Friday Faves Vol. 2

Here's some fun stuff that's catching my eye lately:

These cool magnetic pineapple plant holders from etsy.

This cool (and surprisingly simple) DIY for beaded shoes with an eye motif.

Actress Sarah Ramos found a rom-com she wrote when she was 12, so she decided to actually make it - now we have the wonderful strangeness of City Girl.

This amazing makeup look from @nickeilgenesis - umm, those BROWS!

This beautiful work of art is actually an edible cake!

This DIY moon phase wall hanging would be super easy to make!

This map that shows what Pangea would look like with current national borders. Weird to imagine I'd be just a hop, skip & a jump away from Morocco!

This collection of gumball machine prizes from the 1970s! I'd want the little teeth.

This digital art by Markos Kay that imagines the human body as only blood vessels.

This behind-the-scenes photo of Sarah from Jeopardy's 'Clue Crew' getting ready before a shoot. I'm genuinely shocked that she does her own hair and makeup!

Have you seen any cool stuff lately?

DIY: Hand Chain Tutorial {2 Ways}

They just keep finding new places to add decoration! The back of your hand?! Yes, please. When I see people wearing these bracelet/ring hybrids (I'm calling it a hand chain) I get all excited, but I don't see them much in stores. Somehow it only now occurred to me to DIY some for myself, a fairly obvious solution. I made it two ways: one is more involved and bulkier, and the other is super simple and understated. Pick your poison and grab your arts and crafts bin, we're doing this!

Method 1: What You Need

Jewelry Pliers  //  E6000 Glue  //  Chain Cutters  //  (Thick-ish) Chain

Blank Ring  //  Pendant with Loop  //  4 Jump Rings  //  Clasp

How To Make It

First thangs first: we need to made the necklace pendant into a ring. This is done by simply gluing the blank ring base to the back of the pendant with the E6000 glue.

Maybe don't pose yours for a picture and it won't drip everywhere.

Press the glue-topped ring base to the pendant and let it dry.

While you wait, measure around your wrist with the chain. Make sure to leave a little wiggle room - wrists love to wiggle. Use the chain cutters to trim the chain to your desired length.

Use the pliers to attach a jump ring to each end and add a clasp to the jump rings. 

Now that we have the bracelet section ready, we want to add 2 more jump rings to the bracelet. These will connect the bracelet to the portion of chain that'll drape over your hand. They should be evenly spaced on top of your wrist (when you have the bracelet on) so try it on to make sure the jump rings sit where you want them. Use the pliers to add the 2 jump rings where you'd like them, but don't close them just yet.

Attach the chain to one jump ring and close it with the pliers. Measure to see how much length you'll need to go from there to the pendant/ring and down to the other jump ring. Cut the length. (Remember - cutting a little extra is cool. You can always trim, but you can't add.)

My ring was dry so I put that on my middle finger and ran the length of chain through the loop in the pendant. The reason I'm using a necklace pendant is because it has this loop - obviously it's meant to be put on a chain for a necklace, but it works just as well here. You'll want to wear it so that the loop is facing your wrist, not your fingertips. (Was that insultingly obvious?)

Next, just attach the free end of the chain to that still-open jump ring and close it up. 

This is how it looks when it's laid out:

'A' for effort. I'll take it - thanks, self!

You're done now. That's it. Show's over...go home. Oh, you want to see it on an actual hand, do you?

Oh yeah! You want to make sure the chain you use will fit in the loop in your pendant.

In action...very still action.

When you wear it, I suggest putting on the ring first and then struggling to clasp the bracelet for five entire minutes before angrily conceding that you will never be able to wear non-bangle bracelets and then letting/forcing your boyfriend to clasp it for you. Very effective.

********************

Okay, so maybe you like this free spirit-esque look, but also want the free spirit-esque lifestyle that just doesn't allow for time-sucking activities like waiting for glue to dry and opening a clasp. Wow, you're really in a rush there, aren't you? Luckily for you, I have a WAY easy solution for you if you can slow down for maybe 120 seconds. Do we have a deal?

Method 2: What You Need

Jewelry Pliers  //  Chain  //  Jump Ring  //  Long Bead

How To Make It

Use the pliers to add a jump ring to the open ends of the chain. This makes a closed loop of chain.

Slide your long bead (so many kinds will work) over the entire chain loop, from the non-jump ring end. Obviously, the bead needs an opening that's wide enough to fit the doubled over chain.

Position the bead close to the top side (away from jump ring). This gives you a vaguely bow tie-shaped situation. Like a bow tie in a fun house mirror. Probably worn by the clown in your nightmares.

That is literally it. I think we have a few of those 120 seconds to spare if you care for a lemonade or something? Okay, maybe another time. Yeah, I'm busy with...friends and stuff.

To put this guy on, insert your hand into the larger section of the "bow tie" so you're wearing the chain around your wrist with the jump ring underneath [A]. Then, slide the bead up and move the bracelet portion up so that the small side of the "bow tie" can reach over the top of your middle finger to wear it like a ring [B]. Side the ring part down, slide the bead down and adjust so the bracelet part sits around your wrist [C]. Picture [D] is the underneath view.

It sounds a bit complicated to put on, but you'll see how intuitive it really is. If you cut the chain on the longer side it will be easier to put on, but it will also move around more when you wear it. I wanted a pretty fitted look and feel, so I have to wiggle it on like this, which is fine since, much like a wrist, I love wiggling. Here's the final look:

A simpler, more understated hand chain.

Are you into hand chains? Do you know what these things are really called? Do you jump at the chance to add decorative jewelry in MORE places, such as myself?

BLOGLOVIN  | TWITTER  |  TUMBLR  |  PINTEREST  |  RSS  |  ETSY

DIY: Galaxy Ring

I am endlessly fascinated by pictures of outer space, which is kind of awesome for me since galaxy print everything is so popular right now. I wanted to work a colorful galaxy image into a jewelry project and since I had some supplies and about 20 minutes to spare, I did just that.

I also have a pretty unwavering love for these giant glass beads that magnify whatever is under them. I guess, technically, other people seem to be calling them "cabochons" which is a general term for smooth gems such as these. That word seems WAY too fancy (not to mention pretentious) for something so simple, but in the interest of journalism I'll refer to them below as cabochons, instead of what I normally call them, which, in case you're curious, is "glass bead thingies." It just seems like "cabochons" might make for clearer instructions.

WHAT YOU NEED

> Printed Galaxy Image

> Scissors

> Clear Glass Cabochon with Magnifying Effect (I got mine here)

> Ring Base

> Clear Glue (I recommend E-6000)

> Safety Pin

HOW TO MAKE IT

First, find yourself a nice galaxy image via Google. You can just print it as is, or you can get a bit more involved. I played with the colors in Photoshop and used the cookie cutter tool to create a round shape in the area of the print that I liked best. I also made it about the same size as my glass cabochon. 

Print and cut out the galaxy image.

Place a small amount of E-6000 glue on the back (flat) side of the glass cabochon. 

Spread the glue in a thin layer with the opened arm of your safety pin. Awww, your safety pin is greeting you with open arms! How very Journey of him/her.

Gently but firmly press the cabochon down on the galaxy image, with the glued side laid over the image.

If you get any air bubbles (FYI, you probably will - enjoy!) just smooth them out by massaging the paper backing until they pop or squeeze out the side.

You can see a few little air bubbles here, but they kind of work in this image, right?

If your image if hanging over the edge of the cabochon (how many times can we use this word today?) use your scissors to carefully trim the excess paper.

To finish, just glue your ring base to the back of your cabochon. I opted to add a small piece of green foam to the back of the galaxy image to protect the paper from wear and tear. You could also seal it with Mod Podge or use a metal base for your cabochon.

Once this whole business dries and sets, you've got a super easy and super cheap new DIY galaxy ring. Hey, good for you!

Then you can just wear it and be all "What? This old thing? Just a huge outer space ring that I MADE MYSELF." People love false modesty, I'm pretty sure.

You should also work on mastering a VERY natural pose to show it off, such as this one.

Are you into galaxy print? I know it's been done on pretty much everything already, but I never see galaxy rings so maybe it can still be cool? Please? I'm just always going to like outer space prints and I refuse to apologize! Also, if you want to do more fun things with glass cabochons you can try nail polish jewelry.

I have big plans for the rest of my cabochons (had to use it one more time), including tiny weirdo collages and enough glitter to be considered indecent. No one can stop me, suckers!

BLOGLOVIN  | TWITTER  |  TUMBLR  |  PINTEREST  |  RSS  |  ETSY

DIY: Teardrop Bead Statement Necklace

You know when you see something on TV or online or in a magazine and you determine in your most super villainess-style voice that "It WILL be mine"? Well, I tend to do this kind of a lot because I can't stop being inspired by shapes and colors and pretty things for even one second. I'm starting to think I have a problem, but it's hard to worry too much when your "problem" results in ridiculous symptoms like having too many fun necklaces and floral headscarves. 

I tend to obsess over the things I like for an unreasonable amount of time, and if something else has not pushed an obsessed over item out of my mind for a length of time, I decide to act upon the obsession by either buying or DIYing the object of obsession. If something else makes me obsess harder and the original item is forgotten, it was never meant to be. There's some kind of ye olde proverb in there, right?

Also, it is EXHAUSTING in this head of mine; there are just SO MANY ideas. Sometimes, though, the result is a fun new accessory. I saw a necklace similar to this one about two years ago (I said I was OBSESSIVE) on Project Runway - they were obviously using the Piperlime Accessory Wall™ wisely, as per Tim Gunn's instructions. That one was multi-colored and fabulous, but after some careful internet sleuthing I learned that it was also $100. Not exactly my style. I'm all about getting the cutest for the cheapest and that often means going the DIY route. For a detail freak like myself, this is ideal because I can make things to my exact taste. Want one too? I thought you might!

What You Need

12 Teardrop Beads with Holes (I got mine here)  //  28 Silver Spacer Beads  //  2 Clamshell Knot Cover Beads  //  Two 9" Pieces of Metal Chain  //  Stretch Magic Jewelry Cord  //  16 Jump Rings  //  Clasp  //  Jewelry Pliers  //  Wire Cutters  //  Acrylic Paint (optional - not pictured)  //  Mod Podge (optional - not pictured)

How To Make It

To start, I painted my teardrop beads mint green with acrylic paint and coated them in Mod Podge to seal the paint. This step is optional. I couldn't find any teardrop beads in a color I liked so I took the initiative to paint these clear ones because I'm a go-getter (and because I couldn't get the image of a mint green necklace out of my mind).

When all that business is dry and ready, use the jewelry pliers to twist open the jump rings and thread them through the holes in the teardrop beads. Twist the jump rings closed.

Cut 2 lengths of Stretch Magic, one about 8" and one about 9" in length. Thread 2 spacer beads on the 8" stretch cord, followed by 1 teardrop bead. Repeat 4X and then add 2 more spacer beads to finish. When done, you'll have 5 teardrop beads and 12 spacer beads. For the 9" cord, repeat this whole process, but this one is longer so you'll have a total of 7 teardrop beads and 16 spacer beads.

Cool, let's get into it! Take one end of each stretch cord and slide them both through one clamshell bead. Knot the 2 ends together securely. I like to do a million little knots right on top of each other to make a large knot. Trim the cord excess close to the knot. Use the pliers to close the clamshell part of the bead over the knot to hide it.

To finish, attach a jump ring to each end of the metal chains. Bend each "arm" of the clamshell beads around a jump ring. Attach each half of the clasp to the jump rings on the other end of the chains. You did it! Wow, what can't you do? 

I bought a ton of these beads - I actually bought them TWICE because I was sure my boyfriend had accidentally thrown them away during a major apartment cleaning. It seemed to be the only explanation. We couldn't find the beads and he was so very apologetic and tried to look through our building's dumpster (which I did not let him do - I'm not a jerk). So I bought a TON more and then I found the original beads exactly where I had left them. Oops. I'm still working on the assumption that the mischievous spirit of a bead enthusiast was playing a cute joke on us because I know that I didn't have a hand in this. Nope. Not possible.

As a result, I have what you might call a "ridiculous" number of beads (for the record I call it "comforting") so I'll be able to make a few more of these neck decorations. I guess I'm calling necklaces "neck decorations" now? It just seems more appropriate when the jewelry you're wearing is more like a Christmas tree ornament than a simple gold pendant or whatever normal people are wearing these days. I might also make a HUGE one with even more teardrop beads because I like to jingle at all times.

xoxo,
Michelle