Colored Pencil Jewelry Note from Design Mom: I asked Kate of Mini Eco to create a Back to School themed project for us to try. I think making beads out of colored pencils is brilliant! Wouldn’t these beads be fun for your elementary school-ers to string for a class project? Lately I have become a little addicted to making (and wearing) colored pencil jewelry. I think the results look great and you, or your child, will definitely stand out from the crowd wearing them! You will need Colored PencilsJunior hacksawFine sandpaperDrill and small drill bitThread (for the necklace)Superglue (for the brooch and earrings)Brooch back (for the brooch) How to: Basic Bead Necklace 1. 2 & 3. 4. Once you have cut a number of beads simply string them onto a length of thread…job done! Tip: These little beads are also make lovely bracelets. How to: Pointy Necklace 1. 2. 3. How to: Brooch If you fancy a bit more of a challenge then why not have a go at making the colored pencil brooch? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
the TUTORIAL: BRILLIANT BRAID So we saw this tutorial the other day and thought it was brilliant. Hence, the name. I think I watched the video about 7 times because what I thought was happening in the video wasn't working on my hair. Pull your hair together to one side. Grab the bottom of your hair and pull through the hole. To make sure you don't have one big hole down the middle of your "braid", put your fingers through one side of the last twist. Finish with a clear elastic and you are done! Woven Bracelet & Necklace I’ve been itching to make myself some jewelry inspired by Aurélie Bidermann’s “Do Brasil” line. Since I don’t have 300 Euros lying around, this looked like a design I could recreate on my own. I was primed to put together a DIY Tutorial for you all when I discovered that Honestly WTF had already done the honors. I picked up the gold necklace and the two bracelet chains from an antique shop for $5 a piece, and had the embroidery thread on hand. I only needed scissors and two bobby pins to see this project through. Pretty amazing results, no? Jump on over here for the tutorial. NECKLACE: I used shades of pale blue and turquoise embroidery thread, and wove through one side of the chain to mimic this necklace. CHARM BRACELET: This bracelet was already armed with charms. DOUBLE BRAIDED BRACELET: For this bracelet, I removed the charm and just used the chain. Photos: Courtesy of Ashley Weeks Cart
Crochet it up! Hair Ties and Headbands Scrunchies are back!!! Ok maybe they're not making a comeback yet but it was still fun to give my old hair ties and headbands a quick makeover. Here's the tutorial... Materials: hair tie (the thicker the easier), crochet hook (3.5-5mm), yarn and scissors. Tie a slip knot around the hair tie Hold the two strands of yarn between your fingers. The loose end strand will be incorporated into the stitches so you won't have to tuck it in later. Insert crochet hook under the hair tie and catch the two strands Pull the yarn back through the hair tie and up to form a loop next to the slip knot Yarn over Pull through the loop you made Now you have ond stitch on the hair tie Start a new stitch by inserting the hook back through the hair tie Now continue to complete a stitch just like the first stitch Continue to stitch around the entire hair tie, making sure to pack the stitches in but not so tight that you're stretching the hair tie. Find the first stitch and insert hook, pull through the loop
Tubular Friendship Bracelets My line-up of DIY projects was put on hold last week when a friend’s grandfather passed away. She asked if I could make her and her family a series of red, tubular embroidery thread bracelets to wear during the mourning period. And so back into the friendship-making mindset I went! Given that this woman not only threw me a whale of a baby shower, sewed the cover for the girls’ loveseat, knit Sunny the most adorable sock monkey stuffed animal, and hemmed fabric for a project I will unveil in the coming weeks, I dove right in. While certainly a sad reason to engage in this project, I am happy that a little tutorial could come from it. To learn how to tie a sliding knot, refer to this video tutorial. Photos: Courtesy of Ashley Weeks Cart
how to make cute bookmarks Cindy with Skip to my Lou is hosting a month of sewing ideas for a handmade holiday season. Pop on over there to see what inspires you. I joined in on the fun with these pretty, cute bookmarks and journal wraps. Do you have a book worm or writer you can gift to this holiday season? Materials: Ribbon or bias tapeScissorsNeedle and thread¼” ElasticBook or journal Ribbon Option: Create a rolled ruffle about 2 inches longer than the book or journal. Fold under each end of the ribbon. Cut a piece of elastic to fit the book or journal. Insert the decorative bookmark in your favorite book or wrap it around your journal. Bias Tape Option: Cut a piece of bias tape the length of a book or journal. You can use them as bookmarks or book decorations. Double up on one book for more personality and fun! Or wrap the strap all the way around a journal to keep it closed. Looking for more unique DIY gift options? Go and be pretty – Sara
DIY - Tutorial - How to make a leather bow cuff bracelet You will need : - A piece of leather, approx. 22cm x 10cm (approx. 8.7" x 4") - Scissors - Leather glue or super glue - Thread - A snap button 1. Cut an oval piece of leather, approx. 22cm x 10cm (approx. 8.7" x 4"). 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. And Voila! Please let me know if something is unclear or if you have any question regarding this tutorial. Have a lovely day! DIY Adjustable Tribal Belt Tools: Trim / leather / or any preferred belt material (get half a metre more than your largest size measurement)Fabric glue / UHU is my favourite multi-purpose glueLarge press stud buttons (2 sets or as many sets of sizing you require)Fabric scissorsNeedle and thread Tutorial: Note: I didn’t cut the trim to my waist measurements at first because I was not sure how much trim I would use to create the folded effect, so I worked on one end first. 1. 2. 3. Note: I didn’t use too much glue to start off with in case I made a mistake and also to avoid spillage. Now that the folds are all done the belt can be cut to size. 4. 5. 6. Apply pressure by placing your finger through the loop not over it, you don’t want to stick the loop together! Make sure to glue any ends down to prevent fraying. 7. The final product ^_^ LOve <3
Utility Cord Bangle ANNOUNCEMENT: A select number of these bracelets are available for sale here. I know, I know. ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE UTILITY CORD AND BRACELETS! I couldn’t resist! I had extra utility cord lying around from last week’s project, and was highly inspired by these Orly Genger bangles. Thus, today’s latest DIY accessory. Materials: Utility cord Crochet hook (sized according to utility cord thickness) Metal chain (optional) Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Photos: Courtesy of Ashley Weeks Cart
Zipper Card Pouch Have you ever had too many cards that your wallet can handle? Be selective and get only those cards that you might be using in a particular shopping mall but end up they were the wrong one? Or, may be just forgot to “update” the cards in the wallet on your next trip? Can’t find the cards you thought you have already put into your wallet? Sounds familiar….. I am not a big fan of big wallet, with the increasing numbers of cards that I have, my decent size wallet is no longer able to buckle up. This zipper pouch can hold up to 30 plastic cards (similar to credit cards), and more for thinner cards, business calling card for example. Get the pattern and tutorial to sew one yourself after the jump and don’t have to struggle with the cards anymore. {Get pattern and tutorial on next page.} Pages: 1 2 Get all updates via email: Highlights from Our Partners
10 DIY Bracelets To Make This Weekend Ten great DIY bracelets that will keep you busy crafting all weekend. Wearing an item that you’ve made yourself feels really good, and getting compliments on something you’ve actually made is totally satisfying. Why not take some time this weekend and make a few summer bracelets for yourself? We’ve dug around to find you ten of the best DIY bracelet tutorials out there. It’s time to get crafty. Big Beaded Cuff Bracelet Sometimes you just want to wear a piece of jewelry that demands attention. Safety Pin Bracelet I may be partial since I used to make these a lot back when I was in college, but safety pin necklaces are very simple to create. Sailor’s Knot Bracelet If you’re planning on rocking that nautical look this summer, you’ll need the right kind of arm candy to match. DIY Leather Bow Bracelet A sweet alternative to a plain leather cuff, this DIY bow bracelet by Oh the lovely things is very simple to make if you are a bit handy with the glue. See Also: Top photo: Honestly WTF