Halloween

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Upcycled: New Uses For Old Chairs - Part 2

Oh my gosh, I can hardly believe that it's been SIX years since I published my first blog post collection of Upcycled Chairs! Wow!
(If you haven't seen that post, check it out! Upcycled: New Uses For Old Chairs)

So many of the ideas shared in that post have taken off and have given birth to new innovative ideas, which I think is amazing.

I love to see how people recreate their own versions of things, and especially how they add their own creative twist on something. Whether it be changing up the design, or using an interesting, unique combination of colors, or just being inspired to create something completely different and new—it's all really neat to watch!

Now it's time for the next round of inspiration, so check out these cool new creations made from old chairs and maybe you'll be inspired to create something new too!

Use two old chair backs to form an occasional table

I love these brightly painted chair benches

Turn an old spindle chair into a shelf; add hooks.

From chair to chaise, just add a pillow or two.

Old chairs to new bench instructions from Instructables

Use chalkboard paint to turn an old chair back into a chalk board.

Chair craft project for kids

Transform three old dining chars into a bench

Another old chair back transformed into a shelf - or added to a shelf.

Chair backs turned into cork boards

A cut in half chair bottom turned into a little hanging shelf

Caned chair back turned earring holder

A old chair turned into a plant stand. Just remove seat and insert a container.

Old chair is now a new hanging display shelf. No paint needed here.

Top of an old chair - add knobs to serve as hooks

Cut in half and turned upside down, this old chair is now a wall display. Be careful not to overdo it, remember sometimes less is more.

Old chair bottoms with new seats added make cute stools.

Not sure if this was made from an actual chair or not, but cute.

Old chair back turned into a dog or cat bed.

What do you think?

Check out part 1 here!

Have a great week!

Laura

Check out my new jewelry instruction books and DVDs

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Strive To Be Happy

Friday, February 2, 2018

Heart Quilt Made With Old Outgrown Baby Clothes

Create a heart quilt from old baby clothes

Second on my list of Valentine's Day-themed and love-inspired craft and upcycle projects is this Heart Quilt. But it's not just any old heart quilt - the patchwork hearts are all made from old baby clothes. (insert slow teardrop rolling down mom's cheek right about here)...sigh.

I know that feeling for sure! And yes, I'll admit it, I did happen to stash away a special piece of my daughter's clothing here and there when packing up carloads of my daughters' outgrown old kids clothes to send to Goodwill.

I remember the laughs from my two little girls as they played in my mother's backyard on a hot summer day, splashing in the kiddie pool or eating popsicles but getting most of it on their shirts...those were the days... and well, I tried to steal back as much as I could of them with my giveaway-clothes thievery.

It's just a few pieces, and one day I will use them in something amazing...I told myself.

And then this quilt came along.
With the little hearts.
Made from old baby clothes.
(!!!)

It's been a few years since I used my sewing machine, and many more since I made my last quilt, so I'm not very ready to just jump into the project—but it's the perfect idea to kind of tuck away in the back of my mind for another day.

In the past I've written about What To Do With Those Old Baby Shoes, and Creative Upcycled Baby Cribs maybe it's time for me to write a new blog post about what to do with those old baby and children's clothes (stay tuned!)

Create a heart quilt from old baby clothes

What do you think?

You may also like:

Have a great week!

Laura

My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Check out my new jewelry instruction books and DVDs

Thursday, February 1, 2018

DIY Valentine's Day Centerpiece With Conversation Hearts

Valentine's Hurricane vases

Since Valentine's Day will be here soon I thought I would share a few of my very favorite Valentine's Day-themed and love-inspired craft and upcycle projects throughout the week.

First up is this super-cute project from Amanda Jane Brown, who used conversation hearts to create this pretty centerpiece for your table.

For this project you need:

Conversation hearts

Pillar candles

Wide ribbon

Glass hurricane style candle holders

Disc of cardboard to place below the candle in between the conversation hearts and the candle to help keep the candle level.

This project would also be cute with large mason jars. If you aren't a big fan of the pink ribbon, you could choose any color from the conversation hearts and go with that. You can also use this same idea for any theme, holiday or season by simply changing up the candy filler with whatever is in season.

Did you know that there are tons of fun things that you can create with conversation hearts? Check out this blog post I did a few years ago that highlights some cool conversation heart art and crafts.

What do you think?

Have a great week!

Laura

My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Check out my new jewelry instruction books and DVDs

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

How To Get Started Making Torch Fired Enamel Jewelry

(photo via Rings n Things)

I recently came across a great article from Rings n Things that has some useful information about getting started with torch fired enameled jewelry. In it you can learn some great tips about the colors and different types of enamels, enameling safety, metal compatibility, preparation, application, torch firing and finishing your jewelry.

Years ago I purchased a small table top kiln and played around a bit with enameling small silver heart charms, but as usual, I got distracted and soon my attention was drawn elsewhere, my little kiln forgotten. But now enameled jewelry is really making a comeback, along with the increasing popularity of copper jewelry (copper is great to enamel on in case you didn't know), so I just might pull out my enameling supplies and give it another go.

You don't need a kiln to make enameled jewelry—you can do it with a small torch and a few other supplies—so it just might be more accessible than you might think.

Of course you need to make that initial investment in whatever tools are essential to the craft - but that is they way it is no matter what craft you are going to take up.

So now I think I'll go pull out my dusty box of enameling supplies and maybe give it another go. How about you?

Have you ever made enameled jewelry?

Would it be something you would like to try?

Have a great week!

Laura

My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Check out my new jewelry instruction books and DVDs

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Cool Crafts That You Can Make With Old Sewing Patterns

It's thin, yellowed, crinkly and translucent, and if you've ever sewn a piece of clothing, you probably have one somewhere at home. I'm talking about old sewing patterns, whose tissue-paper-like quality has a unique look and feel all its own. The neat thing is that these patterns can be upcycled into something new, and they give craft projects a great vintage vibe.

Another thing that is great about old sewing patterns is that you can find them just about anywhere, and usually for pennies. I see them all the time at thrift stores and rummage sales, so if you don't have any at home, they're relatively easy to find and usually cost less than a dollar. Do you have a sewer in your family? Ask them, and I bet they'll have an extra old pattern or two that they'd gladly part with.

Once you have your patterns, make sure that they aren't valuable - meaning, make sure they aren't an antique that shouldn't be damaged, or a pattern that is brand new that someone could use. Old, used patterns are the best for crafts.

Now, what to do with them? Paper flowers are an obvious choice, but sewing patterns don't have to be a one trick pony! Here's a hint: Mod Modge just may be your best friend! You can decoupage the tissue paper patterns to wood, plastic, and many other surfaces. Some great ideas are lampshades, photo frames, and large wood beads and jewelry. And anything where light shines through is perfect (like the lamp shades), so think of ways you can use it to take advantage of it's transparency. And don't forget to repurpose the pattern envelopes too!

Check out these creative ideas for what to do with old sewing patterns and be inspired!

Create a dress pattern bouquet