Showing posts with label DIY Blogger Profiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY Blogger Profiles. Show all posts
DIY Blogger Profile - Semi
Friday, February 11, 2011
It seems like every day I stumble upon an amazing DIY blogger. Today it was Ren of the blog Semi. I particularly adore her amazing neon tribal painted branch jewellery hangers, and her cut off boots (inspired by me!). You should definitely head over to her blog and get amongst it (perhaps even pop over to her shop!).
Image: Semi
DIY Blogger Discovery - Rar Traum Store
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Have discovered another amazing DIY blog - Rar Traum Store. The lovely Gabriela contacted me and mentioned that she did a few DIYs... I checked out her blog and Phoahhhh! I think you would probably call her work designing rather than DIY - its a hell of a lot more than a slapdash craft project. What I particularly like about her work is her ability to take a piece of junk - even things she finds in the trash or in scrap bins - and turn them into something utterly amazing. She has made some amazing jewellery using stones, crushed glass, scrap metal and just about everything else, and I adore her crazy denim jacket - very Balmain. My favorite piece of hers is an amazing deconstructed clock. Head over to her blog and check it out yo.
Do you love her Gaga inspired crown?
'I'm a DIY Cheat' - DIY Tips from Dirty Hair Halo
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Shannon, the absolutely beautiful style blogger of Dirty Hair Halo, recently shared her DIY tips and cheats with me. I have loved Shannon's gorgeous and eclectic style for a while now, and she always does the best DIYs using thrifted finds. She epitomises easy DIYed style, buying thrifted items and making them right for her. My favourite are these gorgeous cropped flared pants (below left) and the lovely floral shorts she made out of thrifted pyjama bottoms (below right). Read on below for her DIY tips and cheats.
What inspired you to first start DIYing?
I don’t really consider myself a full-blown DIYer, though I pretty much always have some sort of project planned. For the most part, I alter clothing to fit me better if need be, and I’ve been doing this since middle school at the very least. In middle school it was common for me to adjust the length of my pants or the fit of a dress or shirt, and that holds true for me today. The most important thing to me about an article of clothing is how it fits and proportion, and that’s what drives me to alter so many of my things.
What currently inspires your DIY projects?
Sometimes I want something that doesn’t necessarily exist for me to purchase the way I want it. For example, I have a pair of high-waisted jeans that I patchworked with an old thrifted scarf. I don’t know why I decided I wanted patchworked jeans, but once I made that decision it just made it happen. I probably searched for high-waisted patchwork jeans online briefly, but the problem is that most new clothing nowadays is very cookie cutter, and you’re not going to find a pair of high-waisted jeans that are patchworked to your liking by thrifting alone. I probably found a bunch of patchworked jeans online with peace signs and sparkly hearts on it, and I personally think that’s cheesy and stupid. That’s when I take matters into my own hands.
Which of your numerous DIY projects have you got the most amount of satisfaction from?
I made a very simple daisy hair clip several years ago that I used to wear every day before I started blogging. I used a single fake daisy flower, a metal snap hair clip and a glue gun from a craft store. I wore it nearly every day and it ended up becoming a trade mark. I don’t wear it much if it all anymore because I’ve grown out of it as I’ve gotten older, but I loved how it added a simple dash of hippie-sweetness to basically anything, and having your own special twist is key to personal style.
Have you had any DIYs that didn't work out?
Totally. I often have grand plans of altering the fit or length of some super unique vintage dress, only to realize that the fabric/cut/etc won’t allow for my alteration. Usually I just end up destroying it by accident. It can be a bit of a bummer, but I’ve learned a lot of lessons that begin with carefully choosing what I intend to alter based on the ease of the alteration and the garment’s nuances.
What one skill or tool would you invest in if you were just starting out with DIY?
A sewing machine- I used to sew by hand and that took forever.
Do you have any 'cheat' tips for other avid DIYers out there?
I would consider myself a “cheat DIYer” in an of itself to be completely honest. I try not to alter anything that seems difficult to achieve. I try to determine if the fabric I’m working with will allow me to alter it without destroying it or causing puckering with my limited sewing skills, and I also try to determine that whatever I’m going to alter has only minor alterations to adjust the fit.
The hardest fabrics to sew are silky or lacy fabrics, they tend to misalign and/or pucker, or your sewing machine simply won’t take it. Also, if you’re trying to adjust an ill-fitting crotch, good luck. If you know how, email me.
Do you think DIY and thrifting is the answer to a tight budget? Would you do it even if you could buy more expensive pieces?
DIY and thrifting is absolutely a great solution for a tight budget. I honestly feel like I can look like a million bucks for less than $100, and it all has to do with carefully choosing very special items, paying attention to their proportion and fit, and altering them to your body shape if need be.
I wouldn’t alter something expensive because if I’m speding a lot of money, it should be perfect. I typically alter thrifted or budget friendly items because if I screw them up it’s not a big loss. I’m extremely partial to thrift shopping because I feel that’s where I find the most unique items, but at the same time, those are the items that typically need the most alteration because sizing might be out of date.
At what point do you think DIY crosses the line into 'designing' and is that something that interests you?
I am by no means a designer, nor do I have any idea whatsoever how they do what they do. I appreciate the mathematical and constructional skills designers possess, because those are the skills I lack.
Are there any trends at the moment that particularly inspire you to get crafty?
I just cropped two pairs of flare trousers last weekend. I’m not sure how much cropped flares are a trend, but I like how they make your ankles look skinny and that you can show off a cute pair of shoes with them on. Flares are also easy to find; most thrifted pairs don’t have a leg opening wide enough for them to look cool (ie-28 inches and above look super cool in their full length), but if you can find a novelty pair with a high waist and in a unique fabric or color, then you’re good to go.
I also love caftans, and they’re super easy to make. All you have to do is find a large scarf with a pattern you love, preferably with fringed edges. Fold it in half, cut a hole in the middle for your head and sew up the sides leaving enough room for arm holes. All of a sudden, you’ve got a caftan.
Images: all courtesy of Dirty Hair Halo - DIY cropped flare trousers, DIY floral shorts out of pyjama pants, DIY feather Hat, DIY acid wash dress, DIY top from peplum dress, DIY kaftan, DIY denim gillet out of denim jacket, DIY floral patchwork jeans.
I don’t really consider myself a full-blown DIYer, though I pretty much always have some sort of project planned. For the most part, I alter clothing to fit me better if need be, and I’ve been doing this since middle school at the very least. In middle school it was common for me to adjust the length of my pants or the fit of a dress or shirt, and that holds true for me today. The most important thing to me about an article of clothing is how it fits and proportion, and that’s what drives me to alter so many of my things.
What currently inspires your DIY projects?
Sometimes I want something that doesn’t necessarily exist for me to purchase the way I want it. For example, I have a pair of high-waisted jeans that I patchworked with an old thrifted scarf. I don’t know why I decided I wanted patchworked jeans, but once I made that decision it just made it happen. I probably searched for high-waisted patchwork jeans online briefly, but the problem is that most new clothing nowadays is very cookie cutter, and you’re not going to find a pair of high-waisted jeans that are patchworked to your liking by thrifting alone. I probably found a bunch of patchworked jeans online with peace signs and sparkly hearts on it, and I personally think that’s cheesy and stupid. That’s when I take matters into my own hands.
Which of your numerous DIY projects have you got the most amount of satisfaction from?
I made a very simple daisy hair clip several years ago that I used to wear every day before I started blogging. I used a single fake daisy flower, a metal snap hair clip and a glue gun from a craft store. I wore it nearly every day and it ended up becoming a trade mark. I don’t wear it much if it all anymore because I’ve grown out of it as I’ve gotten older, but I loved how it added a simple dash of hippie-sweetness to basically anything, and having your own special twist is key to personal style.
Totally. I often have grand plans of altering the fit or length of some super unique vintage dress, only to realize that the fabric/cut/etc won’t allow for my alteration. Usually I just end up destroying it by accident. It can be a bit of a bummer, but I’ve learned a lot of lessons that begin with carefully choosing what I intend to alter based on the ease of the alteration and the garment’s nuances.
What one skill or tool would you invest in if you were just starting out with DIY?
A sewing machine- I used to sew by hand and that took forever.
Do you have any 'cheat' tips for other avid DIYers out there?
I would consider myself a “cheat DIYer” in an of itself to be completely honest. I try not to alter anything that seems difficult to achieve. I try to determine if the fabric I’m working with will allow me to alter it without destroying it or causing puckering with my limited sewing skills, and I also try to determine that whatever I’m going to alter has only minor alterations to adjust the fit.
The hardest fabrics to sew are silky or lacy fabrics, they tend to misalign and/or pucker, or your sewing machine simply won’t take it. Also, if you’re trying to adjust an ill-fitting crotch, good luck. If you know how, email me.
DIY and thrifting is absolutely a great solution for a tight budget. I honestly feel like I can look like a million bucks for less than $100, and it all has to do with carefully choosing very special items, paying attention to their proportion and fit, and altering them to your body shape if need be.
I wouldn’t alter something expensive because if I’m speding a lot of money, it should be perfect. I typically alter thrifted or budget friendly items because if I screw them up it’s not a big loss. I’m extremely partial to thrift shopping because I feel that’s where I find the most unique items, but at the same time, those are the items that typically need the most alteration because sizing might be out of date.
At what point do you think DIY crosses the line into 'designing' and is that something that interests you?
I am by no means a designer, nor do I have any idea whatsoever how they do what they do. I appreciate the mathematical and constructional skills designers possess, because those are the skills I lack.
Are there any trends at the moment that particularly inspire you to get crafty?
I just cropped two pairs of flare trousers last weekend. I’m not sure how much cropped flares are a trend, but I like how they make your ankles look skinny and that you can show off a cute pair of shoes with them on. Flares are also easy to find; most thrifted pairs don’t have a leg opening wide enough for them to look cool (ie-28 inches and above look super cool in their full length), but if you can find a novelty pair with a high waist and in a unique fabric or color, then you’re good to go.
I also love caftans, and they’re super easy to make. All you have to do is find a large scarf with a pattern you love, preferably with fringed edges. Fold it in half, cut a hole in the middle for your head and sew up the sides leaving enough room for arm holes. All of a sudden, you’ve got a caftan.
'Learn to Sew' - DIY tips from Honestly...WTF
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Am addicted to learning about what inspires you all to DIY (other than havin no moneez yo), so over the next couple of weeks I'll be profiling a few amazing DIY bloggers, getting the inside scoop on their DIY tips, cheats and favourite trends.
First to be profiled are the girls from Honestly...WTF, Erica and Lauren. These inspirational ladies take the cake with their perfectly executed DIYs and aesthetically orgasmic blog. The DIYs they showcase always look infinitely do-able (apart from the amazing full sized tepee they made recently on an epic crafternoon) and oh so well explained. They certainly put the DO IT in DIY. Uploaded weekly, some of my favourite of their DIYs include the no-knit scarf here, the turban tutorial here, and the lovely gold painted jeans here.
What first inspired you to DIY?
With Lauren being a stylist and me an accessories designer, both of us have always loved creating and making thing ourselves. It's hard not to be inspired by our jobs.
What currently inspires your DIY projects? (I've noticed your blog has a lovely bohemian/american indian vibe, I love it!)
Lauren has a stack of amazing vintage craft books from her grandmother that we just marvel at. We always joke that we were born in the wrong era as we are so inspired by women from previous generations who grew up knitting, sewing, crocheting, etc. That same level of artistry & craftsmanship is so rare these days. We're really trying to bring that same level of craftsmanship back while simplifying the projects and making them more accessible, incorporating current trends.
Which of your DIY projects have you got the most amount of satisfaction from?
We love each and every DIY we do. We really don't believe in publishing a DIY that we wouldn't wear or use ourselves. Lauren was on set the other day and hadn't realized until midday that she was wearing our DIY projects head to toe!
Have you had any DIYs that didn't work out?
We definitely have a DIY graveyard BUT I don't see why we wouldn't dig up some unsuccessful projects and try to rework them.
What one skill or tool would you invest in if you were just starting out with DIY?
Both of us didn't learn to sew until recently and I must say, basic sewing is an amazing skill to have. Sewing machines are an investment but the possibilities are endless and at the end of the day, it's so much better to be able to stitch something than to use fabric glue. But if a sewing machine is out of the question, I would suggest a nice sharp pair of fabric shears! :)
Do you have any 'cheat' tips for other avid DIYers out there?
If you look at something and have the littlest inkling that you can make it yourself, give it a try! I would start with something small and relatively easy, like costume jewelry. Look at images or the actual piece in person and try breaking it down in its simplest form. Don't pressure yourself to replicate it exactly. Use components that you might find at a craft or hardware store and give yourself a budget.
Do you think DIY is the answer to a tight budget?
Yes, DIYs and thrifting is a great way to save money. We would encourage anybody to DIY even if you can still buy more expensive pieces because at the end of the day, it isn't so much about the budget as it is about the satisfaction of making something yourself. That sense of creative accomplishment is irreplaceable!
Are there any trends at the moment that particularly inspire you to get crafty?
We were DIYing from all the macrame and fringe in the Spring 2011 collections and will definitely be incorporating some of that in future DIYs! Stay tuned!
Images: Collages made from images of DIYs from Honestly...WTF
First to be profiled are the girls from Honestly...WTF, Erica and Lauren. These inspirational ladies take the cake with their perfectly executed DIYs and aesthetically orgasmic blog. The DIYs they showcase always look infinitely do-able (apart from the amazing full sized tepee they made recently on an epic crafternoon) and oh so well explained. They certainly put the DO IT in DIY. Uploaded weekly, some of my favourite of their DIYs include the no-knit scarf here, the turban tutorial here, and the lovely gold painted jeans here.
With Lauren being a stylist and me an accessories designer, both of us have always loved creating and making thing ourselves. It's hard not to be inspired by our jobs.
What currently inspires your DIY projects? (I've noticed your blog has a lovely bohemian/american indian vibe, I love it!)
Lauren has a stack of amazing vintage craft books from her grandmother that we just marvel at. We always joke that we were born in the wrong era as we are so inspired by women from previous generations who grew up knitting, sewing, crocheting, etc. That same level of artistry & craftsmanship is so rare these days. We're really trying to bring that same level of craftsmanship back while simplifying the projects and making them more accessible, incorporating current trends.
Which of your DIY projects have you got the most amount of satisfaction from?
We love each and every DIY we do. We really don't believe in publishing a DIY that we wouldn't wear or use ourselves. Lauren was on set the other day and hadn't realized until midday that she was wearing our DIY projects head to toe!
We definitely have a DIY graveyard BUT I don't see why we wouldn't dig up some unsuccessful projects and try to rework them.
What one skill or tool would you invest in if you were just starting out with DIY?
Both of us didn't learn to sew until recently and I must say, basic sewing is an amazing skill to have. Sewing machines are an investment but the possibilities are endless and at the end of the day, it's so much better to be able to stitch something than to use fabric glue. But if a sewing machine is out of the question, I would suggest a nice sharp pair of fabric shears! :)
Do you have any 'cheat' tips for other avid DIYers out there?
If you look at something and have the littlest inkling that you can make it yourself, give it a try! I would start with something small and relatively easy, like costume jewelry. Look at images or the actual piece in person and try breaking it down in its simplest form. Don't pressure yourself to replicate it exactly. Use components that you might find at a craft or hardware store and give yourself a budget.
Yes, DIYs and thrifting is a great way to save money. We would encourage anybody to DIY even if you can still buy more expensive pieces because at the end of the day, it isn't so much about the budget as it is about the satisfaction of making something yourself. That sense of creative accomplishment is irreplaceable!
Are there any trends at the moment that particularly inspire you to get crafty?
We were DIYing from all the macrame and fringe in the Spring 2011 collections and will definitely be incorporating some of that in future DIYs! Stay tuned!
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