Homefront: Accessorizing with Vignettes

I'm sure most everyone has seen a version of the "Home Rules". I loved this little vintage plaque of them I found thrifting and had to bring it home.

To me, I see things for more than what they are; the search of finding that little treasure and bringing pieces together to tell a story. The antique mattress spring I found at my favorite antique mall, the vintage leather gloves with the pearl buttons, and my favorite little brass owl family I found at a garage sale for $1. I see these owl families for sale on Etsy very often.

It looks so nice in my little vignette here. This is the reason I love shutters. They can be used anywhere (even propped on wall to hide outlets and plugs). But for vignettes, it creates that height it needs to create balance, otherwise it's just a bunch of stuff on a flat surface. Well, many people probably still think it is that too.

 Also, with larger accessries, like the ones on top of my hutch, it creates a little background for depth.

Basically, when creating a vignette, things to consider are angles, varying heights and groups of at least 3. Staggering the items, creating layers and playing with different textures are also essential. And for good measure, throwing in a touch of nature helps bring beauty and life. That can be accomplished with pinecones, acorns, seeds, dried leaves, flowers, branches, feathers, driftwood, wheat, potted grasses or sprouts, birds eggs, nests...

Try and avoid having an "Accessories on Parade" as penned by designer, JoAnne Lenart-Weary.
 It means to avoid the urge of stacking up all your favorite pieces and crated a 'parade' or straight line of them. Read how to break up the parade on The Nester. You will notice I break the rule of having 3 items, but one's got to live a little. I like to work in a triangle, a larger item in the back that acts as a spring board to branch out accessories in front and to the side.
 

My mom's little ice cream dish, makes a great notions holder. Old wooden spools, laundry clips and skeleton keys are the perfect size to hold small lengths of pretties. You never know when you will need a touch of lace, baker's twine, vintage seam binding or a dash of sequins to, tie on a necklace, wrap around silverware for a dessert party, wrap around your wrist, add to an accessory add to a giftwrap. You can read all about the use of goodies in my packaging series.

Part 1: Artful Giving
Part 2: Artful Tagging
Part 3: Artful Embellishing.

The Art of Giving. Part 3

creature comforts~ grocery bag into a bow tutorial here

Welcome to the final chapter in the Art of Giving Saga, artful embellishing.
Part 1~ Artful Packaging
Part 2~ Artful Tagging

Today's topic we will be focusing on those extra special embellishments for your package that will give it that boost of personality, and a bit about HOW to pick out the perfect gift.

First, for picking out the perfect gift, think, does this person collect anything? Great! Then think again, is this person tired of this collection, would he/she pull out their hair if they get another owl/mirror/western movie/golf mug/necklace... Do they talk about how much "clutter" they have and they have no more room for "knick knacks", these are some clues to try and take a different route.

Think, what kind of hobbies/activities do they enjoy? What colors do they decorate with or wear? Do they love to cook, bake, read, be lazy, blog? Do they prefer organic, nature inspired or vegan items? Do they love pottery, vintage china, geneology? For inspiration, go to Etsy's Gift Guides, which has a lot of ideas for many personality types and occasions. The gift guides are a good place to start getting your brain turning for something not likely to be found in a mall. If this persons loves movies, thrill seeking, theatre, pampering, consider planning an evening out for an event rather than say, a gift card (which for many people, are perfect). Perhaps nearer to Christmas, I will revisit this topic, so lets get on with the packaging!



First, I take you to My Konos. She is a truly amazing jewelry artist, and has mad skillz in creating lovely supply packs. Paper millinery flowers, vintage ribbon, lace... just you go and pile it all up on a tissue wrapped gift and what do you know, you have a treasure. Try wrapping your gift up in sheet music, newsprint, a scrap of fabric, tissue paper....



Now, Nester. Her ragamuffin theme has gone crazy on a foodie gift. She tied up some lovely fabric trim, tassels a bell and a note and there you have it, no wrapping paper needed!



Lastly, Unfinished Business. She makes jeweled embellishments already for you to just add on to your package, easy peasy.



Now, here are my contributions. I gave this lovely acorn bird feeder as a gift and instead of wrapping it or putting it in a bag, I embellished the rope with a feather, watering can, skeleton key and a cream ribbon.

For more ideas, I wrapped a book in ribbon and lace, and added embellishments that could easily be tied or glued together. I would recommend getting a circle of felt as your base, gluing everything to that and then tying your decorated felt tag to your wrapping ribbon.

tulle, vintage seam binding made into rosettes and a vintage brooch

tiffany blue satin-ish ribbon, vintage watch face, shell, vintage chandelier prism

tiffany blue ribbon, pink millinery flower, vintage rhinestone brooch, chandelier crystal

ticket stub, drink umbrella, pink heart jewel, green vintage bead, green flower, gold trim

shell, brooch, key, watering can, feather

black lace, spool, rhinestone, brooch, watch face, gear

pair of earrings (as a second gift), shell, flower, lace

wooden lady, feather trim, lace, flower, rhinestone brooch

same as above, but with a photo slide and buttons

Anything is possible, just use your creativity and spare craft junk you have laying around (it's a great way to destash!) For lots more ideas, visit Sande of A Gift Wrapped Life, the queen of packaging, and she also has an online shop, Oooh la la Cadeau where you can purchase lovely gifts along with lovely wrappings. (some of her amazing packages below)







If you could go out and package a gift today, which idea above would you most likely use as an inspiration, or do you have any other ideas?

The Art of Giving. Part 1

sea unicorn

 Part 1: Artful Giving
Part 2: Artful Tagging
Part 3: Artful Embellishing.

There is something truly sweet when a package arrives in the mail and upon opening the mailer, you pull out a deliciously thoughtful array of eye candy. Whether you are an online or brick an mortar seller of goods, or you are giving a gift to a friend, little details can make all of the difference. These are nice and simple touches you can do easily to make a small impact.

daughter of luxury

talula

mia sophia

rafya

A packaged gift does not need to be all fanciful, full of frippery with a flippant regard to wasteful packaging, but just a touch of something special, a little hint of awesome is all it really takes to make an already splendid thing turn into an exciting valuable to behold.

farouche

sjane

percival road

garden gwyn

by bethany

jack and izzy

Now, I mostly am showcasing little boxes for gifts, but any of these techniques can be used for those of you who sell (or give) larger things. If you cannot gift wrap item, perhaps a tea stained tag with a paper rose or seashell tied to it? If you leave the gift tag blank, this can double as an additional gift that the recipient can use in the future.

anna laura

annie and olive

annie and olive

jack and izzy

Later, I will show you what you can do with simple embellishments for tags and more packaging goodness!! If you would like to find out more right now, than visit Etsy's online mag, the Storque, for packaging ideas HERE!!!!!!

nan's glam