Behold the tapestry spectacle design by textile designer Chloë McCormick in collaboration with Nicholas O’Donnell-Hoare. It’s a bit of an experiment in tapestry weaving that we find mind-bendingly beautiful.
(Photo: Chloë McCormick. Text by Jauretsi)
My dad’s a mechanic. My mother, though not a professional in that sense, is as handy as he is. Growing up, I never really had to think about fixing anything. When something broke, one of my parents would handle it. I, spoiled by the free services, simply stood around and offered moral support. Cut to 2013. I am, unsurprisingly, not the handyman I dreamed I could be. Unfortunately, I am not spared from having things fall apart around me. Fortunately for me, eBay has a whole slew of books for both novice and accomplished handymen (and women). After I’ve studied up, I can grab a prepackaged toolkit to put my knowledge into action.
(Photo: Uncredited. Text by Jenny Bahn)
Okay, so you want to build a terrarium. You’re going to need a few things. First, find a container. Do you want something round? Cylindrical? Re-purposed? Second, you’ll need your plants. Which plants you choose depend on the closure of your container. Succulents will not thrive in a closed-off terrarium; they don’t need humidity like other plants. If you want to keep your miniature garden living for more than a week, you’ll have to do your research. Thirdly, you must have a good drainage base. And last, you’ve got to have the right kind of soil. The devil is certainly in the details and we’re here to point you in the right direction. TheLittleBlog.com has a great step-by-step description for your D.I.Y. terrarium. And when it comes to supplies, eBay most definitely has you covered. From glass containers to air plants to soil to succulents, you’ll find everything you need online.
(Photos: Courtesy of Dwell and TheLittleBigBlog. Text by Jenny Bahn)
From the mind of markwickens, here’s a visual inspiration to finish up those holiday cards, even if you need to hand draw them yourself. In fact, we prefer the handmade ones. If you like these instead, visit the multi-disciplinary designer based in San Francisco at Mark Wickens store to pick some up for yourself. To make your own Holiday gifts, visit the arts & crafts section of eBay to get your own “creative self” on.
(Photo: Mark Wickens. Text by Jauretsi)
(via thingsorganizedneatly)
By Jenny Bahn
Part illustrator and part childrens’ book author, Dallas Clayton’s life is like being invited into a parallel universe, where everything is fun, spontaneous, and wonderfully possible. In a word, childlike. The message he puts before his audience — both children and adults— is always to stay positive and grounded in self-confidence and avoid the status quo. Clayton is a true DIY publishing success story… [MORE] (which you can see for yourself in the Google ad he stars in). Clayton began to publish his own books independently (and give them away for free) after being turned down by publishers for his first book — aptly titled An Awesome Book! — Eventually, the world took note. An Awesome Book! was an awesome book worth reading.
In just a few short years, Dallas Clayton is a runaway success, with multi-book publishing deals and TV commercials. More importantly, however, he remains an inspiration, proof that talent, hard work, and a whole lot of fun can get you anywhere in life. The Inside Source sat down to talk with Dallas about getting started, old inspirations, and a healthy addiction to fancy pens.
Jenny Bahn: When did you start doodling, writing, all that?
Dallas Clayton: I started writing ‘zines when I was a teenager. Going to punk shows and stuff, selling them to strangers. That carried over when I moved to LA. I would sell ‘zines on the street out in front of galleries and shows and places where people gathered, then eventually I started getting writing jobs. I wrote my first kids book, An Awesome Book!, four years ago. That was the first real thing I ever really drew.
Q: What were your favorite books growing up as a child?
A: I’ve always been a big fan of Shel Silverstein and Roald Dahl. Those two were amazing to me. Powerhouses.
Q: What supplies does a writer and illustrator such as yourself require to get the job done?
A: I guess I could do everything with a computer at this point, but that’s really no fun at all. Lots of paper and pens and weird Japanese markers that cost way too much money and make me out to be some kind of marker nerd every time I go to the art supply store. Honestly, I’m still learning as I go, so many years from now this answer will be totally different than today. Hopefully it eventually involves supplies that glow in the dark.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: People who make things for no real reason other than it makes them happy. Also, people who are brave enough to share those things with others.
Q: Most awesome moment of your career so far?
A: I’d say, generally speaking, every time I wake up to a new email or letter from someone in another country I’ve never been to letting me know that what I did inspired them, or that they read my books to their kids, or that I’ve been able to help them keep going in some small way — those are like Olympic gold medals to me. Super magic. Unbeatable.
Q: If you had one thing to shout from the top of a mountain right at this very moment, what would it be?
A: “Keep up the good work!” Hopefully everyone would hear it… except murderers/ robbers.
(Images: Courtesy of Dallas Clayton)
By Jauretsi
The folks at SwellMayde, a DIY blog site, recently tipped us off to a very simple yet striking idea. Here is how to make a gold gilded geode ring for yourself and loved ones this Holiday season. eBay has all the products you need to create this homemade mystical ring. Ingredients include small geode rocks or pyrite rocks along with some e6000 jewelry glue. Last but not least, don’t forget to select your brass ring blanks that will house that rock on your hand. Websites like Emily Gems will help you break down the meaning of all those crystals and gemstones that will suit you best.
(Photo: Courtesy of SwellMayde)
By Sade Lythcott
Halloween can often be an investment of time and money that is mucho fun in the moment but quickly fades after the holiday, begging the question, “Did I get the bang out of my buck?” Upon the last 48 hours before the big night, here are a few DIY ideas to turn your Halloween decorations into a chic autumn accessory fit to be displayed all season long. Honestly WTF has a great recipe for lace-embellished pumpkins, while Country Living has several creative ideas of how to reimagine your pumpkin — everything from using them as place card settings to votive candle holders. Huffington Post details step-by-step instructions on how to put your favorite poems or quotes on the lovable orange canvas of a pumpkin.
(images: HonestlyWTF / HuffingtonPost)
By Jauretsi
Gosh, we love it when we can get a one-of-a-kind design while supporting a good cause. The folks at Nine West assembled fashion bloggers to customize their classic heel, the Nine West Martina Pump. Bidding starts at $36 for this particular design (seen above) created by blogger Honestly…WTF. Take a look at the other DIY designs on eBay Stories.
(Photo: Courtesy ofeBay)
By Jenny Bahn
Maybe it’s just because I live in New York City (a place notoriously strapped for space), but I am obsessed with the idea of tiny planters. Seashells, thimbles, wine corks, even light bulbs - if it’s tiny, it’s plantable. Throw a tiny succulent in there and you’ve got yourself a miniature garden. The plants are inherently low maintenance; they’ll never grow to unruly proportions, require minimal watering, and can be whipped together in a snap. It’s the perfect starter plant project for a girl with gardening commitment issues.
(Photos: Courtesy of Furnish Burnish)
By Sade Lythcott
Recently I came across an amazing pair of Vans and immediately thought to myself, How can I get my hands on these wearable works of art?
It turns out you can’t. These one-of-a-kind kicks are the brainchild of TV personality Robert Verdi, who contacted Vans and asked them to cut up his personal collection of Hermes silk scarves to create a special set of sneaks.
Since I can’t have these, I had a thought: DIY. If you don’t mind… [MORE] taking scissors to one of your graphic silk scarves (perhaps start out with an inexpensive one), this look can easily be yours. All you need is some tracing paper, a glue gun, and some gutsy creativity. Think outside the box and experiment, but don’t use anything that you’re afraid you might ruin forever until you refine your crafting skills.
For a little inspiration, check out a few DIY kicks ideas at Scraphacker and Honestly WTF. To check out the rest of Robert Verdi’s collection with Vans, click here.
(image: Huh)
Sharon Tate
