DiY Project: Studded Sneakers

You will need:
a pair of canvas sneakers or flats with thin fabric or leather
a pair of Needle Nose Pliers
pyramid studs (I purchased mine from this etsy shop.)

Sneakers can be affordable if you shop around, but it always seems like the really cool pairs are so expensive.  If you want studs or fancy detailing, you have to pay extra for that.  But it's really not that difficult to do-it-yourself, and you'll save a lot of money by doing so.  Let me show you how....

I bought a pair of plain sneakers for my daughter on clearance at jcrew.com for only $15.  The studs were about $3 for 100 pieces.  Simply decide where you want the studs to go, poke one through the canvas, and use your needle nose pliers to bend the prongs flat.  Make sure the prongs are bent all the want in so that you don't scratch you feet while wearing them.

Here's the finished product.  My daughter LOVES how unique her sneakers are now and wears them to school all of the time!

Holiday Wreath with Vintage Flower Brooches

Here's a cool upcylced wreath that you can use all year round....

I found my vine wreath sitting outside a dumpster, but you can find affordable ones at Walmart or any craft store (or thrift store if you're lucky!)  I wrapped the wreath with some white satin ribbon that I had lying around and some gold sequin trim.  You can really use anything so be creative!  I attached a bunch of brightly colored vintage enamel floral brooches that I purchased on ebay from this seller (they are all brand new vintage overstock, and the prices are pretty good).  Lastly I stuck in some guinea hen feathers that my mother sent me and red velvet bows for the final touch.  I leave the wreath up year-round, but take off the red velvet bows when it's not Christmastime. 

To hang the wreath, I tied a red satin ribbon around the top and used a thumbtack to tack it to the top of the door.  I get lots of compliments on it all the time, and it's an excellent way to upcycle some vintage brooches!

Happy holidays!!!

Eco-Friendly Upcycled Tree Garland

I'm dreaming of a GREEN Christmas.....

With the holiday season in full force, I'm sure you've received some packages filled with "ghost poop" or "styrofoam popcorn" and was wondering what you could reuse it for.  I'm sure you've strung popcorn on a string to use as garland for your Christmas tree, so why not use styrofoam popcorn to create garland that you can reuse every year?!

Here's what you will need:

styrofoam "popcorn"

sewing thread

needle

scissors

 

Leave the thread uncut, and thread as much styrofoam popcorn as you wish (remember you can make multiple strands instead of one super-long strand).  Finish the edges by tying a knot around the last piece of popcorn on either end.  Turn on some Christmas music and hang the garland around your tree! 

 Happy Holidays!