Friday, March 27, 2015

DIY Faux Agate Coasters

Has spring started already where you live ? For us in New york , it seems like it has started but we still don't feel like it is spring as the forecast says it is going to snow again next week. (oh no !! we want Mr.sun to show some mercy on us :( ) But , we are sure one day we will also get into spring and summer eventually. Summer means some outdoor fun .So, if you are hosting a party and want to add something different to your table setting ,then I got you covered. I came across these  agate coasters and agate pendant and pinned them to my Pinterest board. Ask me why ? Because they were unique and I liked the look of the agate stone but the price tag was like $60 , $95. I am like no way I will buy this for that much money. So, I thought I can mimic the look with my favorite medium ,polymer clay .I tried it and it worked. Here is how.



Materials required :
Premo Sculpey Translucent 2oz   - 1 block
Premo Sculpey White 2 oz           - 1 block
Premo Sculpey  Black 2 oz           - 1 block (You can choose any other color instead of black)
Premo Sculpey  *Gray  2oz          -  Half block
Premo Sculpey  *Silver 2oz         -  Half block
Premo Sculpey  Gold  2oz           - Half block
Rolling pin
knife
A piece of aluminum foil

* I preferred gray and silver as they are lighter shades of black but you can use the base color you selected and mix pearl white or white to get lighter shades of the main color you are choosing and use that color instead of gray and silver.In that case, you need 2 blocks of the main color.
* I have mentioned Premo Sculpey as I have used it personally and it is the strongest of all the clay that I have used but it is up to you to chose different brand.

Inspiration :



Step 1: Cut a 1/4 block of translucent clay and condition it by kneading the clay using the rolling pin.Do the same for the white clay.


Step 2: Take some random pieces of white clay and place them over the rolled sheet of translucent clay and then roll it. This is done to get random white parts in translucent clay. Shape the roll into an oval tube for the center. You can also make them circle but again it is up to you.







Step 3: Next cover it with the white sheet of clay and poke randomly with the back of a pen just to create curves or waves in the coasters.This is an optional step. You can see the effect for this in the final step. If you like that you can do or proceed to the next step.



Step 4: Start covering  the roll with sheets of clay in shades of the main color. In my case it is black so ,I covered with light gray, dark gray, translucent, translucent mixed with light gray , etc.Do this till you get the required size for a coaster.



Step 5 : Cover the roll of clay with a sheet of gold clay if you want gold edges for your coasters.


The sliced piece is without the gold edge. 



Step 6 : Use the knife and carefully cut them into slices. I was little impatient to see how it looks and so I got some random agate pieces ;) and four complete coasters. But if you carefully slice it , you can get six to eight coasters.




Step 7 : Take the piece of aluminum foil and crush it. Use that to create the crinkled texture on the edges of the coasters.


Step 8: Bake the coasters at 275F for 30 to 45 minutes.(Refer to the package) Allow them to cool down. Voila !! You now have a set of unique coasters to add to your table setting for your next outdoor party.







How interesting was that tutorial ?? You can also make these set of coasters and tie it with a ribbon to give as a hostess gift. If you have leftover pieces of faux agate , you can make them into pendants. To create the look of the pendant shown in the intro link, use xacto knife and cut a random shaped oval piece and use aluminum foil to create a crinkled effect, attach an eye pin at the top and bake it to create the pendant.It is that easy :). Hope you will give this a try. As always I will be happy to hear your comments about this faux agate coasters.







Friday, March 20, 2015

DIY Clock/Makeover

We got a pretty clock as gift for our wedding by one of my friend. My husband was telling that the clock was pretty hard to see the time as it is a dark background. I said I will do some makeover and make it better. When I was going through the high low list column of HGTV magazine(They show a bunch of items with high price tag and the similar item with low price tag and where you get that item), I liked a clock in that list in which the higher price tag was $99 and the lower price tag was $45 and I said to my hubby I can do a DIY version which will cost lower than the low price tag and without a trip to craft store . (He happily showed Green signal ,lol).If you want to do a makeover to your clock or do a new clock all by yourself,come along, I will show you how.


Materials required :
A clock
Screw driver
A bunch of color card stock of your color choice
Pencil & ruler
Double sided adhesive tape runner or any glue
Xacto knife 
Scissors
pencil compass



Step 1: Remove the screws from the back frame of the clock using screw driver and disassemble the clock.

Step 2: Carefully remove the design sheet. Each clock will be different.Mine was glued to the frame but it was easy to take off. If yours where like mine, use xacto knife and tear from center to one end.Now you get a grip of paper. Adjust all the three clock hands to be together (12'o clock or 3.15 or 6.30 or whatever, you got it, right?) and peel the paper.When you come near the clock hands move them and peel that area.


Step 3: Use the design sheet as template(Don't forget to trace the center circle) and draw a circle in white card stock.Divide the circle into 12 equal part and use one part as template.




Step 4: Use the template ,trace the outline and cut the cardstock pieces. Leave around half an inch on one end of the cardstock to overlap and glue with another piece. Repeat the same for all the 12 pieces.I used 6 colors in bright shades and 6 colors in light shades .

Step 5: Now start gluing and attaching the pieces together. Do six parts separately and another six separately. Use the template piece of cardstock to avoid glue in the main parts and cover the overlap area with tape runner and attach it to another piece.




Step 6: Place one six parts of the colored cardstock into the clock frame with glue on the overlapping part.Now move the clock hands to the other side and carefully insert the another six parts of the cardstock and press to adhere.




Step 7: Place the frames as it was and insert the screws wherever necessary.Voila! Your new clock is now ready !!(Optional : I used krylon gold leaf pen to add the gold detail in the clock hands but it is completely your choice .)


You can also do a clock from the scratch if you buy the clock movement kit and a base in wood (or whatever material you prefer). Instead of the design template I have shown here, you can use the base as template and make this color patterned clock.If not this color patterned clock there are a lot of options you can try.

How easy was that knock off?? Before buying anything just take a moment to think whether you can DIY. I had all the materials in hand for this project .Even if you want to buy it would cost $3 for card stock ($0.25 each) and $4 for tape runner(Yep !! This stuff is little expensive but worth the money).And if you want to buy the clock kit and base you can add another $15.Now the sum comes to around $21 which is still less than $45.Instead of buying the kit and base separately I would recommend you to check the ready made clocks which you can get for $5 to $10 and cut down the cost further.What do you think ? Will you give this a try ? Have you ever done a makeover like this to any of the decor pieces or furniture at your home ?Share them in the comments below. As Always I will be happy to hear from you. 

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

10+ Organizing ideas at almost no cost !!

If you are following me you might know I have done some recycling projects like containers makeover, glass etching in the empty pickles jar , cereal box organizing and more. When I was thinking of more ideas , I find most of the materials I have re purposed or recycled are from my kitchen.So,today I decided to combine all the ideas and put it in one place so that it is easy for you to follow if you decide to organize any space in your house on a budget. I have used and I am using all these stuffs to organize my craft space .No problem, if you are not a crafter, I also have ideas on how to use these ideas for organizing some other areas in your house. So,continue to read my friend!!If I can organize on a budget , you can also!!! Lets dive in to see the ideas.




1) Carton boxes as baskets : 

We buy those 32 packs of frito lays chips at times when we crave for variety. I collected those boxes to make big baskets. You can use big diaper boxes or shipping boxes or those big boxes in which your food processor or blender or bread toaster(Shown) came in for making baskets for storage. To do this.
1) Cut the top portions of the boxes.
2) Cover them with Kraft paper or contact paper or even wrapping paper. Whichever is easy for you. You can get all of these at dollar stores. If you ask me , I would say my favorite is wood grain contact paper as it gives a look of real wood . I prefer contact paper as it is easy to use and reduces one more step of using transparent tape to secure.



Once you covered , you can use them to store a lot of miscellaneous items.I use them to store bamboo skewers, pipe cleaners, extra masking tapes ,scrap poster boards,etc etc. The list just goes on.
If you are not a crafter, you can use them to store your kids toys or if you don't have shelves in your closet use them to store socks(Fold two socks together by holding the edges of the socks ,split them in such a way three layers on one side and one on the other and by turning and stuffing make a ball of socks so the pair of socks is together.(Picture here).Say "No More searching" for the pair when you are in hurry).If space is a constrain where you live , these baskets are very useful as it saves a lot of space and holds a lot of items organized.

If it is a small box, repeat the same step by cutting the top portion. If you want ,cut a small opening on both sides to act as a handle and then cover it with contact paper.






I used this box with the opening facing front in my shelf(last picture above) and so it acts as a shelf within a shelf. I used this to store paints. I glued some paper towel tubes in the corner to store the paint pens .So all things paint are in the same place. Organized and also saves place.You can stack the small baskets like this to utilize the space.
2) Cereal boxes for storage & as Magazine holders :
Do you know you can use cereal boxes as storage box and also as a magazine holder. Click here to see how. 

Cereal box used as storage box with dividers.Look how many items that holds ??


Isn't it a neat way to store your magazines ?? 
 3) Milk jug for storing knick-knacks 

What do you do with milk jug after the milk is over?? Through it away!! Oh no !! That is not a DIYer's style.Here are two crafty ways to put them into use. Easter is coming up so ,pin it !! You may want a budget friendly idea for easter baskets. This is a perfect one for that ;).Click here for the DIY.
     

4) Pringles ,nut & salt containers as storage containers or brush/pen holders


All of the above mentioned containers can be used hold many many supplies and keep it organized. You can use the lid to store the items safe and secure. For supplies such as brushes, scissors ,pencils ,rollers,I prefer more of holders than containers. So, I cut the top of the salt containers and use them as holders.Here are few ways on how you can jazz up these containers to look neat .





This is how I have organized my containers and baskets together to maximize the space :)


5) Pickle jars as storage containers

I prefer glass containers for storing the items which I wanted to show through .Like my sewing supplies,zippers,trims,etc.Because it is easy in a way that when I wanted to look for a particular color thread ,I don't want to dig through the container .You can also use it to store spices ,ear buds or any other items which you wish to be in a glass container.You can also paint the lids in the desired color and add some embellishments such as door knob or a plastic animal toy.You can also use these jars to give edible gifts during holiday season. But who wants a plain glass jar to get as a gift? So ,Click here for a easy and simple DIY to spruce up the glass jars.Here is how my jars look.




6) Egg cartons, Chocolate boxes as jewelry or office supplies organizer

Do you know that egg cartons can be used as organizer for tiny things in your office supplies or in your craft room ? I normally don't take eggs at home so I have showed you how I use Ferrero Rocher chocolate box as organizer for my jewelry findings.The box itself looks gorgeous so I used them as such. If you are using egg carton and want some makeover , you can paint them with acrylic paints and use it for organizer.
If you feel the full size of carton is too much , you can cut them into the desired size and line them in your drawers with foam tape for tiny things like thumb tacks, gem clips ,etc


7) Coffee stirrers as ribbon holders

Holidays are over. What did you do the remaining ribbons after all the wrapping ?Secured them and saved for next holidays? If so, how are you keeping it organized? Here,I am showing the simplest method that I used for many days.
Simply glue two coffee stirrers with super glue and glue that to a piece of foam.(as shown) I had some scrap foam piece but if you don't have one you can glue the stirrers to some empty ribbon spool or a piece of Styrofoam or anything that is bulky and foamy to act as a base.



I used this method to store the ribbons for more than a year.This stick holds around 8 to 10 spools of ribbon. Isn't it so simple? I use clear tape to secure the end of ribbon from unraveling.
As my collection has grown I made a big organizer. If you want to check that , click here. This big organizer also costs under $3. You might want to check that if you want some budget organizing for your craft space.;)
BONUS If you are colourful sharpie user and got a big box of sharpies during thanksgiving sale and thinking of what to do with that big box. Use them to store your 12 x 12 scrapbook papers. It fits perfectly inside this box.Or use it to store the scraps of wrapping paper or cardstock paper.



Isn't it great that you find all of these items from your kitchen ? Have you ever thought about this ? How are these budget friendly organizing ideas ??Do you have any ideas like this ? Tell me in the comments below.