A Dash of Bohemian

The life of a free spirit, far from the chaos and strings of a routine life, a Bohemian life: that's the dream. Sadly, it continues to be the bubble that is burst every day. Then again, who's to say that you cannot be a rebel and lets your Bohemian-self seep through? Read on and let a bit of that boho-chic dust off on you.

FEATHER HEADGEAR

If you have long, beautiful locks of hair you would be glad you didn't go get that haircut. Now you get to have your hair adorned with an array of feather clips. This simple DIY needs only a few simple things: cotton cords, big bobby pins, thin craft/iron wire, masking tape, hot glue and feathers. Cotton cords can be made by cutting off the tips of old shoe laces, iron wire can be found in any hardware store and for feathers your most reliable source are car feather dusters.

For the making, cut off the tip of the feather to create a hole at the bottom of the feather stalk. Using about 4 inches of iron wire, create a loop and twist the ends together. Then secure the wire loop in the hole at the feather stalk with masking tape. Next, tie one end of the cord to the wire loop while slinging the other end through the bobby pin. Thread about 3-4 such wired feathers down the cord, pinching the wire loop in the desired level and adding a dab of hot glue to hold it in place. Wrap some embroidery thread around the cord and you're good to go.

A different way to go is a feather fedora - a charming accessory for all those romantics and dreamers (and fans of Shah Rukh Khan's classics). Dear men, you can upgrade any boring old hat, preferably fabric made, with some feather, a satin/velvet ribbon (preferably in a solid colour) and dabs of hot glue. Simply brush the good old hat off, cut your ribbon of choice a little bigger than the base of the crown of your hat and secure in place with hot glue. Next, arrange your feather(s) and simply glue it onto one side of the band of your hat.

CROCHET DREAM CATCHERS AND MORE

Perhaps I'm not alone when I say there's an abundance of elegantly crafted yet neglected crochet pieces lying scattered in our homes which need to be restored to glory. You can easily create a beautiful dream catcher from a crochet doily, some string, beads, an embroidery frame and feathers. Entrap the crochet piece within the wooden frame and fancy a hook out of some wire as a hanging piece. Next, thread the beads onto the string creating about 4-5 chains and tie them on the other end of the frame, securing with hot glue. Finish your dream catcher by attaching a feather at the bottom of each string by wrapping some wire and masking tape.

If you're left with some more doilies, craft an elegant centrepiece bowl using nothing but some glue and a glass bowl. Apply petroleum jelly over the bottom of the glassware shape you want to attain and keep upright. Mix equal parts flour and adhesive with some water and brush over the doily. Next, place the glue soaked doily over the bowl and dry overnight. You won't even believe your eyes when it has transformed into a bowl the next morning.

Labiba Mustabina is a biochemist in the making. A tree hugger, she also claims to be a closet artist. You can reach her at [email protected]