DIY Obsession

     After coming to the realization that I won't be going on any 6 week epic trips anytime soon, I thought I would start writing about other things I am up to. Without jumping on the soap box too much, I'm a strong proponent of DIY. Honestly anyone can do such things if they want to, and the result is something more unique than anything you can find in the store; in fact, it's often times better. Since I have a lot of time on my hands (only so long one can troll the internet and harass contacts for work) I've gotten back into making things. Ah the idle hands of the architecture student can only go un-used for so long. Sounds kinda dirty, but you get what I mean.

     Hopefully I can inspire some of you as well. Re-use is easy, simply take something that is still useful, but you may not use and find a better use for it. In the case of jewelry deconstruct it and use your favorite pieces elsewhere, if it's an old candle, buy some new wicks and melt down the rest of it and re-use it (just don't make some of the mistakes I've made, described below).

     My current obsession has been wrapping things. Wrapping things quickly re-vamps things or add an extra something to a new project and it's easy to do, making it a perfect beginner project. The actual process can seem somewhat tedious, but you can just put on some of your favorite tunes or a TV show to help you pass the time. I have lots of hemp and embroidery floss left over from my friendship bracelet days, and my mom has an extensive under-used collection that I've happily taken advantage of.

A few examples of some projects after the break!




     The most important thing to know before you get started on some wrap-tastic projects is the basic friendship bracelet knot or the hitch. Remember those Klutz books with all the cool friendship bracelets in them? It's that basic knot, so handy (if you need a refresher or have no idea what I'm talking about click here...it's the first knot they show). Ok, well now that's covered you can now pretty much wrap anything. Just start out with two or three hitch knots, wrap, then end with two or three hitch knots. When you are finished, cut the excess string off of the ends and seal with a little clear nail polish (works wonders and ten you don't have to worry about super or hot gluing your fingers together) Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Earbuds. I made these quite a while ago and they still hold up well. You can do other cords as well, although wrapping cords is a bit intense and takes quite a bit of string. If you are feeling frisky, or running out of material you can always double up on the colors for a different look.

You're welcome for the product placement Apple

2. Jars. I re-used some of this old wax to make a new candle in one of those small jars you get when you buy chopped garlic or shallots or baby food if you have one. Just rip the label off (soak it if it's a tough one) and run it through the dishwasher, if that doesn't get the glue and such off you should rub it with some isopropyl alcohol. Here I mixed hemp with floss. This one is a candle I re-melted with a new wax, I was thinking on doing a post on this, if the whole thing wasn't an epic fail and the wax didn't start boiling and get all over the place...maybe when I get the process - er - streamlined a bit better.

When wrapping two kinds of material you can either start with both up top, or just use one at a time.

3. Vamp up a Bracelet. I can go on forever about all the different ways to incorporate wrapping in jewelry, but this one was a favorite. I recently made this mystery braid leather band and instead of sticking to having all three pieces of the braid the same I wrapped one of the strands. For a tutorial on how to do the braid, click here.

4. Wire Jewelry. Today I made this project from Studs and Pearls. A big shout out to this blog, as it has been one of the many I get my inspiration from. The tutorial is here. I thought it was a great way to enhance normal wire jewelry. 

Clear nail polish is also awesome at fixing frays and boo-boos, as seen here on the dark patch. Don't worry, it dried completely clear. 

5. Upcycle Bangle. I love this one because it combines two of my favorite things, ombre and upcycling. I used some beautifully hand-dyed ombre yarn in fabulous fall colors and warped it around a plastic ring I had lying around. The ring was used to hold a scarf in a store. It was a great way to use what would otherwise become trash. Perfect for a big bangle to add to my collection! 

That should be enough to get you started. Get out there and make something!

-M

     After coming to the realization that I won't be going on any 6 week epic trips anytime soon, I thought I would start writing about other things I am up to. Without jumping on the soap box too much, I'm a strong proponent of DIY. Honestly anyone can do such things if they want to, and the result is something more unique than anything you can find in the store; in fact, it's often times better. Since I have a lot of time on my hands (only so long one can troll the internet and harass contacts for work) I've gotten back into making things. Ah the idle hands of the architecture student can only go un-used for so long. Sounds kinda dirty, but you get what I mean.

     Hopefully I can inspire some of you as well. Re-use is easy, simply take something that is still useful, but you may not use and find a better use for it. In the case of jewelry deconstruct it and use your favorite pieces elsewhere, if it's an old candle, buy some new wicks and melt down the rest of it and re-use it (just don't make some of the mistakes I've made, described below).

     My current obsession has been wrapping things. Wrapping things quickly re-vamps things or add an extra something to a new project and it's easy to do, making it a perfect beginner project. The actual process can seem somewhat tedious, but you can just put on some of your favorite tunes or a TV show to help you pass the time. I have lots of hemp and embroidery floss left over from my friendship bracelet days, and my mom has an extensive under-used collection that I've happily taken advantage of.

A few examples of some projects after the break!




     The most important thing to know before you get started on some wrap-tastic projects is the basic friendship bracelet knot or the hitch. Remember those Klutz books with all the cool friendship bracelets in them? It's that basic knot, so handy (if you need a refresher or have no idea what I'm talking about click here...it's the first knot they show). Ok, well now that's covered you can now pretty much wrap anything. Just start out with two or three hitch knots, wrap, then end with two or three hitch knots. When you are finished, cut the excess string off of the ends and seal with a little clear nail polish (works wonders and ten you don't have to worry about super or hot gluing your fingers together) Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Earbuds. I made these quite a while ago and they still hold up well. You can do other cords as well, although wrapping cords is a bit intense and takes quite a bit of string. If you are feeling frisky, or running out of material you can always double up on the colors for a different look.

You're welcome for the product placement Apple

2. Jars. I re-used some of this old wax to make a new candle in one of those small jars you get when you buy chopped garlic or shallots or baby food if you have one. Just rip the label off (soak it if it's a tough one) and run it through the dishwasher, if that doesn't get the glue and such off you should rub it with some isopropyl alcohol. Here I mixed hemp with floss. This one is a candle I re-melted with a new wax, I was thinking on doing a post on this, if the whole thing wasn't an epic fail and the wax didn't start boiling and get all over the place...maybe when I get the process - er - streamlined a bit better.

When wrapping two kinds of material you can either start with both up top, or just use one at a time.

3. Vamp up a Bracelet. I can go on forever about all the different ways to incorporate wrapping in jewelry, but this one was a favorite. I recently made this mystery braid leather band and instead of sticking to having all three pieces of the braid the same I wrapped one of the strands. For a tutorial on how to do the braid, click here.

4. Wire Jewelry. Today I made this project from Studs and Pearls. A big shout out to this blog, as it has been one of the many I get my inspiration from. The tutorial is here. I thought it was a great way to enhance normal wire jewelry. 

Clear nail polish is also awesome at fixing frays and boo-boos, as seen here on the dark patch. Don't worry, it dried completely clear. 

5. Upcycle Bangle. I love this one because it combines two of my favorite things, ombre and upcycling. I used some beautifully hand-dyed ombre yarn in fabulous fall colors and warped it around a plastic ring I had lying around. The ring was used to hold a scarf in a store. It was a great way to use what would otherwise become trash. Perfect for a big bangle to add to my collection! 

That should be enough to get you started. Get out there and make something!

-M

     After coming to the realization that I won't be going on any 6 week epic trips anytime soon, I thought I would start writing about other things I am up to. Without jumping on the soap box too much, I'm a strong proponent of DIY. Honestly anyone can do such things if they want to, and the result is something more unique than anything you can find in the store; in fact, it's often times better. Since I have a lot of time on my hands (only so long one can troll the internet and harass contacts for work) I've gotten back into making things. Ah the idle hands of the architecture student can only go un-used for so long. Sounds kinda dirty, but you get what I mean.

     Hopefully I can inspire some of you as well. Re-use is easy, simply take something that is still useful, but you may not use and find a better use for it. In the case of jewelry deconstruct it and use your favorite pieces elsewhere, if it's an old candle, buy some new wicks and melt down the rest of it and re-use it (just don't make some of the mistakes I've made, described below).

     My current obsession has been wrapping things. Wrapping things quickly re-vamps things or add an extra something to a new project and it's easy to do, making it a perfect beginner project. The actual process can seem somewhat tedious, but you can just put on some of your favorite tunes or a TV show to help you pass the time. I have lots of hemp and embroidery floss left over from my friendship bracelet days, and my mom has an extensive under-used collection that I've happily taken advantage of.

A few examples of some projects after the break!




     The most important thing to know before you get started on some wrap-tastic projects is the basic friendship bracelet knot or the hitch. Remember those Klutz books with all the cool friendship bracelets in them? It's that basic knot, so handy (if you need a refresher or have no idea what I'm talking about click here...it's the first knot they show). Ok, well now that's covered you can now pretty much wrap anything. Just start out with two or three hitch knots, wrap, then end with two or three hitch knots. When you are finished, cut the excess string off of the ends and seal with a little clear nail polish (works wonders and ten you don't have to worry about super or hot gluing your fingers together) Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Earbuds. I made these quite a while ago and they still hold up well. You can do other cords as well, although wrapping cords is a bit intense and takes quite a bit of string. If you are feeling frisky, or running out of material you can always double up on the colors for a different look.

You're welcome for the product placement Apple

2. Jars. I re-used some of this old wax to make a new candle in one of those small jars you get when you buy chopped garlic or shallots or baby food if you have one. Just rip the label off (soak it if it's a tough one) and run it through the dishwasher, if that doesn't get the glue and such off you should rub it with some isopropyl alcohol. Here I mixed hemp with floss. This one is a candle I re-melted with a new wax, I was thinking on doing a post on this, if the whole thing wasn't an epic fail and the wax didn't start boiling and get all over the place...maybe when I get the process - er - streamlined a bit better.

When wrapping two kinds of material you can either start with both up top, or just use one at a time.

3. Vamp up a Bracelet. I can go on forever about all the different ways to incorporate wrapping in jewelry, but this one was a favorite. I recently made this mystery braid leather band and instead of sticking to having all three pieces of the braid the same I wrapped one of the strands. For a tutorial on how to do the braid, click here.

4. Wire Jewelry. Today I made this project from Studs and Pearls. A big shout out to this blog, as it has been one of the many I get my inspiration from. The tutorial is here. I thought it was a great way to enhance normal wire jewelry. 

Clear nail polish is also awesome at fixing frays and boo-boos, as seen here on the dark patch. Don't worry, it dried completely clear. 

5. Upcycle Bangle. I love this one because it combines two of my favorite things, ombre and upcycling. I used some beautifully hand-dyed ombre yarn in fabulous fall colors and warped it around a plastic ring I had lying around. The ring was used to hold a scarf in a store. It was a great way to use what would otherwise become trash. Perfect for a big bangle to add to my collection! 

That should be enough to get you started. Get out there and make something!

-M

     After coming to the realization that I won't be going on any 6 week epic trips anytime soon, I thought I would start writing about other things I am up to. Without jumping on the soap box too much, I'm a strong proponent of DIY. Honestly anyone can do such things if they want to, and the result is something more unique than anything you can find in the store; in fact, it's often times better. Since I have a lot of time on my hands (only so long one can troll the internet and harass contacts for work) I've gotten back into making things. Ah the idle hands of the architecture student can only go un-used for so long. Sounds kinda dirty, but you get what I mean.

     Hopefully I can inspire some of you as well. Re-use is easy, simply take something that is still useful, but you may not use and find a better use for it. In the case of jewelry deconstruct it and use your favorite pieces elsewhere, if it's an old candle, buy some new wicks and melt down the rest of it and re-use it (just don't make some of the mistakes I've made, described below).

     My current obsession has been wrapping things. Wrapping things quickly re-vamps things or add an extra something to a new project and it's easy to do, making it a perfect beginner project. The actual process can seem somewhat tedious, but you can just put on some of your favorite tunes or a TV show to help you pass the time. I have lots of hemp and embroidery floss left over from my friendship bracelet days, and my mom has an extensive under-used collection that I've happily taken advantage of.

A few examples of some projects after the break!




     The most important thing to know before you get started on some wrap-tastic projects is the basic friendship bracelet knot or the hitch. Remember those Klutz books with all the cool friendship bracelets in them? It's that basic knot, so handy (if you need a refresher or have no idea what I'm talking about click here...it's the first knot they show). Ok, well now that's covered you can now pretty much wrap anything. Just start out with two or three hitch knots, wrap, then end with two or three hitch knots. When you are finished, cut the excess string off of the ends and seal with a little clear nail polish (works wonders and ten you don't have to worry about super or hot gluing your fingers together) Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Earbuds. I made these quite a while ago and they still hold up well. You can do other cords as well, although wrapping cords is a bit intense and takes quite a bit of string. If you are feeling frisky, or running out of material you can always double up on the colors for a different look.

You're welcome for the product placement Apple

2. Jars. I re-used some of this old wax to make a new candle in one of those small jars you get when you buy chopped garlic or shallots or baby food if you have one. Just rip the label off (soak it if it's a tough one) and run it through the dishwasher, if that doesn't get the glue and such off you should rub it with some isopropyl alcohol. Here I mixed hemp with floss. This one is a candle I re-melted with a new wax, I was thinking on doing a post on this, if the whole thing wasn't an epic fail and the wax didn't start boiling and get all over the place...maybe when I get the process - er - streamlined a bit better.

When wrapping two kinds of material you can either start with both up top, or just use one at a time.

3. Vamp up a Bracelet. I can go on forever about all the different ways to incorporate wrapping in jewelry, but this one was a favorite. I recently made this mystery braid leather band and instead of sticking to having all three pieces of the braid the same I wrapped one of the strands. For a tutorial on how to do the braid, click here.

4. Wire Jewelry. Today I made this project from Studs and Pearls. A big shout out to this blog, as it has been one of the many I get my inspiration from. The tutorial is here. I thought it was a great way to enhance normal wire jewelry. 

Clear nail polish is also awesome at fixing frays and boo-boos, as seen here on the dark patch. Don't worry, it dried completely clear. 

5. Upcycle Bangle. I love this one because it combines two of my favorite things, ombre and upcycling. I used some beautifully hand-dyed ombre yarn in fabulous fall colors and warped it around a plastic ring I had lying around. The ring was used to hold a scarf in a store. It was a great way to use what would otherwise become trash. Perfect for a big bangle to add to my collection! 

That should be enough to get you started. Get out there and make something!

-M