Easy Geo Earrings: "Handmade Holiday" Project 007

My last tutorial before X-mas, and the last in my "Handmade Holiday" initiative! I've picked the easiest, quickest and cheapest tutorial for last. You will create a pair of geometric earrings that are simply made from a cut crystal and bugle beads. 

Like most of my tutorials, this one is highly customizable; pick your favorite colors and metal style to make a look your own! Make sure you choose a hexagon-cut crystal (mine from Cousin) to get this look. If you don't care about the geometric theme, try out a round crystal or even a teardrop crystal. Whatever you like! 

These seriously take 5 minutes to make, I timed it. I chose a color scheme of warm orange and light blue, complimented by gold for a contrasting yet cohesive look.

The small, dainty size of these earrings are great for everybody, and they aren't too heavy. The crystals make them dressy, but the cool bugle beads and simple design give them a casual vibe.

Make these for anyone on your last-minute shopping list; they won't  be disappointed!!

For a casual cool look, pair these simple earrings with a bright, on-trend watercolor print top and finish with both black leggings and black sneaker wedges.

Leggings by Tory Burch, top by Generation Bliss.

Are you ready? Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are crystals, pliers (round nose), wire cutters, gold fishhooks, gold eye pins, and extra-long bugle beads.

Step 2: Add your crystal to the eye pin. Eye pins differ from headpins because they have a loop on the end, not a metal stopper. We need the loops so we can attach the beads to one another! Bend the eye pin at a 90 degree angle right after the bead. Cut about 3mm from the bead, and loop to finish. You should have the second picture.

Step 3: Add a bugle bead to an eye pin, and repeat. Repeat the last step's technique of bending, cutting and looping to create two bugle bead links. You should have the last picture.

Step 4: Attach your bugle bead links to each side of the crystal, by twisting the loop open then twisting it back. Finally, add your fishhook to the empty ends of the bugle bead links! Your crystal should hang nicely in the middle. Repeat all the steps to make another earring.

See how simple?!! 

Ok, you've only got a couple more days left. Now go and make your earrings!!

All images & tutorial copyright Allison Beth Cooling; do not use/post without linking back to me.

My Favorite Things Necklace- "Handmade Holiday" Project 006

Clear crisp crystals and dainty gold chains,

Sparkles and glitter and excess glitz!

These are definitely some of my favorite things. 

And aren't they most peoples' as well???

Well even if they are not, you totally need to make this extra-luxe necklace for yourself or a friend. It's the perfect statement accessory for any holiday party. Trust me; the layers and layers of chunky crystals between the delicate, shining chain and the added detail of gold-tipped headpins makes for a totally unique, killer accessory that everyone will have their eyes on!

It involves a simple technique of weaving wire through both bead and chain, creating a large, focal panel which is then finished by attaching chain. Simple enough, yet looks intricate and more involved than it really is!

All of my materials used here were from Cousin Beads. Find this great brand at Walmart, AC Moore stores, JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels craft stores!

I've used a combination of clear, grey and smoky crystals here. I love this color palette of neutrals. It allows you to wear with a ton of different colors; black, ruby red, even sapphire or chartreuse would look great. If you choose to go with different colored crystals, make sure they compliment each other!

Don't use all bright-colored crystals, as this will be too distracting with all the other elements going on. You could even go with a monochromatic look, using all hues of emerald or amethyst in different values; that would create a very cool, ombre-effect!

To style this, it would look great with a playful, pop-of-color romper and simple gold clutch. For warmth throw on a trendy fur bolero and finish with strappy neutral heels. 

 Are we ready? Let's go!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are: small gold curb chain, round crystals in the following sizes: 4mm, 6mm, 10mm  and 8mm. I used two packs of Cousin Crystazzi AB 4mm rounds, two packs of Cousin Crystazzi AB 6mm rounds, one pack of Cousin Jewelry Basics 6mm Facet Crystal/Silver Rounds,  one pack of Cousin Jewelry Basics 10m Round Champagne Crystals, one pack of Cousin Jewelry Basics 8mm Smoke crystals, one pack of Cousin Jewelry Basics 8mm Clear crystals. You will also need gold ball-end headpins, a gold clasp and gold chain extender.  

Step 2: Make charms from 18 of your largest crystals. Do this by threading them on your ball-end headpin, and wrapping around your round nose pliers, and then wrapping around the wire beneath and cutting flush. This will give you perfect "lollipop loops" as we call them!

Step 3: Cut your chain into 5 equal lengths. Start by threading on your smallest crystal onto the headpin. Then, thread the headpin through the 6th link from the end of the chain. Now, thread on your second smallest crystal, then through the 6th link from the end of the second chain.

Step 4: Continue in this pattern until you have reached the bottom of the chain, and there are no more crystals to add. All headpins should have gone through the 6th link from the end of the chain pieces. There were 5 chain pieces, so 5 crystals will go on each headpin. Make a loop at at the end, beneath your last chain piece, with your pliers and cut off the excess. Add on one of your 18 large crystals to complete this unit. Yours should look like the middle picture. Keep repeating this process, over and over again. There should be two open links between every unit, so insert each unit 3 links over from where the last unit sits. If it gets a little tight with the larger beads, it's ok to insert over a link, so there may be 3 links between them. Judge for yourself, depending on what size your crystals are.

Keep repeating until you have a total of 18 units.

Step 5: With the excess chain, I pulled off maybe 6" or so from each of the chain pieces, and added these to the last links of the other side, creating longer chain pieces there. I ended up with what you see in the first picture. Now, starting on the left side of the large beaded panel, string on the smallest crystal on the headpin, then through the link 3 over from where your last unit sits, and continue to bead how you were except do not string on the last, smoky crystal. View bottom left picture. Make a loop right after the chain below the white crystal and cut flush. Make a charm from your smoky crystal, using your headpin, and attach it to the loop you just made. You should have the right picture. Repeat with the other side of the panel. You will have an extraneous piece of chain which we will take care of in a minute….

Step 6: Simply cut this chain 6 or 7 links from where your last LARGE white charm is inserted, and attach the end to the chain right by the smoky charm's loop. You should have the leftmost picture. This just nicely ties off the piece. Repeat with the other side. Then, simply cut the bottom chain right after the link the smoky charm's unit is connected to, so you are left with three chains remaining, the top three. Repeat with the other side. You will have the right-top picture. Now, just make sure all the lengths of chain are the same, you can play around with length to make it customized to you. Simply add a jumpring to connect all three chains, and add your clasp and extender if you need. You are finished!

This necklace is flexible yet not very light! The rows of crystals add the weight, but it's totally worth it!

Rows and rows of super sparkle!!!

This is definitely one of my favorite beading patterns--basically because we are beading with crystals, and crystals only! 

All images and tutorial copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not use/post this tutorial or pics without crediting me!

My "Anastasia Cuff"- Jewelry design

To take a break from the hustle and bustle, I have included this inspiration post. I made my "Anastasia Cuff" from entirely Cousin materials, all of which are available at Walmart stores (as well as Michaels, JoAnn fabrics and AC Moore stores).

The original design features deep amethyst and ruby colored beads and crystals. 

Made entirely out of a right-angle weave beading technique, I've added topstitching detail for dimension.

Rows of ruby glass beads and amethyst crystal rounds add more sparkle and shine!

I used monofilament instead of beading thread to make this cuff, because I feel it is strong and also the translucency complimented the glass beads and crystals.

The toggle clasps act as a focal point, instead of being just a finishing element.

Wearing with the clasps in the front makes for a cool, unique statement!

It's flexible yet sturdy, and not too heavy. A focal piece for any party or evening look.

All images copyright Allison Beth Cooling.

Trinket Necklaces- "Handmade Holiday" Project 005

These dainty necklaces are just perfect for any outfit. The mixed metals offer a ton of shine and subtle contrast. I love mixing metals, mainly because I am obsessed with anything shiny! You have to be careful when mixing though, otherwise the look can go a little haywire. 

These metals all work together here, because the metal type (all brilliance shine) match and the scale of the materials are all about the same. I wouldn't mix a dark, antique, dull-shine metal with a high-shine silver one, it may end up looking a little strange. Also, don't finish a piece with silver findings if you've used gold metal in the rest of the design. Keep the look consistent by finishing with the same metal you've been using.

Of course, I know there may be exceptions to my rules, there always is! That's why you should experiment and see what you like!

These necklaces when layered give a cool boho-look, but when worn alone offer delicate detailing to an outfit. These are right on-trend, with most of Hollywood ditching huge, clunky jewelry for smaller, daintier pieces. These wear like a "second skin", and it's ok if you forget to take them off before bed. Obviously, this no-fuss jewelry is popular with the busy Hollywood socialite population. Jewelry designer Dannijo has just paired up with actress Rashida Jones to create a line featuring teensy gold earrings and tiny charm necklaces, all meant to be worn every and all day.

To style these delicate necklaces, pair them with a bright print pant, simple black tunic, and contrasting bag. Add edgy combat boots to fill out the look! This is great look for shopping or walking in the city!

*Outfit Credits: Pants by Erdem, bag by Marc Jacobs, boots by Aeropostale*

Ok, let's get started….

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers and wire cutters, 4mm or 3mm metal beads, gold or silver cable chain, 28g wire, and either 20 or 18g wire.

Click here for a printable shopping list!

I used Cousin's 28g wire and Gold Elegance 14K plated chain, because the quality is much better. If you plan on giving these as gifts, I strongly suggest using Cousin's "Elegance Metals" line, because these are all either gold plated, or stainless steel, or platinum plated. They won't tarnish like ordinary chain, and make for better gifts!

You can get Cousin materials at any major craft store, but I like Michael's the best!

Step 1: Cut a 3" piece of wire. With your pliers, loop the ends.

Step 2: Cut a foot of your 28g wire. With the end, wind around the wire right up against the loop about 5 times. Add on a metal bead. Hold it against the wire, then wind the wire around the frame, right next to the bead, keeping it tight. Wind around 3 times. Add another bead, and continue this process until you reach the end.

Step 3: At the end, wind the wire around just the frame for another 5 times, matching the beginning. Then cut the wire flush. Add your silver chain with silver jump rings on each loop of the frame to finish!

These would be great to give to your cool girlfriends; they will appreciate the tiny details here and will love that they can throw this necklace on with any outfit!

I made a double-decker one by attaching each loop with a jumpring, then adding another ring to the top loop, and attaching that to the chain.

Wear one or more!

All images and tutorial copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not use/post this tutorial or pics without crediting me!