Ever feel like a kid 
with a new bike? I do. Maybe because I just got a new bike. Well, new-to-me and I’m grateful.
The only thing is the handles. The bike needed new grips, so I went searching online. With sensitivity to vinyl, I’d hoped to find real leather, but no luck. When the ones with man-made material arrived, I wondered, “Could I possibly recover them?”
I took a risk. Cutting the laces off the brand new set, I pulled off the covering (that glue was tough stuff!) and used them as a template. Found a scrap of leather in my studio and got busy.
From the start it wasn’t clear if it would work out, but I just kept going. Somehow every tool and material I needed to make it work was in my studio. Hurrah.
Then, how to get them on? They gripped a bit too well to slide on easily. Thank goodness for YouTube! With a little rubbing alcohol and some patience, viola!
Now every time I go for a ride, or even look at my new bike, I admire my own craftsmanship and feel proud for giving it a go.
Taking a risk, even one small one at a time, let’s your creative, resourceful and rather ingenious spirit out!
Is there a transformation project you’d like to try? You just might have everything you need already… and of course there’s the internet to lend you a dyi hand!
