DiY: Concrete - Cement - Plaster crafts

Call it cement, plaster or concrete. It's grey, strong, stiff and can take just about any form!

This ordinary construction material is becoming a huge design and interiors trend and I love working with it. With very little effort and a dash of imagination you can make great pieces of design for your home.

Check out my new tutorials and learn how to make gorgeous concrete decoration items, always following the rules of geometry and modern style.

How to Make a Geo Faceted Cement Planter

 Just Click on the link under each photo and read the step-by-step tutorials!

Learn How to Make Industrial-Style Geo Cement Coasters

I'd love to see your version of my tutorials! Leave your link on the comment section bellow.
Enjoy crafting! 

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Giveaway winner!!!! #notAjewelry

 

On the last post we met Petra from notAjewelry shop. She offered my readers an amazing pair of silver earrings! The giveaway has ended and we have a WINNER!!!!!

Drumroll please!!!!! 

...ta da! 

and the winner is:

☺ Χαρουλα Ν. - entry number no 399 ☺

second runner up (in case of not reachable winner):  
☺ Cláudia Martinho ☺

Congratulations!!!

Thank you all for participating!!!

***NOTICE: the winners were automatically chosen between 678 entries by random.org ↓

People Creating Magic: notAjewelry + giveaway!!!

Today i have the pleasure to host an incredible jewelry artist! When i first met her little wonders online the only thing i could say was "WOW!!!".

She has a great sense of balance and contrast and you will fall in love with her regularly irregular forms! A graphic designer who also creates very original pieces of contemporary jewelry and from the little i know her, i would dare to say a person with a great sense of humor!

Everyone, meet Petra from Croatia. The wizard of "notAjewelry".

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  People Creating Magic, the game of fives
 • Petra Podnarcuk •

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▲ TELL US ABOUT YOUR MAGIC

1. What kind of magic do you make?

It is about contemporary jewelry most from silver, brass and copper combined with alternative materials such as cotton, metal colors, wool or wood. 

 

6th grade

2. Where does your inspiration come from?

I would say the m Most of the pieces, especially unique ones, are named after unforgettable moments, stories and thoughts. Sometimes inspiration comes from the book, social approaches or food :D 

3. What are your favorite materials and tools?

I am in love with silver and it's spectra of various textures and raw colors. Still now days, I often find myself in love with it's final esthetic touch. I like to work with tools connected to the sound. All kinds of hammers, drills, sledges...         

4. What did you want to be, when you were a child?

An air - hostess :D

5. What was the first thing you ever made?

It all began when I started playing with metal, creating sculptures and ornaments - not particularly intending to produce a piece of jewelry, rather just trying to "pin down" something that inspired me and leave a sign.

rabarbar in a glass of milk

  

▲ LET'S PLAY "CHINESE PORTRAIT" 

1. What would you be, if you were a color?

 Red
2. What would you be, if you were a sound? 
Silence. mixed with surroundings

3. What would you be, if you were an animal? 
hamster
4. What would you be, if you were an object?   
swimming glasses
5. Who would you be, if you were weren’t yourself? 

I don't have a clue

pins

▲ PLEASE SHARE WITH US:
 
1. A moment of the creating process:

Idea. Communication. Building. Full point. Smile. Communication.

2. One word that defines you as an artist.

Playful

3. One word that defines you as a person. 

Presence

4. Something you love and something you hate.

Smile and Injustice

5. Five facts people do not know about you. 

That would be facts I don't know about myself

thinking out of the box

“ I am always trying to give my creations names inspired with their final form, thus giving them a personal touch. This is why every piece has its own story.”

which color our sledge are

▲WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/notAjewelry
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/notAjewelry

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✿ G I V E A W A Y ✿ 

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dots

Petra is giving my blog readers the chance to win an AMAZING pair of silver drops earrings, pictured above!

To enter, leave a comment below saying which one is your favorite item from notAjewelry shop.
Then use the rafflecopter app below to validate your entry and push the +1arrow on the right side of every option and read what you have to do for more entries!

 

The contest will be on until July 20th 12:00am.
The winner will be announced on July 21st!
GOOD LUCK everyone!!!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Concrete: Cold Grey Design

Living in an urban landscape fills your eyes with grey shades, harsh edges,straight lines and boundaries.
You might think that you are fed up with concrete and grey, but wait till you see what you can make out of it! There's always a ripost.
Construction materials are thought differently. They've always been the right puzzle piece for industrial design and minimalistic decoration. Right now they are becoming a huge trend in housewares and everyday life items. Many designers are inspired by the materials, geometry, architecture and bold simplicity.
But let me leave the pictures convince you!

http://www.forsbergform.com/

http://www.20eight.co.za/

http://www.20eight.co.za/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LAbCfurniture

http://www.superdave.se/

http://www.22designstudio.com.tw/web/

http://www.22designstudio.com.tw/web/

www.etsy.com/shop/roughfusion

http://www.paraclocks.com/

Flowery, floral, flower summer accessories!

New collection on board!

Floral patterns are embossed on the surface of these romantic and elegant accessories!

Many vibrant and pastel color combinations for the summer!

✿✿✿ You can request a custom color combination!

or even a custom number of different brooches for bridesmaids accessories!✿✿✿

 For more info contact BlackRedDots on FB or on my etsy shop .

Check the rest of my pins here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackRedDots?section_id=7129554

People Creating Magic: Alexandra Soury

There is a girl that gives life to people from the fairyland! She is such a sweet person, you could think she is a fairy herself! She is very creative, with admirable imagination! She combines elegance, purity and darkness in the most wonderful way! I'm very happy to announce a new series of posts, called "People Creating Magic" and I'm thrilled that the curtains open with such an amazing artist!

Everyone, meet Alexandra from France! The wizard of "Cute Amalia".

Augustine

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  People Creating Magic, the game of fives
 • Alexandra Soury •

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▲ TELL US ABOUT YOUR MAGIC

1. What kind of magic do you make?

I create Art Dolls 

Anna and Moira

2. Where does your inspiration come from?

I find my inspiration in all details around me: Nature, illustrations, photographs, (Pinterest is a great site to find the details that will trigger inspiration) some movies especially those of Tim Burton, I really appreciate the illustrations from antique books for children (specifically Alice in Wonderland) , the storybooks and legends.

I can't give a clear explanation, the ideas come suddenly and I draw quickly on a sketch book not to forget.

3. What are your favorite materials and tools?

I use air dry clay, cold porcelain (to do accessories ) ,needle felt, laces and acrylic paintings .

4. What did you want to be, when you were a child?

Egyptologist ,antique dealer and  museum  curator

5. What was the first thing you ever made?

When I was a child ,when I got to eat at my grandmother for lunch, I was playing with plasticine and I created a lot of small animals, no bigger than a fingertip, I loved making swans and lizards! I also drew all the time!

Alice

▲ LET'S PLAY "CHINESE PORTRAIT"

1. What would you be, if you were a color?  

blue arctic

2. What would you be, if you were a sound? 

the song of a bird (sometimes pleasant and sometimes very painful!)

3. What would you be, if you were an animal?  

a horse

4. What would you be, if you were an object? 

an antique book

5. Who would you be, if you weren’t yourself? 

oh I wouldn’t be an other person ! 

 

Cordelia

 

▲ PLEASE SHARE WITH US:

1. A moment of the creating process:

from drawing to life...

2. One word that defines you as an artist.

Meticulous

3. One word that defines you as a person.

Straightforward

4. Something you love and something you hate. 

I love dreaming , I hate human  stupidity

5. Five facts people do not know about you. 

▲ I’m a compulsive collector

▲ I’m spiteful

▲ I have mice as pets

▲ I have an ugly head when I wake-up !

Simone

▲WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU:

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.soury

Fan page: https://www.facebook.com/cute.amalia

Website: http://asoury.weebly.com/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexandraSoury

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alexandrasoury/my-art-work/

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cute-amalia/

Romantic Alice

New summer designs 2013!

The love for geometry and summer inspiration are combined in a brand new pendant series!

Here's a small sample from the new summer designs to come!

Find them and much more jewelry designs @ : http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackRedDots

Chasing buttons: At the school

DIARY PAGE TWO: At the school of "people"!

We traveled around the city for a few days. Big streets, big buildings, big metallic boxes, big loud voices, big loud fuss! Everything is so big in this city! We talked with Mrs Cigarette Butts, young poet Piece Ofpaper and Mr Chewing Gum. Very interesting points of view i have to admit! We've also had a lovely conversation with Mr Ant. He was very willing to answer our peculiar queries. Amongst all the amazing things, he said that these funny creatures called "people" use big buildings with lots of rooms, as learning houses!!! Absurd! They call them "schools" and they spend a great deal of time in there. We had to visit!!

 There was actually a "school" very close to our location. It was enormous, with dull rooms, everything was painted in the same boring colors, and the decoration was terrible! Empty walls, no furniture, just some wooden chairs and some things like tables. We assume that people who spend their time in here, must have a lack of imagination and really bad taste!

I personally found a new friend, Ms Chalk. She lives on a rectangular piece of wood, called "blackboard", which is actually green.
"This place is wearing me off! Every little thing i do for people, sends me one step closer to the end of my days!" she said.
We chitchatted for a while. She was a lady of many talents! She even offered to make a portrait of me and my daughter.

The time had come. We had to move on. Some arrogant fellow mates, wouldn't leave without having their portraits done. Ms Chalk was upset. "Eat my dust" she said, and left them standing there alone.

Very strange things, those "people" do. We have to learn more. I guess this adventure will take us to paths we never imagined walking...

B.W. Button