DIY mixed drink - matte spray-painted neon-macrame light-bulb planter!

Yes, I went off the deep end and mushed together as many Pinterest trends as I could...

Spray painting things matte black
Neon
Macrame
Light Bulb vases
Hanging Plants!

What you'll need...
1. an old lightglobe - if you're planning on spray painting it like me it can be frosted or clear, but just beware that Australian frosted globes don't seem to just "wash clean" like US ones seem to.
2. spray paint - choose something that will match your string
3. fine sandpaper - you can skip this if you're planning on being extra gentle with your globe for the rest of eternity
4. masking tape or painters tape
5. a small plant, or a cutting. or flowers if you're planning on a vase instead.
6. potting mix
7. everything that the other tutorials I'll link to say that you need, like SAFETY GOGGLES. BE SAFE.


And here's what I did...

1. I cleaned my bulb out of all it's bits as this tutorial told me to

2. I got a stick to act as a handle for spray painting, and after lightly sanding my globe by hand, I used the masking tape to tape off the base of the globe. Not taping anything could be cool too, or just half the bulb, or a faux paint-dip look diagonal, or whatever your sweet little head can come up with!

3. I used that spray paint OUTSIDE to lightly and evenly cover the bulb.

4. I made a super-simple macrame (some would say cheats' macrame, but I say it is knotting string, so it's macrame, so there!) hanger from brickies string using this tutorial. My three strings were 70cm long, and had a knot at 6cm (handle), my first "couples tie" 29cm after that, my second "split the couples" 5cm after that, 4cm was my "couples back together" tie, and all my strings were knotted back together after another 5cm.

Experiment with different lengths between knots, a different amount of start strings (I chose the minimal three as I though the mash-up was quite busy enough already), different amounts of knots (just keep splitting up and putting together the couples - pretend you're a writer of Home and Away episodes, HA.) And of course with different string types - twine is a classic, as is yarn, but all manner of builders and boat supplies are being used at the moment on "the pins" so just use what ever takes your fancy! I like the idea of threading wooden beads in-between knots like in 70's style macrame, but perhaps with a simpler vessel.

5. I squished some potting mix into the bulb, be careful of the broken glass edge! You're welcome to just make a hanging vase of course, but I'm lazy when it comes to refreshing vases so I needed something for my succulent to root into. If you're using a plant that has roots already, its better to only half fill the bulb, rinse the dirt off the plant so the roots can fit through the top of the bulb, then fill over the roots with more soil. Give it a good water in, and then slip the bulb into your hanger!

Then of course its a task of finding a place with enough light to hang your plant - research how much sun your new baby likes, and give it to them!

:) Have fun, Lauren.

EDIT: The wonderful postcard print is by local dude Sean Morris www.illsean.com

Fathers Day is Delicious

had to quickly snap these toffees and brittle before i took them to my dads for gifties!

made from the recipes in frankie magazine's sold out sweet treats book

(which they have recently released a crapple app for which is in turn

 making me hopeful that they'll release e-versions for the sold out mags too)

Just Bought my First How -To Indie Biz Book

I think if I should be taking advice from anyone, its these chaps. And frankly, anything endorsed by Emily Martin, oh lady-of-a-zillion-sales, has got to have some nuts and bolts about it.

Here's what the author's website has to say about the book (read more HERE)

It’s an exciting new world for crafters. Handmade is hip, creativity is what the market wants, and there are many profitable sales opportunities that didn’t exist a few short years ago. For crafters who have more confidence running a sewing machine than setting up a Web site, The Handmade Marketplace breaks down and makes sense of the global possibilities for marketing and selling crafts.

First, determine the right price for every item — not too expensive and definitely not too cheap. Whether the product is beaded jewelry or felted slippers, illustrations or tote bags, author Kari Chapin helps crafters determine cost of goods, market competition, and the pros and cons of wholesale and retail sales. If the price is right, customers will buy.

Then it’s on to selling. The boom in indie craft fairs and sites such as Etsy (”Your place to buy & sell all things handmade”) is providing artisans with an ever-expanding marketplace for handcrafted items. Chapin demystifies every venue. She explains the guidelines that craft fairs impose on exhibitors, the typical yearly calendar of shows, and how to start a new craft fair.

For the crafter interested in online sales, there are tips on styling and propping crafts for photographs and technical explanations of how the most popular Web marketplaces run. Traditional brick and mortar consignment stores are still very good options for many crafters. Chapin explains how to approach shopkeepers and build strong relationships.

Wrapping everything up with media advice and tips on how to get the word out, The Handmade Marketplace is the sales and marketing bible that today’s crafters need.

I'll let you know how I like it when it comes in the next few weeks.

Pocket Zines

small handmade magazine...zine
small 1 sheet zine... pocket zine!

I really like this, and if I was an illustrator this would be probably one of the first things I'd do. It even involves origami-style folding, plus the guy has really goofy humour... my favourite type ;p




I'm quite into youtube at the minute, looking at old video-clips by The Kinks, Daria episodes and crafting tutorials. Have a peek, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

xoLauren

Take me out to the Show

This is a copy across of the third guest blog I've done for the Made On The Left blog, so sorry if you have allready read it. :)


Hello, Lauren here.
Ok, so I'm no expert, but I've now done a significant amount of handmade markets (hmmm, about 5 I think) and have basically got the set-up I want now, just a few tweaks here and there to freshen it up now and then. Heres a pic of my display at the last market I went to, Perth Upmarket.


Things to note:
- Tablecloth that reaches all the way to the ground. Nothing looks worse than your handbag, tool box, extra stock, tissue box, food and rubbish bag all layed out for the world to see. Plus its usually a requirement from the people organising the market. I only wish I had gotten a no-crease one, as I have to iron and roll mine up before packing.
- Mirror. Essential if you have jewellery, acccessories, or anything people wear. Otherwise dont worry about it.
- Height displays. My sales literaly doubled when I added those displays, and they dont have to be expensive. I know people who have found great stuff at Ikea, but mine are an op-shop find; vintage spoon collection displays.
- Label Sign. This can be as simple as an A4 Word printout pinned to the front of your table, or as complex and big as a display board behind you. Mine works because the stand screws apart, and the frame is flat and sturdy.
- Pricing. Either swing tags from your local newsagent, or on the back of the item's display card, or whatever. Just make sure its obvious, as most customers would rather walk away than ask you "how much?".
- Interesting display items. Not essential, but I like them as I can place my expensive items on them. Ideas include jewellery boxes, cool twigs, boxes, vases, or necklace busts. You can make your own necklace bust really easily with this tutorial.
- Plus dont forget the stuff like a cash float, small bags for purchases, business cards or flyers, tissue box, food, water, scissors, tape and pins.

Anyone have anything to add? Comment away.

xo Lauren

p.s. have a read of these great etsy articles on prepping for a craft fair:
How To: Craft Fair
Craft Show on a Budget