It’s Penn State, anything here can be turned into an excuse to celebrate. 100 on your exam? You’re going out that night. Finally ended it with your toxic boyfriend? The girls are taking you for a celebratory drink on them. Even THON, a 46-hour dance marathon to raise money for a cure for childhood cancer. Sure the dancers are exhausted, but not too tired to immediately hit the bars after their 46-hour sleepless weekend to celebrate raising millions of dollars for a cure.
Cel-e-brate Good times, Come on!
Of course, what is a celebration without decorations? Handmade banners have taken over State College festivities and everyone is embracing it. A small (or large) addition to a birthday party, bid-day day or even just a fun night out, these banners are setting the tone and giving people a reason to celebrate.
They provide not just a service to the community but ensure a cute party too. Any color you can imagine, any design or any saying, the artists behind these banners can do anything you ask them to.
Big Dreams, Bigger Banners
Alyssa Rideout, a sophomore here at Penn State, started her banner-making business in November. Already, she’s being commissioned to make six or seven banners every week. Rideout promotes and sells her banners through her Instagram, @rideoutcreative, to try to build her business and her following at the same time.
Rideout uses a mid-sized brown piece of paper for the banners creating a cute, aesthetic, more DIY vibe. Not limited to making only banners, she also creates oil paintings and white-sheet paintings. All popular choices when it comes to home and party décor.
Other students have caught on to this new trend around campus and have started selling handmade banners as well. Promoting their Instagrams, or even just through word of mouth, a lot of students have found banner-making to be a creative way to make some extra cash. They’re so popular, it almost feels wrong when there isn’t a banner at a casual pre-game.
One a Budget? No Biggie
Buying something you can make yourself isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea. VALLEY can get you started. Canva will be your best friend. Not only is it free, but it has everything you need to bring out the best of your banner-making abilities.
There is even a section for banner mockups to help make it even easier. Now the next steps are to print it, trace, paint and your banner is made! This process can help even the people that can’t draw a stick figure (no shame in that). It’s a perfect, affordable way to make anything more special and sentimental.
What are your favorite banners you’ve seen this year? Let us know on Instagram @VALLEYmag!
