Part of the Home Tours: The Beitcher Residence

Dwell on Design, the “West Coast’s Largest Design Event,” is happening June 25 – 27th and if you are anywhere near the LA area, you won’t want to miss it! Bliss Off readers and Urban Bliss Design friends get a super special discount! More on that later, but first a look at the can’t miss events happening at Dwell on Design.

Dwell on Design is a showcase of modern design products, ideas, and practices. In addition to amazing presentations by architects, artists, environmentalists, and designers – including author/environmentalist/actor Ed Begley Jr. and designer/HGTV show host Angelo Surmelis -  there are also home tours featuring incredibly diverse examples of contemporary architecture and interior design. There is also an exhibit area open throughout the weekend that would be cool to attend if you weren’t the industry but have an affinity for modern design. One of the featured exhibits is Asia Now, a showcase of contemporary designs from 11 countries throughoust Asia. This year, there’s a section on the show floor called Modern Family showcasing design ideas that are hip and functional for busy families. In this section you’ll find a whimsical playhouse “Playgoda” (pictured below) designed by acclaimed artist, architect and inventor Gregg Fleischman, a photo booth by photographer Sarah Welt, and -what would likely be my kids’ favorite section – a Paul Frank Reading corner.

The Playgoda in the Modern Family section

If you happen to be in LA and do attend, be sure to let us know what your favorite part of the event was! We wish we where there with you.

Urban Bliss Design friends & Bliss Off readers can either save $15 off the Dwell Exhibit Plus ticket OR get 50% off the two-day weekend pass by using coupon code DWELL8B when you register online before June 23rd. Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.dwellondesign.com/tickets

These coasters are SO incredibly easy to make. I warn any friends or clients reading this: don’t be surprised if you get coasters for winter holiday gifts this year! AND in addition to the easy instructions below, I’m including a FREE PDF design so you can make your own coasters! Just be sure if you download this design, you ONLY USE IT FOR PERSONAL USE. I have eyes everywhere, and if I see these being used commercially, you betcha my lawyers will come a’ knockin’, because that’s stealing and stealing is just not nice.

MATERIALS

1. Thick coverstock paper – about .25 – .45 cents per sheet at paper stores (I used 85# because I wanted it to go through my picky laserprinter)

2. 4″ round clear acrylic (I got mine from Tap Plastics for $2.30 each; most plastics or industrial art supply stores have this or can cut acrylic to size & shape for you)

3. Photo spray mount – around $14-16 (although I used regular spray mount here which was $7.99)

4. Modge Podge or similar finishing product – around $6-8

DIRECTIONS

1. Design your own 4″ round coaster art, cut out your favorite fabrics, or download our 2010 Urban Bliss Spring Green Coaster Designs for FREE through April 30th! Cut the designs out carefully with scissors.

Here’s a few I made for my friend’s shower:

Here is a sample of what the FREE Urban Bliss Spring Green Coaster designs look like (you get 2 of each design in the PDF; print as many as you want for personal use!):

2. Most plastic/industrial arts shops will give you acrylic rounds with protective backing (either blue plastic or thick cover adhesive). Use your fingernail to pick away one edge of the backing; once you get a corner off, the rest of the round cover should come off easily.

2. Place the round coaster paper face up on top of an art rag or other cloth item you no longer need. Use a photo spray mount adhesive and spray lightly over the cut out rounds of paper. Try to spray as evenly as possible, otherwise there may be splotches that seep through the paper.

3. Quickly but carefully place the clear acrylic round over the paper round that you just sprayed with adhesive.

4. With your fingers, firmly and evenly press the acrylic round to the paper round to ensure they stick together.

5. To finish off the coaster, use a light sponge and dab Modge Podge over the back of the blank paper side of the coaster. Allow to dry according to packaging. **Note: You could skip this step, but doing so just helps add an extra layer of protection to the back of the coaster.**

6. If making as a gift, here’s a simple way to present the coasters:

Voila! Easy, fast, and super fun! If you try this, be sure to let me know how it went, what materials you used, and send link to a photo too! Happy crafting!

Crate and Barrel – Corva Orange Bed Linens shopping in Crate and Barrel Bed and Bath.

This 5″ x 5″ 2010 calendar features one exclusive Urban Bliss design per month plus a space to write your notes. It’s printed on thick white matte cardstock, has rounded corners, and is left loose so you may create the functionality of the calendar that suits your visual self the best.

Some display ideas:

* Pin them up to a corkboard

* Use magnets to post them to your refrigerator or to a white board

* Use colorful clips or hole punch the top and string along for a modern, fresh, fun and functional art piece.

* Prop them up on a desktop easel

Order your Limited Edition 2010 Urban Bliss Calendar today online. Supplies are limited!