At the moment I have my beads stored in a variety of boxes, jam jars, and bags. It's not a terrible system, but something more unified and easy-to-browse would be even better.
While browsing for ideas, I came across this on the wonderful CraftyNest. It's a fab way of repurposing an old spice rack - and makes a beautiful bead display to boot. Check out the tutorial here.
I am a sucker for pretty china and even lonesome single teacups call to me from the charity-shop shelf... Generally I manage to resist but, even so, I'm thrilled to find an alternative use for those shiny little strays that magically appear in my kitchen cupboards...
This tutorial shows you how to make eco-friendly soy candles using thrift store teacups and basic ingredients. Brilliant present idea, no?
Related posts: Let Them Eat Cake repurposes vintage china | Vintage pastel pyrex
These slippers are made from recycled wool material (in this case, a second-hand blanket), a little bit of fleece and some bias binding.
Nature-and-credit-crunch friendly and kind to cold tootsies this winter!
Find the tutorial at Sew Green.
Related posts: Monogrammed handkerchiefs | Quilted list taker
Poetic Home's sophisticated Halloween decor shows that the spooky season isn't just for kids.
I love the swag made from old books, painted with chalkboard paint. It's a genius idea which allows you to rub off the white chalk lettering and re-use again and again for different schemes.
Happy Halloween!
Related posts: Metal Halloween Lantern | Halloween cookie cutters
With the news full of credit crunch doom and gloom, people are turning to something shabby chic fans have known all along... That you don't need to throw wads of cash at your home in order to make it beautiful. Second-hand stuff can be made-over into something gorgeous (and individual) and aged pieces can be more attractive and desirable than the latest sleek fad.
The Guardian is getting in on the act with this article on transforming junk shop furniture. We don't like to say 'I told you so', but...
You may have already seen the lovely Cath Kidston 'blue spot' and 'multi floral' reusable shopping bags in Tesco, but did you know they are made entirely from recycled plastic?
Sold to support Marie Curie Cancer Care, the bags cost £3.50 from larger Tesco stores. Now there's a new design on the shelves (pictured) with a further three designs planned for release over the next four months.
*Thanks to Kate for the tip!
For an authentically vintage laundry room, how about an old style washboard? This Sunnyland washboard has a galvanised metal scrubbing surface (good for playing as well as cleaning!) and the decoration design dates from 1937.
Get it for £29.99 from the Carbolic Soap Company which sells other nostalgic items like carbolic soap, dolly pegs and Reckitt's Blue.
[Via MoneySaving Old Style]
