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DIY: Jewelry Board

I’ve had a 4×4 foot abstract painting that I’ve had for several years now, but had long since outgrown the print.  Also running out of drawer space due to my thrift shopping addiction and wanting a better way to display my costume jewelry other than an unfrequented drawer, a need for some creativity on my part was sparked. And thus my nifty Chevron and Neon Yellow Jewelry Board was born.

Supplies:

– Fabric
– Frame
– Spray Paint
– Primer
– Cork Tiles
– Straight Pins
– T Pins
– Industrial Stapler for larger frames

1. Frame Up – Pick a frame large enough to display your baubles, and make sure the fabric you use extends at least 2 inches on each side.
2. Single File – My frame had some had some deep scratches in it, so I used some sand paper to file them down.
3. Prime Time – Use your Primer to do long even strokes over each side of the frame until it’s an even white color.
4. Spray – Once your Primer is dry, repeat the same motion using your spray paint color of choice (this was my first time ever spraying painting anything….but I think I did pretty good).
5. Stick it Out – Take the backing of your frame and adhere your cork tiles to the surface with the sticky squares that come with it, cutting off any excess.
6. Keep it Tight – Tautly pull the fabric over your frame backing with the attached cork tiles, pinning the fabric in place (you can also use a regular stapler for extra support). You may need to use an industrial stapler for larger frames such as this one to staple the whole piece to the frame.
7. Show Time – Proudly display your jewelry using T Pins.

DIY

DIY: Recycled Tshirt Necklace

Tools You’ll Need:
– Old Tshirt
– Rotary Cutter
– Needle Nose Pliers
– Synthetic Leather Cord
– Large Cord Fasteners
– Small Cord Fasteners
– Clasp and Chain
– Straight edge
– Needle and thread

Take any old bold color tshirt (soft and slightly stretchy are best), you can stock up on them at thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army for like $1.

1. Cuttin’ Up – Cut the tshirt into 3/4 inch strips up to the underarms (you should get about 20 strips).  Note: be sure to use a mat or cardboard to protect your surface from the blade of the rotary cutter.

2. Stretch it Out – Grab each strip at the seams on either side, and pull.  Try to stretch each strip about the same width, so as not to have any really long ones that stick out from the bunch. Line the seams as you stack them up and it’ll make your job easier later.

3. Stack ’em Up – For added security, feed a needle through the stacked seams to give the necklace an overall polished look.  Wrap the string around the bundle several times, intermittently reinserting the needle through the stack.

4. Cut the Cord – Cut the synthetic leather cord to the desired length you want your necklace to hang, and fold it in half around the end of the necklace.

5. Positive Reinforcement – Pull the end of the necklace and synthetic cord through the larger cord fastener. Feel free to add glue or insert the screw for extra reinforcement.

6. Fasten and Clasp – Lastly add the smaller cord fasteners to each end, along with the chain and clasp. Now…rock your statement necklace with style!

OUTFITS

Sheer Madness

So, as we speak I’m traveling to Rhode Island via bus to see a friend I haven’t seen (unless you count Facebook) in almost ten years….it amazes me how social media has allowed our culture to reconnect with people that way.  Yes, it’s true….tweets, posts, and texts aren’t giving you a blow by blow of what’s going on in everyone’s life on a deep personal level….but it puts people on your mind that you might have otherwise forgotten due to time passing.

I’m grateful for the reconnect….but wanted to share a quick OOTD with you.  Since it’s been sooooo hot lately, I thought I’d give this sheer navy houndstooth top and pencil skirt a try.  I got both thrifting…and it cost me less than $1.50.

Take a moment to reach to an old friend today you may have just simply lost touch with….you’ll be glad you did.

Top >< Hennes Collection (Thrifted)
Skirt >< Anne Klein for Bergdorf Goodman (Thrifted)
Necklace >< Chanel (Gifted to me by Halle Berry, also seen here)
Aviator Sunglasses >< $5 Street Find
Shoes >< Steve Madden (also seen here)