Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

naomi gray designs mother's day necklaceI know I said I wasn’t going to post more than 3 times a week right now but I’m too in love with these necklaces that are the perfect Mother’s Day gift from Naomi Gray Designs.  The birthstone bar necklace is MY FAVE!  I think it is a totally modern take on a traditional concept.  And of course the initials are super sweet.  And don’t forget their birthstone mini ring necklace.  We got this for my mom last year and I LOVE how it looks!  Order now to make sure you can get your order back in time for Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 12 this year!)

Naomi Gray Designs

*Not a sponsored post.  I LOVE this jewelry.

Easiest Gold Necklace Ever

Quickest DIY necklace everI figured out how to make the cheapest gold necklace ever.  Well, ok, it isn’t real gold but gold coated or something.  After my wardrobe consultation, I realized that a lot of the jewelry I own does not fit the look that I want to have.  So I have been slowly adding new pieces to my collection.  But I’m super cheap when it comes to accessories.  But I had this idea so I headed to the local craft store to see if it would work.

DIY gold knot necklace DIYI looked in the jewelry section for a gold chain that I like the look of.  I’m pretty sure that this one was $3.00.  And it might have even been cheaper because I think it was on sale.  Look for the longest chain that you can find.

DIY gold chain knot necklaceGrab the two ends and make a knot.  Boom.  Remember that you will have to fit it over your head so keep the knot close to the ends.  Or you can just undo the knot when you want to take it off.

simple gold necklace tutorial Super easy and pretty cute.  And since the chain won’t let the knot get too tight it kind of slips around so it looks a bit different each time you knot it.  And I didn’t have to buy any special jewelry making supplies.  And since my usual post partner in crime was out-of-town I had to take these photos of myself.  Super awkward but you get the point.

DIY Knotted Yarn Bracelets

yarn braceletsI really like to knot things.  And I can’t stop.  I’ve used this particular knot for garlands, I’ve used them for hanging balloons and now I’m using knots for these Knotted Yarn Bracelets.  They are easy, they look cool and I just plain like them.  And I have no idea what this kind of knot is even called.

yarn bracelet suppliesFor these knotted yarn bracelets, you just need yarn and scissors.  For tutorial purposes I’m showing you how to make them with just one piece of string.  To make a thicker bracelet, just use more pieces in one color, or mix it up and use a bunch of colors.

knotted steps for yarn bracelet1:  Make a loop with the yarn. Make sure to leave enough at the end so that you can hold it in your left hand (you’ll be knotting with your right hand).

2: With your right hand, tuck the yarn through your first loop from underneath.  Do not pull it all the way through, you will be creating your second loop.

3:  Grab your new loop and pull to create a tight-ish knot at your first loop (from step 1) Have I lost you? It is really simple just super hard to explain!

4:  Here is a better look at the knot.  Remember do not pull the yarn all the way through.  Your knot may get really long in order to get your first knot to tighten which is fine and will be fixed in the next step.

5:  You want to work with a small loop to keep it efficient and taut.  Place that floppy loop around the thumb on your left hand and pull the loose string back through the first knot with your right hand.  This part is critical when making the bracelets with more than one piece of yarn.  This is where you get them to be smooth and not have one that is looser than the rest which can make it look really messy.

6:  Begin the next loop by repeating step 2.  And continue until you have the amount of knots you want.

knot a length of yarn for a braceletHere is what it will look like.  Remember keep the yarn tucked in your left hand and do the knotting with your right.  After the first few knots this will go really fast.

finish the knot of the braceletsTo finish the knotted portion of the bracelet, create one last loop, but this time you will pull the piece of yarn all the way through and secure the knots.

tie knot at end of braceletAs if that last part wasn’t hard enough to explain, here is how you make it adjustable and wearable…  On one end, make a knot (just to be safe, knot it again at the same spot so that the knot is larger).  This is the knot that make the bracelet slide to tighten on your wrist, but not slide all the way out of the other knot that secures it.

tie a second knotNext, tie a knot with both ends of the bracelet.

finish the knotPull the knot tight.  Trim the end of the bracelet without the knot.  Don’t cut it too short as this is yarn and it is somewhat slippery and a nice tug can pull it out of the knot.  Once you have this on your wrist, you will pull the end with the knot to tighten it.  To loosen, just pull on the piece of yarn (the one with the knot at the end) the other direction.

 bracelets made of yarnThen stack them up and wear them with other accessories.

easy yarn bracelet tutorialThese are perfect for Easter when using these pretty pastels.  And they are easy enough that young girls can do them.  This could be a super fun party activity.  And I love that they can be made with only yarn.  I’ve done it with rope for a really cool look but probably not something you would wear on your wrist.  Embroidery thread would be a bit too thin for my taste but would make a really delicate looking bracelet.  I would love to know if you know what this knot is called??

Top 5 DIY Necklaces

jewelry making for alt summitThis week I am in full Alt prep mode.  There is one thing I’ve noticed about design-oriented bloggers.  They all know how to accessorize.  And given that this conference will be FULL of the craftiest ladies around most of said accessories will probably be hand-made.  Now, I’m not promising that I will be making any jewelry.  Let’s face it.  That is super overwhelming and, quite frankly, I’m pretty lazy.  But if I was going to make something, I would make one of these:  Top 5 DIY Necklaces.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide Day 3: Guys and Dolls

I enjoy a good accessory but hate to break the bank.  These are super cute and perfectly priced!

By Boe Necklace

By Boe Alphabet Earrings {Perfect for mom’s!}

Cotton Braided Bracelet by Thief And Bandit {looks like the one pictured sold out but they have many awesome ones!}

By Boe Bow Ring

California Necklace  {as seen on I Go You Go – and available in other states!}

My air plants met an untimely death, but I may try them again just to hang these rad pots in the backyard.

Hanging Pots

Hen and Chick Planters Growing Kits by Red Envelope  {Plants Included!}

I have the hardest time finding gifts for my husband.  His birthday is in late November so I’m hit with a double whammy.  He seems to know just about everyone and can get just about anything for free that I may want to buy him {down to his socks!}  I have to be really creative.  Here are a couple of fun gifts I think many guys would love.

Rad Dad Banner {And here is where I totally suck and can’t find the link for this awesome Rad Dad banner.  Anyone know where it is from?  And I’m too lazy to take the picture off

Boom Box Picnic Box

BPFC Sweatshirt by Bumpy Pitch {for those soccer lovers in your life}

The Happiness Project by Charles Spearin {for music lovers or extra cool people – Charlie is also in the band Broken Social Scene.  This is one of his side projects, an experimental CD where he recorded his neighbors talking about “love” and found the harmonies in their voices.  He then plays the harmonies on instruments.  I had the opportunity to see one track played live and it was phenomenal and had the crown captivated.  Oh yeah, and it is totally award winning too.}

Delete Grenade {I love this.  Put whatever it is you are trying to quit in the grenade and you are on your way to living without it.  Think chocolate, cigarettes, New Year’s Resolutions;)}

 

My wish list is ever growing but here are a few things that I want this year.

Sweatshirt by Loyalty and Blood {I could no longer find a link to the boat sweatshirt but this skull sweatshirt is a suitable alternative}

Black and White Striped Blanket from Ikea

Wooden Muddler

Shark Mug

 

 

 

 

In case you missed it, check out day 1 of the gift guide and day 2.  I really love to shop for other people.

Did you also check out the gift guides by A Fabulous Fete, Mint Loves Social Club, I Go You Go, and Green 4 U (if this last one isn’t up, check back!) and Hank and Hunt (hers are broken up so just scroll through her posts a few pages (you will want to anyway) to find them!)

Wishing you all a fantastic Turkey Day!!!!

Sharon