Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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It’s baaaack…

Guess What Time It Is
Guess What Time 2

Wanna Play Along

Pin Something You Love

Do Your Own Spin

Patry Like A Rock Star

We%27ll Share Ours Wed

Yup, Katie B (and Will & Jeremy) drove up to VA to pay us a visit this past weekend. Sneaky little Bowers. And among other things, we posed in the yard holding big white signs. You know, the usual. We’ll share more what-we-did details a little later in the week, but for now we’re here to issue the second ever Pinterest Challenge (it’s not actually sponsored or endorsed by Pinterest – we’re just obsessed fans).

My Pinterest addiction runs deep (as you know from this heartfelt post of yore), so a few months back when Katie called me to say that she thought we should challenge ourselves to make one thing each season that’s inspired by all the amazing stuff that we’ve pinned over there (and call it… wait for it… The Pinterest Challenge) I thought it sounded like fun. It’s a welcome slap of stop-pinning-and-start-doing. Because I’ve pinned 1001 things and only done about 1% of them. We ended up having a great time with our first Pinterest Challenge this summer, so we’re back with the fall edition.

Fall Challenge

The only rule is to do your take on something inspirational that you’ve pinned, so it can be anything- big or small (decor or sewing or cooking related – or beyond). Last time John and I made a clothespin light fixture for the laundry room, but this time we thought something seasonal could be fun (since the winter edition of the Pinterest Challenge won’t roll around until January). So I thought I’d seize the opportunity to whip up a bunch of Pinterest-inspired ornaments for a (hopefully) charming “homemade for the holidays” effect.

I’ve already pinned about fifty ideas, but I’m not sure which ones John and I will end up doing (and what our riff on them will look like) – but we’ll be back with all of those details when we complete the challenge next week. Oh and you’re probably wondering who else is playing along with Katie Bower from Bower Power (aka: The Pinterest Challenge Founder – somebody get her a beard and a top hat). We thought it would be fun to ask different folks to “guest host” with us each time, so we’re thrilled to have:

Pinterest Challenge Peeps

So here’s the part where I extend my arm with an awkward smile and an uncoordinated curtsey and humbly invite you to join in… and do your own spin on something you pin! We figured we’d give everyone (and ourselves) the weekend to work on stuff and reconvene next Wednesday morning (the 2nd) to share our projects. We’re hoping this’ll turn into the same über fun share-fest that we soaked up this summer (check out all the amazing linked-up projects here). So just drop in next Wednesday to see what we’ve done – and to submit links to stuff that you’ve completed so we can all check it out. Maybe we’ll even pin a few things. And so the vicious cycle continues…

One more time, for the people in the back: regardless of the fact that I say Pinterest ten million times (drinking game, anyone?) this wasn’t paid or perked by them or anyone else. We’re just eye-candy obsessed gals who love a good pin-fest. Sometimes while watching certain Beverly Hills Housewives.

Comments

  1. sarah hennessey says

    Hi Sherry – I have an etsy shop, and recently, I’ve noticed that people have been pinning my items as “crafts” or “DIY projects” on pinterest, and I see that you’ve pinned a few etsy items on your “Stuff to DIY” board, and there is one etsy ornament in this post. It bums me out a little, so I wanted to pop in and comment.

    There has been an active discussion online lately on whether it’s ethical to pin someone’s art as a craft project. The sellers whose works you’ve pinned create art pieces that take a lot of time and effort. We sell our pieces on etsy specifically as art – we’re not posting tutorials anywhere on how to make our pieces, and if the ornament makers feel anything like I do, I would think no etsy seller would want his/her items to be pinned as DIY projects.

    Please understand that selling these pieces (that we work really, really hard on) is often a part of our livelihood. For these sellers whose works have been pinned as mere “crafts” or “diy projects,” doing so de-values the time and talent it takes to create their pieces, not to mention, it’s like saying “oh it’s so easy, even I could do that,” which can be quite disrespectful to the creator and belittling of the work.

    I realize that pinterest, flickr, etsy, and many other online communities will help inspire others, and believe me, I think that’s great. But there is an important difference between being inspired by an artist’s work and downright copying it. When an etsy seller’s items are pinned to “diy” and “craft ideas” boards, it seems the pinner’s intention is to copy the work exactly, which is wrong (it’s ESPECIALLY wrong if the person copies the work and tries to sell the copy on etsy, and I have seen that happen, which is the ultimate crappy thing to do. I know that’s not your intention here… I just know it happens, and it’s really crummy.).

    As an artist, it is my greatest hope for others to be inspired by what I draw and sew, and if my creations strike a chord with someone and they’re able to run with their own ideas based on something they see in my etsy shop, then that’s amazing and I 100% support that. I get ideas from other artists all the time, but I would never copy every aspect of another person’s work.

    I hope you can understand where I’m coming from, and please know I’m not trying to be a jerk about this! I just want others to see what it’s like from the side of the person creating artworks that are not at all intended as craft projects, yet are being pinned as such. To get a little more background on this discussion, I would definitely encourage you to check out this post: http://www.ohmyhandmade.com/2011/contributors/ethical-pinning-the-golden-rules-of-pinterest/

    Since you have such a large audience, I worry that the widespread message is: copy any artist’s work, it’s okay.

    Thanks for listening,
    Sarah

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I absolutely understand where you’re coming from! If you check out how we did the Pinterest challenge last time, we did our own take on something that inspired us! So it’s definitely not a carbon copy of anything (our clothespin chandelier was configured quite differently with different materials and a different silhouette). By the same token, we love encouraging everyone playing along at home to do their own take (or spin, we love those words – haha)! We truly believe that inspiration is everywhere (as mentioned here– it’s kind of impossible to have a completely new idea these days). So chances are that the lovely folks who sell their wares on Etsy were inspired by something else out there and are selling their take on it. Which we love! It’s exactly as you mentioned when you said: “it is my greatest hope for others to be inspired… and run with their own ideas based on something they see!” Hope that makes sense!

      xo,
      s

    • Anne says

      sarah, i stumbled upon your comment looking to see if mine posted. i totally get what you are saying, but when i have pinned items from etsy, my intention has been, not to copy and profit from someone else’s art, but actually to send others to that etsy page. in fact, whenever i see something on pinterest that catches my eye, i follow it to its original source. as sherry says in her response, it’s impossible to be the first and only person crafting something these days- same in fine art, music, literature, etc. none of us live in a vacuum, especially now-a-days! sadly none of us can stop the people who will “steal” ideas- that does totally suck. i’ll never forget selling my crafts at a craft fair, and overhearing two women saying, “wow, these are so cute, i’m going to go home and make some just like this to give as gifts.” then they walked away from my table without spending a dime. aaaarg! that’s just the way it goes, though… thanks for sharing a thought provoking comment, and keep pinning and selling on etsy the right way – maybe you’ll inspire some people who would be tempted in the other direction. :)

    • Leigh Anne says

      A lot of times when I pin something from Etsy, I don’t want to re-create it, I want to buy it! Pinning it serves as a reminder to buy it when I can, but I understand where you’re coming from as well. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration – for both DIYers and buyers (which I’m both!)

    • Megan says

      I understand this being an issue if someone is selling the product but I’m not sure I follow the logic that it is in some way unethical for a person to see something made by someone, not be able to afford it, and try their own hand at making it.

      I think the same thing applies to something like food. A really great restaurant might have a really great chef who makes a really great soup. But I can’t afford to eat out every meal so I might try to go home and duplicate the recipe. It would clearly violate most people’s moral codes to make this and sell it as their own but to try make it in their own house? That seems completely innocent to me.

      I get that artists and chefs would rather someone buy their product than try to make it themselves. That’s natural. That’s your source of income. That’s your hard work. It sucks.

      But I guess to me it seems that, at the end of the day, just because something sucks doesn’t necessarily mean there is a person at fault. Some things just kind of suck.

    • Megan says

      P.S. I checked out your Etsy page and your work is amazing! Completely jealous of your skills! So far beyond anything I would ever even pretend to be able to create.

    • Kelly says

      Sarah, I’m glad you shared this comment. I also found the comment section of the post you linked to very interesting – lots of different perspectives on this topic. I have never sold any crafts and don’t have any plans to, so I am approaching this from the side of a pinner/DIYer. Ideally everyone would agree that at the very least, an artist deserves credit for their intellectual property and no one should copy it for the purpose of selling it. As an artist, I think you have two things going for you: the creative idea/design of the art, and the craftsmanship involved in making your vision a reality. When you post your wares on etsy, inevitably people have free access to your idea – at least the finished design. However, even if people want to copy it, most people will not be able to duplicate your product. I see your point about people saying “oh I could make that” devaluing the artist’s work, but in reality most of those people probably can’t make what you make. I don’t know if that’s comforting to you. If they actually can duplicate your work, whether it’s ethical to do so for one’s own personal use is kind of a gray area. I have been tempted to copy something I’ve seen online – for my own use, not to sell – and I never really thought of that as a bad thing, but now I would think twice about it. The internet makes it all too easy to copy other people, and it’s a good reminder to find inspiration from others rather than attempting to duplicate their work.

      p.s. I really like your artwork.

  3. Laura V. says

    This is perfect timing… I’ve been needing a kick in the rear to try and duplicate this $3,850 light fixture I pinned last week for my dining room. I think I’ve plotted a means of execution, and Erin’s challenge from last round inspired me! :)

    Here’s the inspiration: http://pinterest.com/pin/340548299/

    Reply

  5. JennCfrGA says

    You both are so cute! I swear, you need to both go on The Nate Berkus show again but do a BFF challenge! I’m going to email the show right now and demand it ;)

    Reply

  10. Britt says

    I love that you two have matching hairdo’s. I think its part of the stay-at-home mom uniform. I definitely have mine the same way right now.

    Reply

  11. Kimberly M. says

    When it stops raning here, we’re getting old paint off our mirror & spray painting it a gray/metallic color (doesn’t have specifics on the can, for some reason.) But it is krylon fusion for plastic. Ohh, & here’s the best part! I got the mirror at a garage sale for $0.50! It just needs a little TLC(:

    Reply

  15. Allison says

    I am so excited for the Pinterest Challenge! I recently just bought my first home and have started blogging, thanks to being inspired by your blog! Can I provide a link on my blog to your Pinterest Challenge post?
    Can’t wait to see all the projects next Wednesday & am really excited to participate! :)

    Reply

  16. Liz H says

    Hey guys! Did you think about doing the I’m A Giant Dollhouse challenge with Emily & the others? Just curious! :) It would have been interesting to see your take on it!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’re not sure we can squeeze in that many updates to formally participate but we do plan to build a decorate a dollhouse for Clara! And a play kitchen! Details as we go for sure!

      xo,
      s

  21. Megan says

    Oh this is perfect!! I bought a couple of old shutters a while back with plans to turn them into a really cool book-holder thing (from pinterest of course) for my kids’ playroom but I haven’t been able to figure out the darn logistics of it. Stuff keeps coming out the back, ugh!!! I know that sounds so ridiculously silly and simple but I also haven’t had a lot of time to really think. This challenge has resurrected the shutter book shelf! I will conquer!!

    Reply

  22. Carly says

    Oooooh I get way too excited about the Pinterest Challenge! No idea what I’ll do yet but we’ll be participating over at Ruffles & Such!

    Reply

  27. esther says

    Oh I LOVE this idea! Definitely a challenge to keep in mind for once I’m done with my midterms. I love making decorations for the Christmas season by hand, either for myself or to give away, and this is just the time to do it, too!

    Reply

  28. Anna says

    Ooh so excited! I’m going to do two things… one is a wreath to hang Christmas Cards made out of clothes pins! The other is a way to display kids artwork :). Woohoo!

    Reply

  32. Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods says

    WOOP WOOP! I’m stoked! Last time you guys did this I hadn’t even gotten on Pinterest (even though the invite was in my inbox for over 2 months – womp womp). I am so head over heels for Pinterest and I’m stoked I can participate! With over 1,600 pins under my belt I reckon it’s time for me to get dirty….or glittery

    YAY!

    Reply

  33. anne says

    I don’t know how to make your fun pinterest collages :( I have also been hooked into pinterest, but my blog host, ‘blogspot’ could never handle a collage of pictures… or else I just don’t know how… but otherwise love the idea. And I love aka stole a few of your pins on pinterest too! I was like ‘hey! I know her!’ haha

    Reply

  34. Amanda says

    Ah, so exciting! I really wanted to participate last time and I couldn’t, so here’s hoping I can get something together for this this weekend!!

    Reply

  35. Christie DeSilva says

    Seeing Sherry hold all of those signs just like that makes me wonder if it is a coincidence or if she is pregnant. ;) Remember Monica on Friends hiding behind things ALL SEASON??? Okay…I’m going to be watching the pics on the new posts. :)

    Reply

  36. Sue says

    Who knew Sherry had such a cavernous mouth! I used to have a friend who could fit a whole can of Coke in her mouth. (She also had a very big, pretty smile, Like Sherry!)

    Good luck with the challenge.

    Reply

  38. Lauren says

    Did your challenge crash the site? :)

    I love Pinterest as well and I’m not really sure how I managed my ideas before it!

    Reply

  40. Teresa says

    I am so excited to participate in this challenge!! It will force me to actually tackle some of the things I keep oggling.

    BTW… maybe you guys should let Pinterest know when you are doing these challenges…seems their servers are working double time to keep up with current traffic LOL!!! I keep getting errors. Everyone on the internet is on there right now!!

    Reply

  41. Robin says

    So – a ‘behind the scenes’ question: Did you actually make each of those signs, or were you and Katie holding blank boards that you photoshopped the words onto afterward?

    I just ask out of curiousity based on your descriptions of how you & John photoshopped the weekly numbers onto Clara’s onesie in her weekly photo series…

    Reply

  42. JB says

    Sherry! I have a challenge for you…No more ponytails…at least in pictures..You are so beautiful and even more so with your hair down…I’m a mom and I get it, right now I’m rocking day old greasy hair, no makeup, and sweats..But if I looked like you I’d let those locks go! Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair!
    Love you guys! xoxo

    Reply

  43. Riva says

    I’ve been challenging myself to implement things I found on Pinterest in the real world to justify the amount of time I spend on there. But the only thing that has come off as a success is hiding the paper towel roll inside a cabinet door. Several other ideas/recipes have totally tanked. At least I’ve got the hidden paper towels thing going for me… thanks, Pinterest?

    Reply

  45. Rebecca @ the lil house that could says

    Ahhh sort of good timing with this. I collected acorns this weekend to make a wreath to replace one that got lost in our Hurricane Irene flood. Problem is trying to hot glue a million acorns on to a wreath this weekend is going to be a time crunch! But! I did just read that is may snow here in NJ on Saturday…

    ps- your mouth is lovely :)

    Reply

  46. Erinn says

    I am definitely participating this time. Last time caused me to join pinterest and now I am in! It’s funny because pinterest keeps crashing on me today – I bet it is due to all your readers out there! Can’t wait to see everyone’s creations.

    Reply

  48. Chrissy says

    Ben fr Pinterest was just here + I’m sure he just wanted to chill, but Pinterest was all I wanted to talk about – am such a geeked out fan. Totally gonna try this one – have some ideas for craft-ins I wanna field test, so this is the perfect kick in the butt. Love you guys, too!

    Reply

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