Shrinky Bracelet If you grew up in the 80's, like I did, you're probably already familiar with the awesomeness that is Shrinky Dinks...but did you know that you can still buy Shrinky Dinks? Yep, they're still out there - in craft stores, hobby shops, and even on Amazon. But you don't have to buy a Shrinky Dink kit to have all the fun. Just look for #6 plastic containers and you can make your own! There is a great tutorial on Instructables (courtesy of Dabbled) with all the instructions for making your own shrinky projects from #6 plastic containers, so I won't go into too much detail here. Most of this post is actually about turning these awesome little pieces of plastic into a sweet bracelet (and bonus pendant) to give to mom for Mother's Day. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Use a pair of pliers to open the rings. 8. Surprise mom with a priceless piece of jewelry made by her little artists! Cute, right?
Spiral Wire Bead Ring Bead Rings ---- bead-crafts-bead-rings What you need 1 Foot 18g wire, soft 1 Handmade bead with hole large enough to fit 2 pieces of 18g wire. Instructions Wire rings are hot this season! Tools: Wirecutter Chain-nose Pliers Ring Mandrel or dowel in desired ring size – Mandrels can be purchased through jewelry supply outlets and dowels can be found at your local hardware store. Step 1 – Place center of wire against your form and wrap twice around leaving the tails long. Step 2 – Bend the tails up sharply. Step 3 – Place the bead onto both wires and slide down to the base of the ring. Step 4 – Bend the wires to a right angle directly on the top of the bead. Step 5 – Spiral the wires on top of the bead. Step 6 – Bring the tail wires down to the ring shank on opposite sides of the bead and wrap around the base of the ring to secure. Step 7 – tuck the wire ends down and you are done! This project was contributed by Beadstudio.com Visit their website for beading supplies, projects, classes and articles
Making Paper Roses Have fun creating long stem roses with your favorite scrapbook paper, for gifts or home decor. This project requires patience and time. It is not quick or simple, but once you get the hang of it, can be addicting. Have a positive and playful attitude and accept the beauty that you create. Every rose is different, just like Mother Nature’s own creations. Supplies:Patterned paper-one 12 x 12″ sheet. These directions will give you one flower. 1. 4. 5. Tip: For single sided paper. 6. Note: Florist tape is stretchy, just play with it and pull gently but firmly as you move down the stem. 7. Note, you will have to play around with the height of the petals, and where on the petal you start your tape. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Paper Roses Products used: Patterned Paper (Flair Designs Sincerely Yours) Ink (Ranger) Handmade Paper (Paper Zone) Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels, Homemade with Pearl Ex) Other (Florist wire, Florist Tape) Adhesive (Joann Tacky Glue)
How to Make a Duct Tape Wallet There are actually quite a few projects you can make from duct tape, today I’ll show you how to make a simple wallet. Duct tape is silver and available at Wal Mart, hardware stores and home supply stores. There’s also something called Duck Tape, which is a brand of tape that comes in a variety of fun colors, available from craft supply stores. What’s really fun about this particular tutorial, is that this wallet was constructed in its entirety by an 11 year old girl. This project is now available in the Kindle library or via ebook download (see below). The two kids pictured here are Dominic, my 11 year old son, and Cailin, our neighbor, and Dominic’s friend since preschool. (This is a photo intensive tutorial, but the printable version link will give you the text instructions only.) There are two ways to download this complete tutorial for use on and offline. Duct Tape Walletprintable version You will need Duct tape of Duck tape, any colors scissors gift card or credit card to help measure
How to cut glass I posted a picture about 1 week ago on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter of me cutting glass using just string. I got LOT’S of requests for a tutorial on how I DID THIS! So here it is. FINALLY! I want to warn you. It’s best to triple your yarn because it will burn longer! Soak it GOOD! I like to tie my yarn where I want my glass to “cut” then quickly pour polish remover over the string again. Get a big bowl with ice and water ready. VERY IMPORTANT! Slowly turn your bottle. You can’t let the flame go OUT then dunk it in the ice water. YAY!!! I reallly hope you enjoyed this tutorial because I had ALOT of requests for it! © Copyright jaderbombllc, All rights Reserved.
{macramé: square knot} string & hexnut bracelet By Kate on September 13, 2011 This bracelet has been inspired by this really wonderful “Braided Hex-nut Bracelet” tutorial which I pinned on Pinterest a while back. Two things I absolutely love about this project are: 1) It’s cheap as chips: I already had string in the cupboard and the brass hexnuts were 3p each from the hardware shop. 2) It’s my kind of jewellery: I’m not really a girly girl IYKWIM! The bracelet I made is a bit different to the ‘braided hex-nut bracelet’ and uses macrame instead, which is great, because I promised some tutorials a while back and felt a bit bad that I hadn’t written any yet! Full instructions after the jump! Square Knot Please note: I have used different colored cord in the tutorial so that it’s easier for you to figure out whats going on! 1. 2. 3. 4. This might seem a little tricky a first but I promise once you have done it a dozen times you’ll be sorted….! If you need a hand then leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.
DIY Braided Hex Nut Bracelet We’re nuts for nuts. Is there a more versatile and inexpensive DIY component than a hex nut from the hardware store? You can imagine our excitement when we first discovered Philip Crangi’s Giles & Brother Hex Collection. Honestly, nuts braided into jewelry is WTF genius! With a few items that we always seem to have lying around, we tackled the technique and made our own spine-like braided hex nut wrap bracelet. You’ll need:3 strands of cotton butcher’s twine cut into one yard pieces18 small brass hex nutsa bit of dexterity! Gather the 3 strands of twine and tie a knot at the top, leaving about 2 inches of slack. Keep your thumb at the base of the braid, holding the nut in its place. Repeat the steps, by threading the rest of the nuts to the outer pieces of twine before they are crossed over. The bracelet should wrap around your wrist at least two or three times. Good luck!! (top image from here, rest of images by Honestly…WTF)
Indianapolis Design Firm | Design for Life - Recycled Wine Bottl 08.09.09 | by Erik Anderson Whether it’s product branding, package design or projects for ourselves, we’re pleased when we find a solution that’s very effective and creative, while keeping resources to a minimum. This idea is very inexpensive idea and it’s a great way to recycle a wine bottle. It’s been a record year for mosquitoes here in Indianapolis, Indiana and I’d been wanting to add some Tiki-esque torches to the patio to combat the little buggers, and add a little ambiance. Here’s what you’ll need. Empty Wine Bottle (Use any bottle as long as it’s glass and the neck is 1” in diameter. Helpful Tools: Channellocks, adjustable wrench, hacksaw, power screwdriver, and a funnel. Safety Note: This is for outdoor use only. Building Instructions The Hanger Decide where you want to mount your Recycled Bottle Torch. If you’d prefer your hardware to keep its shiny, unweathered look you can always give it several coats of clear polyurethane before you mount it. The Bottle Good Luck! -Erik
Ecosphere Associates, Inc.: Closed Ecosystem, Self Contained Aquarium How to Make Toadstool Table and Chairs Note: This process takes about two weeks to complete, but the concrete application requires only a short time each day. Materials and Tools: 14-gauge wire or 3 tomato cages22-gauge wire¼-inch wire meshwire cutters2 pairs of plierssurface-bonding cementtrowelrubber gloveslarge waterproof vessel for mixing cement (wheelbarrow, large bucket or mixing trough)hand aerator (small gardening implement with a handle and claw)garden hose with nozzlelevel work surfaceconcrete or masonry paintlevelold carpet (optional)silicone glue (optional)utility knife (optional) Steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Utility Cord Bangle ANNOUNCEMENT: A select number of these bracelets are available for sale here. I know, I know. ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE UTILITY CORD AND BRACELETS! Materials: Utility cord Crochet hook (sized according to utility cord thickness) Metal chain (optional) Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Photos: Courtesy of Ashley Weeks Cart DIY Woven Chain Bracelet Chain link bracelets, with colorful threads woven through them, have been popping up here and there. We adore Aurèlie Bidermann‘s Do Brazil bracelets and thought it was about time we graduate to the ultimate “grown-up” friendship bracelet. With a curb chain bracelet and some embroidery thread, we’ll teach you how to make your own woven chain bracelet. You’ll need:a curb link braceletembroidery threadtwo bobby pinsa pair of scissors Cut 2 sets of 15 strands of embroidery thread, with each strand measuring four times the length of the bracelet. Lay the second color (blue) over the first color (coral). Repeat the steps until you reach the end of the bracelet. (top images from here and here, rest of images by Honestly…WTF)
Confetti Crayons | I’ve seen these all over the place lately and have been anxious to try them. You may have tons of crayons around your house–but if not, luckily, they are about 25 cents in all the Back To School sales now-a-days. Peel off the paper. When I was a kid–this was easy. But crayons today are a bit more snooty. Break them up and sort them into whatever color combos interest you. Drop them in paper lined cupcake pans. until they look about like this. Set them in the freezer for about an hour. Peel them out of the paper… and there you have it… Confetti Crayons for your very favorite little artists. Oh, do come enter our EASY “Melissa & Doug Summer Toys” $75 giveaway!
For '90s Kids Like Me | If you’re like me and you grew up in the ’90s playing with Ninja Turtles action figures while watching Power Rangers as you sat next to your video cassette of Space Jam, your Goldeneye cartridge as you hummed “Hakkunah Matatah,” you’ll appreciate this post. It’s an avalanche of nostalgia that will cause you to daydream away the better part of the afternoon as you long for your lost youth. Or at least it might make you go open that box of old toys in the basement.