Today's tip was a bit of a disaster. I tried Plan A (which involved Duct Tape) but after 2 attempts that didn't go to plan, I gave up and moved onto Plan B. A race around the charity shops to look for a watch ensued, and I couldn't find a decent one anywhere. But I explained my plight to a nice man in the Indoor Market and he found me the perfect watch for this tutorial. Because it was broken inside, he gave me it for free! What a babe!
SO, this tip is about having a customisable watch for any outfit or occasion. You need an old watch with a strap you can cut with scissors (so metal watches are no good for this). These can usually be found easily in charity shops or car boot sales, but obviously the gods weren't smiling on me today! Then all you need is various bits of ribbon from a craft shop for however you want your strap to look. Once you've located a watch, this tutorial is incredibly simple and is something you can use forever. Essentially this is a tip for the skint and lazy like myself!
I got the idea from seeing a Liberty scarf watch in a magazine, but obvz my idea is better because it's unique, interchangeable and cheap cheap cheap! (My 3m of ribbon came to £2!)
Obviously, seeing as the boyf is away I couldn't tie the ribbon straps to my wrist alone, so have had to model them on my hand for you (I tried my ankle but quite frankly it just looked bizarre!)
Hope you liked this week's tip :) Feel free to comment or email me any suggestions for future tips!
My friend Jen is on her way over for a sleepover while Alex is away, so I'd better go and put some clothes on! I'm going to wear my leopard leggings again, seeing as your feedback on them was so good in my last post! Thank you :) Back tomorrow!
♥
This is such a fab idea! x
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet idea. I love old watches but can never seem to find them in the charity shops in Glasgow...clearly need to get me to some car boot sales. I do love the idea of changeable ribbons though. V.unique!
ReplyDeleteClaire
xo
www.beewaits.blogspot.com
Great idea! I particularly like the lace one! Now I know what to do with the metres and metres of ribbon stashed under my bed!!
ReplyDeleteI always see these type of watches in shops and think I could do them too...but never have (I'm looking at you UO). You've proved just how easy it is and there really isn't a need to go out and buy one of these beauts when you can do it yourself. I saw some similar in Liberty for some silly prices!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! I love the Liberty Watches but at £55 they're pretty expensive! Will definately have to try this out! Especially love the lace one.Millie xxx
ReplyDeletemy sister had a watch like this, it came with a whole box of ribbons to interchange it was awesome. such a great idea to revamp old knackered watches
ReplyDeletemargief
x
www.margieheartsclothes.blogspot.com
Thats such a good idea gem! I love the lace one so i'm definitely going to add a watch to my charity shop list, can't wait to try this out!
ReplyDeleteLove this tip, Gem! One of the best yet... def going to use this one.
ReplyDeleteAw this is so cute! (:
ReplyDeletex
You are so full of fab ideas Gem! Love this one and I'll have to keep an eye out for watches in chazza shops and car boot sales now.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely tip - very creative :)
ReplyDeletewww.simplyspence.blogspot.com
x
these are so cute xx
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea!
ReplyDeletei took a big bag of stuff to my local charity shop today but saved an old watch thinking i was sure it would come in handy one day
now i can try this out!
i will show you pictures on how my effort pays of
belle xxxx
ellabellevintage.blogspot.com
Love this! I can't remember where (maybe on Gok Wan or something), but I saw a similar watch, but instead of the ribbon only wrapping around your wrist once, it wrapped round three times, so the watch face was kind of surrounded by ribbon, and the bow was tied on the same side... I don't know if I'm explaining it very well! But it looked very pretty :)
ReplyDeleteMarvellous Tuesday Tip as usual xxx
i got a set for christmas like this :) a watch face with all different ribbons.. all the ribbons were ugly though so this has reminded me i must buy some pretty stuff :) ox
ReplyDeleteLove it x
ReplyDeleteYou are too clever! What is this Liberty scarf watch you speak of? I will have to Google this...
ReplyDeletehttp://jadefungblog.blogspot.com
that is SOOOOO cute.
ReplyDeleteThis is SO CLEVER! Love it, and wish I had a watch to try this out on!
ReplyDelete♥ Leia's Delights
What a fricking great idea!! so simple yet effective.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fab night with Jen.
X x
What a fricking great idea!! so simple yet effective.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fab night with Jen.
X x
Wow I really love this idea! I have quite a few of this style of old watch but none of them work... I'd like to try it as just an accessory but I'm sure I'd get stopped for time lots if I did that, and then just look foolish :) x
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea even for normal daytime wear! Watch straps usually irritate my wrist, but I had never thought of changing it for a ribbon. I'll definitely be on the hunt for some cheap fun looking ribbon now :)
ReplyDeleteGem - this is a great little tip! I saw the same watches in big adverts in Vogue and consider ripping them off myself but I guess I'm too lazy. I would never have considered lace, looks really good, think that ones my favourite by far!
ReplyDeleteSuch a unique idea, and very cheap, will definetly be trying this one myself x
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Gem!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! You can tie really neat bows!!
ReplyDeleteI really like this tip! The b&w polka dot ribbon is the best, I think it's because the ribbon looks really sturdy & fits the size of the watch. Am on the lookout for a watch I can cut up, now!
ReplyDeleteme likey! the last one is my favourite definitely, a great way to make a boring old watch unique!
ReplyDeleteLoove your blog, love your style and your creativity!
ReplyDeleteAck. This is such a twee idea, I love it, especially because you can alter it whenever you want.
ReplyDeleteSidenote: Just discovered your blog and I've been reading through when I finally notice you study/live in Canterbury. Which is way strange, because I study there too! Anywaaaaay that's just crazy and had to happen sometime, it's such a wee city.
Sarah
Genius tip Gem! In fact, this is one that I may well manage to do myself! I happen to have a watch that would suit this idea perfectly - the strap broke years ago, but as I'm terrible at throwing things away, I still have it lying around! I am so going to do this. I think I may even have some random ribbon & lace somewhere, from some time I decided I was going to do something creative - then didn't..!
ReplyDeleteAce. I'll let you know how it turns out :)
www.heart-shaped-bruise.blogspot.com
This an amazing idea! You can really change the way a watch looks and make it unique :) Thanks xx
ReplyDeleteThese are actually wicked Gem, what a cool idea. You always come up with tips which makes me wonder 'ohhh that's amazing, why didn't I think of that?!' Keep 'em coming miss :) ♥ Claire @ Jazzpad
ReplyDeleteI didn't read the previous comments so maybe someone already suggested this; but with a little more effort you can put the watch on by yourself; by adding a small press-on -stud button to the ribbon. to still get the bow, tie some more ribbon into one and sew it on to one end. The button would have to be of the smaller kind though so that the ribbon still can fit trough the "loops" of the watch...
ReplyDeletewhat a fantastic idea!! I might just be trying this one out the next time my watch straps break and I throw away a perfectly functional watch face and waste money on a whole new watch!
ReplyDeleteXx Abbie xX
Now this is awesome!! I have an old leather strapped watch just waiting to be revamped....thanks!
ReplyDeleteDanni
xxx
This is adorable! I love the last one with the polka dot ribbon xx
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, I saw this on Wishwishwish blog a while ago but never tried it. You've inspired me now though - off to find a watch tomorrow! x
ReplyDeleteWow! You just made the watch totally unique and beautiful :D love the idea!!
ReplyDeletehttp://shrilovesyou.blogspot.com/
Haha what a babe indeed!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip :-)
xx
Oh Gosh I LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteThese would make great presents too :)
Sarah Betty
http://www.sarahbetty.co.uk
GORGEOUS! I especially like the lacey one! Thankyou for sharing, I may have to try this out! :) xxx Olenka
ReplyDeletelove it! your bows are perfect as well!
ReplyDeleteso adorable! my sis came home the other year with a little pink box containing a watch head and about 10 ribbons to go with it, she bought it as a set, but i like you're way better! more personality, i'd never ave thought to do that myself
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I never wear watches because I think they look a bit fugly, but I'd definitely be tempted if I had one with a ribbon strap!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a mega idea! Go Gem!
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering my giveaway lovely!
Pretty Much Penniless giveaway!
YAY! (I found your blog again and for this idea)
ReplyDeleteOoh this is such a good idea!
ReplyDeleteI found these fake Konads on eBay, 6 plates and the stamper for £5.39, so I thought I'd let you know.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-x-Nail-Art-Stamp-Metal-Image-Plates-Free-Gift-/150458173605?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Nails_Manicure_Pedicure_CA&hash=item23080188a5
One of the designs is a cute little cat and i thought of you straight away when I saw it.
I love this idea! Another great Tuesday tip! These should be popped into a book or something... xx
ReplyDeleteOooh, this is a great idea! Love the polka dot version. x
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely try this out, lovely idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your divine comments!! I can't believe the response this tip has had! Definitely makes my frantic racing around town looking for a bloody watch totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteI flipping love you lot xxx
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletesuper little idea!
ReplyDeleteMy favouritest Tues Tip to date (and yes I have read them all)!! xx
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I am SOOOOOO excited when I found this on pinterest. My mother who lives in a nursing has broken 3 watches in about a 3 week period. I would just go out and buy a new watch because the watches are cheaper than the watch bands. I just LOVE this idea. Now I can take her 3 NEW watches, and several ribbons to see what she likes best. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this AWESOME idea!!!! I think I love you!! hahahahah......ok, I am just VERY excited!!
ReplyDelete