Arc Vs DIY Erica

It's very bad to say, but my mac does get neglected. Not in use. I'm on it pretty much 24/7 unless I'm walking, otherwise I'm using it... Surprised it hasn't exploded yet! It's the same with all things you get, at first you don't let any dust touch it! Then you freak out the first time you drop it, then by the 10th time. Eh? It'll survive. But since I spent the majority of my loan on this last year, it's my baby and has all of my work on it. I wondered WTF am I doing?! So, I decided I needed somewhere safe to keep it. At £39.95 a pop, I thought... no. Just no way. I knew there had to be a cheaper way. 

The Embellished Nail

I've seen this type of manicure spam all over my pinterest, at £30+ a manicure I thought.. no frigging way. DIY. So this is one of my favourites and I just took some crafting gems you can get from any craft store as they're cheaper than beautician gems. They work the same you'll always need a top coat to secure it though. Teamed the pearl bubbles with my Barry M  varnish. 

What do you think? I love it! Can't stop stroking them, its so bobbly and weird. Probably should stop before they fall off... but they're soo soft! Urmm, anyway hope you try it out! Its really simple you just place them randomly or I've seen some following the cuticle or even little cross designs!

Until next time xo

Charity Shop Finds

My mum came home with this little gem from a local charity store yesterday, where she helps out once a week. It looks pretty plain and simple (but it was only £8!) so I wanted to add more attitude to it. Not only do you save a lot of money and recycle but most importantly, I love charity shops just because of the nature behind them. I'm helping someone, somewhere. 

So here's what I did with it. Took me about 30 minutes. You just align the stud, push the prongs through and fold them over. I'm thinking off adding more studs to fill the whole of the pockets, what do you think? A tanned belt just to add more definition to my waist. 

Friday the 5th of October is Jeans for Genes day - 'changing the world for children with genetic disorders'  Put it in your diary and don't forget to go help out!

Erica xo

DIY Galaxy Top

Galaxy clothes have been around a lot recently in the last year or so. But now they have hit the high street with impact. You can find loads of different types from Topshop, River Island, Asos. You name it they'll probably have a version. But you've probably seen they're pretty pricey. That swimsuit is £35!
If your an avid youtuber, you've seen loads of tutorials. You'll need 2 parts bleach to 1 part water and that's it! Here's mine:

I've seen cross prints and accessories everywhere too, so until pay day this is what I've come up with.

Wash this by hand before you wear it or you'll have some really sore skin. Wear gloves and do it outside unless you fancy a trip. Joking, do it outside!

Until next time xo

*edit* I've just finished washing my shirt, unlike many suggestions online my acrylic paint completely washed off! Your going to need some proper fabric paint. Or if you've got acrylic already you'll just need to add a base, which changes it chemically. So back to the shops tomorrow. pfffhht.

Jewellery organisers - DIY!

I've been on YouTube every single day over summer and I need to make something! I went a bit DIY crazy today, but got it out of my system... kind of. I've made 3 small units to organise my jewls and shinies. Obviously you'll notice there's no where for the necklaces! I'm buying some screw hooks to attach to the bottom of  the ear rings holder and then hang the unit on the wall. Okay so I forgot to take photos as I went along because I got really carried away. So I'll explain roughly and just leave a comment where you don't understand.

Lost half my earring collection, definitely a reason to go shopping!

So to make this, you'll need a cheap frame from ikea or a charity shop. Remove the back and glass, then turn it over and stick pins in the sides. When the pin is half way into the wood, measure your string across the frame, cut and tie a knot on the needle of the pin. Add some glue to secure and hammer in. Continue all the way down.

Going to make some rings to soon, need to fill this baby up.

For your ring holder, you need any old box you can find. An old chocolate box or a sturdier fancy box. Its up to you. I just used an old Lindt box from Easter. Yea for some reason it took me until now to eat them? Anyway some old material, super glue or a hot glue gun and a pair of scissors. Measure the width of your box and then cut length around 40-50cm. You'll need to test the length to see how high the roll will be, this will all depend on your box. Then after cutting and rolling the strips. Seal them and glue into the box. You'll need more than fits naturally as they have to squish up to secure the rings. DONT glue between each roll, that's where the rings go. Just underneath and the sides. Done.

Here's a bigger pic.

I got so into it at this point I completely forgot to take pictures altogether!

But here's the video I got the idea from, so you can make one yourself!

If you have any questions let me know and I'll update you when I get these screw hooks!

Studs and Spikes. DIY.

If you haven't noticed yet or not been shopping in a while, studs seem to be popping up everywhere. They trickled into shops over summer and it seems were looking at a huge statement for A/W collections! But have you ever stopped and wondered why that t-shirt costs £10 and the same shirt with studs will set you back £25? That's a big price jump and for me its a little much, so you know what I'm thinking right? DI-fucking-Y oh yes. I'm yet to jazz up my clothes so I haven't got those pics for you, didn't want you to miss out on making the trend before everyone else has them! (I'll upload when I've got mine finished, stay tuned)

I'm going to make so much stuffffff.

Okay, so all your going to need to make these wonderful pieces of art are just some studs from an online craft store, an iron and somewhere to stick them! I've found hotfix nailheads are the exact ones I want, they stock the flat pyramid shapes, circle and square. The best size I find is between 3-4mm. They're dainty rather than bulky. For the pointed spikes I haven't found any iron on products for that, so you'll need to buy the prong type. Pushing the stud through and fold over the points.

These are from Rhine Stones Online, I've shopped around and these are the best quality-quantity. Each pack has 144units and range from 70p - £2.60 depending on size. They will also take you through the best way to apply your nailheads.

Send me pictures of your new studded clothes!

DIY Spray Painted T-Shirts.

If like me you went to a concert and wanted the souvenir top but it was £20!! Or just seen one around and thought, I could make that. Well, most likely you can. I've wanted my own RUN DMC t-shirt for so long after finally matching its tricky with the group. I'm so bad at linking artist to song. 

This is ridiculously simple. You will need:

• Scissors
• Masking tape
• A t-shirt
• Spray paints
• An outdoor space

Listen to the Jam Master as he starts to rock

1. Using masking tape, stick down your design to the garment. Keep in mind the colour will be around the design. If you want the design to be coloured, mask around as if making a border.
2. Place on top of cardboard or newspapers in a well ventilated area, spray 6in' from shirt.
3. As you get closer to the ends, bring the can further from the top towards your body for a faded edge.
4. Leave to dry.
5. For the first wash, clean by hand as the paint will run.
6. After this you can wash as normal.

Tip - Don't spray too close as the colour will run under the tape and bleed.

                        

DIY surfer charm bracelet

So for a last minute summer accessory before I headed out the door, I gathered together old charms. Along with some garden string, that looked rustic and had a slightly warn feel. I wanted something cute and girly for the final sunny days we had left. Fingers crossed we've got a British heat wave on the way! (That just means no rain, not actual heat. Damn)

Heres my inspiration:

The steps are so easy, you will need:

3 x 80cm pieces of any type of string, rope or leather cord you prefer.
Beads, charms or pendants.

1. Take the 3 pieces of string and tie a knot 2 inches in from the end.
2. Begin to plait the strings (as though you would your hair) You may need to weight down the end with a paper weight or book just to help you keep it taught.
3. After an inch down the string begin adding charms at equal lengths that you prefer. Always add to the left if you want them to fall evenly. Add the charm to the furthest left string and pull the plait tight as you continue.
4. After adding all charms finish plait at desired length.
5. Knot and cut 2 inches from knot.

I doubled round my plaits so there was a layer without charms to add thickness to the thin, shabby string. I love my new accessory. Cheap and tailored! I love it.

A little fish, pearl, love key and brown bead around the side.

This fishy charm has layered scales so it can sway its tail, details!

To fasten it on, you just use the excess string to tie a bow or knot. The jingling got a little annoying after a while so I've decided its a bracelet from now on. Felt like santa walking around with the bells.

Tip of the day - If your like me and got a drawer full of belts, then end up rushing and wearing any old up just to avoid the embarrassing, oh shit I just flashed my pants. And then looking in the mirror and finding it doesn't even go. If you've got a spare coat hanger, fasten your belts on the bottom edge, so they are displayed, tidy and out of the way.

                                              

My belt tidy.

Thanks for reading, hope you made the most of the weather.