Lemons

We all know the old saying, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  Being in a rut myself, I know how hard this is to do.  I have put a lot of time and effort into my small handmade business, and I am feeling defeated right now.  I LOVE it and couldn't live without it, but it just isn't bringing in the interest I hope it will every day.  And that is O.K.  To supplement my income and boost morale, I have come up with what feels like an exciting and crazy idea, yet something I know I'll be really good at and most importantly its something that allows me to be creative and collaborate! So here it is...

I am starting a small party planning business in addition to my current jewelry and lifestyle accessories endeavors. BB Parties is a culmination of a background in interior design, a love of kids, and a highly organized work ethic.  It is more than anything, my lemonade.  Blue Brooklyn Jewelry (bluebrooklyn.etsy.com) was founded in 2012 after a summer of deep contemplation about how I want to make money.  I began making jewelry and immediately fell in love with using my hands.  Since then I have expanded to ceramics, fabric printing, sewing, and soap making.  I became ill recently and had to miss several days of work.  Stressed about a tight financial situation, I found myself pondering again, how I can make ends meet creatively.  The idea to do something fun and help others have fun, while using my skills, and bringing in extra income was born. Life gave me lemons and BB Parties is my lemonade : ) Birthday parties here I come!

DIY Tissue Paper Garland

These garlands are showing up everywhere so I had to try to make them myself.  Here they are above, in my living room, underneath a Swoon print. Below are the easy (yet a bit time consuming steps). Enjoy!

You need to cut the tissue paper in half and then fold it in half and cut as straight as possible leaving at least an inch un-cut at the top.  I use fabric cutters.  Scissor would be fine if you're meticulous. Martha Stewart sells a cutter just for these for around $22 at Michael's

 

After cutting, open the tissue paper as shown here and begin to roll. It doesn't have to be too tight and it helps to straighten the strands as you go. Once you rolled it al the way begin to twist tight until you twist one side around the other, ending up with a look like this:

Mix and match colors and string them in different patterns! The possibilities are endless!

Moon Phase Stamps

Happy Sunday! We've just begun a new moon...what perfect timing for this project! Enjoy!

I started with a cardboard circle, speedy-cut rubber  and a Speedball carver. I traced moon phase shapes onto the rubber with pencil using the cardboard circle cutout.

After I finished tracing onto the rubber I carved away.  *Hint: I learned useful carving techniques from the book Carve Stamp Play by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.

Next I did a test print with a regular stamp pad,  I do this to see if there are parts of the stamps I need to adjust (learned this in the book!)

Once I was happy with the stamps, I got out the block printing ink and roller.  Usually I would go for a solid shape, but I thought the unevenness of the ink was a more honest moon image so I opted for it.

I made this poster for fun, and to try the stamps with the block print ink. I also used this as a chance to practice lettering with a brush pen.

                      

I then made a card that I will sell at my table at the next Oakland First Friday with other stamped cards I've made.  I love the brown paper and envelopes.  I usually cut and fold my own card stock, but I found this card stock all ready to go at Michaels and couldn't resist. 

Stay tuned I'll be making a tote bag with these stamps this week! xo

Hello from Blue Brooklyn!

I am owner, designer and maker at my shop Blue Brooklyn.  I have created Blue Brooklyn Press to share DIY's, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes moments from a crafter's life. I hope you enjoy!