Super Simple Beaded Scarf Display!

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!

Quick Jewelry Makeover: Refashion An Elastic Bracelet

Hi!  Today I have a frugal and easy makeover for you.  First let me show you the end result: these pearly, coppery little necklaces.

I've been wearing them a lot lately - they are subtle, so simple and go with everything.

Here's another design, this one a bit more shmancy:

The makeover began with this (sorta, maybe, kinda) cute elastic bracelet...

...which I probably would never wear in real life.  Not that it was awful, just not my personal style.   But I do love the individual segments.  Such a pretty dark copper color and a nice silhouette.

So I turned them into necklace focals.

For the simple version, all I did was thread two headpins through the focal.  At the top, I turned two small loops.

I added chain and pearls to complete the necklaces.

The fancier, tasseled necklace went together differently. It's created with flexible beading wire (tiger tail), covered over with hollow coiled wire.  You can see this a bit better in the closeup:

The coils are a cool way to disguise the plain tiger tail underneath, don't you think?  (In case you're curious, here's where I bought the coil stuff.)

I had lots of fun raiding my stash for copper-toned treasures to tie onto the tassel.

Btw, those tiny rusty flower buds began life as mini jingle bells - click here for the how-to.

Anyway, you get the idea - you can harvest eight (or more!) focal pieces from one bracelet, and go nuts coming up with various necklace designs.

As frugal as this is, it could be a great party project or craft night challenge: how many different ways can a bunch of people use the same focal?

Before I go, one more makeover to show you - and this time, the bracelet in question is genuinely ugly.

Yuck!  No.  Just...no.  But maybe the individual segments had potential.

So here's what I did with one of them.  Step one: string a few beads on craft wire, and thread the wire up through the two holes:

Make wrapped loops on top.

Add some ribbon, a chain, or a length of cord, like so:

And what is it?  Why, this - an eyeglass holder necklace.

I definitely think it's an improvement on the dreadful original jewel!  Not to mention useful as heck.

And hey - I have nine more sparkly segments to experiment with.  Got any suggestions?

Tiny Succulent Planter - Made From A Jingle Bell

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.

Decorative Antiqued Silver Houses - From Recycled Cardboard

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

Make An Easy, Hand-Painted Baby Onesie

Hi, guys!  A little post with a little baby onesie.  I thought I'd show it off because I have a bit of a mental block.  See, I am convinced I am utterly terrible at free-hand painting!  But whenever I let go of that and just allow myself to daub, I often end up very happy - not only with the result, but proud of having made the effort.

If you might feel the same way about tackling a decorative painting project (or any project, really), maybe this will inspire you to go for it.

Here's my onesie:

Turned out pretty cute, eh?  Aww, here it is on my nephew!

The DIY:

1. Get a blank onesie.  At the dollar store, maybe?
2. Use a small brush and fabric paints to swoop colors of the sea all over the front.  Use a light touch and a fairly dry brush, for thin paint layers without heavy brushstrokes visible.  Let the ocean dry for 5 minutes.
3. Dab on some badly-drawn but really bright fishies.  Wait one minute, then add a second layer of paint so they really stand out.  Let the fish dry completely.
4. Add a tiny eye to each fish with a black Sharpie.
5.  To set the paint: tumble the onesie in a hot dryer for half an hour.

Done!  Woot!

So here's an awesome money saving tip.  Did you know you don't need to buy fabric paints in a whole lot of colors?  That would empty your budget pretty quickly.

Instead, convert your ordinary craft paints into fabric paint.  Just invest in one small bottle of fabric paint medium.

(There are lots of brands out there, that's just an example.)  A dollop of fabric medium, mixed into your own paint, and poof!  Turns it into fabric paint.

Interesting side note: my mom and I painted onesies together, at the same kitchen table, using the exact same materials.  The two turned out different as chalk and cheese.  Here's mom's version.

I love hers, too!  Isn't it amazing to how different brains work?

Okie doke!  Thanks for checking in on my creative space - it is important to me to have one.  Much love, see you around...

Mich