overcoming *organizational* challenges in beading

This photo is shameful. But, sadly, it's how the top of my studio desk looked a couple weeks back. Random beads, half-finished pieces of jewelry, plastic animal figurines (why?…) and more littered about left me with no space to work on.

My biggest challenge in any jewelry making endeavor is without a doubt my ORGANIZATION. I have the hardest time even starting a project, because I can't ever find the right materials - because my desk looks like the above picture! It takes me hours to finish a project that should take minutes, because I have to sort through disorganized piles of mess to find jump rings, headpins, just the basics needed for jewelry making. Honestly, it's super aggravating, as you could imagine!



Well, I have found a stylish solution - organizing my mess into jars and labeling them with nothing other than sparkly tape creates bright, easy-to-read containers that can be reused and recycled once they are empty.



I picked up a bunch of these little jars from a flea market- most of them were vintage baby food jars and such. These make super great containers for beads, findings, pendants and more.

I also have a ton of this glitter tape (I found this at JoAnn, you can also use washi tape too!) - I cut them into pennant shapes and stuck on the jars. Because, of course, I need sparkle everywhere in my studio!

Use light colors of this glitter tape for easy reading. Write on these pennant labels with a Sharpie. You can write bead sizes (which I do) bead styles (for gemstones) or really whatever will help you stay organized most. For jump rings, crimp covers and crystals I usually sort by bead size or millimeter. I always label my gemstones by name and origin, if I'm given one.

This is how I label all my jars now. I store these on a shelving unit in my studio. That first picture?! All nicely organized into jars.
I'm already seeing the difference - my jewelry making goes much, much faster and I'm no longer burdened by the challenge of actually FINDING my materials before I use them!
What do you think?! How do you stay organized?!

Hippie Crystal Headwrap

Now, this is my kind of tutorial!

Recycled materials + Swarovski crystals + gemstone beads + tie dye = pure hippie glam.

This tutorial combines all types of beads, aka "bead soup" as us crafters call it, to create a bohemian-chic accessory that makes a statement.

It can easily be customized for all your tastes! I used tie dye fabric from a recycled skirt, but if Super Hippie isn't your preferred look, feel free to use plain black fabric or anything else your heart desires. 

This is a turban-style head wrap which is sewn shut, without elastic. You've gotta be good about measuring for this one! You'll use denim (I used it from old worn jeans to recycle) to create a stiff front panel to embroider on.

I created a starburst pattern, stemming from a focal arrangement of hexagonal vitrail (that multihued-coating which looks like a shining rainbow) chandelier-style crystals. Stemming from this is more crystal rondelles, crystal flat backs by Swarovski Create Your Style, pillow Swarovski sew-on vitrail beads, and turquoise gemstone ovals. Turquoise is a purification stone, and is associated with the third eye chakra, so how fitting to use it in a headband?! You can read more about the powers of Turquoise here! Also, vitrail is a french word associated with stained glass, so it's very fitting for describing these crystals.

I kept with a palette of purples/greens/blues here to keep it somewhat consistent! I have a few more color palette ideas too:

-Black shiny fabric with gold, silver and champagne beads for a totally flashy look

-White fabric (with lace!) and pearls, light pink beads and white crystals for a girly look

-Maybe even try brown (faux) leather with copper, turquoise and bronze beads for a "country" feel...

That rhinestone chain is easy to sew on; simply weave and catch the metal in-between the links in your weave! It gives a cool "caged" look to the beads. Lovin' those Swarovski pillow beads too. 

Super glam, right?! Oh, if you want this sign (umm why wouldn't you?!) head to my Prada Marfa Wall Art Tutorial here! Trust me, quick and easy!

Are we finally ready for the tutorial?!!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are:

-Fabric. My tie dye is from an old hippie skirt that I cut up.

-Denim. I used recycled old blue jeans, thicker denim.

-Crystals, beads, you name it. Get all your sparkles together to use here. There are no right or wrong beads! I used an assortment of 3mm / 4mm crystals, Swarovski sew on crystals, turquoise oval beads from Happy Mango Beads, hexagon vitrail crystals (found them randomly on Ebay)

-Rhinestone Chain. Mine from Cousin Corporation

-Flatback Crystals. Mine are Swarovski Create Your Style, which you can buy at Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics. I also used Cousin brand Crystazzi flat backs (the small blue ones)

-Thread. I used the extra strong kind, used to sew leather together.

-Glue

I first measured how wide I wanted the headband, and I cut a shape out of the denim and tapered it; You don't have to make it long enough to go around your head, because this is simply the "backing" to your embroidery to keep it stiff. I made mine long enough to sit above the ears. 

Your actual piece of fabric will need to be longer. This is the piece that has to go all the way around your head. So cut a roundabout shape to frame the denim piece with about 1/2" on each side of the denim. I'm lazy so I hot glued my denim piece to the tie dye fabric, folding the fabric over the back of the denim and gluing down. Yes, lazy. Don't cut any fabric yet. Now, flip this over and you should have a nice clean surface.

I started embroidering beads, starting with my focal point of those hexagon vitrail crystals. I layered those with other hexagon crystals and gold rondelles. I laid out my beads before I actually sewed them on, to see how I wanted my composition to go. Do the same! That way, it will save you aggravation if you end up not liking what you just sewed in! I sort of did a sunburst pattern going outwards. I used the rhinestone chain to "cage" certain beads. When I was done sewing, I simply glued on more glitz with the rhinestones and Swarovski flat backs, using E6000 glue.

The top image shows my final pattern. Wait for all your glue to dry before continuing with the next step! When it's all dry, simply fold in and sew in the raw edges on both sides. Take a small piece of fabric and use it to join  the ends, and sew shut. MAKE SURE YOU MEASURE before cutting your final piece! Make your headband snug but not super super tight.

Love the colors in these crystals!

This would look sick on beach vacations; the bright colors and someplace tropical go hand in hand!

Even wear this with an oversized sweater, leggings and ankle booties for a new-bohemian look.

Wear it with your hair up, or down. Or with a braid!

Thanks for reading!

All photos and text copyright Allison Beth Cooling. DO NOT POST OR REUSE WITHOUT LINKING TO ME AND CREDITING ME.

Chanel Potion Necklaces

OMGGGG…….

SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS + GOLD AND SILVER FOIL + VINTAGE PEARLS + CHAIN + CHANEL = INSANE

That's how we do math @ The Quiet Lion. 

My newest necklaces take upcycling to a whole 'nother level. 

Old empty Chanel perfume bottles are redesigned into super sparkly pendants, and hung from metallic chain. I've chosen a COCO and No. 22 bottle (my two favorite scents from Miss Gabrielle) and have done contrasting natural metallic schemes with each piece.

Only the best of materials were used : Swarovski Create Your Style crystals were used on each piece. Courtesy of Cousin Corporation, the dealer of Swarovski CYS to all your favorite hobby and craft superstores (Michaels, JoAnn and more) Swarovski's signature sparkle and shine was the best compliment to the Chanel bottles. 

I filled each bottle with gold/silver metallic flake, vintage pearls taken from an old wedding dress, and more Swarovski crystal rounds.

The No. 22 necklace used a palette of silver and champagne (my favorite combo right now), merging that huge statement Swarovski crystal bead with a tassel of top-drilled clear crystals and an ivory pearl.

The COCO necklace took cues from the bottle's label, merging gold and black together for an ultra chic combo.

I thought about using pearls in this design, but it would have made the look a little too "girly" for me.

I used Cousin's rhinestone chain to add sparkle to the neck of the bottle. On the No. 22, I beaded a ring of Swarovski grey crystal rounds and attached the chain that way.

When I first filled the bottles, I spent time deciding how I would finish the necklaces.

I had to wrap the chain around the bottles to hold the bottom tassels in place. The No. 22 necklace I wrapped the chain into a "harness" of sorts, while the COCO necklace I used the chain as a "trim" on the edges of the bottle. 

Photographing them on a bed of chandelier crystals and bicones is the perfect backdrop!

Lovin' the big teardrop topaz Swarovski pendant on this one.

Twinning tassels :) These would look amazing paired with a black maxi dress, booties and an updo for effortlessly chic style. Or, go edgy with distressed denim, a plain white tee, a leather bomber jacket and heeled boots.

Hope you liked this inspo! Which necklace is your favorite?

COPYRIGHT

Because I take all photos for my blog, the images within this post are all copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations. If you'd like permission to use a photo, email me at allison@quietlioncreations.com