rainbow dreamcatcher earrings

Do your old hoop earrings need a makeover? Why not turn them into mini dreamcatchers?!



A super-simple technique of wrapping this bright neon cord around the hoop frame creates a funky bohemian accessory, that's perfect for summer's upcoming music festivals and beach days. Are we ready?!



Step 1: Gather materials. You will need large hoop earrings, Pandahall Rainbow Nylon cord, Elements of Antiquity pewter peace charm, scissors, jump rings and a feather.



Start by cutting a length of the nylon cord (I used about 2 feet for these larger hoops). Tie an overhand knot behind the back of the earring, securing the thread on. With the left side of the string (the right is just excess after the knot, you won't be needing it so you can cut it off now if you want) wrap around the front of the hoop, around the back, then over the front most string to create a loop. Repeat again.



Do this about five times (may change depending on size of hoop. Then repeat process, but wrapping around the inner string as opposed to the hoop earring. Keep going in a spiral pattern until you've got no more space left.



Tie off string into a knot to finish the end. Burn the ends of the starting knot and this knot to secure. Add your peace charm and feather (I added a cord end to the feather) to the very center of the dreamcatcher.

For those of you that aren't into large hoops, use a smaller size and wrap accordingly. Also, if you're not digging the bright rainbow colors (why??!!) feel free to use any of these cool colors Pandahall has to offer. Peace out!

 


All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. If posting these to any social media INCLUDING PINTEREST, you need to credit me and link back to me. Thanks!

sherbet pearl bracelets

Fun, fruity hues of strawberry pink, lemon yellow and kiwi green plus the soft sheen of classy pearls mix here to make bright and bold stacking bracelets. These are the perfect bracelets for both kids and adults - I think the sophistication of the bead caps and pearls contrasted by the more playful color schemes makes for an all-ages accessory!



I love the detail of these Pandahall toggles and Cousin bead caps, which contrast nicely against the smooth glass jade and pearl beads. I was inspired to make these after looking on Instagram at tropical beach photos (who wouldn't when there is six inches of snow outside?!). I saw tropical sorbet and sherbet pictures, complete with fruit toppings and set against the sandy beaches of some oceanside getaway. So, why not try to replicate that color and mood in a bracelet?



You can layer these up, or wear alone. I think the more the merrier. The toggle clasp makes for easy wearing as well, so you don't have to mess with lobster clasps. I also like that they are lighter weight, and are great for upcoming spring wardrobes.
Let's get started with the tutorial!



Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are 6mm colored pearls by PandaHall, .3mm silver beading wire (mine from Cousin), silver crimps and jump rings, metal bead caps (mine from Cousin), toggle clasps from PandaHall, and pliers.
I also used these glass jade beads from PandaHall and crimp covers (which are not pictured here).



Cut two lengths of beading wire that are 1.5 times the length of your wrist. Thread both wires through a crimp, around a jumpring, back through the crimp and crimp shut. Cut off that excess wire. Take a pearl, thread it onto one wire, doing the same with the other. Now, thread on a bead cap, jade bead, and another bead cap through both wires - it should look like the rightmost picture.
I kept with one color scheme per bracelet, to keep the look more streamlined. Feel free to mix up colors for a less monochromatic look!



Keep repeating, until it's the length you need to wrap around your wrist. With the end, simply thread on a crimp, through jumpring, then back through crimp. Crimp shut and cut excess. Add the toggle ends to the jump rings. Finish off the crimps by covering with crimp covers for a clean look.



Simple, right?! You can whip up a lot of these in no time, and can change up the beads for different looks. Try using 6mm turquoise beads and then larger bronze crystals (in place of the glass jade beads) for a Southwestern look.  Or, go with all white pearls and black crystals for a Chanel-inspired scheme!

I would style these with something casual, yet chic; a sharp white blouse, leather leggings or denim skinny jeans, and black ankle booties would do the trick. Also, for summer, pair with a flowy maxi dress and strappy sandals for a more bohemian look!



Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you make these bracelets, post to Instagram and tag @quietlioncreations - I will repost you!

COPYRIGHT

Because I take all photos for my blog, the images within this post are all copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations. If you'd like permission to use a photo, email me at allison@quietlioncreations.com

Marrakesh Earrings-Full Tutorial

Bright colors, bold textures, sparkle and shine. I was in need of some serious pop of color, and I had some bead odds and ends laying around. Plus, the Anthropologie March 2014 catalogue's theme is Morocco--delicate patterns merge with excess saturation to create a totally exotic-looking lookbook!

I love the bohemian, gypsy-like theme of the Moroccan style, so that's what I modeled these easy drop earrings after.

Most of my materials were Cousin brand, which you can find at Walmart, AC Moore stores, Beverly Fabrics stores (California), JoAnn or Michaels. Even Meijer. 

The small evil eye beads I found on Ebay.

I kept my color palette electric and complimentary, using blue and orange hues throughout for extra contrast. You don't have to go with my color scheme; other Moroccan-esque colors include magenta, reds, emeralds and even black. Choose from these colors to really push the boho vibe.

I combined the delicate cut crystals with a large gemstone bead, embroidery floss tassel for variation and finished with a cute little "evil eye" bead for a very trendy but authentically free-spirited look. 

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers (round nose and wire cutters), jump rings, embroidery floss, large kidney ear wires, a mix of gemstone beads and crystals and ball-end headpins.

I specifically used:

Yellow embroidery floss

Gold ball end headpins, Cousin brand

Artistic Wire non-tarnish chainmaille jump rings from Cousin

Cousin large gold kidney ear wires

Two yellow 4mm evil eye glass beads

Two orange 4mm roundelle crystals

Two Cousin brown gemstone beads

Two 6mm gold crystal roundelles from Cousin

Two vertical drilled blue briolettes from Cousin

Two 4mm silver round metal beads

Of course, feel free to mix whatever beads you have to make a unique bohemian look! I went with a blue/orange/yellow theme. The mix of crystals, gemstones, metal and thread really give a "worldly" look that reminds me of something you'd find at Anthropologie or Free People!

Step 2: Add on a 4mm gemstone roundelle, then jumpring, then your gemstone bead. Make sure you pick two gemstones which match size and shape pretty well!

Make a wrapped top loop and use the wire cutters to cut the wire flush.

Step 3: Add these to your kidney ear wires. Then make two charms with the vertical-drilled briolettes and add these to each ear wire as well.

Step 4: Make two small tassels. I wrapped the string 5 times around my index and pointer finger. For more info, check out my Dainty Crystal Bracelet Tutorial for instructions! Add a jumpring on top of each tassel.

Step 5: Make your evil eye beads into charms and add one to each jumpring that the tassel is on. Finally, add this jumpring onto the ear wire. I finished off by adding on a 6mm roundelle then 4mm silver round to the actual ear wire (you may have to unbend the hook gently so that the beads slide to the rest of the charms.  

Finished!  

As you can see, these are quick and easy to make. The only technique needed is a wrapped loop. 

These are also great because they can match a variety of outfits, as their whole point is to look a bit eclectic and fun!

I love the evil eye beads; I literally just found them in my stash! I have more colors, so expect more tutorials with them soon.

Again, I'm mixing gold and silver here (mixed metals are some of my favorite looks!) to give a beatnik vibe and to break the rules a bit. 

You can make these on fishhooks instead of large kidneys if you prefer shorter drop earrings.

All photos and instructions copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do NOT post pictures without crediting and linking to me.

Photo Blogging 2: Full Spectrum

Full spectrum.

From cloudscapes to neck bling, bright, bold colors make a total statement.

NY Fashion week 2014 featured collections brimming with bountiful palettes, from Italians Prada and Fendi to the quintessential black/white classicist Chanel, rainbow bright makes a comeback. I mean Chanel embracing full-on color? Kind of a big deal.

I'm taking to the skies for some serious hue saturation, and matching my accessories. 

Again, layering these necklaces for maximum impact. Mixing silver and gold doesn't hurt either, adding a luxe tonality.

Skyscapes complimentary of sunny Florida at Day II of the Cousin Creative Circle Retreat. Sweet.

Kinda cool how many colors you can get out of the cloudscapes in one day.

Select necklaces from Quiet Lion Creations, Charlotte Russe and Generation Bliss. 

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

Color Pop Bobby Pins

Fall fashion is in full swing! One of my favorite shows was the Ralph Lauren show at NY fashion week. It started off with an achromatic black and white scheme in simple silhouettes. Then, at the end, it was a huge surprise when a bright green sheath dress walked down the runway, followed by a rainbow of other colors! Totally unexpected, I knew this would be a great inspiration for a tutorial.

My Color Pop Bobby Pins are made from....can you guess....??? Legos! Flat legos work extremely well at creating a cool, minimalistic accessory but with a pop of rainbow, sparkly color! Just like the RL show!  

These are a really cool accessory that people will keep asking about; they would never guess that Legos are used as the base!

The little notches on the Legos are great places for gems to sit, and remind me of models in their dresses strutting down the catwalk! Also, all you really need to know how to do for this tutorial is glue; no hard work here!

Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are bobby pins, white nail polish, flat legos (about 1.75" long), flatback gems (5 or 4mm), and E-6000 glue. 

Step 2: Use the white nail polish to paint the edges of the lego, all the way around. Make sure to not get any on the top of the lego, just the edges!

Step 3: Get out your flat backs; the order that I used is green, yellow, orange, red, blue, then green again. It's the same order as the actual runway show!

Use a dab of your E-6000 glue and put a dab on top of each lego notch. Add on your gems in the correct order! 

Let all the glue dry.

Step 4: Glue on your bobby pin to the back. I used E-6000 glue because it's a better hold than hot glue. If you want to use hot glue, which is easier, that is fine, but keep in mind the glue may pop off the lego if handled roughly. Let the glue dry.

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