Happy Halloween, folks! Turns out I unintentionally took October off from my otherwise rigorous blogging schedule. Oops. But what better reason to get back on track than October’s Random Acts of Craftiness Challenge? None, I say.
As a reminder, challenge participants attempt to make something original from an assigned type of material. No looking online for ideas to copy or tweak. It’s like the opposite of a make-something-you’ve-seen-on-Pinterest challenge.
This month’s material: ODDS & ENDS from the HARDWARE STORE
Why yes, that does include a gazillion interesting little bits which can surely be combined or manipulated in umpteen million ways to achieve mind-blowing crafty awesomeness. But no pressure.
The possibilities were overwhelming at first; I cycled through ideas hot and heavy. There was the magazine rack made with pvc pipe and chain. Then there was the candle holder wrapped in embroidered window screen. There were a handful of chandelier plans and loads of possible decorative tchotchke thingamajiggers.
I quickly nixed the ideas that seemed fun to create but not so awesome to have in my home. (Kind of like cross-stitch for me. I love the act of doing it, but I’ve never met a cross-stitch pattern I’d like to see in my home. Not even the new hipster ironic ones.) So it had to be something I’d actually like to have. Since life circumstances found me with not much time for a cool but complicated project, it also had to be simple.
And if nothing else, I nailed it on the simplicity front. This project requires only two supplies and about two minutes of your time. Bonus, it incorporates two color trends I’m loving right now.
Like I said, simple (although surprisingly tough to photograph). You don’t need a tutorial…
…you just need to know where to find this stuff.
Supply #1: Masonry twine
I found mine in the chain/rope/string section of Home Depot’s hardware aisle for about $4.00. (I bought it a while back for this project.) It’s also available in neon pink and orange.
Supply #2: Crimp sleeves
I have no idea what these are actually for, but they can be found in the electrical supply section. These cost $5.50. Other sizes and quantities were also available.
For about $10, you’ll get enough supplies to make a bunch of necklaces like this. Or bracelets. Or anklets, if that’s your thing (in which case I assume you live in a beach community). I made my necklace large enough to slip over my head, so I just tied a knot in the back and sealed the ends with a lighter. If you want a smaller necklace or a bracelet (or anklet) that you’ll need to open and close, you can pick up copper or rose gold jewelry clasps for a couple dollars at Michael’s.
I actually did just that since my original plan required a clasp. I toyed with a bunch of necklace designs–two strands of different lengths; more beads; beads flipped in opposite directions–before ultimately deciding to keep it simple. (Have I mentioned that?) The only bit of flair I added was to braid three strands of masonry twine together to bulk it up some. A single strand just seemed, well, too simple.
I feel like I have to show the necklace actually being worn, so here’s the best bathroom self-portrait I could manage.
Cringe. Pardon the off center beads; that’s not an intentional styling trick.
OK, now I’m hopping over here to check out the work of my fellow random crafters. Join me? Come on, let’s go get our minds blown.