2011 and a few DIY's.

2011 is right around the corner...I'd be lying if I said this past year was nothing short of crazy. S&P was also born in 2010, so I'm really excited to see where it will go in the next year. In the few months I've been doing this, I've seen S&P projects done by talented creative ladies everywhere - California, Texas, Romania, India, England, Australia - it totally blows my mind. Nothing's more rewarding than knowing I inspired someone else to make something. SO, thank you for all the support thus far, & definitely send me pictures of anything you make!

Some quick mini DIY's...


FABRIC TRIM BRACELET:

I bought this gorgeous beaded leaf trim from MJ Trim over the summer, in bronze. Out of one yard, I was able to make two headbands, and had some leftover. I cut apart each of the leaves then reattached them to a metal bangle that I rarely used, using a hot glue gun.




DOUBLE FINGER RING:

One of the biggest trends right now = double and triple finger rings. Make one that is completely unique by using a vintage brooch and two or three ring blanks. Borrowing one of the concepts from my 5 Ways: Rings post, I took off the pinback on a vintage rectangle brooch. Then I attached two brass ring blanks using E6000 glue.

The result is a huge, art deco ring. I also happen to love it.


BAND TEE RECONSTRUCTION:

I've outgrown many of my band tees in the past couple of years (in both size/fit and music taste) but I don't think I could ever bear to get rid of shirts from my friends' bands. Casting Curses is a hardcore band that I went to college with; Brian, the vocalist, is also one of my good friends. About two years ago I took in this top for a more snug fit, but still kept it as a shirt. Today, I took in the sides a little more, and cut off the sleeves for wider sleeve holes, then took a scissor to the collar.

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...I'll be celebrating the New Year with Athletics and friends in Asbury Park, NJ. Where ever you are in the world, I hope you have a safe and amazing New Year's!!!

Here's to another year of inspiration and creativity <3

xo
kirsten

DIY: Drawer Pull + Eyeglass Case = Clutch

*Posts from this point forward were taken with the same camera, but with an external flash unit. Excuse the inconsistency in pictures before & after this point :)*
- 3/3/2011


...Apparently, I never use things for their actual purpose.

This is slightly similar to my last DIY, but uses a drawer pull/knob instead ($3.99 at a hardware store. I looove the vine detailing)


I purchased this blue snakeskin eyeglass case at Marshall's for $6.99, with the intentions of using it for the Skull Clutch I posted last week. But when I decided to use a different case, this idea popped into my head.



Supplies:

- Eyeglass case (this one's HUGE!)...$6.99
- Drawer pull...$3.99
- E6000 glue...<$2


The first and only step: glue the drawer knob onto the case!

Hope everyone has a lovely holiday :)

love love love,
kirsten at s&p

DIY: Skull Clutch

Okay...I've been dying to do this DIY for the longest time! I couldn't find the exact supplies I wanted, but ended up improvising. I'm pretty pleased with how it came out. Not so much because of the piece it was inspired by, but because it uses a fairly standard item - an eyeglass case - in a completely different way.


The inspiration = Alexander McQueen's amazing skull clutches, ranging from $1200-$2000+ ...click here, here, here, here, here for several different examples. And yet another example...



Alexander McQueen Studded Leather Skull Clutch
Saks Fifth Avenue. $1,595.

I loooove these clutches. The price tag? Not so much. I completely understand that this is McQueen we're talking about, one of the most legendary fashion designers ever...But I really don't have $1500 laying around. So this DIY was born, inspired by McQueen, along with a little twist. You can either leave it at a clutch or make it into a small purse...totally up to you.


I suggest reading through the entire DIY before starting. There's so many ways you can go about doing this - especially with the endless amounts of eyeglass cases out there, you can get really creative with this.


Supplies:

- Eyeglass case of your choice....$8
- Skull (or whatever) bead.....$8
- Metallic spray paint, if needed....$3
- About 45 inches of chain, optional....$1.40
- Some elastic, optional.....<$1
- Not shown above: sewing thread, needle, E6000 glue.......<$2


I've been searching for a large silver or gold skull bead, but haven't had any luck. I've had this natural bone skull bead for a while, though...and figured it could probably work, given a good coating of metallic gold spray paint. This type of bead will be probably easier to find on Etsy or Ebay, but you don't even have to use a skull bead if you don't want to.


1) Spray paint your bead in a well ventilated area. Let dry, as indicated on the can's directions.


2) If you'd like to make your clutch into a small purse, keep reading. If you just want it to be a clutch, skip to Step 6 ! ....... Cut two strips of elastic, about 2 inches long.


3) Slip one piece of elastic through one end of the chain. Sew the ends together.


4) Repeat on the other end of the chain.

OPTION: To make your clutch convertible, sew the elastic into loops just as I did, but use large jump rings to attach the chain to the loops. This way - you can easily remove the jump rings/chain if you want to convert between clutch and purse.



5) Glue the elastic pieces to the interior of the eyeglass case. You may have to press down on them for a bit before they actually stay in place. As always, when using E6000, do this in a well ventilated area.


Close up.



Once the glue dries...




6) ...glue on your bead. Let dry.


7) Done!

High End Cost: $1500...at the very least
S&P Cost: $21...just about


xo!
kirsten

DIY for WeHeartThis.com: Embellished Gloves

My latest fashion DIY for WeHeartThis.com was just posted on their website! Embellished Gloves, using studs or buttons. Check it out below or here along with comments and thoughts from WHT readers:

Supplies:

• Studs (or buttons)…it’s up to you!
• 1 pair of simple gloves *
• Pliers, scissors, needle, thread
• Fray Check – optional


*The gloves in this tutorial were $1 a pair at A.C. Moore. I thought I would need two pairs but ended up only using one!

1) Cut out a small rectangle at the base of each glove. Make sure you FLIP ONE OF THEM OVER, so that they are mirror images of each other! Otherwise you’ll have your embellishments on the wrong side on one of your gloves.


Start off with a small rectangle at first, then cut more if desired. You can always try them on and figure out where you’d like your embellishments.

2) Using the rectangle you just cut out, cut 2 or 3 strips. (If you’d like, sew around the 3 edges of your glove – or use Fray Check – to prevent unwraveling). Position the strips at either a criss cross (if you have 2) or in a horizontal row (if you have 3).

3) Stud down or sew each button

4) Trim away any excess thread. Clean up any little issues with a spot of sewing or more Fray Check. And you’re done!

Variations:

• Use crystal or pearl buttons for a pair of gloves perfect for a holiday party.

• Brass or wood buttons will give a more natural, boho look.

• Use two pairs of different colored gloves, and alternate the fabric strips with the other pair to make two pairs that are embellished AND multicolored.

love love love,

kirsten