Pattern Pulp

Textile Inspiration & Plate Illustrations




For those of you on holiday last week, welcome back! Today we’re featuring the after to this before post from May. Remember the plate face collection and Pebeo pens? They’re these amazing markers that let you draw and paint on ceramics and pottery. So…from the collection of thrift store plates, here’s what I came up with.

I find when I’m searching for inspiration for patterns or textiles I often start by looking at objects rather than the actual patterns on things. I love to find (or make) a collection of objects with a similar purpose or hand that I can group together to discover a new shape or texture. Here’s my most recent inspirational collection.

Coverage by Kimberly Hall

 

July 9, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Making Music Videos with Lesley Morphy




In this cultural movement we call DIY, we’re constantly tasking ourselves to do more with less. The race to showcase wit, creativity and innovation through basic, everyday materials is evident throughout the web. Today we continue with Lesley’s adventures in set design. As you’ll see, she’s mastered various backdrops using materials anyone can pick up at the local market or hardware store. The magic is in the details, the lighting and the application.

From Lesley: I’ve Art Directed multiple videos for Clifton Bell (The Ghettonerd Company) and most times I need to be innovative. One department will get the majority of the funds and it usually fluctuates from one video to the next.

Even if your budget isn’t huge, if you’ve got an amazing director, crew and talent, it’s often worth taking the project, as it can be very rewarding, and you’re forced to get creative.

Usually the challenges are pretty big, as you have a single day to set up and shoot multiple sets. You have to work in overdrive and it’s usually a 16-18 hour day.

I’ve been lucky to work on major events, but with the music videos, you literally have to create art while the camera and lighting crew is trailing behind you.  I’ve resorted to borrowing hair dryers from the stylist to dry the wet paint on the ground before the artist steps foot on set.

Coverage by Lesley Morphy

 

June 15, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

DIY Couture: Your Own Fashion Collection




A DIY revolution has been sweeping over the blogosphere for a while now, creating a legion of crafting enthusiasts looking to make for themselves the things that they see in stores, or wish that they did. We’ve seen a lot of jewelry and accessory how-to’s, in addition to an abundance of home goods and gifts – but what about clothes? If you haven’t had much experience with sewing and patterns, the whole premise can be pretty intimidating. Rosie Martin’s book DIY Couture: Create Your Own Fashion Collection will help you to conquer that confusion with simple, visual instructions and cool styling.

The DIY Couture collection is comprised of 10 stylish, easy to make pieces of clothing that you can recreate in your favorite fabrics, textures and colors. The book begins with a Useful Techniques section, followed by Collections: inspirational photographs of the pieces styled different ways.

Next, each of the 10 garments, from a Goddess dress to a cool romper suit and hoody, is clearly explained, including a spread showing all the variations (e.g. fastenings, necklines and hems) possible for each garment. Finally, clear step by step illustrations and photographs show you how each piece is made. With no complex sewing patterns, even sewing novices can make their own beautiful clothes. Pick up a copy and make your own mark on fashion.

May 17, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

DIY: Glitter Blocking Your Boots




We’ve all bought something that ultimately ends up at the back of our closet collecting dust. I did it a few years ago with these slip-on boots from All Saints. I bought them online, so when they arrived I realized the purposeful dingy-look of the off-white canvas didn’t do it for me. Instead of looking down-town grunge they just looked dirty.

I’m happy they’re still around, as I recently had a great idea on how to lose the dingy look…with glitter!  If too much is used, glitter can tend to look too young/girly, so pairing the bright glitz with the dull canvas worked perfectly.

Here’s my tutorial on how I transformed them. I hope it inspires you to tweak the items in your closet that also need a face lift.

Ingredients: Glue: I used Aleene’s Tacky Glue | Glitter: I used Martha Stuart brand in the color Smoky Quartz. I like this glitter over others due to the fine-quality of the flakes

Using your finger, evenly spread the glue where you want the glitter. Immediately after you spread the glue, shake the glitter onto the sticky areas. No need to be precise since the glitter will only cling to the wet area.

Then press down lightly with a clean finger on the glittered areas, this is a great way to ensure the glitter is secured. After all the glue areas are covered in sparkles, tap the boot to get any excess glitter off your shoe.

I would recommend doing this over an old newspaper so you can easily dump the unused glitter back into its container. Waste not, want not! After it dries completely you can start wearing them! That’s it ladies, a super simple way to re-vamp old shoes. 

Coverage by Chelsa Skees

 

May 17, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tiffany's Bike Lock Cover Giveaway!




Remember Tiffany’s fantastic tutorial from two weeks ago? Well she’s generously giving away her lock sock to one lucky reader this week (shipped with love from Paris).

To enter, please leave a comment telling us what’s awesome about your city and why you love riding around it. The winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

 

May 15, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Making Music Videos with Lesley Morphy




Here are a few behind the scenes shots of Lesley‘s recent music projects. As you can see she’s gotten extremely creative with lighting and malleable materials such as paint, tape, spray paint and stencils.

Creating kinetic energy through use of line and a tight budget for Khia’s Been a Bad Girl video set, Morphy advises, “I remind myself there’s always a way to make something out of nothing.  It’s at this point I see what household goods can realize my vision. I look for two things: 1) tangible malleable materials, and 2) inexpensive materials that can create form and color. A trip to home depot proves very inspirational!”

When asked about her approach and the cardinal rules, Morphy says, “First I go through all my dog-eared magazines and folders (I’m constantly dropping imagines that inspire any kind of emotion into an “inspiration” folder), and I watch a few favorite videos – but as a general rule, I try not to look to the same medium when I’m looking for inspiration.”

“I look for inspiration aimlessly, and just soak it in.  Initially I don’t focus on what I’m looking for and why. By osmosis you always take in more than you think.” The above work is for Chris Brown & Juelz.

“I never negate how important the director’s vision is, but I’m not scared to make it better.  And I always remember the lighting-man is my friend- my very, very good friend. You need to team up with the lighting designer and make sure he or she is on board with all your ideas.”

“At the end of the day, you can have the most beautiful set, but if it isn’t lit properly, you’re not going to pull it off. ”

Coverage by Lesley Morphy

 

May 9, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
On Instagram.