Tag Archives: diy

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Tote Self-Expression to School

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Handing over the mic this morning to Sharpie Intern, Jacque Smith.  A ’09 grad, Jacque majored in PR at Illinois State University with minors in French and International Studies (pretty impressive, eh!?). With a love for new technology and all things social, “Jack-attack” has been helping the team stay on top of new trends and hot topics in the ever-changing social space.

Recently, Jacque had the chance to lead a Q&A with potentially one of our youngest and ever-so talented Sharpie Artists, Miriah Garnett…

 

Sharpie fanatics would agree: give someone a Sharpie and expect  INKspiration! Read how Miriah Garnett created a stylish design on her sister’s book bag (that got the sister seal of approval), her other Sharpie uses, and Miarah’s advice to other young artists:

Tell me about yourself:

I’m Miriah Garnett, an International Baccalaureate student at North Hagerstown High School. I love to listen to music. It’s a big part of my life. Along with music, I enjoy painting, decorating, doing my nails, scrap booking, reading, texting, and of course shopping.  I am a big fan of R&B, hip-hop, pop, and old school music. I’m a fan of M&Ms, especially the new pretzel kind. I’m a huge Twilight fan. I have read all the books and I am anxiously awaiting the premier of the 4th movie, Breaking Dawn. Some things I don’t like are: stinkbugs (they’re really gross), country music and gory horror movies.

What year in school are you?  Any favorite classes?  Extra-curriculars?

I am in the Eleventh grade. My favorite class is Biology, because I really enjoy sciences and plan to go into the medical field when I’m older. I am involved in the art and scrap-booking clubs at my school.

What inspired you to design a book bag for your sister?

In Kindergarten, it has been a sort of tradition to decorate your tote bag for school, which is something I even did as a kid. So, my little sister Armani (being the girlie girl that she is) wanted a cute design for her book bag. To get some ideas, we went to our local fabric store to look for some pretty prints or designs for some inspiration. We found one that was pink with doodles. Using this design, I incorporated my own twist to it and went all out decorating the whole book bag in this manner.

Of all art supplies, why Sharpie?  What made you choose to customize the backpack with Sharpie markers?

I chose Sharpie because, since my mom is an art teacher, we have always trusted Sharpies to have precise lines and long lasting effects. Sharpies have also always had bright and vibrant colors that I love.

Have you customized any other school supplies or accessories?

I use Sharpie markers to label school supplies and clothes, make card designs, when organizing, to color Shrinky Dinks, to sign t-shirts, and to draw temporary tattoos.

What goes into designing a backpack? How long does it take?

Designing a book bag is actually a very simple, easy, and creative way to design something by adding your own unique touch. In order to design one all you need to know is what you want to create on your book bag and what Sharpie colors you would like to use. Depending on how intricate the design is will determine how long it will take to finish the book bag. The designs could range from flower patterns, to a drawing of your favorite sports team’s logo. The possibilities are limitless.

Dad, Mom, and Armani show off her new, stylish bookbag

How did your sister react to your Sharpie masterpiece?My sister absolutely ♥loved♥ the book bag. It was cute and girlie and was everything she was hoping for. It was definitely something we would not have found in the store.

Top 5 essential items that are always in your book bag:

  1. Books (I’ve never gone home from school without books—ever!)
  2. My huge, graphing display calculator
  3. Different colored pens and pencils, including my Sharpie markers
  4. Portable hole punch
  5. USB flash drive

Aside from customizing some really cool backpacks, what else do you enjoying doing on your down time?

As I said before , I love listening to music. I am also a big fan of shopping for shoes. Even just shopping in general “floats my boat.” I also love to design and paint my own nails. It’s something I have started doing for a year or two and really enjoy. It’s a different way of expressing yourself.

One last question… are you a fan of Glee or High School Musical? What character do you relate to the most & of all the cast members, who would you most want to design a backpack for?!

I’m a fan of High School Musical! My obsession phase is very much over, but I can still sing any song by heart . I would have to say that of all the characters, I relate to Gabriella Montez the most because of having to transfer to a new school and meet different people. I can also relate to her “nerdy” side because of being part of the IB program. If I could design a backpack for someone, it would have to Sharpay Evans because of her bold and unique style—it is a style within itself.

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DIY Sparkle & Shine

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Sharpie Squad member, Alli Whitmore of One Pearl Button has concocted the perfect amount of sparkle and shine for the holidays. Her faux gilded candleholders are chic and make for a glowing accent to any tablescape and are even a great hostess gift.

Alli runs through a simple step by step how-to for making these festive candleholders. With just a few simple supplies and Alli’s “Sharpie Stencil Technique“ your home will be glowing all season long.  

What You’ll Need:

  • Glass cups – Anything that will fit a votive or tea light candle will work – from thrifted cups to old jars.  
  • A doily (Alli used two – one small and one large)
  • Spray adhesive or water-soluble craft glue
  • Sharpie metallic paint pens.

Step 1: Spray a light coating of adhesive onto the back of the doily and stick it onto your cup.  Or, if you’re like me, discover that your spray adhesive has adhered its nozzle shut, be too afraid of getting adhesive in your eyes to try to fix it, and use a glue stick instead.  Whatever works!

Make sure to press all the little pieces down firmly!


Step 2: Following the directions from my Sharpie Stencil Technique, use the paint pen to color all the open spaces of your doily.

Step 3: If you’d like, trace a line around the outside edge of the doily.

Step 4: Wait a minute for everything to dry a bit, then peel the doily off of the cup (my favorite part!).  Don’t worry if some pieces are stubborn.

Step 5:Let the cup sit for a few hours to set the paint.  When it has thoroughly dried, run it under warm water and rub gently to remove any excess glue and paper.

Step 6: Place a votive or tea light inside and enjoy the glow!

 

Big thanks to One Pearl Button for this clever Sharpie DIY! Do you have any Sharpie holiday tips and tricks up your sleeve? Tell us about them!

You can check out more Sharpie creations on SharpieUncapped.com and stay connected 24/7 with us on Facebook & Twitter!

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Sharpie UK at London Fashion Weekend

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Today, Jean Naveau from the Sharpie UK team is stepping in to give you the latest in Sharpie news.  Our UK team was recently at London Fashion Weekend where they hosted a Sharpie DIY pop-up shop.  At the “Sharpie shop” the fashion hungry flocked to design tote bags using a rainbow of Sharpie Permanent Markers.  Jean has a lot to share with you about this fabulous fashion-filled weekend…

Wow – what a busy month we’ve had in the UK! But now I’ve finally recovered and am feeling far more alive I can fill you guys in on how fabulous Sharpie was at London Fashion Weekend.  Just to give you the lowdown (if you don’t know already), Sharpie was one of the official partners of this fashion-fuelled frenzy and as such we got the opportunity to have our very own stand at the event – see below for evidence…

 

Now, to say our stand was popular doesn’t do it justice, it was THE place to be.  Forget the clothes, forget the catwalk show, people actually flocked to us in their hoards for the chance to customise a Sharpie canvas bag with their own fashion-inspired masterpieces and cor blimey did we get some gooduns!

 Here are some of my favourites…

 

Our stand attracted so much attention, that even when the bar got full, the space surrounding us was taken up with Sharpie doodlers! They were sitting on the floor, resting against the wall, finding whatever space they could which would allow them to get creative.  And after 600 plus entries we could only pick one designer to win the much sought-after prize of £500 worth of shopping vouchers. The decision was tough and long, but (drum roll please) we chose Bhavika as our favourite design and we hope you guys agree!

Bhavika's winning design

-Jean Naveau, marketing manager UK & Ireland

***

Big Thanks to Jean, our guest blogger from the Sharpie UK team. We love sharing the ways people Uncap What’s Inside worldwide!

Have you spotted Sharpie in other parts of the world? If so, tell us where! We’d love to hear about it and share your story.

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Sharpie Squad Guest Blogger: Laura Kelly

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One of our fav Sharpie Squad members is our latest guest blogger!  Laura Kelly is a second year Squad member and using Sharpie markers, she creates bright, bold and simple designs that uplift the human spirit.  Laura currently licenses her work to companies in a variety of industries including gift, stationery, gourmet food and home décor as well as bank products.  She also owns her own wholesale company, Laura Kelly Designs, which manufactures stationery products for stores around the country!  Get to know Laura Kelly a bit closer & get a peak of her in action…

Greetings Sharpie Fans! 

 I am Laura Kelly and I love SHARPIE and love being a leader in the Sharpie community!   I am a licensing artist which means that I create designs for companies to use on their super fun products.  I currently license with 14 companies and enjoy being a part of each and every one of those teams.  My life is pretty crazy!  I travel a lot between my two homes in Apex, NC and Cedar Rapids, IA.  The great thing about being a Sharpie artist is that I can take my “studio” with me wherever I go.  Sometimes I find myself designing more at home, at the soccer fields, in the coffee shops and on airplanes than I do I do in my real studio.

True happiness is hands full of Sharpie markers!”

I am one of those “accidental” artists.  I drew ALL OF THE TIME as a child.  I used to trace quarters and turn them into heads on people (little did I know that was the beginning of the Paper People collection).  I stopped drawing in sixth grade after being teased on the bus by a boy who will remain nameless.  He said that my drawings looked like they were done by a kindergartner.  That is all it took to shut me down entirely. 

I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a burning passion to teach elementary school and change the world.  After teaching until I was pregnant with Dylan, my big kid, I found myself at home…bored and playing with my Sharpie markers.  I began to unleash 20 years of bottled-up creativity beginning by designing his birth announcement and…..wah lah….I was an artist!

Seriously now, my friends and family went wild and empowered me to design stationery for them at a rate I couldn’t balance with a full time job.  So, I decided to put my teaching career on “hold” and become a real artist.  Almost 15 years later, I am having more than a complete blast.  While I love to design, I more so love to empower others to access their hidden creativity.  Being on the Sharpie Squad has allowed me the amazing opportunity to get out into my communities and encourage others to uncap all that they have inside.  Through Doodle Contests and visits to classrooms and schools, I have witnessed mature grown ups as they find that inner peace that comes when one expresses themselves through doodling.  The smiles, the laughter and the joy I get to be a part of creating is AWESOME!   Whether through my direct involvement in my community or through the circulation of products with my designs; I feel honored and privileged to have this opportunity to make a difference in my world.  (And to think that I thought teaching in a classroom was the only way….)

This Doodle Contest in Apex, NC rocked the Common Grounds house with help from my two sons, Dylan and Dawson!

Meet Kylie, our “Little Kid” winner of the coffee cup doodle contest in Cedar Rapids at Coffeesmiths.

Meet the Paper People!  I designed this collection for www.expressionery.com to use in creating personalized stationery and checks.  Expressionery customers have created tens of thousands of families and created connection through the written word from coast to coast.  With a demand for the people to jump off of the paper and to other products, Me and My Peeps was created as a collection.  The “Peeps” can be found on auto decals and iron transfers from Plaid Enterprises, coasters and carsters from Thirstystone, magnets from Leanin’ Tree and will soon be available on great products from Ganz.  I have 18 licensable collection being used today and thousands of Sharpie created images in my portfolio.  At the Craft & Hobby Shows in the winter I get to guest appear for Plaid Enterprises and draw the attendees as their very own “Peeps” which is quite a treat.

Meet the Paper People!

At CHA in January I got to work in Plaid’s booth at the same time as my friend, Donna Dewberry…the famous One Stroke artist!

My favorite licensing collection that I have completed is “Happy Haunting"!

I recently traveled on a Delta flight and brought the di-cut part of my logo that represents me.  She got LOTS of attention on the plane from those around me.  I posted a picture on my facebook page and my fans asked if she could come visit them.  Who knew???  Little Laura, the flat 17’ tall me, is on her way via FedEx to Atlanta to begin her travels with Vee, one of my enthusiastic fans.  Feel free to read about Little Laura’s travels on my blog.  After Atlanta, her next stop will be West Palm where she plans to walk in the GCDSO Buddy Walk with the amazing Jackson, my beautiful little friend and inspiration.

This is Little Laura on her first flight with Delta.

One of the things that I love to do is to reuse old stuff and make it into something new.  Here are a few pictures of how using Sharpie markers can recycle common items and recreate them into fabulous treasures.  I recently was filmed demonstrating some Sharpie doodling crafts like these so check back soon for some fun!

ReUSED coffee cups and carrier make a great surprise for coworkers!

ReCYCLED note cards and clipboards come together quite nicely with the help of some Mod Podge!

ReUSE a frosting container and make an extraordinary treasure holder!

Look at me through the camera having a blast in the filming studio!

If I could send a message to my fans it would be this.   Do what you love and believe in it with all of your soul.  I know from experience that when I am creating, drawing and doodling while at the same time empowering, loving and teaching…I am filled with happiness, peace and joy!  I feel lucky that I get to share that with you!

It’s a monster doodleabration! Check back soon for some great doodling techniques and projects!

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P.S. -It’s in Print!

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The Sharpie Squad’s own, Erica Domesek has been getting a ton of well-deserved buzz lately!  As you know, Erica is the founder of  the highly original DIY brand, P.S. -I Made This…  Last year at Fashion Week, we teamed up with Domesek to create Sharpie’s first-ever DIY pop-up bar and ever since we can’t stop hearing about all the great opportunities Erica has had the been involved with!  Romping around town, looking fabulous, she’s been working with some big-time publications including Teen Vogue, Glamour, GQ & Who What Wear, just to name a few!   

Most recently, this DIY rockstar has even published a book of her own, titled,  P.S. -I Made This…  The book features original projects, taking inspiration from looks straight off the runway and recreating them with materials from the  hardware store, craft store and even her own junk draw!  Erica breaks down each project in an easy way, accompanied by tips and resources from the author herself.  Watch the book trailer right here and then hop over to Amazon to pick up your own copy of P.S. -I Made This…

 

For more on  P.S. I Made This…, visit the website,  become a fan on Facebook and follow on Twitter. 

You can also read an exclusive at Fashionista.com, giving you an inside look at what it takes to be a DIY superstar.  What do you think Domesek  uses as a potholder?? You’ll never guess!

 

 

 

 

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Sharpie & TOMS at Georgia College & State University

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You’ve probably seen Sharpie at a few TOMS Style Your Sole Events before and I’m happy to say that we’re at it again!  Recently, Sharpie was able to supply Georgia College & State University with a variety of markers in support of the One for One Movement. 

Thank you to the incredible group of GCSU students who allowed Sharpie to be apart of their Style Your Sole Event, and thank you for being passionate young role models who are making a difference in the world – one step, one shoe, one Sharpie at a time! 

Click to read what GCSU had to say about the event

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Sharpie Squad Guest Blogger: Linda Ellett

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Today’s guest blogger is Sharpie Squad member, Linda Ellett of the popular L’Esperence Tile Works on Etsy.com.  Linda, who has been on the squad for two years, is a professional artist specializing in decorating pottery with Sharpie markers.  Celebrating 31 years of tile-making with L’Esperence Tile Works, every one of Ellett’s tiles is handmade and hand-glazed in her upstate New York studios!  Take some time to get to know Linda Ellett…

Hello Sharpieland!

I’d like to take a moment and introduce myself…..My name is Linda Ellett, and I live in Rock City Falls, just outside Saratoga Springs, in upstate NY.  I’m a ceramic artist who creates handmade tiles for a living, and that’s how I got to be on the Sharpie Squad for the last 2 years. I decided to create a line of tiles entitled “A Day in My Life”….and, of course, one of those hand carved tiles was of a Sharpie. Why? Well, I think the inscription on the back of the tile says it all: “I can’t live without my Sharpie”. And it’s true!

Sharpie Tile front & back

Sharpie is the marker of choice for everything I do that needs marking in the studio. Labeling boxes, writing notes, making tile and pottery sketches…it goes on and on. I use Sharpie markers & pens to create colorful cards and thank-you notes to my customers. I use them to decorate paper wrappings and even my shipping labels.  And, I doodle, especially while I’m on the phone – hey, studies have shown that if you doodle while listening to someone talk, your memory retains more of the information – and some of my doodles inspire my carvings and pottery. I’ve thought it might be fun to have my doodles analyzed….but I’m just too scared.

Doodling with an Ultra Fine Sharpie marker

Doodling with a Retractable Sharpie Pen

I’m such an enthusiastic Sharpie Squad member that it comes up a lot in conversation. Always, always when I mention it, I hear about a Sharpie project that’s just been done or how someone they know has used their Sharpie for great artistic endeavors. Case in point, my friend Linda. Let me tell you about her daughter….
Allison May Kiphuth is currently in her senior year at Smith College. A studio art major with a concentration in the graphic arts, Allison is almost never without her Moleskine and a good selection of Sharpie products. She is a huge fan of detailed work and small things, and using Sharpie markers always allow her to add the perfect burst of color to pieces such as her tiny cityscape drawings. Take a peek at her wonderful art -
I’ve also started a “Sharpie Spotting” post on my blog “She’s So Clever!” and add to it whenever I can. Check out this one about my pottery student, Ali DeRagon.  *(You can find this original post at – http://linda-ellett.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html)
As a proud member of the 2010 Sharpie Squad, I’m always on the lookout for people using Sharpies. It’s amazing how many people depend on their Sharpies everyday!  Honestly I have seen Sharpies used in many different businesses and by many artists to create unique and wonderful art….but I didn’t have to look very far to find a young artist who has put her Sharpie markers to good use! Ali is my pottery student who I’ve been working with all summer.
Of course she needed a personalized apron to keep the clay off her clothes while working….so I sent her home with a fistful of Sharpie markers and a clean white apron and she came back with a work of art!
Ali asked me to collaborate with her on the design, so I added some details across the top and mixed in here and there.

I must have a Sharpie near me at all times, even when I’m asleep. My motto “A Sharpie a day, keeps me healthy, wealthy and wise”. Or something like that. Sharpie rocks!

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Sharpie Squad Guest Blogger: Tali Buchler

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Tali Buchler brings something fresh to the Sharpie blog today as she demonstrates her favorite way to uncap directly onto and into the pages of the encyclopedia. 

The Sharpie Squad’s own Tali Buchler, creative genius behind Growing Up Creative, adds her own twist to the powerhouse of all publications- the collection of text containing every piece of information one could want/need to know.  Clearly though, Tali has found something that the editors have left out and she intends to correct them… 

A new reason to open an encyclopedia…

Used objects and discarded items (or what some may call -trash), always spark my imagination. Transforming an object – giving it a new life and purpose is something I like to do. In the past, I have used discarded magazines in designing a temporary space for a fashion show in an installation called – Read. 

My new “thing” is collecting encyclopedia books that people have been throwing away.  I started folding the books and turning them into sculptural objects.  I’m not sure where this will end, still a work in progress…

In my blogs I have started a series of tutorials called “Eco kids craft” where I use design ideas and craft techniques to encourage recycling creativity and creating with “whatever you have”.

Recently, I had my family over (my brother calls it/ us “the tribe”); a total of 8 kids – enough to start a preschool!  It was so hot that day, we couldn’t go outside. After a while, I started hearing the “I am bored” song coming from all different directions… Quick thinking made me pull out some of the many encyclopedia books I have been accumulating, one per child, and our big box of Sharpie Markers.

My instructions where very clear: DO AS YOU LIKE!

Before I knew it and without any planning, something magnificent happened:  the kids were absorbed, looking through the pages of an encyclopedia, reading and admiring the black and white images.

I gave them the OK to cut and draw as much as they wanted. So they did. And so did I. :)

We used all kinds of Sharpie Markers! Sometimes we drew together, and sometimes each one on his own.  My favorite thing to do was using the Fine Point Sharpie Marker to layer different colors in across hatch pattern.  These Sharpie markers were perfect for that because of their translucent yet brilliant quality.

To do this at home, you will need:

  • An old encyclopedia (you can find it at your parents house or at a second hand store)
  • Sharpie Markers
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick

How to:

  1. Flip through the pages
  2. Find an image you like
  3. Start to color the image
  4. Work in layers, it helps create depth and richness to the drawing (try and think like an impressionist)
  5. Add details to transform the image into something new. Even add notes!

Ready, set, go!!!

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Sharpie Walking the UK Cat Walk

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What’s Sharpie up to over-seas?  Check out this current UK promotion!

 

This year, Sharpie is one of London Fashion Weekend’s official sponsors and we’re giving one lucky winner and a friend a fashion-filled weekend to remember!

Sharpie will be treating the lucky winner to two Gold tickets to London Fashion Weekend on Sunday 26th September, which includes an exclusive catwalk ticket and a goodie bag packed with all your style essentials.  The winner will also spend one night, including breakfast, at the oh-so swanky Guoman’s The Cumberland hotel on Park Lane. To top it off , this winning fashionista will receive more Sharpie swag than they’ll know what to do with!

By filling out and submitting a questionnaire, the chosen GRAND prize winner of this fashion fabulosity will win to two Gold tickets to London Fashion Weekend on Sunday September 26th.  In addition, the prize includes an exclusive fashion week pass, a fabulous goody bag packed with all your style essentials, one night’s accommodation with breakfast at the swanky Guoman Hotel The Cumberland, and  £100 to spend on the latest trends plus bunch of Sharpie goodies to design DIY fashion masterpieces!

What an amazing opportunity!  I hope we can bring this to the states!

Gotta love the personal touch!

oo La La!

Check out London Fashion Weekend on Facebook!

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What’s Red, White & Blue with Sharpie All Over?

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Happy Birthday America!

I’m always in search of a good piece of Red, White & Blue flair to show off my American pride- especially on the 4th of July!  Nothing caught my eye this year so in true Sharpie fashion, I took it upon myself to DIY the colors of the flag…  

Celebrate USA in with these DIY Sharpie Shades

In just about 5 minutes, you too can sport team USA and be the envy of all your friends!  All you will need to make these American flag Sharpie shades is:

Steps

  1. Start out by drawing an outline of half of a blue box on the left eye with a blue Sharpie paint marker.  Color in the “L” shape you’ve made while drawing star outlines as you go. 
  2. Next,  draw red stripes with a red Sharpie paint marker across the remaining area.  If you are worried about drawing straight lines, just do as I did and cut thin strips of tape to lay across the rim.  This will also ensure that the white stripes are even with the red. 
  3. Lastly, (this may not apply to everyone) if you smeared any red or blue marker onto the white space use a cotton swab to wipe of access ink.  Wet one side with Rubbing Alcohol then wipe off the paint, then dry that spot off with the other end of the cotton swab. 

TAH-DAH! You’re finished!  Now you are set to look Sharp(ie) & celebrate the holiday weekend with family, friends & fireworks!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July!