carnivàle sparkle sunglasses +diy

So if you frequent my blog you obviously have already acknowledged my obsession with gems. I've embellished shoes, hats, shirts, nails and more - but never sunglasses. Well, my friends, now is the time.



These faux Prada glasses (find them here) were kind of plain - and I needed a way to dress them up.So after receiving some of this great sapphire rhinestone chain from Pandahall,  I first thought of using it in a jewelry tutorial. But, why not change it up a bit? It's ability to lay flat and bend/turn made it great for gluing on these frames.



I also added Cousin M'bellish flat backs to fill in some spots, and add more glitz. You can grab these or any other flat backs at Michael's, JoAnn, AC Moore and Walmart.



So totally luxe-looking, they definitely stand out - feel free to mix up colors here. I stuck with clear crystals, but using multicolors would make for a total Carnivale-type look!



Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are sunglasses -you can get the SAME ones I used (faux Pradas) here!-, E6000 glue, a toothpick, rhinestone cup chain (mine from Pandahall here) and flatback crystals (mine from Cousin's M'Bellish line here). You could also use Swarovski flat backs, Crystazzi flat backs or other similar styles.



Step 2: Start gluing. It's super simple - with the toothpick, place a small dab of E6000 glue at the edge of the glasses frame (I started at the center of my swirl). Lay the first rhinestone on this glue- then, simply keep adding dabs of glue, and laying your chain down. Because of the shape of my frames, I did this swirl in one separate piece.



I added another piece to fill out the arms of the glasses. Repeat with other side.



Step 3: Embellish. I again glued down crystal flat backs with dabs of glue, adding a fan-like pattern to the edges of my glasses. I trimmed just the top of the lenses with another length of rhinestone chain. I cut all my chain after gluing it, to make sure I wasn't too short or too long with my cuts.



Are you digging them? I'd pair these with denim skinny jeans, a graphic tee and sneakers. Add a crystal bib necklace if you want to go all out!



I love the blue / silver combo here, adding a modernity to otherwise retro-type glasses. A black / gold combo would create a very luxe, more goth vibe. What colors would you choose?!



All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. DO NOT post or use photos without linking to me and crediting me.

If you use this tutorial to make your own pair of glasses, post a pic to Instagram and tag me @quietlioncreations - I'll repost you!

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!

Dainty Abstract Flower Earrings

Inspired by the Prada runway SP2013 RTW looks, my earrings combine the artistic patterns of Asia, the colors, and abstracted flowers. Miuccia Prada quotes her inspiration for the collection was a merge of "Japanese (style)...and the Sixties" which I thought made for a really cool combination!

Here is the more wearable version, in earring form. These earrings are super lightweight and also are very dainty.  I took heed to to the abstracted flowers and made a wire flower as the focal point. I then used red, a color from the collection, and added some gold accents with the beads and wire. 

You don't have to use the same exact beads here as I did, you can use whatever you have lying around, just make sure the center bead is a disc bead for variety. Also, another important note is to make sure all your wrapped loops have the same amount of loops on top and bottom. This will make sure the earrings have a very clean look!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers, 26 gauge wire, ear wires, and beads: two small 4mm red gemstone beads, two golden disc beads (flat bead with hole in the middle, like a doughnut), and then two larger 6mm print beads. You will also need two small gold jumprings.

*mm stands for millimeter.

You can alter which beads you want to use, if you don't have the exact ones I used. The middle bead should always be a disc bead, though, if you want this look.

Pliers were courtesy of Cousin Beads! There are a roundnose, wire cutter and flat nose. These offer great variety to jewelry makers because they are basically the three tools you need!

Step 1: Cut about a 3" piece of wire or so, and make a small loop at top, about 3/4" away from the end, wrapping the excess wire to close. It should look like the last picture. You only want about 3 wraps so if you have extra wire, cut it flush. 

Step 2: Add on your smaller 4mm bead. End with another wrapped loop, to finish the link. Cut the wire flush again if needed. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for your second 4mm bead.

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2, but using your larger 6mm bead. You should have all four links, last picture.

Step 4: Now, start making a loop with your wire (about a 3" piece again), however before closing, thread through the loop from your 6mm link through the unclosed loop you are working with. Finish this loop by wire wrapping and cutting flush. Your link is attached to this loop now! 

Step 5: Thread your disc bead through the wire, and bend the wire back up, wrapping it right next to the beginning to close. The disc should be lying flat, instead of sticking out horizontally.

Step 6: Thread another 3" piece of wire through the middle hole of the disc again, wrapping a small amount (1/2" or so) to the wire to hold the disc in place. Start a loop with the longer end, and before closing.....

Thread on the smaller 4mm bead's loop through the unopened loop. Finish off by wrapping and cutting flush (just like in step 4). You should have what we see in the top middle picture!

Now, to make the wire flower, simply weave about a 6" piece of wire in and out of your roundnose pliers, 'till you have what we see in the middle picture. Compress this spring, and use the end of the wire to wrap around the middle, bundling the wire (bottom left). Now, spread out the individual "petals" by gently pulling up or down, until your flower is finished out! Simply attach the loop of the 6mm bead to an earwire, and then attach your jumpring to a petal of the flower, then the loop from the 4mm link to finish!

These earrings are very detailed, which is sure to grab attention!

Mix it up with maybe silver wire or copper wire. The possibilities are endless!

Instructions copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Don't post this tutorial or any of my pictures without crediting me, and don't claim as your own please!