I’m such a Cox & Cox fan. It’s one of those shops that I feel sometimes like I sat there behind-the-scenes assisting them in curating their inventory. Do you ever feel that way when you look at a shop online — like it feels almost like it could have your name written all over it? If so, which one (please tell me!)? Cox & Cox comes pretty close for me… Ah, perhaps someday I will curate a little Holly shop but for now, I’ll play pretend and share with you some finds that I personally would love to own and/or give to my friends. My wish list, my ten things, if you would like to peek…
1. Deer notebook, 2. decorative display frame, 3. silvered milagros, 4. union jack doorstop, 5. yesterday’s news pencils, 6. usb computer light garland (love!), 7. mouse in a box, 8. owl sew kit, 9. storage bags and the 10th: paint your own russian doll kit.
What do you like? I think I may order the garland for my macbook and those newspaper pencils… Hmmm…
(images: cox and cox)
What’s not to love about artist Katie Runnels, also known as the author of the Constant Gatherer blog and creator behind the lovely shop under the same name? Katie attended SCAD in Savannah and lives in South Carolina now where she works from her home-based studio. She’s so dedicated to her craft, very talented, a true craft goddess and source of creative inspiration which is exactly why I asked her to pretty please visit us to share a fun DIY project to dress up all those candelabras out there — crafty style! Katie will demonstrate how to whip up a yarn candelabra in no time. Go grab your favorite skein and your trusty glue gun, it’s time to start a-craftin’. But first, Katie would like to share a quick glimpse of her home studio for inspiration — you can see where all the DIY magic begins!
Now it’s project time!
*Safety Note: Be very careful to use candelabras in excellent working condition – no frayed or exposed wiring. Never leave yarn wrapped candelabras unattended and follow the recommendations for safe decorating!
* Materials: Vintage (With Wiring in Good Condition) or New Electric Candelabra (photo candlebases), Yarn: Wool, Polyester, Acrylic or blends of these are recommended. Hot Glue Gun. Scissors. Millinery or Other Embellishments
1. Begin by tying the loose end of your skein of yarn in a knot around the cord and snug against the candelabra base.
2. Keep working the Yarn around in a spiral. Eventually it will begin to wind around the base. Dab glue in small bits where you need help keeping the rows tight.
3. Wrap right up to the first candle-add some glue to both sides-and working quickly draw the yarn up and down again and then directly wind the yarn under again and up on the other side in the very same manner. Repeat until you have cleared the candle and continue wrapping normally until the next candle.
4. As you near the end of the candelabra you’ll need to add more glue to keep the yarn from slipping. When you reach the end and no more yarn can fit under the base begin to spiral the yarn around until you’ve covered the entire end of the piece.
5. When your base is finished begin wrapping the candles. Tie a knot at the base in the back of your candelabra, secure it with a little glue, and wrap your way to the top.
6. If you haven’t already- Remove the light bulb and as your wrapping nears the top, add a few dabs of glue to the outside edge (near the top-Not on The Top! Keep yarn & glue away from candle interior and bulb!). Cut yarn loose from the skein and press the end down into the glue.
7. Finish by embellishing with vintage millinery leaves & flowers!
I hope that you had fun and that you’re able to try this at home. Thank you Katie for joining us today and sharing your crafty project. :)
(images: katie runnels)
I’m excited to announce a new, inspirational group I’ve created over on Flickr called Interior Styling for both budding and seasoned interior stylists (maybe you?) who want to share photos, participate in discussions in the group forum, and participate in once monthly challenges that will begin in January – each challenge will be announced on the 1st of the month but you have to join the group to read the forum and participate!
Challenges will include specifics that I’ll ask members to incorporate into one of their photos — colors, patterns, themes, etc. Members do not have to participate, the challenges are optional and meant to be fun giving you a chance to show your skills and stretch your creative legs a bit!
Photos should be styled and photographed by you and also show your best work – the goal is to build a group of stylists and stylists-in-training who can support one another, learn, grow and of course share their talent.
I just started the group a few hours ago, so there are not a lot of photos yet in the group pool but this one from Adore Vintage, a group member, really stood out as an outstanding example of what I mean by a styled shot. A photo where you’ve carefully arranged items and then photographed that arrangement. It can be of pottery you’ve arranged on a shelf or your entire living room — the goal is to submit photos that you’re proud of and that you took time and imagination to style and shoot.
Have fun, see you in the Interior Styling group!
(image: Adore Vintage)
Hello Friends, it’s Leslie with Color Me Pretty and this time around I wanted to work with red, white and kraft paper brown for a simple and slightly nostalgic approach to the winter holidays. There are lots of vintage bottles, twine and old newspapers combined with apples, pine cones and a few berries. I hope you enjoy this series I made for you.
It is always nice to turn wrapping into a tiny design project – right? For the few gifts I choose to give, no matter how small, I love the creative challenge and the result of having a gift show care and attention. If you give yourself a little extra time it is amazing what you can use up from around your home – scrap papers, brown lunch bags, extra buttons, kitchen twine or whatever else you can find to add a little extra love to your gifts.
Holiday decorating can be so elegant when done with simple gestures that speak about what you love. Like a bowl of crunchy red apples waiting to be eaten or made into a pie. Lots of pie cones gathered from walks and sprinkled around the house. A few sprigs of berries or a small bunch of roses on the table. Whatever you love and whatever helps you settle into what the holidays mean for you. Of course some yummy smells from the kitchen are always good too!
I really hope you liked this collection and I will be back soon with one more holiday series, until then, all my best to you. – Leslie.
(images: leslie shewing)
I am thoroughly in love with the January issue of Livingetc. It’s fabulous and was thoroughly worth the (gulp) $15 that I paid for it at the train station. At first glance I thought it would be rather uninspiring as it appeared quite thin and for that amount of money, I want something that I’ll refer to again and again versus a quick one flip. This is what my morning looked like, candles are a must this time of year as it is so cold and gray.
When it comes to design glossies I’m happy to say, size does not always matter! This slim issue is loaded with inspiration… from a fun apartment in Cologne to an eclectic home in England and a gorgeous Copenhagen flat — I felt connected mainly since a few are rentals and let’s face it, with a rental home one is limited so more creativity is required to make a house a home. I believe that the space I’m sharing below is owned, but still… I loved the color scheme so much — bright and punchy – that I must share it.
Above is a glimpse into the whimsical East Sussex coastal home of stylist Anna Richardson and her singer/songwriter man Blair Mackichan who has worked with music giants like Lily Allen. This home was photographed by Paul Raeside and styled by Mary Weaver from Livingetc magazine who is also an editor at the magazine. Paul is an amazing interiors and lifestyle photographer based in New York with an impressive portfolio online that you can view here. You can view Anna’s gorgeous home on the Livingetc. website here. Enjoy!
(images: holly becker for decor8)
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