Newsletter Goodies!

I happily announced last week that Gold Standard Workshop is opening an Etsy shop this summer! I’m excited to share my love of handmade goods with you all! More info to come, but our shop will be full of pretty (and useful!) handmade paper and planner goodies, including notepads, fabric Midori traveler’s notebooks (or fauxdoris), greeting cards, and more!

We’re creating a monthly newsletter!

Along with the opening of our sweet little shop, we’re creating a monthly newsletter that will have lots of goodies you won’t find on the blog, including exclusive discounts, free printables, DIY tutorials, first dibs on new products, and a free birthday gift! Whaaa?!?! I can’t wait to start sharing all of these fun things with you. If you sign up before our Etsy launch, you’ll receive a discount for your first purchase in the shop!

And stay tuned for more info about the shop! You can also check out @goldstandardworkshop on Instagram for daily sneak peeks and crafty goodness.

Jun302015Sep 19 2015

June Instagram Style Challenge Recap and Free Printable

If you haven’t participated in an Instagram style challenge, I highly recommend it! It’s low-key, entertaining, and helps you look at your closet a little differently. I even created a free printable to help you get organized, plan ahead, and make the challenge even more fun! If you want to learn more, check out the posts here and here. And come say hello on Instagram @kristiecain!

I participated in a few challenges this month and wanted to share a quick recap. A lot of people incorporate multiple challenges into one outfit, which I find amazing. I usually stick to one prompt for the day, and looking at two gives me a bit more wiggle room in case my creative brain is fried.

Jun262015Mar 31 2017

Free Printable: Love Your Work

I hope everyone is having a lovely summer! It’s just gorgeous here in the PNW, no rain at all. OH. YEAH. It’s like I live in a normal, dry, summery place.

The second installment of GSW’s free printables seems so simple. Three little words. Love Your Work. Except truly loving your work isn’t so simple, particularly if you might feel like what you’re doing now is so NOT what you love.

We can look at this in two ways:

1. You love your work–the work you’re doing right now. It’s fulfilling and amazing and awesome. Maybe it’s graphic design, or accounting, or landscaping, or whatever. Yay, buddy! This is wonderful. You made it! You’re there, in that beautiful sweet spot. Sure, days might tough here and there, but it’s minor because you love what you do. This little mantra could serve as a sweet reminder. Things could be worse–see #2.

2. You hate your job. Well, you know what? Chances are, that’s not your work. Ahhhhh, what? Yes, there’s a difference there. If you’re in a spot where you’re not happy with what you’re doing, it’s most likely serving one purpose and one purpose only–it’s a means to an end, a way to pay the bills. The key thing to consider is that you are probably doing something on the side that makes you super happy. That might even make money. That you absolutely love to do. THIS is your work and it should be a number one priority. These three little words, love your work, can serve as a reminder to keep hustling and making that work that you adore number one.

So, whatever your work is, practice gratitude, keep hustling, or keep searching for it. Love your work.

Jun252015Jul 11 2015

Happy News: Etsy Shop Coming Soon!

Big news ‘round these parts! I’m very excited to announce that Gold Standard Workshop is opening an Etsy shop this summer! I’ve always wanted to expand my crafty reach and share my love of handmade with others. The process of creating lovely and useful items by hand is part of what Gold Standard Workshop is all about. I truly love sharing all things paper, DIY, colorful, and stylish with you, and I’m excited to say that all of those facets are being incorporated into the shop! Stay tuned!

Oh. Yeah. Girl.

AND–to keep the good news rolling, there’s a free printable coming tomorrow! Boom.

Jun112015Jun 16 2015

Super Easy DIY Lampshade Upgrade

This DIY is so easy that I shouldn’t even be writing about it. Buuuuut, I had to because I freaking love the result, and I really hope it inspires you to spruce up some things that might need a little love around your house. And better yet, this project cost me $0.00. I had everything hanging around in my craft closet (which looks like a tornado went through it right now, but whatever) and I bet you do too!

I saw this lamp at Target and bought it immediately. It’s minty glass looks a little antique, like I could have scored it at an estate sale.

The only problem was that I couldn’t find a lampshade to match it. Target only had one style that fit the size of the lamp base and it was yellow. I checked four separate stores and they didn’t have a single shade that fit that lamp size! It was frustrating. So I dug around in my closet and found a simple white IKEA shade. I’m not gonna lie, as soon as I put it on, I hated it. The stark white was hideous and I knew I needed to spruce it up with ribbon or else cover it completely with fabric. I tried both. The ribbon was the way to go for me because it was simple but sophisticated.

DIY Lampshade

Materials

One lamp that needs a lampshade that matches its awesomeness
One ugly lampshade that needs some love (mine is old IKEA)
Ribbon
Double-sided tape (that’s right, peeps)

That’s it. I. KNOW.

Basic Idea

Measure the circumference of your lampshade.
Find some awesome ribbon that matches your lampshade and decor.

DIY Lampshade Ribbon Options — Final contenders

Adhere with double-sided tape. Based on my experience, you don’t need entire strips of tape, but just small squares 4-5 inches apart. I’ve used double-sided tape all over my house on desks, lamps and even the wall, and the tape should adhere until you want to remove it.
Overlap the ribbon edges for a clean finish.

Additional ideas: I used two lines on each edge, but I tried a few other designs like one at the bottom only and one in the middle only. Play around and see what you like best. Multiple lines with different colors or textures could be really pretty too. And what about a criss-cross or plaid effect?! Have fun! And for more DIY projects, look here!

And stay tuned for more DIYs coming your way!