IC 3 - Catalog Creation - Jewelry tree.

About 6 or 7 years ago, I saw these whimsical jewelry holders at a craft show.  They were pretty simple, so I didn't purchase one at the time, figuring that I'd make one for my daughter.  I bought the stuff to make it, painted it, glued it together and then waited to get some holes drilled so I could get the cup hooks in.

Up until last week, it was still waiting.  Furthermore, I now have TWO daughters and was in need of a second one.  So I made another.

Materials:
1 wooden ball (mine had a flat spot on it)
1 wooden candlestick
6-8 cup hooks
paint and paintbrush
glue
drill

1. Paint the candlestick and the wooden ball.
2. Glue the ball onto the cup for the candlestick.  Allow the glue to dry well. I used a wood glue for this.
3. Mark where you want the hooks to be.  I recommend looking at it from the top and the sides to make sure you get them spaced evenly.  I placed 4 on the ball and 2 on the candle cup in between two on the ball I would've done 4 on the candle cup, but ran out of hooks.
4. Using the drill and a bit that is just smaller than the hooks, drill pilot holes at your marks.  I recommend going in the full length of the screw portion of the hook because the wooden ball is really hard.  I didn't make my holes big enough the first time and ended up breaking some of the hooks, they twisted right in half.
5. Put one hook in each hole.

Now you're ready to hang necklaces and bracelets on it.  I like hanging them up, so they're less likely to get knotted.  I couldn't find another candlestick that was the same height as the first one so they're two different heights.  Taller would be better so you can hang longer necklaces.

WFMW - Gift bag alternatives

We've clearly hit Birthday Party season in our household.  Between my two girls, we averaged about one a week so far in March.  I don't like gift bags.  They're not fun to open and it adds to the extra waste.  I don't consider myself a very "green" person, but it really does bother me how much extra packaging toys are packed in these days.  And they don't make it easy to recycle it all either.  While I can't do a lot to control that, I can do a bit to eliminate some of the extra waste by not using gift wrap or a gift bag.  What do I do?  I make a pillow case, and wrap the gift in it.


And as an extra bonus, since I often buy the fabric on sale, it usually doesn't end up costing more than a gift bag would anyway.  I usually choose fabric that has characters the kids will like on it, or one that goes with a holiday that's coming up (Valentine's day, St Patrick's day, etc).

I've also made draw string bags for some of the kids.  For more great tips head over to We Are that Family!