Welcome to Wishpot Handmade - The latest and greatest finds from the Handmade Community
How cool are these upside down flower planters? I found them on the Design*Sponge blog and can’t wait to make my own. This is a great project because many of the materials needed can be found around the house or in your recycling bin. The planters are so unique and would be such a great decoration during the spring and summer. It is always nice to incorporate a little green into indoor spaces… it makes for a little more relaxing and intriguing environment. Check out Design*Sponge for the project decorations!
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I remember during some point of my schooling a teacher asked my class what the only permanent thing in the world is. After a few guesses, the class was stumped. No one could figure out what the answer was, but it all made sense when the teacher told us the answer was change. It is true that in some way things will always be changing, the only variable is how you embrace the change. Whether you accept the new or avoid it, makes all the difference in how it affects you and your life.
By truly accepting change and experiencing new opportunities, it is possible to discover more meaning in life and more inspiration to succeed. For some reason, it is not always that simple to step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges. For instance, the ease of living in the same area holds people back from discovering new cities and pursuing various opportunities. The idea of moving away from the place and people you are familiar with and perhaps feel uncomfortable in a new area restrains you from the possibility of discovering new things.
I am very open to trying many things, but I find myself getting uneasy when I really commit to a new place, relationship, experience, etc. I often get uncomfortable in new situations and with new people, so I find myself avoiding them even though they may present a new experiences. Maybe it’s that I grew up in a small town and in the same house my whole life so was very familiar and comfortable with my surroundings. Whatever it is, I think it is important to focus on trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. It is the best way to learn and discover what is really important to me. By traveling, meeting new people, and confronting new situations you are able to take in new adventures and learn from their unique experience. It’s what you do that makes you who you are.
It is unbelievable to me that at the age of 18 someone can be this talented. Photographer Simon Filip from Sacramento, California is yes, only 18 years old. I am absolutely amazed at his eye for beauty and very impressed by the quality of his work. He only recently became interested in taking photos. It began as a hobby when he was 17, taking photos of nature, and he eventually developed an interest in fashion. When I look at his photos I seem to want to be part of the photo. The whimsical nature of the photos makes them very romantic and like a fairy tale. Simon’s Etsy shop features packages of his prints and also allows you to select individual prints of your choice. The photos would be great items to add to your wish list or to give as a gift.
See more of Simon’s lovely work on his website or Facebook page. Visit his Etsy shop to purchase some of his prints or add them to your wish list. I will be doing both!
Last week I wrote about creating a photo journal that includes one picture taken from each day. I’m starting to create my own and want to design and decorate the outside of the journal. Personalizing the outside cover will make it a little more special and meaningful. I’ve been browsing different blogs for some inspiration and ideas for decorating the cover.
I found this journal cover on the Free People blog, BLDG 15. I think it is so pretty and designed beautifully. I’m not sure that I will be able to make something quite this neat, but it gives me some inspiration to create something a little unordinary. Over the weekend I purchased a spiral bound sketchbook to use as my journal. I chose one with a solid black cover and the dimensions are only a few inches larger than a 4×6 photograph. The extra space will allow me to include designs around each photo.
To decorate the cover I plan on using acrylic paint and Mod Podge to glue on magazine clippings and text. I also plan on incorporating some lace and maybe a silk flower. I will share with you when I start designing the cover, and I would love to see anything that you create!
I am not quite sure what it is about flag banners that I love so much. Maybe its their simplicity or the way they can decorate just about anything. Perhaps its the lovely patterns and colors many of them have or the way they remind me of summer or a fun party. Whatever it is, I think they are absolutely adorable and have been seeing them everywhere… in photographs on Flickr, hanging on my neighbors porch, and all over shops on Etsy. Whatever the occasion may be, here are some great picks to add to your wish list. Flag banners are great for decorating a summer party or picnic, and even for decorating the top of a cake!
bobby sue cake bunting by Kiki La Ru
welcome home tiny flag banner by bigDAY
vintage mini flag banner by Olive Someday
fabric bunting garland by Knotted Nest
Which lovely flag banner will you add to your wish list?
I found this DIY project for a pennant rubber stamp roller on a great crafting blog called Just Something I Made, featuring the creative and inspirational journal of Cathe Holden. The blog includes all sorts of fun projects for craft and design, many of which are simple, inexpensive, and practical. I really like this project because there are many different stamps you can create and a variety of things to use them for. You can use them when creating invitations, writing a letter, or adding decoration to a gift.
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Have fun and be creative! Happy crafting!
As a child it was so important to try and keep some sort of diary. I still have a couple diaries from my childhood… a picture drawing full of stick figures and obscure houses from when I was young, a journal mostly from my middle school years, and a dream diary I wrote in throughout middle and high school. It’s very entertaining to look back at these and get a glimpse into my thought process during that time. It’s also interesting to see who I’ve become and the places I’ve gone. At the time when I wrote in those journals, I lived in the moment. Although I had goals set for myself, I was not too concerned with my ultimate destination, as long as I was enjoying that time of my life.
It has been quite a while since I’ve kept any sort of journal. Lately I’ve been thinking that it is something I want to start up again. At this point in my life so much is changing, and although I have no idea what it will be, so much is going to happen within the next few years. You never know how your life will change or what you will accomplish in the upcoming years. I’ve thought about creating a photo journal for at least a year in which I select one picture I take each day that will remind of that day. It will be interesting to see what all can happen in a year and all the places and people I will meet. I may actually start this today because the more I think about it, the more I hope to never forget today.
The Renegade Craft Fair is in San Francisco this weekend and one of my favorite Etsy artists will be there. Hillary Bird is a designer and illustrator working in the Bay area and will be featured at the big crafting event. Her work has such a distinct style to it which is very light-hearted and uplifting. She designs and creates cards for various occasions, creates small prints, and she also enjoys custom requests. If you are around the Bay area this weekend I definitely recommend visiting her booth. If you are not able to make it to the event, check out her Etsy shop because these prints are a wish list must have!
birthday pug card
freaking love card
1. in cahoots card 2. hey man card 3. just fine print 4. coral bower print
My all-time favorite crafting product is Mod Podge. I use it for so many projects and love that you can use it to decorate just about anything. I recently used it to decorate some candle holders for my room. I love how they turned out so thought it was a project worth sharing. Its very simple and inexpensive and is really fun because you are able to decorate the candle holders just how you want by using which ever colors and patterns you like.
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Instructions:
1. Start by choosing the patterns and colors for your holder. I like using magazine paper because it allows you to incorporate a variety of colors, textures, and shapes. The texture and flexibility of magazine paper is also easy to use for Mod Podge projects.
2. Rip up the paper of your choice into small pieces. I recommend using pieces about the size of a quarter or slightly larger. If they are too big, it becomes difficult to glue them smoothly to the surface of the holder.
3. Use a small amount of water and Mod Podge to paint and cover the glass surface of the candle holder. Place pieces of paper one by one on the surface and paint over each making them lay smoothly on the glass. Make sure there are no ripples or bumps in the paper. Continue painting on pieces of paper until they cover the entire outer surface of the item.
4. You can also incorporate text or designs on top of the paper using a sharpie. If the candle is a gift, it is nice to write a meaningful quote or saying.
Have fun and happy crafting!
I first saw the work of Brett Manning when browsing Free People’s blog, BLDG 15. His artwork really caught my eye and it is very apparent that he is an incredibly talented artist. I love that his work captures the essence of true beauty and natural forms. He incorporates a lot of texture, pattern, femininity, and fashion within his pieces.
I added a few of my favorites to my home decor wish list. I would love to decorate my walls with his prints, they would create such a unique style in my room. See some of my favorites below and find more in his Etsy shop.
Visit Brett’s site to learn more about his work and view his Etsy shop to add your favorite pieces to your wish list.
