Color Inspiration Daily: 05. 02. 12

Untitled Illustration by Anna Higgie (via Kylea). Find more on Anna's portfolio, blog and in her shop.

DIY Brushstroke Glazed Mini Bowls

Hi everyone! Today I thought I'd share a tutorial with you all for these easy DIY Brushstroke Glazed Mini Bowls that are ideal for last minute Mother's Day gift giving (they are also dishwasher safe when complete). These painterly little vessels look pretty packaged up as a set of two with a nice canister of yummy Fleur de Sel (perfect for the Mom who loves to cook and entertain)...or wrapped up as a sweet little catch all to hold her favorite rings and jewelry (maybe you can even package it with a pretty little bauble or two that will make her feel especially spoiled). Keep reading below for the simple tutorial.

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This DIY post was sponsored and made possible by Method..."Clean Happy."

Facebook Photo Contest - Chore No More: What to be the one lucky person who will win a year’s supply of Method detergent, or one of 25 people who will win laundry starter kits (two 8-load bottles)? Visit method on Facebook and enter to win by submitting a photo that documents what makes doing laundry a chore - such as using a heavy jugs that are prone to spilling. The top 26 with the most votes from the community will win!

2$ off Coupon for Laundry: Every Thursday for the month of May, be sure to download your $2.00 off coupon for Method Laundry Detergent on the perks tab on the Method Facebook page. The coupon will only be on available to print on Thursdays.

Canadian residents: Instead of printing the physical coupon, you will be able to get $2 off Method products available at http://well.ca using the discount code "WASHME."

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Supplies:

• White Oven-safe glass bowls (plates, trays, etc. would also work) | These mini bowls were purchased at Target for a couple dollars a piece.
• Vitrea 160 Glossy Ceramic Paint by Pebeo (any color you'd like—colors can also be mixed) | I've found these paints at Michael's Craft Stores and online. You will need very little paint per small dish.
• Flat-headed paint brushes | Choose a size that is comfortable for you to work with.
• Oven 

Steps One and Two:

1. Dip the end of your paint brush into the paint, collecting up a reasonable amount of paint, and dab it into the center of your dish. You can always add more paint later, so it is better to start out with a small amount.

2. Place your paint brush into the center of your bowl (in the middle of your paint) and brush upwards toward the lip of the bowl using the flat side of your brush.

Steps Three and Four:

3. Continue brushing paint from the center of the bowl outward leaving some areas bare and some saturated with color for a painterly effect. Add more paint if needed. Be sure that your paint is not applied too thick and/or that is not running. If drips begin to form, just brush them into the design with your paint brush.

4. Once your bowl is painted how you'd like it to be, set it aside and let it dry for 24 hours. Once air dried, bake it in your oven following directions on the Vitrea 160 bottle.

Note: For best results when baking ceramics it is best to place your dish into a cold oven and turn it on to the correct baking temperature, allowing the dish to heat up with along with the oven. When finished baking, turn off the heat and open the oven door. Allow the dish to cool slowly inside the oven (with the door open). Doing this decreases the chance of having your dish crack from sudden heating or cooling.

Here's an example of some of the colors that Vitrea 160 paint comes in. You can also mix colors together to create custom blends that more closely match the colors you like best. I hope you enjoy making your own little assortment of dishes. Just beware that it's hard to stop making them once you start! xo Ez

Prop notes: Gold Glitter Twine from Knot & Bow | Kraft Paper Boxes available at craft stores | Fleur de Sel available at select markets and Williams-Sonoma | Manila Tags available at office supply stores - or download my free printable manila tags | Teapot and Diary - vintage | Uppercase Magazine found here.

Update: I appologize for my earlier note about this paint being food-safe. The bottle does not state otherwise, but Lauren (thanks Lauren) found otherwise on the Pebeo website. Because of this, please use your own discression when applying to surfaces that may come in contact with food items.

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Full disclosure: This DIY post was sponsored and made possible by Method. The project and any opinions expressed are my own. If you'd like to read a little bit more about my partnership with Method, I've posted some more thoughts about it right here.

A Wee Feature on Camille Styles

Hi friends! I just wanted to invite you to find out a little bit more about me over on Camille Styles today. I was tickled pink that Camille asked me to be a part of her "Essentials" series, and I hope you'll enjoy reading my answers to her fun questions. What are you waiting for?! Skedaddle on over and say "hello." xo Ez

Gift Idea: Colorful Beater Whisks from Gretel

I'm loving these colorful collapsible Normann Copenhagen Beater Whisks from Gretel. I don't know about you, but my wire whisks are always getting caught when I open my cooking utensil drawer, so these ingenious little contraptions are looking mighty clever to me. At a reasonable $18 a piece and with eight cheery colors to choose from you they would also make a great gift. I'll take one in "mint" please (wink). xo Ez

Color Inspiration Daily: 05. 01. 12

Framed Aloe Photograph by Clinton Friedman for West Elm