Super Easy DIY Wall Sign

Seriously, this is so easy. A no brainer. Excuse the photos- were taken on my phone!

I chose this Prada "Marfa" sign to create on a canvas- simply drawn, not painted! Read below to copy me, you know you want to. 

Collect a canvas, a set of xacto knives, a cutting board, sharpie and a stencil. This stencil can be a quote, logo, or any simple graphic ( I googed Prada Marfa sign for mine and printed in black and white).

Cut out your stencil. I measured beforehand and had to print out two halves of the stencil because my canvas was bigger than 8.5X11".

Tape stencil to canvas.

Trace stencil.

Color in with Sharpie.

DONE, done and done. Way to easy….be on the lookout for more.!.!

That's all folks!

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.

Sparkle Strands Bracelets

I'm on a crystal kick.

I had some Cousin brand crystals and wanted to make yet another super-sparkly accessory out of them. If you want an equally sparkly bracelet to match your Crystal Amulet necklace from my last tutorial, these are super quick to whip up. The best part is that you can make them in any color scheme you want, and they require no intense skills to finish. 

All these bracelets consist of is multiple stretch-cord strands grouped together with another strand. I loved the cool electroplated rainbow finish of the Cousin crystals in the bronze-colored bracelet, so I paired those beads with silver and caramel-colored crystals to make a cool, eclectic scheme. I was inspired by the blues and aquamarine tones to make the other bracelet, offsetting the lightness of the colors by black and deep blue crystals.

I've also included Crystazzi crystals, which give that rich color. You can also add pearls or glass beads if you want a difference in texture and material!

Be sure to follow Cousin brand on:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather materials.

All that's needed are:

-Crystals. For the bronze bracelet I used a variety of Cousin brand crystals, including the 4mm bronze bicones. Also, I used these cool electroplated crystals from Cousin which were more helix-shaped. 

-Stretch cord. I am using .5mm Cousin brand stretch cord here, you can find this on Amazon and in craft stores.

-Flatnose pliers, mine are again from Cousin.

For the blue bracelet, I used a blue crystal scheme including these Cousin Crystazzi 6mm Capri blue bicones, Vitrail bicones (that cool multicolor coating), 4mm Deep blue bicones by Cousin, and 6mm light sapphire Cousin Jewelry basic crystals.

To make the first bracelet, simply cut a piece of your stretch cord that is 1.5 times the length of your wrist. Simply add your selected crystals and bead until the bracelet is as long as you need it. Add on a crimp bead, and thread the other side of cord back through the crimp, and crimp shut. Cut off the excess.

Continue making these bracelets until you have abut 5-6 strands. To group them all together, simply cut a 6" piece of stretch cord, and thread on enough crystals to go around the bracelet bunch. Add on a crimp, and crimp shut. Cut the excess off. You should have a complete bracelet!

These are great bracelets to throw on with every outfit. They add that glam factor and can be worn by themselves, or paired with other bracelets. 

The ease of these bracelets is that they are on stretch cord, so no need to try to clasp it with your other hand, which is always difficult, right?! Just be careful with the stretch cord, don't make the bracelets too tight because stretch cord sometimes has the tendency to snap if pulled tightly. Keep the bracelets a little loose and you will be all set.

All images and text copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not post/use images without linking back to me.

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.

Arizona Sparkle Earrings-- "Handmade Holidays Project 001"

The first installment in my "Handmade Holiday" initiative; my Arizona Sparkle earrings! These earrings are were inspired the colors of the west (bright turquoise and coppery crystals) but made to fit a very chic cocktail party or soirée-type event. With that said, I am sure that nobody would feel blue if they received a pair of these as a gift!

I am thinking these would be great for teachers, counselors, or any classy lady. This is a classic design that is timeless, however the large kidney earwire addition adds a contemporary vibe!

The mix of the matte gemstone and shiny, bright crystals make for a multidimensional piece!

This design would work in any color combination, really. Just make sure your colors contrast; stick with red+green, blue+orange or yellow+purple (this is a mix of a blue hue (turquoise) and orange (the brown crystals)). Red and green would definitely give a holiday vibe!

If you want to make these for yourself (yes, you do), they'd add a great pop of color and sparkle to a sophisticated holiday party outfit. Pair the earrings with a sleek black midi dress, detailed black booties and silver python clutch. Fall and winter is all about animal print! This would be a great and subtle way to work the trend.

*Outfit Credits* Dress and clutch by Generation Bliss, shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti

The materials I used for this can be bought at JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels. I bought these materials at Michaels. They are all from Cousin; I have attached a shopping list you can print up for easy shopping. 

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are roundnose pliers, wire cutters, 5mm crystal rondelles, turquoise gemstone beads (about 1" long), large silver kidney ear wires, and silver head pins.

To download and print a shopping list of materials, click here!
If you don't live near a Michaels or JoAnn, Cousin also sells at AC Moore stores and now at Walmart. You can find great supplies anywhere!

Step 2: String a turquoise bead on a silver headpin; create a top loop with your pliers, wrapping the extra wire around the bottom of the loop about two times; cut the excess flush with your wire cutters. Repeat with another bead, for your other earring.

Step 3: Add six rondelles on individual headpins. Bend the wire at a 90 degree angle right at the top of the bead, to catch the bead on the wire. Clip the excess wire off about 1/4" from the bend. Create loops with all the wire, but before closing the loops, add them to the turquoise bead you made in the last step. Add all six of these beads to the same loop.

Step 4: To finish, simply string on the large kidney ear wire to this same top loop of the turquoise bead. String it all the way to the notch in the earwire; this is where it will sit!

You are finished!

Package these up in little organza bags, tied with ribbon. A super cute gift!

You can make a lot of these little goodies in little time. 

These would be great even for a birthday gift, it doesn't have to be just for the holidays!

If you share/use/post this tutorial, you must link back to me please. All photos  

copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not use photos without crediting me!