Now, it’s your turn to vote for your favorite design. Voting began today at 12:00 p.m. EST, and I encourage (no, I’m pleading) with you to visit www.artofpatron.com to view the gallery of semi-finalists and cast your vote for your favorite work of art before the public voting period ends on May 31st. Simply follow the green “Art of Patron” link above, create a profile, then vote! You can also share the contest with your Facebook friends! The 10 designs that earn the most public votes will win $1,000 and have a chance at receiving the $10,000 grand prize. 

Once the 10 finalists are selected, they will be reviewed by a judging panel from DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, one of the nation’s largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education supported by national designers and artists from all disciplines. In appreciation of the organization’s participation, Patrón has made a $10,000 donation in support of DIFFA’s fundraising efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. Members of the DIFFA judging panel include David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group; Cindy Allen, editor in chief at Interior Design; and Evette Rios, designer on ABC’s “The Chew.”

Thank you and have fun voting!

Mark 

With E-6000 adhesive, I reinvented them as magnets by simply gluing round hardware store magnets on the back of the spigot.

And voila’!

Happy crafting!

Last week I had the privilege to do some floral styling for a video shoot. The photographer we worked with was photo journalist and Pulitzer Prize recipient, Matt Rainey. The images he captured are exquisite and Matt was kind enough to share these photos with me so I could share them with you.

For this assignment, I used simple and elegant thrift store vessels to compliment the freshly cut spring flowers. There’s really no need to spend big buck on vases … let the flowers express themselves.

After I simmer down, I’ll share the ‘how-to’ for making YOUR own spider-free snow globe. All conflama aside, it was a fun challenge and thank you Patron for the opportunity to participate!

Happy &#%!@?! crafting

With the exception of the plants, I found all my project ingredients at A.C. Moore craft store.  You’ll need:

• A wreath – an inexpensive and sturdy grapevine wreath will do just fine
• Small plants of your choice – I am using a tiny fern and two Forget-me-not plants
• Sheet moss
• Green florist wire

Here’s how you do it:

Expand the wreath by pulling apart the vines to create a nest for the plants.
Remove the plants from their pots and gently remove most of the soil from the root ball. Not to worry, these little guys will survive just fine.
With your hands, create a small ball at the base of the plant by molding the roots and the remaining soil.
Cover the root ball with sheet moss and tie it securely with florist wire and insert into your wreath.
Your done!

It’s so simple and to keep your creation fresh, simply water when the moss surrounding the root base is dry to the touch.

Happy spring and happy crafting!

From now until April 30th, Patrón is hosting “The Art of Patrón,” a contest that recognizes handmade visual and functional pieces of art that contain, are made from, or depict any Patrón bottle or component thereof. Those who are 21 and older, are invited to submit original designs for a chance to win a cash prize and national exposure!

I’m going to take a whirl at this challenge and I hope you will too!  Simply follow this link for all of the details:  www.artofpatron.com.

Not only will I enjoy this challenge, I’ll enjoy emptying the bottle too….oh boy.  Cheers and happy crafting!

Pick up a couple inexpensive vintage flower pots and bowls, some spring flowers, remove the flowers from their nasty plastic containers, insert into their new homes and garnish with moss …. voila’!

Photograph by Christa Neu

Happy Easter and Happy Crafting!

I have a giant pile of unused terra-cotta flower pots so putting them to good use, I cracked open a can of chalkboard paint and created these simple gifts for the upcoming Easter holiday.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Terra Cotta containers (any paintable container will do)
• Chalkboard paint
• Foam paint brush
• Chalk
• Small plant or flower of your choosing (I used Baby’s Tears)
• Egg (optional)

You can find all of the project ingredients, including terra-cotta pots, at any craft store. Oh, with the exception of live plants and real eggs but you could substitute with artificial. For live plants, visit your local nursery and for eggs, visit your fridge.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Clean the surface of the container and paint away!
2. After the paint dries completely, with chalk write or draw anything you want on the surface.
3. Insert plant or flower.
4. Your done!

For an added surprise, I placed a simple brown egg that I blew out then glued twine into the hole to hang.

Here’s how you blow-out an egg:

1. Using a long stick pin, poke a hole in the top and bottom of the egg and move the pin around to break op the yolk. Make one of the holes a little larger than the other. That’s the hole you’ll insert and glue twine.
2. Holding the egg in one hand, force the egg contents out by gently blowing into the smaller hole in the egg. The egg insides will come out the other side. Note to crafters – save the insides and make a scrambled egg for yourself – no waste!
3. After the insides are empty, insert the egg in warm soapy water to clean the inside of the egg. Rinse and let dry on a paper towel.
4. When dry, insert twine into the larger hole, glue in place and your done!

Happy Crafting and Happy Easter!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Shipping tags – I found a great selection at Staples
• A roll of peel-&-stick moss - Michaels
  
• Twine
• Scissors
• Hole punch

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Cut a piece of the peel-&-stick moss slightly larger than a shipping tag.
2. Remove the paper on the back of the moss to reveal its tacky side then place firmly on the tag.
3. Punch a hole in the top of the tag and insert twine.
4. Your done!

Okay, how easy is that AND you have a really cool and creative gift tag to adorn your Easter gifts!  Happy crafting!

If you’re looking for one of these custom creations, please look me up at Rodale’s General Store. I would be delighted to create one of these lovelies just for you!