Down Right, Up Left.

Over the break I've developed a new hobby... The Kumihimo Disk!

I received it as a Christmas gift from my grandfather and step-grandmother and I've been having a ball with it since it was unwrapped!

The whole premise is it is a foam disc with notches on the sides to move cord around. The cord creates a cool hollow knotted braid. Like this... 

I had so much fun making my bracelets I thought I might show you how to make one yourself!

It's incredibly easy and pretty darn mindless and relaxing, perfect to do in front of an episode of Gossip Girl or a documentary.  

Here's what you're going to need:

Cord

Scissors

twine

Glue

Kumihimo Ends

Kumihimo Disc or a homemade substitute (each disc should have 32 notches)

Here's what you do:

Begin with 8 strands of cord or string. My strings were 18 inches long. 

Tie the ends of all the strings together, feed the ends through the hole in the center of the disc.

Set the disc up like this:

Place two strings at 90 degrees, at 

1 and 32

8 and 9

16 and 17

24 and 25

Then begin, hold the hoop with 1 facing away from you.

Move the string from 1 to the bottom, spot 15.

 Then move the string in place 17 up to place 31.

 Then give the disc a 90 degree turn to the right so 24 and 25 are facing away from you. 

Move the right string (25) down to spot 7 and the bottom left string (9) to the top spot (23).

Give it another 90 degree turn and repeat, moving the top right down to the closest right position and the bottom left up to the closest left position.

Keep on going until your bracelet is as long as you want. 

When you're done take the cord off and put a knot at the end.

Then use your twine to tie off the the end of the cord below the knot on the braided end. 

Once the cord is secured cut the knot off and use jewelry glue and coat the end. slip the Kumihimo end over the end of the gluey cord and leave it for 24 hours to ensure maximum staying. Then assemble your ends with the jump rings. 

Wear your new bracelet with pride.

p.s. use this guide to make new patterns... it keeps things interesting. 

 

Keep it classy,

~E

A whole new level.

Traditionally seersucker is worn as only clothing, but I'm out to change that today. 

Lately I've been building ground on a bangle obsession. And I've been looking for a seersucker bangle. Sadly, it was a fruitless search. As a notorious craft-o-holic I decided that when in craft world, create as the inspired do. 

So I set out to create a seersucker bangle. And with some inspiration and basic supplies, you can too. 

What you'll need:

scissors

seersucker fabric

an old bangle

hot glue

How to do it:

Use your scissors to cut a length of your fabric about double the bangle's circumference.

Take your hot glue gun and place a line of glue on the top of the bangle.

Quickly, before the glue dries, place the fabric centered on the glue. 

Press down and hold it for a few seconds until the glue gets tacky.

Place another line of glue on the bottom and put one side of the fabric in it and hold it down.

Repeat this for the second side and and let it dry fully. 

Continue to do this around the bangle until it is fully covered.

CONGRATULATIONS! You now have a super spiffy new bangle! 

Wear it with pride!

Keep it classy,

~E

Chanel... Or Not.

It's time for another eddition of 10 Minute Trend! 

Today we've been inspired by Chanel's Spring 2012 collection. Because any classy or preppy girl loves pearls. 

Pearls were all the rage on the runway for noted French fashion house. They were everywhere, pinned in hair, stuck on the back in an ascending way, and around necks and wrists. 

Inspired by this DIY from Honestly... WTF I set out to create my own pearl pins. 

What you need:

12 pearl beads

12 bobby pins

108 inches of thin gauge jewelry wire (9 inches per pin)

Scissors

Super glue

What to do:

Start by threading the wire through the pearl bead and twisting the end of it so the bead is closed off.

Next twist the wire around the pin until you are satisfied with the stability, if there's extra wire then use the scissors to take off the excess. Just make sure that it's hidden and tucked away so it won't poke you. 

 Lastly, for some extra insurance put a small drop of super glue on the area where the wire meets the bobby pin. Let it dry and wear your new "designer" pins with pride! 

Keep it classy,

~E

10 Minute Trend

One of my favorite trends lately is the hair band with a button trend. I really wanted to try it so, google to the rescue! 10 minutes on the internet and I was able to have a fully comprehensible idea of how to cover a button without buying a kid. And I'm here to tell you, it's easy! All you need are buttons, some fabric, a needle and thread, and scissors!

Now let's make some buttons! 

Step 1: Measure a piece of fabric that is double the diameter of the button and cut it from the fabric strip. 

Step 2: Thread the needle (I'm using black so you can see what I'm doing) and put a knot at the end.

Step 3: Stitch a large circle around the fabric. Do not cut the thread yet!

Step 4: Place the button in the center of the stitched circle.

Step 5: Pull the thread tight, encasing the button.

Step 6: Sew the loose ends together.

Step 7: Attach the button to anything you want! Hair bands, bags, anything!

I hope this gets you inspired to make your own trend!

Remember, Keep it Classy,
~E