DIY Embroidery Thread Wrapped Earrings

This is a special guest post was created by Anne Weil of Flax & Twine. Find more handmade lovelies, simple design and beautiful inspiration on her inspiring blog.

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Hi everyone!  I’m so happy and honored to be a guest poster on Creature Comforts today. I’ve been following along with excitement as Ez has shared her big move with us. Having just moved across the country myself, I am empathetic to the anxiety and discombobulation that comes along with the thrill of a moving adventure. To pack up all your stuff and leave your known environment, only to arrive in a place that needs a lot of settling can overwhelm anyone! Ez has handled this transition seamlessly and gracefully on the blog. She makes it all look so easy. Nonetheless, I am hoping this post eases her blog burden ever so slightly in the transition. I adore this fun jewelry tutorial. I hope you do, too!

I originally made a neon green version of these hoops for an 80's Halloween party­–perfect under the black lights. When I went to pick colors for this tutorial, however, I pulled this more gentle color palette with a punch of black. I think it's so lovely. These hoops are simple to make, yet such a fun splash of hand made in your wardrobe. Add the ability to customize every pair and you might just not be able to stop making them. I adore these little black and white ones.

These hoops make for a fabulous last minute, personalized gifts, too!  Here's the tutorial:

Supplies needed:

• Embroidery thread (I suggest DMC 6-strand floss for a smooth finish)
• Inexpensive hoop earrings (I found these at Target)
• Craft glue
• Scissors

Cut 40” of chosen embroidery thread colors for a large hoop, less for smaller hoops. If you place the hoops in your ear before you start, it will help you decide where to change colors and place the majority of your design color work (remove hoop from ear before next step).

Start by placing a small bit of craft glue at the end of the hoop.  

Take desired embroidery thread colors and line them up parallel to the hoop, placing the end of the thread in the bit of glue. Choose the thread color you want to start with and begin wrapping it around the hoop...the other colors you aren’t using they go along for the ride (make sure they are being hidden by the thread color that you want to have showing). Keep wrapped thread snugly side-by-side so you can’t see the hoop or other colors underneath.

When you want to change colors, drop the first color parallel to the hoop and start wrapping with the next color you’d like. Repeat to change colors again. Change as many times as you'd like.  

When you get to the end, place another small bit of glue. Wrap thread directly over that glue, using your finger to wipe away any excess. Trim the embroidery thread colors that you are not using first as close to the hoop as possible. Then place a little extra glue to secure the remaining thread over the ends of the other colors, and trim excess. Repeat the finishing process on the other side of the wrapped hoop. Repeat full process for your other earring. Voila!

To create the striped earrings, simply wrap the embroidery threads together at the same time, as if they were one. Keep them in the same alignment as you wrap, and finish with the same process as used above.

 

So fast, easy and fun! Happy Hooping!

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Don't forget to visit Flax & Twine for more DIY projects and inspiration.

Color Crush: Black, Blossom, and Pale Blue

Oh it's been ages since my last Color Crush post! Sigh! I sure have missed creating them.

Anyhow, this one was sparked when I spotted this beautiful scarf a few weeks ago. Unfortunately these shades of pink and blue most often remind me of baby showers or nursery decor, however I've found that with a pop of moody black they have a whole new appeal. Feminine with a mysterious edge...don't you agree?! xo Ez

Find more Color Crush posts here.

Safari Sketch Scarf - Madewell // Polish colors: Raven, Joan, and Blu - Zoya // Eden One Piece Swimsuit - Tory Burch // Teesdale Dress - Antipodium // Pre-Order Etta Glitter-Heel Pumps in Hummingbird Floral - J.Crew | Colorblock Tartine Satchel - J.Crew

High + Low: The D'Orsay Flat

I know many of us are still seeing the white stuff outside our windows, but I couldn't help but satisfy my craving for all things springtime. This includes checking out what's what in the world of flats. I kept seeing Jenni Kayne's d'Orsay flats everywhere. As d'Orsays were originally designed for men, (and wide feet) the have a menswear feel, but they're also pretty sexy on. Colour me intrigued, but I'm not about to test these out for the $450 pricetag. So I've found a bunch of great alternatives that fit the bill! (And a few others with a strap for those of you who may find the fit to be better.)

Jenni Kayne Suede D'Orsay flat $450 - Jenni Kayne | D'Orsay pointed toe flats $19.80 - Forever21 | Audrey flat $79.98 - ShoeMint | Jeffrey Campbell In Love flat $98 - Nasty Gal

Additional options: Dolce Vita Lance flats $99 - Free People | Report Jessica Flat $70 - Swell | With ankle strap: Olivia flat $38 - Need Supply | Know Your Tuft flat $175 - Mod Cloth | Dolley D'orsay flats $20 - Lulu's | Various Jeffret Campell pairs at Free People

Free Springtime Printables Inspired by Fossil Spring 2013

The Spring 2013 Fossil catalog arrived in my mailbox right before I left on my trip to Alt, but it wasn't until yesterday while straightening up that I finally had a chance to look through its pages. I'm so glad I did! The colors and pieces Fossil has introduced for the coming season are gorgeous. I immediately wanted one of everything!

However since that's not really a possibility (darn you bank account) I decided to use the pages as inspiration for a set of free printable tags and note flats to share with you instead.

Download the printable sets (available in aqua and melon) using the buttons below. I hope you'll enjoy them (I'd love to hear about the clever ways you use them). Thanks for the inspiration Fossil! xo Ez

P.S. Last year I used a different fashion collection as inspiration for another printable set. Check it out here.

High + Low: The Tablet Case

Usually, I'm perfectly fine with tablet and laptop cases being a little pricey. (It keeps me from buying so many different ones, as I do with iPhone cases.) But when you're in the market for one, it certainly pays to shop around. Having been featured in Vogue and Harpers Baazar, you can see why it was so easy to fall for Capulet London's Olivia iPad clutch. It's a gorgeous case that doubles as a clutch, and metallic is a nice alternative to standard neutrals. Unfortunately, having not won the lottery, it's out of the question. (Maybe if it were made of gold?) Luckily for us, there are other that shine just as brightly for less.

Olivia gold iPad clutch $565 - Capulet London | Isabelle zip-around tablet case $55 - Banana Republic | Cole Haan tablet zip-around $98 - Zappos | Gold tablet folio $120 - russell+hazel

Additional options: MICHAEL Jet Set iPad case $130 - Michael Kors | Mobilexpressions Folio (in rose gold) $30 - Target | Kensington Metallic case $31.65 - Marc B