Bohemian Romance Jewelry

Tulsa

DIY Steampunk Monocle Bowler

D-I-Y-Samantha ExtanceComment

A fun DIY for Halloween! Great for a steampunk Sherlock Holmes or Watson! shot_1373926098697This DIY is relatively simple though it can be expensive (if you can't find a bowler for cheap). Here's what you'll need:

Bowler hat (preferably thrifted); Thick Chain (I used 4 inches); Safety Pin; Needle & Thread; Ribbon (mine was ribbon made to look like measuring tape); Small leather pouch; Magnifying glass; Game Spinner; Clock Gear; Jumps Rings; Pliers; Scissors, an Awl; Pins; and a medium Bike Gear (from a cassette)

Steps:

  1. Measure the amount of ribbon you'll need to fit snugly around the base of your bowler hat. Be sure to leave at least a 1/2 inch on each side to fold over your bike gear. Once you've measured the amount of ribbon you'll need, cut it. Set aside.
  2. Pick up your leather pouch, using your scissors (or an exacto knife), cut 2 slits on the back of your pouch (about 1/4 inch from one another in the same direction--either horizontally or vertically), then thread your ribbon through the slits. Next, using your awl, poke a hole in the front of your leather pouch (so that you can affix your chain to the pouch with a jump ring). Using your flat nosed pliers, attach the chain and the magnifying glass with a jump ring. Optional, also add a game spinner and a clock gear  with jump rings for further decoration.Hat 2
  3. Next, thread your ribbon (with the right side facing up) through your bike gear's holes on one side. Pin in place. Hold your bike gear in place (where you want it situated on your bowler hat and then wrap the ribbon around the base of your hat. Thread the end of the ribbon through the bike gear and pin in place. When you are pinning your ribbon, be sure that you are only pinning the ribbon together and not the ribbon to the hat. Hat 1
  4. Next, slide the ribbon off of the base of your bowler hat and sew the ribbon in place. Keep your stitches small and close together. Be sure to tie a sturdy knot and hide that knot on the side of the ribbon that will go against your hat (and therefore not be seen). Cut off any excess ribbon in the back. Repeat for the other side.
  5. Slide your ribbon down onto your bowler hat in place around the base. Place the magnifying glass inside the leather pouch and see how far the chain dangles off of the hat's brim. If desired, using your safety pin, pin the chain to the opposite side of your bowler hat's brim until you want to use the "monocle"/magnifying glass. Hat 3
  6. Wear proudly! Hat 4As always, happy crafting!

DIY Steampunk Medals

D-I-Y-Samantha Extance1 Comment

Steampunk Medal DIY CollageMake your own steampunk medal! A perfect, easy addition to any Halloween costume! Materials & Tools Needed:

  • Medal Ribbon (any length you desire)
  • Bicycle Gear (from a cassette)
  • Pocketwatch part (preferably one of the cover pieces which are more ornamental)
  • Pin
  • Safety pin
  • EE3000 or 5000 glue
  • Needle & Thread (if you prefer to hand sew) or Sewing Machine (which I'd suggest)
  • Scissors

Steps:

  1. Cut ribbon for the medal.
  2. Place your bike gear in the middle of your ribbon.
  3. Grab your pocketwatch part (the piece I used is the cover which you can detach by removing the hinge pin which attaches the cover to the rest of the watch).
  4. Glue a pin to the back of your pocketwatch part with EE3000 or 5000 (or another kind of glue that fuses to metal).
  5. Fold your ribbon (lining up the 2 ends evenly).
  6. Fold over the top of your ribbon (toward the back side of your medal ribbon). Place your safety pin inside the fold.
  7. Sew (by either hand stitching or machine sewing) along your fold. Be sure to stitch and back stitch if you are using a sewing machine.
  8. Cut off the excess thread.
  9. Pin your pocketwatch part to the front of your ribbon.

You're finished! Wear with pride!