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.

Delicate Crystal Tassel Bracelets

These dainty bracelets by Orelia are some of my favorites. I love to layer bracelets, and these lend themselves very well to that! They have a cool simplicity but still are unique with that cotton tassel at the clasp. The addition of a small metal bead in center sets them apart from just any other crystal bracelet!

My tutorial will show you how to create bracelets inspired by these designs, and they actually come together super-quick! You can make a ton of these in no time at all. Stick with a solid color crystal and use the same color throughout the bracelet. For the tassel, use a contrasting color for a pop!

I used Cousin Brand crystals, beading wire and metal beads for this project. Follow Cousin on Facebook and Twitter  for cool sweeps and other awesome projects! 

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers, beading wire (I used from Cousin), embroidery floss, a jumpring, two crimps, a clasp, and 4mm crystals (I used the grey crystals from Cousin's Jewelry Basics Pearl/Crystal Mix), and finally a 4mm metal decorative bead (I used Cousin's Fluted Silver beads).

Step 2: Cut a length of your beading wire that is the lenght you want your bracelet, plus 2". Add a crimp and clasp to the very end. Start stringing on your crystals. When you get to the center of your bracelet, add on your metal bead. Add on the rest of the crystals to finish out your bracelet. This pack has enough crystals to get one bracelet finished! You can use the pearls to make many other things, such as my Mathias Chaize bracelets!

Step 3: Make a tassel. Take your embroidery floss, and wrap 9 times around your index and middle fingers. Cut the thread at the bottom of the wrap. Gently take off your fingers (do NOT wrap super-tight!)

Step 4: Add a jumpring to catch all the wraps; then, cut a small piece of floss and tie a knot around all the threads, right under the jumpring. Cut flush to the tassel.

Cut off the ends horizontally, creating your tassel! Make sure all the ends are the same length. Add this jumpring onto your bracelet; finish by adding a crimp, then your clasp, and then thread back through the crimp. Pull the wire to tighten, and then crimp shut and cut the excess wire flush.

I kept the scheme sophisticated and cool; neutrals with a pop of red and blue! However, if you like brighter accessories, go Kate Spade on us try a combo of emerald crystals with watermelon-pink floss! Go nautical with a mix of red floss and blue crystals, with a white pearl in the center.

Follow the fall fashion trends with a pastel mix of aurora borealis-coated clear crystals with a pale pink tassel.

Guys could even make these with wood beads, and a metal bead center.

The possibilities are endless!

These literally took me less than 10 minutes to make. These would also be great friendship beads, maybe if you had a heart bead center, or even a metal alphabet bead.

Instructions and photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not use without permission and do not claim as your own!

Thin Gold Bangle Bracelets

I'm back! Yes, I haven't posted a tutorial in a long time, very busy. 

These literally come together in minutes flat. I didn't even bother to braid the ends, and used these more of like a friendship-style bracelet. 

You can even add beads, or crystals to fancy them up.

The pearls I used are from Prima Beads. Great selection of beads, findings, other goodies and free shipping! Mixing pearls with the metal and the floss creates a cool mix of textures. Great for layering for the summer. They are delicate and mix well because of the simplicity of the bracelets.

Step 1: Gather materials. All that's needed are scissors, pliers, embroidery floss, and thick wire (maybe like 16 or 18 gauge, just make sure it is thick and doesn't bend that easily). Beads too if you want to 

add some.

Step 2: I cut about 3" of my wire and looped each end. If you have smaller or larger wrists you can cut accordingly, adding or subtracting an inch. Cut about 1 foot of your floss, and bend in half. Cut another foot and fold in half again. These will be your tying pieces.

Step 3: I went outside and gently hammered my wire piece like in the Perched Harmonies necklace. Go easy with it, not totally flat, just enough to give it some texture. You don't have to hammer it, you can keep it plain, or mix and match hammered bangles with regular wire ones to mix the texture. After hammering, bend it around a glass or bottle to give it an arched shape.

Step 4: Take one of your floss pieces, and thread it through the loop 'till the folded part: tie a knot here to secure the thread onto the wire. Repeat with the other side.

Finished already! See how easy it is? The hammering gives it a little texture as seen in the picture.

I made another one with one pearl, a whole pearl-beaded one, a thicker gold one, and then the hammered one. The mixing of metals is very chic-looking.

To wear, simply tie-on in the back. Give these out as friendship bracelets with their favorite color floss!

All images and text copyright Allison Beth Cooling. If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. 

It is much appreciated!

Chan Luu Single Wrap Macrame Bracelet

Chan Luu bracelets are just so cool! What's great about them is that they use simple macrame techniques to produce different results, this time with the addition of beads! This tutorial adds on to my previous Square Knot Friendship Bracelets, but utilizes the beads in a different way; on the outside of the knots as opposed to the inside. What you get is a totally different result!

These would be awesome friendship bracelets!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are 3mm glass gemstone beads, cotton thread for knotting, scissors, tape, and a bead and crimp for closure.

Step 2: Start the knots.  Cut one length of your cotton thread about one and a half times the length of your wrist. Tape at the top to your table. Cut one length of cotton cord that is about four times the length of the thread you just cut; this will be your knotting thread. Start to knot, just like how we started in my Square Knot Bracelet Tutorial.

Once you have a couple of square knots, take either side of the thread and add beads to these threads. The number of beads will depend on how one you want this bracelet. Once you've added all your beads (make sure there's an even amount on each side), tie knots at the end of these threads to hold the beads on.

Now, you will do a square knot with the beads on the outside (instead of the inside like in the Square Knot Bracelet Tutorial). 

Take two beads right up to the last knot. 

Make a square knot, making sure the beads are caught in the knot and lie right on either side of the center thread. Tie one more square knot to hold the beads in place tightly.

Step 2: Continue this method.

Once you have gotten one square knot set, continue to knot in this way, until your bracelet is as long as you need. To finish, add the bead and crimp to one end, crimp to close. Make a loop with the other end (big enough so the bead fits snugly), and crimp close. This is also explained in the Square Knot Bracelet Tutorial.

You're finished! See how easy that was?

One with bead closure, one with clasp. You choose!

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