Ohhhh Sandy...

Well, I was going to try to do at least one interesting something or other this week lol, but Sandy derailed my plans and instead I spent most of my time praying my roof would remain attached to my house, doing laundry, and watching Martin & Family Feud. I did, however, do a little crafting with my mom and we randomly made some magnets using my perler bead kit lol.

On another note, my prayers go out to all those affected by Hurricane Sandy. I've seen a couple of news stations that give ways to help those devastated by the storm...check out some ways you can contribute on CNN!! 

DIY | POLAROID COASTERS!!!

I have a thing for coasters...can you tell? They're like little pieces of art you can sit a drink on lol. Today, I'm going to show you how I made my best friend these awesome Polaroid coasters :). We both are into cameras. At first it was lomography and we both bought some Dianas from Urban Outfitters...

Now we're taking it back to the self-developing Polaroids...still need to get mine. These coaster were super easy to make and I knew she would love them. They make really good gifts especially since you can personalize it by adding their pictures to it and you can write messages on the bottom like you could on an actual Polaroid pic.

Materials:

• (6) 4" x 4" tiles from Lowes. These were about $.88...sitting here wondering where the cent sign is lol. #sidetracked
• (6) 3.25" x 3.75" photographs. You can change the size of pictures in MS Word if you don't have a fancy photo editing program. I printed them out at Kinkos...only because my personal printer at home doesn't work.
• Permanent marker
• Flat paintbrush
• Mod Podge Satin Finish for Paper
• Acrylic sealer spray
• 3/8" felt pads
• Instant Krazy Glue
• Credit/Debit card...or ID...or gift card...a straight edge lol
• Scissors

Instructions:
1) *See number four first if you want to write a caption using permanent marker* Find some photographs or whatever image you like and cut them down to 3.25" x 3.75". You can use actual photographs for this, but I just printed the images out on regular computer paper. To make them extra cool, you can manipulate the photographs beforehand to give them a more vintage look. You can try black & white, sepia tone...or the host of other filters that are available these days lol.

2) Use a small of amount of Mod Podge to adhere the photograph to the tile...enough for a very thin layer. Too much will cause the paper to ripple. If you're using real photographs you wont have to worry about that too much. Use the sponge brush to smooth on the glue.

3) Take you credit/debit card or ID and use it to smooth out any bubbles and make sure the picture is smooth and flat on the surface of the tile. You'll want to do this for about a minute or so as bubble may keep popping up.

4) If you opt to, write a caption at the bottom of the Polaroid coaster and wait a little bit before moving on with the next step to be sure it is dry. *side note: I read later that to make permanent marker super permanent on dishes and things, you can write on the tile and then bake it in the oven at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. You would want to do this part first before gluing anything on.* 

5) Cover the entire surface with thin layers of Mod Podge using the paintbrush. I did about three or 4 layers, letting them dry in between.

6) To make the surface smooth, spray a couple layers of acrylic sealer on the tiles once the Mod Podge is completely dry. Sit them aside to dry following the instructions on the spray can.

7) Once they're dry, use the Krazy Glue to attach the felt pads to the corners of the coaster on the back side to protect your table surface like so...

And you're done!!! Give it the old college try.

Stay inspired.

Austin City Limits!!

So I went to Austin last last weekend for Austin City Limits...part of the reason I've been MIA...and I had a BLAST!!! This was a three-day music festival featuring 130 bands...yep 130...at Zilker Park. I think the thing I enjoyed most was the food. OMGGGGG the food was so GOOOOOOD. I didn't eat anything that didn't BANG the whole time I was down there. I went with my bestfriend, and we are definitely planning to go back for the food and to see more of the city since most of our time was spent at the festival. I'm not telling this story Coachella style...that was a lot of work. Call it laziness and I've been sick so there lol.

Around the grounds.

The first day we had a 30 minute walk from the car to the park...we didn't repeat that mistake again the next two days lol. The weather was great the first day though, so I didn't really mind it.

Cool installation... 

EXTRAordinary People | Nerea aka Aeren Waters

 NEREA
Scientist by day, Designer by night

Yes, this is the week of EXTRAordinary People...well, two days lol and today, I'm blessing you with the lovely and talented designer Nerea aka Aeren Waters! I first met Nerea when we were both selling goods in the Art-to-go Marketplace at Artomatic. She was SUPER cool. Felt like I knew her for years lol. Check out all the good she's up to. Without further ado...

W&I: Where are you from?

Nerea: My family is from T&T (Trinidad and Tobago), but I was born in the US, here in DC, and raised in MD.

W&I: Tell us a little about what you do? 

Nerea: I am “a current lab rat, whose experimental designs make bold statements”. By day, I am a scientist, specializing in molecular biology. By night (until the wee hours of the morning), I am a fashion designer/artist/creative force. I think my creative side has always shown through in my style since I was young, but in recent years, I felt the need to release this side of me…for the world to see!

Last year, I started a company/alter ego, Aeren Waters. I wanted a name that would emanate necessity. And I thought “What is/are some things that we need?” Two things that we definitely need are air and water, hence Aeren Waters was born. And Aeren is actually my first name backwards :).

Currently, Aeren Waters is on Etsy. Handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces (yes folks, I usually only have 1 or 2 of each item, and that’s it!). I make totes, clutches and men's wallets. My goal with my pieces is to create something that will make people take a second look.

W&I: Oh snap...you're a scientist?!...and you're real name isn't Aeren?lol I'm learning new things about you. What INSPIRED you?

Nerea: My biggest inspiration was my need to create, and I was tired of making excuses of not having enough time (but I really don't LOL). I only have this lifetime, this "now” to do what I want to do, so why not?

W&I: What keeps you WIRED?

Nerea: 2 things: My son, and the desire to know that I, at least, tried.

W&I: How do you hope to inspire others?

Nerea: I hope I can inspire others to express themselves through fashion, if they can't by other means.  I also hope to convey that it is never too late to try something new and follow through with something you enjoy, despite what others may say.

W&I: Words of wisdom?

Nerea: 1) What you put out to the world will NOT appeal to everyone, and that's just fine.

2) Focus on your craft. People will see that and appreciate it. Why? Because you appreciate it.  People can sense when you are not committed to your craft or what you are doing.

3) People pay attention to innovators.

4) Seek advice from those already doing what you want to do; it's always helpful to learn from their mistakes to avoid making the same ones.

W&I: Ah...we have a theme this week with that first point lol. Never mind the nay-sayers. We want to know more?!!

Nerea: You all want to know more, huh? :) Well there are a lot of ideas/projects I have swirling in my head, and in the works. Keep tabs on me, though, through Twitter (@AerenWaters) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/AerenWaters). If you want to purchase any of my couture goodies, visit my Etsy shop at www.aerenwaters.etsy.com. For "garb-ation" (I DEFINE THIS AS THE STATE OF WHAT YOU WEAR) inspiration, I am on Tumblr (www.aerenwaters.tumblr.com) THANKS FOR FEATURING ME, SHANNON!!

W&I: Lol @ "You all want to know more huh?"...it's the little things for me lol. No thank you for participating :) I wish you much success. Keep doing what you do!! Be sure to check her out folks!!