DIY Thursday: Sew a Custom Jewelry Display

"Recycle, re-use" and "love the earth" were favorite catch phrases of my childhood of the late '60's early 70's. I was given a sewing needle when I was 5 years old and taught how to make basic stitches. So the other day when I was searching the internet for mannequin style jewelry displays, it hit me. Why don't I take the concept of one of my collections, hands, and make my own hands for display?

A quick peek at just one of my hand groupings. They're scattered all over my studio and house.

After some searching, I realized I wouldn't be able to purchase a sewing pattern for a hand. I had to jump right in and make one myself.  I don't have any training in pattern making but I had to try. I used regular white printer paper and drew an outline of my own hand. I didn't measure it while I was drawing but I tried to draw the outline 1/4 inch bigger to allow for seams.

The finished pattern on my kitchen table. 

I rummaged through the small cloth stash I have and found a piece of scrap cotton/polyester cloth. I ironed the material to smooth out the wrinkles and fold marks.  I pinned the pattern to the folded material.  No need to place on a fold but you do want two pieces after you've cut it out.

Printer paper pins easily to the material with sharp pins

I cut out the pattern and basted the two right sides together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Just to be clear, you place the right sides together with the wrong side out for basting. I reinforced the base of each finger slightly by backstitching a stitch or two. I wanted to be sure the base of the fingers would be fine because I cut slightly into the "V" at the base of each hand to be sure the material would lay flat when I turned it inside out. 

Once you've basted the material together, turn it right side out. This takes a little finesse and patience with the fingers. Next, I stuffed the hand with eco-friendly filling. I filled each finger first taking stock of the shape of each finger. I found the middle finger is a bit too slim. I'll have to go back and change the pattern keeping that in mind. 

To make the hand stand up, I filled a small plastic bag with dried beans and placed it inside the base of the hand. I hand stitched the base closed. The hand stands up but it still needs a wider, sturdier base. Another alteration for the pattern.  It's a good first try.  I can drape necklaces and bracelets from it or put T-pins and put earrings on it.  I think I'm on to something!

Finished prototype. Pretty good for the first try.

I'm going make the alterations to the pattern and then sew up some more. I can always use another hand around here! ;-)

 

Full of Words....

Sometimes you're so full of words, they just spill out onto anything and everything. I had words spill out onto these washers the other day....

...if you've got too much to think about, words will fall out of your head and onto your worktable!

Ok ok, so the words didn't *really* fall out of my head and onto my worktable but it was a cute story don't you think?

Not only do I use my stamps for personalizing my shipping envelopes, I also use them to personalize my beads and findings.

I've used a permanent ink in a rich brown. I line up the washers in rows and stamp the words across several washers. Each washer has a partial word - put a few together to find out what word is stamped on them.

Try making your own or you can pick up a few from my store.

Have you been full of words lately?

Rewind: DIY Packaging

As an small business owner, I look for the least expensive options in packaging to keep my costs low, it keeps the buyer's cost low. But low cost = boring! Brown paper envelopes, small plastic resealable bags, etc.






ZZZzzzz....Snore.

This is when I get out my stamps, ribbon, heart shaped paper punch and ink. I happily lay out groups of 12 plastic bags and stamp away, stamping thank you's and happy phrases for each customer. I add a little ribbon and VOILA!

A perfect bead package unique to each customer - and I DIY'd it!





What do you DIY?

Make it Pretty! DIY Packaging

Yep, I was quiet last week - a convention always wears me out that way. Spending the whole day walking around concrete floors and bombarded with everything Anime, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy, I need the week to recuperate from all the over stimulation! I relaxed by doing something creative....

Bead Packaging.

Bead Packaging?! How can THAT be relaxing?!

It's relaxing when you stamp, cut, and embellish!

As an small business owner, I look for the least expensive options in packaging to keep my costs low, it keeps the buyer's cost low. But low cost = boring! Brown paper envelopes, small plastic resealable bags, etc.






ZZZzzzz....Snore.

This is when I get out my stamps, ribbon, heart shaped paper punch and ink. I happily lay out groups of 12 plastic bags and stamp away, stamping thank you's and happy phrases for each customer. I add a little ribbon and VOILA!

A perfect bead package unique to each customer - and I DIY'd it!





What do you DIY?