Bargain-ista

Show Me What Ya Got – Not Just A Housewife

Trash 2 Treasure – Kammy’s Korner

Welcome Home Wednesday – Vintage on A Dime

Pinspirational Thursday – Confessions of an ADD Housewife

I Freakin’ Dit It Friday – Miss Information

Weekend Wrap-Up Party – Tatertots & Jello

Frugal Friday – The Shabby Nest

Eyeglass Case From A Tie

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Bargainista

Why oh why is the easiest way not the best way? It is? Then why don’t I remember that? Last weekend I made an eyeglass case from a tie. I took a lot of time and hand sewed it. But it came out wonky. It was crooked and rumpled. Then I thought of an easy way. I remembered the great success that I have had using tacky glue on my placemat clutch purses. I ripped out all of the stitches and started again and it came out perfect! Here is how I made an eyeglass case from a tie the easy way.

I have quite a few tie remnants left over from my necktie headbands. I cut the fat end of the tie, measuring my glasses and adding a couple of inches.

I ran a bead of tacky glue down one side.

I shaped it around my glasses and pressed it into place so it fit around the rounded glasses but still looked straight on the outside.

I let it dry completely. I then turned it inside out and glued the bottom closed. Sorry but I don’t have photos of that part of the process. When that was dry I turned it right side out again. I added Velcro closures.

All done!

So easy! And so much better and faster than the sewed version. The easy way is the best way (at least in this case)!

Linking Up Here:

Pinspirational Thursday – Confessions of an ADD Housewife

A Happy Home – Teal Vase + Multi Purpose Bracelet

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Bargainista

My thrifted teal vase has found a home! I used it to hold the accessories from my Multi Purpose Bracelet. Teal Vase + Multi Purpose Bracelet = a happy home.

A Necklace For Charity

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Bargainista

I didn’t make this necklace, I bought it, and was thrilled to do so. It came from a jewelry show where the proceeds go to charity. The owner of the company, La Viajera, collects pieces from all over the world and transforms things such as belts, earrings, and other trinkets into beautiful necklaces!

I love this necklace and I love that it is all about giving back!

Repurposed Watch Into Multi Purpose Bracelet

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Bargainista

Yesterday I showed how I made a $150 bracelet for free. Today I am going to explain how I turned the faux jasper beads into a bracelet and show what else I made yesterday while playing. I used a watch! My mom gave me a really cool bracelet watch that used to belong to my Aunt Susie. It didn’t have a battery, and I don’t really wear watches, but I knew I could make it into a cool bracelet! I used a dot of self sticking Velcro on the face.

I attached the female part of the Velcro to the back of the faux jasper beads disc.

Look what else I made!

I made a rosette out of a vintage piece of lace and a fancier one out of some glittery fabric I got on clearance at Joann’s. I used my no sew, no hot glue method for these. I attached Velcro to them as well. I also used a button, a capiz shell with glass beads, supplies left over from my bottle cap necklace project with Swarovski crystals, and a twine disc made from a cereal box. All have Velcro and are interchangeable. How great would these be for traveling? One bracelet worn in a multitude of ways!

Linking Up Here:

Pinspirational Thursday – Confessions of an ADD Housewife

$150 Bracelet For Freeeeee

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Bargainista

Today was too hot to work outdoors! It was kind of a relief to take a break from my outdoor projects as I had a design deadline I had to meet. So today I would take breaks and just play. Play! I never do that. But I should do it more often as it totally opened up my creativity! I made a bracelet that I have been wanting to make for a while now. I have been wanting to make a version of a jasper bracelet that I saw in a catalog for $150. Today I did it, not thinking about it, just playing and letting my creativity flow.
I took a strand of beads that I got at my sisters yard sale and painted it aqua. I used Krylon Aqua spray paint. When it was dry, I brushed it with acrylic paint that I got at another yard sale. I used olive, blue green, and turquoise mixing and blending as I went along so that the beads resembled the jasper beads in my catalog.

At this time, I was just playing, not even sure it was going to work. When the beads started resembling the ones in the catalog I knew I was on the right track. I needed a base for the bracelet so I took an aluminum to-go container (that I had washed and dried) and cut out the center in a circle. It needed some stability so I cut out some cardboard in the same size and shape as a backing. I used a cereal box from the recycle bin. I love repurposing!
I glued them together and spray painted them brown with Krylon Espresso. I brushed a bit of gold acrylic paint on and it was perfect!
I glued the faux jasper beads in the center of the disk with Tacky Glue, winding around from the center.

I kept gluing and winding until it was done. When it was dry I dabbed a bit of nutmeg paint on the beads here and there.

Check back tomorrow to see how I turned this into a bracelet and to see what other things I came up with while playing today. Play! Who knew?
Here is the $150 version:

Linking Up Here:

Pinspirational Thursday – Confessions of an ADD Housewife

Hand Me Downs Are Hook Me Ups – Tapestry Suitcase

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Bargainista

I have a thing about suitcases. I just love them! I use them for storage, in decorating, and as furniture. Kind of ironic because I don’t travel much. Hehe.
My mother gave me this great tapestry suitcase. As I was cleaning out my desk yesterday, I was going through my files, and found some old client files that I don’t need to access often, but may need in the future. I decided to store them in this cute suitcase. I zipped them up inside and tied them with a tag labeling what is inside. You could even use a luggage tag for this, how cute would that be?

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