Dismount Creative – M&J Challenger 2!

 Dismount Creative is  as a place for people to step out of their day-to-day routine and get together to make cool, modern crafts.  Here are the great projects she came up with for the M&J Challenge 2.

__________________

 

Project 1: Tie-dye Camera Strap

Like many bloggers I carry my camera almost everywhere. Lugging around a DSLR can be a pain, but it’s much more fun with straps that feel like a cool accessory!

Materials:
Muslin 3” x 60”
RIT Dye
String
Squirt bottles
Hardware store chain 36”
Leather: 2 strips 3/8” x 12”
Rivets + rivet setting tools

Directions

  1. Sew along the length of the prewashed muslin strip and then turn it right side out using a safety pin. Tuck in the ends and topstitch to secure.
  2. Use the string to tie every few inches along the length of the fabric and then wet the fabric and put it in a safe place for dying. (I used my sink.)
  3. Mix up the RIT dye into the squirt bottles according to directions. Squirt the dye randomly on the fabric. Allow 20-30 minutes to set before rinsing, washing and drying.
  4. Weave the dyed fabric strip through the chain, sometimes wrapping around or tying knots to keep it from looking too uniform.
  5. Punch two holes in the end of each leather strip and insert into the final length of chain. Secure with a rivet.
  6. Insert the ends of the leather strap through the brackets on your camera and secure using new or existing buckles or rivets.

__________________

 

Project 2: Simple Ribbon Camera Strap

My little Diana Mini is way too cute to be carried by the 70’s vinyl strap that came standard. Right as I was leaving for a party one night I made this strap from some jewelry chain (better suited for light cameras like this one than your heavy DSLR) and the gorgeous bright pink ribbon from M&J Trim. It was a hit!

Materials:
Split key rings – 2
Ribbon – At least 36”
Jewelry Chain – At least 24”

Directions

  1. Weave the ribbon through the chain and knot on each end to secure.
  2. Attach the chain to the brackets on your camera using a split key ring. 

__________________

 

Project 3: Braided Wrap Bracelet

One of my favorite things to make is a nice long wrap bracelet because it can also be worn as a necklace or headband.

Materials:
Hand-dyed silk ribbon: 2 pieces each 36”
Diamante chain- 20”
Ribbon crimp ends – 2
Jump rings – 5
Stamping blank
Crystals+ setting kit
Clasp
Glue
Wire

 Directions:

  1. Braid together the two pieces of ribbon and the diamante chain to a length of 20” – 21”.
  2. Use a small piece of wire to wrap each end to secure the diamante chain. Cut off any excess chain and ribbon.
  3. Put a small bead of glue on the ends of the ribbon before attaching the ribbon crimp ends and securing tightly with pliers.
  4. Add one (or several!) crystals to the stamping blank charm following the instructions in the crystal setting kit. I also stamped my initials into the charm.
  5. Attach the clasp to one end of the bracelet using a jump ring. On the other end of the bracelet, connect the remaining jump rings into a short chain and add the charm to the very end.

 __________________

 

Project 4: Sparkly Bolo Cord Bracelet

Nothing makes a bright-colored bracelet more on-trend this summer than a healthy dose of sparkle!

Materials:
Bright bolo cord- 3 pieces 6”
Diamante chain- 5 ½”
Thread- matching or contrast
Needle
Ribbon crimp ends – 2
Clasp
Glue

 Directions:

  1. Use the thread to sew the diamante chain to the first piece of bolo cord by wrapping between each stone and sewing into the cord.
  2. Line up the second piece of cord alongside the first and sew together from the backside. By weaving in and out between the leather you can make your stitches nearly invisible.
  3. Sew the final piece of cord on the opposite side so that the diamante chain is in the center.
  4. Run a bead of glue along the cord ends and add the ribbon crimp ends to finish.
  5. Attach the clasp.

__________________

 

Project 5: Thread-wrap Bolo Bracelets

Thread wrap bracelets are a fun and fast alternative to traditional knotted friendship bracelets.

Materials:
Bright Bolo Cord – 3 pieces 6”
End caps – 6
Thread
Jump rings – 2
Clasp
Glue

 Directions:

  1. After you cut the pieces of bolo cord, immediately add a dot of glue to each end and attach the end caps. This will keep the cord from unraveling.
  2. Use different color thread to wrap parts of the cord. Try a pattern, or keep it simple. When you are finished wrapping tie a double knot and then either use a bit of glue to secure or use a needle to sew the thread tail into the cord.
  3. Attach a jump ring to the cord ends and add a clasp.

__________________

 

Project 6: Leather & Ribbon Cuff

Of all the great supplies M&J Trim sent I didn’t expect that I’d find grosgrain ribbon the hardest to use! I love ribbon, but really wanted to do something different with it. This cuff was inspired by chevrons and the Southwest. As soon as I saw the color of the ribbon against this scrap of leather I knew I had to find a way to put them together.

Materials:
Leather- 1 ½” x 10”
Ribbon- at least 36”
Jump Rings- 5 with diameter of ½”
Rivets – 2 (small) + setter

 

 Directions:

  1. Cut out the bracelet shape. On one side, cut out a U-shape leaving two straps 3/8” wide and 1 ¼” long. One the other side, cut out a U-shape leaving two straps 3/8” wide and 2 ¼” long. (I also recommend cutting the end of the end of the long straps at an angle.)
  2. Fold the two short straps behind and punch a hole through both layers. Add two jump rings onto each strap, fold over and secure with a rivet. This will make up the buckles.
  3. Punch three rows of holes, each ½ inch apart. Make the center row of holes start and end ½” closer to the buckles than the strap.
  4. Thread the ribbon through the holes making a chevron pattern on the front of the bracelet. I started by pulling half of the length through the center hole (from back to front) near the buckles and working down one side. Then I came back to the other half and added a jump ring from the back to prevent it from slipping out and repeated my steps down the other side. At the bottom (near the straps) I tied a knot to secure both ends. 

 __________________

 

Project 7: Crystal Hair Pins

In an effort to not wear a ponytail *everyday* I keep tons of bobby pins around. These crystal pins have enough sparkly to make them feel special, but not so much that they scream “Prom!” And, attached to a card like this they make a great gift!

Materials:
Bobby Pins
Glue (I use Aleene’s Glass + Bead Glue)
Crystals+ setting kit

Directions:

  1. Put a small amount of glue into the syringe and run a fine bead along the end of the bobby pin.
  2. Pick up the crystals using the wooden stick and beeswax and place carefully on the bobby pin. Press down to secure.
  3. Allow at least an hour to dry before wearing or packaging.

Visit for more fun DIY’s and Inspiration

6 thoughts on “Dismount Creative – M&J Challenger 2!

  1. Where can I find those end caps for the bolo cord bracelet? Michaels didn’t have them.
    Thanks!!! Love all the bracelets.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.