TEAPARTY PREVIEWS!

Starting to Document My Many Work Spaces

Simple Plant Hanger Tutorial

This is the very first time i tried anything like this, so bare with me. I totally pulled a method out of my butt. I plan on getting way better at this.

1. Collect scissors, a flower pot and your string of choice. I chose hemp because it looks nice, its sturdy, easy to tie and its thick

2. Gather 6 strings and tie them together. The length depends on how low you want to hang it.

3. For my flower pot specifically, i moved the knot on top and gathered 3 sets of 2 strings together and rested them in each notch.

4. (taping the knot down helps). Knot the 2 strings together, preferably at the top of the pot.

5. Do this to each set while also regrouping and taping the strings at the bottom as shown.

6. Attach a colored fabrico r string and begin to braid within the hemp.

7. Then replace the tape at the bottom with thread. Tie the thread around the hemp to hold it together. 

8. Gather and knot at the top in a loop and hang.

 

Fabric Scrap Crafting

While working at an estate sale, my mom found a giant box of vintage fabric scraps. the sale was for a well known woman in Bloomington who was a collector of antiques, loved crafts and held onto a lot of her family heirlooms.

The box of fabric was given to my grandmother (who quilts) and the remaining strips, my mom kept with plans to make hair bows, rugs and whatever other ideas we would pull out of our butts.

I used this long, mixed fabric rope to wrap around parts of an old basket i was given.

I'm in love with my tiny collection of mini teacups.

Experimenting with Succulents

Whenever I would order some mini teacups/teasets online, I would end up with sizes that were way too big for the necklaces I was making for Shop Columbia. 

After seeing blog post after blog post on the many ways to use small plants, I went on the hunt for some succulents! 

I recently found a good amount of these little guys at a flower shop/ garden out in Woodstock, Illinois while I was on an engagement shoot.

I brought them home and planted some in my little teacup! Saving things has its benefits for crafty people like myself.

Kyle's Downton Normal Loft

Kyle's loft is located in what is now called "Uptown Normal". (Growing up in Bloomington/Normal, I can't bring myself to adjust to calling it "Uptown").

I was thinking of branching off this shoot and incorporating it into an entirely different body of work. For a while now, I've been thinking about photographing the inside of "collectors" spaces and documenting them and their collections.

As far as Kyle's collections go, he has a collection of records, VHS tapes and Music tapes.

What first drew me to Kyle's home, was amount of personal touches he put into his space. Each and every one of the items in his home are unique. It's a lot to take in!

Speaking of a lot to take in, here (below) is a remnant of what use to be an entire wall of Jesus Memorabilia. 

He uses the walls in his living room to showcase multiple young artists work.

Rustic Frame Look

I got this frame at a garage sale for really cheap a while back, thinking I could do something with it

I first painted it white

I let it dry and they took some rough gritted sand paper to the edges to make it look worn.

TWO easy steps!

Abby's Room!

As most of you know, I can be very particular about how my room is decorated. 

I collect each of my items over time, therefore I treasure most everything I own.

The quilt: Given to me by my grandmother

The yellow throw: Meijer! (who would've thought)

The peacock tapestry: I had my eyes set on this for a while when I saw it at a resale shop in my hometown. Mom snagged it for me for Christmas!

The lanterns: I've been saving my money up and slowly purchasing them (these two are from World Market)

^ Here's my little corner where I make my metal jewelry pieces. (see a close-up)

The lamp: From my grandma

Jewelry box: goodwill

Necklace hooks: Urban Outfitters

Artwork: Mostly mine. The top left was made for me, from Adam Vass 

Rusty Plant Stand Fix-Up

Here's where it began:

1. Obviously, I first had to "De-crustify" the stands. I used a paint scraper.

2. When all of the old, flaky paint is off, smooth it down with steel wool.

Here's what it should look like:

3. Add paint. I used a glossy Rustoleum brand paint.