So Chic, So Attainable

Yes, Project Runway and I have had issues over the years and I now only experience the series through recaps on Tom & Lorenzo. But sometimes, they have picked actually talented designers to highlight on their show. One such contestant was Laura Bennett from Season 3 way back when the show was on Bravo.

Flipping through the pages of her new book, Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun, I was amazed at what she was able to accomplish. This book allows you to make extremely lush and high end-looking accessories with a crafty mind on a thrifty budget. Using real or synthetic leather to craft luxe looking accessories and bags with metal hardware to recycling thrift store real mink shawls and coats (or you could buy synthetic fur instead) to make gorgeous fur items, including a to-die-for mink pullover that evokes images of the 1960s. Come on, just picture it with a headband, cigarette pants, and black ballet flats.

Believe it or not, every one of these is a project in the book!

The instructions are simple, so simple, but the results are amazing, right? If you are crafty, stylish, and lust over high-end accessories but have a much lower budget to play with, this is your book.

Images: Rodale Books