Life

Q-tips Hacks You'll Totally Love

by Hannah Lawrence

Instagram is by far and away my favorite social platform. While I do enjoy the way it allows me to see who has successfully photographed the mythical catbeard, the thing I love most about the platform is how it helps me learn about home hacks and easy DIY projects. My goals for 2016 are to “get crafting” and “do it myself, for real!” And, so far, Instagram has been an amazing resource for finding projects that are easy, pretty, and can be completed on a Sunday night when I realize people are going to ask me what I did this weekend and my answer should probably be more compelling than “watched Vanderpump Rules.”

But since I’m quite new to the hack/DIY world, a lot of the projects I’ve wanted to try are a bit over my head. Thankfully I’ve been able to find people on Instagram whose creations are the perfect combo of actually doable and absolutely stunning. Currently, my favorite source of accessible DIY inspiration is Sam Ushiro (or @aww.sam) because her feed allows everyone to be a crafting queen, regardless of experience. She describes herself as a “DIY blogger, industrial designer, and donut aficionado,” and she covers everything from nail art, to emoji necklaces, to homemade pop tarts. Her personal motto is “have fun and make every day a party,” and the bright and cheery palette of her crafts perfectly reflect that mindset.

To show how easy crafting and other household hacks can be, we partnered with Sam and Q-tips to bring you five home hacks/DIY projects that are sure to be useful and fun. So roll up your sleeves, grab your Q-tips, and let's get going.

There are so many unexpected costs that come up when you're planning a wedding. Make your life easier and your budget happier by using Q-tips to make the place cards yourself!

When the time comes for your little one to learn addition and subtraction, help them practice at home by using playing cards and Q-tips!

Pickup Sticks is a fun game that requires concentration, decent hand-eye coordination, and a good sense of humor. Check out how easy it is to make a set that's specifically designed for your little one's tiny hands using Q-tips!

Our cameras get so much use that keeping them clean can be kinda difficult. Make sure you get all the dust out of all those nooks and crannies by using Q-tips and a gentle cleaning solution.

Garlands are a great way to make a room feel extra festive, and they've never been easier to make! All you need are Q-tips, ribbon, and watercolor paints!

Check out the stop motion video below to see the craft in action!

Images: Lauren Perlstein

Makeup: Caitlin Wooters

Hair: Akihisa Yamaguchi

Design: Isla Murray

This post is sponsored by Q-tips.