Attacking Things From Poundland With A Glue Gun

Ah yes, the weather has been foul so I have been doing things indoors. By doing things, I mainly mean reading trashy fantasy novels and watching YouTube tutorials whilst eating Pringles by the fistful - but eventually, occasionally, I actually get round to making the things I've watched. Yes, crafting. Or in my case, sticking everything in sight together with an overheating glue gun and hoping for the best.

S'cuse the nekkid nails.

Skills.

The first skill in my arsenal is never actually paying full price for materials. This does mean that whenever I go to Hobby Craft I have to save my purchases as yes, I am one of those people - the 'buy the Christmas stock in January' type. On my last trip I noticed that a lot of Christmas red ribbon was identical to the fully priced stock of Valentine's Day, so I snapped plenty of that up too.

Poundland Stuff: where else could you get a meter of ribbon and
six flowers for a quid?

My other favourite place is the Land of Pounds. I always check their cards and craft section (often it's particularly good for card making supplies) - but that's not the only aisle you can glean choice items. You know those tutorials that involve ripping up and re-building silk flowers? Poundland's toy shelf provides 'Easter Bonnet' kits with plenty of petals already neatly separated and ready to glue. And of course, in the hair department - the bands, combs and clips are plain because they cost a quid (a fraction of the price of 'bases' from proper hobby shops). The secret - as with most thrifty shopping - is to go often and think ahead. Most of these items are small enough to go in a cardboard box under the stairs until needed.

Anywhere else where I stock up? Well - Primark of all places! A lot of YouTube tutorials call for a plain pair of shoes or a basic, cheap bag. Again, the Primark Sale is superb for little purses, hair clips and cheap beads/necklaces for attaching and adorning other items.

This screams 'project', no?

So, I've build up this collection of tat, and I have a spare afternoon. What did I do? My first project is an ongoing one. I have this white 'basket' clutch from Primarni - I want to cover it, diagonally down one side, with kitch seaside charms. I had some non-Disney-infringing buttons (the smaller than average half fish woman if you catch my drift) I picked up somewhere and glued these on with some bows. It now looks kinda cute and kawaii, but I want a real build up of tack there so whilst I can use it, I'm still keeping an eye out for seaside tat to add yet more.

More is more... and I will be adding more!

After that I decided to make a floral crown similar to those I've pinned on my Pinterest board (notice the seamless plug there mwahaha). Krista of Peetee's Palace often wears floral bands and I have been hankering for one for a while, if you like bright fashions check her out, she's got fab style. Of course this isn't exactly the season for pastel flowers, but I couldn't resist ripping open those Easter Bonnet kits and the tutorial promised maximum glue gun action with minimal actual skill, so was perfect. The moment the weather gets above ten degrees I am gonna be donning my floral hairband and dancing around.

Source: youtube.com via Perdita's on Pinterest

I used this tutorial, and although the band itself is smaller (and with fewer flowers - should have stretched to a whole THREE pounds on bonnet materials, hahaha) I'm pretty pleased with the result...

Finally, of course, I decided to make something seasonal (if not exactly useful). A Valentine's day hair band for The Ric Rac Club. I wanted an almost pill box effect - three dimensional but without any silly feathery fascinator business. What I discovered was that kids' glittery foam shapes plus solid glue mould surprisingly well. Huzzah! I had finally created something of use.

At about 10pm, in said club, the other side of London from our house, my husband turned to me and said "You forgot your little hairband thing. It's on the hall table." Doh! Still, there's always next year...