DIY Jewelry Organization

Another craft to share-- and this time, it actually serves a purpose. For about the last 6 months my collection of jewelry has been strewn in and around the area of Boyfriend's desk, which is probably fairly annoying for him and means that I never actually wear any of it because I can't find anything. Time to change that!

Originally, I wanted to make a large picture-frame jewelry display like this, but I couldn't find a frame that I liked, and doing projects that involve wire-mesh is difficult when you don't have a hardware store nearby (or a car). Plus, as has been mentioned previously, I am really impatient.

So I proceeded using materials that I had on hand.

Cost: $5.60 (3 wooden craft picture frames for $1/each, 2 packages of "cup hooks" for $1.30/each)

Rating: Excellent. I am kind of obsessed with these.

Comments: I actually already had these frames for some unknown past project that never materialized. The "cup hooks" were really cheap (each package had 6) and they worked fabulously. I covered the frames with some origami paper using ModPodge, then screwed the hooks in. I attached them to the wall using Command Strips (I am increasingly becoming a fan of these guys, especially after reading this blog...girl uses 'em for everything.)

Materials:

Finished product:

 

On my wall: 

And with my jewelry!

Tin Can Candle Holders

Hello craftsters! I have quite a few new projects to share, and I'm hoping to get them all posted in the next few days. First on the list: tin can candle holders. My friend Lindsey recently moved into a garden-level apartment that has a cute, but somewhat dark, porch area in the back. I decided to make her some candle holders that would brighten up her outdoor space and (when filled with citronella candles) would keep the mosquitoes away.

There are a lot of tutorials for this floating around, but here's the one that I looked at.

Cost: Free! I already had all necessary supplies.

Rating: Excellent.

Comments: I'm going to detail my step-by-step a little more than I usually do.

Step 1: Take the labels off and clean your cans (duh). BE CAREFUL of any sharp edges, so you don't cut the S#!T out of your finger, as I did. OUCH! Some of the cans had adhesive residue from the labels; nail polish remover worked pretty well to get it off.

Step 2: Decide what you want your pattern to be. I marked where the holes would go with a Sharpie so I could space them evenly.

Step 3:  The inspiration tutorial says to fill the cans with water and freeze so you're nailing into ice. I am really impatient and also have an aversion to cold metal things, so I rolled up an old t-shirt and stuffed it in the can instead. Worked just fine.

Step 4: Nail that sucker! I had to use a small picture frame nail since I live in a highrise and am rarely constructing anything substantial, and thus have little hardware to choose from. After making the first small holes, I used a Gorilla Hook to make them bigger.

Step 5: The finished products in the inspiration post are completely white; however, I've a sucker for all things metallic so I decided to make mine a little more snazzy. I taped off sections of my cans with painter's tape, being sure to leave any expiration dates and Sharpie marks exposed so they would get painted.

Step 6: Paint 'em up... I used Kilz white primer since that was the only thing I had available. I think pretty much any paint would work, as long as it sticks to metal and is fairly opaque to cover up any marks. 

Finished Products:

These turned out so well I decided to keep a few for myself!

Halloween costume!

Hey craftsters-

I LOVE holidays. Why? They make crafting obsessions much more socially acceptable. Case in point: Halloween. Why would I buy a boring pre-made costume when I can craft my own? Considering that I am approximately the size of a 10 year old child, I opted for a kid-inspired costume this year. I found this adorable child on Pinterest, and decided to copy her look (directions for her costume here):



And here is what I came up with:

 
Owl Costume

Cost: $21.50
($3- sweatshirt at thrift store. $2.50- teal, blue, and purple felt. $5- craft glue. $10-kid's glasses...they were seriously $10...WHAT??? sorry.... $1-feathers)

Rating: Excellent

Comments: This was the best costume ever. Even though it was not immediately obvious I was an owl, small blue bird is equally funny. Plus, I was super warm and very comfortable on a chilly Halloween night. I did not exactly follow the directions on the tutorial... I cut out individual feathers and glued them (even on the arms), which worked pretty well, and they all stayed for the whole night despite lots of dancing and fake flying about. I also was not crazy about the mask, so I bought a pair of children's sunglasses, popped out the lenses, and glued some feathers and a beak on them. All in all, a comfy, funny, and unique costume.