Still not sure you have what it takes to do a DIY project? Brit Morin, founder and CEO of Brit + Co., is here to help. She's sharing four trendy DIY projects that you — yes, you! — can handle. And click here to read an excerpt from Brit Morin's book, "Homemakers: A Domestic Handbook for a New Generation," where you can find more DIY projects, recipes and more.
Custom-etched glassware
- Contact paper
- Glass carafe
- 1 paintbrush
- Etching cream
- Damp towel or rag
1. Cut contact paper into small shapes to create a pattern.
2. Wash and dry your glass carafe. Peel off the backing of the contact paper and attach each piece to the glass, pressing firmly.
3. Use a paintbrush to apply a heavy layer of etching cream all over your carafe.
4. Let the etching sit for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with water.
5. Peel off your contact paper pattern and wipe with a damp towel or rag to remove any remaining races of etching cream.
Colorful table runner
- Iron
- Painter’s tape
- Paint
1. Iron your runner and lay it down on a flat surface and start creating a pattern with painter’s tape.
2. Smooth out any air bubbles in the tape so that you end up with a clean paint line.
3. Start painting!
4. Let the runner dry, then peel of the tape. Wash, dry and iron your runner before placing it on your table.
Planter bookends
- Wax paper
- Tape
- Clay
- Rolling pin
- Stamps
- Ink
- Potter’s needle
- Water
- Plants
1. Roll out some wax paper and tape it to a flat surface.
2. Grab a chunk of clay and roll it into a ball. Press it down on the wax paper and roll it out with your rolling pin.
3. Choose your stamps and ink and go to town on your clay. Press down enough to ink the clay, but don’t press too hard or you’ll leave an impression.
4. Then wrap your clay around the sides of the bottle. Make X’s with your potter’s needle on both ends of the clay. Apply a small amount of water to each scored end, then press the pieces together, smoothing them out with your finger.
5. Let dry for half an hour and then remove the bottle and wax paper. This will take two days to fully dry.
6. Add plants!
Jewelry hooks
- Wood cut to your preferred size
- Sandpaper
- Knobs
- Drawer pulls
- 1 can of colored spray paint (color is your choice)
- 1 can of white spray paint
- Drill
1. Get a piece of wood to attach knobs to. I had the folks at the hardware store cut one to 24-inches by 24-inches. Use sandpaper to smooth out any roughness.
2. Buy knobs and drawer pulls and spray paint them. Apply two coats for each knob.
3. While the first coat of paint on the knobs is drying, use white spray paint to paint your wood white.
4. Once everything is dry, head back to your worktable and lay out all the knobs on your board.
5. Use a marker to indicate where you need to drill holds to attach each piece.
6. Drill those holes!
7. Attach your knobs.
8. Adorn with your favorite accessories.