Sari Bracelet

I went online to search for some cute crafts to complete in a short amount of time.  I have been exclusively knitting and I needed a break from it.  First, I checked out Pinterest, then Martha Stewart's Living.  I thought I found something on Martha's website but the directions were terrible, so I just did a good old-fashioned Google search and found something great.

I followed a link to make macrame bracelets!  Macrame is back, Ladies!!

Ok, well, the fad might not have caught on again, but I am willing to give it a go.  This project was found on the blog, Honestly...WTF.  The writer is a very crafty gal and a fashionista whom goes by the name of Erica.  I cannot seem to find her Bio on the blog, but she apparently has 23,000 followers on Twitter.  Go Erica!

My project will use:

 

• A defunct earring ring
• String (like a stiff yarn or hemp)
• Sari ribbon yarn
• Scissors
• Tape
•  Sewing needle

It is essentially a square knotted bracelet with an adjustable knotted slide.  I will show the highlights on my blog, but full instructions are on Honestly...WTF.  She does a great job showing pics of each and every step, that it would be me reinventing the wheel if I were to step-by-step it for you.

First, you are instructed to cut 5 lengths of string.  I cut 3 of the string and 2 of the sari ribbon yarn.  You also need a ring or something to anchor your string to so that you macrame out from the ring.  This will be the centerpiece of the bracelet.  This is where my earrings come into play.

I used the middle-sized ring, but I may have to also use the small one.  My wrist is so tiny, that the middle one is even too big.  But, I started with the middle one and had to follow it through to the end with it.  No problem.

Second, you tie your 2 strings to the ring so they are on opposite sides of each other, tape down one side, and start forming square knots with the sari ribbon yarn over the strings attached to the ring.

This sari ribbon yarn is very decorative and gorgeous, that I thought this would be so pretty as a bracelet.  You are knotting until it is just shy of half distance around your wrist.  Repeat on the other side.

You thread the extra string through the knots and tie it off, but I kept them long so those ribbons will hang once tied.

Third, you are instructed to make the adjustable knot.  You are using scrap string to keep the strands in the shape of a bracelet and you are square knotting again over the strands.  Tie off as in the bracelet square knots.

Fourth, adjust the strands on either side so your hand can just fit through the bracelet.  Tie the loose strands in a knot, separately, on each side near the adjustable knot.

Lastly, try it on and tighten the strings on both sides to center the ring on your wrist.  Trim away the excess strings after the knots.

Ladies, you are all done!  Now go to Erica's blog and make yourself a dozen of these using anything and everything that would work.  This was quick and fun to do.  The creative possibilities are endless and these would make great stocking stuffers for family or your friends.

Let me know if you do make any!  I'll post your pics!

Black Denim Dress & Bow Earrings

I have a par-tay that I will be attending soon, so I wanted to get something new for it.  I've recently lost a few pounds, so some of my cute clothes do not fit right anymore.  This is the perfect time to get something new or new-to-me.  Which in this case, it was new-to-me.  Don't knock Goodwill, it really has some great stuff!

Anyway, I bought this blackish/steel gray denim strappy dress that is a mix between casual and dressy.  I like the top: it is fitted to the waist with adjustable straps; then it is full in the skirt.  I don't mind the fullness, it is just too long.  I will be hemming this.

Bad hair morning...look at the dress not my hair!!

I'm simply going to cut about 6 inches off the bottom.  The rest fits fine.

Major chop-off

I calculated that the hem will be 1" so I will need a 3/4" fold and then another fold that is 1".  This is so the raw edge is folded away.  Subtract those lengths from 6", I will actually cut 4 1/4" off the bottom.  I used chalk to mark my cut line.

Time to fold and press

Once pressed and pinned, I sewed around the edge with black thread.  That's it for the dress.  I told you it was easy.

Now, I wanted to make matching earrings.  I found this pic in a magazine of bow earrings that I pinned to my Pintrest board so I could do a designer knockoff on it someday.

Source: rubymarrow.com via Nancy on Pinterest

These earrings are from Delfina Delettrez  and they retail for $1300 - way out of my price range (c'mon, $1300??) so I will have to improvise.  I gathered some jewelry supplies and I was off.

Black ribbon & pearls

I had thin black ribbon, a strand of pearls (that was me practicing my bending wire technique), a few flat-head pins and a pair of fishhooks.  My idea is to make bows with the ribbon and place them in line with pearls.

First, I had to learn how to tie a bow prettily.  Eh, just a minor obstacle.  I Googled "tying a bow" and I found a tutorial from It's in the Details blog from Lisa Pace that made it a snap.

Second, I tied four bows; I took a flat-head pin and placed a pearl on it and poked the other end through the bow from the bottom.

Nancy's way of beading

I'm sure there could've been a better way of doing this, but I don't know enough about beading to care.  After the bow was threaded on it, I trimmed the pin down and made a loop for the link.  This will be the bottom segment of the earring.  From the bottom, I linked one of the pearls, a link to thread another bow on, then another pearl.  I then finished it off with the fishhook.

Black bow earrings: Priceless!

I think they came out cute!  To make sure my bow stays tied, I dotted glue on the backs of each of the knots.  Vince then wielded his mini torch to sear the ribbon edges to prevent fraying.

Much better (dress, not the hair) lol

The dress does look much better as a short dress.  I have the earrings on too, but it's sort of hard to see in the pic.  I will post a pic or two when I'm at the party, so you can see the dress and earrings in action.

Have a great week!

UPDATE: Here is Vince and  I at the party on Friday night.  We were supposed to have our mean face on...oh well. 

Ribbons and pearls

You can see I am wearing the earrings and I added a necklace that I used the same black ribbon but I took a pearl bracelet and tied the ribbon at the ends so it hung in the middle.  Accessories made easy!