YouTube Roundup: Minions!

To celebrate the launch of The Minion Movie that came out on Friday, I decided to have a little hunt around YouTube to find video tutorials for Minion-related crafts!! There are so many Minion things that you can make, and here's just a small selection of them.

DIY Recycled Minion Plush by Coolirpa

In this video, April shows you how easy it is to make your very own minion plush from recycled materials! Even better, this tutorial doesn't have any sewing in it either!! Check out April's channel here for great sewing transformations: https://www.youtube.com/user/coolirpa

DIY Minion Polymer Clay Charm by MintDahlia

I am useless at polymer clay but I just love watching tutorials on little cute charms! This one was no exception. Just look at his little face... So adorable! In this tutorial, you will be shown how to make this little guy with just a few simple tools. I love the bananas :D Check out Mint Dahlia's channel here for more great polymer clay tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/user/MintDahlia

DIY Minion Emoji Decorated Eggs by AnneorShine

Well I know that this was meant to be an Easter tutorial, but I couldn't resist sharing it with you all! All you need are some plastic Easter eggs, some spray paint, googly eyes and a sharpie! Anne shows you how to make these little guys in only one minute too! Click here to see Anne's channel for more gorgeous DIYs, home decor and beauty tips: https://www.youtube.com/user/anneorshine

3D Origami Minion by Guila's Art

I cannot believe that this little guy is made out of paper! That's incredible... I'm so impressed. I find origami so difficult and often end up just ripping the paper :/ There are so many awesome paper craft tutorials on this channel, so you should definitely check it out: https://www.youtube.com/user/estoreromania

DIY Minion Corner Bookmark by Foreverminty

Look at these little guys! They're so cute :D I would definitely trust them to keep my place in a book! In this tutorial, you are shown how to cut and fold the paper, and then how to decorate it to look like little minions! Check out Foreverminty's channel for more DIY videos and vlogs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe3DRB7Dvp9jE5CaTX60zmA

DIY Beaded Minion Charm by The Corner of Craft

I'm sorry... I just had to plug my own video! I uploaded this tutorial in January, but I think it's only fitting that I share it with you again now. Learn how to make this beaded minion with just a few size 11 delica beads using the brick stitch bead weaving technique! Super simple. For more DIY videos, check out my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/thecornerofcraft

I'm off to see The Minion Movie tomorrow and I'm so excited! Have you seen it yet, and if so, did you enjoy it?

How Do I Make Seed Bead Bracelets?

There are SO many different ways to incorporate seed beads into bracelet making, and not all of them involve bead weaving! I was asked on one of my recent videos to make a tutorial demonstrating how to make a "seed bead and wire bracelet", so I naturally obliged. The thing is, I didn't want to just do a basic stringing bracelet, I wanted to spice it up a little bit.

I made three different bracelets, that all use very similar techniques, but look different from each other. And, much like with many of my tutorials, they look a lot more complicated than they actually are, which is a delight!

The first bracelet, I think, is the easiest of the three. It only requires basic stringing, attaching necklace ends and then adding chain. Don't be intimidated by jewellery making! If the first thing you make doesn't look perfect, then persist! You'll get the hang of it :)

The second bracelet I saw on Pinterest and just knew that I had to make a tutorial on it! It's super cute and looks a little like an infinity symbol. Once again, this bracelet uses the same techniques listed above, but they're then looped together to make the knot in the middle. So effective, and not difficult at all!

Pinterest is clearly the place where I find all my inspiration, as this bracelet was found on there too! A tutorial had been made on how to made a necklace with a portion that was plaited seed beads, and I decided that I wanted to make a bracelet version! It does follow all the same steps as above, but with some added braiding. It looks so good! I wore it to work and received so many compliments :)

What's your favourite way to use seed beads in jewellery making?

Colouring for Grown Ups?

I went on holiday to Frankfurt last week, which was lovely, but not at all relaxing as we were scoping out the place before we move there in August!! Anyway, whilst we were looking for a little holiday present for my sister, I found a little colouring book, designed for adults, which were postcards! It was the perfect little thing for her, and after I got back home, I realised that I wanted a "grown up's" colouring book too! So I bought one. And 50 colouring pencils... and a pencil case. I'm such a child. I just miss stationery shopping for school at the beginning of a school year!

Anyway! The book that I decided to buy is full of vintage patterns and is absolutely gorgeous! It's so intimidating to start colouring in it, but I took that plunge. Here is a progress shot of the first piece I coloured:

And the finished product! As I said to my boyfriend, I don't feel as though I'm very good at colouring. Yes I can stay within the lines (kind of...) but I struggle to know what colours to put where, which is what I feel a different sort of creative person will know more. (Please note, I am not saying I'm not creative. I'm just not very good at colour-placement, except for hair dye...)

Now I started with that pattern because it was still quite structured and I could repeat a pattern over and over on it. My boyfriend then pointed out that I was avoiding the more "swirly" patterns, so to prove him wrong, this is the next page I have started! It's definitely going to take a while for me to complete, but I'll try to remember to post a picture when it's done!