Paper Clip Earings

I found this idea on Art from everyday objects. 

So today I thought it would be a fun challenge to work with paperclips. You can’t get much more mundane than a paperclip! After much thought, I came up with paperclip earrings. If you have paperclips and some pretty cotton string, you can create these beauties. They’d probably look pretty cool as a necklace too.


Here is a diagram to show you where to open the paperclip to create this triangular shape.

You are basically unbending the clip at all three of the curves. Does that make sense?
Once you’ve got the triangular shape, you need to glue the ends together. Use a fast drying epoxy or hot glue. Next you can start winding your cotton thread around the wire. I started out using hot glue, then I tried Liquid Stitch and liked it way more. It’s a permanent, clear drying adhesive that didn’t cause any bumps of dried hot glue along the way.

Fig 1: Winding the string around // Fig 2:  Starting to wrap the string around the earring, secured with Liquid Stitch

Once you’ve wound all the way round and secured with glue, you can then take another length of string and wind around the width of the “earring” creating horizontal stripes or you can create a more messy look by creating a “net” design (see below).

Then just clamp on a pair of earring hooks. I just stole mine from a couple pairs of earrings I didn’t wear anymore. The results are beautiful and surprisingly modern. I love how light they are too. I like big earrings, but I don’t like it when they weigh down my earlobe. I don’t want them to hang to my knees when I’m old!
Let me know if you have any questions or I didn’t explain something well enough. I’d love to hear or see them if you try it for yourself!
I found this on:

Flower Fairy Lights

I found these lights on espritcabane.com they are pretty for lighting up a space!

Fairy lights can be enhanced with feathers, paper, cardboard cones or... egg carton cups! These recycled cardboard cups offer an unusual texture and soft colors that, with minimal skills, can be turned into a vine of light-emitting morning glory. For this project, use LED lights only.

Save different colored egg cartons. With a pair of sturdy scissors, cut away excess cardboard surrounding the cup strips. Then cut out each separate cup. With shorter scissors, trim the edges of each cup to form flower petals.

Starting at the cup opening, make a short slit into each side of the cup. Then simply insert one LED bulb into each "flower". Using a one-hole paper punch, make decorative holes on the flowers. See photos for pattern ideas, or invent your own!

Hang your fairy lights in a dark area, over a mirror or above a bed for a cozy, warm effect. 

espritcabane.com/handmade-gifts/fairy-lights.php

Bleach Tie Dye

Bleach Tie Dye!! I found this on the freepeople blog and I want to

 try it so bad! 

 Reverse tie dye or extracting color using bleach has intrigued us for some time now and as the weather is warming up, what better time than now than to start experimenting with tie dye again!

To make a reverse tie dyed shirt, we used a black Free People shirt (bleach works best on natural materials, especially cotton), a few cups of bleach, a bucket, a pair of gloves, a few rubber bands and 2 flat shaped objects.

To make a grid-like pattern, fold the shirt like an accordion and bind it between two pieces of wood or any flat shaped object. Hold the shirt in place by wrapping a series of rubber bands around the bind. Anything used to bind the clothing will prevent the bleach from penetrating, so remember, any fabric exposed will bleach and turn color. Click the second link below for more binding methods.

Before you start the process, make sure you are wearing gloves and bleaching outdoors or in a well ventilated area. Dilute approximately 4 cups of bleach with 1 cup of water. Submerge the shirt into the bleach for only a couple of seconds. Watch it very carefully because depending on the thread count of the clothing, the color can turn very quickly and the bleach may start eroding the fabric. As soon the black fabric transforms into a rusty brown color, immediately remove it from the bleach. Unbind it, rinse it with water and let it hang dry.

You’ll notice that the brown color will slowly fade into an even lighter shade over time. Once its dry, run the shirt through the washing machine.

http://blog.freepeople.com/category/handmade/

http://honestlywtf.com/diy/shibori-diy

Custom Tin Lanterns

I came across this idea and thought it would be a great way to light and decorate. These lanterns are candle lit and are sooo fun!
Chloe

First you'll need:

- Assorted tin cans that have been washed inside (remove the labels if you want, or keep them on for a more edgy effect)

- A black marker
- A towel
- Safety goggles (if you feel needed)
- 5-in-1 Hammer and 6-in-1 Screwdriver (with small phillips head attached) OR a large sharp nail

Instructions:

1. Fill your tin cans with water and place them in the freezer until the water has frozen.

2. Draw designs on your tin cans using your black marker. Simple designs are the easiest to punch out. Alternatively, if you're keeping the labels on, use the outlines on the existing design as your guide

3. Roll out a large towel. Place your can in the middle of the towel, and roll either side of the towel towards the can. This will form a protective barrier, which will prevent the tin from moving around too much.

4. Put on your safety goggles and begin to punch out your design, using your Pretty Useful 5-in-1 hammer and 6-in-1 screwdriver to make different holes of different shapes and sizes.

5. Let the ice thaw, until the can is empty

6. When thawed, dry the tin cans and place 1" to 2" of sand in the bottom.

7. Anchor a tealight candle in the sand and light it using a long match.

I found this on cheepideas.com Check it out! they have so many cool things!

Color