Custom Silhouettes: Capturing the Moment

 Custom Multiple Figure Silhouette by Papercut Kitchen $60.00

I love working on custom silhouettes! I'm always surprised by how they turn out, each one so unique just by changing the pattern background and colors. I think what I love most though is the process, knowing that I'm working with a photograph of someone's loved ones, the most special people and events in their lives, really makes me feel honored. The last image I worked from was just such a good one I wanted to share my process a bit.

This is the gorgeous image the client supplied me with, isn't it so incredibly romantic and fun? Not hard to find inspiration there!

From the client's image I create a digital silhouette and send it for their approval, no one knows them better than themselves and loved ones so I like to make sure I captured them correctly.

When the silhouette and paper choices have been approved it's time to cut and assemble. Voila! Custom Papercut Kitchen silhouette! I make mine using the computer and my beloved Silhouette die cutting machine, but you can make one at home the old fashioned way, shadows and tracing. Or print your photo to the size you want on your home computer and cut out the figures to make a template.

How Lovely Are Your Branches

I know I am miserably behind on my show and tell when it's the middle of January and I'm just now showing off the ornaments that I made for the grandparents. To my credit I did want to wait until they were gifted on Christmas but I am running in super slow motion these days. I blame my unborn child. These were such a big hit and I loved making them even more because they are my children and my beloved niece and nephews. I think I will be forever enthralled with silhouettes, such a simple form and yet so much detail and personality.

New: Classic Custom Silhouette

It's the incredible shrinking silhouette! For Christmas this year I made all the grandparents framed silhouettes of their grand babies. I wanted to make them more traditional and a more manageable size since they would be getting several each. Now this shrunken, classic version of my silhouette is available in my shop! Stop by Papercut Kitchen to order your own custom 5x7 framed silhouette or view the listing by clicking here. psst, isn't my nephew adorable?!

Craft Show Survivor

Well, I'm no longer a craft show virgin! The Handmade for the Holidays show Saturday was a great success in my book. I have nothing to compare it to but all I'd hoped in a first show was to make back the money that I put in on fees and displays and to get my little craft show feet wet and I think that happened. I was also incredibly blessed to experience so much love and support from friends, family and complete and utter strangers who were all so generous and flattering.

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

I loved my booth but am afraid it would be way to cumbersome for me to haul anywhere out of town.

I had forgotten how wonderful it is to spend quality time with other artists. My booth neighbors were fantastic, everyone was friendly and roamed around meeting each other and I got to meet several people that I've talked to online for years but never met in person. I could just go on and on about that part of it. The people make it and this was so much fun!

It was interesting to see what sold in person that doesn't sell online and what didn't sell at the show that I expected to. I also see ways I think I can improve for the next one. Overall for a first timer I really like the way my booth turned out.

I really liked my displays, especially the front table and Christmas table. I also liked the unusual shape of my space. I was a little bit crowded on my big table though and am thinking up some ways to give the little goodies some breathing room.

My lovely assistant for the day.

Photo taken by Lisa of Golden Muses on Etsy

I thought the crowds were great for a first time show. It wasn't super jam packed but there was a steady stream of shoppers.

Photo taken by Lisa of Golden Muses on Etsy

I finally got to meet Brandy of Ekioart on Etsy, she's also on my street team, AREtsy. And I adopted two of her robots to give the boys for Christmas. So adorable and incredibly soft. You can get yours here.

Photo taken by Lisa of Golden Muses on Etsy

I made a fantastic trade for one of Briana's lovely bars of vegan eucalyptus spearmint soaps and it is divine! There's a good chance I'm now an addict! Briana was one of the gals who ran this show and you can purchase her soaps online at her shop Nest on Etsy.

Needless to say I will be doing this more in the future. Now that I've been through the process I think it won't be so all consuming like it was this time. Figuring out set-ups, how to take money etc etc really took up some time. Oh and I'm really glad I signed up for Propay to take credit cards. Those transactions added up to about 1/4th of my sales and I can see that growing in the future.

Stay tuned to my shop, The Beehive. I'll be filling it up with all the goodies that didn't sell at the show.

Hot Of The Press: At Home In Arkansas Magazine

I like to enjoy all of The Beehive's latest press while riding my wooden rocking horse.

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

Well, not so hot off the press now, I can't believe it's taken me so long to blog about this momentous occasion. That's what happens when a gal's computer dies. Anywho, my Framed Custom Silhouette is featured in this month's At Home In Arkansas magazine in a great little spotlight on cottage industry. You'll find me alongside other fantastic Arkansas artists and crafters who sell their wares on Etsy.

Custom Frames Silhouette by The Beehive

See the online article by clicking here

The Beehive Is Still Buzzing

The Beehive Custom Silhouette from client's photo

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

I promise I'm not dead, but my blog must seem that way. I haven't had my own computer for awhile now so I'm very limited in what I can do. It's frustrating and freeing all at the same time because I have to be choosy and because I'm not tempted all day to sit down and do "just one little thing" that turns into an hour or more of little things.

Things in life and The Beehive are trucking along though and I'm continuing to make things for my shop. I'm starting to get more and more inquiries about my custom scrapbooks and silhouettes and am holding my breath that it is a sign of wonderful things to come. Above is a custom silhouette I completed recently and below are the latest premade scrapbook layouts to The Beehive.

Happy Woodland Creatures: 2 adorable layouts in 1! See more images, and make it yours, here

Happy Birthday: 2 fun layouts in 1! See more images, and make it yours, here.

Shadow Of A Man: Silhouettes Are At The Beehive

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

I've been wanting to make these silhouettes of the boys for awhile now and I finally did it. I love the way these look using pattern scrapbook paper instead of just the classic black and white. The silhouettes are raised a bit from the background and the frames are like shallow shadow boxes, perfection! As a matter of fact I love them so much I'm offering them as a custom order item in my shop! You can have me make you a framed silhouette of your beloved people or pets that matches your decor by visiting here. Or if you'd like just the die cut so you can make your own special project visit here.

There's a chance you could be seeing my framed silhouette on the newsstands in a few months! I was contacted by At Home In Arkansas magazine about featuring some of my items alongside the work of others in their upcoming article on Arkansas artists on Etsy! I'm so excited and even though I should probably keep my mouth shut until I see it in print I'm blabbing it here. I sent my items off to Little Rock this morning so wish me luck!