Spring is in the air and girly frocks will define the season.  Lace trimmed camisoles were seen marching down the runways of Dior, Nina Ricci, Barbara Bui, and Antonio Berardi.    This is a great trend for a DIY project, and since I am such a fan of upcycling things from the closet or an inexpensive thrift store find, I would like to show you how you can turn a simple camisole into a great top that fits right in with springs hottest trend.

For list of Materials click Here

Chains, Chains, Chains, they seem to be every where this season and I think they are going to be hanging around through Spring and Summer 2010 as well.  Chain necklaces are nothing new, but these days designers are putting an interesting twist on the trend by the unique mixing of materials and colors.  Anything goes, there are no wrong answers, and you can mix any range of elements into this look, hard or soft, matte and shine, silver and gold.  I decided to create an edgy necklace with a feather tassel to give it a softer look.  The how to is posted below with all the materials used, but please check out our selection and try anything different.

Materials:

• Chains for this particular project I used; 17mm metal chain in antique gold, 9mm black metal chain, and twisted metal chain in antique brass
• Feathers
• Bead Cap
• Cording
• E 6000 craft adhesive
• Metal jewelry clasp

Instructions:

•  
  1. Cut 17mm chain down to 16”
  2. Attach 9mm chain to one of the links of the 17mm. wrap around the 17mm chain threading it throw a couple of times and attach the end link.
  3. Repeat with the twisted metal chain.
  4. Attach jewelry clasp to 17mm chain
  5. To create the tassel, take a pinch of feathers and glue at the very top. 
  6. Wrap several inches of jewelry wire around the top as well leaving a small loop at the head of your newly formed tassel.  This loop is how you are going to attach the feather piece to the jump ring.
  7. Dab a small amount of glue at the end of the cording to keep it from unraveling.   Stating ¾” below the top of the feather piece wrap and glue the cording to the top.  The cording will hide the wire and give a finished look.
  8. Cap the feather tassel with the bead cap; be sure to push the wire loop throw the top of the cap.
  9. Add 1 jump ring to the wire loop and twist till the bead cap is close to the jump ring
  10. Add the other jump rings to connect the newly formed tassel to the middle of your chain necklace.
  11. Wear and Enjoy!

With winter in full swing we are all bundled up.  I happen to be a big fan of the layered look, but sometimes our layers need a bit of pizzazz.   Fortunately M&J offers enough bling at the right cost, so you can bedazzle any of your outerwear.  Some ideas may include adding Swarovski rhinestones to fingerless gloves a knit cap or a scarf.  Take advantage of Old Man Winter’s hostility and wear some fun accessories.

M&J Trimming offers two types of Swarovski rhinestones, hot fix and flat back. 

Hot fix rhinestones are applied to garments using heat, the adhesive is already fixed to the back of the stone.  To apply hot fix rhinestones you may use an iron or the preferred method by using a rhinestone hot-fix setter.  To learn more about using hot-fix setters please watch our video.

Flat back rhinestones are applied to garments using glue.  There are two types of glue we recommend for this type of application.  Depending on what type of project you are working on we recommend either E 6000 craft adhesive or Gem Tac permanent adhesive.  E 6000 is an industrial strength adhesive and works great on projects that require a stronger bond, such as outdoor plant potters.  E 6000 is also gentle enough to be used on clothing and is washer and dryers safe, however the curing time takes about 24 to 72 hours.  Gem Tac is also a permanent adhesive that is safe for clothing, washer and dryer safe, and dries clear in about 10-20 minutes.

Christophe Coppens is one of my favorite designers.  His designs are some of the most unique out there and at times a bit preternatural.  However out of this world his looks may be,  drawing inspiration from his costume like designs we can create fun accessories that work in our daily wardrobe.  His floral hat is the inspiration for my own floral shaped hat, created easily with rat tail cording.

Materials

• 1 ½ yards of 2mm rattail cord
• 1 Rhinestone button
• 4×4” piece of acetate
• Scrap fabric or faux leather
• 1 hair comb
• Hot glue and spray adhesive

Directions:

1. Choose a rat tail cord you would like to use.  M&J has a wide variety of colors.
2.  Use a dab of craft glue on the end of cord to keep it from unraveling. 
3.  Create loops out of the cord and pin in the center to create a floral shape.  You want to create loops of different sizes.  The loops we created are no larger than 3” and no smaller than 1 ½”. 
4. Once you have created the desired shape hand stitch the loops together at the center. 
5.  It is okay if the center of your flower looks a little messy.  Stitch a rhinestone button to the center of your flower. 
6.  Draw a circle 3 ½” in diameter.  Draw in the radius.  Draw another circle with a 4 ½” diameter. 
7. Use the 3 ½” circle as your pattern for the hat.  Using your pattern cut a circular piece of acetate. Make a cut into the circle along the radius you marked on your pattern.
8.  Mark ¾” to the right of the cut you just made.  Pull the left side of the cut to the ¾” mark and glue.  Hot glue may work best because it dries quickest.  By doing this you have created a convex shape, so the hat will sit nicely on the head.
9.  Use the 4 ½” circle pattern and cut a piece of fabric. 
10. Apply a spray adhesive to the hat and cover with fabric. Fold the corners over to the inside and glue.
11.  Glue your flower to the hat and a comb to the inside to keep your hat in place. 

It seems that the fashion world can’t get enough of the statement necklace.  The great thing about these pieces is their versatility; they can be worn day or night and can really add personality to a plain T shirt and jeans.   I am thrilled with how this one turned out.  The braiding adds interesting texture and the glass jewels just the right amount of bling.  Do not be intimidated it looks like a lot of work but it is actually very simple to do.

Materials:

1.  
   • Piece of fabric at least 6” by 28” I used denim but you can use any woven fabric you desire.
   • Assortment of glass sew on jewels
   • Nail heads (optional)
   • 1 yard 2” silk ribbon
   • Needle and thread
   • A pair of hands and a creative mind

Instructions:

1. Cut piece of denim into three 2” strips 28” long.
2. Pin the three strips on top of each other and loosely braid. 
3. Secure the other end of the finished braid with a pin.  Be sure that the finished ends of your braid do not exceed 2”.
4. Hand or machine stitch your finished ends.
5. Drape the braid around your neck.  By folding the braid in the center work the bib so that it lays flat to the chest and pin.  It may help to have a friend present, this is more easily done on someone else than yourself.
6. Put a couple of hand stitches in the areas that you folded flat to secure the braid.
7. Now embellish as desired.  If the mood strikes you or you want to add a little more pop nail heads make a great addition.
8. Now cut the one yard of ribbon in half.  Fold one end over ¼” and press.  Fold over again ½” and press, now fold back in the opposite direction and press again. 
9. Sandwich the ends of your braid into your folds of ribbon.  If done correctly you will not see any frayed edges of the ribbon or braid on either side.  Stitch to secure.
10. Wear and Enjoy!

Every year we all send and receive holiday greeting cards.  There are few things more special than receiving a card made by hand specifically for you.  Each handmade card created can be tailored for the recipient and express the maker’s personality and style.  I have created several cards using traditional and nontraditional themes in hopes to give you all a little inspiration.  I used an array of trims including; leather cording, beaded trim, nailheads, rhinestones, and leather tape.  I love the way the trims used create a unique texture for an unexpected holiday surprise.   

Joy

• -Green leather cording (style 00260-Fern) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• -Gold leather (style 41165-9) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• -Snake skin leather (style 81499-Met) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• -Swarovski rhinestones SS16 in citrine and jet

Cheer

• -Gold leather cording (style 02263-G) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• - Gold leather (style 41165-9) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• - Snake skin leather (style 81499-Met) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• - Swarovski rhinestones SS16 in jet and SS20 in crystal sage
• -Gold square nailhead
• -Bugle bead trim

Hope

• -Green Leather (style 81499-met yellow foil) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• - Gold leather (style 41165-9) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• - Snake skin leather (style 81499-Met) To order call 1-800-9-mjtrim
• - Swarovski rhinestones SS16 and SS20 in jet
• - Gold square nailhead

I hope that you feel inspired to try and create some cards of your own.  Try something new and unexpected this season; I look forward to hearing all about what you’ve come up with.  Happy DIY Holidays!

We all have old bangles cluttering our jewelry boxes.  I’d like to share with a quick way to turn your old bangle into a blingin’ Swarovski art piece.  I embellished only a portion of the bangle so that you can get a feel for the before and after.

I used:

• Two 18×16mm pear shaped sew on jewel (14989-MONTANA) which can be ordered by calling 1-800-9-MJTRIM
• Seven 24×17mm oval sew on jewel in satin
• Four 12×10mm oval with setting
• One 25×8.5mm sew on rhinstone in silver shade
• One set in rose montees in light sapphire

Directions:

When using different shapes and sizes for this type of embellishing I like to draw out the shape and exact dimensions of what I am going to embellish on paper first.  Then lay out my design.  This helps you find a pattern that works, so that you avoid gaps or a cramped looking design.  Once you have decided on the design of your choice you may begin gluing your stones to your bangle.  I believe that the E-6000 adhesive works best.

Tis the season to entertain, Christmas parties have already begun and people are starting to plan their New Years Eve.  If you are among those who will be hosting than these next series of blogs are just for you.  Each week I am going to give some quick and easy DIY projects useful for your holiday parties.  This week I decided to create some cute wine charms using nothing more than simple hoop earrings, which can be purchased at most craft or jewelry findings stores, and rhinestone buttons.   Our collection of rhinestone buttons is quite extensive, so no matter how large or private your shindig each one of your guests can have their own unique charm.  Don’t be caught asking “Which glass is mine?” this season.

Have a happy DIY and a safe holiday season!

The thought of having to design Holiday decorations was a bit scary for me, I have to admit.  I wanted to design a décor that is not the same old boring red and green you see year after year, yet it should some how be traditional.  I was perplexed, so I began to rummage through decorations of the past.  I found a box of traditional Christmas bulbs used for decorating trees and garland and began playing with some of my favorite trims.  The trims I found work best include; all sorts of fringe from glass to leather, sequins, pleated ribbons, and cording.  The results are well, interesting.   I think the looks are funky and fun and with our Black Friday Sale on November 27th at www.MJTRM.com, I hope they inspire you to try something different.

So, as many of you may or may not already know, I am absolutely in love with beaded fringe and certainly cuffs.  This week I’ve decided to combine my two loves, and am loving the result.  Hope you dig it too.

Materials:

• ½ yard 3” beaded fringe
• 1 package of ss30 nail heads
• Scarp denim (I used a piece 2 ½” wide and 9” long.  The length measurement depends upon your wrist size.  Take your measurement and add 2”)
• Craft glue
• 1 12” separating zipper
• Ez rhinestone setter  or you could use the side of a pencil t o finish the prongs of your nail heads
• Needle and thread

Instructions:

1.  Cut your denim into 4 equal sections and cut 3 pieces of fringe 2 ½” pieces.
2. I used a little glue to secure the pieces of fringe between 2 pieces of my denim and stitched.  Stitch as close to the twill tape of the fringe as possible so that it will not be visible from the other side.
3. Mark two columns down the two center panels of your denim cuff.  My marks are 1/2” apart.
4. Apply nail heads at your marks
5. Fold the ends of your cuff over ¼”, you may press this down or secure it with a little glue or stitch. 
6. Attach the bottom portion of your zipper to finished ends.  To shorten the zipper cut the top portion off, then using a needle and thread wrap some thread around the top tooth.  Doing so will keep the zipper from coming off the teeth.
7. Wear and Enjoy!