Jun 14, 2011 | DIY
Again, schoolwork and life has just body-slammed me into submission the last couple weeks, so this latest LOTW is again combining 3 weeks into one.
Image source
Who’s with me, right??!
You guys have been great with sending me your projects and tutorials, so I’ve been able to check out all your creativity and now share it en masse. Thanks so much!
Honestly, WTF‘s DIY Pompon Necklace infuses a bright pop of colored fun into any outfit. Perfect for summer!
Megan Nielsen did a tute on how to make scallop-hem shorts from a pair of old shorts. Check it here and try it on something you already have in your closet!
Violent Lips is a new line of temporary Lip Tattoos. What’s your verdict: Chic or cheap?
The Style Projects has a number of quick n easy DIY projects on her blog (like a Sweat-skirt, Big Curly Hair, No-Sew Scarf, and Backless Zippered White Tee), but I think I like her DIY Bee-Buttoned Cuff the best. It looks just like something from Lanvin’s S/S 11 collection!
Manolo Blahnik Limited-Edition Shoe Earring DIY by Fabric Strips and Ruby Lips is so inventive! (And perfect if you happen to have Barbie stuff leftover from your childhood.;-) Also check out her other projects like her Placemat Tablet Case and Chanel-style Earrings.
Teresa does it made crochet shorts from an old thrifted crochet sweater. Pure genius (and it looks so RTW)! Also check: DIY Zipper Jeans, Victoria’s Secret Buckle Sweater, and Crochet Bag. Can’t miss!
Urban Outfitters constantly rips off other independent artists’ designs. Or is it just coincidence? Read the discussion here and here on the Village Voice Blog.
It will be Father’s Day this Sunday – so if you’re feeling crafty, Michael’s has a ton of projects to make for dear ol’ Dad. Try a decorated wood photo frame, a ceramic mug covered in drawings, an artful ceramic plate, or a can-hugger…maybe these are projects more appropo for the kiddos, but still fun and creative. 
And if your Dad or hubby is into fashion at all, these Giles and Brother cufflinks are pretty awesome (and manly) and only $60.
And if you’re thinking of stealing something out of Dad’s closet – nab yourself a tie, and make this Upcycled Statement Necklace from a Tie, courtesy of Green Eggs and Ham. A lovely – and slightly steampunk! – reiteration of the menswear accessory.
Wardrobe Recycle (a Greek blog – use Google translate if you don’t read Greek) shared her upcycle of a t-shirt to a Princess-Sleeve Shirt, which is actually based on this (in English) video by Fashion Enemy. I love how feminine and pretty her new shirt is!!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
<a href=”https://chiccreativelife.com/category/links-of-the-week”><img src=”https://chiccreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/diylotwfeaturedbutton.png” /></a>
And since I’m not doing my DIY Roundups anymore, if you have a DIY project, tutorial, or creation that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts!
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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May 26, 2011 | DIY
I’ve been so busy lately I’ve been neglecting to share things that I’ve made. Here are a couple items that I’ve finished up and am enjoying:
Galaxy-Print Scrunchie
Make following this tutorial from some leftover self-designed galaxy-print fabric scraps. I’m making a top with the fabric and since the tiny amount I bought was so goshdarn expesnive, I didn’t want to let any part of it go to waste. The fabric is silk, backed in black mesh chiffon. I should have made it twice as wide, but I only had so many scraps leftover. It tends to slip out of my hair since it’s silk, so I wear it around a hair-tie.
Tribal Necklace
Made with faux bamboo-stick beads and faux coral beads from Michael’s. I love the spiky organic-ness to it.
Bohemian Leaf Head-band (Head-dress?)
I’m not really a boho gal, but I couldn’t resist crafting this. Take any flat-ish jewely finding that has a hole in either end, and string them together with jumprings to make an adornment for your brow. The leaf findings I used only had one hole, so I drilled another one in the end of each piece. Which took a $%##% long time, too.
Feather Earrings
Made in the style of Owlita. (Theirs are much nicer, though!) I just wired together some feathers and added a handmade ear-wire to them. I love how they mingle in with my hair.
Have you made any projects recently that you’re dying to show off? Do tell!
xoxox
Carly
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May 25, 2011 | DIY
This week is starting off certainly better than last – I’m on another round of heavy-duty antibiotics so hopefully I’ll beat back this infection in my jaw this time – I just finished up a huge number of projects that have been looming over my head for weeks – and the weather’s turned nice and summery here in Portland. (Finally!)
Img source
So onto what’s been going on in the DIY blogosphere this week…
Lindsay from Delighted Momma made these boho-chic recycled bangles with some hemp cords and old bangles. What a lovely summery twist on an old staple – and can you imagine how gorgeous they would be stacked, wound with a variety of colored hemp cords? (Find every color of hemp cord you may ever want here.)
I’m so glad to have found Fashion Attack, an amazing DIY-er who’s made a number of fashion-forward video tutorials, including those fringed YSL shoes, a fur handbag out of a pillowcase, and an over-the-knee boot. So inspiring!
Lisa Salzer, the designer of Lulu Frost, stopped by StyleList to make a video on how to make a DIY sparkly necklace inspired by her latest collection, using rhinestone chain and long bone hairpipe beads. I just love it when a designer shares her secrets!;-)
Curbly‘s video for making a handbag out of a recycled book makes me want to whip out a box cutter and a lovely old tome. Olympia Le-Tan embroidered clutch, here I come!
Dismount Creative fashioned a faux enamel pendant necklaces…using nailpolish! What a brilliant idea – and a great way to add some colors to metal stampings and blanks and incorporate them into your jewelry.
Refinery29‘s Slideshow of 9 Ways to Tie a Summer Scarf will hopefully help me infuse my normally sloppy summer style with a little bit of chic.
A Matter of Style‘s Neon Candy Bag Tutorial – made from clear plastic folders from the stationery store – now gives me something to do with all those colorful folders I’ve accumulated from the Dollar Store! And I love her branded “M” on the closure – so amazing.:-)
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at the art of draping, follow Sew Petite Gal‘s lead and make a simple, one-shouldered DIY draped Grecian gown. Perfect for summer pool parties and evening soirees!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
<a href=”https://chiccreativelife.com/category/links-of-the-week”><img src=”https://chiccreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/diylotwfeaturedbutton-1.png” /></a>
And since I’m not doing my DIY Roundups anymore, if you have a DIY project, tutorial, or creation that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts!
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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May 17, 2011 | DIY
Again having to condense a couple weeks into one LOTW. Time is just whizzing by, and there’s not enough hours in the day to check out all the great DIYs and ideas out there. But first, some food for thought:
found on Outsapop
DIY is just re-appropriation of ideas. Sure there are firsts, but we won’t be the lasts – give credit where credit is due, and the world will pay you back tenfold. Or so I believe.
Have you seen LookUnderHere‘s Youtube channel? Some great DIYs in there like a turband, bandeau, and wired headwrap. Definitely check it out!
Speaking of video DIY’ers, Secret Life of a Bio Nerd (of Threadbanger fame) is doing a giveaway! You still have until May 21 to get your entry in. Check out how to enter here.
MIchelle’s Style File posted a Color-Block Bracelet Tutorial. Love the use of the lanyard hook as the closure!
img from Heart + Bleecker
The new luxury is the small wardrobe. Fashionising remarks on the post-modern convergence of style + minimalism in the face of cheap excess.
Did I miss this? Awesome punky DIY Neon Rhinestone Necklace from Glitter n Glued. Bright and super-fun.
I can’t believe I haven’t seen this before! StyleCaster‘s Hardcore DIY Statement Tassel Necklace is another take on the hardware necklace. Super-creative, and check out everything in their Hardcore DIY series which will have you hurrying down to your nearest hardware store to fashion a new spin on your accessories.
I’ve just discovered the blog Syl and Sam and I’m in love with all their DIY’s! Their amazing perforated leather skirt tutorial has me itching to whip out my leather punch!
Sara from Short of Something shared her own version of the elastic shoe-band (similar to my DIY Elastic Shoe Bands that I shared last year). I love the chic ballerina feel hers has!
Katarina from She sells sea shells made over a sweater with lovely leather patches. The inclusion of leather updates the sweater for 2011 and gives it a modern Wang vibe. (Alexander Wang, that is.;-)
Got an extra rug? Or 4 of them? Make your own DIY Bodycon Dress like Geneva from A Pair and A Spare did. It’s so colorful and summery!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
<a href=”https://chiccreativelife.com/category/links-of-the-week”><img src=”https://chiccreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/diylotwfeaturedbutton.png” /></a>
And since I’m not doing my DIY Roundups anymore, if you have a DIY project, tutorial, or creation that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts!
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
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May 2, 2011 | DIY, Media
Arbitrarily I have decided to make this week all about rings here on my site. One-fingered, two-fingered, sterling, precious metal, gemstones, faux, real, what-have-you – it’s all about finger-adornment!
If you have any questions about rings: how to organize them, how to clean them, and (best of all, IMHO) how to make them…either leave your questions in the comments or shoot them to me via the Formspring.me Ask me anything box in my right sidebar. —–> I’ll be getting to them all week long, so send them my way!
So first things first, here are some books to learn from and be inspired by:
1000 Rings: Inspiring Adornments for the Hand
I love this book! This is the perfect coffee table/inspiration book for anyone who loves rings.
30-Minute Rings: 60 Quick & Creative Projects for Jewelers
This is another one of my faves: beautiful photography and inspiring projects featuring a variety of techniques.
Make Your Own Rings: Easy ring projects to do at home
Another technique and tutorial book; this one also includes tutorials for rings made of Precious Metal Clay (PMC; similar to Art Clay Silver), which is a material people familiar with PolyClay can learn to use quite easily.
The Rings Book (Jewellery Handbooks)
Jinks McGrath, a well-known name in metalsmithing, has written this book which details ring-making for bench jewelers. Though this is certainly not for the hobbyist or beginner, the principles and techniques covered in this book are for fine jewelry and will familiarize anyone with how to properly create a durable piece of jewelry and work of art.
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
Sorry, but we’re talking long-haired elves in tights. I figured a list about rings would not be complete without the One Ring, hmmmm? (Plus, the extended editions add almost an hour of cut footage to the movies -hence, more elves in tights. All the more reason!;-P)
And to get further in the mood, here are a two DIY Ring Tutorials I’ve shared here on the blog:
Spiked Crystal Ring
DIY Rhinestone Panja
Only…TWO??!!
Well, I’ll just have to remedy that!
xoxox
Carly
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