What I’ve been up to…interior design studies!
Hey there Nesters! How have you been? I hope you’ve all been keeping busy and distracted from the fact that I’ve had another hiatus from this blog!
I thought a life update was in order because so many things are a-changing! And I mean exciting things!
First – if you didn’t already know, I’ve stepped away from a few side businesses. I am no longer painting furniture or selling Simply Said. They were both something I really enjoyed and I truly believe they came into my life to lead me where I am going. Both gave me the joy of decorating, but not really – you know? They were just small parts of a grander picture.
Thus , I finally made the decision to go back to school and study interior design. And I am loving it! I wish I had discovered this joy when I was in college all those years ago. But I firmly believe my path was to study creative writing, work in marketing and PR and and end up doing something I love, with a lifetime of experience in things that will make an interior design business better.
I’m still working my book publicity job, and fitting in school when I can. Fortunately, the program I am enrolled in is all go-at-your-own-pace and online. So far, I’ve studio a lot on color. It was a good refresher from my days working in graphic design and advertising. The program also includes a lot on furniture history. I now know the differences between all the french Louis styles!
It also includes a ton on furniture placement and making sure a room and it’s contents convey the right mood, are of the correct scale, are functional and that together all of these elements are harmonious. There was a great section on textiles (you know I am a fabric lover). And now we’ve just covered lighting and window treatments. And much much more. I expect to complete the program by summertime.
What comes next, you ask?
Well, I will start doing small projects. A room here and there. And to prepare, right now I’m getting the business established. I’ve come up with a name (to be revealed soon!), and hired a firm to do my branding. I had hoped to do this myself, but found that I’ve been away from the Adobe Illustrator game far too long. So, they will design my logo, marketing materials and website. I cannot wait to see how it all turns out!
In the meantime, I am going to my first-ever High Point Market in a couple of weeks. It’s the largest bi-annual trade-only event to feature what’s new in home furnishings. There’s seasoned designers providing educational talks, as well as over 280 showrooms of eye-candy! So stay tuned, because I have a feeling you’ll get to see a lot of photos from this adventure!
I hope you will stick with me, as I make this transition. The business, blog and social media names will all change, and interiors will become the main focus. I know you guys love a pretty room!
Have a lovely day, friends!
Weddings with a personalized touch!
Wedding season is around the corner, and ideas for crafting a truly unique day are blooming across the internet and Pinterest. I love the many homemade touches that brides to be are bringing to the ceremony and celebration – like DIY mason jar centerpieces, hand-sewn chair covers, even paper flowers to look like the real thing!
I’m also loving the personalization trend. People are painting chalk boards and using them to indicate seating, table numbers, even which side of the church is for families of the bride and groom. Messages of love abound as decor for inside and outside the church. And nothing is as special as a beautiful piece that can serve as a wonderful photo prop and treasured keepsake.
Here’s some creative ways to use Simply Said vinyl designs on the big day!
Fun times to come in the man cave!
This week my husband’s new girlfriend is set to move in. Admittedly, she’s beautiful.
But, I’m not jealous.
On the contrary – I’m super excited. The new pool table is lovely to look at AND it comes with a ping-pong top. (I’m much more skilled at ping pong then billiards.)
So I foresee a lot of family fun in the man cave!
Our barely-used table of 9 years will hopefully be finding a new home at a local Boys and Girls Club. I’m awaiting a return call from them this week, hoping they will take our donation. Fingers crossed!
Decorating Bottles for a Vendor Event
This past weekend I did my first vendor event with my Simply said business. It was at Haymarket Day, in down-town Haymarket, Virginia, on an incredibly gorgeous day. As you would expect on a sunny, warm Saturday afternoon, the masses were out. Who doesn’t love a parade, beer garden, and bands? And over 250 venders?!! I do, I do!
I had the great fortune to be placed right next to the kettle corn truck. Oh yeah – a mile of people waiting in line to get their grub on, all the while eyeing up my Simply Said goods! They’d walk right on over after getting their giant bag-o-popcorn, and say, over and over again, “What’s Simply Said?”
By person #1,345 I had gotten pretty good with my response. And a jar full of registration slips proves it. But seriously, I had a lot of very interested folks tell me they want to host a party. I even took a few orders right on the spot. And I sold about a dozen of my fun, little decorated bottles.
I made the bottles in an attempt to try and make up some of my investment for the booth. Normally I wouldn’t spend that kind of money on a vendor event, but, I know I have to grow my biz outside of my lovely community, and figured this was the biggest show I could afford to do. Especially if these bottles sold like the kettle corn did!
I made thirty of them. I did not sell thirty, however. The Christmas ones didn’t move. Guess when its sunny and 80-some degrees outside no one is thinking about Dec. 25. They did love the candy corn bottles, though!! (kettle corn, candy corn…this is starting to sound like a sponsored post)
I should have made all of them with the white/orange/yellow combo of colors. But, I wanted to give people variety! So, I made these, too…
The Mood of Color
Raise your hand if you like to play it safe and go with neutrals. I do. Sometimes. In some rooms, beige or grey feels right.
Why aren’t you painting anymore?
I know what you are thinking. A blog post from Twig and Twine Nest? Yes, after 8 months I am writing again, and this might just be the cause for all of our recent snow! Ha. Okay, that’s the last time I will speak of the evil white stuff again.
Recent paint projects
It’s been a while since I posted about my recent paint projects. Here’s some of the goodies that have rolled out of the garage!
This twin sleigh bed is fit for a princess. She’s painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Antoinette. I sealed the paint with soft clear wax, and aged lightly with dark wax. I added a wooden applique to the head board and brushed it with gold gilding wax. There’s a touch of the gold on the footboard too. This bed makes me wish I had a little girl!
Baby its cold outside, and the painting is at a standstill
A few weeks ago we had some record warm temps here in Northern Virginia. It was January and in the 50’s/60’s! But as all good things must come to an end, the thermostat dropped and this week it was frigid. Like 15 degrees cold! So painting in the garage is on hold until the forecast shows temps at least in the 40’s.
Here’s a large gorgeous piece I was able to finish before the Ice Age hit.
AFTER
Alrighty folks, think warm thoughts! And pray for Spring to get here soon!