Tahira Designs

Year End Review

January 2, 2013

There is nothing like the fear of failing to light a fire under your butt. While I didn’t get everything done I wanted to, I am pretty proud of myself for the things I did. In the past four days, I finished the “easy” projects that I had been putting off. I got shelves put up in […]

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“Just The Right Shoe” Risers

December 27, 2012

A long time ago I started a collection of these little shoes call “Just The Right Show” by Raine. As you can imagine, it soon became an obsession! I got them for birthdays, holidays, basically any special occasion. Then came eBay came along, and talk about going overboard. I think I bought 25 of them […]

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Custom Bulletin Board

December 25, 2012

In an effort to be better organized (hence The Projects Project) I needed a bulletin board, but I had NO idea how expensive they can be.  Aside from the price, I never really saw any I really liked. Then one day while at Target, I found this roll of cork for $2.00 sitting next to […]

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Stuff Embroidered Pillows

December 24, 2012

Twelve years ago, I spent three months with my family in Pakistan. Some of my best memories of my AMMMMMMAZING grandmother were from then. Since there isn’t much to do there, I learned many of my craft during this time. One of the things my Aunt taught me was embroidery. One of the many things I made […]

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Non-Slip Hangers

December 7, 2012

When I moved into my new house (18 months ago) I decided that I wanted to have a “grown up” closet. That meant, matching wooden hangers. I saw these Dark Wood Hangers at Target. They were the best price, but only one thing, now grip. I have some shirts that have a wide neck, or […]

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Studio Shelving Part 1

December 6, 2012

So I know it’s been a while since I posted, and I apologize. Opening a studio is A TON of work!! With that said, I’ve reviewed a few more products for you guys. The first one being an Edsal 36 in. W x 60 in. H x 18 in. D Steel Commercial Shelving Unit I […]

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Remove Grease from Green Dress

August 17, 2012

I bought this dress a couple of years back, and I absolutely LOVE it. It is one of my favorite things to wear, especially in the summer when it is so ridiculously hot out. I wore it on my 35th birthday, and somehow I ended up with grease all over the bottom of the dress. […]

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Fire Block

August 16, 2012

I have tried several types of Fire Brick, and each has served its own purpose. There is the traditional firebrick to help conduct heat and provide a sturdy work surface. There is the ultra-soft block; I’m not sure what it is made of since it was given to me. I want to say its Gypsum, […]

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Realspace® Clamp-On Magnifier Task Lamp

August 15, 2012

I have tried several things trying to find the perfect lighting situation for my workspace. I’ve tried different bulbs in the overhead lights, I’ve tried Ottlite clamp on lights, and now these. Realspace Clamp-On Magnifier Task Lamps. I was very happy with the Ottlite Clamp On light, but I still couldn’t see the pieces I […]

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Bead Stopper

August 14, 2012

As some of you may know, my adventures in jewelry making started with simple beading. I wish I would have found something like the Bead Stoppers I bought from Fire Mountain Gems back then. I say like, because I was not happy with these. Sorry FM, but these are going to be the first product […]

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Catch Pan for Workbench

August 8, 2012

I am lucky in the fact that I have some very handy friends. When I moved into my new house, I was set on making a workshop in my garage. I needed a place to work on my metalsmith projects, and open flames in the house were just not going to work. My good friends […]

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Rosewood Large-Hole Woven Wire Drawplate

August 5, 2012

One of my favorite techniques in making jewelry is the Viking Knit. I’m not sure why I love it so much, but I seem to not be able to get enough of it. It’s so simple to make and looks so elegant.   I use 28 gauge fine silver wire, an old wooden spool (trick […]

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Xuron Maxi-Shear Flush Cutters Without Retainer

August 4, 2012

Buying these Xuron Maxi-Shear Flush Cutters Without Retainer from Rio Grande have saved so much pain and hassle. When I enrolled in my first Metal Arts class, we were given a supply list. On that list was a pair of tin snips. These I used to do EVERYTHING from cutting metal to cutting all sorts […]

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Crimping Pliers

August 3, 2012

When I first started beading, I bought the minimum tools needed, but man how I wish I had bought these Crimping Pliers from Fire Mountain Gems all those years ago.   My life has not been the same since I started using these. Before, I would just use my flat nose pliers and just smash […]

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Tool Magic Pliers Coating

August 2, 2012

In keeping with my pliers review yesterday, I thought it would be fitting to do a review on “Tool Magic Rubber Coating” that I bought from Fire Mountain Gems. This tool is to help prevent marks on your metal. Since I didn’t buy pliers that came with the plastic guards, I figured I’d try this […]

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Stainless Steel Fine-Tip Pliers Set

August 1, 2012

One of the first pieces I bought was a Stainless Steel Fine-Tip Pliers Set from Rio Grande.   In the past I had purchased a couple of other “all in one” pliers when I started making beaded pieces, but there is no substitute for the right pliers for the right job. These were fairly in […]

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Custom iPad Case

July 24, 2012

I have a dear friend that is obsessed, and I mean OBSESSED with zebra print. Her birthday is coming up, and I know her family is getting her an iPad. I figured this was a good time to get her something in zebra print that’s not over the top. It took some trial and error, […]

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Ayaan’s Blanket

July 23, 2012

Eight years ago when my sister told me I was going to be an Aunt, I was beyond excited. I immediately started to think of things I would make for the newest addition to our family. Did I want to start a collection, make a blanket, or start a savings account? So many choices, I […]

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Magnetic Strip for Pliers

July 22, 2012

I’m one of those people that when I’m working on something, I seem to accumulate layers of junk on my work surface. That not only inefficient but a pain when you’re trying to look for something and that something usually ends up being my pliers. While talking to some of the ladies in my Metal […]

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Laundry At Tiffany’s

July 21, 2012

When I moved into this house, all the walls were literally a blank “canvas”. Every room was painted a “Canvas” color. While the color is pretty enough, it’s way too bland for my taste. In case you hadn’t guessed by looking at the den and dining room, I love color, and the only other room […]

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Repair Glass Fruit

July 20, 2012

Not all the “projects” on my list are difficult, they just need to be done. This was one of them. I received these fruits as a house warming gift when I moved into my first house. Not long after, the tops of them came off. I have been putting off fixing them for five years […]

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Refinish Dining Room Chairs

July 19, 2012

I found this amazing table at Ecletic in the Heights in Houston, but it didn’t come with any chairs. I had four existing chairs that I was able to use, but I still needed to end chairs. I went to one of my other favorite places in the Heights, Alabama Furniture. A great little consignment […]

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Repair Bracelet 1

July 18, 2012

Since I started making jewelry, I’ve been getting a lot of requests to repair my friend’s jewelry. This particular project has been on my list for some time now, and I guess I was in a groove today because it finally got done. This was simple, it was just a matter of getting the supplies. […]

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Fuzzy Furry Hooded Vest

July 17, 2012

I can think of no better project to knock off my list on this cold rainy Saturday then to make this vest. I’ve been eyeing this for a few months now, and decided today would be the day it got done.   I found the lining fabric about four years ago and was just waiting […]

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How to Make A Shelf with Mitered Corners

July 16, 2012

I love going Warrenton, TX during the Texas Antique Weekend, because I always find great things I can re-purpose, or just use outright. Almost guaranteed to find something a hundred other people you know don’t have. I love being original and hate going somewhere and seeing something that’s in my home. I especially hate seeing […]

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Create a Gallery Wall

July 15, 2012

Here’s a tip I picked up for hanging pictures. Instead of buying craft paper, I just used newspaper. Step 1: Cut the paper to size of the frame, and fold it in half to get center. Step 2: Find the hook on the back of the frame and mark it with a pen on the […]

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Paint Dining Room

July 14, 2012

One of the projects I’ve been putting off is painting my dining room. When I moved into this house about eight months ago, everything was “canvas” tan. While that’s a pretty color, it’s very bland. I have to have color in my life, and the dining room was the first to get a makeover.  Before […]

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Travel Shoe Bag

July 13, 2012

What do you get the man that has everything? That man would be my Dad, and since my Dad does a lot of traveling, I figured I’d make him some shoe bags. I hate going somewhere and having to pack my dirty shoes along side my clean clothes. To avoid that, I have started using […]

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Glitter Votive Holders

July 12, 2012

While decorating for the holds, I found the need for some sparkly votive candle holders. With money being tight like it always is around the holidays, I did not want to spend $10.00 per votive like I had been finding at the stores. 10×6 was just way too much to spend on something so small. […]

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