friendship bracelets :: diy :: jewelry

i remember being a kid and packing up all of my string to spend the night at my best friend's house. we would braid, twist and knot for hours filling up our arms with friendship bracelets. they were colorful, stylish, and you could shower with them on! i'm not sure why i ever stopped making them!

so... the other day, i modernized the idea a bit. by adding a thick chain for some of the length, they take on a more mature look - don't you think?

i did have to teach myself how to create them again. do you remember? if not, below are some great tutorials on some easy-but-complicated-looking styles:

• the wave: http://typicalhousecat.com/2012/09/05/diy-wavy-friendship-bracelet/
• large loops: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/199565827211508336/
• and three different options from free people: http://blog.freepeople.com/2011/06/wednes-diy-70/

cork earrings :: diy :: jewelry

do you love wine as much as i do? if so, you probably have a bucket of corks sitting around your house. let's put them to a fashionably good use today, shall we?

to make your cork earrings, just slice each cork with a smooth edged knife. try to make as even as possible, but a little imperfection is ok because it adds to the character of your creation! you can then paint or stamp (as seen above) directly onto the cork slices. once you are happy with your design, just grab your e-6000 and glue onto a flat earring stud found at the hobby store.

then, wear these artsy fartsy beauties to the winery and be the envy of every wine lover there.

xoxo

leather scrap bracelet :: diy

check out my new leather bracelet! aren't i so very "rock-n-roll"?! you can be too!

all you need is:

1. scrap leather
2. button
3. scissors
4. needle & thread

diy steps:

1. cut a strip of leather a width you feel comfortable with and 3-5 inches longer than your wrist size
2. now, wrap the strip around your wrist and cross-over the extra length
3. mark with a pen where you would like your button to be
4. sew on button with needle & thread
5. on the opposite end, cut small slit for button to push through
6. throw your fist in the air, rock-out and show off your new bracelet!

xoxo

decorate your bangles :: diy

picture it: a quit office... all you hear is the typing of keys, the occasional phone ring & whisper and... your bangles. your cubicle neighbor is super annoyed. in fact, the whole office can hear you coming and you realize your bangles are seriously limiting your office pranking abilities. what to do.... ?

i'll tell you! decorate them with embroidery ribbon or yarn. you can now not only get back to your sneaking, pranking and eavesdropping, but you will look fashionable while doing it. you're welcome.

earring display :: shop news :: diy

remember when i told you i had an idea? well, here it is. whatcha think?

before, i had my earrings displayed on a chicken-wire frame. they seemed to all blend together, so i got excited to try something different. i'm sure, after a while, i'll get sick of looking at my picture and do, yet again, another display. but for now, i like how the cards also list our contact info for the shop. sneaky marketing... that's my game.

xoxo

asymmetric necklace :: diy jewelry

chains. charms.  it really is that easy.  but so different and fantastic and fashionable... i love it.

1. you'll need chain, charms, jump rings, and jewelry tools
2. cut your chain to your desired length.  wrap around like you would wear a scarf.
3. add charms to the end.  or middle.  or wherever you want!

one thing to remember is that your charms should be light.  if they are too heavy, they will pull & tighten your chain causing an uncomfortable necklace.

this style can be worn in layers for a boho look, or simple on black for an elegant look.  imagine how lovely this could accent a summer strapless...

flower sticker jewelry :: kid project

have you ever looked closely at the sticker section in your local craft store?  i mean, you know, since you were 8?  when i walked through, i was surprised at all of the fabric stickers!  everything in this statement necklace above can be simply peeled and stuck on!

we did this for a kiddo's project in our last class.  such an easy and fun project for little ones.  however, i did reinforce my flower stickers with fabric glue just to be safe.

i think this would be a wonderful gift for little ones to make as a gift for mother's day!  this project could also be even more simplified by just cutting a single strip of felt and then making a cuff bracelet / corsage.  if your little one made a corsage they could even gift it as an easter dinner host gift!

p.s.  although adorable, these stickers can be quite expensive.  be sure to catch them on sale!  

zipper bling :: diy

here's a unique way of accessorizing your wrist!  take an old or new zipper and turn into a conversation-starting bracelet...

1. begin with a zipper and jewelry clasps
2. cut along the zipper tracks to remove the fabric
3. size it up and then cut to the length that you are comf with.  i had longer zippers, so i wrapped mine around the wrist a few times
4. glue & clamp on a jewelry clasp at each end
5. sport with more then one for some unique bling!

felt geometric necklaces :: diy

wondering what to do with all of that leftover felt after making your halloween costume?  i'm sure you're sick of storing it!  how about make a geometric necklace... something a little different and very cute.

here's the diy:

1. cut into desired shapes
2. plan & arrange
3. using fabric glue adhere your pieces together.  for some, i was able to getaway with no backing.  you can see that i did glue the pieces flat onto another piece of felt for one necklace though.
4. if you do use a backing, you will need to trim very closely to your design
5. sew onto chain
6. use jump rings to attach your clasps
7. enjoy!