Jewelry Storage Ideas

04.02.13

Jewelry-storage-framesUp-cycle old frames into jewelry storage for necklaces, bracelets and earrings! Buy a frame from your local thrift shop, paint it the color of your choice, and add a textured backing to hang your jewelry. Lace, hooks and knobs work great!

Images: herehere

Jewelry-storage-standDifferent shapes of stands work to hold your necklaces and even earrings. In the top image, the smaller more intricate details in the tree allow you to display your earrings. In the bottom right image, taller ‘branches’ allow you to hang bracelets and longer necklaces. Or you could try your hand at wood-making and create a silhouette jewelry bust!

Images: here, here, here

Jewelry-storage-repurposeSometimes the most creative ideas come from re-imagining an object’s use, such as using a cupcake/muffin baking pan to store bracelets. Or, adding hooks to a wooden hanger. Or using a paint palette to organize earrings!

Images: here, here, here

Jewelry-storage-art-decorJewelry as art or decor is a great storage solution for when you want to show off more unique pieces. Use nails or hooks to display your jewelry on a wall.

Images: here, here, here, here

Jewelry-storage-organized Usually, if I don’t wear jewelry, it’s because it’s tucked away in a jewelry box. Or my necklaces are tangled together and I don’t have the time (or patience) to separate them. This is when organization comes in handy. Lucite drawer separators organize and display your jewelry all at once. Repurpose dishes with pretty designs or use antique teacups. The possibilities are endless!

Images: here, here, here, here

DIY Tassels

04.01.13

IMG_7935

I’m very excited about today’s post! I’ve been seeing tassels everywhere from handbags to jewelry.  I decided to make mine using embroidery thread (37 cents at Michaels!!) in multiple colors. I used a gold thread to tie the tassels together for more contrast and a slight shimmer. I loved the way they turned out! Now to find inspiration on how to wear them!!

DIY Tassels Materials

What you’ll need:

– Embroidery thread in different colors
– Gold Thread
– Scissors
– Ruler
– Piece of cardboard (1″x1″)
– Jump Rings

DIY Tassel_11. Cut your piece of cardboard to approximately 1 inch x 1 inch. Cut a 12″ piece of thread and set it aside. Then wrap the remaining thread around the piece of cardboard. Use the scissor to cut one end of the wrapped thread.

DIY Tassel_22. Use the 12″ piece of thread and wrap it around the center of the thread pieces. Tightly double knot it.

DIY Tassel_33. To thin out the tassel and make the center more bulky, separate some of the inner threads in the middle. Cut off two-thirds of the thread.

DIY Tassel_44. Fold the outer threads towards the middle to cover the smaller, cut threads. Cut a 12″ piece of gold thread. Tie the gold thread around the tassel. Wrap it around multiple times, and tie it off. Cut off any excess thread. Trim the end of the tassel to make it more even.

DIY Tassel_55. Add a jump ring to the center thread.

IMG_7941And you’re done! Add to a keychain or make some earrings…get creative!

DIY Inspiration: Giraffe Print

03.20.13

I am so intrigued by the giraffe print I’ve been seeing in the fashion world. I love that it’s a different take on the normal animal prints we are used to seeing. My favorite is the black and white giraffe print. With a stencil and some paint this safari look could easily be replicated. What do you think? Would you rock the giraffe print look?

giraffe print giraffe print Burberry Prorsum Giraffe giraffeprintImages: here, here, here

DIY Braided Yarn Headband

03.20.13

Braided Yarn Headband

I have a drawer of yarn just sitting in my craft area. I used to crochet and knit all the time, but lately, I do it pretty rarely. I wanted a project that would utilize some of my yarn collection without taking up all of my time. I was inspired by this headband, though on a much smaller scale.

Braided Yarn Headband Materials

You’ll need:

– Yarn (I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Cilantro)
– Needle and thread
– Hair-tie or rubber band
– Scissors

braided1. Cut your yarn into 64″ long pieces. I used 8 pieces of yarn per braided strand, for a total of 24, 64″ pieces. Tie one end of the braided strands together using a hair-tie or rubber band. Braid the yarn.

Braided Yarn Headband2. Continue braiding until you reach the end.

IMG_73953. Machine or hand sew the two ends of your yarn, so the braid will stay in place.

IMG_74004. Cut off any excess yarn.

IMG_74245. Sew the two finished ends of the braid together.

IMG_7513And you’re done! Thanks to SimplyJolleen for modeling!

Beehive Watercolor Painting Tutorial

03.19.13

Beehive Painting

I love to watercolor. I love it more than just sketching. It is difficult though, and I’m still learning. I can watch youtube videos on different watercolor techniques for hours. I woke up this morning inspired to paint. My mind is on all things summer lately, so I chose to paint a simply beehive. It was fun to paint, though I made a few mistakes. But as Bob Ross use to say, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents”.

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What you’ll need:

– Watercolor Paper
– Watercolor Paint
– Thin Paintbrushes
– Paint Palette
– Brown Color Pencil

Beehive Painting Branches1. Start by tracing out the tree branch pattern lightly in pencil. Make a few larger branches with some smaller ones attached. Keep in mind where you want your beehive to hang. Paint your branches. I started by painting a faint brown layer, then going back and darkening some of the limbs.

beehive12. Trace the shape of your beehive lightly in pencil. Fill in the beehive with a transparent layer of yellow. Let it dry. Go back and fill in some areas with the same yellow. Then, using a darker shade of yellow, fill in a few areas. Make sure to leave some of the previous layers visible for contrast.

IMG_77933. Using the brown colored pencil, add squiggly lines for the honeycombs. I dipped my colored pencil into brown paint to create some thicker, darker lines.

beehive24. Add your bees! I separated the bee’s body into three sections. Then add wings, stripes, antennas, and limbs. Add as many bees as you want!

beehive painting beehive paintingVoila! Your very own beehive painting. It would look great in a white mat frame!