Giving the Barbie Closet Some Upgraded Looks!

I couldn't pass up this Goodwill find. It made me immediately think, What a perfect store starter! However, after looking it over and having a poll on Instagram, it seems more people wanted to see what kind of an upgraded closet I could come up with. So... I have all these little Mini Brands set aside to recreate a store in 1/6 scale when I find another one. I even have a Re-Ment set my husband got me on clearance recently. International section, perhaps?? But back to my closet. Let's see what we can create with this! 

The original is Barbiecore to the core! I'm not a fan of Barbie colors. I prefer something a little more realistic. First steps I took were to paint the outsides with a paint+primer blend. This adheres well to the plastic and was how I did things with the Jurassic Park jeep makeover.

I taped off what would be a window. I know it is pink, but I have no choice. I want something that resembles a window or glass door. Maybe one day I will get to swap that part out. For now, it stays and won't be covered with paint.

Front and back were painted with the grey I had on hand. Don't worry about the cardboard inserts. I have a plan for changing those later.

So here is the front. That marbled design is from a card stock page meant for scrap-booking. But I think it adds a pretty outside look. This was glued to a thin cardboard piece. On the other side of that cardboard is where I put my inside paper. This was printed and gives off that calm, almost Japanese-styled look I was wanting.

In order to get this to work, I did have to pry the white shelving units out. That was no easy task, by the way! And yes, the seams make it a little less how I envisioned. But for now, I'm going to roll with it.

So this is where it is was at after adding the new background pieces. One side was painted a darker grey. I ended up having to buy more paint and could only find a different shade. Then I salvaged the mirror from the original cardboard background, but decided it needed a nice frame before I added it to the new background.

Using cut popcicle sticks, I painted them white before adding a green glow-in-the-dark paint. Then I framed the mirror. After digging into my bits and bobs drawers, I found some wooden pieces that were included as spares to a Steampunk clock I had received a while back. After arranging, painting and gluing in, I think they add to the Japanese style. What do you think? As an added bonus, I like having it glow in the dark. Kinda like a portal.

I made the hair dryer from a broken headphone piece and some craft foam. Then I used a broken off piece from jewelry to make a hanging hook for it. Now Barbie can do her hair at the counter. But enough reading! Let me show you, in my video, the rest of what I did.

Well, there you have it! Barbie has a new dream closet that actually works well for storing things. What do you think? Is there something else you'd have added? Leave me a comment below and let me know! Another project is on the way.

Crafting for the Holidays

There is something to be said for being able to make things yourself. It can boost your confidence in yourself, raising your self esteem. For some it can be a stress reliever. You get so focused in what you are doing, that you loose the chaotic thoughts of life for just a little while. It saves money. When you make gifts, you are showing that you took the time to pour love and thoughtfulness into it. 

I'm not naturally gifted with the crafter gene. I am one of those who so desperately longs to be creative, that I will try my hand at something with high hopes, but still have the expectation it most likely will fail. My natural optimism falters when it comes to crafts.

Since I'm trying to save money this year, I thought I'd try to make some gifts. Okay, originally, I planned on making most gifts... Now, however, I am being realistic and making just some. Like a pearl framed mirror for my 5 year old daughter. 

Or this pearl and crystal framed photo. After failing to make what I originally wanted (see below) I had to decide to be creative or toss. And then I saw this idea and got creative.

I'm also attempting to make this napkin holder giftable.

I started this Christmas tree-looking decoration.

I was advised to add some bling. Currently out, but my daughter likes it. 
Things like this are simple, but cute. For someone just starting out, check out Pinterest and see what you have laying around your house. As I have learned, not everything comes out as intended. We don't all craft on the same levels. That crystal picture frame was actually meant to be a candle holder, but it didn't turn out like the Pinterest video.

You have to think outside the box. And always remember - "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill.
History tidbit: WD-40 stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try. It took them 40 tries to create what is now a household name with a plethora of uses!