DIY Life

Some of that trendy designer jewelry is fabulous, isn't it? Fabulously expensive too.

You know, you don't have to pay those prices if you are even moderately handy with a pair of pliers and have a local bead shop (or don't mind buying beads online, sight unseen).

Pandora has a lovely set of pink opal with flower drop earrings in their new 2008 spring line. Join me after the break to see how you can make a reasonable facsimile of these earrings for far less than the $60.00 they are charging.

I have a healthy collection of bandanas. I decided, if I can't figure out something to do with them, I've got to throw them out. I have entirely too much stuff!

I was delighted when I found this tutorial on how to make a throw blanket out of bandanas.

I've found bandanas in lots of department stores, online stores, and even ebay. You can find all sorts of colors, styles, and designs. I've found all sorts of them, like penguins, skulls, cupcakes, Dora, Disney Princess, Tinkerbell, Betty Boop, Harley Davidson, and even your original design in funky, non-traditional colors.

The tutorial reads well, and has lots of wonderful pictures to accompany you on your blanket-making journey. You'll need 12 bandanas, 6 for each side, and some batting.

Stitch up 3 rows of 2 bandanas for each side, throw in the batting, sew that sucker up, and you've got an awesome little bandana throw blanket for a nice price. And, not nearly what they'd charge for one of those things in a boutique!

And, if you're interested in other cool ideas for bandanas, check out Anna's post!

I've seen lots of cute barrettes. Spring has sprung, and I wanted to craft up some barrettes that might represent the season.

I really love all of the flower and butterfly barrettes that are out and about now. While making up some of my own, I thought, why not birds too? I remembered seeing little birds used in flower arrangements at my local craft store. Turns out they are the perfect size! You can also find butterflies in the same department.

You really don't have to have a lot of crafting skills for this project, so it's good for beginners, as well as crafters who've been at it a while.

You'll need bobby pins, french clips, alligator clips, or snap clips, whichever you prefer to wear, thread, sewing needle, E6000, and an assortment of fake flowers, buttons, birds and butterflies.

Follow me through the break and I'll explain how to make a few different barrette styles.