S.M. Bjarnson's Blog, page 16
March 23, 2014
Dollar Store Crafts: DIY Teapot Cake Stand
DIY Teapot Cake Stand25 FEBRUARY 2014 338 VIEWS 5 COMMENTSby morena196
Last year, I fell in love with a lamp that was available at Anthropologie. I didn't need a lamp, though, so I started thinking of ways to recreate the look in a form that was more useful. I came up with a fun bird bath, instead. One reader suggested that I adapt the idea to make a cake stand, and I thought that was a perfect idea! Here's how I made my teapot cake stand, which would be a really fun centerpiece for a tea or party. Everyone will ask where you got it, and you can say, "I made it myself!"I found all my items at the thrift store, but you could also find almost everything at the dollar store, too. You probably even have some of these pieces sitting around your house!
Project estimate:Bowl. on hand or $1 and upTea pot, on hand or $1 and upVarious cups, containers, and saucers, on hand or $1 and upLarge plate, on hand or $1 and upE-6000 glue, on handPrimer or adhesion promoter, on handSpray paint, on handTotal: Free and up Begin by collecting the items you need. I recommend using a wide bowl for the bottom. I usually start with more saucers and tea cups than I need, so I have options to choose from.Begin stacking the items until you find a set that is visually appealing to you. The most important thing is to have a wide, sturdy base, so the entire thing does not topple over.
Use E-6000 to glue the pieces together. Start from the base, and glue the bottom two pieces together. Let it set for a few minutes, then proceed to the next piece. You may want to use a level to make sure that your tower doesn't start to lean. You don't want the top plate to be crooked...then your cake might slide off!Once the cake stand has been assembled, it's time to paint! I took a short cut and used spray paint. You could also use multi-surface paints or glass paint to achieve a different finish.Food will be on the top plate, so you want to keep that food safe and spray paint free. I turn my projects upside down on a box so I can spray paint everything but the top of the top plate. (You may have noticed that the photo below is a different project...that one is much too tall for a cake stand! Adjust the number of items you use to make your stand an appropriate size.)
Since my ceramic surfaces were slick, I used a spray on adhesion promoter (like primer). After that had dried, I then spray painted the cake stand. If you wanted to take it up a notch, you could use stencils to add pretty designs to the piece.
Isn't this a fun way to turn unused pieces into something that will be useful and loved? My cake stand gets LOTS of attention, and it's just such a fun piece to have at a get together. Have fun crafting and creating!
http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/02/...
Last year, I fell in love with a lamp that was available at Anthropologie. I didn't need a lamp, though, so I started thinking of ways to recreate the look in a form that was more useful. I came up with a fun bird bath, instead. One reader suggested that I adapt the idea to make a cake stand, and I thought that was a perfect idea! Here's how I made my teapot cake stand, which would be a really fun centerpiece for a tea or party. Everyone will ask where you got it, and you can say, "I made it myself!"I found all my items at the thrift store, but you could also find almost everything at the dollar store, too. You probably even have some of these pieces sitting around your house!Project estimate:Bowl. on hand or $1 and upTea pot, on hand or $1 and upVarious cups, containers, and saucers, on hand or $1 and upLarge plate, on hand or $1 and upE-6000 glue, on handPrimer or adhesion promoter, on handSpray paint, on handTotal: Free and up Begin by collecting the items you need. I recommend using a wide bowl for the bottom. I usually start with more saucers and tea cups than I need, so I have options to choose from.Begin stacking the items until you find a set that is visually appealing to you. The most important thing is to have a wide, sturdy base, so the entire thing does not topple over.Use E-6000 to glue the pieces together. Start from the base, and glue the bottom two pieces together. Let it set for a few minutes, then proceed to the next piece. You may want to use a level to make sure that your tower doesn't start to lean. You don't want the top plate to be crooked...then your cake might slide off!Once the cake stand has been assembled, it's time to paint! I took a short cut and used spray paint. You could also use multi-surface paints or glass paint to achieve a different finish.Food will be on the top plate, so you want to keep that food safe and spray paint free. I turn my projects upside down on a box so I can spray paint everything but the top of the top plate. (You may have noticed that the photo below is a different project...that one is much too tall for a cake stand! Adjust the number of items you use to make your stand an appropriate size.)Since my ceramic surfaces were slick, I used a spray on adhesion promoter (like primer). After that had dried, I then spray painted the cake stand. If you wanted to take it up a notch, you could use stencils to add pretty designs to the piece.Isn't this a fun way to turn unused pieces into something that will be useful and loved? My cake stand gets LOTS of attention, and it's just such a fun piece to have at a get together. Have fun crafting and creating!http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/02/...
March 22, 2014
Circus in Me: Sneak Peek 3
There she stood among the vagabonds and thievery of folk. She noticed how the strange light came through the tunnel of a tent. She arrived on the edge of her seat. Greeted by none other than the performing characters; they enchanted their performances around me. She was taken back beneath excitement to something of gleam or gallant. They gravitated toward her, wanting to accept her, partake of her journey. She shivered in her conforming seat, contemplating these lifestyles almost in a judging manner but not quite. Her hand was never raised in disapproving motions. She merely volunteered to be a rescue. As you would a lost dog, a homeless cat or any other pathetic animal you couldn't help find but adorable.They like her, they pulled at her. Bringing her into an embrace she had never experienced. Doc, the ringmaster placed a comforting hand on her shoulder welcoming her into his family of misunderstood individuals. He lead her down the line of performers. First the Bearded Lady, Mona, then Doc the manager and caretaker of the animals, Katarina, the tattooed beauty. The triplet acrobats near her age eyeing her shape and figure. She walked amongst these odd individuals; her fear unbearable now. She came to the conclusion she must shout out for some sort of help, but what kind of assistance was she asking for? A departure? A rescue from these odd fools, who she seemed to belong too, or maybe just maybe a helping hand. The mystic, Arunia, smiled at her as she lent an open hand, her voice was simple, but pretty. She hushed Trae Lai’s fears; she was home. S.M. Bjarnson
March 21, 2014
Kelly Rae Roberts, Voyage toward Truth
Kelly Rae Roberts is a visionary in the mixed Media art world! I took an e-course from her! Inspiring, eye opening if nothing else, life changing! Check her out
http://shop.kellyraeroberts.com/colle...
http://shop.kellyraeroberts.com/colle...
March 19, 2014
The Five Beats of Successful Storytelling, by Jenn Godbout
Another Great article for Storytelling.http://99u.com/articles/17652/the-five-beats-of-successful-storytelling-how-it-can-help-you-land-your-next-job
The Five Beats of Successful Storytelling & How They Can Help You Land Your Next Job
by Jenn Godbout
Author Philip Pullman wrote, “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” Whether we’re talking about life, business, or art, storytelling is an essential skill. Maybe even THE most essential skill. But that doesn’t mean it comes naturally.S.M. Bjarnson Comments:I found this wonderful website where I have been getting most of the Wednesday Wisdom from. I believe this explains so much for us as gifted storytelling. People can't help but be captivated in the way words flow and move around in their minds. I know this article is based on a job interview, but it also displays quite extraordinary potential for us, to sen dour a query letter, making a pitch to an agency. We can make them fall in love with the story we are writing as we sing it to them. Give it a try! I surely am! :)
March 18, 2014
Scared to live our lives, by S.M. Bjarnson
A Heads up I wrote this in High school.
Dear Fellow Peers & Colleagues
What makes us fear growing up? What makes us not exceed our maximum potential? Is it that we feel threatened or inferior of other achievements? Or maybe it’s the fact that one day soon we will have to stop holding onto the past. That we won’t be able to hide from our future and it’s events. Whether your future occupation is a local gardener or a famous motor cross rider, you will be great at it because you were born to do it. In high school we put up safety barriers around ourselves, because of the intimidation of having to be something more than an average high school student. For most high school seniors we have already had this realization come to us. So, now we are facing the coming winds, head on with a fearful heart and a courageous mind, both characteristics that we all should learn how to master. As our cards are laid out in front of us it’s our choice to pick and play or fold and fail. It’s our choice to press forward to excellence or stay another regular human being. A quote that hangs above my window makes this statement, “Life is what we make it. Always has been. Always will be.” With that phrase I strive to face every new day with a hopeful heart and optimistic mind, to be a new me and make a better world for myself and for others. This is your life fellow student body, it is your choose to live and take charge, leaving fears and nervousness in the dusty tracks behind you. It’s your choice; it is your life, no one else’s. Fulfill your own destiny, chase after your own personal passions and have them become a true reality to your life, discover once and for all dreams can come true. Believe in yourself and find the personal strength that is screaming to be unleashed from within you, let it out and be freely you. Maybe than we won’t be in fear of growing up and becoming adults in the world’s society. Take chances and stop thinking. Quit wondering to yourself what if, stop caring what the person next to you thinks, they don’t think and honestly I doubt they care. Do something, because you want to, because you feel the need to shout it out to the world, be proud of the accomplishments of being influential in a spontaneous way. You wait around your whole life waiting for something amazing to happen to you, but than nothing happens and you get discouraged with life. Let me make this clear, nothing is going to happen unless you make it happen. Be happy and comfortable with who you are today, walk with confidence and hold your head high. Because, after high school no one will stress with statuses, even if you dominated the top of the pointed pyramid or that you slummed to the crumbling bottoms. No one will care, because it doesn't matter, it never did. Figure it out for yourselves; you’ll know it’s true as well.
Be smart and be courageous, stand out above the normality of each other’s lives. Be you and be free.
S.M. Bjarnson
Dear Fellow Peers & Colleagues
What makes us fear growing up? What makes us not exceed our maximum potential? Is it that we feel threatened or inferior of other achievements? Or maybe it’s the fact that one day soon we will have to stop holding onto the past. That we won’t be able to hide from our future and it’s events. Whether your future occupation is a local gardener or a famous motor cross rider, you will be great at it because you were born to do it. In high school we put up safety barriers around ourselves, because of the intimidation of having to be something more than an average high school student. For most high school seniors we have already had this realization come to us. So, now we are facing the coming winds, head on with a fearful heart and a courageous mind, both characteristics that we all should learn how to master. As our cards are laid out in front of us it’s our choice to pick and play or fold and fail. It’s our choice to press forward to excellence or stay another regular human being. A quote that hangs above my window makes this statement, “Life is what we make it. Always has been. Always will be.” With that phrase I strive to face every new day with a hopeful heart and optimistic mind, to be a new me and make a better world for myself and for others. This is your life fellow student body, it is your choose to live and take charge, leaving fears and nervousness in the dusty tracks behind you. It’s your choice; it is your life, no one else’s. Fulfill your own destiny, chase after your own personal passions and have them become a true reality to your life, discover once and for all dreams can come true. Believe in yourself and find the personal strength that is screaming to be unleashed from within you, let it out and be freely you. Maybe than we won’t be in fear of growing up and becoming adults in the world’s society. Take chances and stop thinking. Quit wondering to yourself what if, stop caring what the person next to you thinks, they don’t think and honestly I doubt they care. Do something, because you want to, because you feel the need to shout it out to the world, be proud of the accomplishments of being influential in a spontaneous way. You wait around your whole life waiting for something amazing to happen to you, but than nothing happens and you get discouraged with life. Let me make this clear, nothing is going to happen unless you make it happen. Be happy and comfortable with who you are today, walk with confidence and hold your head high. Because, after high school no one will stress with statuses, even if you dominated the top of the pointed pyramid or that you slummed to the crumbling bottoms. No one will care, because it doesn't matter, it never did. Figure it out for yourselves; you’ll know it’s true as well.
Be smart and be courageous, stand out above the normality of each other’s lives. Be you and be free.
S.M. Bjarnson
March 17, 2014
Best Motivational Speech ~Secrets to Success, How Bad Do you Want it? {F...
I watched this and you can't help but feel motivated! I wanted to share it with my fellow peers trying to achieve success. So how do we do it, do we breathe it in? Do we write everyday endless notes upon notes squiggles of maybe good artistry. YES. You have to want to be successful as much as you want to breathe.
Believe in yourself!
After watching this I ask myself late at night when all energy to proceed is empty.
How badly do I want it?
March 16, 2014
Easter Peep Smores
/http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreet...
Have a super great Easter and with these super delectable Peep Smores! :) yum!
March 15, 2014
Circus in Me: Sneak Peek 2
The wind began to pick up and I shifted my memories of late yesterdays to early fore comings of today. How would I strive out here; on my own? How in this decaying world would I find the salvage to relinquish the modern thought of love, let alone life. The posters on the blank billboard were torn with weather. I thumbed through the edges; they were keeping secrets. I managed to read what was left of a carnival poster hanging in the window. Today. Only today? I never was very good at reading coincidental signs or their premonitions, in my thought pattern I just wanted to go and see the show.
S.M. Bjarnson
