Traig - Crafty Girl: Accessories: Things to Make and Do

Copyright 2002 by Chronicle Books LLC.
Line drawings copyright 2002 by Stephanie Sadler.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-4521-3362-1

The Library of Congress has cataloged the previous edition as follows:
Traig, Jennifer.
Accessories : things to make and do / by Jennifer Traig.
p. cm. (Crafty girl)
ISBN 978-0-8118-3151-2
1. Handicraft for girlsJuvenile literature. 2. Girls clothingJuvenile literature. 3. Dress accessoriesJuvenile literature. I. Title.

Line drawings by Stephanie Sadler
Designed and illustrated by Gayle Steinbeigle, Protopod Design

Chronicle Books LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, California 94107
www.chroniclekids.com

Crafty Girl is a registered trademark of Chronicle Books LLC.

Notice: This book is intended as a practical guide to the crafting of accessories. As with any craft project, it is important that all the instructions are followed carefully, as failure to do so could result in injury. Every effort has been made to present the information in this book in a clear, complete, and accurate manner; however, not every situation can be anticipated and there can be no substitute for common sense. Check product labels, for example, to make sure that the materials you use are safe and nontoxic. Be careful when handling dangerous objects. The author and Chronicle Books LLC disclaim any and all liability resulting from injuries or damage caused during the production or use of the crafts discussed in this book.

Aleenes Tacky Glue is a registered trademark of Aleenes Licensing Company, LLC. Astroturf is a registered trademark of Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc. Ceramcoat is a registered trademark of Delta Technical Coatings, Inc. Fimo is a registered trademark of Eberhard Faber G.M.B.H. Lucite is a registered trademark of ICI Acrylics Inc. Mod Podge is a registered trademark of Plaid Enterprises, Inc. Pee-Chee is a registered trademark of the Mead Corporation. Scotch Tape is a registered trademark of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. Styrofoam is a registered trademark of the Dow Chemical Company. X-acto is a registered trademark of X-acto Crescent Products, Inc.

Catwalk kisses to my parents, Alain and Judy, for being seen with me even when I dress funny; to my sister Victoria for dressing funny too; to Peter McGrath, Dan McGrath, Wendy McGrath, and Maureen Neff for serving as fashion advisors and role models; to Miriam and Mitzi Schleicher for their fashion 411; to Tali Koushmaro for her crafty fashion ideas; to Angela Hernandez and Daniel Archer for shopping with me; and to Ryan Gray for doing my laundry. A big black-tie thank-you goes to Mikyla Bruder and Jodi Davis for being superlative editors and snappy dressers to boot. And finally, Vidal Sassoonstyle thanks to Stephanie Sadler and Gayle Steinbeigle for making this look good.

T heres something special about you. Sure, you look better than everyone elsethats a given. But its more than that. Youve got a sixth sense, and its fashion sense. You cant look at your friends without thinking, I could fix you up. You cant go to the mall without thinking, I could make this stuffand I could make it better. Youve got a gift, and you want to share it with the world. You want to teach everyone that anything looks better with a couple of sequins and some fun-fur trim, that fleece is truly a miracle fabric, and that accessories make the outfit. In short, its your destiny to make the world a more fashionable place. Crafty Girl: Accessories believes in your mission, and were here to help with a closetful of hip and happening style ideas. The projects are easy enough for beginners and the sewing-impaired. So all you wallflowers, get ready to bloom.

It doesnt matter what your style is. Maybe your look is futuristic fashion-forward. Maybe you fell off the retro tree and hit every branch on the way down. Maybe youre sporty, or preppy, or hippie, or hip hop. Whether youre a Drama Diva or a Clean Teen, a Rockabilly Betty or a Mall Doll, Crafty Girl: Accessories wants to help you make your look look even better. Because for you, its not really fashion unless youve fashioned it yourself. Off the rack? Perish the thought. Who wants to look like everyone else? Buying is boring. Its also expensive. Youll save stacks of cash by stitching on your own beads, baubles, and butterflies. And youll get more wear out of the things you already have. Instead of replacing your wardrobe every season, you can update pieces with a nip, a tuck, and a little trim. Even if you end up spending most of your allowance on craft supplies, its worth it to create a totally unique look.

Making your own fashions ensures that you get exactly what you want, even if what you want is, uh, a little weird.

Speaking of which, well admit that being too unique isnt always a good thing. Theres a reason you cant find safety-orange quilted palazzo pants in the stores, and the reason is they look really, really awful. Some fashion experiments may fail. Thats just part of the process. But in the end, youll learn a lot about creating a fabulous custom look for yourself. So be brave, be creative, and craft on.

You know that Crafty Fashion is not just for special occasions. You want to dress up the everyday, and projects like the Tough Cuff . Youll go from fashion zero to fashion hero in no time flat.

the lookout, so keep your peepers peeled and see what you come up with.

Bear in mind, though, that fashion is serious business, and people can get hurt. Some guidelines: If its hot (an iron, a glue gun) or sharp (an X-acto knife, wire cutters, a sewing machine), dont use it without adult supervision. Take care, no matter what youre doing. Injuries are never stylish, even if you conceal them with beautifully hand-decorated Band-Aids. And never, ever pair black with navy. Youll hurt your eyeballs and offend our fashion sensibilities.

Other than that, anything goes. So what are you waiting for? Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

Sometimes you want a bracelet that says, Dont mess with me. Im crafty. This practically screams it. And its so fast and easy, itll leave you plenty of time to tune your motorcycle and perform with your thrash band. Crafting is so punk rock.

2-by-8-inch piece of leather, vinyl, or heavy fabric like denim (or just cut a cuff off a sweatshirt)

Pinking shears (if using fabric)

Heavy-duty snap tool (available at fabric and craft stores)

3 heavy-duty snaps (available at fabric and craft stores)

[] If youre using fabric to make your cuff, cut the edges of the fabric with pinking shears to prevent fraying. Otherwise, skip to Step 2.

[] Using your snap tool, follow manufacturers directions to attach snaps to cuff ends, spacing them about inch apart or so.

[] Snap on. Snap off. That wasnt so tough, was it?

Are your orphaned earrings lonesome? Bring all your single earrings together to make a unique necklace. Pearl Drop, meet Ruby Pendant. Opal Marquise, meet Emerald Cluster. Its like a jewelry social, and all the wallflowers are dancing. This project makes a great Mothers Day gift. Once she sees how great they all look together, Mom is bound to forgive you for losing their partners in the first place