Q. It's the summer holidays and I am broke and totally BOOOOORED! Have you got any fun projects you could suggest to help me make something cheap and fun?
Sara
A. Hi Sara, Everyone hates being bored and If you can't go shopping to relieve it, it can get very frustrating! I have a great project for you to jazz up an old pair of shoes. This appeared in 'NEET' magazine a few months ago as an HS DIY project. It is perfect for revamping an existing pair of shoes or if you don't have any suitable ones I am sure your budget can stretch to Primark/your local thrift store.
Heidi | 11:54 AM | Comments (24)
Not long ago Heidi Seeker threw a customisation workshop party for Ladyfest Newcastle! Look at what you all made! Thanks everyone who came along and joined us for 3 hours of super crazy mess making and crafty coolness! Our customisation workshop was one of the most popular of the festival with over 25 attendees, sorry to you guys who could not get in, any more people in that room and I think there may have been a craft meltdown...
I think you are all ACENESS personified I loved all the kooky things you girls (and boys!) created and
you should all be very proud indeed! Keep up the crafting guys!
woo hoo check it out!
Heidi | 5:31 PM | Comments (4)
You guys are ACE! Look what Samantha made to wear at the V festival. Clever lady!
Wow and look what Heidi Seeker fan, Helen made! Combtastic!
Heidi | 11:28 AM | Comments (11)
Q. I am complaining far too much about how bored I am this summer, it's getting unhealthy. Do you have any super-fun and crafty ideas that will keep me a happy busy bunny? Thank you!
Pippa
Q. I would love to make a kitsch bag charm or something to sparkle on my gigantic hold-all I use for college, its dark blue with a kitsch cherry print on it I wonder if you have any ideas? Thanks!
Sammie
Q. Hi Heidi,
Can you name any shops in Bristol or areas near there, that you know of, that sell quirky charms and beads? So far I've only found one, but it doesn't always sell the types of charms I'd like to buy. What do you suggest?
Ana
A.Well girls, here is a great summer holiday project to make your own charms! You can be as outlandish as you like and you can make them into all sorts of crazy accessories. This project uses something you may remember from your childhood, Hama beads. You can pick them up cheaply in most toy stores and from loads of craft places. There are also tons of ideas for different projects on the Internet. Just type 'Hama' in to google. Louise our crafty intern has devised some great little accessories using these fabo beads here’s how!
You will need an iron and some hama beads and a hama board (available from most toy stores) You will also need a glue gun, jump rings and pliers depending on what you want to do with your finished hama charms.
1. position your Hama beads on your pin board in your desired shape, don't be afraid to experiment, go wild! If you are unsure wear to start there are loads of sites offering ideas for Hama projects with patterns to follow. Remember don’t worry if you go wrong just tip your beads off and start again.
2. position your beads on the board until you have a finished design you are happy with, you can fit as many different designs as you like on the board as long as the are not touching.
3. Follow the instructions on your Hama pack for ironing your designs (remember if you are writing words do them backwards)
4. Once your designs are cool you can take them off your board and decide what they are going to be!
5. To make a kooky bangle! Find a reasonably flat plastic bangle with some kind of texture to it (it will help hold the glue better)
6. Use a glue gun or strong superglue; apply a generous amount to the back of your Hama charm.
7. Position your Hama charm on your bangle and hold it firmly until the glue has stuck it down. If you are using superglue you may need to tape it to the bangle until it has set.
8. Oh wow! Look at what you have made! I super amazing bangle that no one else in the world has. These make great gifts, make them for all your friends! YeeHaa!!
9. Make a kickin' necklace by attaching a jump ring through one of the beads and dangling your cute charm from a chain or piece of cord!
10. To make a fabulous bag charm attach a key chain and dangle your creation off your favourite bag.
COMPETITION ALERT!!
Send me pictures of your creations! There is a £20 Heidi Seeker voucher up for grabs for the most inspired entry so get making crafters! I can't wait to see what you come up with.
Heidi | 12:19 PM | Comments (10)
Q. I have bought a 1970s vintage dress that is beautiful, it is really colourful and I want something to go in my hair that looks as cute and kitsch as the dress. I love making things and really wanted something I can make myself and maybe one for each of my friends. We are all going off to uni next year and I want to make them something we can all wear to our leavers do. Do you have any suggestions?
Harriet, Stocksfield
A.Well Harriet, here is a little project for you to get your teeth into! Candy Combs! They are dead easy to make. One of the great things about them is they are not very expensive and you can make them match almost any outfit.
First you will need to dig around for some cute beads, buttons and charms. Take apart old necklaces, scour charity shops and visit your local craft supplier/department store for colourful kids buttons and beads. Be imaginative anything you can make a hole in could be attached! You will also need a cheap plastic hair comb, available from most chemists. We have used a clear one but you can pick any colour you like! Then you need about 45cm reasonably stiff bendy wire we have used purple wire so it is easier to demonstrate what we are doing but silver would look less conspicuous.
1. Wrap the wire a couple of times around the end of your comb, be sure to check that the spiky end is resting on the outside (you don’t want hard bits of wire digging into your scalp!)
2. Thread your first button or bead onto your wire.
3.If it is a large button it might not hold firmly in place, if this is going to be the case thread a smaller bead or charm directly after it to wedge it in position. Wrap the wire firmly around the comb to secure it.
4. Keep adding beads, buttons and charms wrapping the wire around the comb as you go to secure each section. Remember to keep the wire tight to hold everything securely.
5. Some design tips! Try and alternate the size of your decorations as you go along. It will add variation to the overall look and keep it looking spontaneous and fun. If you are worried about what might work with different people’s outfits find out what they are thinking of wearing and go with those general colours. Or...why not invite them to go shopping with you for the decorations, and then they can pick what they would like on their crafty comb!
6. make sure the last few beads/buttons are held securely using the bead wedging technique mentioned in step 3.
7. To finish it off, wrap your wire several times around the comb and snip off the end, make it into a little loop and tuck it through the hole in one of your decorations. Secure with a blob of glue if needed. (Tip! If you can't find any glue use nail varnish) If you are unhappy with your design, don't worry! Just unravel it and try again.
8. Once you are a happy girl and you dig your amazing craftiness, pop you comb in your hair and get showing off. How clever and creative are you?! Give yourself a big pat on the back and treat yourself to an ice cream. YIPEEEE!
Heidi | 8:59 AM | Comments (8)
