ang Craftista

Circle skirt

Posted on 28 May 2011 by Sara

Sometimes I just go into fabric stores and look around. Sometimes I come out with nothing, but on May 16 I bought something.

Anyway I wasn’t really sure what to do with it at the time, I just liked the color and design. A friend suggested a skirt, and I thought that was a good idea. I just didn’t get around to doing it until now. Plus, I was busy with some other sewing project (and work, which I started just this week). I had quite a lot of this fabric so I figured I had enough to make this circle skirt which was simple enough. When I had bought some wide elastic, I went to work on it right away.

Categories: DIY, Sewing | Tags: clothing, sewing, skirt | Leave a comment

Looky, Looky, Looky!

Posted on 20 May 2011 by Sara

Remember my first try at hand stitched book binding? I found a scrap of (synthetic) suede at Carolina’s and I cut and glued it on to make a cover! YAY! It looks so prettyyyyyyyy <3

I’m considering sealing the whole thing in some sort of varnish or glaze because the paper will be exposed to moisture if used as a pendant. But if I do that all the glorious photocopied text would be hidden. What do you think?

I’ll make more of these when I scrounge up more leather. ^___^

Categories: Cheap Trip, DIY, Recycled, Small Stuff | Tags: accessories, bookbinding, paper, stamping | 2 Comments

bubble baubles

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Sara

I don’t have chains. I’ve always used nylon string for the accessories I make, and the only metal I use are the clasps and jump rings. I do have a supply of wire, but based on my previous experiment, I’ve concluded I need a thicker gauge. So for me to make this bubbly bracelet I saw a tutorial of, I had to make one by connecting these short chains meant for adjustable clasp things. Anyway, after a full morning of twisting and wrestling with various pliers, I eventually ended up with these:

1. Bubble bauble — pearly, shimmery, bronze-y plastic beads attached to a makeshift chain bracelet.

PhP 100 (Bird and branch not included)

2. Cluster pendants — Leftover beads from the bracelet ended up as pendants because I love the color combination so much Suspended on coated wire thingies (Yeah I don’t know what they’re called). The second one is smaller, but has a small metal flower accompanying it.

PhP 80 each

Categories: Buy Me!, DIY | Tags: accessories, beading, bracelet, necklace, wire | Leave a comment

Back it up, Back it up

Posted on 16 May 2011 by Sara

These are just a bunch of modifications of my clothes that I find too poofy. I pin these every time I wear them so I figured I might as well make them permanent. I’m not much of a belt person and I didn’t want to change the front of these blouses so I tucked them at the back.

Candidate #1 is an orange blouse from Apple & Eve. One of the most expensive articles of clothing I’ve bought! I got a medium because the chub on my arms prevented me from buying the smaller size. So I have nice fitting sleeves but it was extra-poofy around the waist. The front wasn’t very different in the before and after, though. But it feels better now.

Categories: DIY, Modifications, Sewing | Tags: blouse, buttons, clothing, sewing | Leave a comment

Heima: It’s not just furniture, it’s a lifestyle

Posted on 16 May 2011 by Sara

Last Thursday I had the singular chance (thanks to Karen) to attend a pre-launch of some new products by a furniture and interior design store I’ve been eyeing for quite a while: Heima.

If you haven’t noticed, I’m actually a Philippine-licensed Architect (hence, “Arkitek Sara”) and Interior Design student. I have a love for bright, clean, contemporary yet homey design which–top of my head–can be best exemplified by Scandinavian and mid-century modern American styles (i.e. my favorites). I’ve always wished there would be a store in the Philippines that would have the look and feel and design sensibilities of the (numerous) blogs and shops I’ve been following online and Heima perfectly fit the bill.

Categories: Designed Spaces, events | Tags: furniture, paper | 2 Comments

sheer

Posted on 14 May 2011 by Sara

Dainty – made with sheer fabric, wood beads and buttons.

PhP 130

Categories: Buy Me!, DIY, Sewing | Tags: accessories, beading, buttons, necklace, sewing | Leave a comment

The beginning of something wonderful

Posted on 13 May 2011 by Sara

A lot of my time online has been devoured by two websites: Pinterest and Craftgawker. When I saw these incredibly awesome pendants, I knew I just HAD to try my hand at making one (or some), especially when I learned that it was priced at 50USD each. Grah.

After a bit of research, here’s my first attempt using some paper ripped from an old photocopied handout I was using as scratch paper. Since it was tiny, I made holes with a needle and used normal sewing thread to bind the signatures.

Isn’t it awesome? It was nighttime (which explains the grainy, blurry photos) and I didn’t have leather sheets on hand so I’ll have to save that part for another day.

Here’s the 2-part video tutorial I followed:

Categories: DIY, Recycled, Sewing, Small Stuff, Want | Tags: bookbinding, paper | 1 Comment

Surprise Craft Attack

Posted on 13 May 2011 by Sara

Who watched Art Attack on Disney Channel? Wasn’t that guy (I can’t recall his name) really awesome? I love his accent and how he says “PVA Glue” all the time. Anyway, this isn’t about that.

I was supposed to just do some stuff on my laptop this afternoon but when I realized there was still some daylight, I figured I could make a quick craft. I’ve been seeing a lot of fabric-covered bead necklaces around so I started making that. When I turned the fabric I sewed inside-out, I forced it a bit and popped some of the seams. My craft momentum slowed to a halt so I just sat back in front of my laptop and tied the thingy I made around my neck.

After a few hours, the look kinda grew on me. I like it.

See my bandaged finger. I cut myself while ripping out thread on another craft this morning. <sarcastic YAY>

oh, and that’s a safety pin hanging from one end.

Categories: Cheap Trip, DIY, Sewing, Small Stuff | Tags: accessories, necklace, sewing | Leave a comment

The Cheapskate Experiments

Posted on 11 May 2011 by Sara

I’m always on the lookout for cheap alternatives to the usually expensive or unavailable-in-the-Philippines art and craft supplies. I once scoured the innarnets for an alternative to Mod Podge, and this thread was the best one I’ve found so far. Anyway, I found this nice tutorial and with me being the perennial packrat, I actually keep the circles from my hole punchers. But… “Structure Gel”…? I have no idea where to get that.

After poking around the internet a bit, I figured out that Structure gel is like a thick kind of Acrylic Medium. Of course my cheapskate instincts kick in and I started looking for an alternative. Besides, I didn’t have acrylic medium on hand and I wanted to try this project asap. A friend suggested I use white glue and that’s what I did.

So far so good, I guess. I’d still have to finish this with some kind of sealant or varnish because it will disintegrate if it gets wet. I’ll save that for another day.

Categories: Cheap Trip | 2 Comments