DIY: Pastel Earrings

This post was going to be all about the wonder of Spring but as I write this, it is raining very heavily here in London. Typical.
This DIY is inspired by a lot of the enamel-looking jewellery I've seen on the internet and instead of buying any, I decided to make my own! This one is nice and quick so you can have a 'new 'pair of earrrings in about fifteen minutes.

You will need:

• A pair of crystal based earrings - mine are old, cheap ones from River Island
• A white and a pastel nail polish (you can use paint if you have any to hand but nail polish is just cheaper and more easily available)

1. Use the white nail polish as a base and cover the entire crystal in it, trying to avoid the metal where possible.

2. Paint over with the pastel nail polish, ensuring the finish is smooth.

This can be done in a whole host of colours, providing you with a rainbow for Spring. You can also use a matte top coat over the top, just to add that enamel feeling.

DIY: 7 Ways With Rhinestones

Rhinestones are a crafter's best friends: seriously, every DIY blog I follow has used them at some point! These little gems add a touch of sparkle to any project and can easily give a professional look. I have come up with a list of 7 DIYs to give you some rhinestone inspiration.

1. Glue rhinestones onto earring backs to make some simple studs

2. Create a design and sew them onto a beanie

3. Sew them onto a shirt collar (this shirt is actually from Pull + Bear)

4. Add jump rings through the back and attach to chain to make a necklace or bracelet

5. Attach the jump rings to earring hooks to make small, drop earrings

6. Thread embroidery thread through the holes to make a colourful necklace or bracelet

7. Add studs to the rhinestones to create a 3D design for a notebook cover

I hope this gives you some crafty ideas but still in need of some more projects? Check out this rhinestone bracelet from A Pair and A Spare or this statement rhinestone necklace from Fall for DIY. Or have a look at this friendship bracelet by yours truly *wink wink*

DIY: Basic Chain Bracelet

Sometimes the simplest jewellery is the best. A chain bracelet is a classic look that goes with everything. This bracelet can be worn almost every day and it's extremely easy to make. This took less than 15 minutes to make so plenty can be made in one afternoon. 

You will need:

•  Thick curb chain
• Two jump rings
• A clasp
• Pliers
• (optional) Wire Cutters

 1. Cut a piece of chain the same length as your wrist. Either use the wire cutters or use the pliers to open a link of the chain.

2. Open a jump ring with the pliers, hook onto one end of the chain, and attach one piece of the clasp

3. Close the jump ring and do the same on the other end of the chain

And you're done!

DIY: Bead and Chain Necklace

As much as I love a big, fancy necklace, sometimes something simple is all that's needed. This DIY is. So customisable and it's all down to the beads you use. You could creat an ombré effect or use silver beads with the gold chain for easy metal clashing. Whatever you do, this necklace is easy enough to create in half an hour and most crafters with have the equipment already so there really is no excuse not to give it a go!

You will need:

• Gold chain the length you would like your necklace to be
• Gold Wire
• A few small beads
• Pliers and Wire Cutter
• Two jump rings
• A Clasp

Thread your beads onto the end section of wire

Hook the end of the chain onto the wire and use the pliers to turn the chain round

Do the same with the other end of the wire

Cut the wire in half and attach a jump ring to one end and the clasp to the other

And there you have a very simple and easily customisable DIY. What colour beads will you use?

DIY: Pom Pom Beanie

The cold is setting in here in London  and the perfect practical accessory is a pom pom hat. However, all of the hats I have seen are too garish or the pom pom is too big so I decided to make my own in exactly the style and colour I want. This was surprisingly easy and it would be easy to produced a few of these for friends or family. I like that this creates a non-uniform pom pom, it adds to the homemade charm.

You will need:

• A beanie hat
• A ball of wool
• Scissors
• A needle
• Thread

Grab the end of the wool between your thumb and first finger.

Start winding the wool around your hand.

Continue winding until you have decent amount of wool, to make a thick pom pom.

Slide the wool off of your hand and wrap the loose end around the middle of wool bundle. Then tie a knot to secure it all in place.

Use scissors to cut the loops and spread out the pom pom.

Trim the ends so that they are all the same (or a similar) length.

Sew your new pom pom onto your beanie, making sure it is as secure as possible.

DIY: Embroidery Thread Heart Card

Hand made cards are always the cutest and Valentine's day is one of those occasions when you should aim for cute. So I came up with this bold card design that can be used for just about any design and I like how it gives a little 3D effect.
This technique can be used to design cards for any occasion and if, unlike me, you are good at drawing, you can be as creative and intricate as you like.
Pictured are the three cards/postcards I have got for my boyfriend this year: the first is a cheeky one from Paperchase, the middle one is my cute, handmade one and the last is a map postcard where to sew on where you have been/are going to travel from NotOnTheHighstreet.com
Have a go at my easy card design!

You will need:

• A blank card and envelope
• Embroidery thread in a suitable Valentine's colour
• a needle
• a pencil 

Use a pencil to sketch out a heart (or you can create a template on your computer and print it off).

Use a pin (mine is a super cute turtle one!) to create holes evenly along the heart and rub out the pencil marks.

Thread the needle with the embroidery thread and use a running stitch to create a pattern around the heart.

Once you have gone round the whole heart, tie a small not at the back, joining the two pieces of thread from the beginning and the end. Trim the ends so it looks neat and tidy.

The good thing about this design is that it looks good from both sides of the card. Now that all this has been done, you can write a sickeningly sweet message to your Valentine.

DIY: Tassel Earring

Tassels are fun, right? Every time I walk past a tassel in a shop, I just feel the need to touch it. These cute little earrings are quick to make and using a bright colour is always fun. You will need one skein of embroidery thread, two jump rings, two earring hooks, scissors and pliers.

Open a jump ring and hook it through the top of the skein and the hole in the earring hook.

Close the jump ring.

Cut the embroidery thread, making sure all of the pieces are of even length.

Use a piece of the cut thread to tie a knot at the top of the earring (to prevent the threads from slipping out).

Repeat this with the other end of the skein.

This method of making tassels could also be used to make a statement necklace or create tiny tassels for a bracelet.

DIY: Simple Bracelet/Choker

When I started making this, I had only intended on it being a bracelet that wrapped around my wrist twice but a little creative thinking means I have how two uses for it! This is a stupidly simple DIY that involves few materials and takes less than ten minutes to put together. I chose black for this because I like to have something simple and slick but feel free to use whatever colour you fancy.

Get suede or faux suede strips and measure it so that it fits comfortably around your neck and around your wrist twice (approximately).

Use pliers to attach a crimp end to each end of the strip.

Open up two jump rings and use them to attach the clasp and then wear how you wish!