I've had this idea of wiring acorns together since I made my acorn headband. I imagined a great tutorial for you all where you would learn to make purse handles, bracelets and napkin rings with free acorns you could pick up off the ground.
Where then is the tutorial, you ask? Well, let me share a personal story to explain why it's missing.
Back in the days before Cosmo Cricket, I spent my time raising kids, taking walks and doing fun little projects... mostly inspired by Martha Stewart magazine. (Stay with me because I do have a point!) One such project was for batik napkins. I melted wax, I stamped it on linen, I died the linen. It was beautiful, just like in Martha's magazine photos. The only problem was that linen with wax in it is a bit stiff and does not absorb much! In fact, just the opposite. I had made waterproof napkins!!!
I reviewed the instructions. There was some fine print I had missed. It said that to remove "recalcitrant" (yes, I remember the exact word) wax you could use a specific cleaner and your iron to melt it out. I went and bought said cleaner. It did not make any difference.
Have I mentioned that I am persistent? I called the magazine. I asked to speak to the editor of the batik napkin column. I asked her advice on my problem. Now, what I say next is completely true and to me, unbelievable. She told me that for each photoshoot they litterally make hundreds of the craft, they pick the best ones and their only concern is how it looks in the photo. She said that their napkins were waxy too. I told her that waxy napkins just don't work. She told me that they don't actually expect people to do these projects.
I however, hope you actually do our projects and this one, although the photo looks great, needs serious tweaking before you would be happy with it. The wire is too stiff to wrap easily around the acorns, but too weak to be secured to the purse as a handle. I need to use some metal D rings to attach the acorn segment, having them wrapped in thinner wire. Also, I need to adapt the gusset before I recommend that you follow my pattern.
But, until I get that done, feel free to use my photo and tips as inspiration.... or just make yourself the card, it's super easy!
And don't forget that we're giving away a huge S'more Love set. Leave a comment on this post to enter into our random drawing. We'll announce the winner tomorrow.
