Cheyenne Feather Necklaces

I'm lovin' the mix of bohemian and glamour that these necklaces bring!

This is a simple tutorial which allows for a lot of customization. I also will show you a quick way to "dust" these feathers with a bit of metallic nail polish for a subtle shimmer. What's great about these is that they can be as simple or as complicated as you'd like. I'll teach you how to chain-wrap those gemstones, but if you're a beginner, you could create a simple drop at top and these necklaces would still look chic! 

These look awesome with a flowy top, skinny denim, some cowboy boots and of COURSE a cool hat. 

I've got two versions here, both with a distinct style. My turquoise one has a more Southwestern vibe, while the peacock feather one has a chic look. All the beads I've used are from Cousin Corporation, which you can buy at any craft store: Michaels, JoAnn, Meijer, Walmart and AC Moore. Follow Cousin on Facebook for giveaways and more!

Ready to learn? Let's go.

Step 1: Paint your feathers. I have an assortment of cruelty-free feathers I got from a no-kill farm in Iowa run by a Rabbi (who knew?!). I took metallic nail polish and used a nail sponge to dab a light dusting of the metallic paint at the bottom of the feathers. I left the peacock feathers I had plain because they already had a beautiful sheen (and I used these for the crystal necklace). I used a mix of plain and metallic-dipped feathers for the turquoise necklace. Pair your feathers up by crimping at the top with a ribbon end. There are no right or wrong ways; play with your beads and types of feathers to create a cool combination!

I took a Cousin Coropration large gemstone pendant (you can find similar ones here) and thread an eye pin through, looping the other end to create a link. I took a Cousin large crystal (or you could layer with another gemstone, like my turquoise necklace), inserted a 5" piece of 26 gauge gold wire (match all your metals here for a clean look) and threaded back through the larger gemstone's hole, then wrapped around the top and bottom link to hold. Wrap tight and it will stay put. Now, take a long length of chain and open the last link. Close it after hooking through the gold wire (that's threaded through the crystal), either at the top or bottom of your pendant. Start wrapping around the crystal, making sure to open and close the links around the gold wire (at top and bottom) to make sure it won't unravel. I tried to just wrap but it DID unravel. Wrap as many times as you want, then clip off the excess. Wrap tight.

With a long piece of nylon cord or faux leather, take a headpin and wrap a couple times around the center of the length, creating a little loop where you should attach the pendant with a jumpring. I just knotted the top of the leather to create the necklace; if it's long enough, you can just pull on over your head. No fuss! 

These are great layering necklaces, which just will add to that total boho look. I like to mix different lengths of necklaces together and different materials- find combinations that work for you!

I could also see this technique, on a smaller scale, working for pretty earrings. Use one metallic-dipped feather earring and pair with a simple crystal at top. Cool, right?

I'd really love to do a black version with black cord, gold-dipped feathers and a black crystal. Just my style!

All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. DO NOT post/use images without linking to me!

Five Minute Beginner Earrings

Simple and sophisticated with metal filigree accents and a mixed finish, these are some of the simplest earrings you will ever make.

All I've done here is take apart a Cousin charm pack and re-organize the charms, connecting them with jump rings. I've mixed the metal finish for a bohemian look, and used a cutout charm layered on top of another to create a 3D effect. This technique can really be used with any findings or charms you have laying around- play around with what you have to create different looks!

These are not heavy and are great for wearing to work. Plus, they took 5 MINUTES to finish. Amazing! 

Step 1: Gather Materials. You will need:

Metal Filigree Charms (I used Cousin brand)- their Metal Leaf Charms and Metal Charm pack, similar packs can be found at Michaels, JoAnn Fabrics and Walmart. 

Jumprings

Earring Fish Hooks

Pliers- flatnose

I first took the two silver filigree metal charms and attached the green crystal charm to the top (with a jumpring). For beginners, the proper way to open jump rings is by using two pliers (both flat nose for most control). Grab either side of the jumpring, with the opening at the top, and twist your right hand towards you and your left hand away from you. DO NOT EVER just pull both sides apart. This will drastically distort the ring shape and it will never look perfect again! Twisting allows for easy closing/opening without distortion of any kind.

Then, simply enough, I attached the bronze flower charm from the other pack to the same jumpring. The two charms laid on top of another. Then, I attached a silver fishhook to the top of the green crystal charm to complete. If you are using similar charm packs, try layering charms like I did here to achieve a multidimensional look! Always add a bit of sparkle with a crystal or shiny bead for that pop!

Seriously, these took you five minutes, right? That gives you extra time to play around with more beads and materials you have, to create more pairs of earrings. Love it!

Photos and text copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do NOT re-post or use without linking back to me.

Christmas in July- Cousin 'Tis the Season Part 2

Hello dear.

This little deer is all blinged out, looking just like a Christmas ornament! For my second "Christmas in July" project I've made a holiday-themed pin using clay as my base. 

I took a ball of yellow clay (a little bigger than a quarter but thick) and rolled it in some gold glitter. I took Cousin's deer charm pack from the 'Tis the Season line and cut off the charm loops on either side. I pressed the deer in so that it formed a cabochon of sorts. I then took Cousin's rhinestone chain  and embedded it around the sides of the cabochon. Finally, I took headpins with pearls on them (cut to like .5") and stuck some at the top of the cabochon. To make the bottom dangle, I cut a 1" headpin and bent it into a horseshoe shape and embedded it in the bottom. 

I baked this for about 30 minutes in a toaster oven at 125 degrees. Times may vary based on what oven you are using and the size of the cabochon. Then, when cooled, I added dangles of Cousin pearls, Jewelry Basics crystals and one green statement pearl from their 'Tis the Season rose/pearl strand. I glued a pin backing to the back.

This technique could be used with all different kinds of pendant charms or even just cool things you find- have an interesting shell or sparkly rock or something? Embed them in the glittery clay and make them into pins. Add any color crystal dangles to match your theme. With Fourth of July coming, I could see a start pendant in red glittery clay with blue and crystal dangles!

This is what the new packaging looks like. Be sure to scout it out at your local craft stores!

All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not use/post images without getting back. 

Nessa- Ayzee Kay Rubber Bracelets Tutorial

Am I the only one who has a bunch of these rubber bracelets lying around? I literally have a drawer full of them. When I saw these bracelets, I was stoked. 

I was kind of tired of wearing them in that looped knot that was popular a couple of years ago. I think it was supposed to mean something if you wore certain colors together (probably not good things!), but I just always wear two black ones because they match everything I wear.

Now, this clever idea of the Nessa bracelets' connector had me thinking; what a good way to spice up these boring plastic rings?!

So, with my love of sparkle, I used up some random Swarovskis I had lying around to make a connector (the Nessa ones are 14K gold, and the bracelet ensemble costs $196). Do not fret my friends, because you can make yours for nothing, using up stuff you probably have lying around.

Use wire scraps, bead odds and ends, and just some headpins for a cool cluster connector. I think these are even better than the Nessa ones, because they have movement and sparkle. 

A definite way to upgrade these boring plastic bracelets to something chic!

Use a combo of pearls and crystals for an ultra-femine look. Use african trade beads for more of a boho style, or just use the bead soup you have lying around.

Make them in any color you want; you can even use a combo of plastic bracelet colors within a connector for a tie-dye look. The possibilities are endless here people.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are rubber plastic bracelets (I used 5 per connector), pliers, wire (gauge is not totally important, just make sure it isn't thin and bendy), beads, and headpins. Simple enough. You will also need a jump ring (not pictured)

Step 2: Cut about 6" of your wire. Make a small loop at one end. Now, twist your wire around a pen or nail polish brush top a couple of times. Pull off so you have a spiral like in the last pic.

Step 3: Pull on either end of the spiral to loosen it a bit. Place your group of bracelets inside the last notch, and gently twist wire around to thread the bracelets through the entire spiral. Gently push the spiral together again, without losing its shape. The bracelets should be held inside the connector now. The right end (cut off in pic) should be just straight, extra wire.

Cut this extra wire on the side and loop the end to look like the first pic. Now, gently bend the one loop over to meet the other one, as seen in the pic. 

Get all your beads on headpins. I used one 5mm crystal and 5 3mm crystals (the 6th one shown was too much so I took it off).

Step 4: Thread a jump ring through both loops and shut the ring. Attach all your beads to this jump ring in the order you like!

That's all it takes folks. Look, you're $196 richer than the others. And you've got a more stylish bracelet.

Wear one at a time, or a cluster of them! This would be a great accessory for a party with friends; I'm sure they would all want one! 

Grade school bracelets go glam!

All photos and instructions copyright Allison Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations.

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated!

ROMWE M Pendant Necklaces

Mmmmmmm, M&Ms!

I think they are my most favorite candy.

When I came across these necklaces on street style site ROMWE, I totally knew I had to make one for myself. You usually hear me complain about the prices of the "Real Deals", however these real necklaces sell for only about $12- not too shabby.

However, I prefer to make things myself anyway; and I'm sure you do too. 

These are just so cute, and you can whip them up easily; make a whole collection of colors!

They actually really look like little candies; the secret is in the nail polish we put on them, paired with a coat of glossy lacquer-- double the shine.

Delicious! Total eye and neck candy!

You can also make these with silver paint and a silver chain to match, if you are not into gold.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers/wirecutters, some clay (red if you want a red pendant), gold chain, a paintbrush, polymer clay glaze (here) , a little "m" stamp -like these if you already have a block, a gold eyepin (not headpin, sorry, metallic gold acrylic paint, and red nailpolish (or any bright nail polish, to match your clay).

Step 2: Take a marble of your clay, flatten a bit and pinch the outsides gently to flatten them. It should look like a little M&M. Cut your headpin with the pliers/wirecutters to where it measures a little shorter than the length of the pendant, and stick it in the top of your M&M. Make sure only the top of the loop sticks out.

Stamp an "M" in the middle (gently, to not flatten your pendant).

Step 3: Go and bake your pendant (I use a toaster oven at 125 degrees for about 20 minutes. For oven, do about 200 degrees). Now, take your gold paint and paintbrush; dab a little paint on the M, then quickly and gently wipe away excess with a damp cloth. I also like to use manicure sponges to gently sponge in paint, it works really well! Wipe around the M to make sure the gold is only in the stamped indent part, and not on the rest of the pendant. Let dry, then repeat again to make sure you get a nice crisp M.

When dry, paint the top of the pendant with your nail polish; this will give it a nice glossy look. Make sure to not paint in the M, just carefully around it.

Let dry, then paint the back with the nailpolish as well to finish. Let dry, then coat everything in clear gloss- super shiny!

Let dry, and add to chain with a jump ring.

Good enough to eat! 

All photos and instructions copyright Allison Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations.

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated!