DIY Friday | Melt the Rainbow
It’s DIY Friday again and this week, I sourced inspiration from the current craze, Pintrest. Since this is all most people have been talking about, I decided to conform and check out this latest obsession. Upon creating my account, I was greeted with a website of pictures. Pictures of well dressed men and women, not so well dressed men and women, cats, culinary treats, words of encouragement, rock-hard bodies (people find this aspect inspiring, it makes me want a snack), and lots and lots of DIY. So much so, that I have created an entire board dedicated to the topic. A picture of melted crayon “art”, is what I found and recreated this week. The original is posted below, along with steps on my process.
Original Photo
Supplies
You won’t need much but you will need: a blank canvas, crayons (I opted for one large box and one small so I could double up on the colors I loved), hot glue + gun, a blow dryer, and some newspaper.
Step One
Separate your crayons into color groups and discard any colors you don’t want to use. I got rid of my browns, whites, and metallics. The wrappers didn’t match.
Step 2
Line up your crayons in the desired order. I stuck with the (really original) ROYGBIV order from left to right. Then hot glue the crayons to the canvas along the top. Before you move to the next step, make sure to lay newspaper on the ground/table/workspace as well as up the wall, or whatever your canvas is leaning on.
Step 3
Melt the crayons! Use your blow dryer to heat the crayons well enough that they begin to drip. It didn’t take long to see a result. Don’t be afraid of a little splatter. That’s what the newspaper is for. If it splatters on your canvas, just cover it up with new wax or work with it.
Finished Project
Super simple and so cheerful! Happy creating!
See more of my pins here.
Flea Market Finds
I think that it is pretty obvious how much I love to shop. For those of you who don’t find it that obvious, let me break it down for you:
- I work in retail
- I studied Fashion Merchandising and Marketing at FIDM
- I don’t know how many pairs of shoes I own
- I should be in sunglasses/coats addicts anonymous
- I firmly believe that “retail therapy” is the most effective form of therapy
I hope that helps.
However, what most people don’t know about my shopping, is that I rarely enjoy feeding this (completely normal) obsession at the mall. Instead, I’m in love with searching for one-of-a-kinds from independent designers and local boutiques, thrift stores, and flea markets (I should also note that most of my basic wardrobe comes from the Gap, where I work).
Today I went to the local Flea Market here in San Diego at the Sports Arena and found some absolutely brilliant items:
Vintage, wooden 7-Up Crate: $10.00
The Complete Sherlock Holmes ©1930: $4.00 and Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination ©1935: $2.00
Issues of Life Magazine from the years 1961, 1967, 1968, 1969: $5.00 per issue
Winston Cigarette ad on the back cover of Life 1961: Being a marketing student, I adore all of the old advertisements. Mad Men any one?
I didn’t realize my cat was such a big fan: Abbey Road on vinyl – The Beatles: $10.00
This beaded necklace is probably my favorite find of the day. It cost me a whole ¢.50, and I think it was totally worth it.
Moral of the story: shop local. Look at all the fun things you’ll find.
xoxo
Ready. Set. Shop
Do you love to shop indie designers? Me too. Do you love to shop online? Check. Enter, StyleOutsideTheBox.com (SOTB).
SOTB is a brand new e-boutique specializing in indie design born from an idea in a series of New York City pop-up shops. Through assisting the planning of these individual shops in NY, creator Laura Adamson saw the need for a virtual platform where designers would be able to “maintain their own shops and personally fulfill each and every order” (SOTB). Here, shoppers are able to peruse apparel for women, men and children, jewelry, home decor, and gifts created by independent designers from all over the world. Currently SOTB is run by a group of fabulous, fashion savvy women and based in my old stomping grounds of Lancaster, PA.
Since A Style Section is based in San Diego, I took a particular liking to the designs of Wabisabi Green, a home decor line designed by Jolee Pink in Encinitas, CA (only about 45 minutes away). Number 1, I’m in love with Miss Pink’s name and number 2, Wabisabi Green creates the cutest throw-pillows made with all organic cotton. Bold prints and a touch of nature – see below and you’ll understand why I need all of these:
Perfect, right? Other California designers include: Kendra Renee Jewelry and Molly Alexandra of Lazy Jane Kids clothing - both based out of the bay area – but there are indie designers from as far away as London. Delightful! (See a full list of their designers here) **Special shout-out to the lovely THREAD Show veterans of COATT!
So it is easy to see why I am a little obsessed with this shopping site and since I also love lists, I felt it appropriate to put together a small one with some of my favorite items on SOTB.
1. Rosetta Cocoa Organic-cotton Throw Pillow by Wabisabi Green - I love bold pattern and the chocolate-brown color is perfect for the season.
2. Millefiore Vintage Cufflinks by Jodi Rae Designs – You can’t forget about the men in your life. Cufflinks are a perfect gift item for your favorite man (or male figure) since these small details are often over looked, but can pull an entire outfit together.
3. Satin Attilia Couture Dress by Vjera Vilicnik – I must admit, this is a gift for me. Isn’t it brilliant!? I will have to wear this for NYE ’12. Said and done.
4. Angela Four Tier Father Earring by Briwok – Okay okay, so the feather trend may be starting to die down, but I cannot help myself. I love this earring, the colors and the fact that it is sold as a single. Large earrings like this are best worn alone or with other, tiny earrings.
5. Black Onyx Drop Earrings by Toosis – These are incredible. The black stones with the gold detailing…a must have for my new NYE dress.
6. Hoot Owl Shadowbox art by Colorstory Designs - Not only would this piece match everything in my home, but it is also eco-conscious! Each design created by Colorstory Designs is made of recycled paper and magazines.
What a fabulous site. I suggest that you all start shopping. Now.
THREAD SD
Just a little reminder to RSVP for THREAD Show’s premiere of their Fall/Winter tour in San Diego. Come out on Sunday October 9th for only 5 bucks ($10 at the door), to celebrate local and independent designers specializing in fashion, art, and accessories. I’ll be there. Will you?
Can’t make it this Sunday? No worries! THREAD will also be making its way to Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco so you can get down with your holiday shopping a little later in the season.
RSVP now to get into any of the upcoming shows for only 5 bucks here!
Gap S/S 2012 RTW
Who: The Gap
What: Chinos, Colored demin, and cheerful spring basics.
Why: The Gap will always hold a special place in my heart since I have been a Gap kid since…birth and worked there for many years while in school. I love this collection because it is fresh, light, and focused even though the role of head designer with this iconic brand is currently open. And the layering – look at the men’s styling!
All photos courtesy of Style.com
Looking for a good time?
The San Diego born THREAD Show is gearing up to begin its 2011 Fall season on October 9th at the Horton Plaza Mall. THREAD Show is a large-scale shopping event that features designers, artists, and stylists that are always local, independent and always incredible. Don’t worry non-San Diegans, later this year THREAD will also stop by in Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Which one will you be at?
RSVP now to get into the San Diego show for only 5 bucks here!
