Facebook

About 5 years ago, I had an account on Facebook. After a while, I decided that I didn't like it anymore. I felt like it wanted to know too much about my personal life and I didn't like that, so I closed it.
Then I started organising 1m2 with my friend Annemiek. I opened a Facebook account under that name and started using it. After a while, I noticed that Facebook does have a positive effect business wise so I decided to open my personal account again. Much joy for my friends who have been trying to convince me for ages to be on Facebook but I kept holding back. Marta, you finally succeeded in the nearly impossible! ;)
I've been back on Facebook for nearly a year now and I see the effect it has on my business. A few weeks ago, I only had one participant for the workshop mould making. After making an event of it on Facebook, the course filled up within 2 hours. I think that's a sign of how powerful Facebook can be on you business. So, if you would like to add me as your friend, I'm here.
And while you're at it, don't forget to like my businesspage too please.
Looking forward to catching up with you on Facebook too! XO

How to easily stamp names/words?

I might be the last one on earth to tell you this but I'm going to share anyway! It's an easy way how to stamp names and words. Perhaps this might be the tip you have been waiting for forever! :)

Here is what you need:
alphabet letterstampset, masking tape, paper, inkpadPick out the words that you want to make.

Put the stamps down on the table and cut a piece of masking tape.

Pick up the stamps while firmly holding them together.

Press firmly onto the stamps so that they stick to the masking tape.Close the masking tape all around the stamps.

Now you have 1 stamp of 4 letters.

Press the inking pad onto the stamp.

Stamp the word on the surface you want to stamp on.

I have two identical stamping sets so it's easy to make multiple words.

I wish I had three, but I don't so I needed to use
the letter 'L' from one of the above stamps.

And this is the result...

It's very easy to make your own shopname too.
In case that's a long name, use a liner or box
to make sure the stamps are lined up nicely.

Add a piece of masking tape to the stamps.

Press the masking tape firmly around the stamps.

When the stamp is long, you have to make sure that you press firmly
on the beginning, middle and end of the stamp to get an even result.

Tada: ArtMind!

Don't know if this was useful for you, but I remember I was completely enlightened when I first found out how to do this! :)

Now go look at these clever fabric labels by EvaForeva - what a fantastic idea to add your label to your work! :)

How to make a little booklet?

I have so many bits and bobs of pieces of paper laying around. I just have a hard time throwing away paper & try to recycle as much as I can. I usually cut them on the same size and use them for grocery lists or just to doodle on.
My partner told me a great way to make little booklets from them and of course I wouldn't want to keep this easy and fun tip from you.

Here is what you need: white glue (PVA, bookbinding glue, vinyl glue, wood glue,...), a glue brush, two pieces of cardboard, a pair of clamps, pieces of paper cut on the same size.Take a heavier piece of paper and put the same size cut papers on top of them. I used one of my business cards.

I also put a business card to put on top of the little booklet.

Put the pile of paper on a piece of cardboard.

Put another piece of cardboard on top of it.
The cardboard is just to protect the paper, it can also be wood or thick plastic.

Take a clamp and twist it firmly so that the paper is pressed in between the cardboard.

Take another clamp and do the same.

Then apply some glue on the edge of the paper.

Repeat this process a few times.

When it's dry, take away the cardboard and the booklet.

Here you go: a fun little booklet to carry with you in your handbag,
give away as a freebie or just to hold all those loose laying around pieces of paper.

So there is no reason any more to throw away paper, just recycle it as often as you can 'cause every tree counts!

How to make a scratch off lottery ticket?

You probably know the scratch off lottery tickets? Ever wondered how to make them? Well, they are very fun & easy to make.
I used to make greeting cards from them but now I'm going to use this technique as a promotional tool.
I made 25 scratch off tickets and will include 1 ticket with every order I ship.
On one of those tickets, there is a coupon code and a value of 25 dollars to spend in my shop on Etsy. Waaaahhh, exciting! :)

Here is what you need:
cardboard, a print-out of your lottery ticket, glue stick, sticky back plastic (contact paper), metallic acrylic paint (preferably silver) and washing liquid.
I prepared the paper cutting beforehand so I'll skip that part in the tutorial. :)
Beforehand you print out a design that you want to be on the scratch off lottery tickets.
If your printer can take thick paper you can print it directly on the cardboard and skip this part. If you do it in two steps, it is nice to get a fun color background paper and glue the design onto the card.
Then you take a piece of sticky back plastic and put it onto the design.
Mix some metallic acrylic paint with washing liquid. Try to use 1 part washing liquid and 2 parts of paint. Mix the substance.
Paint the plastic part on the ticket and let it dry.
Make sure that the picture underneath the paint is hidden. Add another layer if this is not the case.And then... scratch! Oops, no luck for me! :(
But you can certainly win a 25 dollar certificate if you are one of my next 25 customers in my Etsy shop. Happy shopping! :)