Tag Archives: Homemade

Thurs-DIY: Kenneth Jay Lane Bracelet

by Stefanie Posted on July 19, 2012

These days, every time I see a piece of jewelry I like, my first instinct is to see how I can make it myself. This bracelet from Kenneth Jay Lane was an instant inspiration, and I knew I could find an easy way to replicate it. The trickiest part is finding rhinestone beads to your liking, after that, the whole project takes less than an hour!

Supplies:

1. Strip of Aluminum or Copper (mine is from here but you can go to any craft/art store)

2. Strong Shears

3. Wire Cutters

4. 2-3 Yards gold ribbon

5. E6000 Glue

6. Ruler

7. Bottle, rolling pin, or anything else round

8. 2 rhinestone beads. Vintage would be fantastic, but these are from M&J

I’ve worn it every day since I made it. What do you think?

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Thurs-DIY: Pearl Napkin Rings

by Stefanie Posted on July 5, 2012

Today’s DIY is bred out a need for me to up my game in the table decor/entertaining realm. I love having dinner parties, but I seriously lack decor touches such as cloth napkins, placemats, and napkin rings that take the table to the next level. My goal for this DIY was to not have to spend any money at all, so I used leftover scrap fabric, old bracelets and a paper towel roll to create them. They are super easy and add a glamourous touch to any dinner party!

Supplies:

1. Paper towel roll or several toilet paper rolls

2. Glue gun and glue

3. Scrap fabric

4. Old bracelets or loose beads (or get creative- you can glue anything on!)

5. Scissors

Using the paper towel roll is an easy base- use anything you find in your house to decorate, spray paint or wrap around them to personalize your next dinner party!

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New Items in the Stefanie Marie Designs Shop

by Stefanie Posted on June 29, 2012

I am happy to introduce some new items to the Stefanie Marie Designs etsy shop! These pieces are handmade by me, and use a variety of materials that I have fallen in love with. The base material of these pendants is real dyed snakeskin, mounted on either brass or aluminum sheeting. One of the skins I have is over 7 ft long and still has the snake’s face/eyes/nose on it! I love wearing these over a simple tee shirt, and I think it makes a polished statement anywhere from brunch to work to a cocktail hour.

These first 2 pieces are my personal favorite, as they have a kind of eclectic glamour that I am drawn to. I love the juxtaposition of the gemstones against the texture of the snakeskin, and I think the metal fretwork really represents the area of India that I was inspired by when designing these.

This next piece is my ode to colorblocking and a labor of love. Each piece of dyed snakeskin is encased in brass, with hand-mitered corners. The piece definitely makes a statement without being flashy, and I received tons of compliments on it when I wore it out a few weeks ago.

These last two pendants were born as special gifts for my friends, but I loved them so much I decided to include them in the collection as well. I like to think that they are a more toned down version of the first pendant, while still maintaining some sparkle. The inspiration around the first was to represent the diamonds on an engagement ring – which makes it a fabulous gift for a newly engaged friend or as bridesmaids gifts. The below pendant is a cool, navy blue which is versatile, understated and elegant. I like to think about it as the eye of the snake – the glass shape is truly unique – and I imagine this pendant to completely transform a crisp white shirt.

For all of these items and more, check out my Stefanie Marie Designs Etsy Shop!

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Thurs-DIY: Sunglass Chain

by Stefanie Posted on June 28, 2012

Pictures CW from top {ASOS, ThisNext, CasaPorVida, Urban Outfitters}

You heard it here first.

Ok maybe you saw them on Rihanna, Madonna or Snooki first. Either way, I’m bringing sunglass chain/leashes back. Originally made famous by your librarian or grandmother, sunglass chains are making a huge comeback, and I am fully on board. I love my Karen Walker sunglasses, but they are just slightly too wide for my head- meaning every time I bend down or read a book my sunglasses go crashing to the ground. Hence why a sunglass chain is bred out of both fashion and necessity. And- it’s super easy! While you may feel weird sporting these at the beach, I promise you will love it when you no longer have to dig through your huge celine bag to find your precious sunnies. Decorate them a little or a lot, when they are hanging they are a great substitute for a necklace!

Supplies:

1. Chain, about 2″ but measure to your desired length

2. Rubber connectors (can buy here)

3. 2 jump rings

4. Bead posts

5. Beads

6. Needlenose pliers

7. Wire cutters (not pictured)

{bend posts using the needlenose pliers}

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Thurs-DIY: String Wrapped Belt

by Stefanie Posted on June 21, 2012

On Monday I went to the J.Crew sample sale here in NYC, and stumbled upon this string covered belt that I immediately fell in love with. However, it wasn’t my size, and it would have been hard to pop additional holes without ruining the string. No surprise that I decided to DIY it with a cheap old belt from H&M. Although it took a few hours to do, it came out great- so I suggest doing it when you have a free afternoon.

What you need:

1. Cheap old belt

2. Several colors of friendship bracelet string. 5 was plenty to cover the belt

3. Scissors

4. Tacky craft glue. You don’t want anything too sticky or that dries super fast

5. Nailpolish (optional, if you don’t like your belt color)

{My advice: Twist the belt as you wrap, not the string, it’s faster!}

{The finished product}

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Thurs-DIY: Favorite DIY Blogs

by Stefanie Posted on June 14, 2012

Hello Style Safari-ers (seriously, I need a better name for you readers!), I am in San Francisco this week at my parents house and do not have my trusty DIY supplies, so unfortunately that means we are going sans craft today. However, Thurs-DIY must carry on! I have put together a list of my favorite DIY blogs in the hopes that they will be able to inspire you to make something new this weekend- I know they always amaze and inspire me!

Centsational Girl

I absolutely LOVE everything about Kate’s blog and aesthetic. Her projects are easy but on-point, and are of course photographed so beautifully that you cannot resist making them. My two personal favorites are her Sisal Rope Bowl (of which I have replicated on a vase of mine) and the lacquered box look-a-likes, that have even more character than the inspiration!

Kate’s Creative Space

Kate’s Creative Space is relatively new to me, but I love how well-rounded she is; by following her blog you can get a delicious dessert recipe, a bridal shower gift idea, or decorating ideas for your child’s room. I don’t have a need for that last one yet, but you never know when inspiration will hit! Next on my list is to make these adorable chalkboard mugs.

Sarah M Dorsey Designs

Holy flippin’ MOLY is this woman talented. I could peruse her blog all day drooling over her chic DIY’s and home renovations. However, not everyone has a husband/boyfriend/garage like her to help out with the heavy duty machinery. But for the rest of us, it makes for fantastic inspiration! Check out the picture below, where she DIY’d the pillows, lamp shade, side table AND headboard.

A Beautiful Mess

Elsie has an amazing way of taking the simplest little things in life and making them beautiful in their own little way. Her style is crafty/rustic/cute and all her DIYs add a bit of homemade flair to what otherwise would be a boring piece. I particularly love these adorable DIYs: a woodgrain rug and gingham tool set

P.S.-I made this…

She is the messiah of DIY, the person who turned DIY into not only a form of art but also of funding, no one other than Erica of PS-I made this… While I love everything she does, I am particularly drawn to her innovative uses of objects. One of my recent faves is her digital floral bangle, and my all time favorite is her faux porcelain pottery that I recreated  years ago and use all the time!

A Pair and A Spare

This australian bombshell literally teaches you how to make REAL. PIECES. OF. CLOTHING. I’m not talking about cutoff shorts or studded collars (although she does that too!) but she teaches invaluable sewing tricks and stitch techniques, and has killer taste to boot. On my list to DIY from her blog are the Peplum Skirt and the Cap Toe Heel.

Glitter ‘N Glue

Kristen is the lovable blogger behind Glitter ‘N Glue, and I love how she interprets current season fashion trends into simple, whimsical DIYs. Why spend tons of money on a trendy transparent purse when you can make hers from a make-up bag? And if you’re dying to add to your arm party, try out her DIY neon rope cuff-both tutorials are so easy and right on trend for summer!

What are your favorite DIY blogs? I would love to hear your suggestions for more daily reads!

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