Upcycled Display Case

Totally inspired by this blog post from Honey Girl Studio I've been after a hard-sided suitcase for a little while. Luckily we're very well-provisioned with charity shops in my town, and one even has a specialised vintage section, which is where I found this:

Isn't she a beaut? The clips work perfectly and it even had two original keys with it. I decided to use wooden pegs covered with the washi tape I've used on the rest of my display to make it tie in, and when I tried those against the lining I found they matched very well, so hurrah - no need to alter the interior! 

This was my first rough layout, using a board I'd used for display previously for size as I knew they were still stocked in my local Wilkinson (and for just £2!). I decided on two rows of pegs for necklaces on the left, and pegs for cards with earrings on under the board. I'd at this point not decided what would go on the cork board (impulsive, moi??)! So the next stage was using blu-tak to mock up the layout and check distances etc.

This was a very useful stage as it helped me to realise I'd need to stagger the pegs for necklaces to allow the upper row space to hang properly. The pegs were then glued down (I used acrylic glue and it seems to be holding well so far, touch wood!) and a new cork board painted and trimmed with lace & more washi tape. For the pendants I made swing tags to hang over the pegs to clearly display the price & any other details from the same Kraft card tags I used for the earrings plus some blue & white twine I had.

The cork board I had a little more trouble attaching due to the slight curve of the outside of the case, so in the end I used Command Strip(TM) picture strips and they were brilliant. Then it was just a case of working out what was to go where!

This Saturday will be the case's first official outing, at De Bradelei Mill in Belper, and I'm very looking forward to seeing how it all works together! I'll be sure to post some 'in use' pictures when it's all set up.

Rainbow Party Preparations

Later this month is my second child's 3rd birthday. We're having a party at home with a rainbow theme, and I've been pinning like mad! (See my Pinterest board here)

The party bags were inspired by this pin, using small strips of tissue paper, about 3cm in width and 20cm in length. They're laid along a strip of tape, overlapped. I then snipped the ends to make the paper move better. The tape is attached to the back of the 'cloud', cut from white card, which I then stuck onto the bag using sticky fixers to give a slight '3D' effect.

The paper bags were purchased from Ebay and will be filled with tubs of playdough in rainbow colours (the tubs I also bought from Ebay here) so the guests can make their own rainbows when they get home!

I also made these coordinating decorations, one for the door & the number '3' for inside. I'm also hoping to do something like this paper chain rainbow for our archway, and the remainder of the tissue will be made into these tissue pom poms (I won't do a tutorial for these, Martha's done one, I can't beat that!)

I'll add some pictures of everything up and in place after the big day!

Craft Fair Display Revamp

I've been tweaking my craft fair display recently. In the main I've used metal shelf raisers from Ikea and pinboards from Wilkinson that have been spray painted.

To tie everything together and add a splash of my beloved teal to an otherwise monochrome scheme I managed to find a twin pack of washi tape (again from Wilkinsons - bargain!), which together with a little lace create the large display boards.

These are then placed on display easels (I found The Works to be cheapest), which can be bolted down with g-clamps for outdoor events.

The new pendants on chain caused me a little head scratching before I remembered this box. I think it originally housed a toiletries gift set but has been holding tealights in a cupboard forever! I think it works pretty well as I've been able to use the clasp to attach them at the back and a simple tent card slots in nicely to label them.

Overall I'm pretty happy with the effect, and for very little outlay too!

DIY Metal Bookmark Display

I have wasted spent many an hour on Pinterest looking at jewellery displays for craft markets. I've worked on a new table layout for my upcoming events, but I was very stuck on how best to display my beaded bookmarks and bag charms.

So, inspired by this image, I decided to have a go at making my own. Starting with an Ikea RIBBA picture frame, I painted the back board in black poster paint. Once this had dried I laid two lengths of thin ribbon around the frame, leaving the ends loose and untied at the side (well, this isn't what I actually did, but is what I'd do if I tried again!). I then replaced the glass and back board and secured the clips. I then pulled the ribbon tight and tied the ends, snipping them close to the knot.

I'm quite pleased with the finished article, it fits in quite nicely with my new logo, and I'm very excited about using it on my table at Derby Arts & Craft Fayre in a fortnight!