First to be profiled are the girls from Honestly...WTF, Erica and Lauren. These inspirational ladies take the cake with their perfectly executed DIYs and aesthetically orgasmic blog. The DIYs they showcase always look infinitely do-able (apart from the amazing full sized tepee they made recently on an epic crafternoon) and oh so well explained. They certainly put the DO IT in DIY. Uploaded weekly, some of my favourite of their DIYs include the no-knit scarf here, the turban tutorial here, and the lovely gold painted jeans here.
With Lauren being a stylist and me an accessories designer, both of us have always loved creating and making thing ourselves. It's hard not to be inspired by our jobs.
What currently inspires your DIY projects? (I've noticed your blog has a lovely bohemian/american indian vibe, I love it!)
Lauren has a stack of amazing vintage craft books from her grandmother that we just marvel at. We always joke that we were born in the wrong era as we are so inspired by women from previous generations who grew up knitting, sewing, crocheting, etc. That same level of artistry & craftsmanship is so rare these days. We're really trying to bring that same level of craftsmanship back while simplifying the projects and making them more accessible, incorporating current trends.
Which of your DIY projects have you got the most amount of satisfaction from?
We love each and every DIY we do. We really don't believe in publishing a DIY that we wouldn't wear or use ourselves. Lauren was on set the other day and hadn't realized until midday that she was wearing our DIY projects head to toe!
We definitely have a DIY graveyard BUT I don't see why we wouldn't dig up some unsuccessful projects and try to rework them.
What one skill or tool would you invest in if you were just starting out with DIY?
Both of us didn't learn to sew until recently and I must say, basic sewing is an amazing skill to have. Sewing machines are an investment but the possibilities are endless and at the end of the day, it's so much better to be able to stitch something than to use fabric glue. But if a sewing machine is out of the question, I would suggest a nice sharp pair of fabric shears! :)
Do you have any 'cheat' tips for other avid DIYers out there?
If you look at something and have the littlest inkling that you can make it yourself, give it a try! I would start with something small and relatively easy, like costume jewelry. Look at images or the actual piece in person and try breaking it down in its simplest form. Don't pressure yourself to replicate it exactly. Use components that you might find at a craft or hardware store and give yourself a budget.
Yes, DIYs and thrifting is a great way to save money. We would encourage anybody to DIY even if you can still buy more expensive pieces because at the end of the day, it isn't so much about the budget as it is about the satisfaction of making something yourself. That sense of creative accomplishment is irreplaceable!
Are there any trends at the moment that particularly inspire you to get crafty?
We were DIYing from all the macrame and fringe in the Spring 2011 collections and will definitely be incorporating some of that in future DIYs! Stay tuned!
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