DIY: whiteout sketches

Recently I got a recyclable cloth bag from Bershka, which I was attracted to because of its black and white geometric design. It was only $3 and if you look closely, one of the squares contains a MOUSTACHE, so how could I pass it up? Plus, it got me inspired to do some black & white art of my own...

So... armed with...

...I set about doodling on the cover of a black notebook. 

And on an entirely related note, the image below has definitely got me more inspired to continue using white-out as a paint medium!!

image found on Google

Oh and on another entirely related note... HAHA... my own little version of an MJ Masterpiece...

DIY: Satin Flower Pins

I came up with this satin flower pin tutorial a year ago, but for some reason I never put it up till now. I was reminded of it when I looked through a bag of fabric scraps and found the teal satin that I had used for this little project so long ago. So anyway, here's the step-by-step process - it's super simple! I apologize in advance if the pictures aren't that great. I had already made the final product so I actually went back and tried to re-document the whole process. So here it is...

All you need is:

1) some satin fabric

2) a needle + thread (or glue gun)

3) a lighter (or candle)

4) a safety pin or hair clip

5) optional: embellishments (buttons, pearl beads, feathers, etc.)

***

STEP 1: Cut the satin fabric into circles of varying sizes. I heard that "crepe-back satin" is a good material for this project.

STEP 2: Use a lighter or candle to singe the edges of the each satin circle. This will prevent the fabric from fraying, and give it a clean edge.

 STEP 3: Stack your satin circles one on top of another (with the smallest circle on the top) and either sew all the circles together with a few stitches in the middle of the circles, or use a glue gun for this process. 

After this, you're basically done making the flower. Now it's time to style your pin with additional embellishments. For this particular flower, I decided to add some feathers and a large glossy button in the middle. 

 STEP 4: (optional) - Glue a leather patch on the back of the flower to hide the tips of the feathers. At this point, you can add a hair clip, a safety pin, or whatever you want for the backing. 

 ...and here it is... the finished product!

 I also made a slightly smaller pin using leftover lace pieces and some broken bits from a gold beaded necklace. 

 Add some braided gold string or some ribbon and your pin could be a headband or a bracelet (for fancy occasions?)...

The possibilities are endless with this project! I do want to warn you though that you should experiment with various types of satin because depending on the fabric, the singed edges of the flower could have different results. 

Oh and side note, I actually ended up thinking up the idea for these flowers because I was sitting on my bed one day, and I started burning the edges of some scrap fabric for no reason. (Pyromaniac much?). But I guess that's how accidental creations come into being... through random experimentation... at least that's how it is for me! =P

autobots, roll out!

I like to collect little trinkets and knickknacks - you never know when they'll come in handy for a craft! Awhile back, I found a little shop that sold plastic pendants. I thought this Transformers one was pretty cool so I bought it with the intention of using it one day. I think it makes a pretty awesome Autobots ring. 

...plastic pendants like these are also great for adding some PIZZAZZ to a plain picture frame (and yes, I just said pizzazz).

 While we're on the subject of Transformers, here's something a friend showed me awhile ago. I didn't draw this (although it kind of looks like something I would draw?)... but the image below makes me smile. =) 

This was drawn by a super talented Visual Artist named Avid Liongoren. You can actually purchase this print  on a T-shirt, as an iPhone skin or laptop cover, or on a canvas here. Also, check out more awesome art at Mister Avid Draws.

If I did have an iPhone, this would be a pretty sweet case!

inspiration: geometry

Math was always my weakest subject in school (yes, I'm a disgrace to the Asian race) but I did love geometry, or at least making tessellations (which is arguably more artsy than math-related)... Lately I've had a mini obsession with triangles... (with the exception of the illuminati symbol haha). I'm drawn to patterns that contain triangles, diamonds, chevrons, or other geometric shapes!

Here are some of my favourites...

...an art print by Michelle Tavares of calamari studio
("The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - Eleanor Roosevelt)

a chevron paper print by designer Sasha Prood

a gold tribal-triangle necklace from House of Harlow

a double triangle necklace from Threadsence

a chevron-print painting by Jeff Depner

a geometric bear brooch by Sketch Inc.

an ASOS pyramid metal tip clutch

a mociun triangle ring 

a colourful tortoise art print by Melanie Mikecz of twoems

a chevron-printed quilt from Amish Country Quilts

a geometric restaurant mural discovered by Apartment Therapy

and these beautiful paintings by Mark Warren Jacques - I would love these prints for my bare, white, (and currently moldy) walls!

While we're on the topic of triangles, I found a great tutorial on how to make BUNTING (which is basically a garland of festive flags strung in a row). The Vanilla Joy tutorial on how to make the fabric flags (below) can be found here.

If you would like some free printables, a whole BUNTING ALPHABET designed by Two Brunettes is available here.

I love the idea of having bunting flag garlands strewn around the ceiling or along the walls for a casual low-key wedding. It's a cheap, easy, and colourful way to throw in some festive flair. 

image from Wedzu

Anyway, how did we get from geometric shapes to weddings? haha... I digress. My challenge for myself this week is to come up with my own geometrical work of art, whether it be a simple sketch or a full-on painting. (Probably don't have any time for the latter, but we shall see). 

In the meantime, why don't we get to know each other a little better, and you tell me YOUR favourite shape? Are you a circular person? Or are you a SQUARE? haha. Leave me a comment! 

artist spotlight: Janet Echelman - ethereal sculptures

 I happened to be watching some TED Talks about creativity when I stumbled upon a talk by Janet Echelman, an artist who was talking about her work with sculptures. It was really interesting because she talked about how she collaborated with small-village fisherman, aeronautical engineers, landscape architects, and a whole myriad of different people in order to permanently install her art in huge public areas. I was amazed at the whole extensive process and effort that went into all her sculptures and marveling at how beautiful they looked, when suddenly I recognized one of the images in the video.

 It was a picture of this "red net sculpture" residing in my hometown, Richmond, at the Olympic Oval. I used to drive by that giant net all the time but I had never really showed any appreciation towards this random gargantuan art installation that had seemingly appeared overnight when the 2010 Winter Olympics had been held right in my backyard, but apparently, Janet Echelman was the one who had designed and commissioned that huge sculpture to be built.

 It definitely gave me a newfound admiration for artists who slave away at a concept for years in order to finally have a masterpiece to showcase. Seriously, it's crazy how much time and effort went into that thing. That got me researching - I went on her website and I love the installations she created in Pheonix and Sydney.

***

"Tsunami" (2011) Sydney, Australia

"Her Secret is Patience" (2009) Phoenix, Arizona

"Water Sky Garden" (2009) Richmond, British Columbia

all images from Janet Echelman's website

I am especially in love with the one in Phoenix, because it looks like this ethereal and calm yet crazy-cosmic tornado that makes me want to lie underneath it and stare at it for hours. I think this calls for a trip to Arizona. haha.

Anyway, you should definitely watch this video where she tells you about the whole process and how she started making these huge urban sculptures.

Here's the link:

TED TALK: Janet Echelman - Taking Imagination Seriously

Enjoy =)