Get Wired DIY | Instagram art

Wake up. Check Facebook from phone in bed. Shower. Dress. Check emails. Catch up on Twitter. And so on.

Social networking via the Internet is just part of the day to day.

I love searching for creative new apps and exploring innovative ways to reach out socially with more than just a status update.

Instagram, a free social networking app for the iPhone*, has taken off over the last year. I use this social network on a daily basis to share visual updates with my friends and the rest of the world.

It’s easy to use, and you can share through your Instagram friends list, Twitter, Facebook, email and several other social network sites.

Using Instagram in the real world

If you are like me, your phone’s photo folder is filled with hundreds and hundreds of images. But how do you get motivated to get those pics out of the pixel world and into the real world? Wall art, photo albums, magnets are all good starting points.

The first thing you need to do is print your snapshots. If you are using an iPhone, then you already know that syncing means your photos are able to sync with your computer.

Open your photos in iPhoto, edit if you like and print to your heart’s desire – or until you run out of ink.

For better quality, burn on a disc and take to a print shop.

Check out GeekSugar for even more ideas and ways to print Instagram photos.

 

 

DIY Instagram art:::

Instagram calendar

Since Instagram is an app right on your phone, it’s assumed you have it handy at all times. You can either set up the shots, or you can plan an entire month around this project.

Design numbers with paper or markers or whatever’s handy for each day of the month. Do two or three shots for variety.

You can also find the number somewhere out in the world.

I found this one on the corner by my house for the number 10.

After you’ve got all the pics, use an adhesive such as ModPodge to place photos onto magnetic sheets cut to the size of the photograph. You can purchase magnetic sheets and adhesives at your local craft store.

Ideal showcase placement for your magnets include, obviously, the refrigerator. But also look at your filing cabinets and metal sheeting around your house for other creative locales.

You can also just make magnets, no calendar required. The set shown below is part of a continuing series of photos of mine called “Structure.”

 

Instagram wall mosaic

Using the same steps above, but without the magnetic sheets, print out your Instagram photos and arrange however you like onto a cardboard canvas. You pick the size. For smaller ones, you can pick themes – food, outdoors, family.

For larger mosaics, I would suggest using foam core art board. These come in all sizes and are fairly inexpensive at your local art and craft store.

Print and adhere with ModPodge. I also recommend brushing the front of the photo with ModPodge for longer lasting pieces. You can get ModPodge in glossy or matte finish.

*Instagram is only available for the iPhone currently. According to the buzz in the tech world, however, there might be an Instagram announcement for Android and other platforms at the 2012 SXSW Festival.

For more on tech geekery, food and music, check out twinklevanwinkle.com. You can follow Twinkle on Instagram at: twinklevanwinkle

 

Find Twinkle on Foodspotting, Tumblr and Twitter and at twinklevanwinkle.com.

Twinkle VanWinkle ponders, creates and discovers cool stuff about music, movies, food, fashion and so forth. Her thoughtful writings and interactives give great advice about healthy food, cooking tips, DIY projects, fashion and more. She’ll teach you a thing or two about music as well. Along with producing dynamic entertainment content for LIN Media, she is a mother, musician and social media fanatic.