8pm-1am
manual reuse it
TURN
AN OLD
FRAME
INTO AN
EARRING
HOLDER
For girls with an obsession for accessories, earring holders are incredibly useful. Here's an inexpensive way to reuse an old frame, organize your earrings and decorate your apartment at the same time.
1. Find an old frame that fits your style. Check your local antique store, a thrift store or your grandparents' basement. You don't need the mat or backing of the frame, just the frame itself. I found an 8x10 in. wooden frame for $1 at the Lawrence Antique Mall, 830 Massachusetts St.
2. Buy enough burlap fabric to cover the back of the frame. You can find burlap at Hancock Fabrics, 2108 W.27th St., Wal-Mart, 3300 Iowa St., or Hobby Lobby, 1801 W.23rd St.At $1.99 a yard.Wal-Mart has the best price, but Hancock Fabrics has the best selection of colors, with everything from natural tan to grassy green.
3. Use a staple gun to mount the burlap onto the back of the frame then trim the excess burlap with an exacto knife.
4. Hang your new earring holder on the wall as you would any other frame. I use it as decoration in my bedroom, plus having your earrings organized and in plain view makes it easier to pick the perfect pair for your outfit.
I stumbled on this idea thanks to my Granny, who is big into antiques. A couple years ago, she gave me an old frame already lined with burlap. I had no idea what to do with it at first, but after a bit of thinking, I realized that my discarded frame resembled an earring holder I'd seen while shopping.
If you're having trouble finding an antique frame, check out the selection of frames at Hobby Lobby. They sell plenty of backing-free frames starting at $12.
Dianne Smith
nooks&crannies
AIMEE'S COFFEEHOUSE OFFERS MORE THAN JUST A CUP OF JOE
Aimee's Cafe And Coffeehouse, 1025 Massachusetts St., is more than your average grab-it-and-go coffee shop. Not only is the coffee tasty, but Aimee also serves a moderate variety of breakfast and lunch items. Drinks and food are well-priced, ranging from about $3-$8.The atmosphere is homey: You can relax with friends on the plush couches, do homework and surf the Web for free, catch performances from local musicians or listen to writers share their work on open mic nights. Aimee also hosts free chess nights every Wednesday at 7 p.m., open to players of all ages and skill levels. Employee Travis Mitchell, Topeka senior, says Aimee is the perfect spot for college students because the food prices won't break the bank, and the environment is conducive for studying.
- Deepa Sampat
8
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1.24.2008
VOL. 5 ISS. 17
interesting fact: Cheng I Sao was a woman whose husband commanded 400 Chinese pirate ships. When her husband died, she took over the fleet and married her adopted son to keep business in the family. — www.thepirateking.com
contact the writers: dsmith@kansan.com & dsampat@kansan.com