DIY jewelry from paperclips and tape

My local library recently advertised a class for making paperclip chandeliers. Sadly it was for 6th graders, but it piqued my interest. I went home and Googled paperclip chandeliers (awesomeness!) and that led me to Lauren Manoogian's paperclip statement necklaces. They were sold at arty shops, and even Anthropologie had a version for $168. Yeah, you read that right.

I was compelled to try it. They're the perfect, brainless thing to fiddle with while watching TV, or you could keep your kids busy for hours making chains. Make necklaces, or bracelets, or heck, garlands for your Christmas tree next December.

Supplies: paperclips, colored masking tape or electrical tape, and (optional) jewelry clasps.


Just wrap a piece of tape around each paperclip, connecting them in a chain.


Add optional jump rings and a lobster clasp (cheap supplies from a craft or bead store) if the necklace won't fit over your head.


This one has strands of varied lengths.


Geometric designs are popular right now, too. First lay out a paperclip pattern to plan your design. Pick up the first clip and wrap it with tape, then pick up the next, hook it on and wrap it with tape. One at a time, attach a paperclip and wrap with tape, adding rows as you go.


I'm on the fence about whether this is anything I'd actually wear, but the simple concept makes me happy.

Folks in Cambodia are making them out of food packaging. Or if you get super ambitious, why don't you go ahead and make a paperclip stair runner? Shouldn't take that long. Ha.

Manlike, a free font

Roydon Misseldine recently created Manlike, a free font with a name that made me smile. You may need to do a little custom kerning and some leading adjustments, but Manlike might be just the thing for a quirky logo or bit of headline type. Download it here at Pixel Pixel Pixel.

Six DIY tutorials for scalloped accessories

Scalloped designs are fun and feminine. I prefer mine on the large and simple side so they look more modern and less fussy. For inspiration, here are some tutorials for scalloped accessories you can make yourself:

Scalloped Dresden bag pattern at During Quiet Time
Faux leather scalloped necklace from Nest
Scalloped tote bag at Frolic
Scallop of the Sea knitting pattern ($4) at Holla Knits
No-sew diaper clutch by Melissa Esplin
Leather zippered pouch from Monsterscircus (English instructions included)

Printable chalkboard gift tags

Have you seen the printable chalkboard gift tags you can download free from Ellinée? Chalkboard graphics are all the rage, and these are particularly nice specimens. The tags come in a variety of messages; tie one to any gift and you'll impress friends with your artfulness.

Marimekko desktop wallpapers

Marimekko, the beloved Finnish fabric company, posts monthly desktop wallpaper calendars on their blog. You can download the wallpapers in various sizes, with or without the calendar added. I love bold prints SO MUCH, but I have to admit it can be hard to find my files on top of them. So I grabbed a couple of the more subtle patterns for use on my desktop.

I'm signing off until Monday now; I'm headed out of town for a few days. See you next week!

Easy-to-make St. Patrick's Day decorations

If you've got paper and tape, you can make some easy St. Patrick's Day decorations. Remember the wall of 3D paper hearts? You can use the same template to whip up some quick shamrocks.


To make these:
1. Download this heart template and print it on green paper. Or orange paper, if you want extra points. Nothing wrong with an orange shamrock, is there?

2. Follow the instructions in the original post for forming the hearts.

3. Cut some stem pieces and fold a crease most of the way up the center. These can be long rectangles, slightly curved if you like.


Each shamrock requires three hearts and a stem.


4. Tape three hearts together so their points meet in the center. Tape a stem on top.


5. Apply wall putty or a rolled piece of tape to the center of the shamrock, and stick it to your wall. A surface covered with these would be awesome, and then you could call it an "installation" and get extra respect.

Jonathan Adler and Pantone at JCPenney

JCPenney is getting cool. They've got Jonathan Adler! I came across this announcement and got excited, then found this bedding on the website by Googling. Google sent me to the Happy Chic Katie duvet set and I starting clicking on related items. Ironically, typing "Jonathan Adler" into the search box on JCP's home page didn't yield any product results.


I'm guessing more items from Jonathan Adler's budget-friendly Happy Chic collection will appear online soon.

JCP also has Pantone products (thanks for the tip, Courtney). As well as collections from Michael Graves and Bodum, the Danish design firm. As part of a desperately-needed effort to reinvent themselves, JCP plans to open a collection of affordable designer shops and home goods boutiques inside their stores. Has anybody spotted these collections in their local JCPenney?

I haven't been to one since Christmas, where I saw those dog collars with ribbons I designed and picked up a really cute $15 blouse.

Tutorials for storing your stuff

These little DIY projects might be fun for the weekend:
A tree-shaped holder for earrings at Projectville
A simple way to store your washi tape by Silly Old Suitcase
Leather card holders from Caila Made (bonus: these pouches are fab)
No-sew fabric boxes by Rashida Coleman Hale