Spring is finally coming to Central Ohio

Live Laugh Love

Spring is finally coming to Central Ohio, and it’s not a moment too soon. I’ve been going stir crazy for a while. Fortunately my walls aren’t boring to stare at, since I seem to constantly add and remove new designs to test them out.  Nobody knows what to expect when they walk in, so I guess part of the fun is the surprise.

We get a lot of questions about the vinyl designs, and whether they have a clear backing (they don’t). The designs are made from a very thin vinyl that are self adhesive. They are separate letters that are die cut from a large plotter/cutter and then have a huge masking tape layer applied on top. To install you peel the backing off, apply the vinyl, and then peel back the masking tape layer. Ok, so there are a few more principles to follow than that, but every order includes detailed instructions to answer those inevitable questions.

Removing the vinyl is nearly as easy, but an intricate or large design with many letters/embellishments may take a while since you’re removing each piece individually. The vinyl goes well on walls, including ones with normal orange peel texture, and works great on glass or mirrors. It’s a fun way to add a little color, impact, or personalization in your space, even if your space is relatively temporary.


Cheers!
~M

Obama Starting Today Speech

Obama Starting Today...

To hear President Obama give a speech is to feel inspired by his energy, his ideas, and his ability to excite the masses. This is a snippet from his inauguration speech, a few words that capture the essence of energizing the American spirit.



Come visit www.TradingPhrases.com for more Obama quotes and graphical designs.

Snow day

I'm watching fluffy flakes of snow fall from the sky, as the TV tells me that the county is under s snow emergency. We also have instances of thunder snow. I never heard of thunder snow until I moved to the Midwest, but it makes sense that you can have thunder and lightning in the rain, why not the snow?

Since we're going to be stuck in the house for a while, I'm beginning to go stir crazy. Even though I am constantly putting up new designs to test them out and get pictures of them, I have a lot of blank space that I just can't figure out what to put up. When I started this business, one of the things I planned on doing was to put up some designs and quotes that were near and dear to my heart. So far I haven't put up a single one that I planned on. Life is funny that way, you start down one path with a goal, and suddenly something else diverts your attention until you end up in an entirely new direction that you didn't even consider when starting out.

Here's my attempt at bringing a little spring into my life. It's a cute little kit that is easy to install and will make you smile every time you see it.

Cheers! Morgan

December, Whew What a Ride!

December, whew what a ride! I feel like the whirlwind of activity can finally end and we can get back to a sense of normalcy. We handled a bunch of orders up to the holidays, and many of the custom orders have been set up as stock designs. On the home front, the Christmas stuff is still being put away, and I must admit that I get a little sad once everything is finally packed away. The room seems empty and the bleakness of the gray light in January doesn't help. I've been toying with several new designs lately that are perfect to chase away the January blahs, and to bolster those resolutions that are easy to forget over time.

My resolution is to post a blog more frequently as a way to promote Trading Phrases, but also as another way to 'talk' about some of the ideas and designs that float by us from time to time. The most frustrating part of the business is that the great ideas come in fast and furious, but there are only so many hours in the day, and running the business takes the lion's share of my time. I get less time to simply be creative, which is the fun part. Accounting, not so fun (apologies to all the CPA's out there).

Cheers!

Morgan

DIY Vinyl Ideas

For everyone trying to stretch a dollar this giving season, homemade gifts using vinyl designs may be the perfect solution. A glass block, a simple tile plaque, a wooden board, a picture frame, or just about any smooth surface will work for most vinyl applications.

Simple tile plaques with a family name or seasonal blessing are quick and easy gifts. Add a decorative ribbon and display on a plate stand for a classic effect.

Glass blocks from the home center store can be turned into beautiful accent lights with the addition of a light string and a ribbon. Pre-drilled blocks can be picked up at your local craft store, or at some home center stores. For tips and tricks on how to create your own glass blocks, visit the glass block page on our website.

Wooden boards, picture frames, or plaques are inexpensive options that need a little paint and a touch of sanding to make them ready for a vinyl application. Pre-cut wooden blanks can be found at any hobby store.

We have dozens of designs that are inexpensive and are quick and easy to apply. Make holiday giving easy and inexpensive this year with a few gifts made with vinyl designs.

Cheers!

Morgan

Block Lights

I love these lights!

The black design against the jumble of lights in a glass block is both fun and classy. I've seen these with hand painted designs, which are beautiful when unlit, but the lights tend to accentuate the heavier paint areas causing an uneven look. The perfect solution for that problem is using the vinyl design which is perfectly even and smooth. We can even add a frosted layer to mask the lights even further ~ also with a perfectly even surface.

This would make a great night light or as an accent light. The block light can even be used outdoors to mark a path, welcome guests, or add a subtle light when entertaining after dark.

The glass block is solid and heavy, and will survive years of use. The design in the picture is my personal favorite, but the light can be created using just about any design that will fit on an 8 x 8 block (4 x 4 and 4 x 8 are also available). For the DIY'ers who want to use their own glass block, we can cut and sell the vinyl design only. This light makes a great Christmas gift for friends and family, and will be a unique, classy, and beautiful addition to any personal space.

Cheers!
Morgan

One of the things I really love about the vinyl designs is that they are temporary. I've decided I'm somewhat fickle when it comes to decor. I get a spark of creativity and start to lean to sophisticated, back to un-shabby chic (I just can't get used to junk covered with lace and wrinkled cotton, but I can get close!), to country/rustic, to Americana, to urban loft simplicity, and back again. What I have around my house is an ecclectic mix of things I've inherited, things I've purchased when I really shouldn't have, things I've purchased that make absolute sense, and things that we've compromised on because they served a purpose. Where I can get creative is what I put on the walls.

Vinyl designs are not the artwork that has a huge cost associated with framing and matting, and becomes something that I'm invested in for a number of years (try explaining to your significant other that after spending $200 on the perfect print that you've had framed, it just doesn't work anymore--believe me, you're stuck with it for years to come!). These designs are as permanent as you decide they should be. If you change your mind, go in a different direction, update a room's personality/theme, the design can be removed and a new one installed cheaply and with no mess. It's a decor trend that is fun, is affordable, and works with the ever-changing decor that comes along with a changing family dynamic.

Cheers!

Morgan