Make it: Crochet Pot Covers

You wanna know what my latest obsession is? It involves a metal hook ranging from sizes 1 to 15mm or maybe even larger if you're into using your arms. I'm talking about CROCHET! (And yes, there is a thing called arm crocheting) I again blame Pinterest for this current affliction or maybe my daughter Marisa. She was crocheting way before I was, making beautiful beanies with all sorts of colored yarn. And when I get into something, I REALLY get into it: trips to Michaels and Joanns, stalking Pinterest for hours for the perfect granny square or slouchy beanie, buying crochet books (and getting totally confused with the patterns) and constantly asking myself, "Do I really need 50 skeins of yarn in amazing color combinations?!?" Of course I do! Since I work in the hardware store, I was also asking myself how I can utilize my yarn love in a hardware store capacity. Well here you go:

3 in a row. Love the colors!

I used single and double crochet stitches for this orchid pot.

This is more of a granny square stitch.

This shell stitch took me forever but I love how it looks!

This is my first crochet pot cover using single and double crochet stitches.

Doesn't this look like candy corn?!?

The first three are all displayed in our popular garden shop. And I had to place these on the top shelf, at eye level, for all to see (cuz I'm just vain like that). Teaching crochet is a whole other monster so I'll let an expert teach y'all how. Here's a link to crochet tutorials: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/crafts-hobbies/Crocheting/Stitches.html
Hope I provided some eye candy to inspire you to create!
Until next time,
Keep making, keep creating, keep doing!
Nori Lee
Speedy's Hardware
www.speedyshardware.com

Make it: Airplant Framed

I'm freakin plant obsessed right now. What brought on this manic behavior , I have no idea. I was cleaning out my closet and found a bunch of white Ikea frames that looked depressed because they had not pictures in them. Well, lo and behold, I saw on my dear Pinterest, an awe inspiring pin that could not be ignored. And being the Pinterest fanatic that I am, I had to hack it! Some genius thought up the idea of displaying airplants in string in a picture frame. You can put airplants practically anywhere and with a little bit of sunlight and regular watering, they'll thrive. Here's what you'll need

1 - picture frame with the glass removed

1 - string of your fave color

A bunch of nails

1 airplant or 2 or 3

Hammer

Do this:

Turn over the picture frame and pound nails all around the perimeter of the frame's backside. Take your string and keep criss crossing to the opposite sides of the frame until you get the design you like. Keep the string taunt. When you're done, secure the string so that it won't unravel. Insert the airplants randomly into your string design. Voila! You just created your very own unique airplant display. Now you can hang it up or surprise someone special with this handmade goodie!

Here's another one I made:

Seashells are great with airplants too!

Til next time: keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori

Speedy's Hardware

www.speedyshardware.com

Make it: Kokedama

What is a kokedama you ask? Well, it's an awesome moss ball with a plant shoved in the middle. It's pretty much one of the cutest things I've ever seen. It originated in Japan and it's actually related to the much beloved bonzai. And it's pretty easy to make. Here's what you'll need:

- Any small potted plant (for this one, I used a mini dracaena)

- potting soil mixed with some clay soil 

- sheet moss

- string: twine in your choice of color

- scissors

- gloves

- pie pan

- bowl of water

Wasn't that super easy?!? Now you can either hang it with more string or simply put in on a pretty dish and sing to it or whatever you do for your plants to keep them extra happy.

Wanna see kokedamas in real life? Drop by our shop in San Francisco. We have a bunch of these lovelies hanging out in our window display. 

Til next time, keep making, keep creating, keep doing!

Nori

Speedy's Hardware
www.speedyshardware.com