the ReFab Diaries: Metal

the ReFab Diaries: Metal

Showing posts with label Metal

Repurpose: Wire hanger toasting forks!

in campfire fun, camping, DIY marshmallow forks, DIY s'mores fork, DIY toasting forks, Metal, repurpose wire hanger, reuse wire hanger, upcycle wire hanger, by Candice

Campfires and melting marshmallows = happiness! Thanks to Oh Happy Day, you have all the instructions you need for DIY toasting forks (and a complete S'mores Kit - free printable too). The idea is to make the wire forks at home using a wooden spoon for sizing. Once at your camp site, you (read: your kids!) hunt down actual sticks/twigs that fit.

Repurpose: Bike-frame fencing...

in bike frame fencing, decor, Metal, old bike fencing, outdoor decor, repurpose bicycles, repurpose bike frames, by Candice

I few weeks ago I needed to shorten a morning run and turned down a street not usually on my route. Consequently, I discovered this house just a few blocks from me in Rogers Park. I am *not* the first person to put pics of this place online (Apt Therapy 2010) but I couldn't resist going back to photograph it.

Upcycle: Zip-cessorize ...

in Metal, recycle zips, repurpose zippers, reuse zips, Textiles, upcycle zippers, vintage zippers, zip accessories, zipper accessories, zips, by Candice

My friend Lisa (of PoldaPop designs) is a big fan of old zippers and makes amazing things with them. This post is inspired by her zippy creativity (!) and by these beautiful tutorials I found. (Note: this could have been a HUGE roundup but I made the very unusual decision to avoid the rabbit hole, stop looking and publish! Zipper pile image above via Flickr)

Upcycle: Filing Cabinet...

in budget decorating, decor, decorating with thrifted items, filing cabinet makeover, furnishing, Metal, storage, by Candice

Fubu-color-wonderous! This awesome upcycle from Sam of Little House in the Big D makes me want to run out and find a metal filing cabinet.

Upcycle: Soda can tabs = Pop Curtain

in budget decorating, decor, Metal, pop tabs, recycle soda cans, repurpose soda cans, soda can tabs, upcycle, by Candice

Look ... look again. A pop-tab curtain? How freakin' cool is that? Get the how-to here ... (via decorhacks)

Repurpose: Ball Chain = Twisted Necklace ...

in Accessories, jewelery, Metal, repurpose, upcycle, by Candice

A cheap, humble raw material. A great little DIY necklace. Care of Dismount Creative.

Repurpose: Bottle-cap decorating ...

in bottle cap tray, bottle caps, bottle tops, bottle-cap decor, Metal, Plastic, plastic caps, recycle bottle caps, upcycle, by Candice

Crafting with bottle caps has been done, done and done. I know. But they (the caps) still accumulate... especially if your preferred beverage comes from a brown bottle. Right? So I am always interested in ways to repurpose them ... and this post focuses on home accessories / decor, v. the many necklace, earring and bracelet options out there.

The amazing resin serving tray (above) got this post started. I think it's genius and LOVE the color combination ... great tutorial overall from SomeWhatSimple. 14 more after the jump!

Upcycle: Anthro-morphed leaf earrings...

in Accessories, anthro-morph, anthropologie, earrings, jewelry, leaf earrings, Metal, by Candice

I love Anthropologie - the store designs and overall aesthetic of the buyers. I don't love the non-sale prices. And I don't love the political leanings of the man atop the brand (which includes Free People and Urban Outfitters). I own clearance items purchased with gift cards. More than anything, I get a kick out of "athro-hacking" or "anthro-morphing", if you will. If I can be inspired by (i.e. steal) their ideas and make it myself (or anthro-morph something thrifted), I will.

So here's my most recent morph, based on lots of leaf earrings I saw in store a couple of weeks ago. I liked the idea of white (I don't wear gold) ... and I loved the beads down the center of the leaf. Here's my version ... instructions below.

Win these now! Closes Fri, 29 June

Repurpose: Vintage enamel pin bouquet...

in bouquet, brooches, enamel pins, Metal, pins, repurpose, upcycle, vintage, by Candice

The Martha Stewart Weddings blog (Brides Guide) recently mentioned Stringcycle's guitar-string flowers ... they said "we see them fitting into a quirky vintage wedding theme as totally unique table decor". I think fresh-flower alternatives are big for bouquets too ... and this enamel-brooch repurposed wonder deserves a look. It's bold and out there.

Repurpose: The key to a steampunk heart...

in jewelery, key pendant, Metal, old key, steampunk, steampunk accessories, steampunk jewelry, steampunked, watch mechanism, by Candice

This is the story of a feathered girl

with a clockwork heart.
And her magician love who,
at long last, fashioned the key

that allowed her to fly.

As promised, a little steampunk pendant doodle for you. I made this on a whim, after finding the available tutorials a little thin on the ground. This little key pendant is now, hands down, my favorite piece of jewelry! I started with an old quartz watch and a key I've had lying around for years, waiting for just this moment to shine. And let me say ... I think old keys (especially little ones) are magical all by themselves.

I didn't really know where I was going until I opened the watch. I've never taken a watch apart before (I know, I haven't lived, clearly had no childhood etc). And when I saw the mechanism, I felt like a magpie! Much more appealing than I was expecting it to be.

Repurpose: Old hanger + burlap = A storage Jewel

in burlap, jewelery, jewellery hanger, jewelry storage, Metal, by Candice

Ingenious jewelry hanger? I think so. It's simple. It's smart. It makes an old wire hanger useful. I love it, and it's all I'm featuring today. Get the how-to from The Letter 4.

Repurpose: Humble Thimbles ...

in Accessories, decor, jewellery, jewelry, Metal, thimbles, by Candice

If you're a tiny, imagined being like Arrietty (or any other "Borrower" or "Little"), you trade in thimbles. Really - where would you be without them?? I stumbled upon this pic on Flickr recently and was entranced. So I went hunting for Thimbalina re-do's for you.

DIY: Penny desk...

in DIY, Metal, penny desk, repurpose, by Candice

Maybe a desk made of pennies will help generate lots of good, deep thoughts? Via ManMade DIY (one of my biggest blog crushes).

Repurpose: Tin-can whimsy ...

in Accessories, aluminum, jewellery, Metal, pop can, pop cans, recycle soda cans, repurpose soda cans, soda can, tin jewelry, by Candice

I'm still thinking about smoothing rough edges ... in this case sharp, metal edges. Considering the quantities of soda/beer consumed across the planet, it's safe to say we're drowning in the cans. And the idea of re-using them is appealing, especially for jewelry! But what about all those sharp edges? Apparently, there are ways to smooth them, make them safe.... bring out a softer side. Here goes ...

Great, detailed how-to for these sweet metal flowers ... not designed to be worn so no worries about those edges, except in the making.

DIY: D-I-Wire Chandelier ...

in decor, hand-made, lighting, Metal, by Candice

Mmmm... love this. A little 14 gauge galvanized wire, a little time. Go make it.

Repurpose: Smoothing rough edges ...

in Accessories, aluminium, decor, eco-friendly, Metal, upcycle, wire, Wood, by Candice

Perhaps re-purposing etc appeals so much to me because it exposes the hidden potential in ordinary things. You take something mundane and make it a centerpiece. You bring something rough and utilitarian indoors ... smooth the rough edges just a little and give it a second chance. I guess I'm an optimist - I definitely believe in second chances!

I think this pendant lamp from Poppytalk sums it up. An old wire wastebasket has its shining moment! It provides a soft glow, thanks to a little scrap-fabric weaving. Read on for a few more ideas on the theme...

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