Creative Tutorials

Ways to Rock Prop Displays

Congratulations! You’ve got a lot of photography props to spice up your photo booth! Now what do you do with them? Of course you, the person who picked them out and bought them, know what they’re for. Will the people posing for photos? That’s where presentation comes in. The better a job you do displaying your props, the easier it is for your models-to-be to pick out something fun to hold or wear. When they can see it, they can consider it.

Most importantly — spread them out! Prop piles don’t make for smiles. Try out easy do-it-yourself stands like a finished board with a grid of holes for dowels to stick into. A fancier alternative is a pre-made cap for a fence post (with nice curvy edges) that you can find at home improvement stores. Add a little stain and drill a few tiny holes, and you’re set!

You’ll likely have a table to display your props. Bigger is better. If you’re economizing on table spice, though, go up — just like skyscrapers in a city. Tiered shelving helps to elevate and show off what you’ve got. Just a handful of props? How about a nice vase, charming old-look metal bucket with sand or gravel, or even a vintage-look soda bottle?

The fun of having photo props is in getting to share your style, not just in the props, but how they’re displayed. If you have a theme for your event, your display should reflect that! An old steamer trunk brimming with funky accessories says “I’m chic,” just as a collection of charming glass mason jars says “I’m stylishly sensible.” Don’t overlook the role furniture plays in attracting people to your photo spot, and getting them to grab a prop and have some fun!

Photo credit: Whisker Works

Photo credit: Epod Photo Booth

Photo credit: Behind the Curtain Photo Booth Co.

Photo credit: Caroline Prietz Photography

Photo credit: Pinterest

Stacy Larsen Prop Display Photo credit: Stacy Larsen Photography

Photo credit: Style Me Pretty

Share your prop displays with us! We’d be delighted to see your unique arrangements. Send an email to Amber@HandmadeHilarity.com.

Filed Under: Creative Tutorials, Inspirational Ideas Tagged With: arrangements, booth, displays, photo, photobooth, prop

Mason Jar Hanging Shelf

14 Jun by Amber 1 Comment

My office is quickly running out of space, especially since a new shipment of supplies has taken over the closet. I needed a way to store more Whisker Works props on the walls, so I could free up shelf and desk space. After browsing Pinterest, I was inspired to create this pretty convenient wall shelf out of mason jars. It was easier than I expected, so I plan on making several more!

Total cost: $20
Total time: 2 hours

Materials
– Two 1×6″ boards, 24″ long
– Spray paint
– 30″ of chain
– 6 screw hooks
– 8 band clamps
– 8 mason jars
– 8 wood screws

Instructions
If you would rather wall-mount your shelves instead of hanging them, you can skip steps 2-5 as you won’t need chain or hooks.

1. Spray paint your boards. This may require sanding edges first, depending on their condition.

2. Attach the hooks to your boards. It’s easier if you drill a pilot hole first. One board will get a hook on the top and the bottom. The other board only gets hooks on one side. Position the hooks about 2″ from the edges of the boards.

3. Attach 8″ of chain on either side of the boards, then use a pliers to close the hooks.

4. Attach the remaining 14″ of chain to the top of your board and close the hooks.

5. Measure and mark holes for where you’ll affix the band clamps, starting 3″ from the edges of your boards, then screw the band clamps into place. This is easier said than done, as it first requires drilling a hole through the band clamp.

6. Slip the mason jars inside of the clamps, then tighten with a screw driver.

7. Hang it up!

Your mason jar hanging shelf has all sorts of practical uses. Besides holding many mustaches on sticks, you can use them for utensils in the kitchen, as an indoor garden, for craft storage, as vases, etc. There are many possibilities!

Filed Under: Creative Tutorials Tagged With: DIY, mason jars, props, shelf, storage, tutorial, whisker works

Paper Tube Wall Art

21 May by Amber 4 Comments

This beautiful wall art tutorial comes to us from Naturally Yours Events, an event planner based in Chicago, Illinois. Not only could you make a beautiful photo booth backdrop that later will function as an interesting art piece in your home, but you can make pretty much any shape you want using these steps. I simply must make a handlebar mustache!

Total cost: Less than $20
Total time: 4 hours

Materials
– 100+ paper tubes
– Paints and brushes
– Tissue paper
– Scissors
– Clear tacky glue
– Mod Podge glue

Instructions
If you choose to use packing tubes, make sure to cut them down to the size you want with a knife or small hand saw.

1. Take the tissue paper and cut out your desired shape. A heart shape was created for this project. It may help to draw your shape before cutting. After cutting, lay your shape on a flat surface.

2. Make sure the paper tubes are free of any left over paper, then paint them, if desired. Only a handful of the tubes were painted in this tutorial for more of a mixed look.

3. Place your tubes around the perimeter of your cutout shape.

4. Using tacky glue, begin to glue the tubes to one another. Pinch them together and hold for a few seconds to allow the glue to set.

5. Continue to layer rows of tubes until you have reached your desired thickness and shape, gluing as you go.

6. After the tacky glue has hardened begin to reinforce your tubes by painting the perimeter with Mod Podge glue. Don’t worry, it will go on white, but it does dry clear.

Additional tips:
– Ask your friends and family to help you collect paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, wrapping paper rolls and shipping tubes for this project. If you work in an office environment, ask the janitorial company if they could save rolls for you.
– Use rolls and tubes in a variety of sizes!
– Be eco-friendly! Use non-toxic, water-based paints.

Much thanks to Carlene from Naturally Yours Events for this tutorial. Photos by Shane Welch Photography. If you create paper roll wall art of your own, please share your photos by clicking on the “Submit Photos” link at the top of the page.

Filed Under: Creative Tutorials Tagged With: backdrop, colorful, DIY, heart, paper rolls, tutorial, wall art

Kid-sized photo booth!

17 May by Amber Leave a Comment

This kid-sized photo booth is ideal for a little one’s birthday party! It’s also easily customizable by using theme-appropriate paper to match your party.

Total cost: $10
Total time: 1 hour

Materials
– Project display board
– Wrapping paper
– 8×10″ frame
– Spray paint
– Glue gun

I was able to find the display board (for science fair projects) and frame at my local dollar store. I bought the heavy-weight wrapping paper and white Krylon Short Cuts spray paint from a craft store.

Instructions

1. Remove the glass and backing from the frame so you are left with just the 8×10″ decorative frame. In a well-ventilated area (I recommend the outdoors!), coat the frame with the can of spray paint.

2. After the paint has dried (approximately 30 minutes), position the frame on the project display board where you would like it. Then trace around the frame, marking the board. Using a scissors, blade or box cutter, remove the rectangular box that you just marked.
3. Unroll the wrapping paper and cut to size, allowing at least one inch of excess all around the board. Fold the paper around the board and tape into place. Be sure to use a lot of tape around the creases.
4. Through the hole cut in the board, trim the paper, allowing approximately one inch of excess. Wrap the paper through the hole and tape securely into place. You’ll want to use a lot of tape around this area, as it will get the most use.

5. Fit your frame into position within the hole and allow about 1/8″ to stick through the back. Then use your glue gun and glue around the edges of the frame, mounting it to the board.

You’re all done! Just place the photo booth where the kids can reach it. After the party, just fold it up and tuck it away – it takes up very little space!

Additional ideas:
– For extra strength, use fabric instead of wrapping paper. You’ll want to use a spray adhesive for the fabric, instead of tape.
– To accommodate bigger kids, use a larger frame. But just keep in mind that you’ll be limited to the size of the project display board.

Much thanks to Susan from Rivers Photography for helping with the kiddo portraits. Green mustache prop by Whisker Works.