Quick Tip Tuesday

So, I've been meaning to share little tips to crafting, and I planned to name the series "Quick tip Mondays." Well, it's not Monday, but I decided I like the name better with Tuesday anyway. :)

So, here it is, let me know if its useful (I do so ever like to be useful).


Ever spill seed beads while working on a project? It's a pain, right?

Not so much, with a dash of epiphany.

The lint roller trick


You know those clothes rollers you use to get rid of lint and fuzzies, the ones that are essentially layers of tape? Surprise, they are multi-purpose! And cheap -- I get mine at IKEA for a dollar. In absence of a lint roller, a layer of masking tape wrapped around your fingers will work pretty similarly.

All you need to do is sweep your beads into one spot, roll the roller over the pile until they are picked up, and (slowly and carefully) peel the layer of tape off.

The best part of this quick trick is you can bead straight off the tape! No more chasing those buggers around with your needle or wire.

So much neater than a mess.

Gold star to whomever has spilled the most beads. Feel free to share stories, they will lift my spirits. 

Getting Settled

So, now that all the hubbub of August nears its end, I can finally begin moving into my room. My family has been planning and painting all summer, but in the middle of my massive hubbub, all my belongings got dropped in a chaotic heap in my new home-space.

But now, the hubbub has resided and I can start unpacking and adding personal touches, and I'm going to share one easy project I did in approximately an hour.

This jewelry frame is an easy and cute way to display and organize pins, earrings, and etc.

What you need:
a picture frame
some sort of screen (I use the plastic-coated door screening, partly because its on hand for repairs)
staple gun with 1/4" staples (or tacks can work as well)
hot glue
paint for color

I started with this tacky gold frame that had a redeeming shape (and of which I unfortunately forgot to take a before photo).

 

With your frame upside-down, cut a piece of the screen to fit. The back of the frame (the part that goes behind the picture to stabilize it) serves as a great pattern. Then fit the screen into the frame.

Staple the screen down at major points like corners and middles. To get good tension across the screen, staple one length and one width, and then push the screen towards the edge of the frame, as pictured below. WARNING: do not staple within an inch or two of where your fingers are placed. In lieu of a staple gun, you can hammer in tacks to achieve the same purpose. You may want to cushion the underside of the frame with towels, to absorb some of the shock.

Your staples will probably be sticking out. If you have a good wooden frame, you can probably hammer them down a little bit with a small hammer. However, if your frame is flimsy and cheap (like mine) hammering the staples down will only split the frame. You can secure the staples with a glob of hot glue, and then glue along the frame to secure the mesh. 

 

Then, paint your frame (spray is best), attach a hanger if needed, and display your beautiful jewelry!

As my room takes form, I'll share more bits and pieces of it -- including my wondrous wall of accessories.  I'm really excited to see the finished look. 

Also, I DO plan on continuing my series "what do you do with a quarter yard of chiffon," I'll be getting all those tutorials up later this week. 

And, also look forward to all the inspiration I alluded to in my previous post ;)

Isn't it grand when life catches up to you at the end of the summer?

Gold star to everyone with so little time and so much creativity. I get you all more than you know :)

Welcome to my over-booked August

Sorry I've dissappeared for a while. An untimely notice three days before my vacation caused havoc, then my vacation caused (mostly) peace, and now I get to return to havoc, of a much more desirable kind.

But for the bright spot, I've spent two amazing weeks at probably the most unique camping-esque experience out there, and I have returned inspired.

However, sharing all that will have to wait another week, as I must away to Camp Pendaloun to teach high-schoolers to spin flags :)