Your tech accessories are like works of art, and they should look like it, too.
As much as we use our laptops and smartphones in our everyday lives, they can take a hefty amount of wear and tear. So it's important to keep them protected in a way that's both secure and stylish.
Update and refurbish an old laptop cover or keep your brand new smartphone from those dreaded cracks with a gorgeously trendy marble finish that you'll be proud to put on display.
DIY Marble Laptop Cover
Materials:
Your laptop
Marble contact paper*
Pen
Scissors
X-acto knife
* We bought our contact paper from Amazon, but you can certainly check your local home improvement stores.
Step One:
Place your laptop face up on the top of your contact paper. Trace largely around the computer with your pen -- giving yourself plenty of extra material to work with. You don't want to end up with a piece that's too small.
We had to switch to a Sharpie since our ballpoint pen wasn't quite making the mark we needed, so use whatever works for you.
Step Two:
Cut out your piece. You can stay close to your line, since there will likely be excess to be cut away later.
Step Three:
Remove the backing from your contact paper so you have one side that is sticky. Carefully place the paper on the top of your laptop, starting at one end, leaving a little bit of excess hanging over the sides.
Smooth the piece over the top of your computer until it's fully covered. You can flatten any bubbles with the edge of your phone or a credit card.
Step Four:
Carefully slice away excess with your X-acto knife. We got a smooth edge by pointing the blade straight down and running it flush against the sides of the laptop while it was fully closed. You may need to smooth down some corners while you do this.
Step Five:
If you're working with a laptop that has a logo, such as a Macbook, cut away the material so it can shine through. For the Macbook, we turned on the computer so we could fully see the Apple and cut away the material that covered any light.
Now your old piece of tech is looking like new again.
DIY Marble iPhone Case
Materials:
A marble pattern, printed on paper*
Clear phone case**
Scissors
Pencil
X-acto knife and work pad
Your phone (eventually)
* You can easily find a marble pattern by searching Google Images. It's important to print the pattern relative to your phone's size so the case shows the pattern clearly.
** We got our case from Amazon, but you can check your local stores.
Step One:
After you've printed your marble pattern, trace your phone's shape on the back of the sheet of paper.
Step Two:
Cut out the shape you just drew, close to the lines and following the curves of your shape so it will (eventually) fit snugly into your case.
Step Three:
At this point, your piece of paper will be a little too big to fit in the case. Trim it evenly on all sides, following all curves, so it fits perfectly flat, but doesn't leave any gaps. You should trim only tiny strip at a time.
Step Four:
Once the paper fits into the case, place it on the inside, then fit in your phone on top of it. Using your pencil, trace the small hole where your camera should be.
Next, take out your paper and use your X-acto knife and pad to carefully cut out the hole. You may need to make it slightly bigger so there is no overspill.
Step Five:
Once all your excess paper is trimmed away, put your paper pattern and your phone back into the case and enjoy a brand new look for when you're on the go.