Megan Carn 2/24/15 Megan Carn 2/24/15

How to: The Pink Mailbox

You may have seen it, or maybe not: my new mailbox is pink! I didn't buy it that way... I had to make it myself. This post is a tutorial on how I did it- It is so easy, and I think it is a great way to get the "fun-colored-door" look without painting the whole door. (In my case, my apartment is a rental, so painting the whole door wasn't really an option!)

Materials you'll need:

1) Manual Screwdriver (the screws in mine were phillips heads, not flat- be sure to check on that!)

2) Favorite Color of Spray Paint. I chose a Pantone Pink from Lowe's.

**Make sure your spraypaint is indoor/outdoor and that it is for metal/plastic! Otherwise, it will never last outside!

3) Damp Cloth

Step 1:

Take the mailbox off of your door.

(This should be very easy... if it isn't coming off, you can tape very carefully around the mailbox and cover the entire door with plastic- spray paint gets EVERYWHERE.)

Step 2:

Wipe down the mailbox and door with a damp cloth- they are probably both in need of a little cleaning! Set the mailbox aside and allow to dry.

Along with this: find a spot that is clean and dry for the mailbox to sit on while you paint it. This spot should be one that can get messy, because it will most definitely get paint on it. I chose the bed of my dad's trailer, because it was off of the ground and convenient... cardboard laying in the grass would be a great option too!

Step 3:

Paint the mailbox. Shake your can of paint very well!

I chose to start with the mailbox laying with the front facing up and the flap open. (Don't even worry about painting the backside!)

Use quick, even strokes to put down the first coat on the front, bottom, and left and right sides. Also, paint the two hooks from the top. Be patient with the paint! If you put too much on at one time, the paint may run and drip.

Allow the first coat to dry for around an hour- even more if you have time, and then repeat this step 3-4 more times until the paint covers the black fully.

Step 4:

Bring it inside and let it dry overnight. I know, waiting is annoying. I didn't want to either! (If you don't wait, it could damage the paint in the areas that the flap comes down. Yikes.)

Step 5:

Stand the box up and close the flap. Using the same technique, paint the top. Pick up the hooks, and cover any spots you missed before before. Allow to dry for a few hours.

Step 6:

Place the mailbox on the door and screw it into place. Easy peezy!

Megan Carn 2/24/15 Megan Carn 2/24/15

I'm Moving!

Recently, I posted the picture below and said that I have a big announcement!

And I do have a {very} big announcement: I'm moving to Columbia, and I am going to be pursuing art full time!

Currently, I direct a museum in addition to painting and trying to sqeeze in a social life.. 2014 has been an extremely busy year. I am so excited to get into my beautiful apartment in Columbia, SC (mailbox pictured is my real-life mailbox!), focus on my passion, and be closer to friends while staying close to my current roommates. (aka: mom and dad!)

In the coming year, I plan on hosting classes and DIY nights all around South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina, documenting my apartment decor- including all of the DIY and "not worth the work of doing DIY" projects- and expanding my inventory so that things are more readily available for purchase.

I cannot wait. It is scary to leave a "real" job to pursue a dream, but I can't imagine doing anything different at this moment. I hope everyone else is excited too!

Class dates, locations, times, and projects will be posted here at the beginning of the new year and via my newsletter. Also, in the next few weeks I will be teaming up with some incredible people to host a Christmas giveaway on instagram and facebook. I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!

PS: I'll be at Pink Sorbet with a ton of small paintings and paper works on December 11 for Devine Night Out in Columbia, SC- Come by and get some Christmas shopping finished up!

Megan Carn 2/24/15 Megan Carn 2/24/15

November Art Crush: Ashley Hizer!

Ashley Hizer is one of my recent art finds that I cannot wait to share! She is such a sweet person and a fabulous abstract artist. I ran across her work on Instagram and I was immediately in love with her colors and style. She's great!

Ashley is originally from southern California and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She draws from each of her homes for her work- both the cool Cali vibe and the sweet southern lifestyle are important in her process and work.

Ashley graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Journalism and English, then worked to get her Master's degree in education. She taught middle and high schoolers, and loved painting in her free time. Finally, (and thank goodness!) she decided to sell those paintings on Etsy; that hobby eventually morphed into an online painting busininess all her own: ashleyhizer.com.

Ashley paints from her basement studio and her work can be seen in homes all over the world. (THREE CONTINENTS!) She is an artist in the Jeffery Meier Gallery in New Jersey, has been featured in the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Showhouse, and is always participating in local and national events. This month, she'll be featured in a pop up gallery in Charlotte, NC, too!

Ashley is married and has a precious goldendoodle. When she isn't painting, she says she loves to do anything outdoors with her husband and pup or try any of Atlanta's many restaurants. (Which is something I love to do in Atlanta as well! Too good!) Her latest hobby? Decorating her baby boy's nursery-- He'll be here in February 2015!

Pssst: See this one? You'll see it again soon!

Ashley's work can be purchased in her online store: AshleyHizer.com. She often has sales and neat promotions, so be sure to follow her on Instagram and suscribe to her newsletter! Also, if you are in the Atlanta area, Ashley and I will be teaching an abstract class in the fall of 2015! Stay on the lookout for time and date!