crystal fairy rings +diy

 
You can almost see the sparkle and twinkle of fairies flying around these glittery treasures! My newest tutorial combines gleaming rhinestone buttons and silver plated crystals to create delightfully dainty stacking rings. This is a beginner tutorial, so everyone can enjoy making these!



What I love most is the mix of seemingly simple materials (acrylic rhinestone buttons) and glass, Chinese crystal beads (not Swarovski this time) but the totally luxe look you get when stacking a few of these on top of another. Keeping each a different color also adds contrast. I feel that the primary colors in this scheme add a whimsical vibe; if you're more into a sophisticated look, I say go with neutral color crystals like clear, black, topaz and silver.



These are also great for kids. Since this tutorial is so easy - and definitely kid safe - they can have fun making many of their own!
 
These only take minutes to whip up, and the list of materials is short and sweet. Should we get started?

  

Step 1: Gather materials. You need stretch cord (I'm using Cousin Brand .8mm stretch cord), crystal buttons (specifically Pandahall 2-hole crystal acrylic buttons), crystal glass beads (specifically Pandahall silver electroplated faceted 4X3mm beads), wire cutters. Flatnose pliers and crimp tubes are optional - you can choose to either crimp your rings shut, or tie a knot and glue. I just tied knots and glued for this tutorial.



Step 2: Start out with a 5" piece of stretch cord. Thread on one crystal bead to the cord, then thread each side through the top of the button, catching the bead.



Step 3: Start stringing on beads on the ends of the cord, creating your ring band. It really couldn't be much easier - just thread on enough beads so that the ring fits on your finger snugly, but not super-tightly.



Step 4: To finish, tie a very tight square knot, cutting off the excess string with your wire cutters and covering the knot in super glue. You could also use your crimp here - I just choose to knot so the band isn't interrupted by the look of a crimp.



Of course these are kind of addicting, so I made many more - one in each color, of course! Wear them on all your fingers or as midi rings for a more bohemian-type fashion statement. I could also see these crystal rings working well with larger seed beads if you want less of a "shiny" look. But, why wouldn't you want to flaunt the glitz?! I'll leave you with more inspo pics to finish. Remember, if you follow this tutorial, post a pic of your project on Instagram and tag me @quietlioncreations. I'll repost you!
Peace out!

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

Modernist Hand Bracelet

Simple silver, hematite and copper tones mix in this modern - style hand bracelet.

Because of the minimal materials, it's super lightweight and delicate, and has a ton of movement to it.

The secret here is the recycled headpins - more on that later - which are grouped together to create metallic tassels.

I'm using sterling silver chain here, and beads / findings from Cousin Corporation. You can also grab these materials from any craft store; Walmart, JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels Crafts, and even Meijer.

A better close-up of the metallic tassels. The metal charms here are indeed leftover headpin pieces - let me explain. You know when you are making charms, and you cut the excess wire from the headpin? Don't throw those little wire pieces away! I literally have a dish I keep filled with wire cuttings and leftover pieces, perfect for using in a tutorial like this. Why throw perfectly good materials away when there is still a purpose for them, right?!

This really is a simple tutorial, no joke. Let's get to it.

You will need:

-Wire clippings, 4mm round beads, chain, a magnetic clasp, jump rings and pliers. Pretty simple.

Start with a bunch of wire clippings. If you don't have leftovers, you can just use eye pins here (which will obviously have a looped end, you will just need to cut shorter). For the wire clippings, cut them all to the same length. I think I used about 28 pieces of wire. Loop one end of each wire.

Take a 4mm round hematite bead and create a link with it (I even used another wire leftover for this, but again you can use an eye pin). Link 4 of the wire pieces into the bottom loop of the link. Make eight of these charms. Now, take a jumpring and attach two charms together with the jumpring. Do this four times.

Take your chain here, and measure on your hand - it helps if this chain is NOT soldered shut! Link the chain around your middle finger, closing it so it's not tight. The trailing piece of chain should reach your wrist. Now, take another piece, going around your wrist, loosely, and link this trailing piece to the middle link. Add a magnet clasp on the ends of the bracelet part. Finally, add your jump ring charms evenly on the trailing chain part. 

Quick and easy, right? I like the edgy, raw vibe of the metals and tassels, a non-bohemian take on the usually gypsy-style accessory. My readers know my affinity for the boho style, but I wanted to switch it up a bit for this tutorial.

This might also be really cool if you used a mixed palette of gold/silver for the tassel parts, as it would give a subtly contrasted look.

I've been really feelin' the combo of silver and copper lately.  Somethin' about that flashy, unexpected  palette that just works for me.

I'll leave you with a couple sparkly ending pics. Like always, if you decide to follow this tutorial, post on instagram and tag @quietlioncreations - I'll repost you!!

Peace out all!

All photos and text copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not post/reuse without linking and crediting me!

EASY Midi Ring Tutorial

Midi rings are super cool! They have become a super-big trend for summer. I totally love the bohemian feel of these rings, and they are really easy to make yourself. All you really need is wire and some pliers!

You can use any color wire, or really any gauge (not less than 22g, it will be unstable). What's also great about these rings is that you can bend them into any shape, any design.

Here, I made one out of black wire and glued gems to the ends. This tutorial, I will be showing you how to make the super-simple silver wire one.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers, a nail polish or marker (to bend the wire around), and wire, of course. You can grab some wire yourself through these links: silver 18g wire, bronze 18g wire. This will provide for a nice sturdy ring. 

Step 2: Cut off a coil of wire. At one end, use your roundnose  pliers and start a loop. Continue to make a loose loop, as seen in the picture. Now, bend this wire around your nail polish top, using it as a mold (find one that is the approximate size you need your ring. Remember, midi rings are smaller then regular rings). Continue looping until your wire is used up.
If you're wondering, my nail polish color is Opi Cajun Shrimp!

Step 3: Make a small loop at the end to finish the end. If you need to trim your wire beforehand to make it the appropriate length, do this before looping.

That's really it! Like I said, easy; five minutes to make your midi ring.

I have a bunch of styles here. Technique is basically the same, just switching up the gauges, amount of loops, and directions of the loops and swirls. 

Do not use my photos without crediting me, and if using this tutorial please link back!

Frieda and Nellie Friendship Ring

These are my kind of friendship bracelets; they've got major sparkle! I love how Frieda and Nellie incorporate gems into their designs, which adds another dimension to these bracelets; it instantly makes them more elegant!

I knew I could make a tutorial for these. However, I didn't want to spend hours knotting to make a bracelet, so I made a ring! What's great about making rings is that they come together way quicker than a bracelet, which means you have time to make more!

The contrast between the soft cotton thread and shiny gem is sure to catch eyes! All of your friends will want one.

This tutorial is a bit more tedious, but it's all about getting the knot pattern. Once you've got it, it'll get much easier!

Let's begin.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are scissors, four colors of embroidery floss, tape, and a gemstone with a setting; I got mine from a broken necklace. 

Step 2: You will need to cut two 3' lengths of each color of thread. This should be enough thread for you, I had some left over at the end. If you have a bigger ring size use a little more thread though.

Tie all the lengths together at the top with an overhand knot. Tape down.

For the sake of this tutorial, I will label threads R (red thread) G (green thread) Y (yellow thread) and B (blue thread). If you are using different colors, just assign these names to them as well to not confuse yourself!

 Arrange the threads: R, G, Y, B, 2B, 2Y, 2G, 2R.

Step 2.5: Take R, bring over G, then behind G and through that loop to the left and front (second pic). Pull tight to make a knot. Now, take R, bring over G but bring thread to the right and front (third pic). Pull tight again. It should look like the last pic, with the thread naturally ending up on the left side of G again.

Step 3: Now, you will be doing this same sequence but with 2R and 2G. Take 2R, bring over then behind 2G but bring thread to the right and front. Pull tight. Take 2R, bring over then behind 2G but bring thread to the left and front (second pic). This is the exact same thing you did in the last step, but the directions are reversed. Pull tight. You should have the last pic, with 2R naturally falling to the right of 2G. 

Step 4: Take G, bring over and then behind Y, through that loop to the left and front. Repeat.

Take 2G, bring over and behind and through the loop 2Y to the right and front. Repeat.

Take G, bring over and behind and through the loop B to the left and front. Repeat.

Take 2G, bring over and behind and through 2B to the right and front. Repeat.

Step 5: You should have something that looks like this first pic. Then, take G, bring over and behind 2G to the left and front. Repeat.

You should have one complete chevron, looking like a V-shape. See the last pic?

Step 6: Now, we will repeat steps 2.5 through 5. However, instead of knotting the G's all the way across the other threads, since the yellows are next to the outer red thread (you will NEVER knot reds across any other threads than the one next to them; they are your outlines for your ring), we will knot across the threads with yellows. Start by knotting R and 2R in the way of step 2.5, but knotting on the yellows next to them instead of greens. Continue with the steps, but use Y and 2Y in place of G and 2G. 

You will be knotting both Y's over blues first, then greens. Remember to finish the yellow chevron in the manner of Step 5. Your completed chevron should look like the first pic.

Keep repeating steps 2.5 through 5, changing out the color names as needed. Your next chevron will use the reds to outline (as always), then the blues to knot the chevron (second pic).

Then, it will be back to reds for outline and green for the chevron. 

Keep with the pattern until you are at about halfway of the length you need for the ring.

Take the two center threads (in this case, it's greens) and thread on your gem, through the bottom of the setting. Look at the last pic for reference.

Step 7: Take R, bring over and behind Y to the left and font, pull tight to make a knot. Bring R over and behind Y to the right and front, pull tight. 

Take Y, bring over and behind B then thru loop to left and front. Repeat.

Take R again, but now over and behind B to the left and font, pull tight to make a knot. Bring R over and behind B and thru loop to the right and front, pull tight. 

Take B, bring over and behind Y then thru loop to left and front. Repeat. You should have something looking like the last pic.

Step 8: Now repeat step 7, but working with 2R, 2Y and 2B. This is how the knots will go.

Take 2R, bring over and behind 2Y to the right and font, pull tight to make a knot. Bring 2R over and behind 2Y to the left and front, pull tight. 

Take 2Y, bring over and behind B then thru loop to right and front. Repeat.

Take 2R again, but now over and behind 2B to the right and font, pull tight to make a knot. Bring 2R over and behind 2B and thru loop to the left and front, pull tight. 

Take 2B, bring over and behind 2Y then thru loop to right and front. Repeat. 

Yours should look like the first pic.

Repeat steps 7 and 8 until you have long enough knotted pieces so that the gem can be encased (second pic.) 

Now, to close in the gem, continue with our original chevron knotting pattern, which starts back in Step 2.5. Remember, you may have to substitute the color names depending on what thread you end up re-beginning the chevron with, but always knot the thread to the one directly next to it.You will be back to knotting chevrons just like before, which will hold the gem in place (pic 3 and 4).

Keep with the chevron pattern till the ring is long enough to fit around your finger. Once long enough, overhand knot all threads to secure.

Step 9: Finishing. Tie both ends together, cut, and glue this knot.

The finished ring!

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