The Ring(s) to Rule Them All

If you're anything like me you know that rings are not only a fashion accessory, but also a fashion necessity. On most days you would prefer to wear a ring on most every finger. Many people (especially those of the male gender) do not realize the functionality that rings provide to a person. Rings look good and also aid you in the unlikely case of an attack, like brass knuckles. What mugger would want to be hit in the face by a hand with all kinds of rings on it.

Well, the good news is that after reading this post you will not only have good looking fingers, but also protection against the evil in this world. Here's what you do:

Step 1: Visit your local Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Walmart, or whatever store you can find that sells these. Buy as many as you like, I got mine for less than a $1.50 a piece.

Step 2: Pick out whatever you'd like for the flat suface of the ring. I used old clip on earrings, buttons, and adhesive pearls. (If you use old clip on earrings, remove the backs before attaching them to the ring.)

Step 3: Hot glue them into place.

Step 4: Wear them and enjoy!!

Jewelry Stand

If  you are anything like  me you have ridiculous amounts of jewelry, probably more than necessary. Well, fortunately there is a way to display your jewelry and possibly free up some space for more.

Step 1: Go to your local thrift store, buy three plates and two vases.

Step 2: Pull out your hottest glue gun and glue the pieces together as follows:

Step 3: Pick out whatever color of paint you want. Spray paint would work the best, but crafters paint works just fine too.

Step 4 (optional): Take out your handy piece of sandpaper and rough up the edges a little.

Step 5: Place your jewelry on it. (also, it turns out that this also makes a wonderful cupcake stand)

Enjoy!!

Bottled Bracelet Bangles

It is often stated that drinking water is essential to be alive. What is not often stated is that drinking water can add to your jewelry collection. Well, bottled water anyway, if you are drinking water from a glass, nalgene, fountain, or doggie dish it will not add to your jewelry collection. Check it out:

Step 1: Drink your water and peel off the label.

Step 2: Use an exacto knife to cut rings out of your bottle. The thickness of your ring is determined by how thick you want your bangle to be. You can use a scissors for this, but I do not recommend it.

Step 3: Cut a strip of fabric.

Step 4: Pull out your ever trusted hot glue gun and glue the tip of the strip on the bottle.

Step 5: Begin wrapping the fabric.

Step 6: After you have wrapped it all glue the strip into place and cut off any remaining fabric.

 

There your have your bottled bangle bracelet. I made another with hemp!

Happy Bangling!!! 

Stickin' Sticks

Do you have a lot of sticks in your yard and no campfire pit to put them in? Are you at a loss of what to do with them? Well, I have a craft for you! And all you need is a tin can, sticks, and (of course) a hot glue gun.

Step 1: Gather your items. I used an empty can of corn and peeled off the label.

Step 2: Break your sticks to size and begin glueing them to the can.

Step 3: Keep glueing your sticks till they cover the entire surface of your can.

Step 4: If you choose you can stop there, or you can do like me and give it a little touch of femininity. I used fabric and hemp.

Step 5: Put a candle (be careful as the sticks can be a fire hazard) or some flowers in it.

Happy Crafting!!

T-Shirt Necklace

We've all been there. You're wearing your favorite Tee out to dinner with friends when low and behold the ketchup falls out of your burger and on to your shirt. You try to hold back the tears. Don't cry! There is something you can do to keep your shirt. Hears how to turn that Tee into a beautiful necklace (and you don't even need a hot glue gun)!

Step 1: Cut off a little less than half of your shirt.

Step 2: Cut horizontal strips in your Tee, but make sure you don't cut all the way through.

Step 3: Stick your hand in between all the strip and stretch it out a little.

Step 4: Divide the strips into three sections and begin braiding. You'll notice that while you are braiding it will seem like the strips are getting all twisted. Push the other side up and it will automatically form a braid on the other end.

Step 4: Cut one strip at the bottom and use it to tie each side of the braid into place.

Step 5: If you want you can tie one side into a little bow.

Step 6: Continue wearing the Tee you thought was ruined.

Who knows you may end up staining your Tee's on purpose! Happy Crafting!!

Don't Get Rid of That Shirt!!

Do you have plain shirts that sit at the bottom of your drawers because they lack that piece of flair you enjoy so much? Well, before you get rid of them read this post and see if there is someway you can give them that update they are longing for.

So, make your way to the back of you t-shirt drawer and get ready for some updating. (I promise my dog isn't dead in this picture, this is how he sleeps)

Step 1: Decide what you want to put on your shirt. I chose to paint a peace sign, simple and fun.

Step 2: Pick out whatever craft paint you want and mix it with water. This keeps the paint from being stiff on your shirt.

Step 3: Insert something in your shirt to keep the fabric from sticking together. You can use a newspaper or cardboard.

Step 4: If you are not confident with your circle painting abilities like me, then grab something circular to trace. Remember your painting does not have to be perfect.

Step 5: Paint a line down the center dividing the circle in half.

Step 6: Add the "legs" to your peace sign.

Step 7: Let dry and wear!!

Of course you can paint anything on your shirt... hearts, trees, flowers, birds, etc...

Happy Tuesday!!

Not Another Magazine Craft: Coaster Edition

Are you feeling inspired to do more with your left over magazines after you created your own magazine bracelet? (moecraftsplease.blogspot.com/2011/09/magazines-theyre-not-just-for-reading.html) Well, great news for you! After reading this post you will be able to create your own magazine coasters!

All you need are two ingredients: magazines and scotch tape.

Step 1: Read your magazine.

Step 2: Tear out pages that are full in color (by that I mean pages that do not have a thick white strip around the edge).

Step 3: Start at one corner and begin folding.

Step 4: Once you've reached the end take a small piece of tape and secure the end in place.

Step 5: Start at one end of the folded strip and begin rolling.

Step 6: Once you've reached the end tape the strip in place.

Step 7: Obviously this won't be big enough for a coaster, so repeat steps 2-4. Tape one end of the new folded strip to the coaster you've started and continue rolling around it.

Step 8: Continue these steps until you have reached your desired sized coaster.

Now make a cup of hot cocoa set it on your coaster and enjoy a nice movie!

Happy Crafting!