I just dropped by our local craft store and found supplies that let me make a few unique sorority gifts fast. These are for Delta Zeta and since turtles are pretty easy to draw and paint, I was able to turn these sorority gifts out very quickly.
First, I bought a foam coosie for 50 cents or a dollar (I can't remember which). First I drew the turtle design on paper. From that point, I have several choices: (1) Draw the turtle free hand on the coosie, (2)cut out the turtle from the paper and trace around it with a pencil, or (3)use a sheet of graphite paper behind the paper pattern to transfer the design to the coosie - this is easy and gives you the most detail, but you need to have graphite paper. I usually use the graphite paper way.
After I have my turtle design, I add color with paint. Using my acrylic paints - olive green, white, and black, I painted my little turtle. The easiest way to add the BLACK detail is with a Sharpie pen. That is what I used for the turtle outline, turtle eyeballs, and the "Delta Zeta" at the top of the coosie.
The acrylic paints dry so fast that I was finished in no time. Actually, I painted the foam star stickers at the same time, while I had my paints out and brushes already in the paint. The foam stars (foam comes in so many shapes and colors) have a peel off backing that can be removed when you are ready to sticky the star onto something. The tiny turtles were painted "free hand" and have very little detail since they are so small. Again, I used my fine Sharpie to write "Delta Zeta" in an arc over the turtle. Now that is done, too.
My last handmade sorority gift is actually a hand painted wooden box. You have seen these in the craft stores. They are round and come in graduated sizes. Sometimes they are sold in sets of 3 different sizes that nest inside of each other. I was able to buy a single box. I painted the top with olive green acrylic paint. After that was completely dry, I used the pattern method mentioned above for the coosie to get my turtle design on the box. Instead of PAINTING the turtle's shell, I cut the pattern out of pink and white striped fabric. I glued the fabric onto the box with Tacky glue, being careful to put it on just the write place.
Many of you have commented on the Greek letter shaped pillows that I posted about previously. I have been trying to find more information about them and now I can tell you.
They had been offered on eBay for a while and then I could not find them again. After searching over a period of time, I finally connected to the lady that makes these pillows by order and discovered that she has an eBay shop, is a top rated seller, and is willing to make custom ordered Greek pillows like these if you would like to order one.
Her name is Cindy and this is her story:
My daughter, Stefanie is a Phi Mu and graduated from the University of Oklahoma at Norman in 2005. When she went in 2000, we started doing the pillows as gifts to her sorority sisters, for Big/Little, Graduation, etc. Everyone loved them and soon we were making them for friends of hers and for her sisters that were in other sororities too.
We have an Ebay store that we started about 4 1/2 years ago. We introduced various sorority themed gift items and they were a hit including the pillows and beaded bracelets, necklaces, ornaments, tote bags to name just a few things.
We can do most any Greek Letter or Initial Pillow set. We maintain a large amount of different colors and patterns of fabrics with ribbons, buttons & Bling! embellishments for the pillows.
We also do beaded bracelets & necklaces with sorority letters or sorority mascot charms. We do sorority marker boards. Close to Christmas, we do sorority themed ornaments.
We do sorority name tote bags. We do Sorority themed free standing Spirit Signs or magnetic ones. We do custom order Zebra Print Frames. The frames are clear acrylic and we do a Zebra Print matted border insert for the frames. We can make the Zebra Animal Print border with any sorority name, words like Big Sis, Little Sis, Sisters Forever, etc. or a person's name. These are cute items that are always appreciated as gifts. Smiles, Cindi
Stefi's Corner Stones & Gifts Shoppe -
The shop does not always have the pillows listed, but you can contact Cindi through the eBay messages and ask for one to be made for your Greek letters.
Ideas for sorority pillows are as unlimited as creativity is unlimited. If you would like to see more of Greek pillows, click over to our Sorority Pillows page.
Take a Beanie Baby lion, a piece of ribbon, a pink foam star , some white acrylic paint and TA DAAAA-----------------personalize to make your own Phi Mu lion wearing a personalized necklace with the Phi Mu Greek letters.
This is so easy and takes next to no time.
Plush lions are not so hard to find. I have come acoss all kinds in stores. This Beanie Baby is one of my favorites. Buying a lion and personalizing it with a necklace gives it that hands-on personal touch that makes it one-of-a kind. When you make it yourself, yours is unique. I love that!
Are you a regular at crafts stores or art departments. Go down the children's craft aisle and you will find all sizes and shapes of foam. If you don't like to paint, you can write the letters with a paint pen. I did need a hole puncher to make a hole for the ribbon to slide through. Last thing, was to tie the ribbon around the lion's neck. I love the way he turned out.
You can read my detailed directions if you click: Sorority Mascot Crafts -Necklace Directions.
The Chatter Tree in Statesboro, GA
I am going to share with you a little history of the beginnings of the sorority gift ideas that are offered on this website. We have to reminisce a little into the past.
If you remember when Georgia Southern University was just Georgia Southern College, then you might remember The Chatter Tree, the gift and craft shop that was housed in an enormous old Victorian house in downtown Statesboro in the 1980's and a while after that.
Sorority gifts made in the early 1980's
It was there that I met the sorority girls from Georgia Southern, which at that time only included KD, DZ, AD Pi, ZTA, Phi Mu, and Chi O. Later AKA and Sigma Delta Theta came along.
The Chatter Tree had a small hallway at the very back of the store that was the sorority room. This was where I displayed all the handmade sorority gifts that I had painted and sewed. The brown jugs which are shown (partially completed) in the picture never lasted long. They were made from large recycled bottles from the local drug store and were finished with a great big colorful bow tied around the neck of the bottle. They sold for $5.95. The handpainted plaques like the ones shown sold for $1 - $4 depending on size and intricacy of the design.
Everyday, girls stopped by to talk to me about what they wanted personalized. I took many orders every week to make one-of-a-kind sorority gift items or awards according to what the girls desired.
I painted so many turtles, frogs, butterflies, owls, lions, and lady bugs that I had the designs all in my head and didn't rely on patterns anymore for most of them. I only took a few pictures of some of the sorority gifts that I made.
One of the favorites of the sorority gifts was study boards. I painted so many study boards. They were made of smoothly sanded plywood cut in a retangular shape with a half circle cut out on the bottom edge.
The boards were almost always special orders to be painted a particular color- with the mascot on one corner and a little sister's name on the other corner. It would be so neat to hear from somebody who used to have one of these handpainted study boards. There might still be some that have survived. (I have one that I painted for my husband from that time period, but it is stained instead of painted and has a mallard duck on it instead of an owl or a turtle.)
1980's Handmade Sorority Gifts
Well, now I paint crowns for ZTA, lions for Phi Mu, and bears for KD, but 30 years ago it was butterflies, ladybugs, and frogs. I wonder if those sororities at Georgia Southern have continued with butterflies, ladybugs, and frogs.
Do any of you have handmade sorority gifts that are vintage like these? We'd love to see them.
Easter eggs decorated with sorority or fraternity Greek letters ready to fill with candy and other goodies. Eggs are about 2 1/2 inches across. These eggs can be customized with names or universities. These sell in sets of 6. Order deadline for delivery before Easter is April 11th. Shipping for up to 24 eggs for is $10.00! For orders of more than 1 set, send a message to the artist so that she can send you an invoice to complete your purchase.
Check out this Etsy shop for details: GreektoMe
So you would like to save money and make your own Greek Easter eggs? I didn't make these, but I think you can make some similar Easter eggs with good results. These are approximate directions for this sorority gift:
1. Buy some plastic easter eggs. The come in various sizes. The standard size would work well or the large eggs.
2. Practice your Greek Letter design on paper first. Draw until you are happy with the drawing.
3. Using your drawing to look at, use paint pens to paint a similar design on your egg.
The letters in the picture example have a white background painted first and then the letters painted on top of the white and then outlined with black (I would use a Sharpie marker for the outline)
4. Optional: spray the eggs with Krylon Crystal Clear (a spray varnish) or any other spray varnish brand.
Need some inexpensive sorority big sister gifts or little sister surprises?
For more ideas for sorority gifts that you can make yourself, click this sorority crafts link.
Need a Sorority Gift? See these cute Sorority Sisters handpainted pillows.You can order a unique, handpainted sorority pillow at Etsy Sorority Gifts.
If you want to order a pillow for your sorority like these, you should purchase the "Custom Sorority Hang up Pillows - Made by Order" for $12.99. I have to relist it each time a pillow is ordered so if you don't see the item, "Custom Sorority Hang up Pillows - Made by Order", check back a little later or send me an Etsy Convo message about wanting to order a pillow and I will get back to you.
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If you like to make your own sorority gifts, you can look at our Gamma Phi Beta pillow post idea. There I explain there the basics of making pillows like this on. We also have more sorority gifts ideas on our Sorority Crafts page.
Remember, I need a few days to get a pillow made. They are completely handmade. No factory involved here. They also can be personalized with a name somewhere if you like.
I get busy with orders this time of year, so if you need one, please get your order in soon so you won't be disappointed.
Place your order by purchasing "Custom Sorority Hang up Pillows - Made by Order" at Etsy Sorority Gifts.
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I still enjoy making the pillows, even creating new designs for sororities. My next order is for a Kappa Delta Chi with the Penguin mascot. I'll be making that pillow for her next week. Do you need a sorority pillow?
Sorority Sisters has a page about various types of sorority pillows that are available. For more information about Greek pillows, click over to Sorority Pillows.
Check out this great deal on Eversave.com today!
$20 for $40 worth of custom goods from Zazzle.com.
Use promo code 'FOOL' for an additional $4.00 savings
ZTA Wine Glass Charms made by Tricia (see link below article)
I asked Tricia how she got started making and selling sorority gifts and I am so pleased that she agreed to share her story with us.
FROM TRICIA:
I was in Zeta Tau Alpha in college and my sister and I were always trying to come up with creative ways to give gifts to our sisters without spending a fortune. We made and sold ZTA T-shirts, pins, and hair accessories during college. During our year after graduation we spent some time traveling along the East Coast and partly paid our way by taking our hand-made shirts to various chapters and selling them after chapter meetings. We had a fun time being creative and impressing our ZTA sisters.
A couple of years ago (after a 12-year Air Force career and 2 years of teaching), I found myself at home starting a family. I still love being creative and one day decided I wanted to make wine glass charms. They’re so fun, but they always seemed kind of expensive and I wanted them personalized to my friends’ interests. As I got going I found so many cute charms and had soon found these ZTA symbols: the crown, strawberry, Cuddlebunny, and Hope ribbon."
"I researched many of the other sororities’ symbols and soon I had a little eBay business going on. A friend who is a Kappa Kappa Gamma was amazed when she saw wine glass charms at my house with the owl, key, and fleur-de-lis.
Wine glass charms were my start and that’s why my store is called “Tipsy Tags”. But, I didn’t want to limit myself to wine charms so I expanded into other jewelry: necklaces, earrings, bracelets, cell phone charms, keychains, and bookmarks. It has been fun providing unique inexpensive gifts to so many people.
I love the uniqueness of my items and I love getting positive feedback from my buyers! I know how nice it is to be able to give a thoughtful little gift, and especially in this economy it’s great to be able to find one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I also love providing the service of customizing my gifts. I have a lot of buyers who ask for special colors or a change in charms and I always try to give them exactly what they want.
Chi Omega Bracelet
(see link below article)
It’s funny that you mention the pandas. (I told her that I especially liked the Panda charms and earrings, etc.) I think they’re my best-sellers now (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, keychains, and more!) I’m personally fond of them because my little daughter is adopted from China
I sell all sorts of different charm jewelry in my store, but sorority members are my most frequent (and happy) customers. I think they love seeing their mascots and symbols and being able to give a special gift to a special friend!
I wish we’d had a site like yours (well, okay, there was no internet! J) when I was in college. There are so many fun creative ideas out there!" Tricia
You can visit a Tricia's Tipsy-Tags Store and see all the cute sorority things she has for you!
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Make your own sorority pledge paddle for your Big. I really like starting with a basic pine paddle and then making a one-of-a-kind sorority paddle gift with acrylic paint and a perky bow around the handle.
I looked around for some reasonable prices on sorority pine paddles and this is what I found today:
Look at Cutie Pi's Greek Ideas Site to get inspiration for painting your own paddle. Personally, I love the Cutie Pi paddles, but there are so many other options for painting sorority paddles, don't let your mind be limited to just one type of design. Look at Google Images for some great ideas for using your mascot, symbol, and or flower.
Here is an example of Google image for Chi Omega Owls
Acrylic paint can be fun to use. Just be sure that you have quality brushes or your best efforts will be less than desirable. I have learned that from experience.
1. First paint the paddle with the chosen background color. I would put on at least two coats of paint. You want it to cover completely. (for a better result, paint on sealer before painting on the color paint- Sealer is available in paint department or hardware store. Sealer may also be at craft stores, but it may be more expensive. You can probably find it at Walmart, too)
2. Decide what you want and draw it on paper first. Keep the drawing simple, put pretty. You don't need every detail on the drawing, but all the basic lines should be there.
3. You can transfer your pattern to your paddle with graphite paper which should be available at all craft stores that carry acrylic paint.
4. Once your pattern in on the paddle, paint your design. You may want to outline some of it with black paint or even a Sharpee marker. It depends on the look you are aiming for.
5. When all the painting is like you want it, spray on a varnish. I use Crystal Clear by Krylon.
6. Optional: Tie a matching ribbon around the neck of the paddle into a pretty bow. I think the ribbon makes the paddle really stand out. When I made paddles for orders, I always tied a bow on and everyone loved the outcome.
Here is an idea for a Delta Zeta scrapbook using a sorority scrapbook pack. You can always draw and cut out your Greek letters yourself, but buying a letter pack with Greek letters already cut and ready to go saves a lot of time. Each set also comes with other card stock shapes like the turtle for Delta Zeta. I have also seen tee shirt shapes that allow you to draw a design on your cardstock tee shirt.
This particular Delta Zeta scrapbook has incorporated a lot of leaves and flowers into the design which makes it have a natural look. I also really like the polka dotted pink ribbon that edges the scrapbook cover and makes a closure with a bow.
The fun part of making a sorority scrapbook is choosing your paper and ribbon. Any craft store like Michaels, JoAnns, or Hobby Lobby have an abundance of scrapbooking paper and card stock to choose from. Pinks and greens are luscious together so it is easy to make a design with your colors that does not clash, but looks lovely.
The scrapbook letter kits are not always available on eBay. Last I checked, I only saw a kit for Gamma Phi Beta with a picture of a Phi Mu set. The seller on eBay's name is Merry. I asked her what sorority kits she has available. This is her answer:
Julie- thanks so much for your note. These are the sororities that I have current kits for- AGD, AOPi, AST, AZD, ChiO,DDD,DG,DST,DZ,GphiB,KAT,KKG,KD ADPi,PhiMu,PhiSS,PiPhi,SSS,ZTA. I can also send you some directions for a number of things that can be made.
Another option for locating your sorority kit is through my friend Karen Hansen . Karen used to sell the kits on ebay in recent years. She has alot of stock left that she no longer has room for. Scrap Sacks used to sell for $9.99 on ebay but she is selling what she has left for $5.99 per sack plus $1 shipping. Email her if you are interested at sororityspiritcolors (at) gmail (dot) com
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I just finished sewing this Delta Alpha Sigma pillow and I love the way it turned out!
The Sorority Gifts Etsy shop offers custom made sorority pillows like this and I haven't turned down a request yet. I do get quite busy sometimes, so always check with me before you order if you have an important deadline.
Do you like to make your own sorority gifts? If so, take a look at our Gamma Phi Beta pillow article. I explain there the basics of making pillows like this on. We also have ideas for some sorority gifts on our Sorority Crafts page.
If you would like to order one of my pillows, get your order in soon to avoid being disappointed. If I get too many orders, I have to catch up on my sewing and painting before I can relist the custom pillow for order.
I really enjoy making the sorority pillows. At this point, I'm still taking orders. I have not yet gotten so busy that I've had to shut down.
I have made pillows with handpainted sorority mascots for Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta (the frog and the teddy bear-depending on request), Chi Omega owl, Phi Mu lion or ladybug, Alpha Delta Pi lion, Alpha Omicron Pi Panda, ZTA crown, Delta Sigma Theta elephant, AKA frog, KK Gamma owl, Alpha Gamma Delta squirrel, and many more.
Sorority Sisters has a special page devoted to sorority pillows For more information about sorority pillows, click over to Sorority Pillows.
I have posted about these sunglasses before, but I wanted to include some links again since spring break is coming up.
I believe these are the same sorority sunglasses that were not available for a while. The price of $9.95 is unbeatable and the eBay description includes a GREEK LICENSED symbol which is nice to know. Before buying, always check the feedback of the seller. I usually take time to read some of the feedback, too, rather than just looking at the score or percentage.
The Greek Sunglasses seller on eBay has this to say about this sorority product:
These sunglasses are Black, and feature BIG BOLD Greek Letters on BOTH SIDES of the sunglass frame. The letters are permanent and WILL NOT WEAR OFF.
These sunglasses are high quality, and extremely fashionable. They provide UV400 protection from the sun's harmful rays. These are not cheap and flimsy sunglasses that will break easily, we only sell high quality sunglasses. We stand behind our product.
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See our post on Sorority Sunglasses Straps or CROAKIES
Go to the other Sorority Sisters POST on Sorority Sunglasses.
While living in GA in the 80s, I was asked to make dozens of special order sorority gifts for Georgia Southern sorority sisters thorough the Chatter Tree shop. We were always coming up with new sorority gift items, awards, paddles, banners, pillows, & brown jugs. Now I am sharing many of these ideas on this website, Sorority Sisters.net. We have a face book page for Sorority Gift Ideas;you can LIKE & post your pictures of handmade sorority gifts to share with others. This is a great opportunity to inspire one another to be creative in giving the gift of love in one-of-a-kind sorority gift making.
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