DIY raffia pendant light REVISITED

THIS POST IS OVER TWO YEARS OLD NOW BUT KEEPS GETTING HIT'S SO I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT AGAIN WITH YOU ALL. THIS IS A GREAT DIY PROJECT FOR DECORATING EVENTS AND YOU CAN USE ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT MEDIA TO MAKE THIS PENDANT! 

What a bright idea! 

While brainstorming for additions for our Fall window display for Road Less Traveled I kept thinking about the moon and the sun. The certain way the Autumn sky seems to glow through the leaves and cast soft shadows. I wanted to interpret this somehow into the window display that Delilah had already started. I searched for ideas and came across this idea and thought I would try it myself. It never hurts to try you know. 

BTW: Many customers love this light and ask about it. 

Raffia-Michaels Craft Store

Punch Balloons-Party City

Mod Podge-Michaels

Paint Brush-already had

Sharpie-already had

Pendant Light Base-Cost Plus Market

What You Gotta Do:

This craft needs at least 2 hrs of invested time so gather a friend or sister and a beer to help keep you company :)

 1. Inflate the balloon to desired size.

2. Draw circle with sharpie that is large enough for light bulb to go through.

3.Adhere mod podge to raffia while tying the raffia around the balloon.

4. Continue covering your balloon as desired and tie all ends of knots together. 

5. Make sure entire surface has glue to ensure that it is stable when hardened.

6. Hang your balloon over night and leave newspaper underneath in case of glue drips.

7. Wait for at least 8 hrs for glue to dry and for there to be a hard sturdy surface.

8. When ready insert light base and either hang (using s brackets) or use as a table lamp. 

Patchwork Point Of View

About a month ago I volunteered at my 5th Patchwork for Delilah's Backyard In a Jar and it was the most insanely busy show yet! With Road Less Traveled re-locating back in Feb we brought along Patchwork to the new Downtown Santa Ana location. The show brought a couple thousand people that memorial day weekend! I was running around from the jam van to the shop and along the way tried to take some pics to show you my perspective. So take a look below, and thanks to my friends who came by that day to support local crafters, artists, designers, musicians and restaurants. Sorry if I was busy and couldn't talk for long.

Loved this DJ set up. Are those not the most crazy speakers! 

The music coming out of them was just as insanely good. Dub, hip hop etc.

The crowds were already forming at 11am. 

Everyone would walk by Yogaworks and stop and stare at the crazy moves their instructors were doing. 

BTW we have a free Yogaworks workshop each Sunday in the month of July at Road Less Traveled 

Chef Raya Belna's pop-up cupcake shop inside Road Less Traveled was a big hit. 

There was a non stop line in front of the ice pop cart! 

After most of the vendors were gone for the day this is what the promenade looked like. Oh and I have to mention this photo has not been instagramed! Im just that good :)

Hope you enjoyed my POV of Patchwork! 

Button Making 101

Back in April al of us ladies had a meeting at road less traveled and had a special button making tutorial as well! Tracy Gayer, Associate Director of GCAC stopped by to show us a few tips and tricks on button making. We snapped a few photos to show you how we made our super cool buttons for the shop/patchwork/craftcation. Its alot easier than it looks, especially if you have the right tools for the job. Thank you Tracy for showing us how to make buttons!

Stop by the store to pick up a button and show some love! 

* I will be adding a video soon of this DIY tutorial stay tuned for updates*

Culver City Day Trip

Come along for a photographic adventure that takes place in Culver City! 

The week of my birthday I took 5 days off work in hopes of having my tax return ready to go on a vacation, but no...no money came. But I still had an awesome birthday week and made sure to take advantage of those days off :) 

The first thing on my itinerary was a day trip to Los Angeles, I know it sounds stupid but I live in OC and hate the traffic so I rarely go outside the orange curtain :) But on this glorious Tuesday noon we made it there in no time flat! 

 First things first, a stop at the gas station for fuel for both us and the car! Does Katrina not  look excited? 

With the girls in the back and me and Nate in the front we left on our way out of OC, passing by the iconic Knotts Berry Farm skyline! If you're afraid of heights, then don't look! 

 So the main reason for going to Culver city that day was to look at art galleries, and well, take silly pictures. There were the best photo op areas like these orange and red squares on the wall! 

Long alleys 

It doesn't hurt to be tall and thin either...

And to top it off a huge pile of cracked concrete! 

And this is my fav pic I have taken of Katrina! Cute/crazy sums it up!

This was the only art gallery open that day :( It had these scarry ice cream cone people that had holes in them. Im pretty sure this explains why I had a nightmare a few days later involving my hands having holes al over them!!!

I love that Nate was in the moment and everyone else is moving, texting, oblivious to whats going on. And its also taken at a bus stop, ironic how its called a stop when most who us it are on the go.

This is one of many models they had on display at the SPFA: Studio Pali Fekete Architects

I couldnt resist taking a photo of  the color combos of Pinches Taco's exterior paint job against those succulents. So exotic! 

We attempted to eat lunch at fathers office, but they weren't open yet :( I have been wanting to go here for a while now! So I just took a pic in front of it to prove my defeated attempt.

This shot was of us in the mirror that was in the back of the store but taken from outside the front door. 

My fav concrete design: The Nixon! 

We spotted Cool Haus didnt know they had a location in Culver City?

We all liked this piece that was hanging on the outside of a building....

And this is the home of the artist who painted the above artwork. Can you decifer her design aesthetic? Black background and white silhouette! She was very friendly and so were her 5 cats! 

Well my friends, this concurs my trip to Culver City, later that day we headed to Santa Monica and Venice...which will be posted soon. So many great shots from this day! 

Also next week June 10th is PATCHWORK CULVER CITY! You should go, its at HELMS BAKERY!

Patchwork Festival Culver City

Back in November my mother and I volunteered at the Patchwork Festival in Culver City, California. This was the first time the festival was held in location and it was a very successful show. I was able to take lots of photos of my favorite vendors that I wanted to share with you all. So if you're still looking for holiday gifts you're sure to find great ideas in this post! 

Join me on a trip to Patchwork Culver City Ya'll!

Playing Catch Up

After a few weeks of being busy with cool events, RLT, school, work  :) I finally bought myself a new memory card reader for my camera. I have no clue where the old one went. Is it under my pile of homework?

Later this week I will be blogging up a storm with all of the cool places I went to and had a shoot out with my camera!

In the meantime check out...

My Beautiful friend Izumi has recently started a blog Hybrid Hunter, and I'm addicted!

 If you're a fan of the following fashion trends: Utilitarian-Minimalista-Nor-Cal-Grunge-Sweaters you need to check out her blog stat. 

LAST CHANCE

Delilah Snell, owner of Road Less Traveled Store will be teaching one more Holiday Gifts In A Jar workshop on December 4th. This class has a limited amount of students so sign up soon!

I might be the only person I know that absolutely loves Christmas music! I have been listening to it for a week now. Crazy- I know! 

I have discovered the Electronic Holidays Radio station on Pandora and cant get enough. Check it.

My middle name is Elaine but it should be changed to Espresso because I hearts it so much :) I'm constantly on the look out for independent coffee shops that offer a great ambiance as well as my addiction "espresso drinks"!

 I had heard of this cafe "Milk+Honey" before and I ventured in the other day. Loved loved loved the look of their shop and the taste of their earthy Pumpkin Spiced Latte. I will drive out of my way for a "coffee experience" and I reccomend you do the same. 

Dont forget to go to Patchwork Holiday Show Santa Ana! ITS FREE

This Sunday November 27th from 11-5pm 

@ Main street&Buffalo in Santa ana near Bowers Museum!!!!

I will be working at the show so say hi if you see me :)

Patchwork Holiday Show 2011 Applications Due soon

HOLIDAY EVENTS:

PATCHWORK LONG BEACH

 NOV 6TH 11-5PM

 MARINE STADIUM BAYSHORE @ APPIAN WAY    

  

PATCHWORK CULVER CITY

 NOV 13TH 11-5PM   

HELMS BAKERY VENICE BLVD @ NATIONAL

  

PATCHWORK SANTA ANA

 NOV 27TH 11-5PM

 MAIN STREET @ BUFFALO  

hey everyone...

DON'T FORGET APPLICATIONS ARE DUE IN LESS THAN A WEEK! SEPT 23RD...GET THEM IN THE MAIL ASAP.  

Come join us for great events that keep getting bigger and better each time!
past patchworks have been featured in the oc weekly, on npr (national public radio), ranked in orange coast magazine best of 2010 and on tons of blogs and other press media. We always get great press coverage for our event!

There is less than one week to apply to be a part Patchwork's unique craft fair located in Sunny Southern California! Please go to the following link for info on becoming a vendor!

Patchwork Vendor Info

Patchwork Facebook Page

A Patchwork Point Of View

Patchwork Festival isn't very hard to explain, yet many people misinterpret it for a granny old school craft fair that you had during the holiday season. That is until they get their butt's on over to The Patchwork Indie Art's & Crafts Festival! That's when they see what they've been missing out on for the past 6 shows. Now I too will admit I was once one of those people that thought " huh? whats a patchwork festival? A quilt show?" 

So, my friends, I dedicate this post to all of the artists,crafters, musicians, patrons, volunteers and the founders Delilah & Nicole, who put on a wonderful festival! 

Step into the Long Beach Patchwork Festival from my point of view. 

Here are some of the best of the best participants in this years 2011 Patchwork Festival: 

Backyard In A Jar 

Created by Delilah Snell, an Orange County Master Food Preserver. She works with over 20 different Southern California farmers and local gardeners to create a number of preserved goods highlighting the flavors and seasons of the region.

C-salt Gourmet

An independently owned, local company you can feel great about supporting. Everything is made with love, by hand, using only the best ingredients this beautiful world has to offer.

Devils on Horseback

A devilishly delicious Date & Bacon spread that sends you straight to heaven. 

Kelso Doesnt Dance

Eco accessories, handmade for real life! Everything is made not only to look good but to be functional and practical for everyday use.

Le Modern Trinket

Handmade, up-cycled vintage jewelry. 

Hope to see you all at Patchwork this fall.