Craft up a storm this DIY day.
There is truly a day for everything!
April 2nd marks National DIY Day and if you’re crafty like us, you’re here for it.
Is there anything better than creating something cool with your own two hands?
Our friends at Spotlight love a little side project too and have shared a few of their faves with us.
So cancel your plans, you have some DIY to do.
Glamour Bead Clips.
What you’ll need:
Glamour Hair Basics
Play Jewel Beads
Crafters Choice Gems
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Instructions:
Step 1 - Lay out each hair clips and bunch them with the beads and gems you wish to use for each design.
Step 2 - Using the hot glue gun carefully glue a small amount onto the back of each bead or gem and stick it onto the hair clips.
Step 3 - Repeat this until each hair clip is covered in the beads and gems of your choice.
Macrame Plant Hanger.
What you’ll need:
Crafters choice dusty rose recycled macramé cord
Split ring
Comb or brush
Scissors
Measuring tape
Instructions:
Step 1 - Cut 8 x 400cm lengths and then cut 2 x 80cm lengths, tape ends.
Step 2 - Drape the 400cm lengths inside the split ring, you will need to make one side approx. 120cm then the other with the remaining 280cm, you can line up all eight cords to make this easier.
Step 3 - Using an 80cm length, secure a wrap knot under the split ring around all the cords.
Step 4 – You should have 16 cords, split these into groups of four ensuring you have two long and two shorts.
Step 5 - Working with the first group, ensure the shorter cords are in the middle, begin creating half knots, the cords will begin to twist, continue until you've worked approx. 44cm of half knots.
Step 6 - Repeat step five with the other three groups, you will want to check your work and ensure all worked lengths are approx. similar length.
Step 7 - At the end of each group of cord create a Square Knot, this will straighten the direction of the cords.
Step 8 - We will now take two cords from each group and work with the neighbouring two cords of the next group to accommodate the pot. Leave 12cm unworked and work 2 x Square Knots using alternating cords. You will do this four times total to work around the hanger. You may need to adjust and review the work to ensure this is balanced.
Step 9 - Leave 8cm unworked and secure the 80cm length as a wrap knot for all 16 working cords.
Step 10 - Create the tassels by cutting 18 x 35cm lengths. Attach these to the hanger with a lark head knot, you will want nine lengths on one side and nine on the other.
Step 11 - Split and fray the tassel lengths, comb with a brush.
Step 12 - Repeat Steps 10 & 11 on the other three sections.
Step 13 - Cut the working cords under the last wrap knot approx. 13cm from the base and fray as desired.
Step 14 - Trim cords as desired, an extra brushing may also be required.
Tulip Tie Dye Denim Jacket.
What you’ll need:
Denim jacket
Gloves
Water jugs/cups
Paint brush
Plastic to cover work surface
Cardboard or plastic for inside the garment
Instructions:
Step 1 - Lay down plastic to protect your work surface. Then follow the directions on the Tulip Dye Packet to prepare your dye bottles.
Step 2 - Fill a couple of cups or jars with water to dilute your dye/clean your brushes.
Step 3 - Place a piece of card or plastic inside the jacket so the dye doesn't run through to the other side of the garment.
Step 4 - Begin by squirting a small amount of dye onto the jacket and use a paint brush and water to spread the dye around in a blotchy random pattern. Use more water if you wish to dilute the colour more and add more dye if you want a more vibrant colour.
Step 5 - Repeat this process with each colour working your way around the jacket until it is completely covered. Allow for jacket to dry slightly before turning and doing the other side.
Step 6 - Leave jacket to set for 6 - 8 hours.
Step 7 - Once jacket has set, rinse under water to wash away any excess dye colours. Allow jacket to dry fully before use.
Word Art Painting.
What you’ll need:
Semco value canvas 3 pack 16x2IN
Paint Brushes
Jo Sonya Paints in:
Titanium White
Vermillion
Yellow Orange
Napthol Crimson
Brilliant Magenta
Rose Pink
Instructions:
Word Canvas
Step 1 - Make your letter stencils by printing your word onto paper and cutting it out. We chose the phrase 'thank you, next' in a 70s retro inspired font. You could also free-hand draw the letters using pencil.
Step 2 - Using double sided tape stick your letters down onto your canvas. Use a ruler to check your letters are straight and trace the stencil. Remove the stencil then draw the drop shadows behind the main words, we did three layers of shadows.
Step 3 - You are now ready to paint. We started painting the pink background and then started on the words. You will need to let each layer of the drop shadows to dry before starting another layer.
Step 4 - When you have finished painting and paint is completely dry. Go back and touch up any mistakes with paint to get crisp lines.
Pattern Canvas
Step 1 - Make your psychedelic pattern by free-hand drawing the swirls using pencil.
Step 2. You are now ready to paint. We started painting the swirls and then started on the background. You will need to let the swirls dry first before starting on the background.
Step 3. When you have finished painting and paint is completely dry. Go back and touch up any mistakes with paint to get crisp lines.
Tips
To make the acrylic paint easier to work with when painting the shadows, thin the paint by dipping the paint brush into water and mixing it with the acrylic paint on the palette. If you are free-hand drawing using pencil, remember to have an eraser on hand to correct mistakes.
All products are available from Spotlight.
