With milk powder to nourish your skin, magnesium salt flakes to soothe your body, and lavender oil to calm your mind, this formula ticks all the boxes. It’s also a fabulous DIY Mother’s Day gift idea. Let’s jump in to how you can make your own luxe milk bath salts!

Related article: DIY bath bombs: Make luxe bath bombs with this simple tutorial
Related article: DIY candle in a cup: A thoughtful gift that’s 3 pressies in 1!

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Items you will need:

• 1 1/2 cups magnesium salt flakes
• 1 1/2 cups of powdered milk (you can also use coconut powdered milk if you prefer)
• 1/2 cup bi-carb soda
• 30 drops of essential oil (we suggest lavender oil but you could use any relaxing blend)
• 4 tablespoons of dried lavender
• Dehydrated citrus fruits (follow our DIY here to make your own dehydrated fruits)
• Large bowl
• Fork
• Airtight container to store your milk bath salts

Steps:

1. In a bowl, combine the magnesium flakes, powdered milk and bi-carb soda using a fork.

2. Add 30 drops of essential oil and stir again. We suggest adding 15 drops, stirring, and then adding another 15 to get a more even distribution. Alternatively, you could dilute the essential oil with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil.

3. Add your dried lavender and dehydrated citrus fruits and gently stir with a fork one last time. It’s easy to make your own dehydrated citrus fruits in the oven, just follow this tutorial where we show how to make dehydrated orange slices.

4. Transfer your milk bath salts into an airtight container.

This DIY is so simple and makes for a fabulous gift — simply add ribbon and perhaps a dried citrus wheel to decorate!

Will you give this DIY luxe milk bath salts tutorial a go? We’d love to know if you adore it as much as us!

More DIY ideas

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Here’s how to make your own DIY wax block air fresheners — and trust us, your nose will thank you!

Related article: How to make a mirror affirmation etching: Boost your mood and confidence with a mirror quote
Related article: Florist approved: 5 tips to make hydrangeas last longer

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What are wax block air fresheners?

Wax block air fresheners (also known as scented wax tablets or hanging wax fresheners) are solid wax blocks infused with fragrance oils, essential oils, or dried botanicals. Unlike candles, they don’t require a flame to release their scent. Instead, they slowly diffuse their fragrance into the surrounding air, making them ideal for wardrobes, linen closets, and small spaces.

Materials:

• Soy wax or beeswax (a natural, non-toxic wax base that holds scent well)
• Fragrance oil or essential oil (choose scents like lavender, vanilla, citrus, or sandalwood)
• Silicone moulds (any shape you like, but smaller moulds work best)
• Dried flowers, herbs, or citrus peels (for a decorative touch and extra aroma)
• Wick sustainers or tool like a small screwdriver (to create a hanging option)
• Ribbons or twine (for display or hanging)
• Double boiler, steel jug or microwave-safe jug (for melting wax)
• Mixing spoon (to blend in fragrance oils evenly)
• Measuring spoon (to ensure the right ratio of fragrance to wax)

Steps:

Step 1: Melt the wax

Melt your soy wax or beeswax until it reaches a smooth, liquid consistency. We used a stainless steel jug on the cooktop at a low heat. You could also use a double boiler or a microwave-safe jug in 30-second bursts. If using a thermometer, aim for around 70°C (158°F) for optimal fragrance absorption.

Step 2: Add fragrance

Remove the melted wax from heat and let it cool slightly to around 60°C (140°F). Add your chosen fragrance or essential oil — typically around 10% of the wax weight for a strong scent. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Step 3: Place your flowers in the moulds

If you want to achieve the pressed flower looking fragrance blocks like we did, add your flowers into the moulds first and fully submerge them in wax. Alternatively, you could pour the wax first and then sprinkle decorative accents on top before the wax fully hardens. Decorative elements like dried citrus or cinnamon sticks look best on top. Press them gently into the surface so they adhere as the wax cools.

Step 4: Cover in wax

Carefully pour the scented wax over the flowers into your silicone moulds. If you want to make hanging wax fresheners, insert a wick sustainer at the top or you can use a tool like a small screwdriver to make a hole once the wax has slightly set.

Step 5: Set and unmould

Let the wax blocks cool and harden completely — this takes about 2–3 hours at room temperature. Once solid, gently pop them out of the moulds.

Step 6: Add finishing touches

If you made hanging air fresheners, thread a ribbon or twine through the hole. For wax blocks meant for drawers, store them in small breathable bags to protect clothing while still releasing their scent.

Where to use wax block air fresheners?

These wax blocks are incredibly versatile and can be stored just about anywhere around your home for long-lasting fragrance.

Most popular places to use wax fragrance bars:

• Wardrobes and closets: keep your clothes smelling fresh
• Linen cupboards: infuse your towels and sheets with a subtle fragrance
• Drawers: a lovely alternative to traditional sachets
• Bathrooms: combat musty smells naturally
• Near entryways: a welcoming scent for guests.

Tips for the best DIY wax air fresheners

After having made several batches of these wax block air fresheners, we’ve picked up some tricks for best results.

• Use high-quality fragrance oils or pure essential oils: synthetic or weak scents may not last as long
• Don’t overheat the wax: high temperatures can burn off the fragrance
• Mix essential oils for unique blends: try lemon + rosemary for freshness, or lavender + vanilla for relaxation. We have plenty of essential oil blends in this article.
• Experiment with decorative touches: from dyes to natural elements like dried flowers and cinnamon sticks, there are plenty of ways you can make this DIY your own!
• Refresh the scent: if the fragrance fades, gently warm the surface with a hairdryer and add a few drops of oil.

Frequently asked questions

How long do wax block air fresheners last?
They can keep their scent for 3–6 months, depending on the fragrance used and placement. You can use the trick above to easily refresh the scent or reuse them (see below).

Can I reuse them?
Yes! Melt them down and add more fragrance oil to refresh them. Simply repeat the steps in this tutorial.

Do they stain clothes?
Not if stored correctly! Keep them in a breathable pouch or wrap them in tissue paper.

Are you inspired to give this DIY a go? Let us know your favourite fragrance combinations in the comments below! Oh, these also make fantastic gifts

More DIY ideas

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From unusual vessels to unexpected flower combinations, keep scrolling for creative ideas to create your own floral arrangement centrepieces!

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1. Selecting the perfect flowers for your home

Some of us have our favourite, go-to flowers and don’t have to think twice about what flowers to order for our home… others may be seeking a little inspiration or want to change things up. So let’s start with a quick run through of some of the most popular flowers for your home right now.

Wild flowers

Perhaps it’s the organic, earthy trend that’s still going strong, or possibly because wildflowers are a more sustainable option. Whatever the reason, it’s hard to beat the causal elegance of wild flowers. Opt for varieties that tie into your interior scheme, adding effortless beauty and character to your space.

Personally, we love wild daisies. It’s impossible to look at these cheerful flowers without smiling. When it comes to flowers and their meaning, daisies symbolise purity, innocence and new beginnings. This makes them a great option if you want to create an uplifting atmosphere in your home. Wild daisies are also incredibly versatile, fitting seamlessly into rustic, modern, or minimalist settings, and their low-maintenance nature makes them a practical and beautiful option for any home.

Tonal flowers

Ok, so this isn’t a type of flower per se, rather a way of selecting a broad mix of flowers by sticking to a particular colour theme. From neutral beiges and whites, to moody rich reds and orange hues, or uplifting pale pinks, selecting colours of the same colour family instantly creates a stunning and sophisticated arrangement. This can be a great trick to use for those of us new to flower arranging at home.

Eucalyptus

The ever-popular eucalyptus is a staple in Australian homes. Often used as filler, they also work just as well as a stand alone arrangement. Popular for their calming, silvery-green foliage and aromatic properties. They pair well with almost any flower and are a fab option if you don’t like overly bright flower arrangements.

2. Select the right vase or vessel

Selecting the right vase or vessel is just as important as the flowers. For a traditional and classic look, you could opt for a stylish vase… or for something a little more unusual, why not consider using a natural container? By thinking outside the box — literally — you can create a personalised floral arrangement for your home.

Natural vessels for flower arrangements:

• Terracotta pots: Perfect for a rustic look and very breathable for roots.
• Woven baskets: Ideal for a soft, homey vibe and great for large, sprawling arrangements.
• Hollowed logs: For a truly woodland feel, use a section of log as a striking, organic vase.
• Large shell: Fitting the coastal style to a T, large shells are a modern and minimalist.
• Coconut shells: Small, charming, and just right for tabletop displays. Amp up the earth vibes with natural additions like stones, driftwood, or a sprinkle of moss.

Recycle old jars, bottles, or even wooden crates are sustainable ideas that also work well as homes for your floral creations.

3. Begin creating your floral arrangement with greenery

With your flowers and vase sorted, it’s time to start layering your arrangement. Start by arranging the greenery or filler flowers in your vase or vessel. It will create a foundation that will support the larger blooms and add fullness to the arrangement. Crisscross the stems to create a grid that helps hold the flowers in place.

Florist Chellie shares step-by-step instructions on how to do this in her article here.

4. Add focal flowers and smaller blooms

When it comes to adding your flowers, place your largest or most striking flowers in the arrangement first. These should be the focal point of your centrepiece. Position them at varying heights to create depth and interest.

Smaller flowers fill in the gaps and keep the arrangement balanced. Just like interior styling, using an odd number creates a more natural and visually pleasing look. Fish by stepping back and assessing the arrangement, filling in any empty spaces or adding flowers to balance the look.

5. Maintain your floral arrangement

Keep your flowers fresh and fab by maintaining the arrangement. A few simple steps can extend the life of flowers by up to 3 weeks.

How to maintain a floral bouquet:

• Trim the stems: Give your flowers a trim every few days. A fresh cut at a 45-degree angle allows them to drink up more water.
• Change the water regularly: Switch out the water every two days to keep it clean and clear of bacteria, which can shorten your flowers’ lifespan.
• Avoid direct sunlight: Place your arrangement in a spot that gets indirect light. Too much sun can cause your blooms to fade quickly.
• Use flower food: Add a packet of flower food to the water. If you don’t have any, a pinch of sugar and a couple of drops of bleach can work wonders in nourishing your flowers and keeping the water bacteria-free. Find out more about making your own flower food here.
• Refresh flowers: Just because some of your flowers have wilted, doesn’t mean you have to replace the whole arrangement. Carefully pick out ones that have seen better days and replace with a few fresh blooms or added greenery.

These steps will ensure your floral arrangement stays vibrant and fresh for as long as possible.

Have you been inspired to create your own DIY floral centrepiece? What flowers or theme will you go for? We’d love to see a photo of your creation — email us or tag us when you share it on social media!

More home styling tips and tricks

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Introducing the DIY timber bead air freshener that you can fragrance with any essential oil of your choice. This is possibly the easiest DIY and there are plenty of ways you can customise it, such as using different shaped beads, to make it your own.

Related article: Make your own room spray
Related article: The top 10 essential oils you need in your home

@stylecuratorau Make your own car freshener using timber beads and essentials oils! Who knew car fresheners could look so stylish? I’m obsessed #DIY #easydiy #woodenbeads #carfreshener #essentialoils @ecomodernessentials ♬ Cooped up x return of the mack x mix – JAB32

Items you will need:

• Timber beads (we bought several sizes from Lincraft)
• Ribbon or twine
• Essential oils (we used a blend from ECO Modern Essentials)
• Scissors

You can also mix in different shaped timber beads or silicone beads. There are plenty of bead options on Etsy here.

Steps:

1. Place your timber beads in a plastic bag and add 20 drops of essential oil in your preferred scent. Close the bag and rub the beads until they are fully covered.

2. Cut a 45cm piece of ribbon or twine and thread your beads through. You may like to create different shapes or use a mix of smaller and larger beads for interest.

3. Once you’re happy with the design of your DIY wood car air freshener, tie a double knot to secure it.

4. Then all that’s left to do is place it in your car. I hang mine from my rearview mirror. But you could also just place it in your central compartment if you want to be more discreet.

See, I told you this was the easiest DIY ever! I used this DIY when hosting a workshop for BMW on how to style your car — yes, my love of styling even extends to automotive, haha. Other enhancements to your vehicle could include decorative elements like custom floor mats and interior lighting as well as functional items like durable roof racks for all vehicles to maximise storage space.

Tips:

When the air freshener loses its scent, simply remove it from the mirror and add a few more drops of essential oils to your beads. This creates a long lasting DIY car air freshener.

If you choose to use silicone beads, they can be a little tricky to get on to your ribbon. I find using a small screw driver helps to feed the ribbon through.

I hope you love this DIY car air freshener with essential oils. It’s so much more pleasant than those artificial fragrances… and more stylish too! If you have other ideas on how to make your car smell nice or add some extra style, I’d love you to share it in the comments below.

Check out more DIYs

Disclaimer: This post was first published in August 2019 and has been remade with newer information and images.

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Today the oh-so-talented DIYer Sophie from @nestihome has popped by Style Curator to share this on-trend home decor DIY project.

Related article: Make your own luxe milk bath salts
Related article: DIY terrazzo side table: Make your own luxe stone side table

Words by Sophie of @nestihome

Items you will need:

• Mirror (I used the Kmart Scalloped Circular Mirror $35)
• Cricut machine (Joy, Explore or Maker)
• Cricut Smart Stencil Film
• Cricut Transfer Tape
• Scraper tool
• Weeding tool
• Scissors
• Disposable gloves
• Armour Etch glass etching cream
• Small paintbrush

Steps:

1. Create your design in Cricut Design Space or you could also upload your ready-made design into Cricut Design Space. You can select from dozens of fonts and also design the words to curve.

2. Once you’re happy with your design, load Cricut Smart Stencil Film into your Cricut machine and ‘cut’ it out.

3. Next, use your weeding tool (looks like a hook) to remove the letters from your affirmation to create the stencil. This is because for this DIY you’ll need to create an inverse stencil.

4. For this next step you’ll need Cricut Transfer Tape. Cover the stencil in the transfer tape and then use the scraper tool to throughly burnish the tape to the stencil. Then cut away the excess transfer tape so it’s roughly the same size as the stencil (your stencil is now ready to be transferred).

5. Next you’ll need to carefully peel away the backing layer from the stencil. Then carefully position the stencil onto the mirror surface and use the scraper tool to thoroughly burnish the stencil onto the mirror.

Tip: make sure you check where the hook is on the back of the mirror as this will determine the location of the stencil once the mirror is hanging.

6. Carefully peel away the transfer tape layer and use the scraper one final time to burnish the stencil onto the mirror. This will remove air bubbles/gaps to give you the most precise letter etching.

Note: any air bubbles could cause the etching cream to bleed underneath, blurring the edges of your quote.

7. Then use a small paintbrush to apply a reasonably thick coat of Armour Etch glass etching cream to the cut-out parts of the stencil design. And leave it to sit for 10 minutes so the etching cream can do it’s thing!

8. Once 10 minutes has passed, thoroughly rinse off all the etching cream in a sink using room temperature water (be sure to wear gloves!). Don’t be concerned if your quote isn’t visible right away as it’s difficult to see the etching when it’s wet/under water.

9. Finally, dry the mirror and peel away the stencil film to reveal the etching.

What do you think of this mirror affirmation etching DIY project? Are you inspired to make one for yourself or perhaps as a gift for a friend? Let us know in the comments below if you’ll make one and what quote you’ll use.

More DIY projects

About the author

From making stylish home decor, upcycling furniture and also baking the most epic kids cakes you’ve ever seen, Sophie is a queen of all things creative and DIY. Find her on Instagram at @nestihome and follow along for all her latest projects!

The post How to make a mirror affirmation etching: Boost your mood and confidence with a mirror quote appeared first on Style Curator.

Related item: How to pack the perfect picnic: Create a luxe picnic (bonus free checklist!)
Related item: Spring garden party meets wilderness table setting

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Items you will need:

• a throw rug of your choice
• sheet of PVC at the length of your rug (this is sold by the metre from Lincraft, costing approximately $7 per metre)
• press stud kit (also available at Lincraft. I opted for a bronze finish)
• hammer
• scissors

Steps:

Step 1: Lay out your plastic and cut to size

Firstly, you’ll create the plastic backing for your throw blanket. This is what will make it waterproof.

The easiest way to cut the plastic sheet to size is to find a large, clean floor area where you can lay out your plastic material. This product is sold by the metre at Lincraft and is available in a thick or thin version. I bought 2 metres of the thin plastic as it is still durable while also being easy to fold/roll (and you’ll see why this is important soon).

Next, place your throw blanket on top. Line up the corners on one end and cut a straight line where the throw blanket ends to remove excess plastic. To save time on measuring, I simply placed the throw blanket on top and folded the plastic at this point to create a guide of where to cut — it doesn’t have to be perfect but if you want perfect, you could also grab a measuring tape and texta

Step 2: Hammer press studs in all corners of the throw and plastic

The next step is to add press studs. These are stud pop buttons like those often found in clothing. I opted for bronze press studs as I liked the muted metallic finish.

Read the instructions on the kit and layout all the parts to make life easier for yourself.

Then use your hammer to add press studs to all 4 corners of your throw blanket and plastic backing.

Each corner of your picnic blanket will use 4 pieces. You’ll attach 2 pieces to the top layer (the throw blanket) and 2 pieces to the bottom layer (the plastic backing). I used the prettier bronze buttons for the top layer (parts A and B) and the inner part of the stud (parts C and D) on the plastic backing. This step will make more sense when it comes time to adding press studs, just follow the packet instructions.

Depending on the size of your blanket, you may also like to add extra press studs along the length. I did this on the two longer sides.

Step 3: Clip it together and roll it up

Your waterproof picnic rug is done! All you need to do is clip the plastic backing to the throw and roll it up. Now it’s ready to take on your next picnic!

This hack to make a waterproof picnic rug was inspired by wanting a soft and comfortable picnic rug that’s large enough for the family to sit on. And that didn’t cost the world. Or look hideous.

You could use the technique in this tutorial to turn any throw blanket you have at home into a waterproof picnic rug for about $20. The plastic backing is $7 per metre and press studs cost about $9 per packet.

Has this DIY inspired you to make a waterproof picnic rug of your own? If you have any questions, pop them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you asap.

More DIY ideas

Photography by Thorson Photography

Disclaimer: This post was first published in February 2021.

The post How to make a waterproof picnic rug without a sewing machine! appeared first on Style Curator.

Felt is an affordable product that’s easy to get your hands on and comes in so many colours. It’s also nice and easy to work with which is great if you’re a DIY novice.

And trust us, this list contains loads of fabulous DIY ideas, some of which you’d never think could be made with felt!

Related article: 14 of the best home decor DIYs using rope
Related article: 20 things to do at home to keep busy during isolation

1. Felt dip-dyed vase

You can’t really blame us for kicking off our round-up with one of our own DIYs, can you?! This dip-dyed felt vase is super affordable to make (under $15!) and looks just like the expensive ones we’ve seen in homeware stores. We love that you can make this one in any colour to perfectly to suit your home.

Find the DIY instructions here

2. Felt bunting

This sweet little project would look gorgeous in a nursery or big kids bedroom. You could also use it as a party decoration and skip the single use plastic or paper version! We also love the idea of cutting out arch shapes instead of triangles for something a bit different.

Get the full DIY tutorial here

3. Coffee sleeve

Here’s another of our fave DIY ideas to make with felt… a coffee sleeve! The simplicity of this design means one piece of felt goes a really long way. These would make perfect stocking stuffers, thank you presents, or even teacher gifts.

Get the how to instructions here

4. Felt play boards for kids

One for the little people — a felt play board! Simply wrap large sheets of felt around a frame and cut out fun shapes, letters and numbers. Now you’ve got yourself a super fun activity to keep the kids busy for hours (exact time of children’s entertainment is not guaranteed ).

Find the felt play board instructions here

5. Felt storage / gift basket

You can never have too much storage, so this felt DIY project is perfect! Make yourself a lovely storage basket or use it to present your own beautiful handmade gift hampers. Such a clever idea that would make a lovely gift, made with love by you!

Get the great DIY instructions here

6. Felt coasters

One of the best things about working with felt is that it doesn’t fray so you can cut it into whatever shape you like without having to hem edges. It means you can create DIYs in a flash and get super creative with shapes. Elsa whipped up these festive star coasters for her Christmas festivities but theres no limit to the type of felt coaster you could create!

Find the tutorial here

7. Trinket boxes

Small boxes and baskets are ideal for keeping smaller and loose items organised. Whether it’s in a kids room, home office or bedroom, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect use for these felt trinket boxes! Find the easy-to-follow instructions and template by clicking the link below.

Make your own felt trinket box here

8. Balloon and cloud mobile

Another of the fabulous DIY ideas to make with felt for the little ones is this sweet balloon and cloud mobile. While this design does require some sewing skills, you could take inspiration from the idea to create a simplified version that you could make with a glue gun instead.

However, if you’re ready for a challenge, Craftiness is not Optional has put together super detailed instructions to achieve the gorgeous mobile shown below.

Get the full tutorial here

9. Leather and felt keyring

Who knew you could make something so great with scraps?! That’s pretty much all you’ll need to make this fab little leather and felt keyring. So clever, and the perfect gift for Dad, Grandparents, teachers, friends or yourself!

Find the DIY instructions here

10. Oversized pinboard

One of our fave DIY projects (and most popular with you guys too!) is the oversized pinboard Gina made for her son Patrick. If you don’t have the budget for a piece of acoustic board, we’ve seen loads of clever DIYers using other materials.

You could try covering a piece of cardboard and wadding in felt or even a piece of styrofoam! Use our DIY oversized pinboard instructions for inspiration and get creative!

Check out the full tutorial here

11. Sunset banner

Is this not one of the sweetest (and most on-trend!) DIY felt projects ever?! Create this beautiful rainbow sunset wall art using felt and a few other crafty bits and pieces.

We love the idea of hanging it in a child’s bedroom, but could see it styled in any room of the house. Too cute!

Find out more here

12. iPad / tablet cover

The Crafty Gentleman has loads of DIY ideas to make with felt, and this one is great! Mike makes a zip-close iPad / tablet cover and his instructions are simple and easy to follow.

Get the how to instructions here

13. Garland for gift wrapping

We are always looking for new and clever ideas for wrapping gifts. In our search for DIY ideas to make with felt, we came across this great little felt garland. Perfect for wrapping around gifts, or maybe even to adorn a dolls house, wall, or book shelf — it’s a winner in our eyes.

Find the DIY mini felt garland tutorial here

14. Cloud cushion

Saving the cutest for last! We adore this hand sewn felt cloud pillow from the talented team at Lia Griffith. By joining their membership, you will be able to make all their beautiful creations and there are SO many to choose from. It’s a great idea if you’re a keen crafter and looking for some fabulous projects.

We’ve also got a simple felt cushion DIY project here.

Check it out here

Have we inspired you to give any of these DIY projects a go? Or tell us if you’ve seen any other DIY ideas to make with felt that we need to add to our list. Share them in the comments below!

Fine more DIY projects here

The post Fun and affordable felt: DIY ideas to make with felt appeared first on Style Curator.

Keep reading to find out what materials you need and the steps to make DIY beeswax wraps that cling without leaving residue. We’re betting you’ll make a bee-line to your local craft store in no time!

Related article: 11 easy ways to reduce plastic around the home
Related article: Fridge organisation: How I took my fridge from disgusting to dreamy

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Items you will need:

• 100% cotton fabric
• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil (available at Biome)
• 6 tablespoons food grade pine resin (we bought it on Etsy)
• 1 cup beeswax pellets
• Pot
• Glass jar (use an old pasta sauce or olive jar as it will get ruined)
• Crimping scissors
• Old spoon or paddle pop stick to stir (again, this will get ruined)
• Baking tray
• Baking paper
• Paint brush
• Tongs

Alternatively, if you only want to make a small batch, it may be easier and more affordable to buy a ready-made DIY beeswax food wrap kit.

Steps:

1. Firstly, pre-wash the fabric as cotton generally shrinks.

2. Once dry, use crimping scissors to cut the fabric to into your desired shapes and sizes. If you’re unsure what sizes to cut, common sizes are 20cm x 20cm for small, 28cm x 28cm for medium and 35cm x 35cm for large. However, you can make them any size or shape you like. Use crimping scissors to avoid frayed edges.

3. Then add the the jojoba oil, pine resin and beeswax pellets in the glass jar. Create a double boiler set up on your cooktop by half filling a pot of water and placing the glass jar of ingredients inside.

Then boil the ingredients until they are fully melted. This should take around 45 minutes.

4. Once the ingredients in the jar are fully melted, turn off the cooktop and carefully remove the glass jar of golden lava.

5. Preheat oven to 150 degrees.

6. Then line a baking tray with baking paper and place your piece of fabric on top. For best results, you want a generous amount of liquid to soak into the fabric. So paint both sides of the fabric before placing the tray in the oven for 3 minutes.

7. Then remove the baking tray from the oven. Use tongs to carefully lift the fabric and hold it over the baking tray, allowing excess wax to drip onto the baking paper. Because this liquid is difficult to clean once dry, wait until all the excess wax has stopped dripping before moving onto the next step.

8. Finally, gently wash the wrap under cold running water and pat dry.

Tip: if you spot any ‘dry’ spots on the fabric when you remove it from the oven, you may need to repeat Step 6.

9. Continue painting, baking and rinsing your pieces of fabric until you have used all of the mixture. Because the mixture can solidify, work quickly to paint all of your fabric. And be careful to clean up any mess as you go as it’s very difficult to remove once dry.

Your DIY beeswax wraps are now ready to use! You can reuse these again and again, simply washing with gentle detergent in between uses. So with proper care, you can reuse your homemade beeswax wraps for a year or more!

If you think this DIY beeswax wraps tutorial is the bees knees, let us know — we love hearing from you! Drop a comment below, find us on Instagram or email us at hello@stylecurator.com.au.

More DIY ideas

Disclaimer: This post was first published in June 2021 and continues to be updated ahead of Plastic Free July.

The post DIY beeswax wraps: Make your own beeswax food wraps appeared first on Style Curator.

Watch the quick video below or keep on reading for all the ingredients and steps to make your own room diffuser at home!

Related article: DIY spherical candle: Make your own round/sphere/globe candle
Related article: The top 10 essential oils you need in your home

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Items you will need:

• A glass vessel with a narrow opening to slow evaporation (I bought mine from Eroma but you could repurpose a vessel you already have)
• 1/4 cup of carrier oil (I’m using baby oil but you could also use fractionated coconut oil)
• 15 drops of your preferred essential oils (make your own blend or I’m using the new blends from the ECO. Modern Essentials Mindset Collection)
• 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol or vodka to help the oils be absorbed into the reeds
• Optional: dried or preserved flowers

Steps:

1. Combine liquids — carrier oil, essential oil and alcohol — in your glass vessel and mix well.

2. Optional step: Add dried or preserved flowers into the vessel for those luxe day spa vibes.

3. Add your reed sticks into the glass vessel. You can find these in a range of thicknesses (3mm is standard, 5mm is medium and 9mm is extra thick) and colours, including white, natural and black. The 3mm natural reed sticks are standard but white is a great option for a more coastal aesthetic. I used 5mm natural reed sticks.

Flip the reed diffusers at least once a week to refresh the scent.

That’s how easy it is to make your own homemade room diffusers with essential oils! Best of all, you can switch up the formula to fragrance them with whatever essential oils you like. Think woody and earthy notes in the cooler months and zestier scents in the summer months.

Will you give this DIY to make your own homemade room diffusers a go? I’d love to see pics if you do. Be sure to tag me @stylecuratorau when you post pics online or email them in to hello@stylecurator.com.au.

More DIY ideas

The post How to make homemade room diffusers with essential oils appeared first on Style Curator.

Keep reading for the simple steps to recreate this sweet and sustainable gift wrap!

Related article: 50 of the most beautiful Christmas gift wrapping ideas
Related article: Low-waste Christmas gift wrapping ideas

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A post shared by Gina Ciancio | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

Items you will need:

• Natural fabric (I used linen but you could use cotton as a more affordable option)
• Timber board (like an old cutting board)
• Brightly coloured flowers
• Hammer
• Crimping scissors (these are ideal to avoid frayed edges, otherwise regular scissors are fine)
• Decorative elements to finish (such as dried flowers, ornaments or cards)

Steps:

1. Cut the fabric into a square. Tip: using crimping scissors will prevent frayed edges.

2. Use brightly coloured flowers to dye the fabric naturally. Do this by placing the flower on a timber board and carefully placing the fabric over the top. Hammer down until the flower print is exposed.

3. Wrap the gift using the Bojagi technique. Watch the video above to see how this is done or follow these steps:

• rotate the flower into a diamond
• place your gift on top, just below centre
• fold over the bottom edge
• then pick up the two sides and tie a knot
• the final step is to fold top corner over the knot.

4. Lastly, tuck a card, ornament or other decorative element into the pocket.

I just love the look of this natural and sustainable gift wrapping idea. It’s an easy way to elevate your gift wrapping game this holiday season without producing unnecessary waste. A sweet and sustainable gift wrap look that’s sure to put a smile on someone’s face!

Has this gift wrap idea inspired you? I’d love to see your take on this DIY — share your pics by emailing them to hello@stylecurator.com.au or tag me when you share them online @stylecuratorau.

More Christmas ideas

The post Fabric gift wrap: Bojagi technique + natural dye print using flowers appeared first on Style Curator.

If you’re gifting this candle, it’s like 3 pressies in 1 — as a candle, beautiful mug and sweet crystal! Let’s jump in to how to make it…

Related article: DIY bath bombs: Make luxe bath bombs with this simple tutorial
Related article: Make your own room spray

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A post shared by Gina Ciancio | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

Items you will need:

• Vessel or cup (I used a cuddle mug from Freedom)
• Soy wax pellets (these are widely available, mine are from Lincraft)
• Candle fragrance (I bought mine from Eroma)
• Candle wicks (also from Lincraft)
• Wick stickers
• Pot to melt wax (I found this milk pan from Harris Scarfe just the right size)
• Metal or silicone spatula to stir (also from Harris Scarfe)
• Peg
• Small crystals (optional way to decorate the candle)

Steps:

1. Heat wax on low until melted and stand aside for 5 minutes to cool down. If you add your fragrance when the wax is too hot, it can burn off during the candle making process — leaving no fragrance left when it’s time to burn the candle!

2. Prepare your vessel by ensuring it is clean and stick the wick to the base in the centre. You can buy wick stickers but they were sold out in store so I used a few drops of hot wax to stick the wick down and it did the trick. Use a peg to hold the wick in the centre at the top of your vessel.

3. Add fragrance to your cooled melted wax. Between 7%-10% is recommended. Any more and your candle can develop a dark smoke when burning.

4. Pour your melted wax into your vessel and stand aside.

5. Optional: When your candle is almost set, you can gently press a crystal into the surface. Select a crystal for the energy or qualities you want to attract (check out our compressive crystal guide here or read the quick tips below).

6. Trim the wick and you’re done!

Tips:

Making and burning the candle

• The best time to press the crystal into the surface is when the wax begins to turn opaque — put it in too early and it will sink to the bottom of your vessel, and put it in too late and you may find you crack the surface of the candle.
• While you may think burning a crystal will attract bad energy, fire is actually a great way to cleanse crystals so it will be wonderfully recharged and energised after the burn. Just be sure to let it cool before removing it as it will be hot immediately after burning the candle.
• On the first burn, let your candle burn long enough so the entire surface melts (from edge to edge). If you do not burn a candle long enough the first time, it will create a well in the centre of your candle (what’s often called a ‘memory ring’) and you won’t get full use out of your candle.

Picking your crystal

A lovely way to personalise this candle is by choosing a crystal that attracts the qualities and energies you desire. These are some of the most popular crystals you may like to use:

• clear quartz: a healing crystal that helps absorb negative energies and elevate your mind to a more positive place
• rose quartz: the ultimate love stone, use it manifest unconditional love, including the ability to help forgive and understand
• citrine: an emotionally balancing crystal that helps promote motivation, activate creativity and encourage self-expression
• amethyst: the master of calming and is perfect for a living space as it soothes anxiety and stress
• apophyllite: a powerful but gentle healing crystal that soothes feelings of anxiety, fear and worry.

For more information on what properties different crystals poses, see our crystal guide here.

Will you try our candle in a cup DIY? Share a photo with us if you do! You’ll mostly find me on Instagram or you can email it to hello@stylecurator.com.au.

More DIY ideas

The post DIY candle in a cup: A thoughtful gift that’s 3 pressies in 1! appeared first on Style Curator.