Kokeshi Doll DIY

For some weird reason I can only wear roll on deodorant.  Because I'm a recycling nut, I never want to toss out the bottles when they're empty.  I'm also strangely obsessed with the roll on balls!  Recently a friend gave me a Kokeshi doll as a souvenir from her trip to Japan and I thought it was fantastic.  I decided to try to make one with my roll on bottles and below is the result.   I think this is a terrific project for kids and a great place to stash bobby pins and small gifts.  Have fun!

Check out the how-to video

You'll need:

Pliers

White glue

Roll-on bottle

E-6000 glue

Markers

Sticky labels

Scissors

Ribbon

Sandpaper

Origami paper

Colored paper

Black Krylon Fusion spray paint

1.  With pliers, remove the roll on ball by pinching the neck of the bottle.

2.  Peel off the label. Don't worry if it's still sticky, that's fine.

3.  After you've washed the bottle and the roll on ball, sand one part of the roll on ball.

4.  Sand the top of the roll on lid.

5.  Glue the ball to the lid (where you sanded) with E-6000 and let dry for 30 minutes.

6.  Spray paint the ball and lid black after it's dry.  

7. Wrap your roll on bottle in origami paper using the white glue to keep it in place.

8.  Glue a 1" strip of contrasting solid paper around the bottle to create an Obi belt.

9.  Tie a ribbon around the 1" strip of solid paper.

10.  Draw a face on a sticky label and cut it out.

11.  Stick the face to the painted roll on bottle.

Screw the face on the bottle and you're done!

INSTAGRAM CHARM BRACELET DIY!

INSTAGRAM CHARM BRACELET

Instead of just keeping those photo in your phone, why not print them out and create something you can wear?  This Instagram charm bracelet is the perfect way to show of your life and keep your memories with you.  Add rhinestones or a little glitter and you've got something magical.  Make sure to check out the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel.  I have a new DIY video every Saturday morning.  Like cartoons, but better! 

Here's the video if you want to see how it's done

With a few more gems...

YOU'LL NEED

Xyron Creative Station (OR glue or sticker paper)

Print out of Instagram photos on regular paper

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Stick on gems

Hole punch

Chain bracelet 

Jump rings

Wax paper

Cereal box cardboard

Scissors 

Cut out sheets of your photos that are about post card size 

 Run them through a Xyron Creative Station (this machine turns anything into a sticker) or glue them to cardboard OR print them on sticker paper

 Stick them on your cardboard

Cut them out 

 Add holes to each one

Apply your sticky back gems (or glue them on) 

Spread out some wax paper 

 Coat all of your pieces with Dimensional Magic

When the top is dry, flip them over and coat the back 

 Add the charms to a chain bracelet

Keep adding until you're happy with the way it looks 

You're done!

Thrift Store Handbag Upstyle DIY

A few weeks ago I got to thinking about designer goods.  They're wonderful except for one thing.  The same magazine that enticed you to buy it is the same one that tells you it's out of style in just a few months. That's terrible!  So I decided it's just much more fun to take inspiration from the designers and let people create their own personal style instead.  This handbag is a mix of Chanel, Marni and Fendi and I think this project is a terrific way to spruce up a bag you might be getting ready to donate.  Have fun and remember to always spray paint outside!

From thrift store find to designer inspired handbag!

Here's the video so you can see how it's done.

I also made a read white and blue version

You'll need

Clear lacquer spray (I used Minwax Clear Aerosol Lacquer)

Krylon White Primer

Krylon Fusion for Plastic in white

E-6000 glue

Cabochons or flat back gems

Blue painter's tape

Ruler

Craft knife

Old handbag 

Lay out several pieces of 10" long tape on a cutting mat. 

With your ruler, cut it in half lengthwise. 

Evenly add the thin strips of tape to the handbag starting at the center 

and working your way out. 

Next, add your tape in the opposite direction. 

 Press the tape so that there are no bubbles or places where

it's not stuck to the bag.

 Lightly coat your purse with the clear lacquer.  This will seep under the tape and 

prevent the paint from bleeding underneath the tape when you spray it.

 Next, spray your purse with a primer.  This will help the other coats of paint stick

 to the bag perfectly and evenly.

 Finally coat your purse in a gloss white Krylon Fusion which is meant

for plastic and works very well on purses and shoes.

 When it's dry, carefully remove the tape one piece at a time.

 If you want, you could stop here with this terrific grid design.  Or you could......

 Grab your E-6000 glue and add cabochons, studs or flat back gems to the bag!

Let everything dry for one hour and you're done!

For 150 more accessory ideas, grab yourself a copy of

The Big Ass Book of Bling!

Recycled Paper Jewelry DIY

I've always been a fan of Cristian Lacroix.  Maybe it's because he invented the pouf skirt!  I mean, how could you not be a fan of that piece of fashion history?  I truly love his jewelry pieces.  They are a mixture of Baroque and a dash of Tony Duquette splattered with gems and stones.  What's not to love?  These pieces are made with magazine pages and some easy to find supplies.  Lately I've been having a love affair with cabochons but these pieces can easily be made with flat back gems.  Try them both and see what happens. In the mean time, make sure to subscribe to my blog because I'll be sending out some fun tidbits and very good news soon.  Happy DIY'ing!

Christian Lacroix inspired Recycled Paper Jewelry

Some vintage Christian Lacroix jewelry from the 1980's

Learn how to make them here!

You'll need:

2 1/2" wide magazine strips

White glue

E-6000

Gold Metallic Krylon spray paint

Needle nose pliers

Flat metal cuff

Clip on earring flats

Ring finding

Cabochons or flat back gems

Roll your magazine stips (at an angle) into thin straws 

 Secure the end with a small dab of white glue

Make a TON of these! 

 Grab your needles nose pliers

 Starting from one end of a straw, roll it tightly around the tip of the pliers

 Secure the end with a dab of white glue

For larger rolls, connect 2 or 3 straws together 

See the difference? 

Grab your E-6000 

 Using a dab of E-6000 and then a dab of hot glue, add your beads

to the cuff in a pattern you like.  

The hot glue keeps it in place while the E-6000 dries

 Spray your pieces (outside) with a gold Krylon metallic 

You could stop here.....OR......

    

Glue on cabochons and or flat back gems

Make earrings using only 4 beads and gluing them together with hot glue and E-6000 for 

the clip-on earring findings 

The earrings.....BTW, these look great on me. 

You're done!

For over 150 more jewelry ideas, grab a copy of

The Big Ass Book of Bling!