A Creatively Inspirational Quote for You Today…
xo
Carly
Shelley Miller’s Consumptuous Series: DIY Cakes…that Look Like Handbags…that are Really Art.
I find incredible inspiration in the work of Shelley Miller, especially in her Objects of Desire and Scopophilia series (even though that was from quite awhile ago [2005-6!]) Edibles + art? Edible art? Plus handbag design? Just too amazing for words.
From the copy on her website:
The rich, sugary cakes are subtle, almost passing for the real thing. They are almost camouflaged in the same way that the products in advertisements are overshadowed by the beautiful people surrounding them. It begs the question, what are we consuming?
Objects of Desire (2) · 28” × 28” C-print mounted on Di-bond.
Handbags constructed from pound cake, chocolate, sugar ingredients.
What breathtaking pieces. (And perhaps they can serve as inspiration for a DIY cake for a fashion-loving friend at some point in the future…?)
And a piece from her Cargo series: a sugar sculpture on an outdoor wall in Montreal, that degenerates over time while exposed to the elements.
The handiwork on all her pieces is simply amazing. You can see more of her thought-provoking and detailed work on her website here.
xo
Carly
Buy It or DIY It: New Year’s Eve Party Outfit
Whether it’s watching the ball drop in Times Square, rocking out at a packed party of friends and party-crashers, or just having a low-key get-together with coworkers and their spouses, the perfect party outfit is only a click…or a project…away. Try this on for an elegant party style:
Star Cluster Hair Accessory: Buy It for $26 or DIY It
Faux Fur Stole: Buy It for $59.99 or DIY It
A-line Little Black Dress: Buy It for $49.99 or DIY It
Metallic Clutch: Buy It for $26.95 or DIY It
Glitter Pumps: Buy It or DIY It
Have a wonderful and chic New Year’s Eve!
Carly
It’s My Birthday!
image source (and make that cake with the tutorial here!)
Yup, today I am another year older (and the world didn’t end, thank goodness)…so just keeping it low-key and celebrating with the family. 🙂 And how cute is this felt cake (above)? Getting inspired to dig into my felt-bin just looking at this sweet creation…
xo
Carly
New York Times Article: Don’t Put a Bird On It: Saving “Craft” From Cuteness
Though this article went live awhile ago on the New York Times, I just recently came across it. It’s an article that is part review of the disappointing “Craft Wars” TV reality show with Tori Spelling; part indictment of the crafting movement in modern times.
Read Don’t Put a Bird On It: Saving “Craft” From Cuteness
Is the term “crafting” now synonymous with hobbyists making piles of junk, as the author of this article maintains? Does DIY only have value as an antidote to mass-manufacturing? Is Etsy a “False Feminist Fantasy,” as another author accuses in an article [from 2009] quoted in the above? And just how awful was Craft Wars?
What do you guys think?
Stay crafty!
Carly
Object of Desire: Photo-Print Dress
There is this dress that I can’t wait for ModCloth to get back in stock…that I see in my dreams…
It’s a Wonderful Life Dress by Bernie Dexter, $155.99
Bernie Dexter has the most amazing photo-print dresses on ModCloth, but all around the same price point. Somewhat of an investment.
….Alternatively, one could bypass the wait (and the cost) by ordering something like this fabric from Spoonflower (or getting your own favorite snowy cottage scene printed with them!). I’d advise getting your print from them in cotton sateen, maybe about 2 yards (depending on your waist size and the way the pattern lies on the fabric). This is also another lovely alternative photo print on Spoonflower.
Then just choose a coordinating fabric for the top of your dress from the fabric store, do a rub-off of a dress you own (or try using a retro-style pattern, like this one from BurdaStyle)…and there’s a perfectly beautiful photo-print retro dress…for a whole lot less.;-)
Stay chic~
Carly
Who I Am
Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
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