Montano's 'Sexy and the City' or the Magnet Letters Necklace

As the UK continues to buckle up for some intense weather, time to take advantage and embrace the craftiness. 

Another project from Mark Montano’s Big-Ass Book of Bling, the unique kiddy quality of this project is amazing. So I ordered a jar of magnetic letters off Amazon. This assortment made by the Early Learning Centre was my top choice, not just because of the upper case lettering (my preference), but also for the color combo it offered compared to other choices.

Upon arrived, I went nuts scavenging through the contents of the jar and piecing together different words. Some that were contrived were DIVA, POW, DORK, FUNKY, ZAP and, my sister Marika’s catch phrase, STUN (short for Stunning). It was amazing how many words you get out of this one box-but try not to choose anything too long-nothing above 5 letters. The alignment of the lettering is a refreshing twist on your traditional namesake necklaces, the wonkiness adding to its appeal. But I had to consider in what places on each letter would hold better when stuck together, so I really tried to have each piece as close connected as possible, no matter how wonky. It hangs beautifully and if anything, this makes it all the more bespoke!

Unlike Montano’s original piece, I chose a gold chain-it suited the magnet’s color tones. One point I really stress is making sure the holes in the plastic letters that large enough for the jump rings to pass through. 

Bright and with a childhood nostalgia, this necklace is pure delight! And from one box you can make up to 10 totally original necklaces for your loved ones, and you.

Project Budget: ￡12 (for the magnet letters box)

February Book Review: Sew Iconic by Liz Gregory

My Dad gave me this book for Christmas two years ago, and I spent most of the day pouring through it. A brilliant source for movie lovers and dress makers alike, Liz Gregory’s book is a lovely combination of dress making types and hollywood history, complete with dress patterns!

In it, Ms Gregory gives a superb presentation of recreating 10 gowns seen on the big screen, from Marilyn’s Monroe’s white number seen in The Seven Year Itch, as well as Keira Knightley’s green satin gown in Atonement. Though as a costumer, there are some dresses I wouldn’t consider that epic to be included-for example, Catherine Zeta Jones’s flapper number from Chicago does not have half as much stardom as Grace Kelley’s black and white gown in Rear View Window.

Each chapter, dedicated to one dress, is also a great read. Including the actor’s bio, some text provides details about the costume designer and their design for the film. Next it offers sewing tips, including fabric options and even some fun styling tips. Though I’ve gotta point out, these dresses are more of an adaption of the original designs, so don’t expect to be making exact replicas but simplified versions of them.

A gold mine of info for any Hollywood fan, as well as easy to follow break downs for both experienced and amateur dress makers. 

Final Score: 4/5

And now, a word about Upcycling....

When I bought this dress five years ago, I loved everything about it, from the price to the cut. Everything...except the color. The choice was limited-this, or this tacky coral pink. It was quickly dubbed the ‘naked dress’, and well... I wanted to change that.

Deviating from my jewelry making craze, I thought back on the Upcycling course I took at Central Saint Martins. Initially wanting to get ideas on how to make the most of what you have at your disposal in costume design, it was incredible to learn about the waste gathered every year in the industry, and ways designers are trying to stop that. Companies like Good One are encouraging alternatives to material sourcing without causing more waste production, using materials from thrown out fashion to be redesigned into new garments, without looking reused.

Wanting to transform this into a cute yet bold cocktail number, the plan was to turn it dark navy blue-hey, everyone wears black in the club! And navy can be very chic.

First attempt: fiasco. Even though I specifically asked the store manager if the dress would take the dye, the polyester of the bodice fabric totally rejected the change! And this would have been alright, if only this blue tone weren’t so off, more denim than dark chic. Hence Plan B was launched. Deciding to work with rather than against the neutral tones of the bodice pieces, I decided I could do a cool two tone dress instead. And a color thats gorgeous with taupe? Black! Yes, I know, obvious safe choice, but these colors compliment each other beautifully and have a neat art deco theme. 

When first prepping the dress, I was terrified when some of the original blue dye started leaked out, threatening that the dress would be more inky blue than jet black. So to be sure, the dress went through the dying process twice with black dye. Sure, I went over budget a bit, but when you start something, you’ve gotta see it through, right? Handy tip: to hide those elastic threads that didn’t take the dye, just use a black Sharpie pen to hide any glitches.

Way more sophisticated than I’d originally envisioned, I can’t wait to be seen in this darling number in the club with some black gladiator sandals. 

Project Budget: £15 (overdraft due to trial-and-error)

January (Belated!!) Book Review: Tarina Tarantino's Sparkle Factory

Every now and then comes along something that inspires us so much, it completely changes our status as crafters. Encourages the possibility of working with new materials, triggers a skill you never considered picking up as a crafter but now suddenly want to give a try? This was that book!

Tarina Tarantino’s The Sparkle Factory is without a doubt the best investment in a craft book I have ever made. Months later, flipping through never fails to give me pure inspiration. It gets me excited at the idea of making a certain accessory or to even just try out her techniques. I’ve so far made the Techno Tribal Collar (the pins and pearls necklace) and several cameo moulds. 

The layout is whimsical, the photos demand attention and Tarantino offers amazing insight into her business; as well as including the history of how she became one of the biggest names in Accessory design, she offers handy tips like an ideal layout for your own design studio and ‘Inspirationarium’, or resource library. 

Accessories are a great way to spice up the simplest of wardrobes, and Tarantino has preached the word to be a little braver in personal style. 

Please please please write a sequel, please!!!

Final Score: 11/5!!!