Punk Rock Nails- Fall 2013

Punk is in! Spurred by the Met Gala back in spring of this year, this fall all things punk are totally in style. From studs, leather and spikes to tartan fabrics and more, get ready to sport some rebellious attire this autumn! My most favorite look from the Gala was Cara Delevingne, head to toe in Louis Vuitton. Ahhh-mazing. Since we all know fashion is moving at least a half-year ahead of us, just now the style is becoming mainstream. And of course, a part of every outfit is definitely your manicure!

I went with a very simplified punk theme; mixing patterns and dark colors and topping it off with some nail "studs". Simplified plaid, along with a dip-dye nail and houndstooth pattern make for cool elements contrasted by the simpler middle and pinkie fingers.

This is actually a very simple manicure, but it does require a nail stamping plate for the houndstooth nail (index finger). If you don't have one feel free to hand-paint or do a plaid nail, like on the ring finger!

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are nail pearls, a Konad (or BundleMonster) nail stamp and scraper, the BundleMonster BM19 plate, and varying colors of nail polish: gunmetal (I used Sally Hansen), red (I used OPI I'm not a Waitress), white, and deep purple (I used OPI Lincoln Park after Dark) and then a red nail art polish (with the long skinny brush). 

Step 2: Paint your nails (two coats): thumb= gunmetal, index= white, middle= red, ring=gunmetal, and pinkie= deep purple. On your index finger, use your Bundle Monster plate #19, the houndstooth-like pattern. Add one coat of your deep purple over it and stamp on your finger, over the white. For more information on this technique, look at my Zebra Neon Nails tutorial!

Step 3: It should look like this! Now, on your ring finger, use your long-tipped brush to make a plaid pattern; two vertical stripes of red, one stripe of white in the middle. Paint over with another red stripe.

Step 4: On your middle finger, add a nail pearl (black) on the bottom; adhere with a bit of clear nail polish and press down. Add a red pearl at the bottom of your pinkie. On your thumb, create a tie-dye effect with red, white and more gunmetal. For more info on how to do this, look at Step 3 of my Neon Zebra Nails tutorial. Paint everything with a top coat (except your index finger, it will smear the pattern if you do!) and let dry completely.

This is just simple enough, and not too punk-y (for those who are not huge fans of the look!). If you would like to use different colors, if you are not a punk fan at all, feel free to; this in a pastel theme could turn from punk-y to sweet, or all rainbow brights would really make a statement! Feel free to do it your own way! That is what punk is really all about!

Photos (except first) copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Please do not use/post without linking back and crediting me! 

Edge of Urge- super hippie earring +diy

Handmade Edge of Urge-inspired Earring

The Real Edge of Urge Earring

Another Edge of Urge Earring

As seen on celebs like Lucy Hale (in Seventeen Magazine) these Edge of Urge earrings are totally popular right now, with the whole feather craze. So..... of course I had to find out how to make this myself. It seemed pretty simple; a hoop earring with feather, string and charm dangles. What's great about these earrings is that they are totally customizable. Colors, lengths of the dangles, how many dangles, what patterns, what beads, what string etc. are all choices that you can make to come up with a truly original earring, celebrity-style!

Plus, why spend $84 on the real deal when you can make one yourself for basically nothing? All that is needed is some wire, string, beads, paper, charms and feathers. Look below for the full tutorial!

Step 1: Gather materials. You will need wire (I just used a basic craft wire, but if you have sensitive ears use sterling silver because this hoop will be going through your ear. I'd say 18g / 16g wire, some embroidery floss, some hemp or other cool string, feathers, some charms, ribbon ends and some seed beads. I used size 11 seed beads and size 8.

Step 2: Crimp the ribbon ends to the ends of the feathers, making sure you crimp nice and tight so they are secure. I used three feathers, breaking into two groups. Take a piece of your wire, 4" or so, and wrap around the neck of a nail polish bottle to create a nice circular shape. Cut a little past where the ends meet.

Step 3: Make a small loop with the end of a roundnose pliers at one end of the wire. Loop the wire as seen in the middle picture, then bend the loop flat so it follows the curve of the wire (third picture). 

Take the wire with a regular pliers about .5cm from the other end, and bend straight up to form a 90 degree angle. Your loop is complete. 

Step 4: Set the loop aside. Make your first dangle; I deconstructed the embroidery floss into three individual threads, then braided them to a 3" braid. If you want yours to be longer or shorter, braid accordingly. Also, you could use three different color threads for a cool tye-dye look. I added three beads and a charm to the end, then brought my thread ends back up through the beads, and knotted at the top of the beads.

Step 5: Thread the other end of your braided dangle through a crimp, then back again to create a loop. Without crimping yet, add it to the wire loop, pull the thread tighter (but not too tight so it can't move on the loop) and crimp. Cut the ends. Now, this is the time to customize. You can add as many dangles as you want, as many braids, some charm dangles, whatever. I added one more dangle of embroidery floss with 3 size 8 seed beads tied on (this dangle was about 2.5"). I added a crimp to the top and crimped it onto my loop. Then I added my feathers to the other side. Go crazy or keep it simple. It's up to you!

Step 6: Create the signature Edge of Urge Cluster Flock feather. I tried to re-create as best as I could without spending 50 hours trying to get it exact. You can do the same; copy my feather or draw your own! The feather measures 3" long and about 1.25" wide. You will need a piece of wallpaper (you know those scraps you can get at Menard's? That's what I used. If you don't have any, you can use cardstock but they won't be waterproof. Or, you can use a piece of thick fabric. Whatever has the best pattern). I drew my feather on the blank side of the paper, and cut it out. Then, I glued it to the blank side again, and cut it out after it was dry, so it was double-sided. 

Last step; Poke a hole through the top of the feather. Add a jump ring, and attach to your earring. Finished!!! To close your earring, press the bent end of the wire up through the loop you created on the other side. It should easily latch.

The Finished Earring

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