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CRAFT DORK: Beginners Edition

I’m a crafty lady. I always have been.

So, is my mom. And my grandma, too!

It’s in our blood, our hands, and our brains. Crafting goes way back in my lineage, but I know that it doesn’t for everyone.

For that specific reason, I put together four crafts that don’t require years of agonizing practice. All of these make wonderful kitschy gifts, but they’re also pretty rad to hold on to as well!

In this edition of Craft Dork, I’ll show you how to make Twin Peaks dent-free hair ties, personalized wooden pins, True Detective votive candles, and, our first project, quote coasters!

Now, let’s get to it!

QUOTE COASTERS

What You’ll Need:

  1. Cork Coasters (Very easy to find at Michaels, Jo-Anns, or your local craft store)
  2. Sharpies in Various Colors

I love this one because it’s not very time consuming and you can design them however you like!

Minimal or super detailed. I chose to use Ghostbusters quotes because I’m… well, me.

My biggest piece of advice is to take your time and draw out your plans before hand. If you screw up, remember you can always flip the coaster over and try again! If you’re comfortable with drawing images on there, then go to town. Text is easier than detailed drawings, but if you’re comfortable doing it, power to you!

These are lovely as gifts because you can personalize the hell out of them.

Directions:

  • After picking out your quotes and drawing out your plans beforehand, slowly draw out your design. Also try using different fonts and colors.
  • Add any embellishments or drawings after you add your words. You’re going to want to do it in this order because you may run out of room for your quote if you do images first!
  • This is profoundly optional: You can color in the sides of the coaster to give it a more polished look.

TWIN PEAKS HAIR TIES

What You’ll Need:

  1. Fold Over Elastic (In Black and White Chevron & Red)
  2. Scissors
  3. Measuring Tape

It’s kind of dumb how easy these are, but that’s the beauty of it!

Of course you can do different colors, but I was floored that my craft store, Jo-Anns, had the black and white chevron pattern! They had matte red and a glittery red. I bought the glitter elastic because I’ve been on a glitter kick lately.

Mm, shiny.

I was blown away by how secure the glitter was. Almost none of it came loose, even when I actively tried to rub it off. Each package of elastic includes enough to make roughly three or four hair ties each. If you were to buy these from Urban Outfitters or at a craft show, four would usually run you ten bucks! Each package of elastic I bought was between two and three dollars.

A bargain comparatively!

Directions:

  • Measure 8 to 9 inches of elastic.
  • Cut the elastic. Duh.
  • Fold the elastic in half, causing the two ends to meet.
  • Knot the elastic once, leaving roughly one inch of excess outside the knot. Don’t tie the knot in the middle because then all you’ve done is spent money on a good lookin’ hair tie that’s too small to use. 
  • Now, I cut the loose ends on a diagonal because it looks spiffy. This of course is optional.

WOODEN PINS

What You’ll Need:

  1. Staz-On Permanent Ink Pads in Various Colors
  2. Wooden Discs, Squares, and Rectangles
  3. Pinbacks with Adhesive
  4. Alphabet Stamp Set
  5. Stamps with Your Personal Image Picks

The reason why I recommend using the stamp set for the pins (and not the coasters) is because the sharpies bleed like a stuck pig on the wooden pins.

You can put your favorite directors name on there, animal stamps, or my personal favorite, curse words! I sell these at conventions because they’re super unique and not terribly difficult to make. You can pound out a bunch in an hours time.

Try layering different stamps for a one of a kind pin and slap them on bags, attached to a ribbon on a gift, or to hold a shawl in place.

Directions:

  • Gently ink the stamps by tapping lightly on the ink pad. When doing this step, it’s important to not ink the sides of the stamp as this can leave unsightly lines on your precious pin.
  • Press the stamp onto the wood and apply slight to moderate pressure. 
  • Repeat step two until satisfied and/or finished. 
  • Ink the side of the pin to complete the look.
  • Remove the protective backing on the pin back. Apply the pin back to the opposite side of the now finished wood piece. Center it and then shift it up just a little bit. If you put the pink back in the direct center of the wood, the pin will sit oddly.

TRUE DETECTIVE CANDLES

What You’ll Need:

  1. Either Vellum or Computer Paper
  2. A Printer (And Clearly a Computer)
  3. Double Sided Tape
  4. Clear Votive Candle Holders
  5. Scissors
  6. Measuring Tape

I’m not entirely sure where this idea came from, but I’m still hooked on True Detective.

The imagery in it is beautiful. With the ethereal glow of a candle behind it, it’s almost godly. My pictures of the project kind of blow and don’t pick up the minute details of each image, but in person they’re utterly stunning. I printed mine on both white computer paper and blue vellum, one of each. The ink appears a little softer on the vellum, so I’d suggest jacking up the contrast on it if you choose to use the vellum. These are perfect to keep or to gift.

Mine will be living in my bedroom.

Directions:

  • Select your images; mine were from the opening credit sequence of True Detective. (Feel free to choose images from another show, movie, or even consider using personal photos, especially if it’s a gift.)
  • Scale them down using your computer so they’ll fit snugly on the votive.
  • Print and allow the ink to dry. You may want to use a clear, protective sealant spray to ensure there will be no smudging. I didn’t use any, but I’m a loner, Dottie. A rebel.
  • Measure the length and width of your votive and cut the paper to fit it.
  • Stick a piece of double sided tape which will extend from the top of the votive to the bottom. The seam of your paper will sit directly on the double sided tape.
  • Attach your paper or vellum with the two ends of the paper converging on the double sided tape on the other side.
  • Revel in your hefty accomplishments by lighting a couple candles.

That’s all for this edition of Craft Dork, but stay tuned as there will indeed be more to follow! Idle hands are the devil’s playthings, you know.

So, do us both a favor and keep on crafting, you clever human, you.

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