DIY Jewelry Display – My Ikea Hack using The Stockholm Tray

April 19, 2020April 4, 2020 - Tobia 2 Comments

I think the idea to make a DIY jewelry display is in my mind since I signed up for Pinterest in 20xx. Ok, maybe that was a bit overly dramatic but it is close. I always new I wanted to make some sort of hanging display for my earrings but didn’t quite know what I wanted or needed. I had a many ideas I walked through in my head but I never took steps to actually make them. As Mr. ♡ decided to throw out this newly bought IKEA Stockholm Tray because it didn’t quite fit in his office I snatched it up. After a few more months cluttering the apartment I finally went to work.

craftaliciousme seeking creative life DIY jewelry display

Last summer I spent a day in the wood workshop with my dad. I had a couple projects I wanted to work on. It was good to have some guidance.
Here is how I went about it:

Materials you need für your DIY jewelry display

wooden tray
wooden round stick in similar wood
drill with matching heads
sanding paper
paint if needed
carpenters rule, pencil

Unfortunately for you I was so caught up in the moment I didn’t really take step by step photos. I tried to explain what I did though.

DIY jewelry display side craftaliciousme seeking creative life

DIY jewelry display seeking creative life craftaliciousme

I had a huge mind block when it cam to measuring where to but my rods. Still have. Can’t grab the concept here even though my dad tried to explain multiple times (he graduated with a maths and physics diploma back in the day). I don’t understand how it works apparently my mind isn’t capable. Basically I did not measure.
Here is what you need to do: figure out where to put the first rod. It should be one in the middle section. Drill a hole but make sure not to go all the way through. Repeat on the other side. Now measure the distance. This is the length of your first stick. Due to some mathematical theory/law/whatever it will always be level.
Now you only need to use a distance meter to measure where to drill the next hole. Repeat until you are done.
As for the studs I simply drilled some wholes in a slat. I didn’t do a very precise job but I am ok with that. It was a bit more effort to make them fit into the ledge as I could simply drill some holes.
Once done sand down a bit and simply click the rods and slats into place.
I decided to paint it all white as the jewelry pops more with a clean background.
You are done. Now the fun part – hanging, sorting and displaying jewelry.

I am really surprised how many I accumulated over time as I didn’t expect to own that many studs. So I already ran out of space even though I got rid o f a few.

On another note I realized I used to wear a lot of purple as I own so many in that color but hardly wear them anymore. Over all I have 81 earrings – 27 handmade by me and 7 more handmade ones from markets or by friends.

I love that I can see them all on display now and can choose in the morning which ones to wear. It’s much easier to reach for some forgotten gems.

I am really happy how this turnt out. And also I was able to cross of #56 and #61 of my 100-things-in-1001-days-list.

Do you own a DIY jewelry display or how do you keep your accessories? I am always looking for fun inspiration so feel free to share.

Happy crafting

Tobia

Bark Wreath – Natural Advent Wreath 2019

November 24, 2019November 22, 2019 - Tobia 2 Comments

Inspiration can hit you anywhere and at anytime. This years natural advent wreath is inspired by one of my autumn walks across the cemetery. It was a beautiful day, I needed to clear my head, the air was already crisp and the smell of rotten leaves drifted by. While I was listen to one of the many podcasts on my phone I was hit with this view.

I tried to remember if that tree was really a cottonwood. I remembered someone once told me that the cottonwoods are not native to Germany and Germany. And that during/after WWII US pilots dropped many seeds over Berlin to re-grow vegetation that was cut down by the population during the years of war for firewood. I was also wondering why it shed its bark. And if it is a re-grown material… how much supplies will you get. Only an idea…

Well and here we go. The squirrel in me started picking up scraps of bark and putting them in my shopping bag. I had just decided no groceries today. On top I added some hazelnuts and walked home. There I let the bag sit near a heater until advent season was just around the corner..

seeking creative life craftaliciousme Bark Wreath

My initial idea was to wrap a wreath form in bark by bending it. This didn’t really work as the bark was too porous. It kept on breaking and splitting. I briefly considered wetting it as wood usually is more agreeable to be worked with but decided against it. I actually quite liked the scale-kinda-look.

Ok, let’s get started by gathering materials:

dried bark of a cottonwood tree
wreath form
glue gun and enough glue
candles
decoration

The tutorial is rather easy.

Break bake in smaller pieces.
Make sure there are not dirty or wet areas.
Glue on wreath form, The outer bark will be put on form so you will see the inside of the bark.
Once done place the candles. I decided to go with all candles close together.
Add decoration to your liking. I went with a brown golden color theme and really liked it.

That’s all you actually have to do. The most intriguing part of this natural advent wrath is the material. Most people I asked would not figure out what it was.

What is your favorite material to make an advent wreath? As you probably know I always try to figure out some new ways and rarely use fir-branches. Leave a comment and tell me about yours. It’s never to early to plan for next year.

Happy wreath crafting

Tobia

Homemade Coffee Cinnamon Scrub { RECYCLE QUICK TIP #13 }

November 4, 2019November 3, 2019 - Tobia 4 Comments

Do you like coffee in the morning? I certainly do. If you are a coffee lover you will love this homemade coffee cinnamon scrub. It’s like having coffee under the shower. And lets be honest that’s one invention we could use…

Besides tasting amazing coffee is also said to have a few benefits when it comes to beauty and skin care. Studies by a new Danish biorefinary have shown, that only 1% of coffees bioactive compounds of coffee have been taking advantage of when brewing it. Meaning the caffein is diluted but the rest is just going to waste. Seriously what a waste? They re-purpose the left over coffee grounds so they can be used in cosmetic products and the food industry. So interesting.

It’s not new that coffee is used in anti-cellulites products. The coffeid acid may boost collagen which is helping the skin to look fresh and healthy and stores water. So it comes as no surprise that coffee asl exfoliate scrub is pretty awesome.

But let’s get to making some homemade coffee cinnamon scrub so you can experience all this yourself. Here is what you need:

1/2 ground coffee – you can recycle your used coffee
1 cup sugar
5 tbs olive oil
3 tbs jojoba oil
4 tbs almond oil

Let coffee dry a bit when using recycled coffee.
Mix oils.
In separate bowl mix sugar and coffee grinds.
Mix together and put into jar.
Enjoy scrub.

So simple isn’t it? I really don’t know why I ever bothered to by scrubs and peelings. And since I am mixing it myself I actually use it more often too. Have you ever done any skin care products at home? I am always pondering going more in depth here but you need so many ingredients. Well not for all as you can see at the vegan bath bombs I did. But facial cream…

Not much of a coffee lover you might find the Avocado Sugar Scrub more to your liking.

Happy beautifying

Tobia

Advent Wreath Inspiration

November 14, 2018October 20, 2019 - Tobia 2 Comments

Who else is busy thinking about this years advent wreath? I usually ponder I ideas already when most people enjoy their summer vacay at the pool. I have to be honest, this year my picture is not that clear. When I don’t know what direction to go I usually just look at my Pinterest board. Usually the first thing that I know is the color scheme of the new wreath. This might happen when I see certain candles or just some decoration that speaks to me. My moms wreath this year will be gold/brown/nude.

Following I want to share some advent wreath inspiration.

This pine needle advent wreath (tutorial) probably took the longest from all the ones I did. I love the look of it.

A minimalistic version is the French Knitted Wreath (tutorial).

A nature inspired one with the Walnut Advent Wreath (tutorial).

This wreath was created of an old favorite sweater.

A wreath made of Muffin Liners. Took a lot of glue but its hanging in my apartment for many years.

Here is an idea on how to create a moss wreath.

One of my Favourites is this Snowball Wreath (tutorial). Just never leave it burning unattended.

Door wreath made of Pine Needles.

What’s your favorite? Let me know in the comments.

Happy inspiration,

Tobia

Scented Wall Hanging { RECYCLE QUICK TIP #11 }

November 13, 2018October 12, 2019 - Tobia 2 Comments

My favorite season is slowly but steadily coming closer and today I want to share a quick and easy tutorial with you. It’s a Scented Wall Hanging made of orange peel. Because now is the time to eat lots of vitamins and so we’ve got peels to recycle. And it is a good way to slowly start decoration for Advent without overdoing it.

All you need for this craft idea is some oranges or mandarines, a cookie cutter of your preference and some yarn.

Instructions are just that easy:

Eat your oranges and saves the peel.
Get out your cookie cutter and cut away.
Thread them together. I did pairs of three. Then I strung them on a wooden piece.

Well and that is about it. Easy and fun little crafting for in-between on a rainy afternoon.

If you like crafts with recycled materials my little eerie “Recycling Quick Tip” might be fun to check out. And if you have any fun and easy craft ideas let me know in the comments please.

Happy recycling,