If you’re a typography geek or a book nerd, chances are you’ve swooned over Anthropologie’s “library letters” series of books cut into the shape of the alphabet.  They are amazing, unique pieces, but at $20 each it could get a little spendy of you wanted to actually spell something out with them.  Over at Handmade Mood, Marissa offers up a DIY alternative, allowing you to create this for as little money as it costs you to find the books – thrift shops are a great source – and using some basic woodworking tools.  Now the only question is, what will you spell with your book letters?  [how to make typography book decor]

Project estimate:

• Book, on hand or $1 and up
• Letter template, free
• Painter’s tape, on hand
• Scroll saw or band saw, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

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With spring on the way soon, I’ve been in a flowery mood!  How about you?  If you’re looking to add a touch of floral elegance to your decor this season, check out these Anthropologie-inspired vases from Maysem at Ode to Inspiration.  Made out of dollar store vases and clay, they have all of the charm and character of their high-end counterparts, but cost just a few dollars to create.  They would also make excellent gifts for Mother’s Day, which will be here before you know it!  [how to make Anthro-inspired floral vases]

Project estimate:

• Vase, on hand or $1
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Polymer clay, on hand or about $2 and up
• Spray glaze, about $3 and up
• Glue, on hand

Total:  about $3 and up

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We love Anthro-inspired mirror projects.  (Check out our other Anthro-inspired mirror projects! exhibit A, exhibit B.)  This gorgeous specimen by KariAnne at Thistlewood Farms is no exception!  Taking inspiration from a $248 Anthropologie mirror, her version cost a scant $19 to create and has just as much impact even at a fraction of the price!  This idea could be used to arrange as many or as few mirrors as you want, and in any shape, making a totally customizable piece.  [how to make a makeup compact bubble mirror]

Project estimate:

• Mirror compacts, about $19
• Wood, on hand or $1 and up
• Hot glue, on hand
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  about $19 and up

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Maybe you’re looking for a way to use those lovely but mismatched plates that are hiding at the back of your cupboard or you couldn’t resist at the thrift shop.  Maybe you really need a little something different to hang on that big, blank wall.  Maybe you’re looking for a way to hang that poster you bought without making your house look like a dorm room.  Whatever your reason, making this collage plate art from Jessica at Mad In Crafts will do one thing for sure: it will save you money!  How, you ask?  Well, this project was inspired by a similar set of plates that Anthropologie is selling for – are you sitting down? – a whopping $1,500!  (Yes, you’re reading that right.)  [how to make a designer-inspired plate collage]

Project estimate:

• Plates, on hand or $1 and up
• Mod Podge, on hand
• Art poster, $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

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Who loves Anthropologie? Who loves getting inspiration from Anthropologie and crafting it up dollar store style? We do! And today we have a guest video tutorial from the very entertaining Debi’s Design Diary – check out this amazing mirror she made from dollar store materials, inspired by the Iron Circle mirror at Anthropologie. Anthro’s version of the mirror is $428, but you can make a dollar store version for about $25, for a savings of… $403 bucks! We love our contributor, so please go [visit Debi’s Design Diary]

If you love fun craft videos, you HAVE TO subscribe to Debi’s Youtube Channel. She is so fun!

Here’s the video tutorial, read on for the written instructions.

Project Materials:

• 15 mirrors, $15
• Rustoleum Gold spray paint, $5
• Hex nuts & Screws (15 1-1/4″ screws, 45 hex nuts), estimated $5
• 12 paint can lids, on hand (or buy for .39 each)
• Drill, on hand
• Clamp, on hand
• Hammer & nail, on hand
• Yard stick, on hand
• Permanent marker, on hand
• E-6000 or other glass glue, on hand or $5 and up

Total: $25 and up

Anthropologie-Inspired Circles Mirror Instructions:

While I am providing written instructions here, I recommend you watch the video to get the full picture of how to create this mirror!

This is the inspiration mirror Debi saw at Anthropologie.

Supplies: Use 12 old paint can lids you have on hand and clean them up with paint thinner, OR buy old paint lids at your local recycled building supply center, or I found them online for about $.39 each (which would make 12 of them a little over $5, not including shipping). The mirrors are from the candle section at the dollar store.

1. Lay the paint lids out together in a grid of three by five. Mark the edges of the paint can lids where they touch other paint lids. Use a yard stick and permanent marker to get them lined up as accurately as possible. You will drill in the spots where you marked.

2. Clamp the lid down to a worktable, and drill in the spots where you marked. You will drill through the outside of the lid. This is where you will be attaching screws and hex nuts.

Attach lids together with screws and hex nuts. Each screw should have three hex nuts – one on the inside of the screw, one between the lids, and one on the outside of the screw.

3. Once the paint lids are all connected, flatten them down on your work surface so they lay flat. Spray paint with gold paint.

4. When paint dries, glue mirrors onto paint lid grid. Use E-6000 or a similar glue.

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Does your kitchen or bar area need a little extra splash of color?  (I mean really, whose doesn’t?)  Inspired by similar glasses from Anthropologie, Zandi at Radical Possibility used plain ol’ acrylic paint to give some basic tumblers a cheerful makeover.  The trick to this project is sealing the design with an acrylic paint sealant, making the designs durable enough for daily use.  (Though I’m not sure I would trust them to the dishwasher!)  [how to make confetti tumblers]

Project estimate:

• Tumblers, $1 and up
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Acrylic sealer, on hand or about $3 and up

Total:  $1 and up

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I love things that sparkle.  It’s a love that borders on obsession.  So you can imagine that when I laid eyes on this designer-inspired bracelet made by Beverly at Flamingo Toes, I was immediately enamored!  Based on a design from Anthropologie, this fun and colorful cuff would be a great way to use up odds and ends from a collection of broken costume jewelry or embellishments left over from previous projects.  (Or, if you’re a craft hoarder like me, it gives you an excuse to go out and buy more pretty, shiny things!)  [how to make a designer-inspired jeweled bracelet]

Project estimate:

• Fabric, on hand
• Webbing (or an old woven belt), on hand or $1 and up
• D-rings, $1
• Clasp, on hand
• Beads and rhinestones, on hand or $1 and up
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

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What is more fun than a pretty jewelry project? This wooden bead and ribbon necklace was inspired by a design from Anthropologie, but this version is by Bev from Flamingo Toes who, by the way, has TONS of great necklace tutorials. I have spent the past hour looking at them! I chose to share this one with you because you can get a lot of these supplies (or similar) at the dollar store. [how to make an anthro-inspired wooden bead necklace]

You can get ribbon at the dollar store (although you might need to hit the craft store for the narrow ribbon – it is usually less than $1 a spool), and wooden beads in the crafts section at the dollar store. Some dollar stores have jewelry-making supplies, or you can get them at your local craft store.

Project Estimate:

• 3/4″ ribbon, on hand or $1
• 1/4″ ribbon, on hand or about $.50 each
• Wooden beads, $1 and up
• Accent beads, from your stash
• Headpins and eyepins, on hand or $1 and up
• Needle and thread, on hand
• Round nose pliers and wire cutters, on hand

Total: $1 and up

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When Aubree from Yellow Blackbird spotted Anthropologie’s Accordion Strands necklace, it reminded her of a folding technique she used to practice as a child, and she thought to herself, “I could make that!”  With a roll of grosgrain and some jewelry bits in hand, she sat down and created this fabulous version of the piece.  Anthro’s original is made from silk, but the grosgrain looks just as pretty and is a lot more friendly to the pocketbook.  Want to make one for yourself?  Aubree’s tutorial includes lots of photos to help you figure out how to fold the ribbon to create the accordion-like effect.  [how to make an Anthro-inspired accordion necklace]

Project estimate:

•  Ribbon, on hand or $1
• Chain, on hand or $1
• Beads, on hand
• Jump rings, on hand

Total:  Free and up

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I’ve loved Anthropologie for a long time because they provide me with an endless source of inspiration.  Feeling uncreative?  Spend ten minutes surfing their website and you’ll be cured.  Earlier this year I had the opportunity to set foot in one of their brick and mortar locations for the first time and it was even more incredible!  While Anthro’s “party animal” necklace set isn’t too steeply priced at $38 each, Beverly from Flamingo Toes knew that she could create an inspired necklace for cheaper.  Her necklaces look so much like the originals that you’ll have trouble telling the difference, and you can whip them up at a fraction of the cost!  [how to make an Anthro-inspired party animal necklace]

Project estimate: 

• Toy animals, $1
• Embellishments, on hand or $1 and up
• Jewelry findings, on hand or $1
• Chain, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

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