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!

Spider Jewelry- Part IV Ephebopus Cyanognathus

Talk about a color pop!

Like my spider jewelry Part IV and Parts II and I, I've mixed science with jewelry to make a creepily-unique accessory.

This time around, I've chosen to use a glass vial charm, purple metallic leather and a simple metal bead to create a colorful yet chic piece.

And as always, my science-y cousin Eric is the one obtaining the molts for me. He works at a spider lab at college- just as snakes molt their skin, spiders molt too! And because these specimens are too beautiful and unique to just ignore, highlighting them in jewelry I think is a great way to use alternative materials!

Here is an explanation of the certain spider who shed these fangs, straight from Eric:

"Ephebopus cyanognathus (or the "blue fang skeleton tarantula") is a species of the Ephebopus genus (subfamily Aviculariinae) with simply majestic looking metallic blue fangs. Being terrestrial, they love to burrow deep underground in the fallen flora and will support their burrows with a thick layer of silk the will spin all the way out to the entrance. You'll find them in Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil. They are pretty aggressive unfortunately, and as adults can grow to be 10 to 13 centimeters. Other cool things aside from the fangs is that babies have a super cool green abdomen, and with orange bands on their legs! Females remain pretty like this into adulthood, but sadly the males turn more plain brown and will lose a lot of their vibrancy"

I've been using resin in all other spider jewelry pieces, but I didn't use resin this time. Simply because I did a test-run with another blue fang and unfortunately the best part, the amazing color, faded and turned to brown after curing in the resin. So, encasing them in a airtight orb was the next best option! I love the look of the orbs, they appear more scientific in a way!

Also, the glass orbs allow you to see all the cool parts of these fangs better than resin would. 

I think the perfect match of the violet leather and violet-blue ombre fangs pulls the look together!

Don't you agree? Would you wear a necklace like this, or does this creep you out?!

And yet more spider jewelry to come, make sure you check back soon!

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

Leather-Wrapped Stone Necklace: Men's Jewelry Tutorial

The second of my Men's Jewelry Tutorials, this tutorial features leather-wrapped gemstones on chain. I was inspired to make these from my pile of gemstones I had been collecting; they were just laying around. I was looking for a more unique way to wrap them then the ordinary wire wrap. Much like my Painted Leather Bracelets, these use recycled leather and metallic paint. These are very chic yet still have detailing from the painted leather, and if you choose a textured stone, the unique pattern of the stone. You can also leave the leather unpainted if you wish! 

I do not recommend using transparent stones here, just opaque ones. Using a metallic stone such as hematite here contrasts the matte leather nicely. Stones such as obsidian (the red one) have cool patterns that make the piece more unique! Don't use a large heavy stone here, it will weigh the design down too much.

Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed is a piece of leather (or flat leather string), a stone, glue (E-6000), and ball chain. Also, you will need acrylic metallic paint if you wish to paint the leather.

Step 2: Take your leather, and cut it into a thin strip. Place a coat of glue on one side of the strip. Place the end of the strip on the backside of the stone, then wrap around the front of the stone, until the strip ends meet; cut to fit as needed (second pic). Once the ends are cut, place glue on top of the ends to adhere more. 

Step 3: To make the loop, take another strip of leather (or the excess you cut off) and glue it right above your previous wrap of leather on the backside. Bend it backwards to make a loop, and glue this yet again to hold (pic 2). Place even more glue over all the edges to adhere. Let this dry. If you would like to paint this, feel free to use metallic acrylic paint (I use brand Folk Art). If you want the leather to remain plain, that's cool too!

String the loop through the ball chain. Finished!

Don't use any heavy stones here. Small ones are best!

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated! Don't use my photos without crediting me please!

Painted Leather Bracelets

Again, another very easy tutorial that comes together in minutes!

These bracelets were made from a vintage leather skirt, which I cut up into strips to use in jewelry.

Everything else that's needed is what any crafter already has on-hand: paint and glue, and a clasp.

There are no limits to the patterns you can put on these bracelets, or the colors.

I only had gold and silver paint, both Folk Art brand which worked really well. 

I want to go out and buy all the other colors! The mix of the matte, deep dark leather and the light metallic paint is very eye-catching and original.

Go crazy!

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are paintbrushes (really fine ones work the best), superglue, a clasp and jumprings, metallic paing, and leather fabric. You can use faux leather as well.

Step 2: Cut a length of leather that's about 1" longer than your wrist to accommodate for the finishing. The width can be any size, make varying widths for multiple bracelets! Taper the ends off for finishing (second picture).

Step 3: Start painting...paint a cool pattern. Let the paint fully dry. Mix the metals for a more interesting look.

Step 4: Take the tapered end, put a dot of superglue on the unpainted side, and fold over to create a pocket. Let fully dry. Now, add your jumprings and clasp; it helps to have oblong links to accomodate for the thicker pocket. I got ones made by Blue Moon Beads from Michael's. You are all set!

They look cool with varying patterns and widths.

I suppose these could be for men too......if they are more open to accessorizing!

If you are in need of inspiration for patterns, click here. Very cool!

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

It is much appreciated!