DIY 1987 Style: How To Trim Your Own Hair

Ah...yes...that is me in 1987, growing my first mohawk out into an a-symmetrical bob. This my friends is as cheap and DIY as it gets - my friend Kim Wilson helped me along with the transition with a surgical array of scissors and razors at the vanity in her grandmother's upstairs bathroom. We were both 15 years old.

Later that year I discovered a secret - how to properly dust off your own ends, via Taxi Magazine (I believe). Simply twist a lock of nearly dry hair as tightly as possible (think nervous habit twisting here), grab your good scissors and trim about 1/8 to 1/4 inch of the split ends that you see poking out of your twist. Continue on like this until you are satisfied. and there you have it - the life of your haircut has just been extended by 6 - 8 weeks.

I do this from time to time now because I am about 300 miles from a good hairdresser, but in my youth I did it just because I knew that I could do it myself.

FYI, shortly after this photo was taken (photo credit Matt Riley) I became an emancipated youth - because I knew that I could do it myself. The rest, as they say, is history.

Expensive Lessons In Jewelry Making

Chandelier making, venetian glass baubles, property management, taxes, business loan applications and tons of kids aren't enough to keep my busy hands occupied so I've been making sterling silver rings on the side.

Slowly goes it with this project because it is expensive as all get out. I would like to share my first lesson with you - never use PMC (Precious Metal Clay) in place of good old solder and flux as it is too porous and brittle.

Not 5 days after I made this little yellow sapphire number to the left, I smashed the stone setting against a staircase in a construction zone...and there it still lies buried in a heap of plaster dust and wood filings. Solder is my new mantra. Solder. Ohm.

The silver and gold carved ring depicted is the work of Oppie Oppenheim. More on that later.

DIY 1953 Styles: Popular Science's How to Make Spanish Rope Sandals

I have always wanted to make my own shoes...And handbags. And jewelry. I bet I'm not the only one out there with thisdesire. Which is why I bring you Popular Science's DIY plans for Spanish Sandals for Beach or Boat.

Materials Required

• approx. 12 feet sturdy 1/2" rope of your choice, i.e. manilla or hemp
• strong thread
• 3" curved upholstery needle
• 1/4 yard of canvas or other thick material
• shoe strings
• 1 board drilled to take 2" dowel pegs OR fitted with screws/nails (Note: the shoe size is dependent on the spacing of the pegs/nails)

Process

Step 1 Constructing the Sole: Judge the distance of the pegs - about 3" apart is an good average distance to start off with. Place one end of the 6 foot against the heel peg. Loop it around the toe peg, then use a blanket stitch or whip stitch to sew the rope together as you go. Continue winding the rope around the pegs, sewing as you go until you judge your sole to be the proper size. Finish by whipping the end of the rope inside the instep.

Step 2 Constructing the Uppers: Cut 4 heel and 4 toe pieces. Stitch the two of each pattern face to face, leaving the ends open. These will form the double-thickness heel and toe. Turn the sewn pieces right side out.

Step 3 Constructing the Inner Soles: Cut two inner soles by tracing your rope sole on canvas (or just judging the size/shape if you are clever in that sense) about 1/4" larger. Lay the inner soles over the stitched side of the rope soles. For more comfort you can add padding of your choice between inner and outer sole. Turn the 1/4" edge under and pin in place as illustrated, then stitch into place, using a whip stitch.

Step 4 Fitting the Uppers: Place your foot onto the sole and mark the ideal placement of the heel and toe pieces. Turn their ends in and sew to complete.

Step 5 Finishing Up: Add laces or embellishments and voila! You are done. Enjoy your rockin' sweet sandals.

Gin and Buterflies is Pure Magic

A shop after my own heart - Gin and Butterflies. Are there two more effervescent and ebbuliant terms to set your soul aflutter?

Who amongst us doesn't love a classic greek rose and laurel motif ring in gold or a fantabulous Wonder Woman Amazon cuff n hammered silver? Not you? So you say!

And how does she manage those impossibly perfectly balanced ring photos? Magic? Most likely its Abysinth or sheer VooDun. Shop owner Cheyenne certainly has an entirely scientific explaination I'm sure. Patience. Be sure to ask her about donations to Hatian relief efforts.

Sweet Relief

Etsy sellers donating to Haiti Relief. A belated thank you to Etsy for including Birch Beeer Boutique!

Looking On The Bright Side

Lately I've been following The Bright Side Project, an amazing blog that seeks to spread the love in the form of a daily giveaway to those willing to share a little of themselves in return.

Its a simple and painless format - they show you a little ray of sunshine, such as this Fleabag tote, give a bit of a back story and then ask readers to answer a question related to the prize. And voila - you are entered to win said little ray of sunshine. Fun.

The question posted for this extra large flea market shopping bag; "What treasure do you wish was hidden in your home and you wish you found?"

My answer; When my grandmother passed away we discovered that she had a secret compartment to her walk-in closet (no kidding)! She stored her best furs there and a collection of art that she had been working on for years. Imagine, an artist’s entire body of work kept private from everyone – she never told us that she painted. Amazing. I would like to find that kind of passion in any form hidden away in my house.

The Barrel Bag by Morelle

The Barrel Bag from Morelle absolutely sends me. With a line of bags that includes "Truffle" (mmm...), "Pochette" and "Tulip", Katie and her team of 5 have got an inspiring Etsy success story.