Esculon Says

On the Importance of Layering

Alexandra Mihaescu — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:27:54 +0000

It seems intuitive and after I point it out you’ll say “I knew that.” But somehow, if I point it out, maybe it will become a more conscious element in everyone’s design process. Whether you’re designing print ads, websites, logos, rooms, book covers or putting outfits together, nothing does more for a design than layering. But let’s not confuse layers with clutter. Layering doesn’t always mean adding more, but adding interest through varying elements such as color, texture, depth, and of course, stuff.

The most expensive furniture in a room without layers looks unfinished. Every element in this design adds to the overall look: wall colors, lighting, pillows, wall art, rug, furniture, and all the rest.

An outfit without accessories, jewelry, killer shoes, and a gorgeous bag looks bare. Kelly Framel has the science down to a tee.

Art without colors, depth and textures looks boring.

Even food looks better when it’s tastefully arranged. A little cluster of hazelnuts stuck in a clump of glossy sugar next to a tiny ramekin of powdered dark chocolate on a faded pastel plate…all with a pretty description on top.

Layering is also evident in this print of my favorite show, Dexter.

Let’s not forget the tablescapes…

DIY Holiday Gift Roundup

Alexandra Mihaescu — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 03:39:30 +0000

I know some people don’t like to hear about the holidays as early as September, but if you’re considering do-it-yourself gifts this year to save a little money, you have to start planning early!

That said, bookmark this page because by December I will have posted all the best DIY gift ideas the web has to offer. I’ll post DIY gift ideas for your mother, sister, brother, husband, kids and everyone in between. And, if you have any great ideas or spot a DIY gift tutorial please post it in the comments and I’ll add it to the list.

Here goes!

1. How to make a MONOGRAM STENCILED CANVAS TOTE: Cost – $12

Supplies: canvas tote, fabric paint, paper doily, adhesive spray, sponge brush

Find detailed instruction at Tidy Mom.

2. How to make a HARDWARE CHESS SET: Cost $16 and up

Supplies: Nut, bolts and screws, rustoleum paint, felt stickers, chess board or wooden board

Find detailed instructions at Dollar Store Crafts.

3. How to make a CARGO SCARF: cost $15 or less

Supplies: outer fabric, lining fabric, decorative trim, elastic, ruler, chalk, iron, sewing machine

Find detailed instructions at Instructables.

4. How to make WOOL WRAPPED BANGLES: Cost $10 or less

Supplies: plastic bangle bracelets, yarn, scissors, fabric glue, clothespin

Find detailed instructions at MarthaStewart.com

5. How to make a SHADOW BOX FRAME: Cost $5 and up

Supplies: 3 wood frames, Wood glue or Liquid Nails, Wood filler , Clamps or painters tape, Painters tape , Spray paint, scrapbooking paper, Something to put in your box, Pliers, Craft knife

Find detailed instructions at Craftastical

6. How to make a TOASTER PASTRY iPOD COZY: Cost $5 or less

Supplies: Felt material, thread, beads, pins, sewing needle

Find detailed instructions at the DIY Network

7. How to make SHAPED RUBBER BAND SOAP: Cost $7

Supplies: Shaped rubber bands, melt & pour soap, fragrance oil, lidded molds

Find detailed instructions at Dollar Store Crafts

8. How to make a CHALKBOARD SILHOUETTE MUG: Cost $10 or less

Supplies: White mug, chalkboard paint, spray adhesive, sticky paper

Find detailed instructions at Craft Werk

9. How to make an ERASER RING: Cost $1

Supplies: eraser, drill

Find detailed instructions at Cute Little Disaster

Words to Market Your Business By

Alexandra Mihaescu — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:07:29 +0000

“We live in a world where consumers actively resist marketing. So it’s imperative to stop marketing at people. The idea is to create an environment where consumers will market to each other.”

“You can no longer survive by interrupting strangers with messages they don’t want to hear, about a product they’ve never heard of, using methods that annoy them. Consumers have too little time and too much power to stand for this any longer.”

“Marketing is about spreading ideas, and ideas are all you have left to compete with.”

Thought I would offer some food for thought with these excerpts from “Unleashing the SUPER Ideavirus” and maybe entice you to rethink the way you market your products and services.

Give your customers a reason to trust your message and your bottom line will thank you.

The Future of eBooks…WOW!

Alexandra Mihaescu — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:56:14 +0000

This goes far beyond what I ever imaged an ebook could look llike, but then again, the iPad is no ordinary eReader. Imagine the possibilities…

How Chile’s Earthquake May Boost the ebook Industry

Alexandra Mihaescu — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:56:15 +0000

What does the publishing industry have to do with the earthquake?

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for the publishing industry, life finds a way to surprise you. It seems unlikely that a natural disaster and political factors can affect an industry so seemingly unrelated, but it’s true.

Chile’s earthquake and the recent Finnish port strike are causing pulp prices to rise to new levels. Higher pulp prices = higher paper prices for all of those in the publishing industry.

Fun fact : Chile and Finland account for 12% of world pulp sales.

But wait, it gets better. One Chinese paper producer is taking full advantage of the shortage by increasing its price per ton from $150 to $1,050.

Can you see my point about the ebook industry? Not only is information moving online because of the internet boom but this most recent rise in pulp prices won’t hurt either.

And did you know that magazines like Gourmet spend 95% on overhead costs and only 5% on creating the content that gets them subscribers?

You Should Write an Ebook:

1. Because you need to provide value to your customers. If you own a gardening business, you could write an ebook about starting a vertical garden. A photographer can write a beautiful and illustrated ebook about taking creative family portraits.

2. Because although information is free, it’s highly coveted. Discuss issues surrounding your industry with your customers. Tell them something no one else wants to admit and let them spread the word about you.

3. Because we need to stop marketing AT our customers. “We live in a world where customers actively resist marketing. The idea is to create an environment where customers will market to each other. Marketing is about spreading ideas, and ideas are all you have left to compete with.”

How to Write an Ebook

I’m putting together a simple and informative ebook about writing ebooks. Topics will include:

A list of software options for creating your ebook.
How to design a simple, visual ebook.
How to promote your ebook.
How to use your ebook to build a tribe of loyal subscribers and customers.
Ideas for ebook subjects.

The plan is to email it out as soon as I’ve compiled enough quality info. If you want a free copy, sign up below:

When is the best time to use Twitter?

Alexandra Mihaescu — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:54:54 +0000

When is it most productive to use Twitter? What’s the best day of the week for retweeting? Well, a picture really is worth a thousand words so I’ll let David McCandless’s visual do all the talking.

Demonstrating Apture, a new tool for bloggers

Alexandra Mihaescu — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:14:28 +0000

I found Apture while reading Inc.com’s “30 Under 30” article. It’s such an amazing tool for bloggers that I have to share it. Ready for a little demonstration? By the way, this might not work if you’re using a feed reader; you might want to click back to the actual post.

First, you can embed links that pop out an info window, like the ones I posted above. Click the links to see what I mean. The benefit here is that you give readers an informational snippet without them leaving your website.

Secondly, you can embed an object along with tons of other content in the form of thumbnails.

As the main object, I chose this awesome picture I took of the French Quarter from the rooftop lounge of our hotel.
The first thumbnail below that is an image of crawfish bubbling away in a huge pot right on the sidewalk of the French Quarter. Click on it and it’ll pop right out.
Then, click the next thumbnail to read about the Omni, the hotel we took the rooftop picture from. The Omni Royal Orleans has the most incredible staff.
The third thumbnail shows you the most amazing plantation on the Mississippi. Two rows of giant oaks lead to a plantation built in the 1800’s. It’s breathtaking.
Then, another cool pic of Londy and the St. Louis Cathedral in the background.
Next, you can read a Wikipedia article about creole food, which is the only reason we went to New Orleans!
And lastly, Mother’s Restaurant, where we gorged ourselves with po-boys, crawfish étouffée, jambalaya and bread pudding.

As you can see, this tool is a beautiful and clean way to add a gallery of content to your blog and give visitors more information without having them leave your website.

Other content options include YouTube videos, which play right on the pop-up window, along with documents, audio files, articles, and even google map locations.

It’s free to download and very easy to install so go have some fun. If you need help of have questions I’m happy to help!

DIY Shot Glass Project

Alexandra Mihaescu — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:09:18 +0000

I’m sure I’m not the only one who collects useless vacation crap. For years, my junk of choice was shot glasses. I bought one on every vacation I went on until I realized how terribly tacky dozens of shot glasses looked on my shelf. But as tacky as they looked, I couldn’t bear to throw them out. So here’s my DIY project for useless junk, which added up to approximately 30 shot glasses.

Ingredients: 1 hurricane vase, 1 pack LED lights, 30 shot glasses (feel free to substitute w/ junk of your choice)

Start by placing the end of the LED string on the bottom and gently laying the shot glasses on their side in all directions. To get an extra burst of colorful light, I inserted some of the lights inside the shot glasses with the prettiest colors. Pile them up and you’re done! I placed mine on a shelf and it currently serves dual purposes – ambient light and a book end.

Night & Day Shot Glass Lamp

I also like to grab business cards from every restaurant I eat at, so I’m in the process of dreaming up an new DIY project to take care of that mess as well. More on that soon! Happy DIY-ing!

{ creative people live here }

Alexandra Mihaescu — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:00:30 +0000

I never thought I’d love animal print on a house. Inspiring isn’t it? I would love to know who lives in these houses (check out the other 11).

{ 2 awesome DIY jewelry displays }

Alexandra Mihaescu — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:06:29 +0000

These two jewelry displays by Kate from Design*Sponge are probably the most creative I’ve seen. Both require some elbow grease but the results will be worth it.

1. Wood Carved Bust

2. Hidden Jewelry

So get to work and send me pictures of your creations. I’d love to post them!