Whether you want to make something quick for your sweetheart, mother, best friend, or with your kids, here's a couple of cute & easy DIY ideas. Get to crafting, you're cutting it close!
Happy Valentine's Day, don't forget to spread the love to everyone you care about!
Okay, so maybe this isn't exactly a DIY craft post, but hey, we're in the spirit of upcycling! Airbnb picks made an awesome list of 29 repurposed rentals! Here are a few. Commence the droolfest of beautiful homes! Maybe you'll get an idea or two.
If you're not running around with a chicken with its head cutoff trying to spend your gift cards, hold the phones and check out these simple & awesome crafty ideas for recycling holiday cards.
Virtual round of applause for our first Etsy shop feature for the month of December. Fellow Team FEST member and Floridian, Cyndie from Cyndie Smith Designs stops by for a chat. You can also find her on Facebook and on Blogger.
When did you know you wanted to create and sell handmade items?
I've been creative all my life and dabbled in a few mediums, like pottery and painting. But when I took my first metalsmith lesson, I was hooked and knew I'd found my place!
Where does your inspiration come from?
Most of my inspiration comes from nature but a couple of series grew from emotional baggage. That was actually some of my best work, so I guess there's some truth to the old saying about tortured artists!
What’s the most memorable custom item you’ve created?
My life cuff, which is also my avatar. It was created in honor of a friend who died too young from breast cancer. The cuff told a story of loss and love. I made so many custom for other folks, telling their stories, that I had to stop because it was emotionally draining.
Besides creating things, what do you do?
I love boating, growing Orchids and bicycling.
What is the most important advice anyone has given you?
Give thanks for all you have.
What is the most important advice you'd like to give to other etsy sellers?
Don't give up! Slow times can be discouraging so use that time to improve your shop. That way you'll be ready for the next up cycle of sales!
Its high time holiday shopping season! Too busy to go and snag some displays? Too cheap to shell out cash for your craft booth? Pressed for time? Check out these easy peasy ways to DIY for your next indie craft bazaar.
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| Necklace Display = Grab a yard sale sign, fold it over & glue in place, paint the other side! |
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| DIY & Customizable Table Banner = Grab some wood and chalkboard paint and you're set! |
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| Ring Display = Grab an old box, glue foam inside & slice it, tuck & cover with fabric! | |
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| Necklace/Bracelet Display = cover paper towel rolls with denim and glue to cardboard! |
I finally decided to cash in some more Pinterest ideas and starting making comic book shoes. If you don't feel like buying them from my shop or other Etsy sellers, you can DIY!! Just cut strips, paint the shoes with modge podge, and gloss over when the whole shoe is covered. FYI my first try took me two hours!
What You Need
- Newspaper to cover your surface
- Brushes
- Modge Podge (there are different types, I used puzzle saver)
- Comic Books
- Scissors
- Shoes of your choice
- Extras - glitter, paint, other embellishments & decor
Some other ideas for revamping old shoes
Magazine Collage Shoes on Stars for Streetlights
Floral Fabric Boots on A Beautiful Mess
DIY Sparkle Glitter Boots on Sprinkles in Springs
Painted Pink Neon Shoes on Angel in the North
Holiday season is here! Time to stock up on pinterest ideas and DIY
gift ideas! I made these simple gifts last year for my family, and they
loved them!! Whether you're a regular Picasso or just a good scribbler, you can make something nice.
What you need
- Acrylic Paint
- Paint brushes
- Wood photo frame, jewelry box, planks, etc
- String for hanging
- Hot glue or screw to attach string
- Stencils (or you can DIY some!)
Some Other Ideas
I'd like to share this cool DIY idea for nail polish! I got lost in Etsy the other day and discovered the world of Franken Polish!
Pinned from Delightedmomma.com, this simple do it yourself project won't take more than 15 minutes. All you need is clear nail polish and some old eyeshadow!
Want to repin it? Click here
You can also find me on Pinterest, here!
I gave this one a try, but I think I over did it with the eyeshadow. I made a bottle of cheap glittery gold polish into a lively lime colored one, but it doesn't hold well. Chipped within hours. :(
If you want more info about making franken polish or nail polish from scratch check out this informative link from the Crafty Ninja, DIY Franken Polish
The next shop feature for the month of October hails from Lehigh Acres, Florida. Let's give Natalee Wright from Black Willow Soaps a virtual round of applause for taking the time to share her story. As always, check for links below and shower us with comments!
When did
you know you wanted to create and sell handmade items?
My
mother and her friend, Kurt, had been talking about selling handcrafted items
at craft shows in our area. They asked me to join them and bring my soaps and
candles. So, I made a bunch of soaps to go to the craft fair. Unfortunately, it
never panned out and I was left with all of these soaps. Christmas had just
passed, so I couldn’t really gift the items. I had sold on Etsy before with
just original artwork and really couldn’t get it to work out. But, I figured
why not try it again with my new products. So far, it has been a wonderful
journey.
Where
does your inspiration come from?
I gain
inspiration from everything. Most of the time, you can tell what I have been
looking at with my new products! The beach themed tealight candle holder came from a
trip to the beach with my husband. The rose candle holder came from the memory
of the beautiful roses that my mother had in our yard when we lived in Indiana.
My friends and family are a big inspiration and usually the last word on
whether or not one of my products will be listed. Chances are if they like it,
someone else will enjoy it as well.
What’s
the most memorable custom item you’ve created?
My Aunt
Amy told me that she couldn't use certain soaps because they caused her to get
a rash. I created the Lavender Oatmeal Shea Butter Soap just for her. It didn't
cause her to get a rash and she loved it.
Besides
creating things, what do you do?
During
normal business hours, I am a case manager for senior citizens. I help provide
services to senior citizens that allow them to stay in their home instead of
going to a nursing home. If I am not at work, I am usually working on my shop.
My hobbies kind of surround my shop. I like to paint, create, and grow herbs to
put in my soaps. I spend time with my family whenever I can. Most of my family
outings even seem to encompass my shop, like the beach, thrift stores, and the
flea market. In a sense, I am always working…at least in my mind. My brain
never stops thinking about what I could be creating or doing for my shop.
What is
the most important advice anyone has given you?
It will
all work out. In fact, my husband says it repeatedly.
What is
the most important advice you'd like to give to other etsy sellers?
Dive in!
You never know what will happen until you try. I firmly believe that dreams
never die, they just change a little over the years. So, I would say to anyone
who wants to create their own business or exclusively work in the products that
I work in, that they should go for it and see what is waiting at the other end.
Life’s journey begins with a single step, right?
Show Natalee some virtual love! Her back story is truly inspiring, don't forget to stay positive out there!
Sharing my latest Etsy treasuries, a true blood themed gala of a nice
variety of items plus a Halloween themed gallery with upcycled holiday
items. Enjoy! :D
Want to pin anything? Or check out some awesome items for yourself? Here are the links to these etsy treasury lists.
#WaitingSucks True Blood Theme
Halloweeny .... Spooky Creepy Holiday Spirit
From awhile, I'll be featuring TWO shops each month! Whoop! And just in time for the holiday season! First up for the month of October is the lovely Gari Anne from Bead Lovers Korner. Don't forget to show some love and check her links out at the bottom!
When did
you know you wanted to create and sell handmade items?
I
started making beaded jewelry about 12 years ago. I opened a shop on
Ebay, where I sold a few things, but ended up mostly selling beads. I joined
Etsy 2 years ago and since then have been making and selling a lot more of my
creations.
Where
does your inspiration come from?
I give
all credit for my inspirations to God
What’s
the most memorable custom item you’ve created?
My
Rainbow Moonstone Goddess Necklace would be the most memorable because I made
it by flashlight! We had several Hurricanes go through Central Florida years
back and I sat and made many items with a flashlight type lamp that my husband
set up for me.
Besides
creating things, what do you do?
I have
an ebay store and a website as well as my Etsy Shop. I work full time at home
selling my creations and other beads. I am an Authorized Dealer for Carlo Biagi
Jewelry and Landmark Travel beads so with all of that I stay really busy.
What is
the most important advice anyone has given you?
"Be
nice to everyone because you never know who you are talking to."
What is
the most important advice you'd like to give to other Etsy sellers?
Be
determined, don't give up if you don't get sales instantly. It takes time and
effort to build up enough items, with the right pictures, at the right price
for the right buyers!!
Connect with Bead Lovers Korner Online!!
For the month of September, I'm featuring yet another upcycler from Etsy! Let's give Melanie from TrashyCreations a virtual round of applause and thanks for sharing!
When did you know you wanted to create and sell handmade items?
About a year and a half ago, I started to play around with jewelry. I really enjoyed the things I came up with using recycled material, I guess it grew from there. People seemed to really like what I was creating, I wanted to share it with everyone.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Definitively from my materials. I pick a material to work with and let it guide me.
What’s the most memorable custom item you’ve created?
My first pair of earrings. I just remember how I had that Ah Ha moment, and I knew that this was going to work. It just all came together.
Besides creating things, what do you do?
I'm a stay at home mom. I love that I get to have the time to work on what I love. I don't take it for granted, I'm very grateful.
What is the most important advice anyone has given you?
A quote a friend told me. "Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do."
What is the most important advice you'd like to give to other etsy sellers?
Get to know other sellers around etsy. Network a lot, and be involved.
Love it! Short & sweet! Show Melanie some love and check out her links!
UpcycleFever
