Ask An Expert: DIY Gift Ideas
Owner and designer of the edgy, fun jewelry line CherryLock, Stay'c Whitaker provides creative and easy do-it-yourself gift ideas that will enable you to give a customized present that nobody else has.
Stay'c Whitaker
Owner/Designer CherryLock
Orange County/Los Angeles
www.cherrylock.com
Hair Flowers
"These are an easy gift idea to make for kids and all the special ladies in your life! The best part is you can customize the hair flower to anything you want such as favorite colors, sports teams, holidays, bands, etc. You can purchase fake flowers at craft stores and only need one fake flower, scissors, a glue gun, an alligator hair clip and any kind of centerpiece you would like to embellish your flower with including bottle caps with a custom image that you can find in stores or on Etsy if you don't want to make one yourself.
Cut the back stem off the flower and pull apart. Hot glue the layers together. Use all of the layers or customize colors and styles by combining two different flowers together. The glue will ensure it doesn't separate or fall apart. Follow by gluing your centerpiece in the middle of the flower and then the hair clip on the backside. Be careful because the glue is very hot and do not leave children unattended."
Photo Bracelets
"One jewelry piece that has always been popular on my website is a customized bracelet. You can buy what is called a bracelet blank at most craft stores or find them on websites like Etsy. They usually come in round or square styles and either have silver or black tones. Generally, they hold up to eight individual images. Some people love to have their children, grandchildren or favorite bands in them. They can also be filled with inspirational images or words.
This project will require you to print images out at home. Most images are a 20mm circle or square size. You will need one bracelet blank, scissors, super glue, epoxy resin stickers and images that have been printed on glossy photo paper.
Once images are printed, you will hand cut them. Then place the epoxy resin stickers over the tops of the images. These epoxy stickers can be purchased at craft stores or on most Etsy stores. Once you have done this, the image is protected and looks as if it is under glass. Now you will use super glue on the back of each image and place it into the blank bracelet to fill and customize. Finish with your unique accessory.
Please note: I personally use crazy glue that has a purple cap on it. The glue paints on purple, and as it dries it turns clear. I find this product to be much easier to work with."
Related: Best Places For Antiques In Orange County
Custom Shirts
"This is an awesome way to give a loved one, especially the younger generation, a shirt no one else will have. Generally, I use this idea for band shirts, gamer shirts, Star Wars' shirts or anything that the gift recipient is a fan of. This gift idea is as simple as taking a regular t-shirt and turning it into something edgy or punk rock. All you will need is a t-shirt and scissors. I like to cut the neck out from shoulder to shoulder. You can make it round or cut down to a point like a v-neck. Sometimes, I cut wider on the top to give it an off-the-shoulder style. You can also cut several small slits on the back to give it that rock and roll sliced look."
Bottle Cap Keychains
"This is a great gift for the fellas but can definitely be unisex. It's a cool stocking stuffer you can customize with pretty much anything such as images of loved ones, bands, characters, actors, sports teams, etc. All of the supplies can be purchased at any major craft store, though I prefer Michaels for this one. You will need a regular or flat bottle cap with a hole in the top, a keychain ring, O-rings, 1" round epoxy resin sticker, an image, small craft needle nose pliers, small craft wide nose pliers and super glue.
To start, print a 1" round image at home or purchase one. Once you print your image, you will need to cut it or use a 1" round hole punch. Next place your epoxy sticker on top for protection and glass look. Use super glue or my personal preference of crazy glue with a purple cap on the back of the image and then lay it inside the bottle cap. Use your needle nose pliers to open up one O-ring and put through the hole of the bottle cap and the keychain. Use wide pliers to close."
Custom Rings
"These are always fun because you can go glam, punk, gothic, princess or whatever your heart desires. Most craft stores sell adjustable ring blanks, and you can find any kind of setting to attach to the ring base and decorate or customize away! You will need a ring blank, any setting, e6000 industrial glue, trinkets or gems.
To get started, take your setting and craft pieces to fill and decorate the setting center. Use the e6000 glue to adhere all pieces to the setting. Once dry, you will want to use the e6000 to attach the ring to the back of the setting. You can use gem stones, bats, skulls, crowns, pearls - the possibilities are endless!"
Related: Where To Buy Your Next Holiday Party Outfit In OC
"These are an easy gift idea to make for kids and all the special ladies in your life! The best part is you can customize the hair flower to anything you want such as favorite colors, sports teams, holidays, bands, etc. You can purchase fake flowers at craft stores and only need one fake flower, scissors, a glue gun, an alligator hair clip and any kind of centerpiece you would like to embellish your flower with including bottle caps with a custom image that you can find in stores or on Etsy if you don't want to make one yourself.
Cut the back stem off the flower and pull apart. Hot glue the layers together. Use all of the layers or customize colors and styles by combining two different flowers together. The glue will ensure it doesn't separate or fall apart. Follow by gluing your centerpiece in the middle of the flower and then the hair clip on the backside. Be careful because the glue is very hot and do not leave children unattended."
Photo Bracelets
"One jewelry piece that has always been popular on my website is a customized bracelet. You can buy what is called a bracelet blank at most craft stores or find them on websites like Etsy. They usually come in round or square styles and either have silver or black tones. Generally, they hold up to eight individual images. Some people love to have their children, grandchildren or favorite bands in them. They can also be filled with inspirational images or words.
This project will require you to print images out at home. Most images are a 20mm circle or square size. You will need one bracelet blank, scissors, super glue, epoxy resin stickers and images that have been printed on glossy photo paper.
Once images are printed, you will hand cut them. Then place the epoxy resin stickers over the tops of the images. These epoxy stickers can be purchased at craft stores or on most Etsy stores. Once you have done this, the image is protected and looks as if it is under glass. Now you will use super glue on the back of each image and place it into the blank bracelet to fill and customize. Finish with your unique accessory.
Please note: I personally use crazy glue that has a purple cap on it. The glue paints on purple, and as it dries it turns clear. I find this product to be much easier to work with."
Related: Best Places For Antiques In Orange County
Custom Shirts
"This is an awesome way to give a loved one, especially the younger generation, a shirt no one else will have. Generally, I use this idea for band shirts, gamer shirts, Star Wars' shirts or anything that the gift recipient is a fan of. This gift idea is as simple as taking a regular t-shirt and turning it into something edgy or punk rock. All you will need is a t-shirt and scissors. I like to cut the neck out from shoulder to shoulder. You can make it round or cut down to a point like a v-neck. Sometimes, I cut wider on the top to give it an off-the-shoulder style. You can also cut several small slits on the back to give it that rock and roll sliced look."
Bottle Cap Keychains
"This is a great gift for the fellas but can definitely be unisex. It's a cool stocking stuffer you can customize with pretty much anything such as images of loved ones, bands, characters, actors, sports teams, etc. All of the supplies can be purchased at any major craft store, though I prefer Michaels for this one. You will need a regular or flat bottle cap with a hole in the top, a keychain ring, O-rings, 1" round epoxy resin sticker, an image, small craft needle nose pliers, small craft wide nose pliers and super glue.
To start, print a 1" round image at home or purchase one. Once you print your image, you will need to cut it or use a 1" round hole punch. Next place your epoxy sticker on top for protection and glass look. Use super glue or my personal preference of crazy glue with a purple cap on the back of the image and then lay it inside the bottle cap. Use your needle nose pliers to open up one O-ring and put through the hole of the bottle cap and the keychain. Use wide pliers to close."
Custom Rings
"These are always fun because you can go glam, punk, gothic, princess or whatever your heart desires. Most craft stores sell adjustable ring blanks, and you can find any kind of setting to attach to the ring base and decorate or customize away! You will need a ring blank, any setting, e6000 industrial glue, trinkets or gems.
To get started, take your setting and craft pieces to fill and decorate the setting center. Use the e6000 glue to adhere all pieces to the setting. Once dry, you will want to use the e6000 to attach the ring to the back of the setting. You can use gem stones, bats, skulls, crowns, pearls - the possibilities are endless!"
Related: Where To Buy Your Next Holiday Party Outfit In OC
Stacy Brecht is a professional writer, dancer, marketer and model in the Los Angeles area. Brecht also enjoys traveling, wine, fitness training, volunteering, movies and trying new restaurants. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
