DIY Découpage Floral Bag

When H&M asked us to DIY a boho-inspired item for their summer issue, découpage was the first thing that came to mind. Honestly, does it get any better than customizing a simple handbag with a brilliant floral print? However you create it, it’ll be satisfying to know that you’ve designed yourself a one of a kind bag!

You’ll need:

• a handbag
• cotton fabric with a large floral pattern
• painter’s tape
• Mod Podge
• craft paint
• 2 small plastic dishes
• 2 brushes
• scissors

Start by taping off the edges and hardware of the handbag.

Squeeze a dollop of colored craft paint into a small disposable container. Apply a layer of paint to the desired section.

Allow the first layer to dry completely. Apply another coat or two.

While the paint dries, carefully cut out a handful of flowers from the fabric.

Arrange them onto the painted section of the bag. Glue the flowers on with Mod Podge and seal them by applying another layer on top.

Remove the painter’s tape when the Mod Podge has dried clear and your floral handbag is complete!

DIY Rhinestone Sliding Knot Bracelet

I suppose we can call this week’s tutorial somewhat of a refresher course on how to master the perfect sliding knot. But the real reason why I had to recreate this familiar DIY with you is to share a little thing I recently discovered called a crimp end, that’s especially made for rhinestone chain. It’s a nifty finding that attaches to the ends, allowing you to finally put some use to all those few leftover inches of sparkle. Pay close attention and I’ll show you how to add to your growing and ever changing stack!

You’ll need:

• a few inches of 2.5mm rhinestone chain
• a pair of brass crimp ends
• 10-12 inches of 0.8mm chinese knotting cord
• wire clippers
• flat nose pliers
• scissors
• lighter

Start by cutting the rhinestone chain to any length. Place the last link of the chain into the crimp end. Use the flat nose pliers to fold each of the prongs over the rhinestone. Repeat on the other side.

Thread 4 inches of cord through one side of the charm. Fold 2 inches of cord back on itself and then again to create a zig zag. Fold an inch of the tip down over the parallel cords.

Coil the cord three times around, towards the the loop. Thread the tip through the opening of the loop.

Push the coil to the right, while pulling the tip at the same time until the knot is tight. Test the adjustable knot by sliding it towards the base of the chain.

Trim any excess cord and melt the tip to secure the knot. Repeat the same steps on the other side.

Your rhinestone adjustable bracelet is finished. And honestly, why not make more in a multitude of colors?

Happy knotting!

DIY Woven Chain Collar Necklace

Look what i found! Isn't it amazing? I think its really really cute! :)

You’ll need:

• 1 foot of large rhinestone chain
• 3 feet of curb chain cut into 3 pieces (I used two 12″ pieces and one 10″ piece)
• 3 skeins of embroidery floss
• scissors

Start by laying two pieces of curb chain side by side. Tie on 4 feet of embroidery floss into a double knot to the end of the left chain, leaving at least a foot of extra slack. Thread the floss through the top of the first link of the right chain.

Thread the floss under the first link on the left side and through the top of the 2nd link on the right side.

Continue this weaving pattern. I find it easy to hold the chains up together while threading the floss back and forth.

Tie a knot at the end. Alight a third piece of chain against the 2 woven chains. I chose to add a smaller piece here.

Using a different color flow, weave the floss around the first few links – again leaving about a foot of extra slack. Weave the chain into the necklace using the same technique.

Continue weaving and tie a knot at the end. Now align the rhinestone chain along the necklace.

Tie a knot onto the chain. Start wrapping the rhinestones onto the chain but going under the first joint of the rhinestone chain and over the top of the first curb chain link.

Keep the necklace curved while attaching the rhinestone chain. This will prevent the necklace from buckling. Depending on the size of the rhinestone chain compared to the chain, a few links may have to be skipped in order to maintain the shape of the necklace. Tie a knot at the end.

Cut several 2 feet strands of floss and thread them through the ends of the necklace. Tie a single knot. Repeat on the other side.

Your necklace is now adjustable and finished!!

Be sure to check out how Grace made a bolder version, using thick and coloful yarn, right this way!

{ credit to honestlywtf }

DIY Collar Tips

ou probably have guessed by now that we have a major soft spot for almost all things western . . .bolos, cowboy boots and the like. So when Balenciaga incorporated a modern take on western collar tips into their Spring 2011 Collection, we were beyond thrilled. Who knew these little metal tips are capable of brightening up any button up shirt?! With a pair of inexpensive decorative brass corners from the hardware store, we made our own Balenciaga-inspired collar tips that are to DIY for.

You’ll need:– 2 brass decorative corners

- 2 clutch pin backs

– 2 pieces of thick fabric scrap (i.e. felt or wool)
- hammer
- cutting pliers
- super glue

Start by drawing 2 lines at 45 degree angles on the inside of each brass corner, creating a small wedge. Use the cutting pliers to cut out the wedges.

Sandwich a brass corner between two pieces of fabric. The fabric will prevent the brass from being dented or nicked by the hammer. Lightly tap the hammer, flatting the edges inwards.

Once you’ve flattened your corners, super glue a clutch pin back to each backside.

Let it dry.

Attach your new collar tips to any shirt!

We’re excited to experiment with more fancy decorative corners and adorn our collared shirts!

DIY Tassel Bag Charm

Honestly, who doesn’t love tassels?! We adore them hanging from handbags, shoes, jewelry, and just about anything. So when we discovered that super soft, pre-cut leather fringe was so readily availableto ship, we immediately whipped up a handful of danglers for our barren bags. After all, more is more is more! And of course you can make tassels using old fashioned method, but if you’re ever short on time this is a speedy and easy shortcut.

You’ll need:

• 8-9″ piece of leather fringe
• tacky glue
• 2-5 inches of ball chain
• 1 ball chain connector
• rubber band
• scissors

The leather fringe from Tandy Leather comes in a 36″ strip. Divide the strip into four 8-9″ pieces to create 4 tassels.

From one of the fringe pieces, cut off a single fringe. Cut an inch or so off the top. Place a small drop oftacky glue in the upper right corner of the inside of the fringe piece.

Place the longer strip on top of the glue and another drop of glue on top of that. Fold the leather strip over to create a loop. Allow to dry for a couple of minutes.

Now start rolling around the loop tightly. Place a very small strip of glue along the top of the fringe and continue to roll.

Finish the wrap with a small amount of glue at the very end. Wrap a rubber band around the top of the tassel until it completely finishes drying. Don’t worry if any of the glue seeps out as it will eventually dry clear.

Thread the tassel, or tassels, onto a few inches of ball chain and add the connector to secure it.

We dare you to make just one!

DIY Tassel Earrings

You’ll need:

• 25 meters (79 feet) of bunka cord
• 2 corrugated brass beads 5/8″
• 2 corrugated brass caps 1/2″
• 2 eyepins
• 2 earwires
• E6000
• pliers
• wire clippers
• scissors

Japanese bunka cord is a very fine, high quality knitted rayon square cord that is perfect for making tassels. It usually comes in 6 meter skins. Start by unraveling the skeins of cord. Cut 2 3″ pieces and set them aside. Then cut the rest into multiple 8-10″ pieces. (For this tutorial, I used shades of peach and orange but of course, you can use just one color.) Separate the strands into two groups, approximately 20 strands each.

Lay the strands flat and pull them up from the middle. Take one of the 3″ pieces and slip it under the middle of the bunch. Tie into a double knot and trim away any excess.

Thread the eyepin through the bottom of the bead cap. Insert a small amount of E6000 into the bead cap.

Take the bunch of cord and stuff tied off middle section all the way into the bead cap. Hold in place for several seconds. Thread the corrugated bead on to of the bead cap.

Take the pliers and bend the eyepin 90 degrees to the left. Then wrap the eyepin clockwise around the right side of the pliers.

Bring the eyepin all the way around. While gripping the loop with the pliers, take the excess eyepin and start wrapping around the base of the loop.

After winding it around twice, trim away any excess wire.

Thread the loop through the earwire and trim the tassel to a desired length.

Repeat the same steps to complete your new pair of swinging tassel earrings!

So glam, so easy!