Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Ideas to Customize Your Wedding or Event!

As the new year approaches plans for celebration and new beginnings abound. Here at Revisions Design Studio, we can help make your special day even more lovely with just the right details.

Cake Toppers
In this picture, two of our porcelain love birds adorn the top of this beautiful wedding cake. This cute little accent can be found in our EcoElements shop. (set of 3 birds for $13.50)





Guest Favors

Perhaps your looking for a unique wedding favor or party gift for your guests? How about sending each of them home with one of our adorable Porcelain Egg Candles! Revisions offers substantial price breaks on custom quantities based on your guest list.

Porcelain Egg Candles (set of 12) $48.50

Table Centerpieces & Place Settings

Incorporating special and unique elements into your wedding or party can make it all the more memorable. One of our clients was looking to create a flower stand to use on her round tables that wouldn't impede the view of her seated guest. To solve this problem, Revisions created an elegant silhouette from clear acrylic. The slot fit design is both modern yet elegant.

You can get your here: (clear acrylic flower stand, $30)

Some other ideas include our Silver Spoon Napkin Rings or perhaps a batch of our Porcelain Egg Sprouts to use as place name settings!

No matter your personal style, Revisions Design Studio can help make your event decor just right! Contact us today!



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Silver Lining Process!

   What better way to up-cycle and re purpose the treasured heirloom of family silver than creating wearable and usable items from these ornate utensils.  The history behind them is honored with their new function.  Having myself a set of prized "silver" in the family I am all to aware of how often it gets used and appreciated. The idea behind the Silver Lining line at Revisions Design Studio is to give value to an often forgotten item.
   That said, going from spoon to ring takes a number of steps not to mention swipes of the file. The following is a step by step summary of how our studio takes tableware from tarnished to terrific!

One of the many great things about the use of silverware in this application of household use and fashion, I feel, is the little amount of space and tools used to make such an adored product. The studio space shown in this picture is where each of the steps takes place! In the corner a board for patina, containers for files and the few other tools used in the process, the bottom left corner a table vice for cutting and most importantly on the edge of the table the bending tool which really makes it all happen.

The process begins simply, with a nice smelly bath in liver of sulfur for each handle.  This yellow liquid is brushed on as a patina which darkens the metals surface. 
    After the patina has had time to work its magic, usually it takes a while and often two coats are necessary for an even finish a quick rinse with warm water and the bending process begins.






   In making rings the utensil is left whole and only cut after measurements are estimated and ring size determined. I have learned all to many times that you can always take metal away but it is rather difficult and in the case of our spoon jewelry impossible to add metal back. 








    Gripped between the interchangeable front metal dye and the white plastic puzzle like piece, the spoon/fork handle is gradually bent and manipulated to fit the size required. Once properly adjusted excess metal is cut using a Dremmel tool and finishing touches begin.

   Sharp edges are filed down to create a smooth edge for the wearer. After filing the ring is bent to proper size and position buffed and cleaned using a rough scrubbing pad. Lastly the end product needs a light coat of jewelers wax applied using a soft cloth.  This last step not only protects the metal for wear and tear but also offers a smooth and shinny finish.
   Once  inspected and properly package the Silver Lining items are ready for purchase and to be sent home to our dear customers!

     Hoping this gives readers some insite and appreciation into the process involved in  creating these products! Wishing you Happy Holidays and safe travels!







Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Holiday Custom Ornaments

It's that time of year again!
Christmas is right around the corner and we have been hard at work! We have recently finished a custom order, asked by Lake Superior Hospice, to create ornaments for their patrons!

The design was drawn in Rhino (a 3D modeling software) then laser cut and engraved. We chose to use mirrored acrylic, giving them a more dimensional quality. Once cut, they were painted and carefully assembled... 
and WAH-LAH!


HAPPY HOLIDAYS



Saturday, December 10, 2011

Renegade Holiday Craft Fair



This holiday season, Revisions Design Studio decided to participate in the Renegade Holiday Craft Fair!  After much success with the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago which was held outside on Division Street, we really wanted to give the indoor version a try.  With over 1500 applicants to this particular holiday craft fair, the Pulaski Field House was only able to accommodate about 300 vendors so we felt very lucky to be able to get into this one. 




 With our last experience with the Renegade, we needed to learn a few things about high traffic sales.  The usage of Square-Ups in combination with our smart phone technology allowed much easier processing of transactions.  For all those "craft-fairers" out there, if you are interested in accepting credit cards, keeping track of your cash till, and value a very low rate on the sales, you really need to jump on this wagon.  Sign up is easy, deposits automatically go into your business 
account the next day, and customers can even receive a receipt via email or text.