Category: DIY

Science major. Art hobby? How they help each other.

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Ever since I was wee, art has always been a part of my life. Paper and pencils consistently trumped my Nintendo while waiting at restaurants, doctor’s visits, school plays – you name it. When I went to high school, as school intensified, I prioritized traditional academics to pursuing my artistic side. Of course, I still sewed and baked, but drawing and painting certainly took a backseat.

With COVID, I revisited my love of drawing and painting. It soothed me and I sought to be surrounded by art more and more. Then last November, I went to Edwin Schlossberg’s exhibit “Once Upon A Time When Everyone Was Conscious” at the Ethan Cohen Art Gallery in New York City.

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Art during COVID

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Like most students, education in the age of COVID has brought one consistency: screens. With technology all about, I’ve retraced my steps to one of my earliest and simplest pleasures (one that actually predates my love of food): art!

Art has been on my mind a lot recently. For an article on the Tufts Daily, I interviewed Dina Deitsch, the Director and Chief Curator of the Tufts University Art Galleries. Even more recently, I helped a high school student with an essay on art and science, and how they are more similar than different. In my view, both of these projects highlighted two pillars of art: observation and expression. In a period of crisis, art allows us to process and understand our experiences. More importantly, I believe that art is a way for us to tap into our flow, connecting where we were with where we are and ultimately, where we want to go.

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Senior Project: wise&well, a non-toxic line of hygiene and household products

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During my last year at high school, as a senior project, we choose a to explore a topic we’re interested in that will push our boundaries, create a product (intangible or tangible), and present it to the class.

I was juggling two ideas: a line of children’s clothes or a line of non-toxic household and hygiene products. Thinking on a larger impact, I went with the latter, as it would probably come more in handy as a life skill, particularly for college. College! I had found my angle on how to differentiate my line, keeping simple and cost-effective products to minimal, and naming my line “wise&well.”

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Project Fabricland: Diva Inspiration

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My mom and I

In January, I participated for the fifth time in Project Fabricland, a sewing competition, similar to Project Runway.  Each week, students meet for three hours to sew garments based on a theme.  This year, the theme was Divas.  This included style icons such as Marylin Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Cher, among others.  Sophia Loren has been my personal favorite icon in all aspects ever since I saw her in one of my favorite movies, Houseboat (1958).  In Houseboat, Loren plays a young Italian lady who helps a widower (Cary Grant) raise his three children; they end up forming a relationship after Grant sees Loren providing the care that his children so deeply craved, and being the charismatic person she is.  Like all Loren movies, she is feisty and does not play a woman who falls at the needs of a man – she’s willing to throw a slap here and there :).  After seeing Loren speak at an event in person, I was inspired by her honesty, boldness, humor, and dashing beauty, and therefore crafted a dress that I believe captures who she is. Continue reading →

Holiday Card Making Made Easy

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Card making can be simple – yes, believe it or not, it can!  Within minutes, you can achieve a Papyrus worthy card (with a more personal touch) just by following this simple dot technique – it’s simple enough for kids too.  Plus, it looks expensive, festive, and creative.  Even better, all you need is a pencil with an eraser, ink, pen and paper!  This is truly holiday card making made easy 🙂

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DIY 3 Ingredient Coffee Body Scrub

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Are you a coffee drinker?  If you are, you probably throw away cups of previously brewed coffee grinds each day.  But whether you’re a coffee drinker or not, you can use coffee grinds to make your own three ingredient coffee body scrub that softens your skin!

There’s no need to spend money on $50 scrubs if you can make it at home in minutes, and with no complicated ingredients.  All you need are coffee grinds, some honey, and oil of your choice (I use argan oil).  My mom, who has thick and dry skin, uses this after doing the laundry, and says that it is extremely good at getting rid of dead skin.  In fact, it’s so good that my brother found it odd that her hands were that soft!

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Summery and Creative DIY Paperweight

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Miss the summer?  I think it’s safe to say that we all do, especially when you’re working hard at your desk underneath fluorescent lights.  Most of your year takes place in that type of room, so it’s quite nice to look at a little souvenir from your sunlit vacation.  While you still may have the time, put aside 10 minutes to make a DIY paperweight with your collected memories!

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The 4 Ingredient Baby Powder

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Remember the days when your parents would sprinkle baby powder all over you?  Maybe not.  But when you think of a baby’s scent, Johnson and Johnson’s (J&J) baby powder almost always pops into your mind.  Let’s face it, you don’t have to be a baby to enjoy this product – many have been using it their whole lives.  Nevertheless, this beloved product has recently been under scrutiny, as women are blaming pharmaceutical giant J&J for their ovarian cancer.  You might be thinking:  How is baby powder even related to ovarian cancer?

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