At the risk of sounding like a total noob...

[rei]

...how do you make icons like this:

Comments

[royalbk]

I achieve the soft, pretty look with textures actually.

Like
or
.

Just set them to lighten and then play around with layer opacity (you can darken them for a visible effect).

Example

+
=


(is this what you're looking for? *O*)

[rei]

Yes it is! :D Thank you for the tip, I'll be sure to try it out. :) Would you happen to remember which maker/s made those 2 textures?

[royalbk]

Sorry, but I really can't remember. Taken too long ago. ^^;

(you can check my resources - maybe you'll stumble upon their creator.)