Sometimes do-it-yourself projects are all about functionality. And sometimes, they're just about looking damn good. Bookmark this trio of DIY fashion blogs for tutorials on wearable projects that are interesting, budget friendly, and totally chic. (Added bonus: Donning their creations means a low likelihood of running into someone wearing the same thing!) We caught up with the founders of these three blogs to get the low-down on what sparks their DIY ideas and asked them to share their best projects: 

1. Jenni Radosevich, I Spy DIY

I read in your bio that you worked for a fashion mag, which sparked you to start DIY-ing. Fill me in!
I work at InStyle, and have a monthly do-it-yourself fashion column in the magazine. I've always loved making things. Working so closely with clothing and jewelry really inspired me to step up my DIY game and create pieces influenced by the fashion I see every day.

What sparks your stylish DIY ideas?
I'm constantly looking at celeb style and working on trend pages for my job, which sparks a million-and-one ideas. I also LOVE to find inspiration in everyday items. For example, using paper fasteners to stud a bag or turning a feather duster into a clutch. You can usually find me wandering the aisles of the dollar store or Home Depot looking for trinkets to use in my next project.

What project are you most proud of? 
I got an amazing response on my feather duster clutch that appeared in InStyle. It was beyond exciting to see so many people make their own. Readers also really loved a statement necklace I made from straws and shoestring (above).

What are you currently working on?
I'm working on some fun projects for InStyle (check out the DIY hair accessory story in InStyle's Hair Issue) and am always coming up with ideas for my site. I also have a bunch of collaborations and exciting projects planned for this summer.

2. Kirsten Nunez, Studs and Pearls

What is your "day job" and how does it tie into you being a maker on Studs and Pearls?
I'm just starting a new job at About.com as a style/accessories writer. It's definitely going to help me keep up with fashion news (even more) and give me ideas/inspirations for DIYs. It's also going to facilitate some intense fashion researching, so I'm sure I'll come across things that will spark ideas. I'm also in graduate school for something completely unrelated to fashion: nutrition. 

What sparks your stylish DIY ideas?
Anything vintage, thrift shops, and photography are my biggest inspirations. Sometimes high-end designers inspire me—usually in a really strange way. When I look at something, a certain aspect or trait of the item sparks an idea, and then that sparks another idea, and then it just evolves from there. I have a huge sketchbook full of inspirational fashion photos; whenever I have an idea, I jot it down. When I flip through the sketchbook a few days, weeks, or months later, sometimes past ideas jump out at me.

What project are you most proud of? 
The Snake Wrap Bracelet (above) got some really feedback. (I think it's because it takes such a mundane item—a rubber snake—and transforms it completely.)

What are you currently working on?
I'm planning a lot of clothing DIYs in preparation for the summer. Lots of reconstructions with thrifted items, but I'm really pushing myself to do things that haven't really been seen before. I'm really excited to share them with everyone!

3. Erica Chan Coffman and Lauren Kolodny, Honestly WTF

Tell me about your "day jobs" and how they incorporate into you being makers on HonestlyWTF?
Erica: It's impossible not to be influenced by our day jobs, as Lauren and I have been working in the fashion industry for several years. She's a fashion stylist and I own and design for an accessories line called The 2 Bandits.

What sparks your stylish DIY ideas?
Our jobs definitely inspire us on a daily basis. We also always joke that we were born in the wrong era, as we are so inspired by women from previous generations who grew up knitting, sewing, crocheting, etc. Lauren has a stack of amazing vintage craft books from her grandmother that we love flipping through. That same level of artistry and craftsmanship is so rare these days. We're really trying to bring that same level of craftsmanship back while simplifying the projects and making them more accessible, incorporating current trends.

What project are you most proud of? 
We really love our very first DIY: Shibori Indigo Dyeing (above). We were so motivated to try it after doing extensive research on the history and technique. I think we literally dyed every single white article of clothing in our closet that summer! We were also surprised at the positive response we received, which inspired us to incorporate more DIY projects on the blog.

What are you currently working on?
We have several really fun fashion DIYs in the works. We're also going to start incorporating home projects, which we're super excited about! 

[Images via I Spy DIY, Studs and Pearls, and Honestly WTF


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