Screen shot of my pinboards on Pinterest
The latest buzz in the social networking world is Pinterest. I’d seen the posts and forums spouting endless chatter about this new site where you can “pin” things. With the already time sucking lures of Facebook and Twitter, did I really need another media to occupy my already busy schedule? Still, I was curious. So naturally I checked it out and I’ve been addicted ever since.
What exactly is Pinterest? Well that depends on who you ask. If you ask the masses it’s a “social catalog service”, a place to store “collections of things you love,” It is virtual eye candy and totally addictive. According to their site, Pinterest says they are place for you to “organize all the beautiful things you find on the web.” For me, it’s my place to gather ideas, creative inspiration and knowledge. I am very much a visual person. When I plan a party for my kids, I browse the Internet months in advance for ideas surrounding whatever theme my child has chosen. I used to have notes written in a notebook, printed out photos in another book, and websites bookmarked on my computer. I could never keep anything straight. Now, with Pinterest, I can organize all those ideas in one place under my Birthdays and other party stuff board. It has made my party planning so much easier. Not only that, but I can also search other boards for ideas. With the ability to browse other pinboards I have been introduced to many new things I wouldn’t have otherwise found. I mean, how else would I have found the cool trick of putting pancake batter in a ketchup bottle? Or how to make the perfect tulle tutu skirt? And how could I live without the many yummy recipes or crafting ideas to do with my kids?
Pinterest has made many tutorials available at the press of a button, no more cutting and pasting out of magazines or expensive printing. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to check this out for yourself, if only to see the vast amount of DIY items, recipes, and inspiring quotes. To help with things, you can make your own pinboards as specific as you need. Planning a wedding? Make a pinboard for just that and pin all your ideas for dresses, flowers, invitations and more. Even better, your wedding party and family can post comments on all your pins. Looking to redecorate? Use Pinterest to save your ideas for lighting, picture arranging, or fabric designs.
It’s super easy to get started and open to everyone. All you need is to request an invite; either from Pinterest or from someone you know who is already pinning. Then you are free to browse Pinterest, follow a few people or boards you find interesting and repin those cool fashion styles. Just remember to give credit where credit is due. Pins are most useful when links are shared back to the original source. Also, it is a good idea to add the “Pin it” button to your bookmarks bar. This way when you stumble upon a website or are sent a link to a site that interests you all you have to do is hit the “pin it” button. This allows you to capture the link while giving you the opportunity to select a picture that best represent your pin, add a description and choose which board to add it too. Super easy. I love the simple design and versatility this site offers. I believe this is the genius behind its popularity, because Pinterest is whatever you make it.
