keeping cool
My craft room/office is upstairs, so it gets pretty hot in summer without the air conditioning on, especially with my big computer purring away generating heat all day. I didn’t want to run the air conditioning in the house all day, every day, when I only use this one room during the daytime, so I bought myself a cheap desk fan. It works really well – I don’t feel sluggish any more, and my concentration has increased dramatically! The only downside is that it’s not pretty. Not at all:
Ugh, that’s really not what I want to look all day – it’s hardly part of my ideal creative ambience! Now, if only there was something I could do to improve the appearance… Hang on – I’m a crafter! I make things! No problemo:
I revisited my own teabag folding tutorial on Folding Trees, and used some beautiful origami paper from Alice to make a little paper medallion to cover the logo in the centre of the fan. It makes such a difference to the overall appearance. Notice the cool colour palette in the paper design, which adds to the effect of the fan – now just looking at it makes me feel cooler!
It’s just a little thing, but it makes me happy 
In case you’d like to make your own paper embellishments, I used two squares of 3″ origami paper which I quartered to make eight 1.5″ squares. This made a medallion of just over 2″ wide. To make a larger medallion, just start with larger paper squares. See my tutorial on Folding Trees for the simple instructions – it’s a lot easier than it looks!
Folding Trees » Pretty paper embellishment Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 10:29 am
[...] just bought an ugly desk fan and prettied it up using a paper medallion made using my own Folding Trees teabag folding tutorial from last year and [...]
Blue Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Perfect addition!
Ann Martin Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 10:52 am
How pretty and you’re right – the soft colors chill things down even more!
Mandi Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Aw, that’s such a cute idea! I really like it!
Jana Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
Great Idea! I have a fan in my bedroom that could use a facelift!
Amanda Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 1:16 pm
That’s a pretty -cool- idea, June. -.-;
LOL Corny but it had to be said.
Jill Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
Oh geez, I thought you were going to show a crocheted fan cozy!
I was thinking “well, as long as it’s a lacy or openwork pattern it would probably work…”
Very cute medallion.
curegirl0421 Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
It’s those little things that work the best.
futuregirl Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
Yay! I knew I left the paper in good hands.
Puglette Said,
June 26, 2009 @ 10:34 pm
i was thinking the same as Jill, a crocheted fan cozy. ;o)
)
your folded paper is much prettier.
hugs,
puglette
SiSi Said,
June 27, 2009 @ 9:05 am
Gorgeous, and very cute idea! I might need a fan on my desk… and you make me want to decorate all the fans that I do have in the house. You rock June!
Craft Passion Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
Cool stuff in hot weather. I have a table fan in my craftroom too and it is a big one, even though I have air conditioner installed there but with the hike of the electricity bill, I just wouldn’t want to switch it on. It is HOT here everyday in Malaysia……
Reba Said,
July 23, 2009 @ 9:29 am
Cool idea. I love it. I have to try it.