I have so much fun doing origami.  A craft with one material- genius!  For me, one of the most fun, quickest, and easiest thing to make are the traditional origami stars.  And cute, too!


For my tutorial, I'm using a strip of construction paper that is 1/2" x 12".  I don't really recommend using construction paper, though.  It can be hard to work with.  The length of the paper can vary.  My general rule is : the thicker the paper, the short the strip.  Having the paper be too long makes it very hard to shape in the end.  So, trial and error may be your friend here.

I made a step-by-step photo guide to making the stars:



Basically you are folding a knot in the paper.  At step number 3, you are tucking the end through the opening, and step number 4, you are pulling the paper tight and pressing it flat.


Steps 5-8 are folding the paper around, making sure to keep the edge in line with the side of the 'knot'.  Continue to fold this way until you reach the end of the paper.


When you reach the end, you might find that the end is a little too long to tuck in.  What I do is fold the excess paper down, and then tuck the end into the pocket (step 11).

















Once it's all folded up and tucked in, it's time to shape it into a star.  Press your nail into each of the five sides.  This shapes the corners into the points of the star.






Make a whole bunch!



I prefer making mine with 1/4" wide strips of paper, making stars about 1 cm small.


Oh, and if you're in the market for some origami star earrings, you could always swing by my Etsy shop and take a peek at what I've got...

Red Sparkle Origami Star Earrings

Literary Origami Star Earrings

I've noticed, as I've been working on my blog, that I LOVE recycled crafts.  A lot of my crafts are recycled.  I just love 'em.  Good for the environment, and cheap, too.

Now I know I've done something similar to this before with my Tin Can lamp, but this one I like better.  I just do.  Plus, it's a heck of a lot easier to make this one than to punch all of those holes into tin cans.


Pretty simple to make, and doesn't require a ton of materials. You'll need:

• a 2-liter plastic bottle
• old book pages (or other paper of your choice)
• thin cardboard/ posterboard
• fabric
• tacky glue/ hot glue
• string of lights
• craft knife

Start by cutting your book pages into 2" wide strips.  You'll need 8 strips.  If you're using another type of paper, cut strips that are 2" x 8.5".


Take two strips to the sewing machine, and using a long zig zag stitch, sew them together, overlapping the edges by 1/8"-1/4".


Aaah, pretty! Keep sewing on strips until you've got something like this:


Now time to work on the fabric detail. Cut out a strip of posterboard measuring 2.5" x 14", and a piece of fabric about 1" larger around.


Glue the posterboard to the wrong side of the fabric, clip the corners, and glue the fabric flaps down.


That's for the bottom.  For the top, cut a strip of fabric 2" x 14".  Fold in half lengthwise, and press.  Open, and bring the edges to the center line, and press again.  Pretty much making some bias tape here.


Time to work on the bottle.  With your craft knife, cut off the top, and cut a hole at the bottom large enough for the plug on the lights to fit through.


All of the pieces are ready, so now it's assembly time!

1. Stuff the lights into the bottle, and pull the end through the hole at the bottom.
2. Glue the book pages to the outside, making sure the edges are in the back near the hole.
3. Glue the thin strip of fabric to the top edge of the bottle.


4. Glue the poster board/fabric combo to the bottom.  I tied some yarn around it tightly to hold it in place.


Once it's dry, plug it in!



Ooooo rustic-y!

Hey everyone!  I'm working on blogging more... I miss it!   I've been so busy, but it's no excuse.  I'm aiming for at least one post a week, hopefully more!

So I've been playing around with the package of wooden clothespins I picked up at the dollar store before Christmas... the same package I made the ornaments from in my last post.  I've made a couple of things, but I will start with these!



Hanging earring holders/frames/organizers! They're small, but cute and functional. You can hang them anywhere! And, of course, they're easy to make!

You need:

• 2 clothespins for each organizer
• white glue or hot glue
• plastic canvas (I got mine for $1.49 at JoAnn's)

Take apart your clothespins.  Add some glue (of your choice) to the notches where the wire was set, and place the thin end of another wooden piece into it.  When you use all four pieces, you will have a square.




When the glue is dry, cut a square of your plastic canvas to fit and glue to the back of the frame... which would be whichever side you choose.  Doesn't really matter...


You may need to weigh them down while they dry.



Hey!  Something looks familiar... maybe from an earlier post? :)

Now take one of the metal things from when you took the clothespins apart, and slip it on the top of the frame, in the middle. Then close the ends by pushing them until they are crossed over each other.  Can't seem to explain that clearly... hopefully the pictures help!


Now the easiest part- string 'em up, add some earrings, and hang! Sweet and simple! These are destined for my oldest daughter's bedroom. :)





Like those pinecone earrings?  You can buy them in my shop: Real Pinecone Earrings in Resin
Free shipping all month! :)