Event & Party Ideas From Studio Style

“A deckle edge is the name given to the irregular hand-torn appearance on the edge of a paper.”

Closeup of the deckle edge detail on the corner of a white portrait folder.

The name “deckle” comes from a tool called a deckle, which is a wooden frame used in the process of papermaking. With handmade paper, as the wet pulp dries it seeps between the deckle and the mould. During this process there is some run-off which gradually thins at the edges resulting in irregular edging.

It is important to note that deckle edges are not perfectly straight like most papers we are accustomed to. Some would describe them as being rough, ragged, raw, frayed or uneven in nature. Depending on if the effect is a natural result of papermaking, or  if it is artificially produced with a machine, there can be some variation in the degree of unevenness.

With handmade art paper, the deckled edges tend to be a soft, feathery edge that gradually becomes thinner at the end. Since it is softer & thinner, it is also more delicate. This is common with books, scrapbooking & watercolor papers.

Many wedding invitations, stationery, greeting cards, cardstock & higher end paper products also have a deckled edge. These often have what is called a faux deckle edge, where a machine cuts the edge of the paper to create a ragged (somewhat rippled) decorative edging for ornamental effect. Since these edges are cut rather than created naturally, they tend to be stronger.

Several of our products feature a deckle edge including our Contemporary Portrait Folders & Classic Double View Portrait Folders. Since the edges of our folders are machine cut with a special deckle die, they are quite sturdy and suitable for commercial use for portrait, school & wedding photographers. Deckle edge folders also work well for upscale event photography, for photo giveaways at galas, fundraisers, cruises, restaurants or any event that wishes to have a unique formal look for their folders.

“Create a lasting memory this Father’s Day with one of these Dad-approved photo gift ideas.”

Photo gifts are not just for women! The key when selecting a personalized photo gift for Dad is to keep his personal interests in mind when selecting which photograph to use. While photo gifts with pictures of friends & family are always popular, think outside of the box and use a photo of his car, truck, boat or motorcycle!

Take a photo of Dad's car or truck and make a personalized beach towel!

Since Father’s Day is in summer, a photo beach towel is a practical & timely gift. At the pool or beach, a photo towel will surely strike up conversation and is a great way to show off his car. Even if Dad is not a beachgoer, a towel is a useful item to keep in the car or truck to protect his seats or to use for an afternoon on the boat, camping trip or hike.

Use your favorite photo of your Father for a unique photo tile.

Photo tiles are an alternative to traditional picture frames. The photo is printed directly on a ceramic tile and coated with a gloss finish to protect it for years to come. The tiles come with their own wooden stand to display on a table or desk. You can make a tile with any photo!

A woven blanket with a photo of Dad's bike makes a cherished & useful gift.

Does Dad have a “man cave”? Blankets are useful all year long. Even in the hot dog days of summer, a nice photo blanket is a great accessory simply draped over a couch in his den. We’ve even seen these photo blankets hung on the wall as a tapestry! A custom blanket with a photo of his motorcycle is a unique work of art that will be appreciated by any biker.

If your Dad is not into cars or motorcycles, think about other hobbies that he enjoys and use photos of that instead. Every Father is unique and a personalized photo gift is the perfect way to celebrate that. Father’s Day is the 3rd Sunday of June, so don’t wait until it is too late to start thinking about gifts!

“Take your camera outdoors and capture mother on June 15th for Nature Photography Day.”

Nature Photography Day first appeared in 2006 and has since become an annual celebration of nature photographers across the globe. According to PMA Newsline, the The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) designated June 15th as Nature Photography Day, a day to explore the natural world with your camera.

Learn

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has a great list of nature & wildlife photography tips which covers topics like insects, flowers, movement & night photo tips.

Explore

Discover nature on foot or by bicycle and set aside some time this June 15th to go on an exploratory hike or bike ride and stop to notice your surroundings. If you are stuck working all day, pack a lunch to-go and take a walk outside. Raining? Don’t worry, bring an umbrella! Don’t have a sitter for the kids? No problem, bring them along!

Share

Share your photographs with others! There is a public Flickr group where members can post photos that are taken on Nature Photography Day and time-stamped June 15.

If you are a member of the NANPA or thinking of becoming one, check out their Nature Photography Day event for members. Photos will be published in their newsletter Ripples and in an album on their Facebook page.

Inspire

Your photos inspire others. Use your photographs to encourage others to think about the affect that humans and development have on nature. Nature photography has the power to spark conservation efforts and rekindle an appreciation for our earth.

“Creating a DIY self-serve candy station at your wedding reception party is an easy & creative alternative to traditional candy wedding favors.”

Jordan almonds wrapped in organza or tulle & tied with ribbon have long been the traditional wedding favor choice for many brides & grooms. TheKnot.com explains the cultural significance for these sugarcoated candies. While this tradition will always be popular, wedding candy buffet bars are becoming the colorful, interactive & completely customizable candy favor choice for many brides.

Creating your own candy table at your wedding is easy & affordable, and requires only a few supplies. From the candy buffet jars to the favor bags to the tasty candy itself, we outline the 5 steps it takes to create your own colorful and personalized candy bar dream.

Step 1 – Choose Your Candy & Colors

This is the most fun part! First think about what colors you want to have. Usually a bride chooses colors that match the rest of her wedding. Jelly beans & M&M’s both come in a rainbow of colors. Don’t forget licorice, gum drops, chocolates, gummy bears & taffy which come in many flavors. Online retailers organize their candy by color making it easy to find choices that will work with your wedding colors.

Step 2 – Buy Glass Jars & Candy Scoops

Big glass jars work best to show off your colorful candy. Similar to the jars used at old-fashioned bulk candy stores, these often have removable lids to keep the candy fresh, although you may want to remove and store the lids right before the guests start to fill their bags up! Glass flower vases & trifle bowls also work nicely. Don’t forget the scoops (or tongs, depending on what kind of candy it is), they discourage guests from dipping their hands directly into the jars. Use one scoop per candy jar.

Step 3 – Hand Write Labels

Handwritten labels are elegant and help identify what is inside the jars. Choose plain labels or ones with a pretty border that ties in with your wedding theme. If you have messy handwriting, go ahead and print labels on your home inkjet printer or ask a friend to write them for you.

Step 4 – Buy Favor Bags

Just like clear glass jars work best for displaying the candy, clear cello bags work best for filling. If you’d like bags with extra detail, white striped candy bags or white lace cello bags are subtle & elegant for weddings but still let the candy show through. Don’t forget twist ties or pre-cut ribbon so guests can tie their goodie bags shut!

Step 5 – Set Up Your Candy Bar Buffet

Now that you have your candy fill, labeled jars, scoops & bags, you are ready to set everything up! Cover your candy table with a table cloth and add bunting to the front of the table, if desired. A vase of flowers also looks nice amongst the jars of delicious sweets.

On your big day, your guests will love filling their bags with their favorite candy, and you’ll love knowing how easy it was to create!