VideoJug offers a huge selection of instructional videos to help you, as they put it, get good at life.  The YouTube channel features a selection of their videos covering topics like how to stop squeaky hinges and how to tile a wall.  For even more videos you can visit the main site.

Ron Hazelton is the host of ‘Ron Hazelton’s House Calls’ and specializes in basic home improvement projects.  He demonstrates things like how to remove wallpaper, how to remove and replace tile grout and how to replace damaged molding.

Tim Carter is the host of Ask the Builder, DIY video tutorials that focus on projects to help you save money and time.  Carter offers general overviews of products and processes like roof moss and stump removal.

HomeAdditionPlus offers helpful video tutorials on DIY, home improvement and home remodeling tips and information. Host Mark Donavan’s quick and concise approach may be best for those looking for a project overview as opposed to an in-depth step by step instructional.

eHow Home offers advice on decor, soft furnishings, troubleshooting problems around the home, and cleaning tips.

Tiny Yellow House

“I’m just a freelance, insane guy working out of his backyard building stuff for people when the need arises,” says Derek Diedricksen, 33, a tiny house enthusiast who lives outside of Boston.

In his web video series, Diedricksen documents the construction of his tiny homes in which he uses building materials for much of his construction.  One shack called the Gypsy Junker is just 7 feet by 4 feet and can sleep three people.

Learn more about Derek and Tiny Yellow House at his blog relaxshax.wordpress.com.

Vermont Tiny Houses

Peter King another builder in the tiny house movement lives in a geodesic dome in Vermont with several tiny houses on his property.

“I just like the sense of economy,” King explains. “The sense of: you can’t put a lot of stuff in there, so you have to be careful of what’s important. And another beauty of the tiny house is that you can put them almost anywhere. They are moveable at this scale. You can easily put them up on rollers and pull them around.”

King runs weekend workshops in which participants turn a pile of lumber on the ground into a tiny house.  Four students pay for the experience, and a fifth person pays for the wood and has a new house at the end of the weekend.  A 10×10 foot structure, constructed in a weekend, cost a total of only $6,000 or $7,000.

To sign up for one of King’s weekend workshops visit, vermonttinyhouses.com.

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

Jay Shafer started Tumbleweed Tiny House Company in 1997 in Sebastopol, California.  “My decision to inhabit just 89 square feet arose from some concerns I had about the impact a larger house would have on the environment, and because I do not want to maintain a lot of unused or unusable space. My houses have met all of my domestic needs without demanding much in return,” says Jay.

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company offers workshops all over North America in places like Austin, Texas, Toronto, Canada, Boulder, Colorado and Portland, Oregon.  You can buy a homes ready made or purchase a kit to build it yourself.

Before you get started make sure you have a well organized and thought out plan including location and tools.  And remember when choosing an adhesive for such a small space, one that’s low VOC and water-based, such as EcoGlue, will ensure your tiny house air quality is good.

You can listen to NPR’s story, Do-It-Yourself Downsize: How To Build A Tiny House here.

The event; co-sponsored by Cafe Zenon, Bi-Mart, and the ReStore; was designed to educate the university community about how to make standard household repairs they might not know how to fix otherwise. This included things like sealing leaky sink faucets, tightening loose door handles, fixing unstable chairs and tables, and other household items that need repair from time to time.

The free event offered give-a-ways including cookies from local bakery Cafe Zenon, small, personal tool kits from Bi-Mart and a selection of our adhesives like FAMOWOOD Wood Filler and Amazing GOOP Household.

Representatives from the Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity ReStore were present to instruct and teach students, faculty, staff, and community members about basic procedures to fix broken items in one’s home. Individuals were encouraged to stop by and learn how to become their own personal handyman or handywoman.

Images by Cherise Kaechele.

Luckily, no matter what look you are trying to achieve this is a relatively easy DIY project.  Before you get started, if you need a little inspiration be sure to check out some of these fantastic kitchens from Apartment Therapy!  They’ve got all kinds of backsplash ideas from brick-like tiles to colorful accent tiles and decorative shaped tiles.

Tools & Materials

• Glass tiles
• Thinset
• Unsanded grout
• Adhesive such as EcoGlue Extreme or E-6000
• Speed square
• 1/8″ tile spacers
• Safety glasses
• Tape measure
• Level
• Wet saw
• Bucket
• Sponge
• 3/16″ square-notched trowel
• Float
• Rubi cutter
• Grinding stone

Step 1

First you want to measure and lay out the backsplash.  Measure from top of counter to bottom of cabinet and plan your tile layout. Incorporate any accent tiles that you have planned for the design.

Mark the center point of the wall and, with a level, draw a horizontal line across the wall from end to end. Also measure up from the finished countertop to the bottom lip of the upper cabinets to determine the number of tile rows needed. Make sure to include 1/8” grout lines in your measurements.

If you are keeping a countertop with a pre-built backsplash (common with laminate countertops), use the top of that backsplash as the base line for your first row of tiles.

Determine whether you will need to cut tiles at either end of the wall or for the row abutting the upper cabinets.

Step 2

Mix the thin-set mortar according to manufacturer’s directions. Add mortar to water a little at a time while stirring; when ready it should be the consistency of creamy peanut butter.

Wait about 10 minutes after the mortar is mixed to let it set.

Apply thin-set to the wall with a 3/16-inch notched trowel to ensure proper depth. Apply thin-set in smooth, even strokes.

Cover about a 2-square-foot area at a time. Keep a sponge and water handy for cleaning as you go. Thin-set will stay workable for about 45 minutes but don’t apply too much at a time.

Step 3

A word of caution about glass tiles behind cook stoves: Some glass tiles have a much higher rate of expansion and contraction than do ceramic tiles. Ask the tile retailer (or manufacturer) for a movement joint schedule to help determine if you need to set grout lines slightly wider behind a hot stove. Also, some adhesives and sealants may react with the back coatings of some glass tiles, so make sure the manufacturer supplies you with a list of compatible adhesives and sealants.

Starting with your bottom row of tiles, apply tiles to the thin-set. Press and wiggle each tile to set into the mortar, keeping each flat, plumb and level.

Use 1/8-inch spacers to keep a consistent space between tiles as you go. You can pull out the spacers when the mortar starts to dry.

Add accent tiles or liner bars where you designed them.

Keep an eye on vertical and horizontal lines and use the level to keep you honest.

Step 4

You can cut glass tiles to size using a manually operated Rubi cutter. Set the tile stop to the correct width, put the cutting blade down and score the tile with one smooth motion. Pull down the handle to snap the tile into two pieces. You may need to practice on several tiles to perfect the smooth motion that minimizes unwanted mistakes.

If the cut end tiles are to be exposed, polish the cut edges with a grinding stone to give the tiles a more finished look.

If you’ve got a lot of cutting to do or several difficult compound cuts like fitting tiles around electrical outlets, it’s best to use a wet saw to cut the tiles. Though it can cost $40 to $50 a day to rent, a wet saw can make the job of cutting tiles go very smoothly.

Step 5

To avoid scratching the glass tiles, grout with unsanded grout.

After the mortar sets and the tiles have been cleaned of any excess mortar, mix up the unsanded grout to the consistency recommended by the manufacturer’s directions.

Apply the grout with a float, gliding over the tiles at a 45-degree angle . Don’t apply too much pressure or you might sink the tiles into the thin-set or push them out of plumb.

Back off from your work now and again to check that no tiles have moved and everything is in order.

By the time you get to the end of one wall, the first section of tiles should be dry enough to wet sponge. Wipe the grouted tiles clean with a wet sponge, applied at a 45-degree angle, being careful to keep from indenting the grout lines.

When the grout is dry, polish the haze off the tiles with a soft cloth.

For more information on installing your own backsplash, visit the diy network.

• Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They use only 1/3 of the energy needed by incandescent bulbs, and they last for five years. Swapping out the five most-used light bulbs in a house with CFLs, could cut $60 worth of electricity every year, which more than makes up for the higher price of the CFLs. However, many energy companies have rebate programs for CFLs. Sometimes they cost as little as $2. Check with the local power company to see if it offers rebates.

• Put in a programmable thermostat. This can save as much as 30 percent on heating and cooling, depending on how well the house is insulated and the heating system. In the winter, program the thermostat so that the house is cooler when no one is home during the day and when everyone is in bed at night. When the weather warms up, set the temperatures higher during the day.

• Caulk all windows. Experts estimate that tiny leaks around doors and windows let as much heat escape from the house as an open window does, so seal up those leaks and save some money. One option is to use removable caulking. When spring comes, peel it off and open the windows. EcoGlue Exteme is a good choice for sealing leaks.

• Add weather stripping to all exterior doors. Weather stripping is available at any hardware store or home center, and it’s another easy way to prevent air leaks.

The Environmental Protect Agency suggests you ‘Pick 5‘ actions that you can do to help make a difference.  These are some of the ways the EPA says we can help.

• Water. Use only the water you need, and reuse when possible.

• Air. Make sure your home’s air is healthy, learn about indoor air pollutants from indoor energy use and toxins. With the right house plants you can even improve indoor air quality.

• Land. Learn about composting, try it out!

• Energy. Save energy at home. Choose energy-saving appliances if they’re available. Look for Energy Star!

• Waste. Reuse. Upcycle! Take something that is disposable and transform it into something of greater use and value.

April:

Clean gutters and drainage spouts, removing any debris.  HGTV has some great tips on how to properly clean and repair gutters.

Repair fences and arbors so they’ll be ready for planting season. If you want to try a planter box for flowers, check out our step by step instructions, here.  If you need to repair holes or cracks and gouges, try Famowood Instant Wood Repair.

May:

Repair window screens and check screening on porches before bug season arrives. For tips and a video how-to from HGTV go here.

Repair deck board by removing protruding nails and replace with coated or galvanized screws. Be sure to check and tighten bolts in deck supports.  To avoid slippery surfaces use Anti-Skid Epoxy. It’s friendly on bare feet, lead free, and chemical, gas and oil resistant.

Touch up exterior paint, paying special attention to window sills, gable vents, garage doors.  Check out 10 Things You Must Know When Painting a House Exterior from the DIY Network for more info and tips!

June:

Clean gas grill and replace or repair any rusted or damaged parts. Try using Seal All to patch leaks or reattach loose parts.  It’s not affected by gasoline, oil, alcohol, water and most solvents, making it ideal for for these repairs.

Complete larger exterior painting jobs. Follow the shade – don’t paint in direct sun – and quit before dusk so the paint can dry before dew forms. For most exterior jobs, look for 100 percent acrylic, and buy at least the “better” quality.

For more DIY projects by Michele visit b. organic.  Thanks for sharing this great project with us, Michele!

Throughout the month of December we’ll be accepting project submissions. At the end of the month we’ll choose one or more of our favorites to feature.  We want to see what unique and fun projects you come up with using Amazing GOOP, Eco Glue or other Eclectic Products. So, get out your glue, scissors, paint, paper, fabric and show us you’ve got!

Just a few things to keep in mind.  The craft or DIY project submitted must include an Eclectic Product and must include an image(s) and/or video with a how-to description of your project. Those featured will get a gift basket of glue to suit your DIY or crafting needs.

Send submissions to kelli.matthews[at]gmail.com

You can peek at some of our previous guest posts and contest winners to get inspiration:

- RC cars and Amazing GOOP

- ShoeGOO Decoupage(ish) Shoes

- Baby Name Art Canvas How-To

- Mosaic Mushroom How-To

Decorative Light-Switch Cover

I did this years ago using tissue paper, but really you could use paper or fabric.  This is a fun and easy way to add interesting color to a otherwise plain wall.  All you need is your choice of fabric, E6000 Craft and an x-acto knife.

First remove the light switch cover from the wall, the cut a piece of fabric slightly bigger than the size of the cover.  You’ll want to be able to fold some extra fabric around the edges.  Make cutouts for the switch and screw holes.  Apply E6000 Craft onto the plastic light-switch cover, then put fabric in place.  Once the glue is dry, you’re ready to put your new and improved light-switch cover back on the wall!

Your local craft store will have a large selection of fabrics to choose from, but Ikea and Marimekko are also great places to look for unique patterns.

Image courtesy of Design Sponge

Upholstered Headboard

This project will take a little more time, but as you can see looks absolutely amazing when complete.  The combination of flowers and animals in this red and white print stands out so well on the neutral wall.

You’ll need the following items for this project: wood for your headboard, foam, batting, fabric, knife, scissors, staple gun, flush mount and E6000 Craft .

For full step-by-step instructions by Design Sponge go here.

Fun with Wall Paper

This is one of my favorite DIY projects because it can work in just about any room in your house.

Image courtesy of NOTCOT

It can be a great accent to your kitchen in a breakfast nook, add some flare to a bedroom or spice up your living room.

Craft stores, art stores or specialty gift shops are great places to find paper perfect to create this look.  The paper will most likely be just the right width when purchased, so no need to cut and worry about uneven lines.  Just be sure to measure the length of the wall you intend to use and purchase that length of paper.

Apply E6000 Craft to the wall, starting at the top.  Place the paper over the glued area and run your hand down as you flatten the paper, removing any air bubbles. Do this in small sections as you work down the wall.  Once you reach the floor and the end of the paper, you’re all done!  If you need to cut off excess paper at the end, I would recommend using an x-acto knife and ruler to ensure a nice straight line.

Some small, but simple changes can make indoor get-togethers even more delightful.

Enjoy!

Get organized!

Parents know that back to school means homework, school activities, sports, and more. Prepare yourself with projects that help you organize homework due dates, sports schedules, and weekend activities.

Organization frames are simple tools to help you and your kids keep track of deadlines and dates. Lowe’s demonstrates how to create a multipurpose frame system in four simple steps.

Create a study space for your A+ students where they can stay organized and focused and take the occasional study break. The study space features a book nook, art corner, and extra credit/homework dry-erase wall.

Kick off the school year in style!

Back to school shopping can get expensive. Why not create your own fashionable, inexpensive school accessories?

Book bag: Learn how to make a chic oversized book bag that’s big enough for books and supplies. Maryssa “Missa” Stumpf of Missa by Design provides a how-to video with simple steps to create this super cute accessory.

Backpack: Make a backpack out of a mens jacket. Threadbanger gives step-by-step instructions on how to create a hip backpack that’s perfect for the new school year.

Reusable lunch bags: Stop wasting plastic bags and create a cute reusable lunch bag using old clothes. Amy from Progressive Pioneer uses old jeans to create her reusable lunch bag. They’re cheap, durable, and great for the environment.

Teachers pet?

Start the school year right by impressing your teacher with some unique, homemade crafts such as:

• Apple-themed crafts

• Thank you cards