Pinterest Digest

Sharpie marker room

Here are just a few of the cooler Pins that I found this week. To see more of my amazing taste in everything head over to my Pinterest and start following me. Are you one Pinterest too? If so leave a comment with a link and I'll follow you.

Tips for self portrait photography for your blog

Insanely sexy photos of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Claudia Schiffer

Hair chalking

A bridge painted so it looks like it's made from Lego

Really important advice for women on how to stay safe, and how to avoid being attacked

French tattoo artist Xoil

My friend Cecily sent me the link to these crazy Jesus paintings, click the link to see 10 more  

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15 Tips for Using Pinterest

I mentioned last week that I would write up a guide to Pinterest, it seems like my Timeline and Blogging articles were popular so I might as well continue imparting my nerdy skills. If you are at all involved with crafts/design you will probably have heard of Pinterest, that is if you are not already a member. It's a website where people share their taste via virtual pin boards, basically it's like bookmarking with pictures in a shared community. For designers it's an amazing resource for two reasons, one it's fantastic for research and information; I've learned tonnes of new techniques for both crafts  and computers since joining. Secondly it's as a way of sharing your own creations, I 'pin' most of my blog posts and some of my etsy listings so my 'followers' (and virally millions of others) can see them. Even though it has one twentieth the users as Twitter it generates nearly the same referrals, which just shows you the power it has to generate traffic for your brand/website. I've been addicted since before Christmas (go here if you would like to follow me) so I've learned a few things along the way:


1. Set up an account;
For some weird reason the site is still invite only, but you can either request one when you go to Pinterest, or if you leave your email in the comments section I can send you an invitation.


2. Don't just repin;
There are two ways to pin; either by repinning an item that someone else has pinned or by pinning something new to the site. After you've been on the site a while you will see lots of the same tutorials floating around, the community depends on people adding fresh items or it's gets stale very fast. Some of the hardcore Pinners say you should contribute 1 new pin for every 5 that you repin. But I'm gonna be realistic and say that I do 1 for every 10, I see way too many cool things not too. You can install the pin button on your tool bar that makes pinning cool stuff from the internet really easy.


3. Pin with the correct link:
After a while you will notice that not everyone knows how to use Pinterest properly and that some images don't link to the proper site, as a user this is insanely headwrecking!! Please don't be one of those users. For instance if you are on a blog and you see a great post, don't just pin the whole site and click the picture you like, you have to click into the link of that individual blog post and then click your 'pin it' button. Otherwise other people will be brought to the main site rather than that specific post. I hate it when I see a pin for a fantastic tutorial and then I can find the page. Another thing that people do is pin images directly from Google images, giving that as the referral link rather than the website, leading people to a dead end, which is also really annoying and breaks the rules of Pinterest.


4. Find a lost pin: 
If you get stuck in the above situation but you really really want to find the source there is a way. Right click on the pin, then 'open image in new tab', right click on that and 'save as'. Open up Google Images and drop the file into the search bar, it will then give you a list of sites that this image has appeared on (this is also a good way to see is anyone stealing your images online without permission).


5. Organise your brain and your browsing:
I used to use bookmarks but I really hated them as I always lost sites of forgot what I named them. Pinterest is fantastic for sorting out this kind of information. I have a board for loads of helpful articles for selling online that includes loads of marketing tips that I can refer back to when I need them. The same goes for card making, sewing tips and cookery. Now when I sit down to make cards I take a look at my board first and scan for inspiration(just like I do with my scrap booking magazines). I also keep a cookery board, so if I can't think of anything to make for dinner I can take a peek at my board and see if anything takes my fancy. I use Pinterest as a place to store ideas until I need them. 

6. Add text to your image;
This is something I haven't quite gotten in the habit of doing yet, but I see it used a lot to great effect. If you are doing a blog post that you intend to pin, or something useful that you would expect others to pin then add text to one of the images. For instance for my blogging article I made images to go with the piece and included the phrase '20 blogging tips' in the picture. There is a pin description, but sometimes people leave this blank, for these instances your pin will still have an explanation embedded into the image. Another tip I read was also to include your website address in the image. This has two benefits; 1.If the link gets lost along the way or someone pins it incorrectly then people can still find your site. 2. It creates brand awareness on Pinterest, if your posts get popular people will start to recognise that brand.


7. The ins and outs of linking to FB and Twitter;
I have to raise my hand and say I learned this info the hard way. In my settings I linked my account to my Facebook timeline, thinking it would show on my page; not knowing that it would update all my friends about each pin(can I add that I'm addicted so that's a lot of pins). When pinning something it gives you the option to share on Facebook and Twitter, you can do this sporadically so you don't spam all your friends. At the start I was frustrated that I couldn't share to my business page, but I figured out how to do it. After you pin something a box appears asking if you want to share your pin, click the Facebook one, then go to your page in the drop down menu.


8. Write good descriptions;
Writing a good description makes it easier for people to search for this item. Even though it's tempting to write 'amazeballs' as the descriptions, ''chocolate sponge with caramel glaze,they are totally amazeballs cookery# baking# cake# chocolate#' will mean that more people will find it. I must admit that when I'm repinning I don't always edit them to make them better for searching, but it's worth the effort. You can also use the @ and # symbols like you do on Twitter.

9. New profiles;
Pinterest just changed their profile layout recently, and you can now choose what image represents your board. Just click the main image and choose your cover image from your pins. Pinterest users are very visual so try to curate your profile like you would an Etsy treasury, I thought about what images and colours matched each other. Also make sure to add all of your relevant links to your profile, I've stated following lots of new blogs and Facebook pages because I've been interested in their taste of Pinterest. I also added my business name in brackets after my own name just in case people don't know me as Ruth.


10. Find out who is pinning you:
I pin quite a few of my blog posts, but other people pin them too, and it's nice too see what is popular. Just type in www.pinterest.com/source/yourwebsitehere/ and you will see all the pins that link to your site.


11. Be Seasonal;
Every time a new holiday/season rolls around Pinterest is flooded with pins for that event, so at Christmas and Valentines there are endless recipes, present ideas, craft tutorials and shopping guides. If you are trying to promote your own seasonal wares or articles make sure to post them early so that they have time to circulate. Or if you like writing craft how-to's then think about the seasons ahead of time and write up some tutorials geared towards these holidays.


12. Share your profile;
Add links to your Pinterest on your blog and business page. Promote it just as much as the other sites that you are part of, if someone finds you on one platform they will want to know where else you are. Make it easy for people to follow you. I even mention that I'm addicted to Pinterest in my twitter profile. You can also add a link to your account to your email signature. Recently I started using social networking icons on my business cards and labels, and on my latest batch I added the P to represent Pinterest.


13. Add the Pin It button to your posts
Sometimes you will see a little red Pin It button on blog posts, this is just like a facebook or twitter sharing button. You can go here to get your button and just paste the html into you post template so that it appears in each of your blog posts like a signature. You can find this in Settings, and then go to blog posts, and paste in the html.


14. Pinterest is a community
You are able to like and comment on pins just like on Facebook. To take part in the community more comment on other peoples pins to interact with them. You can also use the ' symbol to tag another user if you see something that you think they might like, or to let them know you are talking about them. I must admit that I'm guilty of not doing this, but I'm very excited when i do get a comment because it happens so rarely!

15. Set a timer/limit;
Be warned Pinterest is incredibly addictive, and time can easily fritter away. Because of the nature of the site it always leads you to more sites, with more cool stuff, with other links, and so on. They estimate that the average regular user spends 1 hr 17 minutes on it per day. To stop yourself whiling away the hours looking a pretty things set a deadline for yourself, trust me I've learned the hard way.

Helpful Links:
Pinterest deconstructed infographic
Guide to Pinterest infographic
Marketing tips for Pinterest
How to find the original source on Pinterest
7 Ways to use Pinterest
and saving the best til last...
The ultimate guide to Pinterest

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More Amazing Pinterest Finds

Here are some of my most recent finds on Pinterest, if you would like to follow me and my amazing taste go here!

I've been looking at lots of infinity dresses lately, they seem ideal for the Summer, here is a fantastic tutorial on how to make your own. I'm seriously tempted.

I love this repurposed phone box that was turned into a mini local library.

I found a word to describe my penchant for nerds; sapiosexual. At least there are enough people out there like me to warrant a word. My hotty but notty series still brings me tonnes of traffic, I should really start it again.

I'm not the biggest fan of the Keep Calm posters but I really like this Irish one.

I hate my mouse pad and I really need to follow this tutorial on making your own mouse pad

This repurposed suitcase has been made into a picnic basket come table with inbuilt speakers, and it has a tutorial on how to make your own. Pretty amazing, I want one to go to the park and play scrabble on. I would also like more sunny days. Last week I was wearing sandals and shades, this week there are hailstones and my heating is on; Irish weather is schizophrenic.

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Rainy Friday Pinterest Finds

It's been a while since I did a Pinterest post of cool stuff I've stumbled upon, but a rainy Friday Morning seems like the perfect time to go digging through all my picks. By the way if you would like to follow me on Pinterest, go here, or if you would like an invite to join leave a comment and I'll send you an invitation.


I do lots of pinning for my Bazaar Tales book stall, either handmade stuff from books, infographics on grammer, quotes etc. I love the etymology of works so this list of this we say thanks to Shakespeare appealed to me immediately. There is a nice story behind the notebook image. It turns out a student scribbled down some notes in her journal at 3am in the morning, scanned it in and shared it on her Tumbler page, and since then it's gone viral. Here was I thinking some very hip graphic designer spent ages composing it to get that casual scatty look!

Who knew you could knit you own dish cloth? I certainly had never imagined such a thing. Follow this great step by step tutorial to making your own cloth. I think they would make cute gifts for people in an odd kind of way.

People who blog or sell online are always trying to get better photos, this DIY lighbox tutorial looks very do-able and inexpensive. I bought a light box last year so I have one already, but if you don't this looks like a winner.

Getting displays for your shop or market stall can be very expensive. Some shops insist that you have your own display, so if you are selling to a few/several the cost can build up very quickly. I'm always on the look out for well done DIY versions. Here is a great DIY ring display unit.

Since living with Cecily last year I kinda became obsessed with eggs, I could eat them with everything, and the became a particular favourite for dinner. If you ever have left over Indian but not enough for a meal then fry an egg and put it on top, make so toast and dig in, it's delicious! Anyhow I digress, I found this egg in an avocado recipe and I'm dying to try it. It looks like it would be so creamy and delicious, my tummy is rumbling even as I think about it. 

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Tattoo Envy

As you all know I'm addicted to Pinterest, on one of my boards I have a collection of yummy tattoos. I'm hoping to book in for my own tattoo in the next few weeks. I have the voucher already so I don't need to worry about the cost, and I also have the idea all worked out. But I'm just a weakling when it comes to pain so I've been putting it off, pathetic I know!!

Here are some of the tats I've been drooling over lately....

I love the old style of these flowers

I love that this looks like a college and not the cliche tattoo style

So delicate and beautiful

This is by Peter Aurische...I love his drawing style it's amazing

There is a weird part of me that wants a Pin-Up tattoo

I love the tattoo but I hate the placement

A pencil will be featured in my new tattoo

I love this but I think the text ruins it

I have no idea what the caption reads but I like the door

I hate when people say,'What will you look like when you're older?'....I think they look beautiful

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This Weeks Pinterest Finds

So True!(I found an image like this online, but it was tiny, so I remade it in photoshop, feel free to reuse it yourself)

I might start to make my cool Pinterest finds a weekly feature, I find so many great things on this website every day it would be fun to make a highlights post regularly. If you are on Pinterest you can follow me here, or if you would like an invite to join just leave your email address in the comments section.

Strawberry Pillows from The Purl Bee

I think these strawberry pillows are super cute, the pattern looks a tad overly complicated though  as the just look like a giant version of these key rings that I made last year. I'm tempted to adapt my pattern to a larger scale and make some. They would be nice gifts for my nieces.

London Mummy Vintage Skittles

These vintage skittles from London Mummy are from a list of 101 projects to make with fat quarters, which is great as I have tonnes of small bits of fabric and it would be fun to work on some new projects.

Ink Guide Monkey House

At long last here is a proper guide to understanding stamping inks, there are loads of them on the market and to be honest I didn't have a clue what I was buying. This is a long read but well worth the time.

Mixed Media House Necklaces by Junk Garden

I stumbled across this lovely shop with these amazing necklaces.  I love her choice of papers and colours, and there is nothing as cute as a mini house. I'm sorely tempted to buy one, although long necklaces tend not to suit me because of boobs, the necklace tends to hand weirdly.




Cherry Dollface has great vintage hair and make-up tutorials, I definitely have to give some of these a try, although I strongl suspect they will look no way near as good, I also love her tattoos.



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How-To Paper Collage Bookmarks

Yet again I found a great tutorial on Pinterest, this how-to by SEI Lifestyle is for making magnets, which is what I intended to make, but as I started working on the I changed my mind. I made bookmarks instead since I'm now running a second hand book stall, and I thought they would be nice to have if someone was buying a gift.

 I ended up not using some of the above items, so here is my revised list of what you will need.
Kraft Card 12" x 12" sheets
Lots of scraps of fancy patterned paper, I have tonnes of this left over from cards.
PVA glue mixed half and half with water.
A brush or sponge
Brown aging ink
Scissors
Pen
A corner cutter
Sewing machine
Varnish
Card for a printer

I grouped my scraps of paper into coloured themes, this gives a more cohesive look especially since the papers are all in clashing patterns. I have been saving up these scraps of paper for years, I have loads of it, so I'm delighted to find a use for it.

 Cover your 12" x12" sheet of Kraft paper with you glue mix, then lay out the scraps of paper, gluing the backs of each of them too. Try to think about what colours sit well beside each other, and also add interest by ripping some of the sheets in stead of having a cut edge. Also try to remember that this large sheet will be cut into smaller strips, so try to layer up using lots of small bits(but not too many either or will never be able to sew around them all)

Allow the sheets to completely dry out.

On the back measure out 6" x 2" strips and cut up your sheet using a scissors. I then used my x-cut corner punch to round the edges. After cutting up the strips I decided I wanted to back them on something more substantial, so I cut out 7" x 3" strips on Kraft card to sew my collaged pieces onto.

Since these were going to be bookmarks i wanted add quotes/saying to them. So after a bit of Googling I came up with a few short lines. I used photoshop to lay them out in long narrow strips in a font that I liked, and then I printed them onto some glossy card.

I carefully used my sewing machine to sew around each of the paper scraps, take your time at this bit, it's fairly tricky. I sewed the coloured paper onto a larger piece of Kraft card, do all my central stitching. When this was finished I sewed around the edge onto a second piece of Kraft card. What this does is hide all the unsightly stitching from the central panel and sandwiches it between two pieces of Kraft card.

I then used some brown stamping ink to age the edges and add some more interest and texture. When this was done I varnished the bookmarks back and front and waited for them to dry.

Hey Presto! they're done. I'm pretty chuffed with how they turned out, and I'd really like to adapt this method to other projects too.

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