Flower Motif Barefoot Sandals

 

 

Every summer I create a new barefoot sandals pattern and this summer was no exception. The pattern is easy to follow and it works real fast so these can be done in under 30 minutes.

 

The flower heart is set into solid walls and a lacy outerness. And voila! Ready to hit the beach!

 

 

It's listed on etsy and  ravelry

 

 

My other sandals

 

    Lacy Barefoot Sandals            Flower Barefoot Sandals

                  etsy  ravelry                                  etsy ravelry

 

 

      Flower Pop Sandals                                      Pineapple Sandals

              etsy     ravelry                       etsy ravelry

 

 

Bohemian Barefoot Sandals

etsy   ravelry

       Anklets for kiddos                              Anklets for big girls :)

             etsy ravelry                                       etsy ravelry
 

DIY Seed Beads Rings

 

 

 

Girls, get your beads and let's make some bling rings. This project can be done in 10 minutes, and the rings you are going to make will surely freshen up your summer and become your preferable summer jewelry.

 

What you need:

 

 

 

1. Ring Trays

2. Colorful seed beads (different sizes and colors)

3. Silicon glue

 

Put silicon glue onto the tray and pour beads over it. The tray will not be covered instantly, so fill the empty spaces between beads and if you don't want the holes to stick up, use a needle to push them back and lay them properly onto the tray (see last two images to spot the difference). Let them set in and air dry.

 

Once over, I added a layer of transparent nail polish to make them even shinier.

 

 

Puff Flower Motif Pattern - How to Read Crochet Charts

 

 

 

 

We haven't had a crochet chart reading for a while now, so I thought it is high time we make one. On pinterest I found an easy breezy chart for a cute crochet flower motif I knew was worth the try and right I was because it turned out beautifully.

 

Let's make some.

For these two I used spot yarn and my 1.9 mm hook. You can make it monochromatic - I chose summery colors.

 

Pattern: The image of the chart is horrible I know, but enlarging it messes it up profusely to the point of blurring, so size small it goes here.

 

Ch 6 and join to make a ring.

Rnd 1: (color 1) ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + 1 ch), dc1, ch1 until you make 9 rods (dcs) total. Sl st to end the rnd.

Rnd 2: ch 6, make a 2dc puff st in the 4th st, dc 1 over the dc of the rnd below. Repeat this until you make 9 such puffs. Sl st to end the rnd.

Note: I changed the pattern slightly - the chart shows making a puff in the 3rd st which is a No, No to me - it distorts the puff , so when you make the puffs, make sure you do it in the 4th st.

Rnd 3: (insert color 2) ch 8 (counts as 1 dc+ 5 chains), go over the puff below and dc1 over the dc rod below. Ch 5, dc1 around (9 times), and sl st in the initial chain to end rnd.

Rnd 4: (insert color 3) ch6, make a 2dc puff  in the 4th st, dc 1 on the chain space, ch4 and make a 2dc puff in the 4th st, dc1 over the dc rod below. Repeat this around.  Sl st to end the rnd. There should be 18 puffs in the last round.

 

 



 

 I am going to use these as applique to refresh an old pillow, but I might think of something more original to use them for like a scarf or maybe (a weak maybe) a beach cover up. But that's too much work and I have little time, so another time perhaps?
What do you think?
Can they pass for coasters as well?

 

 

Read more of the how to read crochet chart series.

Insta Love - inspiration Monday

Via

Hello and welcome to another great Monday. Today we are sharing some instagram love showcasing inspiring bohemian accounts.

Another gorgeous example of a boho bag (above) following this summer's trend and perfect to accessorize a bohemian outfit.

I also love her sweater here and am a bit jealous of her camera.

Moroccan tiles have been a constant search and pin for ages, but I have been more ardent in finding new images this past month because I am working on a project inspired by them so I pin them vigorously, especially the ones that leave me jaw dropped. The image Via

Aren't these hand embroidered pins gorgeous! I thought so. Find more of them here.

What I Have Pinned Lately

A beautiful sunny day we have today! Smile provoking just as the pins I am sharing.

Although I have pinned lots of summer related projects, I couldn't leave out this amazing scarf! Isn't it gorgeous? I would love to wrap one such around my neck in winter, so it looks as if this is going to be an interesting project to tackle. 

Next I pinned these lovely tapestry crochet cosmetic bags which I was attracted to by their wonderful design and color schematic. And that also applies for the bag and the pillow below. Great news is that (apart from the scarf), they are all free patterns so you can make them yourself too. 

Go to pinterest and bloglovin

Mandala Pendant DIY

 

 

The surge in popularity of mandalas, both in creating them and coloring these enchanting circles is not quieting down.
Mandala, which is a Sanskrit word for a "sacred circle" has taken over the world of crafters and you can find them made in a wide variety of materials.

Today, Classy Clay Jewelry artist is going to show us how to make a clay pendant mandala. So without further ado, follow her tutorial to make one.

Drawing is relaxing and unwinding. Have you heard of mandalas? I adore them. With this tutorial I have combined my favourite life areas - drawing, polymer clay work and psychology.

Jung studied mandalas and according to him they portray the psychical balance of an individual. The drawing of a mandala is a deep meditative practice.
Today we are going to make a clay mandala.

Supplies you need:

1. Polymer clay (Fimo soft)
2. Liquid polymer clay - Liquid Fimo
3. Alcohol ink (Adirondack Alcohol Ink) or an alcohol pen(Spectrum noir) 
4. Polymer clay knife 
5. Clay silk screen kit by Sculpey

6. Pasta machine

Step 1:

Take the white polymer clay, work it well and slide it through the pasta machine to get the desired thickness. If you don't have a pasta machine, use a metal or glass clay roller.

 

 

 

Step 2:

Take the Sculpey Clay silk screen kit.

- Choose the silk screen pattern and metallic paint for your project. Shake paint well before use.

- Remove the backing paper from silk screen and position the screen shiny side down on top of the sheet of clay, smoothing the screen down with your fingers to eliminate any wrinkles. 

-Squeeze a line of paint above your pattern. Place the squeegee above the line of paint and pull down with light and even pressure. Do  this until the entire design is covered with paint.

-While paint is still wet, carefully remove the silk screen and immediately place the silk screen and squeegee in warm water. Gently rub the paint off using your finger and lay screen flat on a paper towel to dry.  Do not allow paint to dry on the screen.

Step 3:

Shape the pendant with a polymer clay knife. The next phase is baking at 110° C for 30 minutes. The fun begins when it cools down.

 

Step 4:

Coloring. You can use an alcohol ink or permanent markers. Work on the color design of your mandala. Wait patiently for it to dry.

 

 

Work on the back. Add a ring at a back orif you decide on making this a brooch, then add a brooch pin. Bake again at 110° C for 30 minutes.

 

 

Step 5:

Coat it with fimo polish or epoxy resin. Of course you can always leave the matte finish as well.

In the end, the pendant will capture and represent a constant remainder of your mood that day!

 

 

9 DIY Summer Projects

 

 

Summer is here guys! At last.

And it is the perfect time to make something for your body and soul.

We chose 9 interesting and easy-to-do projects that we hope  you are going to enjoy like this gorgeous brass himmeli hanging where you can not only store your jewelry, but also flower pots and even make an interesting lamp covering with it. Beautify your sofa with stamped geometric pillows and lots of diamonds and give your skin some glam with these sense pleasing gemstone soaps.

 

 

 

 

If you are into boho ruffles - try making these these lovely pillows then.

 

 

 

 

Add some incredibly fresh wall decor using roses  and if you want a more permanent installation you can try these bohemain hoops.

 

 

 

 

Finnaly, give a bling to your looks making these enticing rings and  bracelets .

 

 Get ready for summer in time and enjoy crafting!

Classy Clay Jewelry Interview

 

 

Inspiration Monday is here and today I want you to meet a designer who masterfully changes clay into amazing jewelry designs. Dear readers, meet Classy Clay Jewelry!

 

 

Boho Necklace  Boho Earrings

1. Tell us a bit about  Classy Clay Jewelry? What  is the story behind your jewelry?

 

I have always loved jewelry. When I was a child, my mother and aunt used to buy a lot of jewelry for me. As a teenager, I bought it myself. And I always had ideas swarming up, of jewelry I wished I had, so once I had a jewelry shop make a set of jewelry according to my design. When I came upon a piece of polymer clay jewelry on the internet, I knew that was the right thing for me. And that's how it all started.

 

Blue Rustic Earrings

 

 

 

2. What was your start like?  How long have you been making  jewelry?

I spent hours upon hours watching free tutorials on the internet. That is how I got acquainted with the basics and went head strong to create something new. That was 5 years ago.

 

3. What did you make first and how did it all change during the years?

 

Creating my first pieces of jewelry I felt inner satisfaction that pulled me into further learning and creating and overcoming obstacles that I faced on the way.

I first made necklaces, which I personally love wearing, and little by little I introduced other pieces of jewelry.

 

The materials I use have not changed a lot since the start. Of course I've made some additions, but the shape of my jewelry is completely different today than it was before. I tend to continuously change and improve the techniques I use, probably due to my exploring, adventurous and never-resting spirit.



Gustav Klimt Pendant

 

 

4. What materials you use the most in creating your jewelry and what motifs do you turn to?

Inspiration?

 

In my work ,I mostly use polymer clay which is the foundation for everything and aside from that I also use epoxy resin.

In my polymer clay work I also use pigment colors, but let's keep that a secret.

 

Then there are the finished elements like chains, various trays and settings. I love geometry, so it is a frequent design in my work. Because I love nature, it also influences my work. I love when I manage to gain a rustic effect when I work with earth colors. 

 

 Boho Pendant

 

5. Who is your jewelry intended for?

My jewelry is intended for women with attitude that love wearing something different, but pieces that are versatile so one can wear them during the day with a casual outfit, but also in the office.

 

With this type of jewelry you'll be recognized as a person treasuring  handmade artwork.

 

Orange Art Earrings

 

Classy Clay Jewelry can be found here.

If you like her jewelry, Classy Clay has prepared a clay jewelry tutorial for us, so drop by tomorrow for it!

 

 

3 Easy Weekend Crochet Projects for Home

Via

Happy Saturday guys!
I wish I could say that we are out hiking the beautiful green hills and mountains surrounding us, enjoying the sun and enchanting fruits of nature, but in reality we are covered in dust, cleaning and clearing because we have some small renovation works going on right now.

Which leads me to the topic for today - small and easy weekend projects. We wanted to make something interesting (and very fast to make) for Eva's room and we chose these three projects that are instant beautifiers of whatever place you put them in.

Our favourite is the feathered dream catcher we featured on Monday - isn't it a stealer?

 

Via

 

Via

 

Bra Wires into Boho Necklaces

 

 

 

 

You, my veteran followers, know I come up with the weirdest (or should I say the most practical) ideas when it comes to reusing / repurposing something. So if you were attracted by the title of this post... Yes.. it's true. I made necklaces using brassiere wires.

 

Well, don't be so surprised because this isn't anything new. Back in 2011 I met two wires which led a sad, dull and secluded life, confined to the silky walls of a lace brassiere. They always dreamed of having a more fulfilled life, one full with excitement and the joys of the fashion world, but alas! They weren't destined for anything bigger and it wasn't until I heard their desperate whisper that I decided to use my seam reaper and let them free.... and the rest is history.

 

 

But seriously. Back then, I got engulfed by the idea of repurposing bra wires and it even ended up in a magazine, so I decided to give the idea a new twist this time, hoping it will turn into something tangible, and it did.

 

How it all started? Well, I have always hated wearing underwired brassieres because I simply cannot endure the constant probing and prodding and I didn't need my OB to tell me they are major causes for numerous problems in women, so as soon as I buy them, the wires get out. And as I hate throwing away a good piece of wire (one can never know what one can do with it!) I came up with the idea of turning them into necklaces.

 

The crochet instructions are up there in the first link, while for these two I used a different technique which is quite simple, so anyone can do it.

 

Supplies:

* (preferably) brassier underwire

* crochet yarn / thread

* lots of beads (any shapes, sizes), tassels, ribbons.... whatever suits your fancy

* metal chain, jump rings, clasps

* (silicone glue)

 

 

 

Instructions:

Wrap each wire separately, tying a little knot at the ends and leave a long tail. When both are wrapped, apply glue and wrap the tails over the glued part.

 

For the purple/pink/orange one I used a big holed bead so, the place where the wrap ended had to be chunkier to fit / fill the hole and I also added glue to the bead itself to make the construction more stable. ALSO, if you plan on adding beads on the wire, this should be done before gluing. For this particular necklace I only decorated the lower wire by attaching beaded pins and tassels. I added (wrapped) metal caps to hide the chunky part that still peeked. On the ends I put clasps and joined it to bigger jump rings and a metal chain.

 

 

 

For the green necklace, I did the wrapping the same with the second tail being much longer which I used to wrap around both wires, but before that, I added some beads onto the wires, so first I suggest you have a design ready for this. I "closed" the necklace the same as I did the pink one.

 

So what do you think? Do you like these? Would you try making anything with underwires?