The Hippest Magnets in Town - How To

I love how well these magnets have turned out! They are simple to make and fun to paint!

So get ready... here's the few easy steps to making your fridge or workspace embellished with these happy blobs!!

1. What you need...

• Split Wooden Balls
  
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Varnish (don't need this - I just think it adds to a nice finish)
• Magnets
• Palette
  

After my move to the UK, I left a lot of my art equipment behind... including my favorite palette!
However, I need not fret! All I did was cover a plate with cling wrap, so that when it comes time to clean up, all I have to do is whip it off with all the paint and throw it in the bin!

2. Sketch...


Before you start painting, it's a good idea to sketch some ideas so you have something to go off. There are so so sooo many things you could paint! (I've gone for a bright and colorful theme, but there's nothing from stopping you from having a more natural look, or a theme, animal faces, ANYTHING!!)
(and just in case you can't see what my pencil reads, it says, "Made from recycled plastic". How kind to the planet is that!)

3. Start Painting...


Now the fun begins!! I start by painting the back of the split ball.
You don't need to paint the back, I just think it makes it look more finished. Once that is dry paint the front. This can get a little tricky, so make sure you have some scrap paper down.
I started by painting all the split balls a different colour.




This is just to show how I went about putting the different layers on one of them...

4. Varnish...


Just follow the instructions for whatever varnish product you use...

4. Attach the magnets...


Attach the magnet to the back. (The magnets that I used had a self adhesive backing - bonus!)


And that's it! I would love to see some photos of magnets that you've made using this concept!

le Galleria...

Remember, if you are interested in getting some hemispheres to make some of these yourself, let me know in the comments section so I can make them available!

If you like what you see.. please forward to a friend to get my crafty blogs out there!

Over and Out!

Spruce up the old "fold a piece of paper into a card" trick!!

Pictured below are the drinks menu and seating cards that I made for my wedding (last month). True to style, I tried to make everything myself, with some style, and keeping to a minimal budget.

Well then... here are the easy peasy steps to show how to have a great look with minimal effort.



(This is not mandatory - but isn't it nice?)
Thank you to Mary (my neighbour) who just gave me these gorgeous looking and divinely smelling roses!!

There are only 4 things that you need to make this card...

1. double-sided tape
2. a piece of ribbon
3. scissors
   
4. and some paper... I try not to give out dimensions where I can. You just decide what shape and size you want!

Yep.. it's that simple..



Make sure you leave some over hanging, then cut off the over-hanging tape nice and close to the edge of the paper.



Lay the ribbon over the tape. Again with some ribbon hanging over each edge. Then cut the excess ribbon off with some sharp scissors.



Pretty simply hey? Actually, REALLY simple isn't it?!?!?

The great thing about this (apart from it being so easy), is that depending on the look of the paper and ribbon you use - there are so many styles you can make!!!

Hope you enjoyed this tut, and come back for more!

(Why not email this nifty idea to a crafty friend?)

I WON some soap!!!

If you're an Etsy seller, have you ever wondered how to do an original Promo??

Well, I think nothingbutsoap stumbled across something almost addictive!

Nothingbutsoap started a new Thread in the Esty Forums... entitle,

"Every 100th post will win a bar of soap!"

I, my friends, was number 200! Here's a sneak peak into her store...




All the soaps pictured here, sell for the awesome price of $3.95USD.

If you like what you see, get going! The Thread is still live and the clock is ticking as I write this post!

Click here, to head there now!

over and out.. :)

How'd I do that???

Coming up soon... A step by step tutorial on how to make stunning stationary for your wedding or fancy do!

When the Tangible Evokes the Intangible

Mod3rnArt - a Duo of two lives, two creative powers, combined for their own enjoyment for their love of creation.

Before you take a peek, you need to read the following from their store profile...

"We make everything from scratch. Nothing is pre-bought or factory made. All metals are melted or bought in sheets and are of pure quality (silver 925 and so on.) This is true as well for all metal wire used in our work. Purity is one of our main goals."

Did you GET that????
--> EVERYTHING is made from SCRATCH
--> NOTHING is pre-made (even the wire they use!)
--> Love this, "Purity is one of our main goals."

I hope that sunk in for you like it did for me! Their jewellery is now just something "made" or "created"... each piece is "birthed" from their own two hands, from their minds, from hours of loving labour.


Interview with the Fab team below:

Kimanh: "So there are two of you? Can you introduce yourselves?"

A & E: "We are a young couple that has been together for years and decided that since we love spending time with each other, why not also work together. We took a very logical approach to work in terms of tasks-Since I new about web design/marketing that part came to me naturally and since Eleni had gone to school to become a silversmith, that was taken up by her. It was a perfect marriage of personalities+skills+work=:) Maybe the funniest part is our names: Achilles & Eleni (Helen) seriously those are our names :)"

Kimanh: Tell us about your jewelery? What makes it so special?

A & E: Our designs are birthed from the pure belief that "simplicity is beautiful." Whether dealing with simple lines or natural shapes-distill the design down to it's core and you will find absolute beauty in minimalism. Detail-distracts and causes the eye to be overwhelmed, consciously or unconsciously. We hold this to be true for all aspects of life, not just jewelry design:)"

Kimanh: I just saw some pics of your studio - it looks so creative! What do you love most about it?

A & E: We believe that our studio should be like our home-cozy. It is important to be comfortable to be creative. If you feel warm and relaxed, then you can go and create amazing pieces of art.

Gallery32

Photography & Digital Collage by Trina Baker


When I saw Trina Baker's shop something struck a chord.. and it all made sense when I read this line in her Etsy Shop profile,

"My goal is to show my version of the world."

And that she does with outstanding success.. I need not write any more words, for her soul touching photos speak for themselves.

See what I mean.. it's easy to just stare at a picture and let your mind wonder away....

"

Ar hum... here I am.. the girl behind the blog which is going to be a hit! (You know.. "be positive" they say, and something will come of it! Well here goes!)

Do you find yourself saving, "Oh, I like that!" Well, I do.. and often.. so what better way to share the "ohhhs" and "ahhs" than a blog dedicated to those moments we love to have.

Well then, presenting for the first time on any blog that I know of... are my one month and three day old wedding photos - that's right folks, I'm a newlywed!

Lipa Noi Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand

The first time I knew the gigantic white balloons existed, I knew I wanted them at my wedding!

Star gazing...

Have you seen these before? They're Lotus flowers. Just gorgeous. The outer petals are folded inwards (just in case you thought they grew like that!)

The dress...

School Friends!

Our honorable guests, from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Lesthoto, England, and one nomad that lives on a yacht.

So there we have it! I hope there were some "ohhs" and "ahhs"... or some "ahhs" and "ohhs". Either way keep a tab on this blog, and I'll be seeing you!