Who loves washi tape?!? We hope you all just screamed, “Me, me, me!” in your heads. Don’t worry, we feel that way too. So we know you’re all just going to love this DIY washi party decor primer. Yup, you heard us. We’re teaching you how to decorate for your next party with your favorite product, washi tape!
Materials:
– ceramic tiles
– DecoArt DuraClear Gloss Varnish
– foam brush
– washi tape
– striped straws
– lollipop sticks
– baker’s twine
Gather your supplies and let’s start with the coasters.
Washi Tape Coaster: The trick with these is to add clear varnish over the washi – then you can actually wash and reuse them over and over again!
Let’s start off with the coasters. Decide on a pattern and them lay your washi tape across the tile; press firmly.
Apply a DuraClear Gloss Varnish to the foam brush and cover tile with a thin layer of varnish. Repeat with other tiles. Let dry completely and then add another coat. Once the final coat is dry, turn the tiles over and coat any washi tape ends with DuraClear to secure (you may need two coats here, too).
After the tiles have finished drying they’re ready for drinks!
Washi Tape Straws, Drink Stirrers, and Cupcake Toppers: Could a striped straw be any cuter? Yes! Add washi pennant flags and bunting to straws, lollipop sticks, and the like.
Grap your straws and lollipop sticks. Wrap washi tape around the tops of straws, leaving some room at the top to sip. Trim ends into pennants, if desired. Repeat process with lollipop sticks. Trim down the ends of the sticks if you want to use them as cupcake toppers.
Washi Tape Cake Bunting: The most involved (but still pretty darn easy!) of our washi party hacks, we love the look of bunting hanging across a cake.
Attach the twine to the ends of two lollipop sticks. Take the washi tape and fold in half over the twine. You can leave the ends straight or trim them into triangles like pennants.
Place on top of a cake and serve.
Trim the lollipop sticks down if you want little cupcake toppers.
Don’t forget to put those straws to work!
What are your favorite ways to use washi tape? Let us know in the comments section below or give us a shout on Twitter or Facebook.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.