Handmade in America

Whisker Works is proud to be an entirely-American-made small business! We use only materials and supplies that were created right here in the United States. From the plastic and rubber, to the sticks and steel, each and every prop is very much handmade in America.

We would like to share the following American vendors that we’re happy to do business with:

Mason Jar Hanging Shelf

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!

Polaroid Guest Register

This is perhaps the cutest way to combine a photo booth, guest register and seating chart! As long as everyone cooperates, that is.

Photo by Sarah Rhoads Photographers.

Paper Chains

Paper chains: they’re a classic kid’s craft that has been gaining in popularity at parties and events recently. After seeing so many colorful images on Pinterest and around the Web, I was inspired to make a paper chain ceiling installation in my son’s room. All you need is paper, scissors, a stapler and thumbtacks, and you could do the same. Best of all, it’s quite inexpensive, especially if you use paper you already have around the house (newspaper, maps, music sheets, etc.).

My inspiration came from these delightful images:

Above: Snippet and Ink

Above: SweetBee Photography (left), Style Me Pretty (right)

Above: Michelle March Photography

Above: MEF Photography
This last photo shares a clever way to do a guestbook, too! Guests wrote words of wisdom on slips of paper then added them to the chain, so it grew in length as the night progressed.

Ideas to Inspire: Neon!

Nothing does quite as much with quite as little as neon — it brightens the mood as it dazzles the eyes. Celebrate spring and summer with a burst of neon color!

The following ten items – all found on Etsy – are perfect for your neon-inspired photo booth.

Credits:
one: Mustaches on sticks by Whisker Works
two: Paper maché letters by Twisted Twig
three: Tissue paper poms by Pomtastic
four: Upcycled vintage frames by Melissa’s Ornate Palace of Wonderment
five: Tissue tassel garland by Everly Lane Design
six: Chalkboard frames by Shugabee Lane
seven: Fabric bunting by Coco Sailore
eight: Messages on sticks by Paper Polaroid
nine: Pinwheel banner by Laughing Hour
ten: Dotted garland by Gray Day Studio

Mustache of the Month: The Companion!

Every month I choose a new style to be featured as the Mustache of the Month. For June, it’s the Companion. Now through the end of this month, this mustache on a stick is only $4! The Companion mustache can be found here.

Below are some of my favorite photos featuring the Companion that I have received.

Ideas to Inspire: Quilts!

It doesn’t take much to create a colorful photo backdrop. Using your grandma’s patchwork quilt will do the trick! Hang it vertically and set up your tripod – the quilt adds a great amount of color and a vintage vibe.

This first quilt feature comes from Tami Siriani of Siriani Photography. The bride and groom used this colorful quilt as the backdrop to their wedding ceremony, then used it once more as their photo booth backdrop at the reception that followed. A vine-covered arbor at the wedding location made a perfect photo booth stand; they simply tacked the quilt to the backside. The bride decorated the front of the arbor with paper chains made from book pages.

Siriani Photography / Facebook

Below are a few other examples showcasing pretty patchwork patterns. There are so many possibilities!

Above: Christina Block Photography

Above: amelia + dan photography

Above: Jordan Weiland Portraiture

Above: Mandy Lynne Photography

Don’t already have a quilt? Etsy has a variety of beautiful options here.

Mustache Bash Invitations

You can’t have a proper party without a proper invitation! If you’re planning on hosting a Mustache Bash and don’t know where to begin with the invitations, then look no further. Below, in no particular order, are my favorite marvelous mustache bash announcements.

To start, this option by Cio Prints is designed especially for a little one’s birthday party. It even includes crayons and a cute little “I Mustache You to Color” detail card. If this much thought goes into the invitation, then there’s no doubt your guests will be excited about what they’ll find at your party.

I absolutely adore the vintage illustrations on this whimsical invite from B. Nute Productions. Though this example shows party details for a first birthday, this would be perfect for an adult ‘Stache Bash.

Scraps of Life came up with this fancy three-dimensional invitation featuring a swivel design. It’s hard not to imagine the dapper whiskers and English accents that would highlight such a marvelously planned affair.

If simple-yet-playful is the mood of your furry-lipped fiesta, then Itsy Belle has a delightful invitation for you. Better yet, they have a whole party package to match! Party planning can’t get much easier than this.

Finally, you may recognize the following invitation from this post, featured last week. I couldn’t help but show it again! RVParties really did a great job with this lime-and-navy double-sided invite. They even made their own bow ties to match!

And of course, no ‘Stache Bash would be complete without a ‘stache on a stick. Whisker Works offers a great variety of them, so there’s bound to be something to suit your style 🙂

Please feel free to share photos of your Mustache Bash by clicking on the “Submit Photos” link above!

Paper Tube Wall Art

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.

Kid-sized photo booth!

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.