Studs & Pearls, the Book

When I started blogging in 2011, DIY blogs were really having a moment. And I can’t tell you how much money I spent at Michael’s and fabric stores that year in attempt to get on their level [spoiler:: it didn’t happen]. One of the first DIY blogs I latched onto was Studs & Pearls, and I am SO excited to share blogger Kirsten’s first book, based off the blog, with you today!

30 DIY fashion projects grace its pages–everything from embellishing an old pair of shoes to making an entire dress. I love that the majority of the clothing, accessory, and shoe projects are aimed at dressing up and customizing pieces that you may already have in your closet, or that would be easy to find inexpensively at second-hand stores– no cutting up fabric pieces to fit patterns and struggling to make that entire skirt on your own [though if you can, more power to you my friend!]. The jewelry chapter is for doing some real creative crafting out of nothing– who knew that vinyl tubing could make for such cute bracelets?

The step-by-step photos help IMMENSELY. I am that girl that needs her hand help through the whole DIY process. Kirsten also offers sections with tips and tools for getting started if you need to learn the basics of customized fashion.

My favorite part? The Index by Difficulty. Sometimes I get the itch to craft but don’t want to take on anything that will push the limits of fun and become a stressor that I never end up finishing. Ranking them by easy–>difficult level = the best gift Kirsten could have given me.

Can’t wait to get crafting…!

Studs & Pearls
By Kirsten Nunez
Lawrence King Publishing, 2014
$20

Full disclosure: I was provided a complimentary copy for review. All opinions expressed are my own.