How To Stop Critters From Digging In Your Flower Pots

A few days ago I planted a new flower in a flower pot on my porch and the following 

morning I woke up to this mess! Gah! Something was digging in my pot! Whatever 

it was (and it was probably a squirrel or chipmunk) didnt damage the plant at all, but

dug out all the soil around the plant, making a big mess.  

I didnt want to be cleaning this mess up again each morning, so I thought about

what I could put on the soil to deter the infringing offender. Why not broken 

china pieces from my scrap boxes? When I make jewelry from broken china plates,

I save all of the leftover scraps and store them in plastic shoe box-like bins. I usually

use the leftover scrap pieces for mosaics, but some shards are too thick or curved even

to be used in mosaics, so they land up going back into the bins again...

I cleaned up the potting soil mess and then placed random china shards 

on top of the soil, surrounding the plant. Not only was my plant undisturbed

the following morning (and each morning since), but I love the way the china

shards looked in the flowerpot.  

The china shards add an extra splash of color and texture the flowerpot.

What do you think?

Check out my new DIY jewelry instruction books and DVDs!

   

Learn how to solder and make unique jewelry!


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Read More..

DIY Door Stop with Handle

Today Im over at Pretty Handy Girl with Brittany sharing how to make this super simple wood door stop.  Just a 4x4 wood scrap and a leather belt scrap for a handle.

To get the details and step by step instructions click here.

Read More..

10 Holiday Gift Ideas for The DIYer

Here it is, my ultimate holiday gift guide for the DIY'er.  If you have a DIY'er on your gift list I guarantee any one of these tools will be greatly appreciated.  These are my top 10 must have tools, I have every single one of them (except the heated jacket (wink, wink)) and I use them on a regular basis.

 

Gorilla wood glue works like a charm and fits in a stocking too!  And The Home Depot travel mug, almost everyone needs coffee and most importantly this mug has a lid!  Any DIY'er will tell you drinking coffee with a thin layer of sawdust is not fun.

This candle!!!!  Technically I don't use this candle in my workshop but I do use it at my desk and the smell is amazing.  I highly recommend this candle and be sure to check out everything in their shop!

Click here to continue reading »

Read More..

DIY Glossy Three Drawer Dresser

Shiny, glossy and almost lacquer-like this painted three drawer dresser is complete!  Would you believe this high gloss finish was achieved using a water based brush-on paint?   It's true folks.

Americana Decor Maxx Gloss for the win.

I used this beautiful Caribbean Sea blue color for the drawer fronts and White China on the dresser body: 

To achieve this amazing finish first select a piece of furniture.  I built this three drawer dresser from scratch (and will share the plans soon!) so my wood was unfinished.

Click here to continue reading »

Read More..

My Favorite Things Handcrafted Boho Necklace Trio

These are three necklaces that I made for myself a few years ago that I love to wear

together... Choker length:  a strand of 8mm faceted Chalcedony...Medium length: a 

rosary-like chain of 5mm freshwater pearls with fine gauge sterling silver wire (I think 

I used 24 gauge wire)...and the rectangular pendant is Amazonite surrounded in 

fine silver wire wraps with a circular moon and star bead above it. I love them all.

What do you think?

Check out my new DIY jewelry instruction books and DVDs!

   

Learn how to solder and make unique jewelry!


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Read More..