Tutorial Today Wednesday

Maybe you've noticed, maybe not, but we've been a little quiet on the blog front recently. That's hopefully set to change soon, but in the mean time we're giving you all our most popular posts throughout November (which just so happen to be the new Checkmybox range... coincidentally). We've been off doing busy business type stuff, getting all the necessary pieces in place for the launch, working through and learning the admin side, doing some courses and meeting with potential clients. Even though it's not the creative side that me and Hannah both enjoy and really started the business to do more of, it's still incredibly interesting, and motivating to see how much we have progressed since we set up two months ago now. I think sometimes it's difficult to see all the smaller goals achieved along the way when most of the focus goes into financial constraints and actually developing and creating your final product ready to sell. I'm really proud of what we've accomplished up to this point, only slightly off schedule, but working hard to get there always.

As usual we will keep you updated on Checkmybox right here. Enjoy today's tutorial xx

UPDATE: You can buy the materials to make this kit over at Checkmybox.co.uk or at our Etsy shop, making things even easier!

  Tool list:  

Tigertail (nylon coated wire) / Seed beads in graduating colours / Crimps / Jump rings / Chain / Clasp

  Instructions:  
Cut 6 lengths of tigertail that are all 12cm long / Put a crimp onto the end of one piece of tigertail, then thread that end through a jump ring and back on itself into the crimp / Push the crimp tight against the jump ring and squash between pliers / Thread on equal amounts of each colour seed bead to required length / Thread another crimp on after the the last seed bead / Thread the tigertail through a second jump ring and back through the crimp / Pull tight and squash the crimp / Trim any excess tigertail / Repeat these steps twice for each jump ring so you end up with three lots of two strands / Attach all three sections with a jump ring at one end / Plait the three sections together and secure with another jump ring / Measure the extra chain needed to fit around the rest of your wrist and secure each end to the outer jump rings of the plaited section / Part your chain in the middle and attach your clasp to one end (and a jump ring to the other if needed) / Put it on your wrist and rock some ombre styling!

Two Minute Tutorial

Good Afternoon. It's been all go here lately. It's the last week in the bead shop :( so we're getting everything ready for the new owners, we've arranged a workshop space for Checkmybox courtesy of our amazing friend Sam of Get a Grip, I've been making progress with the CMB website, and it's that time of year for the Moseley Folk Festival again! With all this in mind I've put together a very quick two minute tutorial for a festival bracelet. Hannah came up with the genius idea to put the crimp covers onto the faux suede, and after she left a sample lying around in the shop I've taken her idea on and run with it! (Thanks Han!)

Also just a quick little reminder. It's the last day to vote for us in the Cosmo Blog Awards. If you like what we do it would be fantastic if you could take two minutes to help the cause. We were so chuffed to be shortlisted, and to win would be out of this world, but most of all we just want to go to the party! You can vote for us by clicking the Cosmo Blog Awards link above. We're in the DIY section under Teahab (obvs).

Thanks to everyone who has voted. We really do appreciate all your support! Back to the tutorial:

 

Cut a piece of faux suede long enough to wrap around your wrist as many times as you want it to / Attach crimp covers at random interval along the cord.

 

I've used an All in 1 cord end to make the bracelet even quicker. Close the box/cord ends over the ends of your suede. To see this in more detail go to my attaching clasps tutorials here. Make in different colours and layer up for a great festival look.
And that's it! yep, really is two minute tutorial. Fran x

Weave Week Round Up

During Weave Week one of my main sources for information has been “200 Braids to Loop, Knot, Twists and Weave” by Jacqui Carey. I’ve managed to try out many of the 200 featured designs and adapt some of them into tutorials I’ve posted over the last two weeks.  I’ve literally taken this book everywhere with me during this time, (I had a lot of interested glances whilst braiding on the train) so it’s lucky (or genius) that it’s the perfect travel size. Compact, without losing any of the detail.

Initially the cover of this book didn’t particularly excite me. The colours are dull and old fashioned, and the layout is a little dated. I’m never put off by a books cover, especially technical craft books. I know from experience that the old girls really know what they’re talking about and a lot of modern books that are all about appearances cannot compete with the technical wealth of knowledge in their older counterparts. I just feel it’s a shame the cover does not reflect the exciting bursts of colour and modern, clean layout that is throughout the inside the book.

The inside has been cleverly put together so you can either read about all the techniques and equipment, or go directly to the back, pick a design, and get going straight away. The instructions are clear and well illustrated. The lazy side of me did have a go at a couple of techniques from just the pictures. This did not turn out well. I highly recommend reading the instructions as well. After discovering this I easily completed each of the braids I tried.

As an avid DIYer I was particularly pleased with a make it yourself theme running throughout the book. As well as showing and explaining various pieces of professional equipment, it gave examples of where and how you can make and adapt everyday objects to achieve the same effect. My favourite has to be tying the threads to your foot to keep the tension. So simple, but I would have never thought of it!

The only negative I would mention is that many of the 200 braids are variations of a theme. This really refers to the amount of designs that are in the book rather than different techniques. Just a little deceiving but there’s still plenty to keep you busy.

Overall I’m impressed with how much I’ve learnt after reading the book. There are many new techniques I’ve never seen or tried before, so I’ll be keeping this book in easy reach for anytime I have my hands full of cords, or ribbon, or wool, or chain….

Once again I feel like I could carry on exploring this theme for another two weeks! But we need to move on. Come back tomorrow to find out what the next theme will be! Fran xx

 

A Little Extra Ombre Tutorial.

I originally made this tutorial up for this weeks tutorial Tuesday, but I decided to go with the necklace because I thought this one looked a little too similar to the plaited bracelet tutorial so it wasn't like I was giving you guys anything new to look at! I decided to put this up in the end though just because it shows in better detail how to plait into chain, which believe me, takes a bit of practice.

Ingredients:
9 metres of cord (3 metres of each colour)
18cm of chain x 3
Bell closer with extension cord and clasp attached
Glue

Instructions:Cut each metre of cord into 3 section (giving you 9 pieces in each colour) / Put them all together and glue into the bell closer / Section off one colour and begin to plait into two of the chain pieces / Make sure you keep to the same pattern. I have chosen to go from under the middle, over and into the chain / Continue until the end of the chain, then do the same with the second colour of cord, plaiting into the second and third chains / Once at the end of the chain, take the third colour cord and plait that into only the third chain. trim the cords and glue into the other bell closer / Avoiding the urge to wear, leave the glue to dry ( half an hour max) and your done!



Two Minute Teahab

Hi. I wanted to share with this little genius with you today! The mini knitter...

I have to be honest. initially I didn't have very high hopes for this piece of sparkly plastic... but boy, can looks be deceiving. I know from previous experience that it can take more time learning to use these types of gadgets than it takes to make 10 things "the long way". This was quick, had relatively well illustrated instructions (some common sense was involved here) and is pretty damn addictive.

To make the finished pieces into bracelets I've used some of the techniques in from my previous posts; Attaching clasps Part one and Part two.

TOP: 1mm cotton cord / MIDDLE: Acrylic wool yarn / BOTTOM: Embroidery floss

I'm really happy with the results. I'd like to experiment with threading chain and/or beads into and through the tubes, and I also want to research if it's possible to make tighter stitches to produce a more condensed pattern with the thinner embroidery threads. Definitely something to look into!

Hope you've enjoyed the post today. Fran xx

Tutorial Tuesday: Tie Dye Fabric Bracelet

Tutorial Week Sunday