DIYs are getting more and more technical these days aren't they? It's amazing how far we've come and continue to grow as the demand to customize one's own surroundings becomes the norm.  From making your own fabrics and wallpapers, to even tossing ceramics into a kiln, if you can't find what you want, it is possible to make things yourself;  here's a few brilliant ideas from the May issue of Ideas Magazine.  Above, wallpaper —by combining free vector images of vintage roses with a favorite coloured background, one can make their own custom wallpaper.  Online sites like Spoonflower have it all set up for you, just supply them or a printer who can print onto wallpaper material with high resolution images (150 dpi recommended) that won't distort or pixelate.





And if you want to make real dishes that you can really use, Ideas Magazine has found a method that worked well for them to create your own dishes too.  Here's an excerpt from the magazine article we had permission to print.  Written by Lizel Cloete:

"There are two parts to the process.  Printing your design on waterslide paper and then firing onto the plate. For both processes, you will need a specialist (unless you have a kiln), but it's worth it once you have your plates!  To start you'll need to create the design. You can paint or illustrate or use photographs, as long as you scan images in high resolution, into digital format. Take your final design in TIFF format or as a layered PSD file to a screen printer who specializes in ceramic transfers.  The printer will recommend whether your digital design is suitable for CMYK halftones or spot colours and will create a silkscreen positive for the printing. A special screen is made for each colour and the design is then printed with ink, colour on colour, onto a type of waterslide paper.  It takes a few days because each layer of ink must dry properly before then next one can be printed.  The ink used is specially made for ceramic and glass screen printing and can withstand high kiln temperatures. After the last layer of colour, the pages are treated with a special cover coat and are then ready to be transferred onto your plates. The transfer process works like the type used in ordinary craft projects. Cut it out, soak it for a few seconds in water until the printed layer starts to come away, then slide it over a glazed plate. Discard the back layer and position the design on the plate. Press lightly with a sponge to remove excess water or air bubbles, then leave to dry for four to 24 hours.  The firing. Take the plate to someone with a potter's kiln and have it fired at the correct temperature —780°C is recommended, but first do a trial run."

Wouldn't making a custom set be a great wedding keepsake?


Copying vintage rose prints onto paper from an old book and frame is another pretty idea.  And so easy to make too.  Create a gallery wall of your own curated display.


To learn more and to see other projects in this series, such as the pillows (above), visit the May issue of Ideas Magazine.  It can be downloaded through Zinio.com here. 

Ideas Magazine article credits: By Timna Russell (Platformcreativeagency.com). Stylist and decor Carin Smith | Assistant Annalize Streicher | Photos Ed O'Riley for Ideas Magazine.