Do it Yourself

More Than DIY: How One Woman Took “Do It Yourself” to a New Level

-Whitney Barton

Spring term is just around the corner, and what better way to prepare for the new season than to take “spring cleaning” to the next level with a few home décor projects?  At least that’s what DIY guru Dianne Kelley would say.  Now a featured artist/designer for Anthropologie’s local spring fashion show, she has been “doing it herself” since birth.  I sat down with Dianne to take a peek into her world as a crafter and see what tips she has for those looking to do it themselves.

Whitney: Have you always been into crafts and DIY projects?

Dianne: Yes, for as long as I can remember.  When I was young, I was sewing Barbie clothes by hand, crocheting, painting, you name it – I always prefer to make it myself versus buying it.

WB: How often do you have a project that you’re working on?

DK: I am pretty much in the midst of a project (or two) all the time.  It’s my way of relaxing, believe it or not.  I can forget about whatever is stressing me out and just throw myself into the project.

WB: Where do you draw your design inspirations?

DK: I’m inspired by so many things: color, fashion, trends, magazines – but I am constantly finding ideas – to jump start my own version on Pinterest.  I see great ideas on there and change them to suit my style and vision.

WB: What are some ways pursuing this passion has impacted your life?

DK: My passion for crafting and DIY-ing has given me an outlet to express myself and to relax.  I am a Type-A person, and sometimes find it hard to relax, but when I am creating something, all my cares and worries go on the back burner and I am able to completely engross myself with it.

WB: You started a blog and a small online shop to share and showcase your work. How and when did you decide to do this?

DK: I created my jewelry shop online, back in 2009.  I originally just began making jewelry for myself, but when I was out in public, I was constantly being asked, “Where did you buy your necklace?”  So I thought launching a site was the answer. I started the blog as a way to show my family and friends my creations and now I have regular readers and my blog gets thousands of hits each month.

WB: What is it about DIY projects that you love most?

DK: My favorite thing about DIY projects is the satisfaction I get from a job well done.  I love to know the items in my home are made by me and are one of a kind.

WB: What advice would you give someone interesting in taking on some DIY projects or pursuing a similar hobby?

DK: My advice to newbie DIY-er would be to try, try again.  Your first attempt may not be what you hoped for, but with each mistake, you learn how to perfect your craft.

WB: Do you think you’ll always be a “Do-It-Yourself-er?”

DK: Yes, I will always be a DIY-er.  For me, it’s not a hobby, it’s part of who I am.

To be inspired by more of her DIY creations, check out Dianne’s jewelry line at www.LolitaSophia.com, and her blog at www.BinkyDoodleDoo.blogspot.com.

Rainy Day Arts & Crafts: Melted Crayon Art

-Jessica Ridgway

Shut the windows and bring out your flannel sheets because winter has arrived in Eugene! Some students can brave the wet and cold, but if you’re like me many of your winter weekends are spent indoors. Thankfully, I’ve stumbled upon some cheap and easy crafts projects to keep me cooped up for the season.

What You’ll Need:

Crayons, a canvas, a hot glue gun, and a hairdryer. I spent less than $8 and about two hours on this project.

Steps:

First, pick out your crayons. I chose a wide array of green and yellow.

This is an optional step, but I removed the labels from the crayons. I scavenged for my crayons and bought a ton of them from Goodwill and didn’t like that the labels didn’t match.

The next step is to glue the crayons to the canvas. For my first attempt at this project I laid a long strip of hot glue down and quickly placed the crayons down. This worked, but some of the crayons were not glued down and slid off once the canvas was tilted. I recommend gluing and melting the crayons down one-by-one for a cleaner, straighter look.

Another optional tip! Insert a picture in the background. You can leave it on (like I did) or peel it off afterwards for a cool crayon outline.

The final step is to melt the crayons. Tilt the canvas and use the hairdryer to melt them. I varied between low-to-high heats and speeds; it all depends on the look you want.

Et voila! Sophisticated crayon art for those bare walls!

Happy crafting!