My Renovated Life: string art

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Renovating Ideas: Modern Day String Art

When I was a kid, string art was such a huge trend. I remember being in Girl Scouts and creating our own basic string art in a small square of wood during summer camp. I always thought it was so cool. It had visual impact. It was three-dimensional. It was tactile. It was handmade. It was cool!

String art her resurfaced and is better than ever before. Today we have computer technology and graphic design programs to help us create elaborate and unusual ideas. I was looking into some ideas for the gallery wall that I can create with my youngest daughter when I came across some of the most incredible string art ideas and installations. Just take a look at these!

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{Apartment Therapy}

The above string art was created using masterpiece pattern sheets by Mo Man Tai. These work sort of like a paint by numbers sheet for string art. You can purchase them in their shop online. Please note that you will need to convert currency and allow additional time for shipping since Mo Man Tai is located in The Netherlands. Check out this video showing the process for using one of their patterns... looks like it could be fun!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Renovating Ideas: Kate Spade Ampersand

I have a little confession. I have been quietly obsessed with the Kate Spade ampersand for quite a while. In the same way I am over the moon for Anthropologie's use of sustainable materials in their gazillion window and store displays, I am gaga over the way Kate Spade dolls up their wall space. But the Kate Spade ampersand stands out more than anything else on their walls. It's bright. It's pink. And it captures my attention every single time.

{Photo Source}

Confession number 2: Sometimes I go into Kate Spade just to see what they've done with their walls. Sure the sales associates roll their eyes at me once they realize I am not there to buy anything, but they'll get over it.

Now, rumor has it that you cannot buy a Kate Spade ampersand ANYWHERE! Apparently they are each hand painted for their stores. Yes, that's right! Kate Spade is DIY-ing! LOVE IT! So I guess that takes me back to the purpose of My Renovated Life... save money and DIY when I want to add a personal touch!

After thinking about this long and hard, I decided I did not want a pink ampersand canvas in my living room. Especially a replica of the Kate Spade ampersand. Why? Because it seems that everybody and their mamma has DIY'd one. And I am not one to follow the crowd so literally but I do want an ampersand of some sort. Here are some of the lovely ampersands I came across.