1. This is about as easy and cheap as it gets. I snapped up the glass plate and cup at the $1 store.
2. Super glue the plate to the cup’s bottom. Let this set for an hour or so.
3. Flip the stand so the plate is now on the bottom. It will keep the top of the plate from getting any spray paint on it.
4. Let it completely dry. Now you can display your favorite sweet treats!
Let them eat cake…muffins…maybe some cookies.
1. I found these old buttons in my parent’s basement. Most of them were loners so I turned them into classy push-pins. Cut off the back loop with pliers.
2. Hot glue is my best friend; just a little dab on the back and attach the tack.
Thumbs up.
1. Lavender isn’t just for Grandma’s potpourri basket. Flavored simple syrup really is simple. It’s equal parts cold water to white sugar.
2. Grab a small pot, I made a 1 cup to 1 cup for this and added in about 2 heaping Tablespoons of organic, food-grade lavender. (Here is literally a lifetime supply).
3. Let it lightly simmer on the stove for about 30 minutes.
4. Strain out the lavender bits. Let it cool and bottle it up.
5. A paint swatch card and hemp made it look fancy-pants. Make sure to refrigerate, otherwise it will turn into a science project.
Cheaper than a plane ticket to Provence.
1. I’m upgrading to “adult” (aka matching) silverware. These old-fashion looking knives were spray-painted with a snappy color. Forks will work too.
2. Let one side dry, then cover the other side.
3. When they are completely dry, get a thin sharpie to write the herb.
Put a fork in it.
Shell #1
1. Plant 2 small succulents in the opening of a large shell.
2. A Yankee Candle jar lid works as the base (cut off the plastic stopper).
3. Nestle your tiny living sculpture in the lid.
Shell #2
1. This smaller shell could only fit one succulent inside.
2. Flip the candle lid to the flat side and put a generous amount of hot glue in the center. Sit the shell on top and hold steady until it sets.
3. The museum-looking dome is a red wine glass that fell (slippery guy) and somehow only the stem broke off. Sand down the top edges for safety’s sake.
She ain’t selling these kinds of shells by the shore.
1. I feel like wine and crafts go hand-in-hand. Pop open your favorite, then clean and de-label the bottle.
2. Get a run-of-the-mill glass cutter or shell out a little extra for this guy.
3. All you need to do is make a light cut around the bottle. A steady, sober hand is key here.
4. What breaks the bottle to a clean cut is alternating between a boiling hot bath and ice one. A few times back and forth will stress the cut line.
5. Sand down those edges, we don’t need a trip to the ER. Use any type of screen (window) and cut a little hole in the center for the cotton rope to go thru.
6. The rope needs to hit the bottom. Tie a knot to secure it. Insert your screen piece inside the inverted top.
7. Plant your favorite herb and fill up the bottom with water. It will sip the water thru the rope.
Bottoms up!
1. I went to the local bank and asked for about $40 in pennies. I think if I slipped them a hold-up note, I would have got less of a reaction.
2. Scoop up some Tarn X; which makes those pennies nice and shiny. I split the pennies 50/50, so some were tarnished, others squeaky clean.
3. Spend the next few weeks after work gluing pennies to the table. I made a seam to bend the pennies with a bolt cutter to put them on the edges.
4. I recommend finishing with an acrylic coating, otherwise those pennies get gross fast with the daily wear + tear of a coffee table.
Take that to the bank.
1. A thick fabric is best, like suede. Cut out 5 petal pieces any size; make a mega huge flower or a just little guy.
2. Mark 4 dots on the bottom for a sewing guide.
3. Sew in and out, and make sure to do it the same way for each otherwise it won’t work.
4. Tighten the petals to the end knot and sew back into the first petal to secure.
5. Grab a hot glue gun to put a safety pin on the back.
Flower power that lasts.
1. There was a hole in my sweater, I could not bear to throw it out. It nows lives on my couch.
2. Cut off arms and top portion of sweater.
3. Sew top then insert pillow. If you are lazy, sew bottom shut. If you are feeling like an over-achiever; sew in a zipper.
And the grey sweater lives on.
1. Thrift stores are a cheap vintage book mecca. Scooped up this guy for $2.
2. Use a ruler + pencil to measure a rectangle inside, leave about 1.5″ border.
3. A super sharp utility knife will get the job done; cutting out the center.
4. Rubber bands will secure the pages while you are gluing the inside. The more the better. Before it dries, cut a piece of freezer bag + press into the corners. This makes it waterproof. Leave it alone overnight. When it’s dry, trim the plastic down.
5. Fill it with your favorite plant and top off with reindeer moss to hide any plastic edges.
Let’s hope there aren’t any book worms…
