Opinions on latest DIY project please?

Acrosthec

So I sat down and did this last night while FI and I watched Elf with some friends.  It took a couple of hours to make five ribbon-tie necklaces, and the total cost is $2.46 per bridesmaid.

What do you think?  Do they look too cheap or do they look normal and you'd never guess they were less than $2.50/person?  I want to get them a really nice jewelry travel case and give the necklaces to them in that, so I couldn't spend a ton on the actual jewelry. 

Opinions please.  If you want directions, it's in the bio under "I Can Make Stuff!"

oceana919

Personally, I think they're really cute, and I don't think they look cheap at all. I saw necklaces in a shop downtown that looked similar to that running for close to $30. Super cute (love the navy!!!).

Kinda makes me want to bribe you for one myself...lol

**Mutley**

I am a perfectionist, so with that said.

I would change the ribbon to a little bit wider one.  Also, I would tie the bow a little smaller so that the ends are a little longer.

Overall, they look great!   

oceana919

Ok hon, I just checked out your profile...

1) Can I hire you to organize my wedding when I actually get hitched? lol
2) I love love love the colors. I'm thinking a similar color scheme for ours (we've been thinking navy and tan/khaki), so your profile has so many pretty ideas, it's like a smogasboard of wedding-related goodness.
3) Your rehearsal dinner invites = adorable.
4) Where did you get all your fonts? There is a font or two I want to get my hands on for NWR DIY projects, and I have no idea where to download them off online without getting my computer infected with nasty viruses and hackware.
5) I actually LOLed at the Transformers garter. That has to be the coolest thing I've ever seen.

Hazel_B

I think they look great! And, as pp said, I've seen necklaces similar that were rather expensive.

noelle24

I have to admit I'm not a fan of the ribbon tie.  It seems to overwhelm the necklace a bit.

 But that's definitely just a personal taste thing. They don't look cheap.

Acrosthec

Yea the ribbon I'm not sold on.  I think it's too big (long) and will shorten it some.  I just made it longer in case the girls wanted to tie the necklaces loosely and needed more ribbon to work with.  Also, when we tie them for the wedding, depending on what dresses the girls choose, the tails will hang down longer in the back and the bow part will be smaller.  That's how I envision it in my head, I just didn't tie them that way for storage (trying to make the necklace as compact as possible).  :-)

Thanks for the input!

Oceana~ I love doing crafty things, and am overly organized in general.  I would love to help if you need anything once you get engaged!

I got most of my fonts from dafont.com, except for the Feel Script font, which I found in someone else's bio and downloaded from there.

katanne9

I think they look great!!!

I would also be interested in seeing a thicker ribbon, but like these as they are too.

Acrosthec

Maybe I'll try and find a thicker ribbon.  The only problem I foresee with anything wider than 1/4" that I used is that I had to fold the 1/4" in half to get it through the jump rings.  Anything wider may not slide as well for tying purposes.  But I'll definitely try it out.  I ended up with navy ribbon in all different widths for my DIYs! 

babybchbum

I love them. I was just online yesterday looking for tutorials on how to make these for a friend (just as a thinking of you gift)

hetshup

I agree about the ribbon. I think that big fat ribbons have a luxe feel that those really need. Otherwise, you are crazy crafty. Everything I make looks like a 4 year old did it, so I am in awe of you and your  crafting abilities. The only thing I will be making is tableclothes... b\c BF hates when fabric touches the ground, otherwise known as the great curtain debate.



PS-- With thicker ribbon, would larger pearls be too expensive?

Acrosthec

With larger ribbon I probably would need larger pearls.  These were $1.97 for 108 of them, and I bought 3 strands.  I didn't look at the bigger ones, but I doubt they'd be way too expensive.

Maybe if I just found a more luxe ribbon, but not necessarily so much bigger that I had to scrap the pearl part?  I just keep thinking velvet ribbon is too...wintery, for an August wedding.  So I went with satin.  Hm...

hetshup

Is there a way to attach the ribbon just at the ends so you don't have to thread it? Another thing that might look nice is a double pearl necklace with a thicker ribbon tying them together. I think they are beautiful, but I honestly think bracelet when i see it.

Avoid velvet at all costs! I do love the satin.

desertsun

Are you intending that they wear them for the wedding? If so, I quite like them as is. For work, I might want something bolder. But for bridesmaids, I think they'd be great b/c they wouldn't overwhelm the dress or the bouquet.

It's tricky, because jewelry is such a personal thing. Everyone has slightly different taste.

I don't think they look cheap. I think they're pretty.

AnneAndJJ

I really like them! Very cute

I agree with the comment about velvet ribbon in August...doesn't quite seem right (definitely stick with satin). I think I like the narrow ribbon though, because I feel like any wider might overwhelm the pearls. 

babybchbum

Where did you buy the pearls? I

babybchbum

and how big are they?.. sorry so many questions

jeanacorina

Acro, I *need* to know exactly where you got your Transformers garter. Like, I know it was on Etsy, but from WHOOOOOOO because I have to have one like that. Josh will FLIP.

I mean, it could be Transformers, X-Men, Batman, whatever.... although Transformers can double as my something blue.

Goldlie11

Nice.  They remind me of this:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/jewelry/finejewelrycollection/PRDOVR~75320/75320.jsp

desertsun

What about trying to do a navy grosgrain ribbon at the ends? I don't want you to have to re-do the necklace part. But grosgrain might look more luxe without going velvet?

Acrosthec

Will look into the grosgrain.  I don't know why...I just never though grosgrain was as "pretty" as satin.  Maybe because my mom used to make all my hair ribbons out of it.  :-)

To whomever asked, yes, they are for the bridesmaids during the wedding, but they can wear them after if they like (I hope they like them enough to do that!)

I got the pearls at Wal-mart, and they weren't marked by size....I was looking for 8mm, so I just got some that eyeballed looked about that size.

Jeana~  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35385819&ref=sr_list_2&&ga_search_query=transformers+garter&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

jeanacorina

AWWWWWWWESOME!

FI will FLIP OUT. I'm buying it. Now.

Acrosthec

Word of advice?  After you buy it, the seller sends you an email asking when your wedding date is so she can get it to you by then.

LIE.  LIE YOUR @SS OFF.

I told the truth, and now am expecting my garter sometime in July.  I was kinda hoping it would come soon, but as the weeks go by, I'm giving up hope.

jeanacorina

LOL, okay, so I'll tell her April or something. Thanks for the advice.

TopazAngel

They're adorable! Nobody's expecting Tiffany, anyway, so I think people will be impressed. I too have seen these sold in chic little retail stores. Good job! I'm totally hoarding this idea away. I'm reasonably crafty

notquiteblushing

I love them.  Good job.  I haven't even thought about bridesmaid gifts yet.