Sparkle Shells Anklet

My recent trip to Florida as part of the 2015 Cousin Corporation Ambassador Retreat totally inspired me to create my latest tutorial - my Sparkle Shells Anklet! If you read my last post, you'll see why I decided to make this beachy-glam accessory; the shells I used were the ones I picked while walking up and down the sandy shores of North Redington!



It was great these shells already had holes in them, which made it super easy to create jewelry from. Instead of using the shells in their natural form, I decided to gild them in gold for this piece. And, if that wasn't enough shine, rimming them with aqua crystal flat backs completes the totally luxe look.



After that, it's simple stringing to create the finished look. All of the beads, findings and stringing materials are Cousin brand, of course. This is a perfect summer accessory to wear on the beach, out to dinner, out shopping, anywhere, really. Bring the fun of the ocean everywhere you go!



Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are round nose pliers (and wire cutters), gold 4mm closed jump rings, gold crimps, crystals (I used 10mm Cousin Aqua faceted mirror beads and 6mm Cousin green faceted mirror beads), shells, Cousin .45mm gold beading wire, Cousin M'bellish crystal aqua flat backs, Cousin 26g gold wire (not shown, I used wire scraps from other projects!) and E6000 glue (or superglue if gluing on the INSIDE of the shells). If you want to gild your shells with gold, you will also need gold spray paint.



Step 2: Lightly spray and cover your shells with spray paint and let dry. Then create wrapped loop charms out of them with the gold 26g wire. I made 5 charms total.



Step 3: With your E6000 glue, rim the edges of the shell and then press in your flat backs. This tackier glue is better for gluing on the outside of shells - if you wanted to glue on the inside, you can use superglue (this might create a white haze, but rub off with nailpolish remover to fix).
I rimmed all five of my shells with the crystals.



Step 4: With a piece of beading wire 1.5 times your desired anklet length, slide on a crimp, jumpring, then back through the crimp. Flatten to secure. Then, alternating crystals, bead on your faceted rounds (I used closed gold jump rings as spacers, to bring out the gold color) and shells until your desired length and pattern is reached. Finish by adding a crimp, jumpring, then thread back through the crimp. Flatten to secure, and add a lobster clasp to close.

  

I obviously stuck with a green and blue scheme here, to mimic the colors of the ocean waves. Pick any color story you like!



If you have extra shells, make matching earrings or even a pendant necklace. This is where you could glue rhinestones to the inside of the shell, creating a glasslike surface. This works better for single pendants because the sparkle factor is super intense!



Whatever you choose to do, happy crafting! If you follow this tutorial, be sure to post your final project to Instagram and tag me @quietlioncreations. I'll repost you!

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

beach goddess shell clips

I have a LOT of shells laying around. I collect them from beaches I've been to, and sort of just save them up, for, well, things like this. I already did a post about Mermaid Trinket Dangles where I mixed these seaside offerings with vintage chandelier crystals and pearls. But, here, is art you can wear; golden, gilded hair clips.

 This tutorial was inspired by these Valentino Shell hair clips, from the designer's 2015 Spring/Summer show. You know I love a designer look for less, and these practically cost pennies to make. Plus, it's super easy too.

I made one big comb and two smaller bobby pins (I merely decorated crystal bobby pins from Claire's stores I got for 50 cents). Obviously I love sparkle, so I think the gems add the perfect touch. Don't use skinny, regular bobby pins because the shells will just plain fall off. I'd use a think clip, plastic hair comb or something sturdier.



Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are small shells, E600 Glue or hot glue, gold spray paint, hair clips or combs.



Step 2: Simply spray your shells with gold. Wait till dry, then glue to clips! If your shells aren't flat, I sometimes use hot glue to fill up the shell inside and glue to the plastic comb. It works better than E600 glue. Don't choose a real skinny clip or bobby pin either. It won't hold!



Pretty straightforward right! You don't just have to stick to hair clips here; glue them to cuff bracelets and mix with crystal flat backs for a total luxe look. Hmmm, maybe my next tutorial?! We'll see!

All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Don't post or reuse without linking to me and crediting me!

mermaid trinket dangles

Gifts from the sea….shells, coral pieces and beautiful abalone shards combine with Swarovski pearls and crystal pendants for a beachy treasure!



I've been collecting seashells for forever; from the beaches of Miami, the Gulf of Mexico and west-coast Cali, my art studio literally boasts bags and bags of these salty specimens. I usually just decorate glass jars with them, use them as bowl fillers and such - but I needed a different way to highlight these gems. Why not create sparkly sun catchers?!



With a bit of vintage glam from Cousin brand pearls and old chandelier crystals, Swarovski crystal pendants and a touch of gold wire, these are definitely a unique way to combine lost-and-found items for dazzling results! Let's start the tutorial.



Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are seashells (preferably hand-picked!), pliers, fishing line, 24g gold wire (mine from Cousin), pearls or crystals (mine Swarovski Create Your Style and Jewelry Basics distributed by Cousin), chandelier-style crystals (mine vintage), Swarovski crystal pendants or any other large pendant crystal.  I used a coral-shaped one and then this Crystalactite Pendant.



Pick out which shells or coral pieces you will be using. I'm making three different styles. My first uses this large coral piece. I simply took a piece of the 24g wire, found a hole at top and created a wrapped top loop with the wire. I then used another piece of wire, wrapping it around the loop, and wiring on a shard of abalone and a Swarovski coral pendant.



For my other dangle, I used three shells stacked on top of another- the largest shell naturally had a hole (which I again created a wire wrapped loop through), but I glued the other two shells on top and then glued a Swarovski Ivory pearl in the center.



For my third dangle, I used a large abalone piece, with which I created a hole at the top (by poking an Xacto knife through)- I wrapped a wire loop again. With another piece of wire, I wrapped on a purple Swarovski pearl and the Crystalactite pendant. I cut a foot of fishing line, threaded it through the wire loop, and folding in half right at the center, started stringing on an 8mm opaline bead, then the chandelier crystals….



Same with the shell dangle- except on this one, I added a pearl first, then the chandelier crystals. Here are the three dangles- as you can see, the chandelier crystals layer on top of another sort of like crystal shards. To finish, simply add a crimp bead to the fishwife strands, thread back through the crimp leaving a loop and crimp shut.



As you can see, there are endless possibilities with these. I have one of these hanging in my car, because I like to have a bit of the ocean with me wherever I go.



I think the rustic shells mixed with luxe crystals give the appearance of something you'd find in a mermaid's den - and don't tell me they don't exist, people! Play around with colors, crystal shapes, pearl sizes and more to create all different sorts of dangles.



I think the neutral tones within the shells, combined with the milky ivory pearls and then the pure sparkle of the crystals create the perfect, not-too-flasy decoration! Don't you agree?!



All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations. DO NOT POST OR REUSE without linking to me and crediting me. Thanks!