Articles Archive for November 2008
$5 and Under, Decor, High Concept, Office, Wacky »
You have to check out this killer tutorial for a woven basket (or wastebasket) made using stuff from the dollar store! Craftster user becs88 spent £5 (or $9.89) to make this terrific trash can out of photo frames, wooden skewers, twine and army men. More conservative crafters might opt to pass on the army men, bringing the cost of the project down even further.
If you …
$5 and Under, Holidays, cheap crafts »
Combine a plastic takeout-style gift box with a fleece scarf, and what do you get? A sweet little handbag, that’s what! This would also be a cute way to wrap your holiday gifts. Project shown: charliebrown
Project Estimate:
Fleece scarf $1
Plastic gift takeout box to cover $1
Home decorating cord $1
Button (on hand)
Total cost: $3
Instructions for making a similar purse here.
Charliebrown, on making it:
I got a take out …
$5 and Under, Accessories, Fashion, High Concept, Wearable »
Cara at Carbon Couture advises how to capture this upcoming hot look inspired by several high fashion designers’ spring 2009 looks. Marc by Marc Jacobs and Aurelio Costarella both showcased the multiple-belt layered look, and you can have it, too, with this super simple fashion DIY project.
Simply take two belts and buckle them together, making one long belt. Wrap them around your waist twice and …
$1 and Free, Decor, Holidays, Wacky, cheap crafts »
Spiffy Spotlights came up with one of the most clever uses for an old CD I’ve seen: turn it into a peppermint candy and use it as a holiday decoration. These would be super tree ornaments if you made a bunch of them!
Project Estimate:
Used CD, on hand
Red permanent marker, on hand
Ribbon, on hand
Glue, on hand
Total cost: FREE
$5 and Under, Decor, Holidays »
Sister Diane posted this neat project that reuses those metal cups that come on tea light candles. She made them into cute collars for Christmas mini-lights by cutting and embellishing them.
This is timely because I just noticed that you can get a bag of 100 tea lights at JoAnn fabrics for about $5, which works out to about a nickel apiece. I knew there must …
$5 and Under, Decor, High Concept, Holidays »
Gingerbread Snowflakes shared this great tutorial for making pretty decorations based on the ancient Japanese craft known as Temari. These decorations are thread-wrapped styrofoam balls that are then embellished with embroidery, applique, or sequins.
This looks like a great project for craft night!
Project Estimate:
Styrofoam balls $1
Cone of serger thread $2
Embroidery Floss $1 (for 3 skeins)
Felt or fabric, on hand
Sequins, $1
Pins, $1
Total Cost: $6 for several ornaments
$5 and Under, Gifts, Holidays, Kids, cheap crafts »
My Little Mochi shared this brilliant idea for a pocket advent calendar using two packs of gum. So adorable and affordable!
Project Estimate:
2 packs of hard-shell gum, $2
Assorted paper, on hand
Permanent markers, on hand
Total Cost: $2
$5 and Under, Accessories, Fashion, High Concept, Kids, Wacky, Wearable »
Jazzi McGilbert of Fashionista made this Juicy Couture ad-inspired headband with Koosh balls and elastic headbands. If you’re the Japan street fashion type, this might be the accessory for you!
Project Estimate:
Elastic Headbands $1
Plastic/rubber toys $1 each
Assorted bows, faux flowers, etc $1 and up (or on hand)
Total cost: $2 and up but you won’t have to go to eBay to get a dose of this Harajuku …
$5 and Under, Accessories, Kids, Wacky, Wearable »
Retro-redux did it again with this clever embellishing of those cheesy wooden cutouts that can be found at the dollar store and craft store! Sorry pirates, the ninjas definitely win this one! She painted a gingerbread boy wooden cutout with paint, and hung it on a dollar store necklace for the win!
Project Estimate:
Dollar store necklace $1
Wooden person/gingerbread boy cutout $1 (or less)
Paint (on hand)
Total cost: …
$5 and Under, Decor, Office, Wacky »
Use dollar store plastic placemats cut into strips to liven up a woven metal trash can! (project: fantasticmio from fantasticmio.com)
Project estimate:
Trash can $1
4 Placemats $4
Total cost: $5
