Face Painting!

Even though I am feeling completely down and unable to concentrate on anything, I still want to share the projects I have done before things got a little overwhelming. Here it is--face painting! These are photos of my first attempt at face painting awhile back. My swirls and lines were not as flowy as I would have liked because I do not have a still hand and wrist for this job after doing four years of Ceramics. Eventually, I got the hang of it and just made my lines faster and have the fingers of my other hand support my drawing hand for small details. *Sigh*...the things that throwing on a wheel and hand-building can cause. Eh, I never had steady hands to start with anyways.


Ideally, I wanted to use Diamond face paint, but this event was such a short notice that there wasn't enough time to order them. I opted for the face paint at the local arts and craft store. The paint was similar to acrylic, so it dried pretty fast. Though, unlike acrylic, it does not chip or peel when it is dried on skin. Easy to wash off, easy to use, and safe for the face of course. I prefer using the craft store face paint after all because I can just throw them away after each use. For the brushes, I used the ones designed for acrylic, which have better shaped bristles. Another thing I wanted to use was glitter, but I figured it would be too messy and hazardous for the eyes.

This puppy painting is my favorite. It is daring, fun, and just too cute! I can't wait to do an animal themed party.


Overall, I did have a great time painting faces at the event from the photos and working with two other wonderful gals. They were instant pros! I didn't have to show them anything. They just looked at my samples and started free-styling. Wish I had pictures of them and their work. Awesome girls! I also wish I can put up more pictures from other events, but its hard to take any of my own, especially, working where a ton of kids are lined up, waiting for me to paint their faces. I'll make more effort from now on.

About Lisa H Tran

Tiny Paper Tulips

Sometimes we forget the cool techniques we learned during elementary school when doing stuff like arts and craft. Months ago when I was making a card for my friend, I was at a blank trying to figure out what to add to make the card pop. I started playing around with colored paper and then...*light bulb!* I remember making little tulips with paper triangles. Simple and easy to make, but so elegant.


All you need is paper cut into triangles and rolled into a loose cone-like manner. Then, glue the end corner. For the stem, I just rolled up some strips of paper and attached the sticks to the inside of the flowers with some liquid glue. The ribbon can be substituted with string, raffia, or pipe cleaners depending on what look you are going for.


A life size version of this bouquet would be such a sweet gift, too. I'd put this bouquet on wrapped gift boxes instead of a gift bow or attach it in the front of a gift bag. Add this accent to fancy up anything for that special girl, your mother, or a good friend. For the origami-challenged, this is a perfect project to make some flowers without all the complications. Origami paper would look so amazing in this bouquet!



 About Lisa H Tran

Handmade Thank You Card

Giving a Thank You card is always a great gesture, but hand making the card, reveals much more appreciation. As a matter of fact, hand-making any sort of card conveys more thought and compassion than buying a mass-produced card. Of course, we don't always have the time to create what we have in mind. But then again, we may find an occasion to make the exception.

I love the fact that a handmade card is like an artwork. It is one of a kind and there is no replica. Choosing the color, design, and paper gives you the opportunity to express your creativity. The only hard part is doing it. But don't worry about making it fancy or out of this world. Less is always more. You do what you can do. It's the effort that counts! The simplest, most touching card I have ever received was handmade by pure thoughtfulness. That humble card made me feel extra special knowing that someone actually put out the time to make me something.

So, I encourage you to make a card for someone special. The response is most likely rewarding.

Let 'em know how you feel!

About Lisa H Tran