Meet Emily Painter - Article from The Clutch

I was beyond excited when The Clutch approached me to write an article about what I do.  

If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc., you know that I have a lot on my plate when it comes to creating!  I'm a photographer, graphic designer, Etsy shop owner, jewelry designer, crocheter, painter, blogger, and all around craft lover.  When I started writing the article about Painter Designs and who I am, my feelings and emotions about all of the things that happened in the last year, really started coming to the surface.  So, I went with it!  

Here's the finished product on The Clutch!

DIY - How to Hang a Wreath from a Mirror

I've seen all of these gorgeous pins and posts lately with beautiful green wreaths attached to mirrors in living rooms and dining rooms and I just fell in love with that look!  Since I would consider myself quite the DIYer, I thought I would attempt it!

Well, hanging a wreath to a mirror wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be originally.

Our dining room mirror is attached to the wall with two nails and two hooks on back of the mirror.  At first, I thought I would just attach a string and the ribbon to the wiring at the back of the mirror...  So, that totally messed up that plan.

After some thinking and Googling, I decided to get some 3M Command Strip Hooks.  I probably won't always want a wreath over this mirror throughout the year.  So, I didn't want to cause any damage to the wall or to the mirror. Therefore, hanging it directly above the mirror frame on the wall, was the easiest thing to do.

So, I went to  the store and found these little guys.

First, I measured the width of the framed mirror, because I wanted to make sure that the wreath was centered.  I measured it as close to  the top of the frame that I could. After I found the center point of the mirror, I used chalk and made a small dot on the wall right above the mirror to mark the center point.  

Next, I used two of the Command hooks, since they are only good for 1/2 of a pound each, I wanted to make sure that the hooks would hold the wreath.  I put a Command Strip on the wall on the left side of the chalk mark and I put another command strip on the right side of the chalk mark.  (Make sure to follow the instructions that come with the Command Strips).  After you attach the hooks, apply pressure to the hooks for 30 seconds each, to make sure that they are adhered correctly to the wall.  

Now, I needed  to attach the ribbon around the wreath and then create a bow to cover up the hooks on the top.  I simply cut one strip of ribbon to loop around the bow, for it to hang at the appropriate length, in the middle of the mirror.  I honestly, just eyeballed this part and didn't measure.  (I hate to measure anything if I can get by with it!)  Then, I used two safety pins to quickly attach the ribbon at both ends, for a sturdy and seamless loop.  You could definitely stitch up the ends to make a loop, but I wanted this to be as easy to remove as possible and didn't want to waste my plaid ribbon, when I changed it out.  Hey, I'm thrifty!

For the next step, I needed a bow to cover up the small Command hooks above the mirror.  I found this awesome video by Michaels on YouTube and used it to create the plaid bow.  Where she uses pipe cleaners to attach the bow together, I used floral wire.  Surprisingly, I have no pipe cleaners in all of my craft stuff!  So, I just cut off about an eight inch piece of craft/floral wire to wrap around the bow and secured it in the back like you would a twist tie.  This excess will be what you attach the bow to the original loop that you created and the hooks, so make sure that you wrap it around and it is pulled tight in the back of the bow.  

You can see in the picture above, where I wrapped the wire around and looped it around throughout the back of the bow.

I am so happy with the finished product! No, it wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be, but it looks beautiful for the Christmas season, and its nothing permanent that did any damage to the wall or mirror!  Happy decorating and DIYing friends!

Check out my next post on my first wreath flocking experience!

Follow me on Instagram for more shots of my Christmas decorations!

12.2.16 Friday Favorites

It's December Y'all!  

Christmas will be here before we know it and then we will be ringing in the New Year!  I can't believe it!

Here's my Friday Favorites list for this week!  It's a list of the things that caught my eye and made me swoon throughout the week.  Enjoy!

1. Poppyclips

I came across these little cuties made by Poppyclips and fell in love with them!  How stinkin adorable are they?  Using a magnet, these little clips attach to the back of your Hunter (or other) rain boots and give them a dose of cuteness.  I just love these plaid ones with the red bows.  It's so festive for this time of year!  

2. Puppy Christmas plates at Pier 1 

I was window shopping this week and came across these plates at Pier 1 Imports.  Are they not the cutest little Christmas plates?  Pier 1 has an entire collection of little Christmas doggy decor items.  Adorable!

3. Flocked Christmas Decor

I am so obsessed with flocked Christmas decor right now.  I actually bought a wreath and some flock spray this week to make a wreath for our front door.  Stay posted for a blog post on that!

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this flocked goodness from hellofashionblog on Instagram?! I mean, this is just perfect! Awesome shot Christine Andrew!

4. Christmas Decor - Truck with Christmas Tree

I came across this same little truck in the Target dollar section while visiting Asheville, North Carolina a couple of weeks ago and I could kick myself for not getting one!  We haven't had them at our stores in Greenville!  Well, we probably did, and they just sold out quickly.  Downshilohroad shared this precious shot on Instagram, of how she decorated using her little Christmas truck.  Of course I love the plaid throw with it and that "Sweater Weather" sign is just too cute!

5. Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint

Well, I just had to do a little Cyber Monday shopping in the midst of my Cyber Monday sales on the Etsy shop.  Tarte was having some great deals on Monday and I had to take advantage of that!  Hey, makeup doesn't go on sale often.  Right girls!?  I'm super excited to try this Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in Hella.  I've never been able to wear dark lipstick colors and I'm super excited to see how this light nude color looks on!  

6. Black Tassel Earrings

I know I might be a tad biased on this next item.  However, when I made these black and gold tassel earrings, I totally wanted to make a pair for myself and wear them to all of the Christmas parties this year.  I think they would be the perfect accessory for any holiday dress or outfit!  

Friday Favorites 8.19.16

Happy Friday yall!   Here are six things that caught my eye and made me swoon throughout this past week!

1. Kirklands Fall Decor

Fall is in the air...  Well, not really.  It's still about 1,000 degrees outside.  BUT, seeing this fall front door setup makes me feel like its cooler outside, I'm wearing my Uggs, drinking pumpkin spice coffee, and wearing one of my infinity scarves.  One can dream right?!  Seriously though, how adorable is this decor from Kirklands?

2. Living Room by Focus Builders

I was looking through Instagram this week and came across Focus Builders.  How beautiful is this ceiling and light fixture?  Love!

3. Llyn Strong Earrings

I've always loved Llyn Strong jewelry!  I remember being young and going downtown with my mom and window shopping there.  All of the handcrafted jewelry is so unique.  When I saw these earrings this week, I fell in love!  These rose cut black diamond halo studs are absolutely gorgeous!

4. Monogrammed Pillow by The Pink Monogram

I'm a Southern girl and we love our monograms!  How precious is this pillow from The Pink Monogram??  It would be adorable in a dorm room!

5. Lilly Pulitzer Sasha Shift Dress in Regatta

I'm having an identity crisis with summer and fall...  As much as I want it to be fall, I still can't help but love these bright summery colors from Lilly.  Regatta is one of my all time favorite Lilly Pulitzer prints and this shift dress with the bright pink accents is adorable!

6. Infinity Scarves by Painter Designs

My Nana taught me how to crochet at a young age and I still love doing it!  I've been making scarves for over 18 years now and I still love making these infinity scarves for fall and winter.  They're the perfect accessory to any outfit and so cozy!  

My Experience with Working for Myself

When you talk to most people and you tell them that you work for yourself, their first reactions are usually:

"Wow!  That's so cool!  It must be so easy!"
"You can just do whatever you want to, when you want to!"
"That must be such a piece of cake."
"I bet you get so much free time!"
"It would be so nice to work for yourself.  Then, you can just be so free!"
"I could get so much housework done if I was just sitting at home everyday!"

The truth is, this hasn't been easy.

Honestly, it was easier working a full time job that I knew that I had to go to Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:30.  I could (at least attempt to) leave it all there when I left!

It was easier knowing that I had a pay check every week.
It was wonderful having a steady paycheck and not worrying about buying groceries or that cute trendy top.
It was fun going to lunch with coworkers and having more of a "social" life.
It was kinda nice not being at home all the time to see how badly you need to do laundry, mop, cook, etc., on top of trying to run a business out of your home.
It was great to be able to turn your cell phone off and know that you could just "Worry about it at work on Monday."
It was great not having to be "on" 24/7.
There have been sleepless nights and lots of stress.

Now, I'm not at all trying to complain!  I promise!

When I lost my job this April, I was devastated.

I loved my job and I loved what I did.  But, I decided to fall back on what I have always enjoyed doing.  I had a wonderful and supportive family and husband to push me into trying things out on my own.   At first, business seemed decent.  I had a few photo shoots, graphic design gigs, was selling some of my art and jewelry, and had a gallery showing at a local salon.  However, the next couple of months were difficult.  I was spending a lot of time posting online and sharing things to get my name out there.  I was creating things and they weren't selling.  I was spending money on items to make jewelry and then not selling anything to make the money back.  I felt like I was spinning my wheels and getting no where.

I know that when you run your own business, it comes and goes in waves, but friends it is not easy!  It's not easy financially and it's not easy on your self esteem.  You go through a whole feeling of "What is my self worth?"  There has been so much stress and anxiety towards pushing my business, that there have been days that I've had to take a step back and remember that making money and being successful in business is not what life is all about.  This doesn't make me who I am.

I've had to make myself take breaks and take a step back from my work.

Here's what has been working for me to balance everything.

Every morning when I get up, that's my coffee and social media time.  It gives me a chance to wake up and catch up on what's going on in the world.

I've started using a social media calendar in Excel, that helps me gather items and topics and make a set schedule of when to post.

I also started a new, once a week blog post called Friday Favorites.   I take notes while I'm looking through the Internet and also while I'm out and about and that helps me make a faves list for my Friday Favorites.

Every evening, I have to make myself put down my phone and stop liking, following, commenting, etc.  It can easily become an addiction!  Take time for yourself to unwind at the end of the day.   Read a book, the Bible, drink some tea and try to tune out the outside world.



To all of my other photographer, artist, blogger, entrepreneur, girl bosses out there, keep your head up!  We will get through this!  Just remember to make time for yourself and don't get too wrapped up in it all!  We have to remember to keep this fun!  We get one life to live.  Let's not waste it on stress!