening soon! You are invited to “A Showcase for Handmade Crafts of All Kinds”! CRAFTED will be open year-round every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and It’s me Mary will be there! Now you can find your favorite handmade items in person, and meet me at the same time! RSVP for the Grand Opening here, and don’t forget to like CRAFTED’s facebook page to stay on top of all the news!

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