Flip flops have invaded the shoe world in the last 10 years. I remember when I was a kid, flip flops (aka: thongs – this is what they were actually called back in the 60’s) were only worn to the swimming pool. Back then it was considered a social “faux pas” to be seen wearing your flip flops anywhere else! MY! Things have certainly changed! Nowadays you would be committing social suicide if you didn’t wear your flip flops everywhere and have at least half a dozen pairs.
I finally joined the flip flop frenzy last week when I bought about a dozen pairs of flip flops. However, I wasn’t planning on wearing them. I found this really cool craft idea on Pinterest and thought I’d give it a try. I tried numerous times to go to the original post so I could give credit to the original blogger/creator, however, I kept getting a message that the page is no longer available. They do have these wreaths available for purchase at etsy.com so feel free to browse their selection (just click the link). WARNING: They are quite pricey ($40-$54)!
I’m not a real “crafty” person, but I have made a several craft projects in my lifetime. During the early 1990’s I actually made quite a few craft items to give as gifts (money was pretty tight at that time because we were trying to prepare for our two sons to enter college). When I saw the price of those flip flop wreaths on etsy.com, I decided I could definitely dig out my packed-up-for-over-ten-years crafting paraphilia and give it a try.
I went to our local Ben Franklin, General Dollar, and Family Dollar stores and purchased flip flops for a dollar a pair, along with some ribbon, flowers, glitter glue, sequins, and rhinestones. This is what I purchased.
After purchasing that wire wreath, I wasn’t sure how I would attach the flip flops to it. I decided to return it and get a straw wreath. Of course, I purchased more bling for decorating while I was there!
As I was looking at my purchases trying to figure out just how I was going to make this flip flop wreath, I went to the basement to find my hot glue gun and any left-over crafting supplies from the 90’s. LOOK at all the goodies I found! I probably won’t use those wooden decorations on this project. I had NO idea I had that much left from my crafting days, or that I had three hot glue guns!
First thing I needed to do was figure a way to arrange the flip flops and how to attach them to the wreath. That took some time and several trips back to the dollar stores to exchange flip flops for a different size. Once I figured that out, it was time to decorate the flip flops with a little bling.
Sorry — this picture is a little blurry. 🙁
I decided to wrap the straw wreath with some green ribbon; it wasn’t cloth ribbon, but it wasn’t paper ribbon either. I attached the ribbon with some straight pins from my sewing kit (I don’t really sew in the true sense of the word). Anyway, it was a good thing I covered the straw wreath because it really made a mess!
After blinging up all the flip flops, it was time to attach them to the wreath. On one of my many trips to the craft stores I found these little gems. BINGO! I can stick those wire thingy’s right through the flip flop and into the straw wreath! Add a little hot glue to seal it down, and VIO-LA! Attachment achieved!
Trying to orderly arrange the flip flops in a “balanced” manner was no easy task, so there are no pictures during that phase of the project. Here is the finished project which cost considerably LESS than the ones I saw for sale online!
I think it looks pretty good on my door. Don’t you?
After getting all the blinged-up flip flops attached, I decided there wasn’t any room or need for the ribbon or a bow. Now I’m thinking about another flip flop wreath using that decorative mesh along with the ribbon I didn’t use on this wreath. GOTTA GO! I’m headed out to go buy that wire wreath again, some deco mesh, and some flip flops!!
Bye for now!