11.16.2008

Haute Wheels: Leading the Way!

If, like me, you grew up with brothers around the house, you likely found yourself tripping over their huge mess of toy soldiers, Transformers, and mini racing cars. I never understood the allure of pushing a toy car with your hand while making annoying car noises. However, thanks to a cute feature in last month's NYLON magazine, I finally found a good use for the multitude of Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars now sitting untouched in basement storage. Swiss designer Jackie Heinsohn takes toy racing cars and turns them into turbocharged accessories (sold at a turbocharged price to match). With a few extra materials, you can turn your brother's toy car into a kitschy cool bracelet for under $10. Shhh, you don't need to tell him what you're doing; he's too busy playing X box to notice one of his prized childhood Hot Wheels is missing...


What You'll Need:

Toy car
Charm

Metal chain (approximately 4.5 inches)

Two jumprings

Two pieces hardware

Jewelry clasp

Superglue

Pliers



First, flip the car on its hood and fix the two pieces of hardware on both ends with superglue. This serves to connect the car to the chain. You can use things such as an earring back or pinback. The key is that the hardware have a flat bottom (to glue to the car) and a hole (to put the jump ring through). Let it dry.

With the assistance of pliers, attach the chain to the car using a jumpring. Attach the charm to the jumpring as well. On the opposite end of the car, attach the chain to the jewelry clasp with a jumpring.


Now you're raring to go!

xx,CC

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG amazing title!! You have to make me one ASAP!!!!!!! xoxox

-JULIA

E said...

HAHA.. I used to love Ferrarris... probably a glimpse of admiration of luxury items... it's on my life long wish list... but i think i know how to immortalize that car now and still be a tomboy!!

Liv Bambola said...

That is absolutely awesome! It's prettu much an exact match to the original!

Dana (MODAna) said...

I've never seen anything like this, whoa!

Margeaux said...

Your tutorials are the best! Keep up the great work :)

Karafina said...

that is pretty freakin awesome..... i love it.


i pronounce my name car-ah fee-nah..

=)

The Sexy Pedestrian said...

Love it, gonna get the glue out this weekend!

Anonymous said...

That's so nifty!
I'll have to try it!
(: