Ever wonder what people really do with all those ribbon rolls?

Here’s an idea to get your creative juices flowing! Hair Accessories!

Time to bring out all those ribbon rolls again, and the project this time is hair bows and other accessories. While most of these don’t require a personalized ribbon roll, it doesn’t hurt to have them on hand. So, grab whatever you can and let’s get started.

First, and probably the easiest idea is the hair tie. Grab a length of ribbon that will wrap at least twice around a pony tail. This length may vary depending on how much hair you intend to tie up in this ribbon. Secure the pony tail in an elastic. Once this is done and the pony tail is to your liking, simply wrap the ribbon around the pony tail to cover the elastic. Finish this look by securing the ribbon with a simple bow, much like a shoelace.

 

This next idea will only take about five minutes to complete. You will need to hair elastics and a long piece cut from a ribbon roll. Simply join the two hair elastics with a simple knot. Once this is done, take your ribbon and measure the length needed. This is done by gently, but securely, wrapping the ribbon roll around your head where you will wear the headband once. Add one to two inches to that length and give it a snip! Singe the ends of the ribbon to avoid fraying. Then just wrap one end of the ribbon through one end of the hair elastic knot and sew it in place; hot glue is also an option to secure the ends. Repeat this process with the other side of the knot and the other end of the ribbon. And, you’re done!

Another super easy idea is to take approximately the same length of strips from a ribbon roll and secure them with a knot around a single hair elastic. Variate the colors on this project for a unique look, or use color combinations that go with holidays or specific outfits that are in your closet. These are super cute for little girls and they typically love the frilly look of this simple hair accessory.

 

The last idea is super cute and also really easy! Cut three to four 5-6 inch pieces off a ribbon roll. Find the center of each strip and fold the ends in to meet each other at this point. Hot glue the ends to the middle of the ribbon strip. Repeat this process for each strip. Lay each ribbon on top of each other and fan out into a flower shape. Once this is done, carefully pull each layer up and secure them with a dab of hot glue. Line an alligator clip using another strip of your ribbon roll. Glue the flower onto the clip and add a colorful button to the center of the flower to complete this cute project.

While there are only four ideas here, there are hundreds other out there. Do you have a unique idea for hair accessories that you would like to share?

Is storage an issue for your craft room? Craft rooms don’t always have the right storage so can be cluttered with all of your ribbons, lace, scrapbook supplies, buttons and other items that we think you’ll use eventually. These items were probably purchased for other projects that ended up not using everything purchased or not using them at all.

Making Ribbon Storage more Friendly

Instead of collecting piles and mounds of these leftovers in various spots around the room, here’s some quick ideas to help you get organized with your storage.

1. Make tension rods your best friend.

This is probably the easiest way to get all those ribbon rolls organized into one storage space. And, it’s as simple as it sounds. Add a tension rod between two table legs or in a door way and simply slide each ribbon roll on to display. This is a great way to also measure out how much ribbon you might need and with a quick snip, you’re done!

2. A-tisket a-tasket, find yourself a basket.

Finding the right basket is the most daunting task of this project. Once you do find the basket simply find a small dowel that will fit through the holes on the sides of the basket. Secure it through the middle of each ribbon roll and through each end of the basket. As shown in the picture, the final step is to thread the end of each ribbon roll through a hole on the side of the basket. And, voilà, you’re done!

3. Not with a fox, but put them in a shoe box.

Here’s another easy project to wrangle all your ribbon rolls into one place. Either purchase a box, use an old shoe box that you can re-purpose, or give yourself a reason to go get that new pair of shoes. Whatever your choice, simply decorate the box however you want and find, or make, an elastic that will fit all the way around the bottom. Stack your ribbons inside and secure each end on one side underneath the elastic. Close the lid and it’s almost like decorating your craft room.

4. Treat ’em like a pair of slacks and hang them up!

Another great way to store all those ribbon rolls but keep them handy is to hang them up. Find a skirt or pant hanger with multiple bars and simply slide them on. Typically these hangers have a swinging arm to add and remove rolls with. Use a push pin or a nail into your wall and hang it up!

5. Like time in a bottle, canisters work as storage too.

Remember those old glass candy and cookie jars? You’ve probably wanted one for, like, forever! Why not splurge a little and finally get one. Use it to hold all your ribbon roll odds and ends. Wrap the ribbons around craft sticks or clothes pins or just stuff ’em all in. Not matter what, this storage idea will help your craft room look like a candy store in no time at all!

6. Store them with the straws.

Here’s another one to make you take a trip down memory lane. Remember those old straw canisters from the diners? Grab yourself one next time you’re at the store and make a pretty little display jar for your ribbon rolls.

7. Keep them “minty” clean and use an empty Tic Tac or mint container.

While this only works with smaller and skinnier rolls, ribbons can still be rolled up tightly and slid into an empty Tic Tac container. Simply curl a piece of ribbon and pop it inside the container, making sure to leave the tail end hanging out of the lid a little bit so you can pull on it to cut off the desired amount. And don’t forget to decorate the little boxes and make them your own.

8. Line them up, like ducks in a row, using pencils and erasers and put them in a drawer.

Again, this one is just as simple as it sounds. Take a pencil, can be any color or any kind (number two work the best) and add a large eraser to one end. Line up your ribbon rolls and shove that pencil right through the middle! Secure a second eraser to the other end and throw the bundle in a drawer or it’s own little box.

9. Plug up your gutters with ribbon roll storage!

Instead of filling up a gutter with rain or leaves, mount them on the wall in your craft room and fill them with all those ribbon rolls. Paint or decorate them to match your décor or room color and hang them within reach to make the ribbon rolls easy to get to.

No matter your storage choice, keep your creative brain handy!

Do you have anything to add to this list? Let us know in the comments.

While it may seem an especially effeminate topic, ribbons and lace go hand-in-hand quite often.

From ribbon pieces, leftover lace, scrapbook supplies, and other items that we think we’ll use eventually, most craft rooms aren’t complete without a collection of odds and ends. Instead of collecting piles and mounds of these leftovers, throw them into your next project! From hair ribbons to party invitations to jewelry, ribbons and lace are great for any project.

In an attempt to follow the trend of last week’s post, here are some ideas to use up that scrap lace and ribbon rolls.

Use them as clothing embellishments

Have an old t-shirt that you can’t seem to get rid of because, “I’ll wear this again someday.”? Try updating the look with ribbon, lace and whatever other embellishments you have on hand. Form a collar using lace pieces and weave a colorful ribbon through the ends. Or, take that ribbon roll and form a fun and flattering pattern over the front, or back, of the shirt. Don’t stop at shirts, update pants, skirts and any other clothing item you might want to experiment on.

Use them as jewelry or hair accessories

Chalk it up to traditional or basic, but ribbons and lace look fabulous in your hair or worn around your neck. Braid a small ribbon into your hair, wrap either one around a head band for a quick and cute look for your evening out. Or, find some beads and create a one-of-a-kind statement jewelry piece to match that shirt you just updated!

Use them for gift wrap or cards and invitations

What a classy way to dress up any party invitation or wrapping paper. Whether for a bridal shower or just a friendly gift, tie it up with a piece of lace and some brightly colored ribbon. Need it to be extra special? Order custom ribbon rolls with names, dates or other wording to really hit home how personalized this gift really is. The receiver will be ecstatic about the gift or invitation!

Use them in decorating

Here’s an idea that is as traditional as they get. Ribbon rolls are great for decorating windows or using for wall hangings. They are perfect to wrap around candles or other items for centerpieces for weddings, parties or other fun festivities. Or, wrap that ribbon delicately around the base of each tier on a cake. And make it even more special by adding pieces of lace throughout all the decorations!

Whatever your idea, simple or complex, ribbons and lace is a classic look that is always welcome!