Friday, December 20, 2013

DIY Holiday Sparkle for your wardrobe



Nothing says "holiday outfit" more than a little (or a lot) of sparkle!  But spending that much money on something you will wear a hand-full of times isn't a wise investment of your clothing budget.

The great looks you crave can be yours at a fraction of the cost if you are willing to get a little crafty!

DIY Brooch Necklace
Brooch necklaces are expensive.  What if I told you that you could easily make one and be the envy of all your friends this holiday season? Check this out...

The web is full of ideas on how to make your own brooch necklace.  I have tried many of these and have learned a lot through that process.  The key to making a nice looking necklace is wire. Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a step-by-step guide at making a fantastic brooch necklace. 

You Will Need:
  1.  A collection of brooches, pins and earrings.  Make sure they all have some element in common (all pearls, all rhinestones, all silver, a specific color, etc.).  These are good things to search for at Goodwill.  When hunting for a nice collection, be sure that the backs of the pieces are open (you will want to hook all the pieces together with wire).
  2. Wire - make sure the wire you get is specifically for jewelry. Trust me, floral wire won't work (and I won't admit why I know that).
  3. Ribbon - I have found that a thicker grosgrain is best, however a silk will work too. If the ribbon style isn't for you, try a thick chain.  Find a chain necklace (that has a solid clasp) at Goodwill, and use that as the launching pad for your own design.

DIY SEQUIN or GLITTER STILLETTOS
Several years ago I met this woman who had the most amazing stilettos. I asked her where she found them, and she replied "I made them".  This was a time before Pinterest, so I couldn't imagine someone would MAKE something like that.

To take on the task of an entire shoe in glitter or sequins is a bit daunting, so why not try just the heels?   There is a simple You Tube video on how to do this.  Check it out HERE.

Of course if you are more confident in your crafting abilities, try gluing sequins to a full shoe.  The results will be AMAZING! 

You Will Need:
  1. Shoes with a great heel from Goodwill
  2. Craft Glue (I agree with the version in the video, it works the best.)
  3. Glitter or sequins.  Many times you can find craft supplies at Goodwill. Before heading to the craft store, be sure to look at your local Goodwill first.  You may be surprised by what you find!

DIY SEQUIN SKIRT
Sequin skirts are very trendy. The most wearable styles are those that have some sequin embellishment. Why can't you just emblish yourself? Of course you can!

I found this great blog with lots of DIY clothing ideas.  I LOVE this sequin skirt idea.  So simple!

You Will Need:
1. A skirt. Go to Goodwill and find one in a color and style that is perfect for your project.
2. Some sequins. I have found that you can find great sequins on other things at Goodwill.  Look through the sweater asise, you might be suprised what you find!
3.  Needle and Thread.  I have also affixed embellishments with Stich Witchery. That can work if you are using a fairly large piece of sequined fabric.







Sunday, December 15, 2013

DIY New Year's Eve Craft Ideas


I can't believe that December is already here and we are dreaming up great New Year's projects for you! Of course, I am featuring glittered projects and upcycle projects that could be enjoyed any time of the year. The best part is that you can find many of the materials for these projects at your local Goodwill Store for a fraction of the price compared to other retail stores.

Let's find some thrifty ways to ring in the New Year!


Create Glittered Ballet Flats


If there is one thing I love, it is glitter! I am always looking for festive additions to add to my wardrobe and these glittered flats couldn't be easier to create and, according to We Are Not Martha, making these is less messy than you think. For this craft, head to Goodwill to pick up a basic flat and then create a glittered layer with a little Modge Podge and glitter. How festive would these be for the holidays? Or your birthday? Or everyday?


Make Confetti Surprise Jars

Sometimes the simplest of things bring us the most joy and this craft from diy studio is a joyful & frugal one. My children would adore these Confetti Surprise Jars for a fun family NYE tradition. Pick up a jar at Goodwill and spray paint the lid a dazzling shade of gold or silver, fill it with confetti, and add  special surprise inside for the recipient. For your surprise choices, check out the jewelry section or locate small toys or game pieces that you can add as their surprise. Don't be afraid to spray paint those treasures in the same shade of gold or silver for the holiday.


Add A Little Sparkle to Your Wardrobe

If there is one thing that Goodwill has an overabundance of, it is sweaters and cardigans for the Winter season. Don't worry if you don't sew (like me!), this is a project that can be done in minutes with just a little fabric glue. Sincerely Kinsey offers this fantastic DIY that will add just a hint of sparkle to your wardrobe with this easy sequin cardigan. 



Add A Little Sparkle To Your Home

There is always an abundance of vases and jars at Goodwill so I love that I can shop their store for this project. These easy glittered vases are pulled together much like the glittered flat that I shared about earlier. You simply need a vase or jar, Mode Podge, glitter, and a sponge brush to create these fun vases. I think these would make the cutest NYE centerpiece or they could be a fun craft to do with your kids for the holiday season. Check out this tutorial from the sweetest occasion.


Add Sparkle to Your Wine Glasses

I am no stranger to adding sparkle to stemware and last year I created these monogrammed wine glasses for my girlfriends. If you are having a small NYE party, consider making these as a fun favor for your guests. If you lack the ambition to monogram them, keep it simple and just add a glittered stem to your glasses.


Give a Cozy Hostess Gift 

As the resident craft expert for the Goodwill Tips blog, I can tell you that sweater crafts are one of our favorite projects to share about on here. Yet again, the ever-versatile-and-available sweater makes its appearance in another craft post. Warm Hot Chocolate shares an easy no-sew tutorial for creating a cozy sweater that can dress up a bottle of wine or champagne. She adds an adorable pom-pom embellishment with a tag to complete this beautiful gift. 



Wishing you the hap-hap-happiest of New Year's from Goodwill!! May your holiday be beautiful and thrifty this year!