C is for Counter, That's Good Enough for Me

How many of you have a multiple towel system in your kitchen? Maybe you have one to wipe spills on the counter, but another to dry dishes? Perhaps some have a separate one just for the hands? I have known people with many different styles.

Whatever your system, no matter. This is not about how one keeps his or her kitchen. However, if you have more than one towel, let me suggest a tip for keeping them organized. 

Try initial monogrammed towels to keep your kitchen towels apart, easily. For example, get a D for your dishes, or an H for your hand towels. (And now, the title makes sense). If one is a strict adherent to his or her system, there is an added benefit. The alphabetic drying apparatuses make it easy for guests to remember which cloth to use, and when.

19 Twenty Apartments has a brilliant tutorial on simple, chic, monogrammed towels. I would buy these somewhere. I am glad I found the site instead. If you are looking to buy, not DIY (and who doesn't sometimes?) please support a fellow DIYer if you can. Check out these great towels on Etsy, where you can get custom goods and support a fellow artist.  

10 Minute Necklace

  I had a few agate beads left after making my agate beaded stretch bracelet. What could I do with 3 beads? I made a great necklace. It probably took me less than 10 minutes, and I love the result. Simply thread the beads on the cord, knot them on either side, then do a simple slip knot in lieu of a clasp. It is a great solution to a few leftover beads. Try it when you have a material surplus!

Ring Around the Washi

I have a lot of ribbon tape. The little individual rolls are messy to store once you have opened them. I found a brilliant revamp online recently. I cannot find the link, but someone had taken a multi-rung pant hanger and used it for their ribbon tape/washi tape collection. I was in awe.

When I could not find a budget-friendly pant hanger and did not have one somewhere in my own house, I decided to see what I could throw together. The results were wonderful. First, I sought out shower curtain rings. The cheapest ones I could find at Target were $1.24. I nearly bought them, but decided to check Dollar Tree instead. I thought that saving 24 cents would not be worth my time. I was wrong. They must have been having a close out, because the same type of shower curtain rings I almost bought for $1.24 at Target were 1 cent. That's right, I saved 124%.

The result did not look as nice as if I had used a multi-tiered pant hanger, so if price is no object, get one of those. They are still not very expensive. If you want something functional which costs as little as possible (only a penny in my case) this works very well. It is functional and space saving, and now, safely in my closet.

Sock it to Me

I have the absolute worst dry hands. Then there are my cuticles; they cause panic in manicurists, who seem to wish they could take acid to remove them. The solution is supposed to be a simple "sleep with gloves and a thick moisturizing cream on them."

Finally deciding to take matters into my own hands, I went to buy moisturizing gloves. Ugh, $7.00. Alright, seven dollars is really not too expensive, but I would prefer that for my new guitar fund.

Then it hit me: Socks. I already have plenty on hand. The glove shape seems necessary for fishing for one's keys in the cold, but not so much for sleeping.

Give it a try. You can upcycle a pair of socks you are probably not using anyway, save a few dollars and protect your skin from the weather, especially if you live in a wintery state like me.

Crafty Last Minute DIY Gift

Here’s a DIY which is so simple it is embarrassing. I have made several bracelets as gifts in this fashion. If you need a quick, last-minute (and perhaps economical) gift, read on for your perfect DIY.

Craft stores sell beads already strung, or sometimes even on chains. These are nearly readymade bracelets. If the strand is the right length, you can simply add a clasp. I made one for my mom for Chanukah. I had to remove a bead for hers. I also chose a magnetic clasp. They are so much easier for the wearer than lobster clasps. 

That is all. Now, should your gifting plans suddenly change–as they do this time of year–you have a quick fix.

With one bead removed and clasp added. 

Finished!