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I’ve decided to try my hand at a little bit of this new trend called “upcycling”….which is like the new black or something like that. Actually, it’s the new & improved version of recycling-slash-refurbishing used and/or previously loved goods. This is my little DIY project of turning an old candle jar into a nifty little storage container.
Jonathan Adler candle jar turned into a storage cup
This was my used Jonathan Adler candle jar. After the candle wick burned down to the end, I didn’t quite know what to do with the leftover jar, & I felt like it would be such a waste to throw out such a pretty & perfectly good jar. So, I decided to turn it into a storage cup.
- First, to clean out the last bits of candle wax: I poured approx. 1 inch of water into a cooking pan & placed my candle jar on the pan. I turned the stove onto a low heat so the candle wax could melt evenly.
- Next, I heated the pan just enough to let the candle wax melt. Note: DO NOT put the jar in the microwave to melt the wax. Some candles have a metal clip to secure the candle wick, so it’s better to melt the wax over the stove instead.
- Once the wax was melted, I tossed out the metal clip for the wick & poured the remaining candle wax into another candle jar. (After using up this candle, I bought a replacement candle because it was my favorite.) For all of the last bits of wax I just used a paper towel to wipe the inside clean. I also thoroughly washed the jar with soap & hot water before using it.
- Finally, the cup is ready to be used for whatever is to be desired. I used my candle jar to hold all of my necessary tubes in my medicine cabinet. It really frees up a lot of space in the medicine cabinet. Plus, it adds a bit of eye candy to a rather sterile medicine cabinet.
Also, just in case you’d like to know…this was the Jonathan Adler Acapulco candle. I also have the JA Capri candle, & they both smell utterly divine!!
I really have no clue how to sew anything. I can’t even operate that As Seen On TV Stitch Quick hand-held sewing thingy let alone a full-fledged sewing machine. The least I know is how to use a simple needle & thread. The best I can do is mend a hole in a pair of socks, or fix up a tear in a shirt. I can just barely stitch in a semi straight line.
This is my first REAL attempt at making my own personalized iPad case, complete with padding & an inner-lining.
My very first attempt at making my own DIY style iPad case ended up in a tragic disaster. I didn’t follow any type of tutorial, guideline, or sheet pattern. I just used the fabric I had purchased & was supposed to make something for my niece, & I just made up my own steps as I went along. Instead of going the easy & much more professional-looking route by sewing the fabric, I had decided to get creative by using no-sew iron-on fabric tape. I thought this would help me cut a corner in having to do any sewing. Well, let’s just say that after all the cutting & fabric tape ironing etc. etc. etc., I ended up needing to do some sewing after all. I had to sew the seams together because even though the package claimed the tape to be long-lasting, I didn’t want to run the risk of the stuff coming unglued. The biggest mistake I made was not properly measuring & cutting the fabric before doing all the nipping & tucking, so my iPad case ended up being a little too baggy & bulky. The end result? Let’s just say a 4th grade elementary student could do better than this:
my first attempt at a sewing project. don't judge me. -__-
On my next attempt, which I’d like to call it my first “real” attempt at making a good quality DIY style iPad case, I actually followed an online sewing tutorial. Rather than follow the tutorial line-by-line, I improvised on a few of the steps. The end result, I think, looks pretty darn good. It’s still not quite Cut & Sewn quality, but it’s still very durable & clean looking for a casual iPad case. Even though sewing is not my best skill by a long shot, I’m still very impressed that I managed to pull a rabbit out of this dusty ol’ hat.
This is the online tutorial I used: http://www.creativekristi.com/freebie-friday-sew-you-own-ipad-case-pattern.html
This is the shop where I buy all of my fabrics: http://www.peapodfabrics.com
Rabbits & Foxes 
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