Category: Wear it

Rubberband Belt or Bracelet

Kids can create their own rubber band finery by simply repeating the loop knot shown below and adding beads. Wear it with a dress, jeans — or even quadruple-wrapped around a wrist or ankle as a bracelet or anklet.

 
Materials
  • Colorful rubber bands (we used 15 2 1/2- by 1/16-inch bands for a 30-inch-long belt)
  • Clear beads (we used 50) with a 3/16-inch or larger hole (available in multipacks at craft or bead stores)
  • 1 large bead with a 3/16-inch hole (for clasp)
  • Scissors
Instructions
  1. Rubber Band Belt - Step 1 Use a loop knot to attach 2 rubber bands.
  2. Rubber Band Belt - Step 2 Add a bead, or several, to the second band. If you like, tie spacer knots between the beads. Leave enough space at the end to attach the next band. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the belt is the length you want.
  3. Rubber Band Belt - Step 3 To create a clasp, thread the large bead onto the last band on one end and knot it to secure. Leave the loop for decoration or cut it off. On the other end, thread a small bead onto the last band and knot it so that you have a loop that fits securely over the big bead.

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Homemade Insect Repellant

1 cup vodka
2 T. aloe vera juice
2 tsp. favorite conditioning liquid oil (soybean, olive, castor, etc.)
1 1/2 tsp. essential oil blend (I use this preblended one)

Combine in a spray bottle and shake before each use. These oils have less staying power than chemicals such as DEET so they need to be reapplied about every 30 minutes or as needed.

You can buy a blend or create your own blend from these oils found to have insect repellent properties.

  • Catnip Oil–mosquitoes
  • Cedarwood Oil–lice, moths
  • Cinnamon Oil–ants
  • Citronella Oil–mosquitoes
  • Clove Oil–mosquitoes
  • Eucalyptus Oil–mosquitoes
  • Geranium Oil–flies, mosquitoes
  • Lavender Oil–mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, fleas, flies
  • Lemongrass Oil–mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, fleas, flies
  • Litsea Cubeba–mosquitoes
  • Patchouli–gnats
  • Peppermint Oil–lice, spiders, ants
  • Rosemary Oil–fleas, ticks
  • Tea Tree Oil–mosquitoes, lice, ants

Although found in many lists of repellents, I avoid pennyroyal because of its potential toxicity.
All essential oils are best used in dilution. Don’t apply them directly to the skin in full strength.

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Homemade Stick Deodorant

1. Put 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch** in a bowl with 10+ drops tea tree oil. (I like 20 drops, but I’m a tea tree oil nut. I hear lavender oil will work as well.)


2. This deodorant can be used as a powder, but if you want a stick, go to the shortening section of the store and buy this solid-at-room-temperature-awesome stuff:


3. Stir 2+ TBSP in until it’s the consistency you like.


4. Smash into empty deodorant container. (Will be a bit sturdier once it sets a day or so.)


When applying this deodorant, use a lighter hand than you would with normal stick deodorant, especially the first couple of days or it’ll drop little balls on your bathroom rug.

Used correctly, this stuff is invisible and lasts for ages, as it works with a very light layer. You should not be able to SEE it once applied.

**If you have especially sensitive skin, increase the amount of cornstarch to 6T and decrease the baking soda to 2T.

Beads from Rose Petals

rose petals

Have you ever wondered why the string of prayer beads used by Catholics is called a rosary? Well, the answer lies in the bush outside your window. Once, the beads in rosaries were made from rose petals. Many modern rosaries are made from wood, silver, or glass, but it is still possible to buy rose beads. Or, if you are a rose gardener, you can simply make your own. These beautiful and fragrant beads make unique jewelery and a wonderfully personalized gift.

rose beads

Making rose beads from rose bushes (actually, you will use the rose petals from the roses themselves) is not really that hard. It is also a great project that you can do with your kids this summer. Here is how to make rose beads from rose bushes.

Here is what you’ll need:
* Several quarts of rose petals. This is an excellent use for the flowers from your rosebushes that are just starting to wilt.
* A food processor or grinder
* Plastic wrap
* A cast iron skillet
* Thin nails

First, grind or pulverize the petals thoroughly. Then spread them in the skillet, cover airtight with plastic wrap, and set aside.

Once a day for 10-12 days, scrape the mixture out and regrind it. Eventually the petals will turn into a dark, putty like substance. Now you can mold the paste into beads of any shape you like.

Put a nail in each one where you would like it to be threaded. Leave the nails in the beads and set them in a sunny spot to dry for a couple days.

Remove the nails and, voila! You have rose beads. Happy Jewelery Making!

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