SEI Goes Bohemian

     Hey there! SEI's Lifestyle blog isn't just about using paper, it's about being inspired by it! SEI's new Mirelle collection inspired me with it's warm POP of fuschias, violets and turquoise and totally trendy motifs! For today's project I was inspired to make this Bohemian-styled Hanging mobile. The dictionary defines "bohemian" as an artist who  sets social conventions aside, and goes their own way in terms of design. It can be something made from nothing, or taking what you have and making something new, unique and functional from it. Common elements found in Bohemian art and style are beads, colors, textiles and collections from around the world. Bohemian decor is free-flowing and can show movement in how it's layered over a surface or draped, much like this mobile

The rich and deep colors and patterns found in Mirelle appealed to me most when I made this mobile. I loved the combo of sophisticated colors and patterns that reminded me of funky fabrics. I couldn't pick just a few of the patterned papers from this collection to use, so I used all of them.  What's fun about the flowing circles, is watching them slowly sway and spin back and forth in the breeze. 

For the structure of the mobile I wanted to incorporate beads and textured ribbon trim commonly found in Bohemian design. I pulled the vibrant turquoise found in the Mirelle and used it as the base color of the mobile. I used rich purple ribbon trim to attach the paper garland strands.

This mobile is so easy to make. All you'll need is patterned paper from the Mirelle collection, a 10" embroidery hoop, a wooden dowel, acrylic paint, ribbon trim, wooden beads, clear jewelry wire, a jump ring and circle punch.

Trim your dowel into 4 5" pieces. Paint dowels and beads and let dry.

Punch circles from patterned paper. I punched 16 circles from each patterned paper in the Mirelle collection. Stitch the circles into a garland.

Pull jewelry wire from spool and line it up parallel to dowel with at least 3". Thread 14 beads through wire and dowel. Repeat for the remaining three dowels.

Attach one side of the beaded dowels equal distance apart by tying the excess jewelry wire around the hoop. Knot together the remaining excess jewelry wire from the other ends of the beaded dowels together. Adhere the dowels to a jump ring.

     You could use this mobile to decorate a space or even hang it above a baby's crib. I'm going to hang it in my classroom! Hope that you're inspired to make something bohemian-styled with the Mirelle collection!