Check out my latest little brainwave! A cool metallic dreamcatcher that looks it's woven with wire.
I've always loved dreamcatchers, but never tried one before. Probably because I didn't want to figure out the knotwork involved. (Q: is there an award for laziest crafter?)
So I came up with a simple five minute hack for the 'web' part of the dreamcatcher. After that, it was all embellishment - the part of crafting I really enjoy.
Here's the DIY. I began with a loose-weave metal strainer spoon. I found mine at an Asian market for less than two bucks. Try your favorite kitchen shop or dollar store for something similar.
First I squished the center of the spoon inward.
Then I flipped the spoon over and squished again, flattening the small inner bump. It created a pattern of concentric circles in the mesh.
I untwisted and trimmed the handle wires. Then I made small loops with the trimmed ends, like so:
Tip: that two-loop bail was the one tricky bit. Because the handle wire was so curly, I had to straighten it with pliers before turning the loops. You could simplify by just cutting the handle short, and turning a plain loop.
If you like the bright brass color, your dreamcatcher web is all done and ready to decorate. I took one extra step: a dark jewelry glaze to add an antiqued look.
Tip: If you don't have glaze or patina, a simple wash with brown or black craft paint will work, too!
Then I had a great time with the adornments. Metal feather charms, flying hearts, filigree and a tassel went into the final result.
And my dreamy catcher was ready to hang above the bed.
Of course, this is just an example. You might prefer to include more traditional elements. Bone beads, feathers, shells or other natural objects - there are lots of different styles when creating a dreamcatcher, with personal meaning for each maker.
Consult your own taste, aura, and sense of magic.
Now wouldn't this make a great gift, especially for a guy or someone who isn't really into jewelry? Or hey - I would even count this as a handmade Christmas ornament.
OK, people, thanks a bunch for visiting! See you again...maybe in dreams.
Well hi! Today I thought I'd show you the quickest, simplest beaded home decor project evah. It's practical, it's pretty, it's economical - heck, there's even a little element of upcycling in there for good measure.
It's a scarf hanger system, for storage and display.
The DIY takes about a minute. You will need:
-a buncha big beads
-an old shoelace
Ready? Go!
Thread 16-20 inches of big beads onto an old shoelace (or any bit of cord or ribbon you happen to have handy). Tie a bow, and double-knot it.
That's it, baby! Hang one (or three or six or ten!) on your wall, as demonstrated here...
Then just add scarves.
I hung mine on a cute 3-hook coat rack, but you could hang these up in a number of ways. Use little nails, or individual hooks, or even those removable hooks for apartments.
I was looking for a way to use up a vast quantity of not-so-thrilling wooden beads, and this was just the ticket. I'm a VERY scarf-y person, so it's something I actually need and use - daily!
It could also be a fun project to do with kids, tweens or teens. Let them choose beads to suit their personal style to make hangers for their own rooms, or to give as AWESOME handmade gifts.
Hope this one catches someone's fancy. See ya!
Hey, here's something I've been meaning to show you for a while. I have a lot of these ranged around my studio. Penny-pinching, earth friendly, practical jewelry displays...and they do brighten everything up!
Can you picture the top of the tissue box and how I used it? Got 5 minutes, scissors and a stapler? Here's the ridiculously simple DIY.
Cut the top and sides from a square tissue box, like so:
Cut a piece of scrap cardboard to cover the opening.
Glue or tape the cardboard to the inside; I use packing tape because it's a strong hold. Then poke a couple of holes near the top. Here's how it will look when flipped right-side-up:
Now staple together the two sides - one staple at the top, one at the bottom. And that's it! Here's your 3-D frame seen from the back:
Hang earrings inside and stand it up. So darn cute! And it's fun to match the earrings to the frame.
Tissue boxes are so pretty nowadays. Find one you like and give it a second life.
Later, gators.
Somewhere out there exists a Scrooge or Grinch who would not think this is cute. All I can say to that person: Bah humbug. And I hope you are remembering to feed Max.
For the rest of us, here's my little idea for the world's tiniest flower bud succulent planters.
They are made from jingle bells. (Cheap dollar store ones, preferably!)
Wanna make this? Here comes the DIY!
Begin by turning a jingle bell into a little flower. Go here to follow my easy tute - and see a few fun examples of jingle bud jewelry like these earrings.
Once you have a flower, fill it with a dollop of soil.
Grab some metal washers. (Glue is optional.)
Plant a scrap of succulent inside the flower, then balance on a washer (or two or three) so it has a stable base. All done!
Keep it for yourself, or give it away. A pair of them in an anchovy tin makes a darling hostess or neighbor gift.
I also envision these on the tables at a wedding or other celebration - wouldn't it be a sweet party favor to take home?
Tips Tips We Got Tips:
*If you are giving it as a gift, you might choose to glue the metal washers to the bottom of the jingle bud so they don't tip over en route. For the ones on my own windowsill, I don't bother to do this step.
*Water sparingly! 1/2 teaspoon of water once a week should do it. The bottom will leak, so place it on a plate or paper towel until the water is absorbed.
*After a few months, some rust might form on the petals. Try to think of it as patina. ;)
I sure hope you guys enjoyed this one! Thanks a bunch for coming by.
Hi there! Today, a little light fixture makeover that made a big difference in my room.
This project is kinda fun in that there are two 'before' versions. Here's the story.
In my rustic Tuscon adobe house, there's a natural-log loft above the living room. The two fixtures under there were not right at all! But I wasn't sure what I wanted, so for years there they hung, looking like Cutesy and Kitsch (two of the lesser-known Dwarfs).
BEFORE, PART I:
See what I mean? Meh. Not terrible, but just not in harmony with the wood elements.
Then recently, I found a couple of potentially nice, mass-produced fixtures on sale.
BEFORE, PART II
Hmm...maybe! I liked the curvy branch base and the dark bronze color. My hopes were high and I bought them. My husband installed one, I stood back to look, and...
NOPE NOPE NOPE. I hated it! The ruffly glass mini-shades looked like those other guys, Silly and Wimpo. And too starkly pale against the wood.
My poor long suffering husband took it down. I almost marched those fixtures right back to the store. Then I had a crafty little thought.
I took the glass shades off and hung them up outside. Grabbed some dark bronze colored spray paint...
They got about four thin coats of paint. Plus a light blast on the inside.
Now check out what a difference it made!
THE AFTER
It almost looks like the shades are made of the fixture's bronze wrought iron, doesn't it? I think it is awwwesome. (And for realsies, it looks like it cost way more than I paid.)
Tip: if you're using hot incandescent bulbs, you should probably use a high heat spray paint (although colors are very limited with those), OR use glass paint from a craft/art supply store. But for modern, low wattage bulbs, a basic good quality spray paint works just fine.
Have any of you ever tried painting a glass shade? It never occurred to me before, but now it's definitely something I'm going to have fun with. Point me to the nearest boring tulip shade and stand back!
Once, long ago, I made some teeny little silver house ornaments, using recycled cardboard. These new ones are a bit bigger, with a fresh technique and several different uses. And...antiqued!
They can still be used as ornaments, but they are also fun turned into fridge magnets...
...or greeting cards...
...or standing up anywhere: your mantel, a side table, even the kids' room, hee hee.
They are eco friendly and so fun to make. For tools, all you need are scissors, a pencil and wire cutters. Materials:
-cardboard scraps
-aluminum duct tape
-double-stick tape
-shoe polish
-craft wire
Ready? Here comes the DIY!
Cut a little house from scrap cardboard.
Roughly cut out a tiny a cardboard door and some windows. They don't need to be straight or the same size! Lay down short strips of double stick tape, then stick down the doors and windows.
Cover the front with duct tape.
Trim away most of the extra tape. Cut slits at the corners so you can fold down the excess in back. It will probably look something like this:
You can cover the exposed cardboard with more tape - but only if you plan on seeing the back.
Lightly burnish down the tape around the cardboard cutouts, using something rounded like a pen cap (or just your finger.)
Now to etch in the details. Use a blunt pencil or a ball-point pen - very sophisticated tools, eh? Outline the raised door and windows first. Then add cross-hatched windowpanes, a doorknob and roof tiles. Maybe a few bricks on the chimney.
Remember, you are going for cute and rustic, not precision architectural drafting. Mistakes are okay.
Make a wire smoke plume, to look something like this:
(For the detailed smoke plume tutorial, go here.)
Bend some curves in the wire stem, and tape it to the back of your chimney like so:
And that, my dears, is a super cool shiny silver house! Adorable.
If you like, you can stop right there. I actually love the shiny silver version as-is.
But wait, there's more. The antiquing step is next, and it's so simple. Just rub on some solid shoe polish, then buff it out until you have the amount of antique finish you like. See the difference:
To make an attached stand, cover a scrap of cardboard with silver tape, then attach it to the house with more tape forming a hinge. Here you can see the stand in the mirror:
Here's one more thought I just have to share: a wonderful gift idea. Make a replica of a real house, and present it to the owner! Wouldn't it be awesome for someone moving into a new home? Or a senior who is moving to a smaller place? Yes, it would.
To make a replica house, refer to a photo of the house front, and approximate the main features with your cardboard cut outs. Then proceed as above for a custom mini house!
Well, that's the dealio! Hope you like it.
Thanks for coming by, friends; see you another day.
P.S. If you made one, what would you do with your mini house?
Mich
