reuse, recycle

These are some crafts i made the other night. The bracelet you can make following these steps. The earrings were made with seashells I painted with fingernail polish (we’ll see how that works out) and then I hot glued them to an old pair of studs.

:)

DIY Bandana Wallet

100 Ways to Transform a Tee Shirt: 13

Knotted chain bracelet

You will need your chain (long enough to wrap around your wrist), a strip of tee shirt ~1’-1.5’ long and ~1” or less thick, a connector, and a hot glue gun.

1. Start by folding the chain about in half, but leave one of the sections (rungs, rings, circles? Is there a proper name for what I’m trying to say? Lol) in the center out to use your connector with. That is probably very unclear, but I think you will see what i mean.
2. Tie a knot around two matched sections of chain at that end, as shown (even though I have two knots already… I think you get the picture though):
3. Basically just follow these pictures to make your knots:
4. Continue knotting the strip until the bracelet is as long as you need it to be. To attach your clip/clasp/connector, make the same knot, but don’t tighten it yet. Loop it through your connector and back through the knot and then tighten it:
5. Trim the extra and hot glue it down for safety. Do this on the other end as well. Fin! :)

If you had an old necklace with a smaller chain, you could try using embroidery thread. For me, crafting is about recycling old things into things you like again. So use whatever materials you have lying around, get creative! :)

100 Ways to Transform a Tee Shirt: 11 (Updated)

The original tutorial can be found here, but I finished it today so here’s the final product:

I got this purse from the thrift store for 3 dollars and deconstructed it. I used the chain for this purse (and i still have a bunch left over for some bracelets ;3) and the leather cord for this bracelet.

I still plan to use the rest of the purse, but I think I’m going to have to wait until we get a new sewing machine.

I made a more comfortable spot on the strap. Also, on the back I just glued down the fabric without making the fringe. The bottom line of this was that I ran out of shirt, but it was a lot easier and not to mention it just looks cleaner.

100 Ways to Transform a Tee Shirt: 12

For this, you will need a t shirt, scissors and a hot glue gun. I used this tank, just because I love the texture. I’m pretty sure it would work for a t, so I’m including it in the 100 ways :)

1. Cut your shirt in half, and then cut the top off, so you have 2 loops. If your shirt isnt fitted like mine, you might want to make one of your loops smaller by cutting it open, trimming some off, and tying it back into a loop.
2. When you cut the top off, make sure you leave enough to cut a strip from, about 10 inches by 1-2 inches. Put your loops together in your desired fashion.
3. Although the strip part is optional, I hot glued it down, wrapped it, and hot glued it again, to secure the two loops together.
4. Done!~

100 Ways to Transform a Tee Shirt: 11

A fringed clutch!

Materials: scissors, an old unused bag (mine was a dingy makeup bag), a hot glue gun, your tee of course, and you also might want to grab a ruler.

Step-By-Step:

1. Measure the length of your purse/bag. The length of mine was 11 1/2 inches. Now, use this measurement to create strips that are 3-3 1/2 inches wide and your needed length. (My strips were 11.5 X 3.5 inches)
2. Cut slits to make fringe, about 1 cm wide and 2 inches long, on the length of your strips.
3. For attachment, I started by cutting a 2 inch wide strip to finish the bottom with. this is optional, it just looked better because of the seams on the bag.
4. Attachment of the fringed strips with hot glue is in many ways up to you, and depends on the style of your bag. I just glued mine on to the front and back, and then attached a separate strip to run along the sides and bottom.
5. Overlapping is another thing kind of up to you. It all depends on the look you’re going for! I just lined mine up so that they overlapped as little as possible, so that the cuts in the fringe are just far down enough that there is nothing behind the strips shown. You can see what i mean (kind of) in the picture above. It might take a few tries, it did for me anyway. But after they are all glued on, it gives a great effect!
6. Spice your own up with beads, buttons, charms, or not. I plan on thrifting a chain for a strap. This is medium difficulty, but you’ve got room for error. And it takes a lot of glue. But I’d say it’s worth the work, isn’t it adorable? :)

100 ways to transform a t shirt: 10

This T is only for t’s that you like the pattern/logo for. My sister was cleaning out her closet and donated a lovely otter shirt to my craft box that she got at the chicago aquarium. I dont have how to pictures; they’re on my friend’s camera and she’s on vacation. This t was inspired by forever 21’s new collection of WWF shirts.

1. Cut off the collar. i wouldn’t widen it further until you try it on and decide that’s what you want.
2. Cuff the sleeves. I rolled mine 3 times. I think I am going to add some fabric glue; these sleeves are too stubborn for ironing. You could also just stitch the top and bottom of the cuff.
3. Cut off the hem at the bottom.
4. Trace curves on both corners using a largish circular item, such as a penguin trash can. (like this: )
5. You’re ready for high fashion.

This super easy and super chic and super comfy transformation only takes minutes. I did it to another shirt too, but kept the bottom as-is. Fun and simple :)

DIY Projects

Ok, here are some actually good quality pictures of the DIYs I have presented thus far on my blog:

1. Braided Bracelet
2. Transforming a T: 1
3. Transforming a T: 2
4. Transforming a T: 3
5. Transforming a T: 4
6. Transforming a T: 5
7. Transforming a T: 6
8. Transforming a T: 7
9. DIY Lace Earrings
10. Transforming a T: 8
11. Refurbished Record
12. I’m skipping the feather one. I fell asleep in mine. Whoops!
13. Pressed Penny Ring
14. DIY Denim Boxes

DIY Denim Boxes

Ok, things you will need: scrap denim (enough to cover a shoebox, a pants leg should be enough for a standard size shoebox) a shoebox, hot glue, scissors, and appliques if you want, like buttons, beads, etc.

Honestly, a step-by step is kind of hard for this project. Especially since the shoebox I’m using has the lid attached to it on one side. Essentially what you are going to do though is hot glue the denim on. If you think about the way you would wrap a present, that might help. For the top, I would suggest starting at the edge of the lid, like i did:

After that, the placement of the fabric depends on the size/shape of fabric you are working with and the size/shape of the box. For the top on mine, I did this:  ->

After i finished the top, i basically did the same for the bottom.

I left ~1 inch margin so the box would still shut easily. To close up the bottom, i just folded it neatly and held it with glue:

For the back, i used pockets:

Functional too!

After your box is covered, you can decorate it with ribbons, buttons, glitter, etc.

Here are some others I’ve done:

I can always use extra storage space, and these are super handy. I’m using the one i made today to keep my crafting jewelry in (old earrings, bracelets, knickknacks, etc)

It can be time consuming, but it’s a great way to get rid of those old shoe boxes and organize your stuff at the same time. :)

Not sure what to do with that pressed penny souvenir? How about a ring? Use an old ring you never wear or check out the craft store for some blank rings. I rounded mine out by pushing it down lightly in several places on the edge of my bathroom counter. Then, just hot glue it. Voila. :)

I can’t wait to wear it! :)

Refurbished Record

This is pretty much all over the internet. I used this simple how-to.

I used a small sized 59c record from the thrift store. :)

100 ways to transform a t shirt: 8

Bleach Dying! Super easy, and you probably have all the materials you need right at home, which include a colored tee shirt, a cleaner containing bleach (like clorox), and 3 rubber bands.

1. Lay the t out flat on a smooth surface.
2. Pinch the fabric where you want your spiral to start and spin it, so it rolls into a flat-ish (maybe an inch thick) circle. If you are familiar with traditional dying, you know what I’m talking about.
3. Secure it in this shape with the rubber bands, crossing them in the center. i didn’t take pictures, but here’s a paint diagram:
4. Now, spray the bleach in every other triangular section. How much you use is up to you, but i would make sure the outer layer is soaked. You could probably soak your bundle in water first and ring it out before bleaching for a more blended look. Not sure, but I think I will try it for my next bleaching job. 
5. After you have sprayed on your desired amount, wait for the color to begin changing. once you know the bleach is working its magic, unwrap the t and hang it up. I don’t have a time parameter; just watch it and wait for it to become what you desire. Try not to wait too long, I would say no longer than 15 min, because the bleach can cause holes.
6. When the t looks as you desire, rinse it very well. I even used some dish soap to make sure the bleach was out. hang it up to dry, and you’ve got yourself some crazy tie dye bleach.

Mine isn’t quite dry yet, but here’s how it turned out: its hard to tell, but the bleach made a nice green swirl in this blue v-neck. I think I am going to make it into a tank…