Recently in DIY Category

(I reserve the right to revise this post as I'm in something of a rush!!)

I've blogged about promotional laptop bags before, and considered it something that I'd been scooped on. However, I still don't see exactly what I have in mind now -- a very low cost, quick and dirty promo item. I made one for my American Inventor audition in about 5 minutes and I'll show you how I did it.

This DIY version is a great, easy, cheap gift idea for the nerd in your life! Keep in mind that this is not durable product -- if you want something of quality, there are plenty of options out there if you're willing to pay for them. Maybe I'll link to some later if I get a second.

Soon I'll also blog my laptop cozy, which actually takes a needle and thread. But this one, anyone can make in the office using supplies readily found on hand. (I'm not condoning pilfering or anything!)

First, the materials:

I bought a really super snazzy 24 piece sharpy kit, but really, one black sharpy would be sufficient.

Then you also want a padded envelop. Get whatever size will fit the laptop you're making it for. I like the manila ones, but the plastic ones would be good, too, and probably a little more durable.

Pencil out your design. (If you're graphically challenged, you could use a laptop projector to project a design onto the envelop and then trace it, or just do dots or strips or something.)

Color it in with sharpies. Erase the pensil marks.

Et voila! A beautiful laptop bag that you'd be proud to whip out of your shoulder bag or briefcase at any professional meeting! Everyone around you would be all like, "woooah! where'd you get the sweet laptop bag, dude?!" Not like, "huh -- you're using a padded manila envelop with some scribbles on it as a laptop bag? Why?"

Also, it's less recognizable as a laptop when it's sitting around.

The best part is, put some stamps and an address on the back, and it's ready to send to your cousin

Update: One good tip -- if you're making a friend a promotional laptop bag (I really should just call them envelopes), be sure to get their url correct and don't leave out critical words like, "movie" (I will send this draft version to the nice people selling ringtones).